You might remember that Reed and I visited Gloria last December. Yesterday Connie and I went back for another visit so we could enjoy her yard and flowers.
Gloria and Gaylen have 42 acres along the Cedar River east of Charles City, IA. She has 27 different garden areas with perennials, water features and yard art. They mow 12 acres and weed everything else as well as putting down mulch.
Gloria has several old outhouses displayed in her yard.
Gloria loves horses and her beloved Arabian stallion is buried here.
Both Gaylen and Gloria are Master Gardeners and it shows!
As you can see, I just loved this barbed wire tree – which Gaylen says is not done but I love it anyway!
I’d love to sit on this deck and enjoy the scenery.
And then inside we went to see her antique collections.
There are horses of every kind throughout the house. This one lives in front of this unique wall painting and is rare because it has its ears forward and its smiling. Think bout other Merry-go-round horses – their ears are back and they’re baring their teeth.
This bathroom had a canoe above the sink and all sinks had smooth stones over the drain for appearance only.
On my previous visit I didn’t show you her sewing room – here it is!
Oh, what a fun tour it was! We went to The Pub for lunch and had their specialty breaded pork loin sandwich that Connie and I shared – you can see why when you see my half!
We felt like real celebrities when a lady behind us stood up and said “hi” – she’s a vlog reader and follower. Meet Carol!
If you see us out and about, please say hi and let me take your picture for the blog.
I will post again later today regarding the rug-along. Now I’m going out to weed my own garden – I mowed when I got home yesterday because tomorrow is a Reed and Mary adventure day! I’m not even going to take the time to proofread this – it’s looking like rain – again!
Such an interesting home and so well organized. Gives me inspiration, sort of. Her garden is a work of art also. Thank you for sharing. She has such clever ideas both inside and out. Lucky you for being able to enjoy it in person.
So inspiring!
Beautiful gardens!!!! I love the garden art, especially the old bike with the basket!! Just gorgeous!
The Dianes must be thinking alike; I love the old bike, too:) WOW. What an amazing yard and gardens. Whew. Beautiful. Thanks, Mary.
This is another Diane! I,too, liked the bike and especially the yellow flowers in the basket.
What a great imagination Gloria must have! So much repurposed art making gorgeous gardens. Thanks for letting us all stroll through your home & gardens.
What a great imagination Gloria must have! So much repurposed art making gorgeous gardens. Thanks for letting us all stroll through your home & gardens.
Thank you for sharing , a beautiful setting..all her collections r wonderful..
I have one acre in Gilbert, w my vintage garden items..and w our heat the grass and weeds grown so fast, it’s plently of Work..for me..This Christmas it w be a Red,White & Blue have been collecting items..Your
Sharing Gloria’s place made my DAY..
Katie in Gilber,Az.
Absolutely beautiful, both inside and out. Wish I could get my sewing room to look like hers and think I’ll add cleaning and organizing it to my dirty dozen list! Will that count?
After seeing the gardens and beautiful homes in Iowa, I really need to get some of that mojo juice. My rock “lawn” and cacti should be a lot easier to take care of but it’s too hot to get out there and do much.
Looking forward to another Mary and Reed adventure.
What a wonderful tour! After seeing the sewing room in it’s entire neatness I wonder how much time she has to sew? Thanks for visiting there again, Mary and sharing with all of us.
Thanks for sharing the pictures of the lovely home and gardens. They made my day!
Surprised you got some pictures – rain again in Emmet County.
Oh, My! I loved that garden tour and seeing all the great yard art. They do a fantastic job of it. You must have had so much fun. My husband used to take me on garden tours for my June birthday. Now you are doing it. lol
Her sewing room is to die for and So Clean and Neat!!
What a fun garden! I just love when people add interesting artful touches. I’m going to a garden art show at our botanical gardens this weekend. Our Botanical Gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and the greenhouses are amazing. On the huge lawns is the show and sale.
I just came in from weeding for two hours… my new haircut from just yesterday is a drippy sopping mess… there goes my one day of beauty!
Always your enjoy your outings, Mary! Thanks for taking us along.
Some people just live the artful life, don’t they? Your pictures look like a spread in Country Living magazine! I enjoyed the tour.
How do they ever maintain all that land and gardens. I have a garden, 2 flower beds and grass cutting and that is too much for me. It must be a beautiful place to visit. Very serene.
Love,love,love the garden pictures. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into maintaining these lovely gardens!!!
Beautiful lawn! Would love to know more about the barb wire tree—how is it made?
What a showplace! I’m all admiration for gardeners who can keep up with all that work! Kudos to you all!
Thank you Mary and Connie for sharing the beautiful flowers and home. I can’t imagine how much time it takes to keep everything so neat and tidy. Thank you
Beautiful gardens, Thank You for sharing!
What gorgeous gardens!! She is such an interesting collector, everything so well displayed. You have been enjoying some beautiful places! Looking forward to hearing about the next “adventure “!!
Gloria’s garden should be featured in Country Gardens magazine. It’s wonderful!
That breaded tenderloin sandwich is popular in Indiana, too. Looks good with all the fixings. I enjoyed the garden tour.
Awesome day!!!
Another stunning, beautiful Iowa home and garden.
I think we are all amazed at the work done by your master gardener’s.
Truly incredible.
Thanks for postcard today.
THANK YOU FOR sharing these wonderful pictures of Gloria’s Master gardens. they are fabulous.
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US Connie’s lake house. I would spend all summer there. Our family had a cottage on the lake and we would spend our summer at the lake. WE have great memories growing up on the lake. In the winter we would ice fish and skate.
Carolyn B Shenandoah Valley VA
Catherina – I asked Gaylen how he made the barbed wire tree: he started with a metal pipe and welded a round plate on top. He drilled holes in the plate for the dump rake teeth. Then wrapped the teeth with barbed wire. Hope this helps. Gloria
What a wonderful garden! I’m in awe of the amount of work involved in maintaining that! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Wow, all these wonderful tours are making me feel like I need an extra dose of energy! This property and Connie’s look so great.
Well that was both beautiful and inspiring; thank you for taking us along on the garden tour!
Such beautiful gardens! And the house, too. The flag in the wall was spectacular. I remember when you saw the fur coat at the store and called someone about it. Now we have seen the “tea party”! Thanks to you and Connie for taking us along.
Oh my goodness—-this home is a couple of miles from where I live and I sure do wish I knew this couple so I could come and see their yard in person! I remember the post from Christmas and their home was beautiful from Christmas. They antiques are just beautiful!!! And now decorated for 4th of July inside is again just gorgeous! And the sewing room—–gave me such motivation to get my room decorated in a very cute, antique way!! The gardens were delightful!!! So well taken care of and an extension of their home in decorating!! The Pub has excellent food and next time try out Plaza Mexico if you like Mexican food as it is very good!! What a treat to have a friend such as Gloria and Gaylen!!!