I celebrated St. Patrick's Day by painting my back garden doors green. It was odd; snow was still on the ground, but the temperatures were rising, and it was a small window of opportunity to jump-start Spring projects! Only two years ago, I was agonizing (obviously too much time on my hands!) about what… Continue reading The Green Doors…
Author: jstout2024
🥂Cheers to Longevity…
Some time ago, my doctor asked me if I exercised. I replied, "Yes, I garden." She, who is young, pristine, and dressed head to toe in designer clothes, looked at me perplexed and said, "Oh no, I mean exercise." Obviously, she has never moved wheelbarrows full of compost or pea gravel or dug deep holes for… Continue reading 🥂Cheers to Longevity…
A Spring Bouquet…
The current "nose" for Dior, perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, has reinvented "Miss Dior". And it smells divine! Last week (when it actually felt like Spring!), I received my new "Miss Dior" perfume order. I couldn't have been more excited...the packaging is beyond beautiful, and the buzz before the release was so enticing. The original "Miss… Continue reading A Spring Bouquet…
Coffee Table Styling…
As part of my Spring refresh, I have finally decided to replace my coffee table. This table has been a faithful companion for many years...probably more than 30, and I have become quite attached. It's dated, no doubt, but it was of superior quality and, held up to several moves, and easily fit into completely… Continue reading Coffee Table Styling…
Love Letters…
Have you ever received a love letter? Lucky you if you have...I haven't. Yes, I've been given fabulous gifts and heart-warming cards, but never a love letter. In fairness, perhaps I'm part of a different generation than when this custom was popular. Love letters have been exchanged for centuries, but it's an art that's dying… Continue reading Love Letters…
Small things…
amuse small minds. And this truly is a small thing! I must be bored, stuck in "February", the short month that seems to last forever! This is the small thing I'm talking about. It may be difficult to visualize where this is in my house, but I'll try to clarify. My house… Continue reading Small things…
Groundhog Day…
Tomorrow is Groundhog Day... You may remember the movie "Groundhog Day", about a cynical weatherman (Bill Murray) who finds himself reliving the same day, February 2, over and over while on location in Punxsutawney to report on Phil, the Groundhog who predicts when Spring will arrive. We, too, may feel like we've… Continue reading Groundhog Day…
Adding a bit of drama…
When I read this quote, I paused to think about it. Then I agreed...our eye naturally goes to objects that we relate to, and often, we are blind to those that we do not. This book (photo), "Library House", by Thomas O'Brien, was featured on "The Tartan Topiary", a YouTube channel… Continue reading Adding a bit of drama…
We may be in a deep freeze but…
Finally, we have (some) snow! And hopefully, it's enough to add some insulation for fragile perennials, shrubs and even established trees. It's brutally cold but oh so beautiful! Every season, nature treats us to a masterpiece. In Spring, the palette is pastel with the first flush of the pale green of leaves about… Continue reading We may be in a deep freeze but…
Grandpa Chic…
I don't know about you, but my sweet, funny grandpa was nothing like Ralph Lauren (my grandpa may have driven a red truck, definitely not a British sports car), but the esthetic Lauren lives by seems to check all the current "Grandpa Chic" decorating trend boxes...that perfect balance between comfort and elegant sophistication. … Continue reading Grandpa Chic…