Summer, the favourite season of many, is here along with lazy days, long, warm evenings, and family vacations. "Summertime", composed in 1935, (music by George Gershwin, lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin) was an aria performed in the opera, Porgy and Bess. The song soon became a popular jazz standard (Billy Holiday) and is considered… Continue reading Summer…
Espalier…
The technique of espaliering trees or plants against a flat surface originated in ancient Rome. In the northern hemisphere, a south-facing wall is best for espalier and vice versa for the southern hemisphere. South or west-facing walls (northern hemisphere) reflect sunlight and also retain heat which extends the growing season. Taking advantage of… Continue reading Espalier…
I Adore (J’Dore) Dior…
In 2017, the Musee des Arts Decoratifs of Paris, hosted a 6-month exhibition to celebrate 70 years of Dior. Since that time many cities around the world have held similar exhibits honouring "Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams". I was fortunate to see the exhibit at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary with my daughter.… Continue reading I Adore (J’Dore) Dior…
Family…
One thing that is certain in life is that we are all "part of a family". We have parents, grandparents, and possibly siblings, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Over the years, the appearance of a typical family unit has changed. Rarely are families as large as they were in our parent's generation, most people… Continue reading Family…
The Beat Goes On…
This past weekend friends treated us to a lovely dinner and to join them to see the Cher concert. I'll admit to not being a huge Cher fan (with the exception of the early Sonny and Cher music), but I do have enormous admiration for her. If you expected to see a rock concert you may… Continue reading The Beat Goes On…
The Wind in the Willows…
"The Wind in the Willows" is a much-loved children's book by Kenneth Grahame about four animal friends. This photo of a Weeping Willow almost mirrors the scene of the first meeting of Mole and Rat (characters from the book) at the river. Rat then takes Mole for a boat ride. Weeping Willow trees… Continue reading The Wind in the Willows…
A Kitchen Garden…
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…
