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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 Ja

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...

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.

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...