.....

Feeling sad and lost...heartbreaking anniversary coming up on Friday....

Anna - My Mother

July 3, 1937 - April 2, 2009

I love you, Mama...

Dale Chihuly

I used to spend a fair bit of time in Miami (I am involved with an international sailing organization). So much so, that I became close with a local cab operator, Oscar, and I called him each time I was there.
One day in 2005 (so hard to believe it was 5 years ago!), I had three hours to kill between meetings and I asked Oscar to take me somewhere I had not been before....he turned in the driver's seat, looked me in the eyes and said: "do you know Chihuly?"...
"No", I answered....and the adventure began...

His trusted yellow cab sped to the magnificent Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in Coral Gables, just outside Miami....there, the world of Dale Chihuly was revealed to me for the first time....

We walked through the Gardens, stunning in their own right, and marvelled at how Dale had "enhanced" them with his amazing glass creations. Trust me when I tell you that the photos included here do not do his work justice - you just have to see it to believe it!
Sometimes, the glass objects were so in tune with the surroundings, they were virtually impossible to spot.
This became a little game for Oscar and me, searching for Dale's tricks. At one point, I found myself standing under a giant, green glass cocoon - I had no idea it was there until Oscar pointed it out to me (he was standing further away)....it was made of twisted, glowing glass, as if an insect from outer space rested inside before joining us on this planet.

Dale is not only an amazing artist, he is a very, very interesting human being and I encourage you wholeheartedly to take a look at his website.
He exhibits all over the world (the photos here are only from the Fairchild).

I honestly did not want to leave this beautiful place....it's hard to explain but the glass objects had a certain mesmerizing presence....I am forever grateful to Oscar for taking me to see Dale's work.

Dale is currently exhibiting in Columbus, Ohio. If you have a chance to see his work, do not let is pass you by...you will be mesmerized....

Photos via chihuly.com
paulstravelpictures.com

The Magnificent Imagination of Kevin Best

Yesterday, I was cruising through Flickr looking for photos of zebras (which I adore and which are, I think, totally underappreciated animals)....and guess what I found??? - the photo above claiming to contain the image of a zebra...I looked and looked and there it was and I was hooked, on the incredible

photography of Kevin Best.

Kevin was born in New Zealand and has been widely recognized and rightly acclaimed for this incredible intepretations of the Dutch Golden Age, using the modern medium of photography. American Photo named him one of Flickr's 12 Superstars and he has exhibited throughout the world.  He also does private commissions.

Over the years, he has learned the significance and intrinsic, often very subtle inteaction of all of the objects featured by the Dutch Masters but he has gone a step further - he has amassed an incredible collection of many of the original objects; glass, ceramics, cutlery, jewelry..what he cannot acquire, he makes himself!

 

 

Some of these photos take weeks to complete!

Kevin is very keen on quiddities, as were the Dutch Masters who inspire him.... 

The photo above is one of my favourite of Kevin's. There are soo many, I cannot show them all..I am just so taken with this work...maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have always looooved the still life of the Dutch Golden Age. I have been to Amsterdam several times and have never missed the opportunity to "visit" my favourites, including at the Rijksmuseum.

All photos courtesy of Kevin Best at kevsyd

It's Spring Again Giveaway...

It's Springtime again, soooooooo glad!

I am bouncing off walls and digging in my closet and drawers for daffodil, hyacinth and crocus coloured clothing and accessories!

Vintage baubles in spring pastels are a super way to accessorize this time of the year....move from the flash and brash of winter holiday sparkle to soft pinks, grays, purples and aquas...

This vintage brooch is a Spring darling and I want YOU to have it!

All you have to do is become a follower of this blog and leave a post below!

It's THAT simple!

The brooch is approx. 1 1/4 wide by 2 1/4 long

Giveaway open for entry until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2010.
Winner will be selected at randon.
And if you win, wouldn't this be THE perfect Mother's Day gift?
Best of luck to ALL!


WE HAVE A WINNER - the lovely Maire Dodd! (the draw was completely random, I assure you all!)
Congrats, Maire, and thanks for all of you for participating!!
xoxo
AJ

All photos by AJ

Small Possibilities

Small, often elevated outdoor spaces can present quite a challenge ~ I find that those who take a little time to ponder the incredible possibilities and plan with the conventional and non-conventional of garden themes and accessories can (and do) create real magic, little gems..each one, a tiny oasis, sometimes up in the sky, often as if spilling the contents of tiny flats, apartments and lots into the open....

Marie Claire Maison, one of my favourite magazines, presents this fabulous collection of such little gems...

 

You CAN give your little balcony the feeling of lush, green abadon by using all manner of climbers....proceed to spice up your greenery with vibrant colour...here, the glass and metal accessories create a rustic, feminine theme...so cozy and comforting, don't you think?

Here, the illusion of height comes from a sort of cage built around the small space ~ cleverly, the cage is then used to suspend plant containers - this gives the space added dimension - as do plants of different height.

I love this space - in fact, I think this photo shows two separate gardens (sort of like allotments, :)...the one in front is modern, minimalist, zen...immediately to the right begins a more traditional, romantic little space with climbers and cedar partitions...

Wow, serenity and peace....the water features in the back (I have two in my garden, yaaaay!) provide soothing sound, I am sure...again, plants of different size, texture and shade of green provide virtually endless interest for the eye without being garish...

Now, go shapen your green thumb!

oxox

AJ

PS: Super giveway coming up - you will love it, promise!

All photos: Marie Claire Maison

Shoe Trees

I worship shoes, I really do. Hence, my endless fascination with their role in our lives.

"Shoefiti", meaning the practice of throwing shoes, particularly sneakers (trainers, to you Brits), over power lines is fairly widespead by now and I see lots of powerlines in our part of Ontario dressed up this way.

But the shoe trees which the Big-K and I encountered about a 20-minute drive from our home are not as common.

If you really need to know why people do this, read this but frankly, it does not matter to me. These trees are a truly interesting site, particularly because they seem so out of place by the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere...

 

I have included photos of two trees - the first two are of shoes nailed to the bark - the last two are of shoes flung on with the aid of shoelaces....I see boots there as well...nails? staples?

These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago - the grass is a lot greener now, yaaaay!
I noticed another such tree just the other day, in its "infancy", closer to our home - 8 pairs of shoes so far...I am desperately trying to think what I could add to the collection but I love my shoes too much, I am afraid..
ox

Mistaken Moniker

I have a bulb in my office, a stunning plant which, amazingly, has now produced two incredible, large flowers; pink/peach in colour, with delicate, gossamer petals and fuzzy, yellow pollen (if you follow this blog, you know I love to photograph "the machinery" of flowers)...

....I wanted to share it with you and tell you about my "Amaryllis".

 

Alas, those bulbs we buy at the florist that bloom around Christmas, are not "Amaryllis" at all!  True amaryllis, also known as Belladonna Lillies or naked ladies (arent' those great names?) are somewhat similar in appearance but their stems are slimmer and the flowers less pronounced and full. They are native to South Africa and now grow in California as well...

What we buy at the store in unpotted form and what is currently blooming in my office is called Hippeastreum.
So now you know and you can share this "amazing" trivia at your next dinner party! :)

All photos by AJJ

Private little Spring...

Each year, I grow garlic chives in my garden. I start off by "playing Spring" inside my home..I give these little garlics a chance to nurse in here, in the warmth of the home, while waiting for the warmth of the sun and the chirping of the birds outside....

The weather has improved considerably and on yesterday's walk, I was thrilled to see signs of the approaching Spring but we are not quite there yet, including because the lake is right here and has a huge effect on the climate of the shore..it's still frozen solid and keeping a lot of the plants asleep for a little while longer...

...but I already have my own little Spring, inside....

Try using garlic chives exactly the same way you would use other chives....they are super!

I use them in salads, in sandwiches and on barbaque'd chicken breast and even burgers and fish...if you are using them with heated food, just wait until last minute to put them on!

 

This one is still just a baby but he will grow tall and strong....when the weather is warm and sunny, he will live outside for the rest of the season...

all photos by AJJ

Lovin' in BlogLand

My life has been enriched immensly since I discovered blogging.

For one, I get to share with you what is inside me and often dying to get out.

The other, very important aspect of the experience is what I get to take in

and that is even more fun than "spewing".

A number of blogs have now become a part of my daily routine. Each day, I can't wait to read them - learn from them, laugh with them, marvel at their powers of observation, turn of phrase, sense of adventure, lightheartedness of approach, versatility of subject and delivery....

BlogLand has been good to me and it's time to give back!

"..and the Oscar goes to..."

Jan - of Race of Style!

Jan's entries inspire me, everyday! Hers is one of the most versatile blogs out there, in the sense that it informs, educates (not the same thing), amuses, leaves one thinking, challenges and plain-old entertains....

Jan is what I call a "story hunter". She shines a flashlight on stories which interest her and which she anticipates will entertain her readers. It's a subjective thing, I know, liking a blog (and I looove her blog) but objectively speaking too, Jan's breadth of interests and the variety of subjects she covers of truly marvellous. These make her 

THE VERSATILE BLOGGER!

and she is so friendly to boot!

oxoxo AJ  

Dog v. Cat

v.

I wish I could take credit for this but I can't.....as the happy owner of both dogs and cats,

I can definitely understand....

ENJOY!!

Excerpts from Joey’s Diary:


"8:00 AM - Dog food! My favourite thing!

9:30 AM - A car ride! My favourite thing!

9:40 AM - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!

10:30 AM - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!

12:00 PM - Lunch! My favourite thing!

1:00 AM - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!

3:00 PM - Napped! My favourite thing!

5:00 PM - Milk Bones! My favourite thing!

7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!

8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!

11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing! "



=======================================================================


Excerpts from Minkie's Diary:


"Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards...

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.

However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking ... I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move.

My captors have arranged protective custody for him in a private cell, some kind of elevated wire box, so he is safe... for now...."

Green is good for your eyes!

Found under synonyms for "green":

apple, aquamarine, beryl, bice, blue-green, chartreuse, fir, forest, grass, greenish-blue, jade, kelly, lime, malachite, moss, olive, pea, peacock, pine, sage, sap, sea, spinach, verdigris, vert, viridian, willow

My dear Mother told me that when she was a little girl, her parents would take her and my aunt for long walks in the woods - sounds basic and natural for us today, doesn't it? Sure, except that in the 40s, when she was a child, such walks were connected with the belief that actually looking at the colour green was good for your eyes! Sounds silly if we take the superstition literally but let's step back for a moment - being surrounded by green, as in nature, IS good for us, so they were clearly on to something....

 

There are a thousand shades of green and, therefore, a myriad of possibilities when it comes to including green in your home decor...

~try a green accent wall~

hey, that dog could use a splash of green!

~Green cabinets are funky and fun...not to mention very au courant right now!
Green is synonymous with "eco-"....

I have always been a fan of blue and green together, in the right shades...here, an Ikea cabinet was given new life with the addition of a blue background...wonder if they painted the backboard or the actual wall behind it?

One of the hottest trends these days is mixing green with South Beach colours - here, a stunning Kabloom wallpaper works its magic in combination with vibrant aqua blue splashes of colour...

Another example of green+South Beach....

Gorgeous, luscious green, and good for your eyes too!

credits: HouseandHome
collages by AJJ