September 18, 2025 – Stars in My Eyes, Gardens in My Heart, and Books to Write
Yes, I have stars in my eyes. A 5-star morning at Pitmedden Gardens just outside of Aberdeen. Thanks to the staff and volunteers at Pitmedden who made us feel welcome and kind with my changing into Elen cos-play and the photo-ops. It was so much fun to swish about in my long petticoat and pretend it was 1746. The setting was perfectly delightful.
I seldom remember to take photos, but my camera snapped away as we toured the gardens. There were gorgeous parterres and orchards. The espaliered fruit trees were jaw-dropping. We saw 300 year old yew trees. Workers were busily picking a variety of apples. I was homesick for our beloved Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania as we walked the gardens. Eventually, the photos will be uploaded to Pinterest. A few are on Instagram.
Pitmedden will be featured in The Elen Chronicles, of Love and Blood as well as in a Meadowood Mystery. James and I are discussing plots for some upcoming Meadowood novels that will take place at Cawdor Castle and Gardens and Pitmedden Gardens. It will likely be 2027 for these books. The Elen book is coming in bits and pieces. The tentative outline that I had before my UK visit has been blown apart, but the new plot and path of the book is so much better. I see the wisdom of more than one book in the Elen series. The first book will be set in Scotland in 1746. The second book, in the states in 1777. And, another, from Flora’s perspective (Flora is Elen’s best friend that was kidnapped by the Brits, along with Elen’s daughter in April, 1746.) There’s possibly another book in the mix too. We’ll see…
James and I brainstormed titles. “The Elen Chronicles, of Love and Blood” will remain the title for the 1746 book, and possibly “The Elen Chronicles, of Fire and Blood” for the 1777 book, nodding to the battles of the American Revolution.
