The Wonder of Fairy Tales

Historically, fairy tales have provided an important building block in literature and also in peoples lives. Also called “wonder” tales, fairy tales are stories about living that share universal themes across culture and history. Good over evil, a reverence for aging, beauty, magic, kings, queens, life and death. Related Images:
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Life is Beautiful

It’s blowing and snowing like crazy outside. Beautiful to see. Do you love it? Part of it is knowing we’re winding down to Spring in style. Working for oneself does have an upside. You don’t drive out in a storm. And usually you can work from home when the weather is bad. Related Images:
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Living in Color Balance

As an artist I’m forever driven by a desire to achieve balance in all creative efforts- whether decorative pillow,  living room, or garden. In researching formal garden design I discovered that much consideration was first given to a garden layout based on points of access and egress. The colors one chooses to plant are realized later overtime as you live through the seasons. I struggled with where to start! Related Images:
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Sampling the Seductive Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest, located in the Hoh River Valley in Olympia National Park, Washington State, is a treasure any gardener would drool over. In some sense, my year-old formal garden is a radically different environment. It will be years before our plants offer real cover for migrating wildlife. Thus far, we host a modest collection of bumblebees, butterflies and the occasional hummingbird. It’s a work in progress. Related Images:
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Heavenly Blue Indigo in a Morning Glory

Indigo blue is the color of a magnificent aging morning glory. Morning glories open in the morning and die at night. The color indigo is described as between (primary) blue and the color violet on a color wheel. It’s sometimes called blue violet. Think blueberries or new blue jeans. Indigo is thought to embody the concepts of stability and truthfulness. “True blue.” Its closeness to violet also calls to mind authority and royalty. Related Images:
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Hostas Up and Coming

In the world of flowers, hostas do well as faithful border plants, returning each spring and spreading- blooming innocuously in the shade. Nothing much to write home about. Related Images:
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Back to Basics- Only the Beautiful Need Apply

In springtime, as the temperature warms the house, aside from wanting to live outside, I’m also inclined to want to empty the house of anything extraneous, anything not quite beautiful. When we first added the mahogany deck off the living area, it was fabulous. (And it’s almost never looked so good). I couldn’t resist dropping some of my Aquilina pillows onto the deck to make the point. Related Images:
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Brothers and Sisters Make Family

I know WordPress won’t appreciate my short title. I don’t care. Which is a phrase that siblings will understand. Many of you know I grew up in a very large family, eleven children- four brothers and six sisters. You learn quickly that you can’t care about everything someone does or you’ll lose it. Life lessons that have served me well. Related Images:
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