Living Spaces

Style style style.....

Finally the First Photogenic Robin of 2011

Robin in Maple TreeMarch 23, 2011

I posted earlier about spotting the first robin of the season.  For those who don't know, here in beautiful Ontario, Canada where we experience winter complete with cold temperatures, ice and snow the robins migrate to warmer locations for the winter.  I can't say as I blame them which is one reason we have joined the snowbird crowd with our vacation home in

Winter is Hanging On

It is officially spring here but no one told Mother Nature.  We still have snow on the ground, icicles hanging from the eves and despite the beautiful sunshine the temperatures remain quite cold.  Winter is refusing to release it's chilly grip in our little corner of the world.  I'm sitting here sipping a lovely cup of hot tea pondering whether to start a couple of trays of seeds today.  My

Combo Kitchens

I really like these kitchens. In the last one, I love how they made it more of a space to hang out instead of the usual dining area. Set up your rooms how YOU use them, and not what they are "suppose" to be....

The colors of England in Spring

How is Spring where you are? I am told that Chicago is going to be 70 this weekend! All the great sweaters (the British call them 'jumpers'....why?!) I bought on sale may have to wait.

Gatherings from a walk or small bloomers from your own garden make for charming arrangements.  Bottles, big tin, fabric scrap, napkins, could all be lovely table setting for an informal gathering.

The smaller the container the better for the dainty flowers of spring. I do not have an image, as it was long long ago when i had a ladies lunch. At each place setting was an egg; top broken off and flowers as above with each egg bearing the guests name. The real trick was in getting them to stand up; good old plumbers putty, will not harm the table and a small piece holds it upright.

Talk about charming........even the woodland mushrooms are whimiscal

To achieve a natural look, dedicate a portion of your lawn and choose very early blooming species. Come fall, casually toss small handfuls of bulbs, plant where they lie. By the time you need to do the first mowing, the bulbs will be finished ready to sleep until next year.   

Snowdrops. If you can find these bulbs, plant now for next spring.

Fritillaries'   A magical bulb for light woodland settings. See the checkerboard pattern?

I need to become vegetarian

A walk through the residential area and what do i find?  Yes.....more doors! All in brilliant colors. Could you ever be so brave? Personally loving it, well most, and if you have shutters bring the color thru-out the facade.

I instantly thought of the lovely Elizabeth at the  Pretty Pink Tulips blog.

Named;  Fairly Lynch....??

LOVE this color!

You know who i am thinking about.....I hear he is very nearby

Intense golden yellow lichen enlivens gray stone

Mosses and lichens have two requirements to thrive; a moist climate and good, clean air.  

Hedgehogs, the quintessential spring animal of England

NOTE:   I was excited to leave the distractions of home and work behind. One bit I was certain of was the ability to write more blog posts and visiting others. Best laid plans went awry; forgetting that a rural environment has sporadic internet capabilities.......oh well.....

Have a happy week!

Tonight I am treating my hosts to dinner and a concert in the 13th century Abbey; Bach chamber music on medieval instruments. Can't wait!

Debra

First Robin of 2011

Yesterday afternoon I spotted the first robin of the season!  I quickly grabbed the camera just in time to see him take flight so didn't get a picture.  This is a good sign that spring is almost here!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Black and White

Black in a small space ?? Yes!!!

A Minor Glitch in My Spring Garden Plans

I started using the square foot gardening method two houses ago when we lived in an urban setting.  Out last house was on the edge of a small village where I had the largest square foot garden complete with greenhouse.  This house is technically rural but the street is more like semi-rural.  Since the house has not sold yet, I'm moving ahead with my plans to add at least one more large raised bed

Art Exhibit with Sam Rosenthal.....and more

Local Chicago Artist Sam Rosenthal at work on Wacker and Wells along the Chicago River. Take note of the size

To completion.  Stunning isn't it?  Our beloved city is bathed in an after glow of the setting sun fused with the amber cast of street lamps

Please join us at our reception for SAM ROSENTHAL

SG GRAND

1822 W. Grand Avenue

Chicago

 Friday March 11th

5-8pm

312-226-6654

Here is what I hope those of you close to Chicago won't miss; our first ever art exhibit, a one-man show with Sam. An area native, who paints the urban environment and natural landscapes in a career spanning two decades. At the age of 41, he has works in public and private collections on three continents in a broad range of subject matters.

In this painting he captures the beauty of a lonely intersection on a damp night, with red and green stoplights glittering on the surface of puddles and the humid night time air in a pointillist haze

Sam paints the unexpected beauty in ordinary scenes, places you pass daily, but seldom notice

City life hustle and bustle. Who stops to absorb these scenes? Sam does, with an enhanced perception of all that surrounds us

Chicago at a distance, bathed in pinks, violets and blues signaling the end of another day. I have often heard from artist friends that one of the more difficult skills to master is the sky, the clouds, and the light

This to me, resembles the works of Edward Hopper who like Sam at times, depicts loneliness in public places. I find these eloquent cityscapes compelling and thought provoking in the format of realist art.

Who can't relate to this man's frustration? See the rearview mirror? An artists pictorial poem, or our everyday nightmare? Both i believe. I have to tell you when I saw this piece in person I was so taken; the colors grabbed my attention and the image in the mirror brought forward his sense of humor.

Here is a quick switch, and a nod to his various interests. Looks like a photograph doesn't it?, feels like a compelling breath of Spring

Friends, this wonderful show only lasts ten days, so be sure to see it while you can, and if you can, I hope you make it to our opening, too, where you can meet Sam while enjoying an evening of libations.

It should be a wonderful evening!

To RSVP, Call Bart 312-226-6654, or email him bart@sggrand.com


Want to see more of Sam's work? Go to his website

 NEXT UP !

These twinkling eyes belong to Clive Farrell a highly respected entrepreneur, philanthropist and world renown butterfly expert whom is currently building the largest butterfly sanctuary in the world near London.

And tomorrow I have the pleasure of meeting him at his home with my friend and hostess, Sylvia who is a personal friend. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity I cannot wait to share.

His office/studio is on stilts overlooking a 100+ acre meadow, a greenhouse filled with butterflies and an authentic medieval kitchen garden.


THEN.........on Wednesday a phone conversation with a very special woman, someone I have never met but have always been fond of.....Sharon....of a favorite blog: MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME.

Sharon is British and lives in France. The photo above is her garden, bed and yes, her horse, all featured in her current blog post.
When I first found her blog I was smitten and as I came to know Sharon a real fondness grew. If you have not discovered her blog, take a look, you too will be dreaming of your own country home in France.

Till then, cheers!

Clever Storage

Storage is always a issue with small spaces. I always look at pictures for storage ideas. If your space is not as large as say the top picture, you can still do a few shelves in a corner to make it work. Look at every wall and tiny space as a opportunity to store your things !