Celebrating Beauty

Beautiful people bring the sunshine. Getting together with others is on hold and will be until the pandemic passes. And when will that be? Social distancing makes one realize what we had. And will we learn to be kinder and more patient in the interim? I hope so.  I’ve once again dug into sewing and shooting scarves for Spring 2020. It’s been tedious as my hand is still not 100% after December surgery. Beautiful colors keep one going in crazy times. See more scarves here. Photo Shoot First, There Was Florida I took so many photos in Florida during our March
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Sunshine in St. Pete’s

Nothing quite says sunshine like the close up of a white angel trumpet lily. Truthfully, this gorgeous flower did not bloom in my March garden. Since we REALLY needed a little sunshine in our lives – we happily headed south just before Spring Break. And, we left there literally the day before the youthful crazies descended to pack the streets. Social distancing was not yet in vogue. Mother Nature has a way of washing cares away. There are many places in the country I haven’t yet visited, but this year I was determined to visit southern Florida. Larry did not
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The Garden-Winter Dormant

This winter I’ve felt particularly dormant. Apologies all around for not maintaining blog posts in recent weeks. My right hand is still in the first of two casts following hand surgery on December 18. This, and future posts are being dictated voice to text. What a drag. However, surgery was the entrée for the Ultimate Christmas Gift. A couple weeks ahead I received a text from my daughter-in-law. ”Could we bring dinner?” No second request needed. Christmas dinner was awesome as several couples and my son, the Maple Bacon King, descended on the house and prepared a MOST tasty dinner.
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Call Me A Mid-Century Modern Woman

I still haven’t figured out why I love the mid-century look so much. This year is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus (a German art school active between 1919 and 1933 and associated with the style) so I’ll just go with it. Each year, we wind up doing something related to mid–century. Last year we attended a Bauhaus lecture at the Clark Museum.  This year we took a cool house tour! More about the mid-century aesthetic, an overarching movement spanning architecture, interior design, product design, graphics and urban development from roughly 1933-1965.  More Mad Men Modern Tour in Norwalk Last
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Talking Textiles in New York

Every person has a unique approach to getting a project done from start to finish. Some would call it  “creative process.” Recognizing what our own personal style is can be useful in getting better results the next time. Like many others, I can be a slow learner applying new info consistently overtime.  This week, I trained into NYC for the 2019 “Talking Textiles” conference- part of New York Textiles Month. The event was again hosted by Lidewij Edelkoort, a world -renowned trend forecaster, and the Associate Provost and Dean – Parsons School of Design.  Living in Northwest Connecticut is tremendous in so many ways.
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Patience is a Virtue

We’re told from childhood that patience is a virtue. I’m pretty sure that many activities, including the art of gardening, and the creation of art in general, are about learning that lesson. Creating a new scarf design has been a bit grueling. We’re introducing different fabric, potentially a different printing method because cottons take color differently than polyester chiffon and the size will be new. This one has been fun though. My husband told me he thought it looked modern. Interesting thought. I’m going with it.  When to fertilize the Alberta Spruce? The two front spruce are of similar height. Replanting the
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Deadheading in the Garden

The temperatures are growing slowly cooler as Connecticut begins to prepare for autumn. This year, we’ve had alternate wild rainfall interspersed with hot/humid days. The garden has welcomed the rain but because of the heat, the soil dries out dramatically quick, requiring more watering then usual.  Earthworms are on the rise, I’m told that’s because of the additional moisture. I have so many earthworms that the soil is eroding in many places to the point where groundcover on a hill just slides down. At first in disbelief about the veracity of my tale, the local nursery finally suggested trying buckwheat
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The New Britain Museum of American Art

“Sleeping Children” by William Henry Rinehart (1825-1874) at The New Britain Museum of American Art. The original sculpture was a memorial for the children of benefactor Hugh Sisson. Another summer is coming to a close and I think it important to appreciate a local museum that offers one a spirit of contemplation. End of summer is always a thoughtful time as the garden, still full of life, is also poised to wind down to cold once again. The New Britain Museum is the first museum in the country dedicated to American Art. We visit when the spirit moves and are NEVER disappointed.
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It’s Azalea Time Again

Did you know that azaleas and rhododendron are in the same family? Both members of the genus Rhododendron. My azaleas usually start blooming first here in CT, followed by the rhododendrons. Evergreen vs. Deciduous Azaleas Most azaleas are evergreen and offer good winter landscape interest. The deciduous azalea -typically orange or yellow, is taller and drops its leaves for winter. I think they’re adorably unusual in a landscape. However, they’re adorably unusual in a landscape. This year was not a good one for our azaleas tho. Large sections of the plants had what looked like tiny brown, dry flower buds
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Beautiful Bones-Garden Maintenance

This is the year to tackle some overdo maintenance. Anybody else have a bear of a time last fall in trying to get outdoor wood and metal treated? It was raining at the most inopportune times. Both mahogany decks and metal fencing went begging. This week I was able to start on the metal. Next week, the decks? That’s a two-person job so I will pester my dear husband for his help. Actually I consider myself an assistant on that job. Not my favorite project. Check out the photo below. A THIRSTY deck in need of brightening followed by special
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