Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Iced Tea and Old Lace

It's my sister Margot's birthday. I thought I'd post a photo of this genteel veranda and imagine she and I might sit and have a glass of iced tea. We haven't had a chance to sit and talk together for a long time.

And cookies.

What?

Oh, okay, cake. It's a birthday.

On May first, I took the Pasadena Heritage Old Town Walking Tour. The tour moved quickly but I learned a lot. And I did get a few photos, so I'll show them to you over the next few days.

This one's from Castle Green. And yes, we got to go inside. But I think I like the veranda best.

Happy Birthday, Mo!

30 comments:

Dina said...

It does look like the perfect place for you sisters to sip iced tea together.
I never had a sister. It must be nice. Happy birthday, Margot.

Glad you have walking tours too.

Shell Sherree said...

Those light fittings are lovely, Petrea. Happy Birthday to Margot ~ it sounds like a very fine way to celebrate!

Unseen Rajasthan said...

Beautiful and fantastic place !!Simply nice !Unseen Rajasthan

Vanda said...

I love verandas! And front porches, balconies, back porches, decks, etc. Any place you can sit down with a cool glass of ice tea and listen to the buzz of birds, bees and your own thoughts.

Petrea Burchard said...

Castle Green is one of Pasadena's most unique buildings. And we have a lot of unique buildings! If Margot comes to visit here, I'd love to take her there. It's not always open to visitors, though.

Anonymous said...

Charming idea.

Happy birthday, Margot. You all got such cook names.

Petrea Burchard said...

Typo. She means kooky.

Cafe Pasadena said...

I thought your pic looked awfully familiar: Castle Green is having their next tour on 6/6/10 ($20).

I was also thinking about taking the OT tour again since I last went on it back in the last century and so much has changed there.

Louis la Vache said...

Happy Birthday, Margot!

This veranda looks like a fine place to take a "chill pill"! Just looking at the image is relaxing!

Sarah said...

Simply nice!
Happy bithday, Margot! Wish you the bests...

mark said...

Now that is a very nice photo. The angle and light is perfect. The veranda looks so inviting. Looks like a real classic. This photo is one of your best.
ps Happy Birthday to Margot.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I love the lace curtains and the trimmed canary island date palm. A perfect place for sisters to spend time together. I also like the name Margot. It appears that your parents took the road less traveled when it came to naming their offspring

Petrea Burchard said...

I haven't taken the full tour of Castle Green in a while, Cafe. I remember enjoying it. I believe it's different every time. The Old Town tour takes you through the first floor, which is lovely.

I hope Margot checks in today and gets all her birthday wishes! Actually, I hope she's too busy today and she sees them tomorrow.

Yes, Liz, our parents were creative with our names. I might have wished for a simpler name when I was younger, but now I appreciate the care they took.

pasadenapio said...

The Old Pasadena Walking Tours are fun and educational and I'm glad the Castle Green is included.

The Castle Green is open to the general public for full tours only two days a year. The next one is Sunday, June 8, and many of the private apartments will be open for viewing as well.

I serve on the board of the Friends of the Castle Green, which puts on the two big tours annually. Proceeds fund restoration projects for the exterior and first-floor common areas of the building.

Cafe Pasadena said...

As was said before, the next tour is on June 6th.

Anonymous said...

I think your parents made a good choice:
MARgot and PETrea....what’s wrong with that, you should both be happy.
I’m also a little amused of your surname BurcHARD, which you probably got from J.

Also have some thoughts about my name ANONymouse.

Btw: It all looks like a chilly veranda to me, and not to mention the old lace, and I hope you can share the cake later.

Katie said...

Great photo and an amazingly inviting porch. Perfect place to celebrate Margot's birthday! I'll bring Snickerdoodles (since I just made a big batch).

SH -ic said...

its good to dream tks

Petrea Burchard said...

I will have a snickerdoodle, thanks very much, Katie.

Ah yes, I'm sure that's just a typo, PIO meant the 6th because that is a Sunday.

PIO, you need to be on more boards and committees. I don't think you have enough to do.

Unknown said...

I really love Castle Green! My old roommate, Rhonda, had her wedding reception there and it was lovely.

What a fabulous shot of the veranda, Petrea. I could see you sitting there enjoying cake with your sister and watching the passers-by.

Petrea Burchard said...

It would be a great place for a wedding reception, Lori, especially if you could spill out onto the grounds. I imagine they do a lot of that there.

Ms M said...

Happy birthday to Margot!
That does look like a wonderful setting for a quiet birthday celebration.

Mister Earl said...

I remember seeing the movie Bugsy in which the Castle Green was supposed to be a hotel in Cuba. I was sitting in a theater only blocks from the Castle. That's one of the strange things about living in LA. Sometimes you see buildings or setting that you're asked to believe are something else. Creates a strange feeling sometimes.

TheChieftess said...

I love the Castle Green!!! We checked it out for my step daughter's wedding, but she chose another venue...which is ok, because that wedding didn't take, so maybe the next one...

Nah...don't think it's a venue a sports mascot would be inclined to favor...

Think I'll just have to settle for that tour on the 8th, er the 6th!!! (but, can I have wine and set on that porch for a spell???)

pasadenapio said...

Yes, sorry, I meant Sunday, June 6, for the tour of the historic Castle Green.

pasadenapio said...

Also, the Castle Green is one of only a couple of buildings officially designated by the Pasadena City Council as a city architectural treasure.

Petrea Burchard said...

PIO, is that an official designation? I'd love to know which other buildings fall into that category. Maybe a Pasadena PIO blog post?

valeria said...

Lovely place for tea (or coffee..) and a good chat!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Valeria, thanks for your visit! I've enjoyed many a trip to Verona on your beautiful blog.

Lori Lynn said...

Happy Belated Birthday to your sister. Looks like a lovely place to enjoy each others company.
LL