An evening in a French garden

Mimi Turner enjoys a rose in Jackie Wilson's garden in Rockford.

Mimi Turner enjoys a rose in Jackie Wilson's garden in Rockford.

Is this a new trend around here? Or have I been missing out all these years? It seems that we in Knoxville just cannot get enough of garden parties these days!

Every other day, Alan and I are checking the forecast and heading out to someone’s garden. Don’t get me wrong. I love garden parties. I just don’t remember there being so many before. The latest was last week when Jackie Wilson invited guests into her rose garden for a fundraiser for the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum.

It would be a tremendous understatement to call Jackie a “Francophile.” She is absolutely eaten up with the country! So much so that she bought a piece of property in nearby Rockford and built herself a house and garden that feel as if they are located in the middle of Provence. And what’s the most French of all French drinks to serve? Right. Champagne. The name of the event, “Champagne in Bloom,” indicated that it was part of the Botanical Garden’s “In Bloom” series that began with “Hats in Bloom” last month. (Click here for a report on that fun day.)

Anyway, come along for a sweet evening in our little version of France. And don’t forget to sign up for some of these swell garden parties when the Botanical Garden offers them next.

Am I in Provence? No. Rockford!

Am I in Provence? No. Rockford!

We were welcomed by this lovely fountain.

We were welcomed by this lovely fountain.

And by Vicki Baumgartner of the Botanical Garden pouring wine and champagne.

And by Vicki Baumgartner of the Botanical Garden pouring wine and champagne.

Kent and Susan Farris getting the evening off to a good start.

Kent and Susan Farris getting the evening off to a good start.

Very continental appetizers: olives and cheeses

Very Continental appetizers: olives and cheeses

Charming

Charming

What a beautiful setting.

What a beautiful setting.

I just loved the casual elegance of it.

I just loved the casual elegance of it.

Jackie Wilson, second from right, with, from left, Richard Ford, Pat Jobe and Dawn Ford

Jackie Wilson, second from right, with, from left, Richard Ford, Pat Jobe and Dawn Ford

This is what we came for.

This is what we came for.

The roses are in a fenced garden to keep various varmits away from them.

The roses are in a fenced garden to keep various varmits away from them.

There were dozens of varieties.

There were dozens of varieties.

Gorgeous

Gorgeous

Elizabeth Jamison and Mimi Turner talking fowers.

Elizabeth Jamison and Mimi Turner talking flowers.

In addition to roses, there were herbs.

In addition to roses, there were herbs.

Like this dill.

Like this dill.

And wildflowers

And wildflowers

Bird houses and wind chimes dotted the property.

Bird houses and wind chimes dotted the property.

Alan made the acquaintance of this darling scarecrow.

Alan made the acquaintance of this darling scarecrow.

From left, Nancy Campbell, Fran Scheidt, Sandra Garber and Sandy Lucas

From left, Nancy Campbell, Fran Scheidt, Sandra Garber and Sandy Lucas

This poached salmon was the centerpiece of dinner. (There actually were two of these -- 12 pounds each.)

This poached salmon was the centerpiece of dinner. (There actually were two of these -- 12 pounds each.)

Wild rice and edamame salad

Wild rice and edamame salad

Sesame asparagus

Sesame asparagus

The dinner was lovely.

The dinner was lovely.

June Ezman

June Ezman

Pat Jobe

Pat Jobe

Joan and Victor Ashe

Joan and Victor Ashe

Charleene Edwards, left, and Sylvia Peters

Charleene Edwards, left, and Sylvia Peters

Jackie served strawberry shortcakes with a French flair for dessert. Instead of cake, they contained madelines, a French cookie.

Jackie served strawberry shortcakes with a French flair for dessert. Instead of angel food cake, they contained madeleines, a French cookie.

The interior of the house had a French feel, as well. Here's the living room.

The interior of the house had a French feel, as well. Here's the living room.

The front door

The front door

The downstairs bedroom

The downstairs bedroom

We ran into George and Wanda Taylor inside the house.

We ran into George and Wanda Taylor inside the house.

I loved this joyous piece of garden art on the way back to the driveway.

I loved this joyous piece of garden art on the way back to the driveway.

I forgot to mention how treacherous the road was to access the house. It was so narrow and steep, that organizers felt it best for us all to park our cars near a large barn down the road from Jackie’s house. They enlisted the assistance of only the best and most careful drivers to ferry the guests to the house and back to their cars.

We're glad we got Mark Hill!

We're glad we got Mark Hill!

Well, I’m all about a new social media platform called Vine. It allows you to make 6-second videos. Yes. Six seconds! So here are two 6-second videos. What do you think?

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14 Responses to An evening in a French garden

  1. Katie Fitch, on May 31st, 2013 at 10:54 am said:

    How lovely! Everything Jackie touches is simply beautiful!

  2. Gina Buffum, on May 31st, 2013 at 11:02 am said:

    Truly lovely. And the videos are a nice touch.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on May 31st, 2013 at 11:11 am said:

    I agree, Katie.

    Thanks, Gina: They are kind of fun to do. And, since it’s only six seconds, not a big time suck for the videographer — or the viewer!

  4. Alan Carmichael, on May 31st, 2013 at 11:12 am said:

    This was a very beautiful setting. Never been in that neck of the woods. Jackie’s roses were beautiful also.

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on May 31st, 2013 at 11:21 am said:

    If you want to hear sound (which, in this case, is just ambient background sound), you need to mouse over the video and click on the little sound icon.

  6. Fay Bailey, on May 31st, 2013 at 12:20 pm said:

    Roses are outstanding. What a beautiful setting for a party. Thank for sharing. Fay

  7. Jackie Wilson, on May 31st, 2013 at 12:39 pm said:

    Cynthia, I was honored that you and my other friends came to support the Knoxville Botanical Garden. My garden has never looked better than in your photos.

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on May 31st, 2013 at 1:10 pm said:

    Thanks for doing it, Jackie. And for being in charge of the whole “In Bloom” series. That was a great idea.

  9. Fran Scheidt, on June 1st, 2013 at 4:34 pm said:

    Cynthia, your beautiful photos will make everyone wish they’d been lucky enough to be with us at Jackie’s lovely party. It isn’t too late to get tickets for the Summer Soltice Supper at our fav KBG, Dana said yesterday..

    Thanks to Jackie and her friends who pitched in to cook, serve, AND chauffeur- a delightful evening.

  10. Monique Anderson, on June 3rd, 2013 at 7:19 am said:

    Absolutely Beautiful. I love roses and FRENCH stuff!!!

  11. Tami Hartmann, on June 3rd, 2013 at 8:37 am said:

    This has been the rainiest year ever to be overloaded with garden parties — but most seem to dodge the raindrops. This is a particularly beautiful scene in Rockford — and a great boon for the Botanical Garden. Thanks for sharing!

  12. Gay Lyons, on June 3rd, 2013 at 1:38 pm said:

    I hated to miss this. It looks lovely. I agree about the “In Bloom” series. What a great idea!

  13. Cynthia Moxley, on June 3rd, 2013 at 4:35 pm said:

    Thanks, Fran! I already have ordered tickets to the Summer Solstice event. Hope to see you there!

    Monique: I know you do!

    Tami: I guess God loves gardens, too! The rain has been good for them and we do seem to have been able to dodge most of the weather for the majority of this year’s parties. (I’m probably jinxing us by saying that!)

    Gay: You would have enjoyed it, I feel sure.

  14. Deanene Catani, on June 6th, 2013 at 2:27 pm said:

    I love Jackie’s home!!! Always have, always will!

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