Romancing the Garden

I'm such a romantic soul, it is no wonder that this month, my thoughts turn to romance in any vein, but of course, mainly through the garden. This image from a gardening book I have had forever, comes from The Romantic English Garden.  What I have always wanted mine to look like, but alas, as I have said before, my garden has a mind of its own!!

It is difficult to stop a gardener with a vision, I grew roses in the shade of a hardwood forest....and then abandoned them when time became too precious, and I had to attend to more pressing matters of life....

...attending to my dear Mom, who throughs love and wisdom I grew a garden in the first place....a story for another time....

Even in its icy beauty and dormant, it inspires me every day.

I am so fortunate to be able to buy flowers from local growers. The Niagara area is rich in resources for green house grown flowers and produce. Recently these beautiful anemones were made available to me, and I cannot get my fill of them!
I grow Japanese anemones in my garden, but of a different variety.
The flowers are pale pink on long, wavy stalks....

These beauties were remnants from the nests I made for a baby shower last week, and because we were having dinner guests Saturday, I was still able to use them,  just beginning to open and in gorgeous jewel tones. I prefer a softer colour way normally, but these are lovely....

You can see garden inspiration here, everywhere....the turnip candles are from France,

Pointe a la Ligne, one of my favourite....

Cabbage leaf plates, and tiny clay pot napking rings, and of course always, the colour green....

A romantic image....on an English water jug, the blue colour way looking lovely against the jewel toned flowers.... 

The green, branch inspired candles, reminscent of the woods and gardens....

Garden images can translate into many forms, whether in a grand or simple way.
Each one of us interprets them in a personal way, from which we can learn and explore and appreciate one anothers thoughts and ideas....

The above image is from the most adorable book, In and Out of the Garden, by Sara Mida. Her watercolour illustrations are exqusite, whimsical and so telling of ones love of the garden...so romantic.....

N.xo

I have been struggling with blogging issues like the rest....my posts do not seem to be updating on everyone's side bars. I have taken all the prerequisite steps, and nothing is helping....but, please visit, as I am posting!

Thank you Carole!

Dreaming of Paris....

Two years ago for an anniversary celebration, my husband and I flew to Paris to celebrate. It was our second trip to this beautiful place and we decided to spend four days in Paris and then travel to Bordeaux for some wine tasting.

There are so many beautiful images of The City of Lights, mine just do not do it justice, as most of them were taken from the tour buses that navigate the city.

The landmark department store, Au Printemps.

...and not to be missed, some Christian Laboutin shoes....

This beautiful, rather baroque looking interior, was in a restaurant not far from our hotel on the Champs Elysee.

Vintage French and velvet overkill at it's best!

Still, I found it charming.

...and of course hidden little gems to be discoverd, like this tiny flower shop.

What made me stop immediately and go inside was that they sold my favourite plant...

Maidenhair ferns... here... in Paris, just like the ones in my garden!!

The interior was so special and more charming than the outside...

A tiny little cubby hole of a shop, full of character....look at the stone walls...
and stone, mosaic floor....

So beautiful!

I wasn't blogging then, so I don't have many detail pictures, which I surely would have taken!

...and here my obliging husband, at Laduree sipping his beer, while I enjoy my macarons and cafe!

This is my very "pedestrian" approach to Paris.  My dear friend Jermaine, from the beautiful blog French Kissed is hosting two trips to Paris this spring. They promise to be exquisite. As she so knowingly admitted, blogging has a way of opening doors for us that we never anticipated.  It is up to us to decide which ones we wish to walk through. Simply, the wonderful bonds and friendships which are undeniable through blogging are gifts enough, but when other magic happens for us, let the magic begin!

Please be sure and visit Jermaine at her blog French Kissed for all the delicious details!

http://french-kissed.com/archives/11592

info@french-kissed.com


N.xo

Oh Happy Day!!!

Today we celebrated the much anticipated arrival of Oliver Alexander, the new baby grandson of close friends, Alex and Susan. The first child of their eldest daughter Sarah and husband Bryce. It was a joyous occasion and also the first boy to arrive into their family! For the flowers I decided on a nest theme as centerpieces for the tables.

I elevated the nests on glass pedestal plates.

Because the parents chose to be surprised and not know whether the baby was a boy or girl prior to the delivery, I decided on anemones in jewel tones for the flowers.

Soft green hydrangeas as well as moss and sticks worked well with the tiny wax flower and blue anemones, keeping the look soft and natural.

As a little gesture of thanks, small bird cookies, dipped in white chocolate and embellished with pearl dragees, finished off the centerpieces.We used shredded kraft to nestle the treats in their cello bag, finished off with a soft green satin ribbon.

Confections by M.A.M Gourmet, my sister Micki.

Melt in your mouth goodness!!!

 

I love coming together at times such as this, where we bond as friends and mothers in the nurturing of our families and nests.... in celebration of a new life about to begin.

N.xo

January...Nurturing our spirit.

January seems to be the month that I fall into a hibernation type of mode! Fresh from the warm glow of Christmas, I welcome the month with the blanket of snow on every tree and shrub in my garden. It is my time to burrow and furrow, and enjoy the warmth of my fireplace and comforts of home, we are so fortunate to have. It is also the time for me to nurture my spirit and renew my energy, much like the garden does.

Ways I attempt to do so.... the garden and nature. It is my greatest source of inspiration, and never fails to amaze me with its power and beauty. It has saved me many times...

I translate it's beauty in many ways through out my home, both in colour and decor, and the natural images it conveys.....

Peonies from last summer....I move  from window to window in the winter months, peeking out to check on any activity going on out there, in anticipation of what is to come...

Tea. I love tea, how it warms me up, helps me to sort things out and increases my thought process....surely a way to nurture ones soul!

The entire process, from brewing to presentation to sipping, is just so satisfying....and all the special, little simple or extravagant touches that can be added......spirit lifting!

Projects on the loom or still in the thinking process, are very nurturing for me during winter. I currently have two quilts, a mohair shrug and a few other little works in progress. A little overzealous!! As well as an interior renovation beginning in July. I must remember that January is MY time to renew.

A vintage cake dome I embellished with a small china figure, hand made lace draping application. I so admire the delicate and intricate work that someone applied to nurture their soul.....

A small vintage button.....very old and with my maiden name initial  D. My family, my roots and all the history associated with my family, both in Italy and here in Canada nurtures me every day.


                      

BFF's. From my sister to all my BFF's.....I listen and share and support them, as they do me.  I couldn't survive without them for lifting me up and enduring all my little trials and troubles throughout my life.  I love them all. Nurturing me everyday.

Cooking good wholesome food for my family. I am surrounded by the bounty of Niagara. Food, farm to table, so fortunate to have the bounty of fruit orchards, vineyards and good organic small growers at my fingertips. Above, one of my favourite celebrity chefs, Laura Calder, Canadian, so down to earth and wonderful sense of humour. I agree with her cooking philosophy and presentations. I aspire to cook as she does!

A Black Forest Trifle I made this past Christmas Eve.  I think I nurtured others as well as myself after this piece of work!!!  A first time effort that turned out. I am notorious for not doing a trial test of recipes first before I serve!  My sister Micki just shudders!

Cod baked with a sauce of baby sundried tomatoes,onions and capers served Christmas Eve, as well as baked salmon, simply baked and served with creme fraiche and a bit of freshly grated horseradish. Cooking for my family and friends is nurturing.

A clean slate or new project, whether for the garden, wedding or home decor is very nurturing to me.  I love the anticipation of a beautiful process about to begin. But ultimately I approach everything as a task to be completed.  This is the strong work ethic I had ingrained in me as a child by my Mom. The prospect of the finished product is very satisfying and at the same time nurturing....

In January I dream of the prospect of what is to come. The seasons in the garden, the projects I hope to begin and finish....the advent of a new, renovated home and most of all the hope of health and happiness for the year ahead. To me the tranquility and quietude of winter is what we need to lay plans for the busy days ahead. Sharing my thoughts on nurturing the spirit this beautiful, snowy January day!!

 

This photo is courtesy of my BFF Cheryle, which clearly illustrates

the quiet beauty of a snowy January in Canada.

N.xo