This is a story of a beginning, an ending and another beginning.
The story began in the Spring of 2009. My house, above, was on the Rye House Tour — and this photograph, taken by Eddie Ross, appeared the next week on his blog. That was my introduction to the world of blogging. Over the next year, I loved reading blogs and thought it would be fun to have one of my own. I decided to name it Pretty Pink Tulips because they were a recognizable aspect of my home and something I thoroughly looked forward to each year.
In the beginning, I honestly didn’t even post much about the tulips. For the first 2 years, I didn’t post anything about the tulips. I find that rather amusing. I wrote about fashion, travel, entertaining and gift giving. But, it was the tulips that really defined me and seemed to be what people remembered.
Over the years, my house has changed a bit. We added on. The split rail fence came down. We added shutters and changed the door color to a glossy black. The back garden changed, too. We added an arbor gate, a fountain and more plantings. But, this took place over a decade. A little change here. A bigger change there. It evolved. But, every year, without fail…the tulips came up!
Here is a look back over a decade of tulips…including last year when they came up RED! The tulips even had their moment in the May issue of Better Homes and Gardens last year – an absolute thrill for me.
And, here is my home today…10 years later. It’s basically the same. Even those andirondack chairs are still there! Thank you for letting me share my home and garden with you for nearly a decade, along with my musings about living, giving and entertaining with style and grace. It has been an absolute pleasure and I’m so happy that we’ve had this time together. Now, I’m going to focus on my teenage sons and look for that next great creative experience.
I’ll continue to share what’s blooming on Instagram and look forward to staying connected. Wishing you lots of sunshine and days in the garden!
You will be missed. May god bless you and your famiLy. Enjoy life!
Thank you, Cindi! Your note means a lot!!! xx Elizabeth
I love your tulips AND you, Elizabeth!! xoxoxo
Thank you, sweet Sandy!!! Without my blog, we probably wouldn’t have met. And, look at all the fun that has led to! Here’s to more fun in the coming years! xx Elizabeth
Elizabeth, Yours is the very first blog I followed (about 5 years ago) and has continued to be one of my favorites. One that I always find time to read even on busy days because it provides such a perfect escape. Your house is very similar in style to mine and inspired our home’s exterior paint color (which you kindly shared with me about 4 years ago as we were painting it following our own addition). and, your beautiful gardens have provided me with dozens of ideas as we’ve worked bit by bit on our yard. I will absolutely miss receiving the blog in my inbox each week but look forward to following along with you (and the tulips) on Instagram.
Hi MaryEllen,
Thank you for letting me know about your home/paint and yard! That really made me smile! Thank you for following along the last 5 years with me. Here’s to continuing the conversation on Insta!!
xx Elizabeth
Elizabeth – what a lovely house and garden you have! It’s just exquisite, And how exciting that your house appeared on Eddie Ross’s blog. Thanks SO much for sharing it.
Thank you so much, Lisa! I really appreciate your note! xx Elizabeth
A sense a very wise woman in you ELIZABETH. See you on instagram!
Linda
Thank you, Linda!! Looking forward to continuing the conversation on Insta!! 🙂
Elizabeth, i will really miss your blog. It was so inspirational to me in landscaping my property.your taste Was exceptional in all your blogs.i know we will be hearing from you again in the future. Best Wishes in all your endeavours.
Thank you so much, Elaine! I am touched that you found inspiration for your landscaping. Good luck with it all!!
xx Elizabeth
Elizabeth, congratulations on a great nine years and turning the page to a new chapter! your blog made all of our lives a little more beautiful and cheerful. Thank you for sharing your passion for living life to the fullest. I hope that part will never end!! cheers my friend! xoxo, Natalie
Thank you, Natalie!! That means the world!
xx Elizabeth