June 1, 2014

Picnic At Duke Gardens

Hubby and I chose to go to the beautiful Duke Gardens for a picnic.  They are located in Durham, NC only 30 minutes from our home.


When we arrived we started scoping out that "perfect spot" to set up our picnic.  We wanted to have lunch before roaming the gardens so the food would not have a chance to spoil... and because we were a little hungry. It took us about 10 minutes to uncover a hideaway spot just perfect for 2 romantics like ourselves.

Can you see the benches nestled away back there?
Perfect!
Looks like some other romantics found this spot too!

I made a picnic quilt special for the occasion.  We spread our picnic quilt out over one of the benches and sat up our basket.  What is in that picnic basket, you ask?  Well, we all know you need fried chicken for any picnic, right?  Hubby's favorite food in the world is fried chicken. He doesn't get it very often because I cannot fry it too well... the outer crispy coating does not stay on.  This yummy chicken came from Popeye's.  Perfect every time!  And no, that is not wine in those glasses.. it is Coca Cola! ha!


A close up of the picnic quilt showing you that yes, I did use pig fabric! :)  I bought these fabrics in 2009 in New Hampshire when I was on a quilting retreat with 70 friends from the HGTV Quilting and Needlework Forum and they have sat patiently waiting to become something.  This picnic was the perfect time to get them out and make them useful.  I made 10 1/2 inch 4-patch blocks and cut 10 1/2 inch  squares from the pig print to create my quilt.  I quilted it with a free hand square spiral.

I actually made it to fit my eating table but once it was finished and I laid it on the table, I am not so sure I want to use it there.  I added the black to make it wider and longer and I just don't know if I like it in the end.  I think I will put it in the charity cupboard and let a sweet child wrap up in it this winter.

I will tell you now that I cannot get down on the ground and sit so that is why we are not all snug as a bug sitting on the quilt.  There was a second bench so we both sat there and secretly watched everyone coming and going as we had our lunch.  They never knew we were there. :)

As we were leaving our picnic area, we went down by the pond and mama goose was there with a couple of her babies.  Are they not sweet!


And way across the pond were some Canadian Geese.  We are often visited by Canadian Geese here on our farm... 3-4 days a week, most weeks.  I love to hear them honking when they get ready to fly away.  It always makes me smile.


We started making our way around to the various flower gardens... But first I HAVE to show you this!  Is it not the most incredible water fountain you have ever seen!  I told hubby that I would love to have one just like it and he quickly replied, "well, you better win the lottery". lol


These photos are of some of the flower gardens that we enjoyed today...





And a couple of shots with the picnic quilt once again.. Did you notice that it has pigs on it!



I hope that you have enjoyed our picnic and the gorgeous Duke Gardens!  Thank you for taking the time to come and visit today!

48 comments:

Kristen King said...

I did notice the pigs and I think your quilt is very nice. Looks like you had a wonderful day for a secret picnic! :)

Anita said...

Pig fabric is quite interesting, and I think the quilt turned out great! It seems that you had a great day both with surroundings and food!

Gill said...

Great quilt Thearica and a great spot for a picnic!

charlotte said...

Wonderful picnic, Thearica. I have never been to Duke Gardens even though I have lived in Chapel Hill for 20 years now. It is so beautiful. What a great place for your picnic. Your quilt is very cute. Love those pigs.

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Your piggy quilt is wonderful and those gardens look lovely!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Of course you had pigs on your fabric and of course I love it! What a beautiful place for a picnic. I can tell you for sure that if my husband knew you were there having Popeyes chicken he would have been all over that. :) blessings, marlene

Scrapatches said...

Beautiful photos and picnic spot! I noticed right away that your quilt had piggies on it. How picnic perfect and how YOU, Ms Thearica!
I love the pattern. Thanks for sharing your picnic and quilt with me ... :) Pat

Linda said...

Oh, I've been to Duke Gardens when we lived in Raleigh! What a gorgeous setting for a picnic! I love your little piggy quilt. If you do give it away, someone will be very fortunate!!

krislovesfabric said...

Wonderful post, love your quilt and all the pics of your day :) That fountain is a stunner!

Carol Swift said...

Your choice for a picnic looks so beautiful...love that fountain! I think your quilt makes a perfect picnic blanket with the pigs on it since I always pig-out during my picnics. I love the black in it and everything else about it! Great job and thanks for sharing.

Vickie said...

What a beautiful spot for your perfect picnic....best friend in the world, fried chicken and a piggy quilt that is sew cute !

Nancy said...

Thank~You Therica for sharing your Perfect Picnic day with us at Duke Gardens! Your Quilt is adorable! I like the Black running through it, kind of like they all have their own Pens, very creative!!

Wonderful job, Thanks for sharing!!

Huggs, Nancy

KaHolly said...

Absolutely delightful!

Dee said...

Sounds like a wonderful outing. I love Duke gardens. I remember when I used to go to DUKE, I'd go there to study for exams. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Amanda Murphy said...

Beautiful gardens and a wonderful quilt!

tink's mom said...

It's a lovely quilt and the pictures show such a wonderful picnic day.

Patty said...

lovely photos of your picnic and quilt. I, too, live about 30 mins from Duke Gardens. I don't get there often enough!

Corrie said...

Looks like a lovely place, what a beautiful garden. I hope you come to love your piggy blanket. :)

Farm Quilter said...

Your location was simply gorgeous! I really like your piggy quilt!!!

Sparky said...

a mmmm I too late is all the food gone? listen....I am blown over my how lovely everything looks..and pigs on your quilt...how wonderful it looks....the surroundings are so welcoming...yep love love love this picnic idea..thanks for having me along..

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Nice kwilt and I really enjoyed all the flowers.

Shari said...

Loving your picnic...what a beautiful day! Love your piggy quilt (beautiful colours). Mmmm good ol fried chicken and cola cannot be beat! Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos!

Jeanna said...

Beautiful location for your picnic Thearica! I agree, fried chicken is a staple for the picnic basket. Your quilt turned out cute in the pig fabric. I'm sorry it isn't one of your favorites but I'm sure some charity will love to have it when you decide to give it away.

Thanks for sharing links to the other picnic bloggers...

Doris Rice, The Quilting Queen said...

Beautiful gardens and beautiful quilt! And I'm so glad you didn't disappoint us with the pig fabric. It's just too cute and so fitting! Thanks for sharing! I can't fry chicken either; too much work and not so good results and there are too many places that do it much better and reasonably priced! Popeye's was a good choice. Besides that leaves more time for picnicing and quilting! :)

DebraKay Neiman said...

Duke Gardens is so beautiful. Your quilt just fit in nicely. I like to buy my picnic food too and spend more time enjoying the day. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

gpc said...

What a fun quilt, I love your piggy fabric! Your picnic looks perfect to me; what a lovely setting! :)

Kathy H said...

Such a fun quilt with the pigs on it. A beautiful spot too for a picnic.

Cindy said...

Such a beautiful location you went to! Pigs on a picnic quilt....funny!

Judy B said...

Love your quilt! What a fun day, thank you for sharing.

Ella and Nesta said...

I hadn't noticed the pigs from a distance! It's a fun idea. That Coke looks a bit too red: are you sure it's not red wine???!

Suze said...

You certainly are a giver. You make a beautiful quilt for your table and then think you'll give it to charity. What a big heart you have! I already knew that about you. Your picnic is perfection. I love that you found an out of the way place. I'm not good at frying chicken either. Sometimes it's just easier to buy somethings and not take credit either. I love you showed others' creations is your pictures, God's creations, and your amazing quilt creation. I can tell you had a wonderful day. Thank you for participating again and thank you for encouraging those of us who have not, to try it. I may just do that in the fall. I am so booked until October. I have to de-cat (hair) two quilts by tomorrow to enter them as my first ever entries in a quilt show. I didn't make one of them, even though I bound it. I am stressing to the max to get them ready. Again, thanks for all the beautiful inspiration.

Amy said...

Love you little Piggies on parade. It looks like you found a perfect spot to take a picnic, it looks beautiful. Your menu is right up my alley, nothing like a little hot sauce. Thanks for sharing your pretty little picnic with us.

Marcy said...

Lovely colors and you picked a picture perfect location.

Needled Mom said...

What a spectacular setting for your picnic. The pig quilt is just perfect too.

Joanne said...

Beautiful quilt and the setting is absolutely stunning!

Mary said...

This looks like such a beautiful play to have a picnic. I love your quilt. You do such creative and fun things. Thank you for playing along.

Anonymous said...

Well, it really looks like I should once visit this beautiful garden, all the flowers and the wonderful trees, I love such parcs!
and your quilt is so funny, a real pig tales quilt :-)

LJ said...

Duke Gardens looks like a beautiful place to picnic. I loved all the pictures of the gorgeous flowers. The quilt is lovely and (I'm sure.) won't be showing stains from a picnic which is the only kind of picnic quilt to have. Maybe you'll decide you like it better after a bit more time has passed. Thank you for sharing your special spot!

Calicojoan said...

Well, I for one love it. The little pig fabric is perfect for a BBQ... you know one where you cook up some Bacon Cheese burgers! LOL! What a gorgeous spot for your picnic. Wowziers!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Your quilt turned out very cute. I agree Popeye's chicken is the best.

Michelle said...

Now, that's my kind of picnic, fried chicken and soda pop. lol Love it! Looks like a lovely place to picnic. The garden photos are just lovely. Your quilt is just wonderful too. :-)

Carla said...

I make fried chicken just like you. KFC and I make the best chicken...lol I really love the colors in your quilt and think it is lovely. Thanks for sharing your beautiful picnic. What a wonderful location.

Charlene McCain said...

What a beautiful place for a picnic. Your pictures were great! Loved your quilt!

Susie said...

Hi Thearica I love that pig fabric and think the quilt is lovely. The gardens and flowers look wonderful and wish I was there. Thanks for sharing. Susie x

Linda C said...

Wow, what a great spot for a picnic! I bet you didn't have to think twice about where to go when it is that lovely.

Of course a pig themed quilt is a natural for you seeing as what your blog is named! It think it turned out wonderfully.

evelyn said...

I love the little out of the way spot you chose for your picnic. Your piggy quilt is wonderful, and so are you to share it with others.

Mary Pat Callihan said...

Hi Thearica! I am so sorry to be tardy in commenting on your post. Last week was the end of the school year and the days are crazy. All I did was breeze through the pictures on everyone's post. Yesterday and today I am actually reading what people said and the stories they have told. It has been a great day and here I am at your post! Your day with your sweetheart looks so lovely....and your piggy fabric makes me smile. I know you are not in love with the quilt but I don't think you need to love a picnic quilt. Then you never want to use it for fear of messing it up! It is the perfect "take the grand kids on a picnic" quilt!

Quilter Kathy said...

A lovely picnic quilt and a feast for the eyes with all the beauty around you!