Bouquet de Marie

I absolutely love this photo...it makes me so happy to see such beautiful colors, shapes, sizes...all from my garden! "Um..mmhh.." she proudly sighs.

Fresh bouquets like this are one of the many benefits and pleasures of home gardening. You get to pick exactly what you want to create a bouquet or you can leave the beautiful blooms to gaze upon and breathe in their life essence.

I also have hummingbirds—very special creatures—in my backyard! I've had Close Encounters with one or two. They are friends and guardians of mon jardin.

This photo reminds me of how much I enjoyed the flower arranging I used to do for the office and friends' weddings... Bouquet de Marie back then. I should do that again, since it brought me so much pleasure.

We should each do something that we love/have a passion for and make it our work. Those who get paid to do their lives' work are blessed!

In the Works

Okay, what the heck is this, you ask? Go ahead, take a guess!

Here's the story...
My last day in Paris (January 2010), I went to the Montmarte [I have lots of stories from that trip, but I'll stick with this one for now] to look for Gene Kelly or some other American in Paris. After walking all morning in the freezing cold & wind, I selected an Italian pizzeria for lunch—I was starved! The familiar smell of fresh-baked pizza and rich chianti drew me inside. Hours walking in the cold will take it out o' ya. It felt good to sit down, but more than anything...I needed to go pee! "Où est les toilettes?" I ask. "En haut," the waiter responded. So up the narrow staircase to the ladies room I go.

While "taking my rest," I gazed at this lovely palette of color. Great combination...don't you think? Only the French could make paint samples and a building sketch so beautiful! Notice the pencil drawing at top...the plan for the room's final design. The swatches of color are paint samples. Even though the room was under construction (the plumbing worked just fine, BTW), it was still lavish in color and adornment. Obviously I was impressed enough to take this photo!

 Have you ever been inspired by someone's bathroom? If so, what's your story?

Wearable Texture

What do i see in this image... how is it inspiring to me? Well...

I titled this "Wearable Texture" because I notice the texture in the photo first. Then there's the geometric feel the flat braclet adds to the mix. The opposing elements combine a contrast of soft & feminine with strength & structure. The warm golden light at top and reflection on the cool, white ceramic bowl softens the hardness of metal... the heart shapes among all those circular links add depth and dimension.

Of course, some will see just a bowl of silver braclets (which it is), but that's what's so interesting...we each have our own perceptions. What do you see?