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in Blog· Garden· Travel

Monticello – A Bucket List Trip

In September 2016, we took a trip to Washington DC for my husband’s birthday. We had been looking for something exciting to do, and with all the political focus this season, we thought it would be fun to visit DC with all it’s landmarks and museums. It had been a long while since we had visited there with our kids, and I needed an excuse to get closer to a spot on my bucket list — Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia.

Under the eaves of Monticello

I can’t really remember when I began my obsession with Thomas Jefferson, as it’s been a few decades now, but after reading so many of his writings, I thought the ultimate view inside his head might be a peek at Monticello. I purchased tickets a few weeks ahead online, a “Behind the Scenes” tour would be needed, and waited most impatiently for my chance to soak up all I could about his life lived in this glorious home.

Monticello - photo from Wikipedia

Clearly it’s best for me to admit up front that I am a total TJ geek! Look how cute he is, even in bronze.

Me and Thomas Jefferson

The only bummer about the tour is you cannot take pictures inside the house. This has something to do with the items that are original but are on loan to the foundation.

South west corner of Monticello

Apparently after TJ died, all the items inside the house, along with the property were sold off to pay his debts. The exceptionally cool part is one of his granddaughters that lived there with him, was a great artist, and knew how much everything meant to him. She literally went from room to room, in the ENTIRE house, and drew pictures of each scene and everything that was placed there. When the Thomas Jefferson Foundation purchased the property back in the 1920’s, they not only had a complete catalog list of everything that was in the house when he died, but pictures of it’s exact placement! Can you even imagine? Now 60% of the items shown in the house are the originals, retrieved from where they were sold, along with antiques added that would be exact to items he owned. It’s pretty mind-blowing when you are in there! The foundation continues to make improvements and updates throughout time, using his own journals and drawings as guides to return it to how it was or what his vision was for it.

Looking into one of the many porches

So since I couldn’t take pictures, I took some notes during the tour. We arrived at 9am and did not leave until after 4pm. I still am a bit surprised that my husband was such a good sport about my obsession and need to see everything! We went on every tour, inside and out, and wandered the grounds, learning and observing as much as we could. I was especially taken with the gardens.

The gardens at Monticello

This view is from the vegetable garden pavillion. From this vantage point, you have a breath-taking view of three different directions of the expanse of Monticello.

The vegetable garden pavillion at Monticello

The view from the veranda, looking south (I think).

View from the veranda at Monticello

Jefferson was obsessed with 3 things: light, time, and space. Those three things are prevalent in details in Monticello from the many clocks in the house, to the windows and skylights, and the use of space in the rooms and how the house was laid out. If you want to be a total TJ nerd, check out some of the videos available on you tube about Monticello and it’s items.

The sky room at Monticello

There are only a few trees on the property that were there in Thomas Jefferson’s time. However, everything planted on the property are always species he had while he lived there, as he kept extensive notebooks about the property and gardens. I could go on and on about Monticello, but if you are interested, you can read some FAQs here.

Trees at Monticello

The gardens took extensive planning by Jefferson, and were a laboratory of sorts. He tried growing many things, even items that were not known to grow in the area, but the climate on the hill at Monticello ended up being ideal for many crops.

Garden tour at Monticello

There are all kinds of unusual perennials that decorate the garden. Everything is marked by a wooden ID marker, that are identified with a “TJ” at the top of the marker if they were found in his garden journals and grew during his time at Monticello. I took a bajillion pictures of all types of cultivars, that hopefully I can use to make my own garden interesting soon.

Loves Lies Bleeding perennial

Every where you look and wander, there are pretty views, places to rest, and something to explore.

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

The garden grown at Monticello is actively used for food and items sold around the property.

Monticello

If you are into gardens, it’s a place to go crazy with inspiration, and you might understand why I am such a freak about this! I only wish I lived closer so I could go back and visit with each changing season. They also have really cool events that take place here each year.

Monticello gardens

I really couldn’t get enough of this, so we watched every movie in the museum area and purchased books that I have been devouring the last few months!

Monticello

I just want to get a little TJ look in my garden too someday.

Gardens at Monticello

The property features a graveyard where he is buried. It is always interesting to listen to the history and stories behind these great homes and the lives that were lived there.

Monticello graveyard

I could have wandered for days, and hope to go back again sometime, but for now I will continue to be a TJ geek and soak up as much inspiration I can from this beautiful spot of earth.

Monticello

If you are interested in some cool TJ reading, these are two books I picked up at the gift shop. Both have been a wonderful wealth of information and a great peek into the life of Thomas Jefferson.

Monticello books

Hmmm, after revealing what a weirdo I am, I should just sign this — Obsessed, Jill

 

 

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Hi, I’m Jill.

Creating a home is a process and it's something best done over time. Home should be a haven where we can craft the life we want. I love homes with lots of books, comfy spots to lounge, organized spaces to work, beautiful treasures from life and travels, and mementos from a life well spent. But the thing I love most about homes, is the life that's lived there.

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I need a day out for some fun, what about you? May I need a day out for some fun, what about you? Maybe a little shopping trip to @livingstonantiqueoutlet for some treasures. I’m in booths 25 and F7. Lots of goodies! #thrillofthehunt #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to @livingstonantiqueoutlet to find that perfect vintage find to complete your fall decor. Happy hunting! #vintagefinds #thrillofthehunt #vintagestyle
It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on my vintage booth has given me an important mental escape. What could be better than good memories, which are easily sparked when seeing something vintage (“my grandma had those glasses” or “we had that game as a kid” etc.) What vintage items bring back memories for you? #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt
This is my other little booth. It has no number bu This is my other little booth. It has no number but I’m at @livingstonantiqueoutlet next to the amazing @fragments009 who is in booth 46. It’s a tiny little booth but it has some fun stuff. Restocked today, come by and see me! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet i Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet in booth #25. Oh, did I mention that I moved to the booth next door? Lots of goodies and more in my other booth! Also, there’s a sale going on! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt #vintage
Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planne Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planner! This too shall pass, and our comeback can be strong! Hang in there peeps 😋#staysafe #staystrong #erincondren #hopeforthefuture
Since everything is closed these days and we’re Since everything is closed these days and we’re all home practicing social distancing, it’s a good time to paint. Obvi I can’t take anything to @livingstonantiqueoutlet so I’ll just be stockpiling for when things go back to “normal”, whatever that is. This piece painted using @bungalow47 furniture paint in Farmhouse Sink #vintagefinds #paintedfurniture #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #homedecor #restyledfurniture #renewedfurniture
Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by @chairwhimsy and @simplysoutherncottage because this is all I currently have. My mom still has all the dishes, but I brought the goblets home in my carryon last time I visited. I grew up spending several weekends going to the Franciscan outlet with my mom, adding to her Desert Rose collection. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley outside Los Angeles and I think the outlet was somewhere near Sylmar, but it was the 70s and I was a kid searching for china with my mom. They sold seconds that couldn’t pass as perfect, and I remember helping to find the ones where the flaws weren’t noticeable. I remember being there when they began offering the pink goblets and my mom was over the moon! I have 12 of them, the collection she had, and soon I will begin carrying back (once again in my carryon) the dishes so this token of my childhood will live on at my adult table. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! #desertrosechallenge #pink #franciscan #vintagefinds #fleamarketstyle #vintageglass #vintagedishes #desertrosegoblets #homedecor
Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ll appreciate this because this is ingenuity at it’s finest! This cute wood tray has a wood hanger as a handle...genius and one-of-a-kind! I can’t even with stuff like this, I just love it so much. It’s usable and a great conversation piece, available in my little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #oneofakind #repurposed #farmhousedecor #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #thrillofthehunt

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I need a day out for some fun, what about you? May I need a day out for some fun, what about you? Maybe a little shopping trip to @livingstonantiqueoutlet for some treasures. I’m in booths 25 and F7. Lots of goodies! #thrillofthehunt #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to @livingstonantiqueoutlet to find that perfect vintage find to complete your fall decor. Happy hunting! #vintagefinds #thrillofthehunt #vintagestyle
It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on my vintage booth has given me an important mental escape. What could be better than good memories, which are easily sparked when seeing something vintage (“my grandma had those glasses” or “we had that game as a kid” etc.) What vintage items bring back memories for you? #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt
This is my other little booth. It has no number bu This is my other little booth. It has no number but I’m at @livingstonantiqueoutlet next to the amazing @fragments009 who is in booth 46. It’s a tiny little booth but it has some fun stuff. Restocked today, come by and see me! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet i Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet in booth #25. Oh, did I mention that I moved to the booth next door? Lots of goodies and more in my other booth! Also, there’s a sale going on! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt #vintage
Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planne Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planner! This too shall pass, and our comeback can be strong! Hang in there peeps 😋#staysafe #staystrong #erincondren #hopeforthefuture
Since everything is closed these days and we’re Since everything is closed these days and we’re all home practicing social distancing, it’s a good time to paint. Obvi I can’t take anything to @livingstonantiqueoutlet so I’ll just be stockpiling for when things go back to “normal”, whatever that is. This piece painted using @bungalow47 furniture paint in Farmhouse Sink #vintagefinds #paintedfurniture #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #homedecor #restyledfurniture #renewedfurniture
Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by @chairwhimsy and @simplysoutherncottage because this is all I currently have. My mom still has all the dishes, but I brought the goblets home in my carryon last time I visited. I grew up spending several weekends going to the Franciscan outlet with my mom, adding to her Desert Rose collection. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley outside Los Angeles and I think the outlet was somewhere near Sylmar, but it was the 70s and I was a kid searching for china with my mom. They sold seconds that couldn’t pass as perfect, and I remember helping to find the ones where the flaws weren’t noticeable. I remember being there when they began offering the pink goblets and my mom was over the moon! I have 12 of them, the collection she had, and soon I will begin carrying back (once again in my carryon) the dishes so this token of my childhood will live on at my adult table. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! #desertrosechallenge #pink #franciscan #vintagefinds #fleamarketstyle #vintageglass #vintagedishes #desertrosegoblets #homedecor
Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ll appreciate this because this is ingenuity at it’s finest! This cute wood tray has a wood hanger as a handle...genius and one-of-a-kind! I can’t even with stuff like this, I just love it so much. It’s usable and a great conversation piece, available in my little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #oneofakind #repurposed #farmhousedecor #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #thrillofthehunt
“Goody Two Shoes”, we all know one. Wouldn’t “Goody Two Shoes”, we all know one. Wouldn’t this make the cutest little gift for the goody vintage lover in your life? I love to find fun things like this, they make such unique and thoughtful presents. These are found in my new little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #uniquegifts #goodytwoshoes #vintage #thrillofthehunt #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle

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