The interiors of the movies written and directed by Nancy Meyers... "Something's Gotta Give", "The Holiday", "The Intern", and many more... are the envy of most of us, but it's the kitchen garden in "It's Complicated" that I have coveted. That garden had the formal "bones" consistent with the French style potager. I… Continue reading A Kitchen Garden…
For Moms…
Mothering, and childhood has changed considerably throughout the generations. Years ago large families and poverty often went hand in hand with daily survival being the main objective. Pampering children wasn't an option. Modern times have given mothers and their children more opportunity to build that precious bond with the help of extended families ("it takes a… Continue reading For Moms…
The Greenhouse…
Ahhh...Spring the season of unpredictable weather! We've seen it all where I live...warm, sunny days followed by wild winds and rain and my favourite...the snowy, sleet and sunshine mix within minutes of each other! I've spent the week in the greenhouse transplanting the seedlings I started in March. The fireplace has been… Continue reading The Greenhouse…
Dahlias…
Dahlias were discovered by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century growing wild on the Mexican hillsides. Botanists were brought along on these excursions to the New World to bring new plant species back to the homeland. Empress Josephine, who had a special fondness for dahlias, first introduced them to France (in the 1800s) and… Continue reading Dahlias…
Oh no…Notre Dame de Paris is burning…
Notre Dame, (Our Lady), situated in the heart of Paris on the Ille de Cite, is over eight centuries old. April 15, 2019, the day of this shocking fire, will become a historic date in the life of this magnificent cathedral. What took over 200 years to build was almost lost in a couple of… Continue reading Oh no…Notre Dame de Paris is burning…
Spring Linens…
On the warm, sunny days of Spring, I long for a clothesline like we had in the 1950s suburb that I grew up in. I've washed my winter bedding, down quilts and pillows and, most importantly, dried them outdoors (draped over chairs) before… Continue reading Spring Linens…
What’s your decade…
This past weekend my daughter came for a visit bringing her trusted steam cleaner. Still, in the Spring cleaning mood, I was grateful for the opportunity to have my area rugs cleaned. The carpet cleaners in my city don't do this service in your home, they want you to roll up your carpets and bring… Continue reading What’s your decade…
Sowing beauty…
When I was in London several years back, I fell in love with the floral displays lavishly spilling out of the window boxes on the elegant townhouses (home to many of the foreign embassies), lining many of the streets in the upscale neighbourhoods. That Spring the colour scheme included white and blue/lavender flowers (pansies,… Continue reading Sowing beauty…
Spring…at last!
I'm not one to complain about the weather because there isn't anything that can be done about it...we are not in charge. In fact, I love winter and the beauty that freshly fallen snow brings to the landscape. Is there anything more beautiful than hoar frost on your favourite tree on a clear sunny… Continue reading Spring…at last!
Treasure…or ephemera?
Over the past month, I've written about organizing (using the Marie Kondo method), the passing of Karl Lagerfeld, and a walking day in Paris. During this time I also read a book, "The Paris Seamstress", written by Natasha Lester in the historical fiction genre I love. As I was reading, the storyline had me… Continue reading Treasure…or ephemera?
