We are learning a new meaning to the
word "rain" here in Missouri. There
has been so much since last week.
I do believe the garden would be
lovely if the sun could come out but
for now - that's not happening.
So I have been rereading the Victoria book:
"The Heart of England" and getting lost in
the wonderful words and enchanting views
with the text by Catherine Calvert. This book
came out in 1999 and Victoria (Hoffman
Media) is getting ready to release a new
book which looks like it will be wonderful:
I can't wait to see this new book
above but in the meantime I have so enjoyed
the many chapters in the older one.
For example, I found these comments
under the section "When
the Heart Comes Home":
"When it comes to furnishing an English
cottage, all must be happily haphazard, a
profusion of pattern and color that looks as if
everything came together by serendipitous
good fortune, which of course it did. In
fact, true cottage style resembles a true cottage
garden in its chaotic and colorful jumble...."
These words cause me to remember back in the
early 90's the tea room next door to my
shop in Spring, Texas. A British woman
purchased an old rancher and she turned it
into a tea room. She had different floral
wallpaper in many colors in the rooms.
As she was working on it we took a peek
through the windows one night and were
shocked a the profusion of colors but there
were no furnishing in it on that day.
Later, she brought in the tables and chairs
and little china cabinets and Viola!
It was very charming!
So if you long to be in England, love English
style, decorating or gardening or maybe even
have already been to England or it's on your
bucket list -
I do recommend both of these books.
In the meantime - the rain held off just long enough
to catch a few photos of our backyard.
And from under the deck:
I am considering this a 3 year garden
even though it is my 4th summer. I really
spent the first year digging out the lawn
all summer and although I did plant some
of the hydrangeas and peonies - wow - what a
battle just keeping them alive in this heat.
Then of course, I ended up having to move
most of the hydrangeas as I had them in
too much sun, etc.
In the meantime - the rain held off just long enough
to catch a few photos of our backyard.
And from under the deck:
I am considering this a 3 year garden
even though it is my 4th summer. I really
spent the first year digging out the lawn
all summer and although I did plant some
of the hydrangeas and peonies - wow - what a
battle just keeping them alive in this heat.
Then of course, I ended up having to move
most of the hydrangeas as I had them in
too much sun, etc.
Bernideen, I'm sure I would enjoy both those books. I don't really have a profusion of colors and patterns myself, but have my own tamer version of English cottage style. Thanks for telling us about them.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you had a shop in Old town Spring! I probably was in it sometime as each year we went to the Houston quilt festival we would stop there! And I remember the British tearoom too. And before that, we lived in Spring in the 70's.
ReplyDeleteOh Bernideen, I have been itching to see your beautiful garden! Such an inspiration! You have foxgloves blooming already? Lucky you! What are the pink bell shaped flowers? So pretty! xoxo
ReplyDeleteYour labor of love is paying off in a big way; the garden is beautiful! Here’s to brighter, sunnier days ahead!
ReplyDeleteI’d love both of these books, too! English Cottage style is what I love!
ReplyDeleteYou’re garden looks lovely, and I love your fence!
Wow! Your garden looks amazing in three short years. I know the work is hard but the rewards are wonderful. You have created a place of beauty. Enjoy!! We have had buckets of rain too!
ReplyDelete