It was a cold and very sunny day in NW Connecticut. Which meant that a brief foray into the garden for stick picking was…brief. It also meant that in order to indulge in happiness, I must write about ESCAPISM. Related Images:
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Be Kind to Your House Plants
It’s time. With holiday decorations put away, it’s time for all good house plants to get attention. Long suffering through summer when the outdoor plants rule, our house plants have settled in for winter and are showing the affects of dry air and root constriction. The patient Robusta Snake Plant (probably the oldest plant we own) has been suffering quietly in a short ceramic pot that just doesn’t have enough depth for root growth. I FINALLY got her into a larger pot, lightly tied up for now until she can stabilize. I’m pretty sure I’ve been over watering too. Snake
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Discovering Incongruities in Life
Paola Pillows are indoor pillows, all soft cotton and down- no vinyl cyanide onboard*. I couldn’t resist placing them outdoors for a cheery snapshot of a sunny winter’s day. As usual, I revel in the incongruities of life. Creative license taken here. Related Images:
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The Colors of Crayola- Workout Inspiration
We discovered a golden horse and chariot printed on black fabric at a consignment haunt- Wright’s Barn in Torrington, CT. The image was pretty shabby and sadly framed in cracked glass. (Sometimes, you just have to go for the rescue!) Now newly matted and framed, I’m thrilled to enjoy it daily during my workout. For some reason it always brings back memories of coloring with Crayola crayons as a child. (My favorite colors were the original gold, silver, and copper). What were yours? Related Images:
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In Search of American Handmade
Things handmade have increasingly become products from overseas. You see it most often in home décor items made in Mexico, Iran, Korea and China- most anywhere but in the U.S. The story of material and its fabrication is an ancient one and has its roots in far away lands. Maybe we’ve returned to that time. Or not. Related Images:
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In Quest of a Rug
It’s been written that floor coverings likely originated from stalks of organic materials loosely applied to dirt floors to warm or visually improve them. In this way, floor coverings would also differentiate one home from another. The concept was not dramatically different from today. Shopped for a rug lately? Related Images:
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It’s Cold Out There, What’s a Gardener to Do?
I was feeling flush about time, indulging in the post -holiday, northeastern “snow bomb” slow down, until I remembered something about starting hybrid lily seeds in early fall. Yikes, am I already too late? Enter the winter gardener… Related Images:
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The New You in 2018
New Year’s offers an opportunity for reflection that I generally resist. I think the biggest mistake about aging we can make is expecting that life will always remain the same. It doesn’t. As a gardener, I’ve learned principles about change that also apply to new life at any age. Related Images:
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Celebrating the Life of a Tile Artist
When we redid our house, Michael DeMartino was pivotal in pulling it together. As the artist/owner of NW Marble & Tile, Mike was the go-to for all our interior tile work, from foyer to kitchen, living and bathrooms. He passed away suddenly a few weeks ago. He was only 56 and he is missed! His energy enlivened a process that at times was daunting, even for those of us without our hands in cold grout. I think that year’s end is a good time for celebrating life, don’t you? Related Images:
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Santa Claus is Coming to Town
We found Santa Claus in a favorite antique shop in Collinsville, Connecticut. He’s completely handmade of metal, which suits me fine because he camps out on the front deck every year waiting for the real Santa. We wanted to make sure he could take the cold New England weather. He used to spend the weeks before Christmas inside a department store. Until he was put out to pasture. We had to bring him home. Related Images:
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