Klik Here

Every now and then a book comes along that changes your way of thinking, perhaps, even your life. That book for me was Earth on Her Hands, The American Woman in Her Garden, by Starr Ockenga. In 1999, when I started my home decorating shop, Acorn Lane Vintage Living, it was the greatest contributing factor for me to take the leap of faith, and realize my dream, that of starting my own business. Although the theme and topic were totally unrelated to what I wanted to achieve, reading the book firmly established in me the knowledge that we as women, and individuals can achieve anything if the desire and fire within us is allowed to be kindled and fuelled. I read the book from cover to cover in one evening! Each woman a visionary, standing alone with a dream and a purpose! The book showcases the gardens of eighteen, ordinary, extraordinary women.....ordinary only in the fact that each of them is not a professional, none is a garden designer or owned a nursery.  Each garden is private, a...

This Saturday is the Kentucky Derby.....if I were going, which I'm not, I would be in my element, in the company of such fine jockeys, trainers and above all beautiful and magnificent horses which will be competing to win the Run for the Roses, in Louisville, Kentucky. I would really love for Bodemeister to win, with Mike Smith as the jockey...of Breeder's Cup fame aboard the famous filly, Zenyatta.... There is, in my opinion, a dark horse (no pun intended),  who everyone is discounting, Went the Day Well...a beauty, ridden by John Velazquez...another of my picks. However, it is a horse race, and anyone can win!! The above artwork is by Tom Myott, one of my favourite artists. It is entitled Saratoga Hats.. be sure to visit his website to see his other paintings and get into the spirit of the Derby!! Something you didn't know about me.....did you? N.xo 

At the moment, the only sign of colour in the garden, other than green and brown, is yellow.... A welcome harbinger of Spring! The forsythia, which was the only flowering shrub in the garden, when we bought our home, is still going strong.... It is waning, but still leaves a pretty yellow carpet on the stone drive.... This time of year, I like to make lemon curd.....there is something clean and refreshing and uplifting about baking and eating something light, like lemon meringue pies or tarts....somewhat like Spring itself... This recipe is my sister Micki's....she makes jars of this velvety, immensely smooth mixture...it is a tasty spread for toast or muffins, as well as a delicious filler.  I like to swirl it through fresh whipped cream, and serve it with blackberries on lemon sponge cake..... The curd of course requires, the best lemons and its tartness will vary according to the lemons used and the sweetness of the juice....Meyer's lemons are perfect, if you can get them......

It has been a while, I have been missing...in the midst of packing boxes, and darting off to our last of the winter getaways, my blog has taken the least priority...I have felt lost.... I am attempting to find some order in the chaos, a bit of solace, by giving much needed thought to what I will do with the interior of our newly renovated home soon... I have assembled some little bits for the colour scheme of the master bedroom...lavender, ecru, milk walls and a touch of velvet, Mole, for the two slipper chairs. The velvet is from Kate Forman, a British designer who I admire very much... The colour Mole, is soft greyish brown, much like the colour of a little mole.... The above vintage "plumetis" will be used to embellish pillows for the bed,on ecru linen, as well as the lovely lavender toile, just enough to fashion three large 12x12 throw pillows... Vintage silver for accessories......this sweet vase, a new acquisition, from Marianne's in Sarasota, Florida. I will be kee...