Tobey Nelson Events: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 2020: Seattle

Where's Puck? That is the first thing that came to mind when I saw the incredible floral creation by Tobey Nelson Events. This nymph could be right out of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

She has fishnet stockings made of grass. And not fussy little nets, but big beautiful long diamond fishnet stockings. This is art.

And did you see that her boots are made of cushion mums? Did you notice that they made her some birch bark boot cuffs? I can't handle it. Can floral mannequins go down in history? I love these ridiculous and oh so perfect touches.

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers 

Smashing Petals: Fleurs De Ville: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020

This beautiful creation is called Annabella by Seattle florist, Smashing Petals. Her description reads "Our demure ingenue Annabella is wearing a gown inspired by John Galliano for Dior. Her blush pink and white dress is beaded and ruffled with carnations, baby's breath and roses. The paparazzi have chased her into a woodland meadow of cyclamen, the shyest of flowers."  

Has Little Bo Peep Lost Her Sheep? I can imagine her gathering up her skirts to bound across the meadow. I love how this designer managed to drape and gather the floral skirts as if they were being supported with real crinolines. Is duct tape the Spanx of floral mannequins?  

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020: Flirty Fleurs

This beauty named Anastasia said "Stop, In the Name of Love" to me all week. Her neckline looked like a heart to me, hence the love and she so clearly wanted us to stop and absorb her striking pose. She had a dynamite leaf dress, embellished arm cuff and intricately woven parasol. She was prepared for the Seattle weather, but it didn't dare rain a drop. Created by Flirty Fleurs - all I can say is wow! 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #barbies #hendricksgin #SLOWflowers

Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020: Terra Bella Flowers & Mercantile

This beauty by Terra Bella Flowers & Mercantile reminds me very much of a peacock. Is it just me? Grand while still being delicate. On Instagram, the designers say this is Persephone, symbolizing spring and new beginnings.  

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #barbies #hendricksgin #SLOWflowers

Casablanca Floral: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Show: Seattle 2020

This post is to put the individual spotlight on Casablanca Floral. We should all arrive at a party and shrug our fabulous coat off our shoulders. I love the lacy racy underpinnings. I also think we need botanical strappy happy sandals. All she needs is a Hendrick's cocktail and I'm sure that can be arranged.

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers 

Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020: Fena Flowers

I just love how designer Courtney at Fena Flowers repeated roses, carnations and orchids in shades of raspberry red, deep orchid, coral and soft rose to create an actual floral print. Tricking the eye to make it look like a flouncy floral fabric that is indeed floral. The dangling handbag is fantastic. The woven grass sleeve is so delicate, I didn't see that detail until I studied my photographs. The "feather" at the elbow has just the right flounce - a little 1930's flair. 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

 

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory 

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 2020: City Living: Urban Earth Nursery

The City Living area of the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is designed to highlight the many ways you can design a very small patio or balcony area. Each area is 6 ft x 12 ft and can represent a small apartment balcony or condo courtyard. The year I moved to Seattle, it was said that 25,000 people came with me. So many people that can benefit from garden show features like this, tailored to living in small spaces. 

This mini garden is called “Alice’s Woodland” by Urban Earth Nursery.

It combines birch stools, succulent planters, moss pads and a froth of flowering quince to make a magical "sit and dream" atmosphere.

#cityliving #nwfgs #seattle #apartmentliving #balconylife #smallgarden #bigdreamsmallspaces #finddelight #beautyofeverydaylife

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 2020: The Zen of Furiosa Garden

This garden called The Zen of Furiosa "is inspired by the Imperator Furiosa's passion to make beauty out of what might be considered junk in the 2015 film, Max Max: Fury Road." The garden creators are Redwood Builders and Bonsaiko. The garden was designed by Anthony Fajarillo.

Look at this incredible bonsai. This is a Bird's Nest Spruce.

It is a tribute to time that metal turns to rust and matches the color of the bonsai trunks. Look at the machine parts sunk into the ground - incredible. I love how this garden blends what could be ugly with what is decidedly beautiful and serene. I wanted to sit and look a long time at this garden - I considered borrowing the designer's stool and parking myself for a while. I am thankful that I got to see it as a judge, for there were very few people around and it was a lovely experience. 

I don’t think I’ve ever really been drawn to this kind of garden before, but the arrangement and harmony spoke to me. Look at the bonsai above, there is a large flat saw blade embedded in the trunk and rusted nails impaled in the trunk. Appreciate the container, directional growth and balance conveyed. This bonsai sings with harmony. It is a Japanese Black Pine.

#nwfgs #bonsai #harmony #madmax #thebeautyofeverydaylife #finddelight #seattleblogger

GardenComm Awards Outdoor Living Award: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Orca Recovery Garden

I was honored to judge alongside photographer Mark Turner and freelance writer Erica Browne Grivas at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival this year. As members of GardenComm (formerly Garden Writers of America), we were in search of a garden that exhibited "the most beautiful, creative, and educational ideas to encourage effective use of horticulture and design for functional outdoor living environments."  We were proud to give the second annual Garden Communicators International award for Earth-friendly Outdoor Living Garden to the Orca Recovery Garden. This garden was a collaboration between the Puget Sound Conservation Districts and Jessi Bloom of NW Bloom-Ecological Services. GardenComm would like to thank to Becky Heath of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs for sponsoring the award.

We planned to get a photograph of our judges with Jessi Bloom and members of the Puget Sound Conservation District Staff, but unfortunately our schedules did not sync up and we had to settle for a photo of our judges with the winning garden. 

I am including the wording directly from the Orca Recovery Garden section on the Northwest Flower & Garden Show website so that you can understand the designers' intent:   

"The Orca Recovery Garden shows how simple actions can have significant impacts that benefit wildlife all the way down the watershed to our iconic Orca. The garden highlights low-impact sustainability practices that are easy to do. These include a rain garden that infiltrates storm water from the landscape and permeable pavers, a compost bin to build healthy soil, re-purposed canoes as raised veggie beds and woody debris that provides multiple benefits such as habitat, retaining and building the soil. Take-home ideas: Small actions can have big impacts. Low-impact design ideas, rain gardens and healthy soil to retain and clean water; natural yard care; soil building and compost techniques, growing food, re-purposed materials."  

I love that the focus of this garden is a small family growing the food they need.

When I first saw this grand garden display I said “Oh I’m so glad Greg Brady finally got his own place.” But honestly, isn’t it wonderful? This is a perfect  Pacific Northwest display. Do you see the backpack with the evergreen branches coming out? That is to represent hiking with a tool to be able to reforest as you move through the wild - fantastic.

Throughout the week, I overheard people loving this canoe and the idea of planting vegetables in a re-purposed vessel.

Our judge, Mark Turner is the author and photographer of Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest, an American Horticultural Society Book Award winner (co-authored with Phyllis Gustafson) and Trees and Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest (co-authored with Ellen Kuhlmann). It was incredibly interesting for me to hear Mark name the native trees and plants in this beautiful show garden, why the habit was appropriate for them and where each species thrived in the wild. You can click this link and see a list of the 85 plants used in this spectacular display.

Thank you, GardenComm, for allowing me to judge the show again this year. Erica and Mark are wonderful colleagues. It has been a wonderful year being the Regional Director for AK, ID, MT, OR, WA & WY. 

#GardenComm #NWFGS #springfever #pugetsound #pugetsoundconservationdistricts #conservation 

Fleurs De Villes: Apotheca Design at the 2020 Northwest Flower & Garden Festival

"Emerging from the lush valley to ignite the fire in your heart and stir your soul to dance - she is the Festival Goddess. Inspired by British fashion and fiber artist Eleanor Amoroso and my own annual migration - Wanderlust - her boho eclectic look is created using tropicals fused with romantic florals and sustainable succulents."- Apotheca Design

She is nothing short of spectacular, a Festival Goddess on her throne.

I am thrilled that Fleurs De Villes (Flowers of the Cities) is making its debut this year at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival in Seattle. The visionary company partners with local florists in the event city and works with partners and floral sources (thank you, Washington Floral Service!) to put on a visual show. You can learn more about it from the creators, Karen Marshall & Tina Barkley on Debra Prinzing's Slow Flowers Podcast Episode. 

I love when artists are given free reign to use unexpected materials to create something beautiful and interesting. The Fleurs De Villes mannequins I've seen on Instagram have been incredible. The wilder the better. And I think that is what inspires the designers in each city to up their game. Strappy sandals where "the straps" are leaf fronds. Earrings made of seed mosaics. When I was on the phone with my best friend describing the concept, apparently I said, "there could be corsets made of primulas!" and she told me I needed to calm down.  

This installation (below) is near the show's main entrance, and was inspired by the phrase Some Like It Hot. It is the work of floral designer Kara Natalia who owns and operates Apotheca Design, a floral and botanical design studio on San Juan Island. 

Kara was very kind and ducked out of the Meet & Greet held inside the main Show Garden area and came to talk to me by her mannequin in the grand entrance hall. As a judge, I am not allowed into the Show Garden area until 1 pm on Tues Feb 25th, the deadline that the Grand Garden designers have to complete their displays. As luck would have it, the press Meet & Greet with the Fleurs De Villes floral designers was held inside the Show where the other 12 mannequins were displayed. Kara was kind to make sure I got one great interview on press day!

Isn't she incredible? Yes, you can interpret that I am talking about both the mannequin and the designer. Kara had the vision to seat a queen on a throne of sustainably sourced grasses from her local park (with permission and assistance) and allow the colors of fire to show both movement and grace. Kara learned macrame on YouTube to craft a corset befitting a natural goddess. She made the perfect leaf-covered pumps with Echeveria flair, because women in heels get things done. 

I love that Kara already had a secret weapon - she makes real women into goddesses every day with her living jewelry, which I was happy to hear will be available for purchase within the Fleurs De Ville booth at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show this week. Lucky us! I'll be the first one there tomorrow. Kara knows how to create a headpiece of succulents and an armband of living tendrils and her craftsmanship shows. Bravo.

I am happy. Yes, flowers make people happy. This is the beauty of everyday life. I urge you to visit the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival and see it all for yourself. Feb 26 - March 1 at the Washington Convention Center in Seattle

#nwfgs #springfever #nwfgf #fleursdeville2020 #apothecadesign #finddelight #seattleblogger #slowflowers #washingtonfloralservice  

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Succulent Souvenir: Kileen's Garden Boutique

The Northwest Flower & Garden Festival starts Feb 26th at the Washington State Convention Center and in my shopping series, I wanted to spotlight a great booth called Kileen's Garden Boutique.

I had direct experience with them because one of my neighbors made a purchase from their booth and was so happy with it, she asked if I would go back and get her another one the next day. For a price, you receive everything you need to make a complete succulent garden to fill a shape, like a wooden Initial box (represent your last name) or a heart. It is really cute. 

My friend Jenny wanted to give her friend the letter P. I chose 7 small succulents and the shop keeper supplied the moss, potting material (not much more than what is in each pot, if I remember correctly) and everything the recipient needs to plant a little garden. I think this is a great gift.

Be sure to look for this cute booth and consider a succulent souvenir from the 2020 Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 

#nwfgs #succulents #souvenirs #kileensgarden #gardengift #seattle

Northwest Flower & Garden Show: Shop & Swoon

Ravenna Gardens booth 2019

Have we talked about the shopping you can do at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival? I know you fall apart when you see great houseplant posts on Instagram, but where can you get a beauty of your own? Independent Garden Centers, of course! Did you know that many of Seattle best garden stores build their dream shop inside the show? I bought a beautiful ceramic pot that hangs from leather cords in the Ravenna Gardens booth above.

Swanson's Nursery booth 2019

Look at these spectacular plants that were in the Swanson's Nursery booth last year. I was green with envy. This is the beauty of everyday life and it is alive!

Swanson's Nursery booth 2019

The independent garden center booths often have unusual containers to pot your plants in. I just love these pieces I found in the Swanson's Nursery booth last year - plant them and you have living art on your wall. That will brighten up any small apartment, I promise.

Every year I stop at the Pelindaba Lavender booth and inhale. They have beautiful products made from their lavender farm. My first purchase was dried lavender fire sticks that I wrote about in my French Flair blog post in 2016. They dip the dried lavender stalks in colored wax and prepare them to be tossed in a camp fire. I keep mine in my linen closet. They look pretty and smell great. I hope to visit their farm on the San Juan Island, WA (near Seattle). Some day I'll go camping the Pacific Northwest...went I do, I'll bring along a lavender stick to enhance the fire. They sell real lavender plants too. And lavender jelly. And dried lavender wreaths. Have a sister-in-law with a birthday coming up? This is the place to shop.

How are you going to manage all of these packages? Never fear, the Northwest Flower & Garden Show has a free package/bag check for the plants and pots you purchase. The show starts Weds Feb 26, 2020 at the Washington State Convention Center. Check out www.gardenshow.com for details.

***Update: I swear I wrote this blog post first and then last night (02/20/20) I got the mail and started reading the beautiful new March issue of Better Homes & Gardens. Guess what I saw!? The exact same hanging wall planter I pointed out to you yesterday! Swanson's Nursery & I showed you first!

#nwfgf #nwfgs #springfever #seattleblogger #seattle #finddelight #beautyofeverydaylife #gardenshow #bhg #NWFGF2020 #fernlove

Northwest Flower and Garden Festival: Grand Show Gardens Indoors

2019 Notting Hill Modern English Garden by Folia Horticultural & Design

The Show Garden Creators at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival design, build, plant and deliver a living world inside the Washington State Convention Center. Real trees, giant boulders, flowing rivers, blooming gardens. In my opinion, the entire process is nothing short of Eden and you should see it for yourself.  

For example, look at the photograph above. Imagine standing right there and taking a deep breath before peeking into this chic monochromatic garden in London's Notting Hill. Is that Julia Roberts' reflection in those incredible stainless steel orbs? Maybe if you squint? Enjoy it because in this moment, you are the star living in style.

Stand there and smell the hyacinths. Hear the smooth wall of water as it pools in the catch basin. The ability to engage the senses is the thrill of the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. 

It is unreasonable to build grand show gardens indoors for just a few days and that is precisely what makes it so wonderful. 

The Northwest Flower & Garden Festival was just ranked the Number 1 Flower & Garden Show in the United States by Better Homes & Garden magazine. It opens Wednesday, Feb 26, 2020 and runs through Sunday, March 1.  Wednesday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm; Sunday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

#springfever #nwfgs #finddelight #beautyofeverydaylife #gardendesign

Delightful Feedback: Roadrunner Pin

Remember my recent blog post about wearing Sentimental Jewelry? I suggested that you go to your jewelry box and pull out something that was given to you long ago and wear it. My item was this roadrunner pin from my Great Aunt Wezie, who mailed it to me when she lived near my Grandmother in Arizona when I was about 12. 

Well the next day, a reader wrote me to tell me about HER roadrunner pin! Can you believe it? My post brought her delight and she gave me permission to share her message. She also wrote again to tell me that she would be wearing her roadrunner pin to court soon. This is the beauty of everyday life. 

"I had to write and tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I’m a Probate and Family court judge now.  I see a lot of sad events in people’s lives and find myself checking your blog some days for a bit of sunshine.


Today, I saw your roadrunner pin post.    My mom gave me a gold roadrunner pin after my election, telling me that I had more in common with a roadrunner than anything!  That was seven years and a lot of miles ago.  I thought your post must be a sign to finally email and say thank you for being you and posting such pretty, and cute, things." 

#beautyofeverydaylife #sentimental #storytelling #jewelrybox

Happy Valentine's Day: A Galentine's Party with My Neighbors

I had a great time preparing for and writing about the 12 Days of Valentine's Day this year. I hope you enjoyed it too. It culminated with a Galentine's Party at my house with a bunch of my neighbors.

 My sugar cookies were delicious, though they certainly looked homemade.

I made my popular raspberry punch with heart shaped ice cubes, made with cranberry juice for a deep red color. One friend told me she loved it so much that she drank 4 cups! Now that is a successful punch recipe.

We laughed; we ate sweets; we caught up with one another. It was a great party the night before Valentine's Day. I hope you are having a great week too.

#12daysofvalentinesday #valentinesday #valentine

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 11: Make Memories and Art with an App

It's the last day of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day 2020 and I was trying to think of a way to make this string of delightful days last a little longer. How can I encourage you to make the perishable permanent. Yes, I've said that before, but when we're talking about remembering all of the love you have in your life, it seems even more important. 

That's when it occurred to me that though I've told you about the app Waterlogue (this is not an ad; I'm just a fan), I haven't told you to convert a photo in relation to Valentine's Day. Waterlogue is an app that can change any photograph on your phone into a watercolor image in about 5 minutes. The image is stored as a jpeg and can be adjusted in style, brightness and color. It is amazing. I used Waterlogue to convert my photo of Valentine's chocolates in the beginning of this blog series.

Isn't it fantastic? My suggestion is you take a photo to commemorate something fun from this week and then convert it to a piece of watercolor art you can print and save. Isn't that a great idea? Your desk needs a little something extra to show that at Valentine's Day you were extra.

Tomorrow is the big day. May you wear red. Greet people with kindness and enjoy some sweet treats. Happy Day 11.

#12daysofvalentinesday #valentinesday #valentine #waterlogue #makingmemories #finddelight #beautyofeverydaylife #littlepiecesofart #makeart

12 Days of Valentine's Day"Day 10: Be Yourself & Wear Red

Who is this girl writing about the #12daysofvalentinesday? It’s me! And thanks to my mom, we’ve been celebrating love and hearts and friendship for my whole life. I’m just trying to bring you all in on the fun. Yes, I’ve been expertly ladling punch since I was 12. Today I’m baking cookies for a party tomorrow and wearing a red scarf when I go out on errands. My message is be yourself and wear red today. Let me know how it goes. Happy Day 10! 

#valentines #valentinesparty #ivebeenmeforalongtime #day10 #beautyofeverydaylife #finddelight #beautyofeverydaylife