Sunday we used our Groupon to spend the midday at Filoli Gardens, an estate given to the American Heritage Society in the mid 70's. http://filoli.org  I have know about it since it became open to the public in the 70's but have never visited. It is an amazing place and if you live in the Bay Area i recommend a week day visit as its fairly crowded on weekends. Built by a very wealthy couple it was designed based upon an old castle in Ireland:

Muckross House which they also owned and gave to the Irish Trust at the end of their use.

The house was amazing with 24 rooms and a living space for a household staff of 10. 

Dining Room

Ladies Sitting Room

Everywhere were beautiful flower setting, all from their gardens - even in October. 

While beautiful gardens surrounded the house, they too were suffering from the drought in CA.  And except for low-level watering, most of the surrounding area was brown and dry. Still, the reflection pool was cooling just to look at as it was in the mid 90's by noon.

This was their apple harvest, 3-4 dozen different apples. Were were a couple weeks late for their harvest and plan to return next year in early Sep to see the laden trees and perhaps purchase some-yum!


This weeks Creative Photography homework is about relationships and i have some ideas for that - more in the coming days.