Kitchen Inspiration

While I'm honing my computer skills, (still can't manage to create a link for you!!),
I thought I would post this lovely image of what I wish my kitchen could look like...

I am particularily drawn to the ceiling and note the different hanging fixtures...so quaint and unpretentious....
and of course the best part of all, is the beautiful marble topped buffet, reclaimed as the kitchen island...

A little peek at what I am playing with here, for the renovation....

Hope you have a lovely beginning to your week!!

N.xo

Better than ice cream!!!

One of the highlights of my summer was the having the opportunity to view and hear the exceptional, Quartetto Gelato, through Music Niagara....

" Romantic tenor arias and gypsy pyrotechnics with breathtaking virtuosity..." was the order of the night!

Performing in historic St.Mark's Church in Niagara on the Lake, the evening for me was absolutely magical. Being a lover of classical music and opera, I was transported listening to the magnificent musicians in this group..

Nicola Salerno's, the tenor in the group, performance of Catari, an old Neopolitan love song, which my Dad used to sing, warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes...
and
Under Paris Skies and La Vie on Rose, was almost like sitting at a cafe in Paris,
transcending!!

"....dry humour and occasional clowning are part of the quartet's arsenal, yet first it meets the requisite virtues of skilled music making....."
quoted from The Los Angeles Times

If you are afforded the opportunity to see and hear this internationally acclaimed group,
don't hesitate...you won't be disappointed!!!
The name Quartetto Gelato is truly indicative of the fun you will have...unlike a scoop of your favourite ice cream, only better!!!

Please excuse the poor quality upload...I give up!

Hope you are enjoying what is left of this beautiful summer!

N.xo

An Endless Summer....

Well it appears that Picasa and Blogger are extending me some co-operation at the moment..
I am really attempting to exercise some patience with both...it is either all or nothing with them it seems!!
Could it be that my nerves are somewhat a little frayed these days???
This past weekend my husband and I spent both days cutting back the ivy growing on our red brick house.
Don't be alarmed...I managed to convince all the males involved with the renovations that it was staying as it was!!!
We trimmed back just enough for them to work around the windows, so they could replace them and the shutters. As you can see from both the photos, above and below, the ivy, which has taken me approximately thirty years to grow was not going to be removed!
It borders the stone walkways and is even climbing up the stately old trees...

Today when I checked up on the progress of the framers, they had sheets of plywood and 2x10's
laying on the ivy border near the front door...I gently and quickly reminded them, that it was not to be!!
Am I the only one who thinks about these things????

I can't really imagine being so oblivious to something so obvious, is it a man thing, or just disregard for something living and growing???

Grrrrrrrrr.....I thought I would post something beautiful to obliterate that knot in my stomach...
This is Cinderella Fairy rose, planted last Spring amongst the Limelight hydrangeas in the garden,

so pretty and delicate and looking lovely with the chartreuse colour of the hydrangea buds about to pop....

Here it is in full bloom after just two seasons in the garden....loving its performance so far!!!
I also planted a white one as well, alongside....you can see how floriferous and abundant they both are.

White Cinderella Fairy has a touch of soft creamy yellow as it blooms...

I may plant more in the fall if the budget permits!!!

The hydrangeas have been spectacular this summer...I have been going back home everyday to water them and they have come along in spite of the hot and arid conditions, but perhaps the high humidity has been beneficial for them....

Wish I could cut them and put them in some lovely container, but everything I own is packed up and stored away!!!!

I have been referring to this summer as, the endless summer....every day has been hot and sunny and really gorgeous, except for the high humidity, which I can deal with....I love to wake up to the sun shining every day....
The roses have loved it as well....

Trying to keep occupied in the midst of making decisions about the renovations and running back and forth to both locations to oversee and ponder and hope they are the right ones...
I am reluctant to post about it...so many people in the world don't even have a roof over their heads...
It seems frivolous...

This beautiful cover is the Summer issue of Rowan, the glorious knitting magazine from England, it keeps me inspired.....

Some dried peony petals from this summers blooms in the garden are the perfect palette for some new decorating plans...What do you think?

In the meantime, small bits of what is old and familiar keep me grounded visually and otherwise...

N.xo