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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qlImdU6jvvY/TcapAUSCXEI/AAAAAAAAGZo/iozS1jeR6wY/s1600/Flowers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qlImdU6jvvY/TcapAUSCXEI/AAAAAAAAGZo/iozS1jeR6wY/s1600/Flowers.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">Happy Mother's Day!!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Some beautiful orchids for all the beautiful mamas out there! Hope you have a wonderful day</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>xoxo</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b><b>Carolina</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: </span><i><a href="http://little-flower-school.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Little Flower School</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> and </span><i><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/15459930/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pinterest</span></a></i></b></div></div>

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day!! Some beautiful orchids for all the beautiful mamas out there! Hope you have a wonderful day xoxo Carolina Photo: Li...

7:40 AM

Spring in NY

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaQjHmdUGgS5bZZqgScCzo2gugLzYwOpwLEn_bBdYQabD13u2RLVjhSsgD2PHy_mhIuc3UPqNslQ-PsAUd7s3uL5fhU9dsDJqhP3XBJTKHWeAjV0481IjAFnZmzGrL7nLjoEX1oPN_jA/s1600/Central+Park+pond.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603843378347598402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaQjHmdUGgS5bZZqgScCzo2gugLzYwOpwLEn_bBdYQabD13u2RLVjhSsgD2PHy_mhIuc3UPqNslQ-PsAUd7s3uL5fhU9dsDJqhP3XBJTKHWeAjV0481IjAFnZmzGrL7nLjoEX1oPN_jA/s400/Central+Park+pond.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Oddly enough, one of my favorite things about New York is the presence of nature in the city.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC36Rv9EmME8cLWtIqcGoA2JSSYvAHUrmJWv3gbRdJ5Tf3jEOLd1NqY7n2cr7KApcYpK9yA5RGx6p7b5zO-FhYNfcH_xtT0BwD-S-DZr_xlB1aAypw1IgmQa4iy3z6E9n7OqCQGOUbcs/s1600/Central+park.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603843373093848994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC36Rv9EmME8cLWtIqcGoA2JSSYvAHUrmJWv3gbRdJ5Tf3jEOLd1NqY7n2cr7KApcYpK9yA5RGx6p7b5zO-FhYNfcH_xtT0BwD-S-DZr_xlB1aAypw1IgmQa4iy3z6E9n7OqCQGOUbcs/s400/Central+park.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Central Park is so much more majestic for its city setting and natural / city contrasts.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWFqbixwpPV8qzpbRm1hyphenhyphenvEpulygjvNew8lAPjK50UKBwrTq2PE_jtP5jbSmtNdYPJrONE-W3WOFjn4cmENoChAQYPWXta8OUBQtJSec6H-0EJ-cloXJn2e2aMXOxyD-PHV_88-vPHZo/s1600/central+park+pathway.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603843370625705330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWFqbixwpPV8qzpbRm1hyphenhyphenvEpulygjvNew8lAPjK50UKBwrTq2PE_jtP5jbSmtNdYPJrONE-W3WOFjn4cmENoChAQYPWXta8OUBQtJSec6H-0EJ-cloXJn2e2aMXOxyD-PHV_88-vPHZo/s400/central+park+pathway.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> While in New York last weekend, <a href="http://www.habituallychic.blogspot.com/">Habitually Chic </a>and I enjoyed the fine spring weather and spent the afternoon wandering around this paradise with ice cream cones. Maybe a little too long, I'm still suffering from my peeley sunburn!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jWBrQ6RTIHNL7D9ldCf8d-f6oEtjnAj9LwEOuUzDGvxUu8n0a5a3jjvpPN2eXDMYI34zIIFs8vBJwiNduqSTynYo-sX73yDl7xWR0615hLhrjB5K03NjA3FPG5HScpcw1Rtqm0N7LIs/s1600/park+avenue+tulips.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603843044845379362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jWBrQ6RTIHNL7D9ldCf8d-f6oEtjnAj9LwEOuUzDGvxUu8n0a5a3jjvpPN2eXDMYI34zIIFs8vBJwiNduqSTynYo-sX73yDl7xWR0615hLhrjB5K03NjA3FPG5HScpcw1Rtqm0N7LIs/s400/park+avenue+tulips.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Another piece of nature lies on the medians of Park Avenue. The pink metal rose sculptures by Will Ryman are surrounded by spring tulips for a short time every year.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHcYFNCoGw3hnEwZXhKVJOTjLFJ9iHhBisu33PdR-d4G-fs-pqlZlINyotbBsNqvYnUUpI_km8o1Oh_ufJzj5TKAVMrJyZKrisx3pxb8MefTX5J2k3a2Q_52zAlAsgx2HkcA_FgdEC5E/s1600/rose+sculpture.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603843042385458610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHcYFNCoGw3hnEwZXhKVJOTjLFJ9iHhBisu33PdR-d4G-fs-pqlZlINyotbBsNqvYnUUpI_km8o1Oh_ufJzj5TKAVMrJyZKrisx3pxb8MefTX5J2k3a2Q_52zAlAsgx2HkcA_FgdEC5E/s400/rose+sculpture.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> A city of contrasts: the man-made and the natural working in harmony. Enjoy your weekend!</div></div></div></div>

Spring in NY

Oddly enough, one of my favorite things about New York is the presence of nature in the city. Central Park is so much more majestic for it...

3:00 AM

blessings to you and yours at easter...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">from me and the vampire slayer...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoPx9bvbSSM-j_nRAd-CxstaFHwcsXHmr3_qK65dGOlK8-EZeZPLurVHiWWXOmRcywBhcwyypXLy1verTV-2VwMsaNvdTOz00m7eZwn2Dw5yxY3kfDWWeoMH-xIHv6HtdMfpzFxQlOQB_/s1600/buffy+on+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoPx9bvbSSM-j_nRAd-CxstaFHwcsXHmr3_qK65dGOlK8-EZeZPLurVHiWWXOmRcywBhcwyypXLy1verTV-2VwMsaNvdTOz00m7eZwn2Dw5yxY3kfDWWeoMH-xIHv6HtdMfpzFxQlOQB_/s640/buffy+on+bed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We'll both be doing a bit of this over the next few days I suspect :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you can get a load of relaxing in as well. We all deserve it don't we. Yes, we do.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVxouknMtXSJTkuhgdvcnH7VT1VFokzWAi6zyAMwWYQFEih_RFAZNg1w4NXJrazZGaBTyHwGFzxaFxwFcz0eQ9q4Wu01Np5Tl3oucVPh3D8_2yqsCq_i7wJRZZi9Qe5IUZLHpYVAWr0-E/s1600/easter+flowers+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVxouknMtXSJTkuhgdvcnH7VT1VFokzWAi6zyAMwWYQFEih_RFAZNg1w4NXJrazZGaBTyHwGFzxaFxwFcz0eQ9q4Wu01Np5Tl3oucVPh3D8_2yqsCq_i7wJRZZi9Qe5IUZLHpYVAWr0-E/s640/easter+flowers+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just like I deserved to get these left over easter flowers from a work lunch we had on Wednesday. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perks...I don't get many but I like it when I do :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm taking a little break. Take care and I'll catch you on the other side. I'm off to eat a hot cross bun...or two...or who knows how many before the 22 year old wakes up :)</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

blessings to you and yours at easter...

from me and the vampire slayer... We'll both be doing a bit of this over the next few days I suspect :) I hope you can get a load of rel...

3:27 PM

a cyclamen from the farmers market...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't often go to the Farmers Market near my house...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">goodness knows why...it's a two minute drive away on a Sunday morning.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaLm10Bj54DtXMHySoI4FPwI-OvwwjMvUqjzhvH_J1jpaivLnlClMybLc-zPzoGdIYc092k-YF_YGVz_TJxx1Y-YzsUzsx3uz4ORThLrOpZ5X8hbhF6Xt3w9GWtuG5LHeyc9_YyXLfBHy/s1600/cyclamen+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaLm10Bj54DtXMHySoI4FPwI-OvwwjMvUqjzhvH_J1jpaivLnlClMybLc-zPzoGdIYc092k-YF_YGVz_TJxx1Y-YzsUzsx3uz4ORThLrOpZ5X8hbhF6Xt3w9GWtuG5LHeyc9_YyXLfBHy/s640/cyclamen+close+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's probably precisely because it's a sunday morning that I don't!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA_vQhEgLaWnELDr9r8or6iEu8X9Vau65TY9iidjI1tDrQzF9cVOnopnAldJO7w-vPiXMN_oX5rAWPl9BbAF7zRJ2ci7mWLrihOp-qb6XqZOOg4C2IQ6JS5Spvd7MwAOfRnwrUOJd_nzJ/s1600/coriander+and+spinach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA_vQhEgLaWnELDr9r8or6iEu8X9Vau65TY9iidjI1tDrQzF9cVOnopnAldJO7w-vPiXMN_oX5rAWPl9BbAF7zRJ2ci7mWLrihOp-qb6XqZOOg4C2IQ6JS5Spvd7MwAOfRnwrUOJd_nzJ/s640/coriander+and+spinach.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did this week though...as you can see. A pretty $4 cyclamen and $2 pots of coriander and baby spinach.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn6i9mw-P4uA-gx82D4Pp8YBl_xyZ20xBlwc07_s00HVHpnbKBuSKIM0Q5RL998LggF1Ynuo2M3tgWE2STsvZ57OUXRbio3CuT_M2Wa4wzcgIyjhyPv_UqQKcZOx4HPPQtRwrbl_VuCHG/s1600/cyclamen+and+figure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn6i9mw-P4uA-gx82D4Pp8YBl_xyZ20xBlwc07_s00HVHpnbKBuSKIM0Q5RL998LggF1Ynuo2M3tgWE2STsvZ57OUXRbio3CuT_M2Wa4wzcgIyjhyPv_UqQKcZOx4HPPQtRwrbl_VuCHG/s640/cyclamen+and+figure.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bought vegetables and a venison, porcini and hazelnut pate too. Eaten before photographed. Sorry about that. And I'm very partial to an ice bucket plant holder. And garden urns used as ice buckets now that I think about it :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking this retrospectively (I do hope that's allowed) to <a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/2011/04/linky-party-beach-cottage-good-life-weds-the-butter-box.html#more-3529">Sarah's link party...good life Wednesday</a>. Because what's better than a $4 cyclamen...except of course, a free one!</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybUQzNQjzCI1TJHB3pBHV-Djwb1vUPUNuiJ3VZ18tTqSUI8ouH2NyGkaRO3Q-G5fE0JNBVCsRj4jEP-6SCjpJC8lPXCgRcdK5tdvYTo33gRr1TaMhnlJH5JbeIwiwYOxEJEysofGIrUCe/s1600/cyclamen+and+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybUQzNQjzCI1TJHB3pBHV-Djwb1vUPUNuiJ3VZ18tTqSUI8ouH2NyGkaRO3Q-G5fE0JNBVCsRj4jEP-6SCjpJC8lPXCgRcdK5tdvYTo33gRr1TaMhnlJH5JbeIwiwYOxEJEysofGIrUCe/s320/cyclamen+and+painting.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>

a cyclamen from the farmers market...

I don't often go to the Farmers Market near my house... goodness knows why...it's a two minute drive away on a Sunday morning. It...

2:00 PM

Touch of spring and random sidenotes.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zKU673eHG-lrItIplj0UpkvyEhXPB0VNqy2Mzamo3tRwRZKwarwvGzL1hliUOINfogz41Y5xsZmh6CIFW57pQGBZJcmpHWwGo1lGVBfuPC3cV-vLBo8vQXOr5pI_zF2CQl37JBY04wE/s1600/lilies.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585405458894919410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zKU673eHG-lrItIplj0UpkvyEhXPB0VNqy2Mzamo3tRwRZKwarwvGzL1hliUOINfogz41Y5xsZmh6CIFW57pQGBZJcmpHWwGo1lGVBfuPC3cV-vLBo8vQXOr5pI_zF2CQl37JBY04wE/s400/lilies.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> On my walk home last night I stopped and got some lilies, not only to help mask the <a href="http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2011/03/smokey-repast.html">steak smoke smell </a>but because it's our first taste of spring in DC.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLnmHHvXsqhybh1TxBqRgVwbA3j2bhkfRvBnrSUEy8I05MMHn5XzzqJK0sykik7QhTWXmRpflsC3w5x9cxtqrPh3AKLiecmPYI_Wlx93U892iIea_vo_48xHMlU0Pl78sRsqnaZLtOk8/s1600/tablescape.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585405455701938674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLnmHHvXsqhybh1TxBqRgVwbA3j2bhkfRvBnrSUEy8I05MMHn5XzzqJK0sykik7QhTWXmRpflsC3w5x9cxtqrPh3AKLiecmPYI_Wlx93U892iIea_vo_48xHMlU0Pl78sRsqnaZLtOk8/s400/tablescape.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I spent St. Patricks Day evening eating shortbread for dinner (ok, and a more nutritous salad) and watching <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Irish-Country-House/dp/B000RY6Z4E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1300454407&sr=8-3">The Irish Country House</a> narrated by the magnificent Angelica Huston who was lucky enough to be raised in one of these grand mansions.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiD80rIvX4AuNKfeZpwfqJtiVbJr7DOFuVrUiFAz8e_374mqbwNZuITQzJ2ZnSGvlwfi-jcmkYsOL0YIy1489tj8aIc3m6qoDevk64YSPicPTtdOvTGE6Nwshq2zu5Ffd_a1W6y2FNgE/s1600/red+scarf.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585404950703851714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiD80rIvX4AuNKfeZpwfqJtiVbJr7DOFuVrUiFAz8e_374mqbwNZuITQzJ2ZnSGvlwfi-jcmkYsOL0YIy1489tj8aIc3m6qoDevk64YSPicPTtdOvTGE6Nwshq2zu5Ffd_a1W6y2FNgE/s400/red+scarf.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I also wanted to share with you the progress of my friend Maxine's house (hi Maxine!). You may remember I've been helping her in setting up her new townhouse (remember the <a href="http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2009/11/colored-lites.html">colored lites</a>?). These are some <em>rough</em> snapshots of the work we've accomplished so far.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585412888856154594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqgdNMN8tkH16131QFWgHhGbVXohyphenhyphenJbM7UGHpTx3Isp_cZgIDFtzwvmgWwO9rNxRAtoZKVp3J74NNl8ge5m-dzsc4sTYu6mPwkNv-3QJeZyer5QeLrudAVF_8hla0IwI2qF0DWBUcduo/s400/lantern+and+wallpaper.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Maxine travels the world for work and is always bringing back new treasures. She is not afraid of color and her home is beginning to show this! I loved this blue updated damask wallpaper we chose for her stairwell along with one of her many moroccan lanterns we hung throughout the house.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWOOfUq48KDPzJZA1tseQ5fe_XmgB8mAPzv4Tgfg4-u3MO7u6u_8WL-GGAEIvDNmmz5p7ZjNiPfzJF403OWxIKXe32wyrSO32OqN7x-t9ZuiNKFlG7a052lATOWla7tKu9aYXygUhSL8/s1600/moroccan+lantern.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585404935198353634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWOOfUq48KDPzJZA1tseQ5fe_XmgB8mAPzv4Tgfg4-u3MO7u6u_8WL-GGAEIvDNmmz5p7ZjNiPfzJF403OWxIKXe32wyrSO32OqN7x-t9ZuiNKFlG7a052lATOWla7tKu9aYXygUhSL8/s400/moroccan+lantern.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>These lanterns really add a lot of additional color to the neutral backdrops we chose for the bedrooms which don't benefit from the colored lights with the exception of the mater bedroom. This wallpaper is subtle in person, the pattern being an embossed silver over an ivory background which matches the wall color. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585411968096710674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcaoVgjntoW7ujm7EAGdJ5vpXftPWdZHV1FMg7zEvl3hLuxBqFbAH3QJAHjdAPq8U4SU-PgNIA4RiroJeT96BmnNusAMz_uqlb0oc0mbst60r_g4X85dKfumW2wMIB8NoT-PD0xqSQug/s400/wallpaper.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 362px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The mirrored nightstand and nickel lamps pick up the silver accents in the wallpaper and also help reflect the natural light which streams into the master bedroom in the morning.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCvofpygTq8eiu_fKM_jerQYleyK4wUdipRTg09rYw2Da-TZY1D8o2qviHU-8NKSBUFhBN1Hb0l-pWC4hmpp0927rw-UH_4Ft-XfF2R7mYqSxMF1CNa_nl5WlZM5RDhINPvuSUWH9dcE/s1600/blue+cabinet.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585404926541010162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCvofpygTq8eiu_fKM_jerQYleyK4wUdipRTg09rYw2Da-TZY1D8o2qviHU-8NKSBUFhBN1Hb0l-pWC4hmpp0927rw-UH_4Ft-XfF2R7mYqSxMF1CNa_nl5WlZM5RDhINPvuSUWH9dcE/s400/blue+cabinet.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> One last hint of color we brought into the bathrooms was by painting the wood builder-grade cabinets in bold glossy colors - why not bring a smile to your face in the morning with color?</div></div></div></div></div></div>

Touch of spring and random sidenotes.

On my walk home last night I stopped and got some lilies, not only to help mask the steak smoke smell but because it's our first taste ...

6:01 AM

cheap thrills...free flowers

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do love a flower arrangement...especially when it's free.  </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I nicked these flowers from work yesterday...it's ok, I'm allowed and we get new ones every Monday :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-adyCnJxAEMbsx68J0zJ2W86uLmTiU6zkTE6Xqp9m_mVzycV-292V0KHq-2y4bcXxB-hGrLoa8BTyiZhgP0_utBc8g-BYJMbisWhSHDRjycTJqfcz58it6w6b7ryo0_QpKkzTHUhZFav/s1600/work+flowers+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-adyCnJxAEMbsx68J0zJ2W86uLmTiU6zkTE6Xqp9m_mVzycV-292V0KHq-2y4bcXxB-hGrLoa8BTyiZhgP0_utBc8g-BYJMbisWhSHDRjycTJqfcz58it6w6b7ryo0_QpKkzTHUhZFav/s640/work+flowers+day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I never put flowers in this spot in the house...they're normally on the dining table.. but I really like it.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSP5IpL69OGw1D4E5d6lb7Db8MOgLRQQri69xERIWzPCDTiD_ccGpH466apYBjKoblzPJuOE12AYh7q6C5Dyp85IygLD_suShim3veSmjyphYRaKqwThqpJv-EvrwDdVnx3PTCUSW1fUn/s1600/work+flowers+night2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSP5IpL69OGw1D4E5d6lb7Db8MOgLRQQri69xERIWzPCDTiD_ccGpH466apYBjKoblzPJuOE12AYh7q6C5Dyp85IygLD_suShim3veSmjyphYRaKqwThqpJv-EvrwDdVnx3PTCUSW1fUn/s640/work+flowers+night2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that's what it looks like at night time...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41FrWccOh0q2kVMef0W7VxW1ncJMrhxQ14X2KqVohpxH-qYhJJCoCh7bwgsr7g3G-GWYdyRKjQK6BPN5Q7k_tHk-FkdQmep2HM4a6jGhJoDBCyc_5gkgLiA85o9WJBw_Dc3vOU00VH3FP/s1600/tulle+lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41FrWccOh0q2kVMef0W7VxW1ncJMrhxQ14X2KqVohpxH-qYhJJCoCh7bwgsr7g3G-GWYdyRKjQK6BPN5Q7k_tHk-FkdQmep2HM4a6jGhJoDBCyc_5gkgLiA85o9WJBw_Dc3vOU00VH3FP/s640/tulle+lantern.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The light is made from a bamboo lantern that I took the candle out of,  wrapped the fairy lights in tulle and just shoved them in. It doesn't appear to be a fire hazard:) I wrote about that <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-weekend-project-simones-fairy-light.html">here</a> and <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-weekend-projectplaying-around.html">here</a>.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got the fairy light wrapping idea from <a href="http://beachvintage.blogspot.com/">Simone's beach vintage blog</a> (but she'd made a fantastic lightshade with white tulle for her daughter's room). </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful weekend won't you...</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

cheap thrills...free flowers

I do love a flower arrangement...especially when it's free. I nicked these flowers from work yesterday...it's ok, I'm allowed ...

4:00 AM

flowers, a little painting project...and blogging friends doing it for the floods

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally picked the last of the sweet peas yesterday, pulled out the bushes and planted some tomatoes...probably too late, but with this weather who in the heck would know! </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSKpSKa9eZ4up4IKe3vN20Bn40bMJRU0zhTXqLNdvTddXVSRgTZMwIMWvlANdq1DEC_FppMJ7mEZEV-TAWrhF1Y0BIPrWFsqzH5WcdXTJ_o9NDzx3nzLetQ2MwjQphDBSua7MGiCtXuzD/s1600/flowers+from+the+garden+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSKpSKa9eZ4up4IKe3vN20Bn40bMJRU0zhTXqLNdvTddXVSRgTZMwIMWvlANdq1DEC_FppMJ7mEZEV-TAWrhF1Y0BIPrWFsqzH5WcdXTJ_o9NDzx3nzLetQ2MwjQphDBSua7MGiCtXuzD/s640/flowers+from+the+garden+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My gardenias have been going gang busters and the roses aren't too shabby either...not bad for such a little space and I am enjoying them on the coffee table.  I managed to get my butt out from its perch in front of the tv yesterday and start a little painting.  You know how it is...if you can't have a real one, you paint a pretend one...:))</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YxkrtT7pp2hXHX3yOy5xwWtoq8fnMN1vwvbokO0PKhxp4lYT9Ah-a6DId6wVku_N1dfXq8yRRV7rxfTIuWEaQ9y076meQKRP4jU68W1SX6AqRl2F6_9P2HxWfo5OqMrEFANu_c-txXKq/s1600/kitchenaid+painting+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YxkrtT7pp2hXHX3yOy5xwWtoq8fnMN1vwvbokO0PKhxp4lYT9Ah-a6DId6wVku_N1dfXq8yRRV7rxfTIuWEaQ9y076meQKRP4jU68W1SX6AqRl2F6_9P2HxWfo5OqMrEFANu_c-txXKq/s640/kitchenaid+painting+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And for the real crochet deal, head on over to the very wonderful <a href="http://therubieplace.blogspot.com/2011/01/garlands-of-hope.html">Tina's</a> and buy one of her beautiful garlands with all proceeds from January sales going to the flood appeals.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdByab6OO8LKpwP-K_t3N0oPtJINJtpK4ZIqN_xAStudwDD9AqyeEe08QQfGTZMmbSJ0k1WCbPT5L1S1ijExi06fV7fE5WmHvG5Ic76ZTt86CyIZ-JDrgSmc9bsQSOOQS0IYVtmehKUtQl/s1600/tinas+crochet+garlands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdByab6OO8LKpwP-K_t3N0oPtJINJtpK4ZIqN_xAStudwDD9AqyeEe08QQfGTZMmbSJ0k1WCbPT5L1S1ijExi06fV7fE5WmHvG5Ic76ZTt86CyIZ-JDrgSmc9bsQSOOQS0IYVtmehKUtQl/s640/tinas+crochet+garlands.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm very much hoping she has hot pink cotton somewhere in her stash! </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if that's not enough, one of my other BBFFs Kerri at <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/">Driftwood Interiors</a> is offering the proceeds from January sales of the awesome prints in her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62216058/fine-art-print-by-kerri-shipp">Etsy shop</a> as well...which artwork to choose...that's the question??</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq11gWGI_Ti4RbVEEY2ZiqktUp7XK3TgKIOb6Bwb9CNylMSqq3vsZnY3TZ0zkjdjZVJHux7_tPxCx6VBaOUA_P07rGpbiJe6COvOr5yjjQaSaCVW_tIIXIOoV_IWL4e-cOX7sLsJKKCxEK/s1600/kerris+ming+in+indigo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq11gWGI_Ti4RbVEEY2ZiqktUp7XK3TgKIOb6Bwb9CNylMSqq3vsZnY3TZ0zkjdjZVJHux7_tPxCx6VBaOUA_P07rGpbiJe6COvOr5yjjQaSaCVW_tIIXIOoV_IWL4e-cOX7sLsJKKCxEK/s640/kerris+ming+in+indigo.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And...even more, gorgeous Janette from My Sweet Prints and her assistant Will are offering 10% of profits from sales over the next two weeks...click <a href="http://mysweetprintsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sweet-prints-qld-flood-appeal.html">here</a>. Here's a sample...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2Ru4tivtZvlWisA8qTRJPUYVvKnWnZpcFADLUSnAzx-zA0NAB8iVsEz73TdruytADwTZq407g675nVlAcr3jme8aSdFPyNOxG8YbIOWIxUB4jeaMP-8e6apONJazru7kMnFBFQZhS6Sl/s1600/janette+my+sweet+prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2Ru4tivtZvlWisA8qTRJPUYVvKnWnZpcFADLUSnAzx-zA0NAB8iVsEz73TdruytADwTZq407g675nVlAcr3jme8aSdFPyNOxG8YbIOWIxUB4jeaMP-8e6apONJazru7kMnFBFQZhS6Sl/s640/janette+my+sweet+prints.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love these girls :)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a lovely weekend everyone.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">image 1 and 2 by a tranquil townhouse; image 3 by Tina; image 4 by Kerri with an 'i'; image 5 by Janette</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

flowers, a little painting project...and blogging friends doing it for the floods

I finally picked the last of the sweet peas yesterday, pulled out the bushes and planted some tomatoes...probably too late, but with this we...

12:30 PM

glimpses of the townhouse garden...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather was so great on the weekend I thought I'd do some much needed weeding in the courtyard. And while I was there...take some photos as well...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIc-8IhxkodV9TgU1_azcMsxOXuhAt6oWb9SiT_1ud8xBuuschTNcVsj652m_pq_ZbN155Yfj0lHFB1zpikUFKu6YR91_ttz2pkOvpyJUj70ot4J9EoFp2aDA5k71xD6Tt47tT3xAndv2h/s1600/archangel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIc-8IhxkodV9TgU1_azcMsxOXuhAt6oWb9SiT_1ud8xBuuschTNcVsj652m_pq_ZbN155Yfj0lHFB1zpikUFKu6YR91_ttz2pkOvpyJUj70ot4J9EoFp2aDA5k71xD6Tt47tT3xAndv2h/s640/archangel+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKUX65VeXboWxBG_N0qvJRWrZe-mU-vPeNgUn4IqJo61z6lgxTomnjBguAz3-_xLv0RTQsqve6D0jw1I9NZtfb5zqLZugW_1YMpO-BzOda4B2zLOj9G_dtoSqdX_v0jSPskyUQ4rOE2N0/s1600/archangel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKUX65VeXboWxBG_N0qvJRWrZe-mU-vPeNgUn4IqJo61z6lgxTomnjBguAz3-_xLv0RTQsqve6D0jw1I9NZtfb5zqLZugW_1YMpO-BzOda4B2zLOj9G_dtoSqdX_v0jSPskyUQ4rOE2N0/s640/archangel2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This fabulous terracotta sculpture was done by Canberra artist <a href="http://www.vivienlightfoot.com/">Vivien Lightfoot</a>...who's the first born's best friend's mum...got that! I'm patiently waiting for the jasmine to cover the lattice...because no way am I painting it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk0IBVA2BR63AyE4j-ZCj4OfMhDyfzsa7T0Kyif6UGr-vbQmzZjG6cKPkHix1cfq-M2je5zFtODZx8BGXL7VxNFmgE6t5dCqHU7UuHMTsIZDZpAuzq2OZzsOl5fLFDbo9J5H26l1ZMtQd/s1600/water+bowl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk0IBVA2BR63AyE4j-ZCj4OfMhDyfzsa7T0Kyif6UGr-vbQmzZjG6cKPkHix1cfq-M2je5zFtODZx8BGXL7VxNFmgE6t5dCqHU7UuHMTsIZDZpAuzq2OZzsOl5fLFDbo9J5H26l1ZMtQd/s640/water+bowl1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The water bowl is a fairly recent addition that I love....well I loved it once I'd waterproofed it...who in the heck sells you a water bowl that leaks!!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEtvTPC_W9dGRtyVnk22LCDK79Cv0CfttFBhwXOhpET2L5vme_MDVQLYjJvpt_rwK477kNBJOVXF4kAw90RzaOvuRqZAwl1UeZjJz-u_6PnvTuaCdHykbTDMkV5YQ8g_gV4AT0bT5TOYO/s1600/sweet+peas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEtvTPC_W9dGRtyVnk22LCDK79Cv0CfttFBhwXOhpET2L5vme_MDVQLYjJvpt_rwK477kNBJOVXF4kAw90RzaOvuRqZAwl1UeZjJz-u_6PnvTuaCdHykbTDMkV5YQ8g_gV4AT0bT5TOYO/s640/sweet+peas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this is the first time I've had any success with sweet peas...so I'm pretty pleased about that...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-ID-J19_dWbnc0vwHxgUbWVb3qQ-TBCCwrNpugNd6tUs_bRdIJpSWH1BIvIEFUS3cDYrlf8TbVf1xgwZvXAQmmg5U8pqTwS2U4ZBv0ugX9Z2p8ckMcHxhDa4DRmjl6jVRXMebRGaZsOF/s1600/white+lobelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-ID-J19_dWbnc0vwHxgUbWVb3qQ-TBCCwrNpugNd6tUs_bRdIJpSWH1BIvIEFUS3cDYrlf8TbVf1xgwZvXAQmmg5U8pqTwS2U4ZBv0ugX9Z2p8ckMcHxhDa4DRmjl6jVRXMebRGaZsOF/s640/white+lobelia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JILhBly-KSfXLBptShDNkuKo_yz3hdRQZCZGvmXXARoDBG7hu4TE5sCX9Zp9kDIiD6oloQrtmoofMwq34lOvoJYzp_XhVDbgOmlM_2ZL5SgC0CpOJgUS0zJxhIuvu6yT-a6xib6F2N58/s1600/white+lobelia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JILhBly-KSfXLBptShDNkuKo_yz3hdRQZCZGvmXXARoDBG7hu4TE5sCX9Zp9kDIiD6oloQrtmoofMwq34lOvoJYzp_XhVDbgOmlM_2ZL5SgC0CpOJgUS0zJxhIuvu6yT-a6xib6F2N58/s640/white+lobelia2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lobelias...so simple but I love them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQMA_b4czCenjKSDVgtWBHrwRlUd_pSOVx6OHVrX23RRVHPur_MxnbBc3f38jWC06LcUAYdY38B691dizkKf9BGWvrWztka087V_mmX9J421b311b5NXMNTeRWy8c5nYrPiu3Jqm68TxL/s1600/maple+and+pansies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQMA_b4czCenjKSDVgtWBHrwRlUd_pSOVx6OHVrX23RRVHPur_MxnbBc3f38jWC06LcUAYdY38B691dizkKf9BGWvrWztka087V_mmX9J421b311b5NXMNTeRWy8c5nYrPiu3Jqm68TxL/s640/maple+and+pansies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The maple I planted earlier this year...that I was told wouldn't grow where I put it....ha! I knew it would :) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7tlSvE461rtYQn9CZAc5leNC485rHoz2gvdLUMkiy_IsXAlOdIRE71EETLQGehSLi1I4B3uXaErWGU1raiQVusfIr6zYnB5CWPs4Frd-UPecyFsVmLc4HsZJQXe7rk8xPSe1ls0Aq997/s1600/maple+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7tlSvE461rtYQn9CZAc5leNC485rHoz2gvdLUMkiy_IsXAlOdIRE71EETLQGehSLi1I4B3uXaErWGU1raiQVusfIr6zYnB5CWPs4Frd-UPecyFsVmLc4HsZJQXe7rk8xPSe1ls0Aq997/s640/maple+tree.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was only half this size when I bought it for $14 at Bunnings...bargain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TX2puN0mpsouBhr8XamvUz974erbIuMX6squLFIvAZq9dwm672jPrmaqdL0iJOXyw5pKTJZDGQhFVcsCIWcfd9Fnd9lRfR2dhhI4p2MlbLVB0PnloYG-xx6334tFXBgya9Y71YXVJY_p/s1600/buddha+on+tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TX2puN0mpsouBhr8XamvUz974erbIuMX6squLFIvAZq9dwm672jPrmaqdL0iJOXyw5pKTJZDGQhFVcsCIWcfd9Fnd9lRfR2dhhI4p2MlbLVB0PnloYG-xx6334tFXBgya9Y71YXVJY_p/s640/buddha+on+tray.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And pelargoniums, or are they geraniums...I never know...but I think they're great too.  And in my opinion, you can't have a garden without a buddha or two...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoIXux7AXidF9HqWZBK-0z9jBi_9NlBpuVQ-7o5QRGpUKN-C-3YNLrveO5jB8UIy4zxd-2nWxcyGfsD5AQAB-qvW2ybOV24CLmH6zTLMofDrkmpjFAB7nHjPeH05Gb8wDnejhdpdHb1ox/s1600/buddha+haircut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoIXux7AXidF9HqWZBK-0z9jBi_9NlBpuVQ-7o5QRGpUKN-C-3YNLrveO5jB8UIy4zxd-2nWxcyGfsD5AQAB-qvW2ybOV24CLmH6zTLMofDrkmpjFAB7nHjPeH05Gb8wDnejhdpdHb1ox/s640/buddha+haircut.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And hey everyone...thanks so much for all your suggestions and support for the TT <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/soul-food-friday-four-letter-word.html">subtlety diet</a>...I'm putting some of them in place and I'll up date you from time to time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But more importantly...I've got some plans for the courtyard over the summer break...which may or may not involve painting out the ugly mission brown on the back of the house and installing some floaty curtains on the pergola!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tranquil, yes?</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsGq68HtF6suwITemb1dzTPFoZN0Eg6zpYUyHBs36lSfFUA8dBCpOzX_jL7-00l8phVGQWNYjyZQbxcEFA_Zewm48vjxz7dey2e0i0AaCh9_-1nm2zILMJW5-EtEsC6ENM0CFLxz12BMh/s1600/buffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsGq68HtF6suwITemb1dzTPFoZN0Eg6zpYUyHBs36lSfFUA8dBCpOzX_jL7-00l8phVGQWNYjyZQbxcEFA_Zewm48vjxz7dey2e0i0AaCh9_-1nm2zILMJW5-EtEsC6ENM0CFLxz12BMh/s320/buffy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and of course it's not a courtyard photo shoot without you know who is it!!</span></div>

glimpses of the townhouse garden...

The weather was so great on the weekend I thought I'd do some much needed weeding in the courtyard. And while I was there...take some ph...

12:00 PM

A bright idea

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX3YGB5m1-q7Buq5Sam9v3clpN60LwO48bllQSBJHaEVD2Ktr2EM1cd76FltzbQIS7MI_rJNimxSBzQcWXyiYMhvh-Hg4KIu7f1IHiH7xM6FFhqgvW94YliahG0iNW3bzPIJCGzmd9gE/s1600/colored+flowers.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540310816748634098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX3YGB5m1-q7Buq5Sam9v3clpN60LwO48bllQSBJHaEVD2Ktr2EM1cd76FltzbQIS7MI_rJNimxSBzQcWXyiYMhvh-Hg4KIu7f1IHiH7xM6FFhqgvW94YliahG0iNW3bzPIJCGzmd9gE/s400/colored+flowers.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> While in Barcelona, I stayed at <a href="http://www.lemeridienbarcelona.com/?PS=EAME_aa_Starwood_Iberia-1931_Google%20US_the%20meridien%20spain%205%20star_04/23/10">Le Meridien</a> on La Rambla. In the lobby next to the elevators was a vase of lilies that were very peculiar; their color changed, pink to white to blue to yellow. Now how did they do that?<br />Up in the ceiling was a very regular looking little box hidden in the stair opening that threw a slowly changing point of colored light onto the arrangement; So slow that it was barely perceivable. I began to wonder, weren't those flowers pink this morning or am I going crazy? Just another bright idea, sometimes technology IS useful!

A bright idea

While in Barcelona, I stayed at Le Meridien on La Rambla. In the lobby next to the elevators was a vase of lilies that were very peculiar;...

3:00 AM

Chicago Botanic Garden

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525475194859124594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnBhQB2Ehc_Bok2XVH3OVjLpEgFlVJLuwi2WSov9Wd1JlxYyq8nGflRNPiD-tPxPuI2e3gbY6ZyXxt9hrowYCy4wOhSaLm-lbyWBsWft7e8_L4SuLamCPa_x1jlk_qwbptjskByj_eAQ/s400/overgrown+fountain.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />Another spot in Chicago which I visited was the <a href="http://www.chicagobotanic.org/">Chicago Botanic Garden</a>, an amazingly HUGE and gorgeous set of different gardens a little outside of the city.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_equrL2QwMWL356YusYcaoG0cFeJH2yAJDkr-_RIjE8FtVt6y_ZCl2YhTvw_SPoNkjQC7U-qhMJg1SzoykvdlQWjn1EHNHR49CxsFgOtFleUdZvZM8RAzWeLpfvH0CS9QbEJb8csTKs/s1600/secret+garden.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525476176635744690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_equrL2QwMWL356YusYcaoG0cFeJH2yAJDkr-_RIjE8FtVt6y_ZCl2YhTvw_SPoNkjQC7U-qhMJg1SzoykvdlQWjn1EHNHR49CxsFgOtFleUdZvZM8RAzWeLpfvH0CS9QbEJb8csTKs/s400/secret+garden.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 219px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> My favorite part of the garden was the walled English garden. I've always wanted a little secret garden and the entrance to this one was just about perfect! Love that perfect shade of blue on the gate.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9qcwXVLFezYmht4aVRZhrrQ7g7JMGYXbckuf2ewbTr2xQWyEzPJFgg3ZXmgahF4WRmsGfmBgy7OLWnOFE8FV_X9l96Ks6njJdepRJYgljT1LqDdTRzGO4E7jWDNTNR1-gAupBX5-rL8/s1600/princess+margaret.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525475190422594018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9qcwXVLFezYmht4aVRZhrrQ7g7JMGYXbckuf2ewbTr2xQWyEzPJFgg3ZXmgahF4WRmsGfmBgy7OLWnOFE8FV_X9l96Ks6njJdepRJYgljT1LqDdTRzGO4E7jWDNTNR1-gAupBX5-rL8/s400/princess+margaret.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The garden was dedicated by Princess Margaret. I wonder what she thought about Chicago when she visited; I would love to hear as I'm sure it's entertaining!<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525473990664624002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5uTxaH8dzg6-gPjwNjg0bn9kA382YYWTwjKeL6h3H5Faaq0DZMXIwbxQ2zu0egLlf3TsuZmYTu0JXB4arsoUeieWNao2DEeKYxxOf_gNVUvKVHeFbqYV_jNjCWTerTik9ejXBErQJO4/s400/finial.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />This unusual folly was created in 1992 by Simon Verity as one of the focal points of the English garden. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVudx-RvDlS-RZ5XWhTGibY7N630alZidQvEl9bHboNryXfWMXOU0vLLiqcjAN6d-XzEiIgthycESn_P0PNNPPiQ41p2JXeTlBrSx5MCpdfZ1ON8EfVmqlXBVZ3ysrgurEt2mw_M2_DF8/s1600/rock+crystal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525474873392368658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVudx-RvDlS-RZ5XWhTGibY7N630alZidQvEl9bHboNryXfWMXOU0vLLiqcjAN6d-XzEiIgthycESn_P0PNNPPiQ41p2JXeTlBrSx5MCpdfZ1ON8EfVmqlXBVZ3ysrgurEt2mw_M2_DF8/s400/rock+crystal.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The different elements of the sculpture are meant to represent earth, air, fire and water. I'm not sure about all of that but I love the classical beauty of it!<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525474860972283090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqrQc0ZS5eKl6mdWzewScvlK2VHSvS7RdeqXMh1c7SPuCegZjhwOJZn48Lljyj-UTurDoIj-zS6YR6xkyGFdiXzeUABTPV88CSWbDdZ5byJRoYWr6uBH8MABJUVTSAZlgCbGatANEzJQ/s400/autumn+garden+3.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" />I loved this central urn on a pedastal. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525474868117395938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkQK0bsSbkpZAcxc1OIgOcJIf0f76CiQI7kS_FLw_u81nHmB6GSHm78YgChzcPovr7r6_Yy9pUg6QJkSo7wPwDs-wlwTc2aDXtzhylQNh1YBpi8eUYhvuXQoIWNicxXsVoBypAND8xxk/s400/autumn+garden.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />Why do elements like this make a garden so much more appealing to me? Ahhh yes - they add architectural interest!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilFafM9GcCks5e2HzPgnXS3ccCNU899CfG71XjkQm3phbAyMLgUUgkrWTeaNwvUkjPLPGAZi7e75uwT6KCfpopn-a3g_Z1beCU42_7qIJo3M_fpXXaBYcVYCNTDwTzuBUdB2VY0ZLyKk/s1600/autumn+garden+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525474866116820386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilFafM9GcCks5e2HzPgnXS3ccCNU899CfG71XjkQm3phbAyMLgUUgkrWTeaNwvUkjPLPGAZi7e75uwT6KCfpopn-a3g_Z1beCU42_7qIJo3M_fpXXaBYcVYCNTDwTzuBUdB2VY0ZLyKk/s400/autumn+garden+2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The garden was so varied that the urn looked completely different from each angle.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8YoO1edxeKHgGibr94hsMa3tfB9fOrNpI8VwkI-rgBjE6avQ_ZldX_vr_fyI5e_ZTGqzXQvGU5YLOJiML2gE3pynD1OjAZPAktz_20YSleJ5-O_3fCieZXQyvsctD1JAt7kEcrV8KTE/s1600/autumn+sunlight.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525474855628531202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8YoO1edxeKHgGibr94hsMa3tfB9fOrNpI8VwkI-rgBjE6avQ_ZldX_vr_fyI5e_ZTGqzXQvGU5YLOJiML2gE3pynD1OjAZPAktz_20YSleJ5-O_3fCieZXQyvsctD1JAt7kEcrV8KTE/s400/autumn+sunlight.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>I visited on what turned out to be the most perfect Fall afternoon and experienced the most beautiful light. I think the photo above reflects that.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmTTAcxYd6mWZ9jC-MN2pPcOSWxIrf26r_E9no0o-can0t5j5WaU0TlGV6bvTQNF_6f7k6jQVqaKp1xqlZmjZwDyEq2X4Jh2TPwQf8BVfiaUGtHKUqRFr2r2-ZWQc7l-I6W3roDGmqAk/s1600/balastrade.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525473998747749778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmTTAcxYd6mWZ9jC-MN2pPcOSWxIrf26r_E9no0o-can0t5j5WaU0TlGV6bvTQNF_6f7k6jQVqaKp1xqlZmjZwDyEq2X4Jh2TPwQf8BVfiaUGtHKUqRFr2r2-ZWQc7l-I6W3roDGmqAk/s400/balastrade.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>I can't remember what this plant was, but it looked a bit like an olive tree, really beautiful!  All of the plants are of course labeled but I was so happy snapping pictures (all with my phone) that I sadly don't remember what anything is!<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525473982698542290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJTRdH8XKyRYnmraV4o0EyEkBZZ1LrXAS_27UtI8IUGet-I4K9Vt_-Z0GA4q6gvljhqeqRCX6hNtBAD9gXZandyzyNjRFMb9XU6SFbvpbev504gWsuVAGNg8KXyJnSQxKJKjtik_iNz8/s400/garden+wall.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />The other side of the walled garden overlooks a lake with 2 pavilions at either end.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525473985411287842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0iMa9izn8gq2Bc0jYGHYtOEvp5ETmwFf35PQaGoKZf83s9HIQ9YYIGe52sjdcO5_xM7jnUTHOuCZZcHHlrPPGB3f_TanN7Xenl9WeCO5GY3IqwMt7-1SICQqSbciGJj5mPX2Jeasekw/s400/garden+structure.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 231px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />One pavilion is open as a seating area. This would be a great place for a picnic!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6KbBg-mgQpJNtalWxjjsKxCsnjlgXdSd9RyhykqsWMDQf2PtlKIvxKU9MZVpmhezCzOKO7QBd9BJpDwxU0MVIk0ZEH70LiBvC8CfWk67wUfBSAhs8QAWxlF7RuuX8SUxzrq0tD6h8Bc/s1600/blue+door.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525473993453600706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6KbBg-mgQpJNtalWxjjsKxCsnjlgXdSd9RyhykqsWMDQf2PtlKIvxKU9MZVpmhezCzOKO7QBd9BJpDwxU0MVIk0ZEH70LiBvC8CfWk67wUfBSAhs8QAWxlF7RuuX8SUxzrq0tD6h8Bc/s400/blue+door.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The other is closed, I assume for garden tool storage. Again, there was that perfect blue.<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlPv4hKhyphenhyphen7B6vmcbcPhpSwWHB4R829KLOlMlR2eRgKWTTs_z4cpHhqAZIEf8-eAPfJrGoY6w_DtJg9nwzXUOmUp26LbaUp7jltyfqvpLjL__-8g92pIu-deG0t4M-Uu9uMatogb4FF5o/s1600/allee.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472960679801042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlPv4hKhyphenhyphen7B6vmcbcPhpSwWHB4R829KLOlMlR2eRgKWTTs_z4cpHhqAZIEf8-eAPfJrGoY6w_DtJg9nwzXUOmUp26LbaUp7jltyfqvpLjL__-8g92pIu-deG0t4M-Uu9uMatogb4FF5o/s400/allee.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Outside of the walled garden was this allee of trees with gravel path. I always feel that gravel paths are the most <em>gardeny</em>, forget asphalt or even bricks!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARPzaev37Ed1-9dp7T0Sd6vo_yXsyCLFwJRK2AKyd2avjt5iV5r70l1SQEyVEh21CW86Ah-D5M1H1UVHzWypqSVGcNyYT3giVDSHe6FQ_dOyaF_A83jxQqx1MJw0SdHaIVmRy1fost0A/s1600/leaves.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472951184616962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARPzaev37Ed1-9dp7T0Sd6vo_yXsyCLFwJRK2AKyd2avjt5iV5r70l1SQEyVEh21CW86Ah-D5M1H1UVHzWypqSVGcNyYT3giVDSHe6FQ_dOyaF_A83jxQqx1MJw0SdHaIVmRy1fost0A/s400/leaves.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> All of the plants were really stunning and you could tell it was thoughtfully planned so something was in bloom every season of the year.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaZhHEgDahrgULjCfVXe8oayYx39oNVuAzNLrPLirvnTl0VNI4gox7I-yWtA-OYiECdjfKsodpOTgUe4LtwEjICHdKY1mfmb9BBvXh3sCm1r6q0B-AfzollJ3iZNcTwBZSqdlnnB67cw/s1600/meadow.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472948102722130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaZhHEgDahrgULjCfVXe8oayYx39oNVuAzNLrPLirvnTl0VNI4gox7I-yWtA-OYiECdjfKsodpOTgUe4LtwEjICHdKY1mfmb9BBvXh3sCm1r6q0B-AfzollJ3iZNcTwBZSqdlnnB67cw/s400/meadow.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> In the center of one lake was 'Evening Island' with a carillon bell. Loved hearing this when it went off!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqCODPvEH_MHSgj3-lXqs8NQZNG31BPBA6Cs812xrYLX-Q4w6nEnEK1dzsqkmJrGnmGhyw5YRP0YytOwpodT7Fu1NPavDxlS832SU7CpRrbF42zjM2eRynDpy7khsSNwXJ_69Kw4S74U/s1600/lake.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472942606172370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqCODPvEH_MHSgj3-lXqs8NQZNG31BPBA6Cs812xrYLX-Q4w6nEnEK1dzsqkmJrGnmGhyw5YRP0YytOwpodT7Fu1NPavDxlS832SU7CpRrbF42zjM2eRynDpy7khsSNwXJ_69Kw4S74U/s400/lake.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The Japanese garden was also on a seperate island, but it was much prettier from across the lake.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZrcuU0SHL3DnEmaMuUxYH3w3MqkCb5AwXbi48dssAi6YXIb-7EZLh6tLdRQ1CU_lurMv3xuHIeqA_cdPjl_Edc7QUNZAsvOKp-eE8rOmuI_w_Z9TPjGtDEoyZyd0aY5grVJKSKJrlE4/s1600/japanese+garden.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472938387254914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZrcuU0SHL3DnEmaMuUxYH3w3MqkCb5AwXbi48dssAi6YXIb-7EZLh6tLdRQ1CU_lurMv3xuHIeqA_cdPjl_Edc7QUNZAsvOKp-eE8rOmuI_w_Z9TPjGtDEoyZyd0aY5grVJKSKJrlE4/s400/japanese+garden.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Behind the walled garden was a beautiful waterfall garden that fed into the lake seen above.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQmW_Ng6FVlvUsNNL6jioYSFX5egSnCdpkjovHbN9JFD9pjsAXienVq30M0VculuFZj2v975FQlKBn9-WtK4byIY1UY4wVeOzGxdyK7ey9fhr3mnMANOdPHZj4khi5AaYG0SmhUN_J3k/s1600/water+feature.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472591477929954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQmW_Ng6FVlvUsNNL6jioYSFX5egSnCdpkjovHbN9JFD9pjsAXienVq30M0VculuFZj2v975FQlKBn9-WtK4byIY1UY4wVeOzGxdyK7ey9fhr3mnMANOdPHZj4khi5AaYG0SmhUN_J3k/s400/water+feature.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Can my own secret garden have a waterfall too, please?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd8065pvR3jj2UP63shvaNA8GwSNa0FBFQs0ZBedIC5lryZUL293YGgrVVaYho0xoKK83YZZmH1oG5LnxpYxuCti6ekwbNfwRWa-PFsHhgNNwwuEJ3a5U6eA6S71bFPgl0Hy7LjOpYjE/s1600/waterfall.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472583784591090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd8065pvR3jj2UP63shvaNA8GwSNa0FBFQs0ZBedIC5lryZUL293YGgrVVaYho0xoKK83YZZmH1oG5LnxpYxuCti6ekwbNfwRWa-PFsHhgNNwwuEJ3a5U6eA6S71bFPgl0Hy7LjOpYjE/s400/waterfall.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> And what would any collection of gardens be without a rose garden.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTksecS3dPoSj1hbh04ULX9ju2lDeZtsVR_DEXuphLP1IZ7xjBswddB_eFr8oLkPdttLtXXukFVBA4b458mpOdCdWvUVT-xIHZlgzYHgDIUMiSOTLQYDGU7BhN0HEAd9CUdorAH9imQBk/s1600/modern+sculpture.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472580953136322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTksecS3dPoSj1hbh04ULX9ju2lDeZtsVR_DEXuphLP1IZ7xjBswddB_eFr8oLkPdttLtXXukFVBA4b458mpOdCdWvUVT-xIHZlgzYHgDIUMiSOTLQYDGU7BhN0HEAd9CUdorAH9imQBk/s400/modern+sculpture.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I felt the roses were contrasted beautifully by the hardness of "<em>Composition in stainless steel #1"</em> by Gidon Graetz, 1985.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNhI5JA3_oq8tv4w6VUagRABFQkuNdq-enJxbkvZRFo-oo71m2_ioEdllYEKYy87O4_IQdfHY96mL8Xnbjy3ISYfWXKVG7toMrXPjhQ7QkuAPlMmQMMIyB1ju9eRHUXxDyFaWNHXcVJI/s1600/rose+garden.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472573952278994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNhI5JA3_oq8tv4w6VUagRABFQkuNdq-enJxbkvZRFo-oo71m2_ioEdllYEKYy87O4_IQdfHY96mL8Xnbjy3ISYfWXKVG7toMrXPjhQ7QkuAPlMmQMMIyB1ju9eRHUXxDyFaWNHXcVJI/s400/rose+garden.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> This garden proved that roses can be in bloom during nearly every season of the year.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525472566161414258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVCoPZDHjUWIDbn48uvQwK6zHgwmgwX2Hn1nVMzFgG6hfmwu7v9UAgV5gmQ_DJxfRJvjT6SgAXBEQtUj9T-cLonPSX5O-55GozwxebaTDWv8zsaBfmD7oXpPqCNGMg0tixI1H7BwLlOE/s400/roses.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" /> <div>I would highly recommend a visit to the Chicago Botanic gardens, especially on a beautiful day!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Chicago Botanic Garden

Another spot in Chicago which I visited was the Chicago Botanic Garden , an amazingly HUGE and gorgeous set of different gardens a little ou...

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