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Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Just right down the road from Hidcote is Kiftsgate Court Gardens. This garden was created by Heather Muir beginning in the 1920s. Muir's daughter, Diany Binny, came to live at Kiftsgate in 1954. She would add the half-moon pool and redesigned the white garden. She also first opened the garden to the public. Today, the tradition continues as granddaughter Anne Chambers and her husband maintain the gardens.    Heather Muir was a friend and neighbor of Hidcote's Lawrence Johnston (their houses are within one mile of each other), and he inspired her in the garden's design. However, the two gardens differ in character and have their own unique characteristics. While Johnston's garden is laid out in strict geometric lines, Muir took a more naturalistic approach. Muir added many heirloom shrub roses to the garden and is famous for the 'Kiftsgate' rose, which occurred from a seedling in the garden. Unfortunately, we were too early for the roses. There were a few like t...

My birthday cake

Michael always makes me a Boston Cream Pie for my birthday. It is my favorite cake (I have no idea why they call it a pie). He usually buys a boxed mix but he went all out this year and made it from scratch, using a recipe from Maida Heatter (with a little help from me). I'm going to post the recipe and photos of him making it on my baking blog. It was delicious! I also gained about 5 pounds.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Oh, be still my beating heart! I love that mix of pudding, cake and chocolate, too Phillip. Hope your birthday was grand!

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  2. What a wonderful birthday gift. My mouth is watering. Happy belated birthday.

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  3. Looks delish!! Happy Belated Birthday.

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  4. Boston Cream Pie is a favorite, as is Maida Heatter, so I can't wait to see the recipe! I'm from there, and don't know why they call it a "pie," either! Whatever it's called, it's a beautiful thing! Happy Birthday!

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  5. Phillip,
    Never had this before. Congrads on our 29th birthday! Meg's b day is Monday. Now get out there and work off those pounds you gained!

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  6. Damn! Now I have to make a trip to the bakery.

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  7. Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day. Cake from scratch - that's love!

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  8. Happy Birthday, Phillip!!

    Oh that is so Wonderful of Michael and it looks Amazing!!

    Yum!! Looking forward to seeing the photos!!

    Hope you have a Wonderful & Healthy Birthday Year!!

    gerri XXXOOO

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  9. I do hope your birthday was filled with celebration and laughter. The cake looks so delicious and Phillip, I never eat cake! gail

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  10. Hope you had a great birthday. Boston Creme Pie is one of my favorites, too.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  11. I knew I shouldn't have looked at your baking blog...

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  12. Gosh, that looks good. My daughter the other day had a piece of Boston Cream Pie, and she said, "Mom, they're silly. It's a cake." She thought they made it wrong. :) ~~Dee

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  13. HBD, friend. Love Boston Creme Pie, too and since I'm always looking for something to have on Sunday afternoons after our bible study, I think I'll make one. I'll go over to your blog and snag the reciepe. Carol

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  14. Happy Bday! That cake looks awesome I must say.

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  15. Hope you had a lovely birthday! How sweet of Michael to make it for you, especially because I get the impression that you are the one who most likes to bake! I'm sure it was delish. Will you do me a favor and make note of my new blog address? My old one was deleted due to someone else's fraud. Grrrrr!
    http://lifeinrobinsnest.blogspot.com/

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  16. Boston cream pie is my favorite. Mom usually makes one for me on my birthday. She made the hummingbird cake recipe that's in this months Southern Living for our lab. It didn't last past breakfast. Where did the name for hummingbird cake come from?

    On the gardening front, my heirloom daffodils are in bloom. Spring is close!!!

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