Some Garden Perks

I've had the pleasure of working several days next door at Crook Hall and Gardens since our arrival.  I mentioned my desire to do so to our landlord when we moved in, and he hooked it right up!  It turns out that most of the kids who work there went back to university, and the gardens don't close until tomorrow, so I stepped in to help out a little bit.  It's so nice to roll out of bed, put on my coat, and walk about 30 yards to work.

I've helped out at the gate mostly, selling tickets and welcoming guests.  Here's a picture of me doing my best White Lady (the ghost who haunts Crook Hall) impression.  Apparently the lighting was a bit weird in the garden shed where I was hiding from the rain.


On my first day, someone asked me how much it was to get in, and I said, "Six dollars."


"Dollars?!" she seemed appalled with her hand over her chest, shrinking back from my little table.


"I mean, pounds.  Sorry.  Oh, I've given myself away, haven't I?"


It turns out this woman was understanding.  She, an Englishwoman, married an American Air Force pilot and had her first child in San Bernadino, the same county that Bakersfield is in.  Small world.


The benefit of working there when it is slow is that I get to read and journal and whatnot while surrounded by the beauty of the gorgeous gardens.  There are worse things.

This wonderful little (humongous) beauty is called the Aga.  It is a stove that stays on all the time and heats the kitchen, not to mention bakes and warms scrumptious treats.

And - be still my heart - scones.  Lauren, one of the girls who works at the gardens, makes them and bakes them to perfection in the Aga every morning.  When I asked her for the recipe, she said, "It's in me mind."  I'll have to bribe her, I suppose.  These are fabulous all warmed up with cream butter and strawberry jam.  My mouth is watering already.