up in the air

Our little garden on the roof. Anyone need basil? Because we have more than we can handle. The plants love the cool, wet weather.

Container gardening is an interesting challenge, especially 11 stories off the ground! Things don't work the way they do on (or in) the ground. We learned a lot from our mistakes last summer, and seem to be doing very well this year. I have found Gayla Trail's blog You Grow Girl to be a fantastic resource. . . and her book Grow Great Grub has become my gardening bible.

So what to do with all those herbs? Get cookin'! Last night the gentleman made bruschetta, with local mozzarella, tomatoes, big FRESH basil leaves, and a slice of avocado. And I am thinking this chilled leek soup sounds good.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Or for that matter, growing in your garden. . . ?

hopping the pond

. . . for a bit of Georgian architecture. A snippet from my visit this past February to Dr. Johnson's House in London.

Inspired by Emily's trip in January, I decided to seek out this little gem of a house. Finding it is no easy task, tucked away in the heart of Fleet Street (in fact, had EEE not mentioned the nearby McDonald's, I think I would have thrown my hands up in despair). That the house has survived history is extraordinary. . . literally being blitzed during WWII, and now hemmed in by modernity. As Emily wrote, the house is sparsely furnished, leaving one to conjure up the past without the clutter of objects. After all, it is the stories of the personalities that inhabited the place that really matter. From an architectural perspective, however, it is fascinating to see a Georgian townhouse so intact.

Also not to be missed:

* Danson House
* Fenton House
* and a place in Wales

And I must say ~ I am so impressed by this site: London. . . shh. What a brilliant idea!

oh, palladio!

From our adventures at Arlington House last weekend. It was a ridiculously gorgeous day for the annual outing of the Center for Palladian Studies in America. This year, Washington! From Latrobe to Mills to Thornton, it was an architectural orgy, and an opportunity for me to look at my city from a different perspective. Funny how things can become so familiar that you don't really see them.

Just a little plug ~ but I must say that the CPSA is a great organization. If you are even remotely interested in architecture, it is well worth the $30 to join. The journal alone is worth it!

trouvée: the hollyhock

Don't you wish you knew the story behind this one?! Alas, there is no inscription. But, I think it safe to say that was one prize-winning hollyhock! {click image to view larger}

Some things:

* Howard Sooley (Emile reminded me of his work the other day by mentioning Derek Jarman, whose famous garden Sooley so eloquently photographed)

* and an advance copy of this impressive tome (832 pages) just arrived on my desk! Having had the pleasure of assisting on it over the past 5 years, I can say with authority. . . it is REALLY well done. (You should order a copy.)

Have a great weekend. Cheers.

lately

We have been enjoying the most wonderful evening skies (it's a bit distracting).

There has been good food and wine: i.e. salmon fillets with fresh dill from the garden, roasted chicken with sage, rhubarb sauce, and quiche with local spinach and leeks. Oh, and I discovered the gentleman doesn't like peas! However, for those of you who do ~ yum.

We have been reading, a lot. There are currently piles and piles of books "in progress." Our wedding registry consisted primarily of books, and we received many beautiful, wonderful things, but until recently have had no time to read them. We were also given an extraordinary library by a very special lady ~ it has now been (mostly) catalogued, and we are ever more in awe.

And the garden! It loves the cool spring rains.

Hope you are all well.

a place in the shade

We had a gorgeous weekend here in Washington. Lots of sun and green leaves. Perfect weather for exploring old houses. But, more on that later. . .

For now, two things:

* old + new on the Isle of Coll

* and are you up for editing some Dickens?

Until tomorrow, adieu.

the language of flowers

Of the many details from last week's royal wedding, I was particularly intrigued by the attention paid to the meaning of flowers. According to the official website, Kate’s bouquet, designed by Shane Connolly, was comprised of flowers chosen for their significance to the families of the bride and groom and their meanings according to the Language of Flowers ~ lily-of-the-valley: return of happiness; sweet William: gallantry; hyacinth: constancy of love; ivy: fidelity, marriage, wedded love, friendship, and affection; and myrtle: an emblem of marriage and love.

When I put together my own bridal bouquet, I admit that I did not pay any attention to the meaning of the flowers included. So, curious to know the message carried in those blooms I turned to the gentleman’s extensive library of Victoriana which (naturally) includes a book on deportment, a whole chapter devoted to the Language of Flowers.

The translation:

* white roses: pure love
* ranunculus: radiant charm
* cosmos: beauty (derived from the Latin "kosmos")
* astilbe: “I'll still be waiting”
* blue thistle: austerity, independence, and nobility

Also in the mix were leaves of dusty miller and sprigs of silver brunia berries, which as far as I can tell have no assigned meaning. All together, I think the symbolism is quite perfect. Incidentally, my two matrons-of-honor carried bouquets comprised of the same flowers, but instead of the chocolate cosmos and astilbe, I included white and brown Queen Anne's Lace, signifying "haven, or protection" (rather appropriate, no?).

And what would a groom be without his boutonnière? The gentleman wore a blue thistle with leaves of sage, meaning "domestic virtue and wisdom," and thyme, signifying "thriftiness." After our ceremony my niece stuffed a bright pink clover flower in with everything. Clover, meaning "to live a carefree life of ease, comfort, or prosperity." She may not have realized it, but she gave us a most wonderful wedding wish!

(photographs by Kate Headley)

spring things

Some scenes from our weekend. Nasturtiums for the garden. And lots and lots of asparagus (2 pounds to be exact), which I blanched and served cold with curried mayo. There were also pungent leeks, fresh local spinach, and rhubarb. I love spring things!

Not to be missed:

* Savage Beauty at the Met (opens May 4)

* and a menu fit for royalty

Happy monday!

trouvée: an english wedding

An old Wide World press photo, dated 25 February 1938, and labeled "An Asquith Takes A Bride." The caption reads: "Binfield, England -- Michael Asquith and his bride, the former Diana (Didi) Battye, London society girl who disappeared for nine days last June and was found on the steps of her fiance's home, leaving All Saint's Church after their wedding on Feb. 17."

Exact details of the story are sketchy in contemporary news reports. Miss Battye disappeared while staying with her friend Viscountess Long in Oxford Square, and was feared kidnapped (she had been attacked with a razor on the evening of the coronation of George VI several weeks earlier, and her fiance Michael subsequently received an anonymous letter threatening her well being). However, she turned up several days later in Regents Park, near the home of her future mother-in-law. She was suffering from what The New York Times called "nervous strain" and "memory loss," but was otherwise unharmed. The couple married and had three children, but ultimately divorced in 1952.

Today's English wedding was surrounded by far less intrigue. Lovely in every way! A new, fresh approach for the British monarchy, I think.

Some of my favorite bits:

* the dress!
* the flowers
* the kiss(es)
* and that Aston Martin

Well done! And a happy weekend to you all. . .

wild greens

As excitement builds over tomorrow's royal nuptials, details about the wedding flowers have begun to trickle out ~ white lilac, wisteria, azalea and lily-of-the-valley mixed with wild green shrubs, maple and hornbeam trees. All set to transform Westminster Abbey into a woodland wonderland.

I am reminded of my first trip to St. Andrews in 2008, where wildflowers cling to the craggy bluffs above the famous rocky beaches. Even in June the North Sea winds blow cold and damp. Most of my time in Scotland was spent combing through books in the basement of the university archives, but on my lunch break I would grab a bag of fish and chips and head for the bluffs. The hot, salty fish burning my fingers as I sat on a bench watching the water, huddled in a warm wool scarf. It is a wild, romantic place.

Things British, to put you in the mood:

* the places of Jane Eyre's world

* Hicks and Jekyll on Style Court

* Kate Headley's London

* and a discovery in St. Martin's Lane

Until tomorrow. Cheers.

hot days, warm nights

Washington has made the usual winter-into-summer transition (for the most part bypassing spring), so you will have to forgive the lack of posts ~ I have been "digging" in the garden, and trying to catch those cool rooftop breezes. But, I do have something on Swan House lined up (in the relatively near future). In the mean time, I give you roses.

And a few other things:

* Gone with the Wind (in New England?)

* Gone + almost forgotten
* and a southern supper

Happy tuesday. xo

trouvée: a-tisket, a-tasket . . .

. . . a green and yellow basket! Little baskets and big bows, some chocolate eggs and jelly beans ~ Happy Easter! {click image to view larger}

Some spring things:

* bluebells (and more bluebells)
* pasta with peas and mint
* a simple soup
* dogwood
* and one very old Easter rabbit!

We planted our roof garden last night. Flats of basil, rosemary and lavender ~ tomatoes with jaunty names like "Big Boy" and "Stripey" ~ and pots of sweet banana peppers. Amazingly, the oregano, thyme and mint survived the winter and already are going strong. I think it will be no time before mojitos are on the menu!

Have a good weekend friends.

a few days in the sun

Back north. Home from Atlanta. I miss all the green leaves! And the heady scent of flowers.

Just a little preview of what's to come from the majestic Swan House. . . in the mean time, there is a garden to be planted. And lots of work to catch up on.

Cheers!

down south

. . . where the air is soft, the skies are blue, and the sun is warm on my face. There are lush green leaves, and bushes heavy with roses.

And there are lots of Peachtrees (but no peaches!).

Sunday afternoon was spent getting to know a friend for the first time, and monday morning seeing a classic piece of architecture. Then it was time to get to work. . .

I'll be home soon.

trouvée: a bit of spirng

This young lady puts me in the mood for spring! Unidentified and undated, holding a bouquet of wildflowers. {click image to view larger}

Some more fresh and lovely:

* red and white in Infinite Variety

* Jillian Tamaki: some new threads for Penguin

Have a wonderful weekend. I have a little trip planned next week, which includes meeting up with a wonderful mystery blogger ~ can you guess?

Cheers!

a royal occasion

There is not much that gets me out of bed at 5:00am (voluntarily). But, a royal wedding? Most certainly! So, you can be sure that I will be leaping up when my alarm goes off on the morning of April 29. I remember watching Diana's wedding on a little black and white tv in the attic of our house in Maine, shivering in the early morning cool of a New England summer.

So, now Kate and Wills! The official schedule has been released (you may find the details here), and the web is proliferating with royal wedding souvenirs. My personal favorites were designed by Brittany over at The House That Lars Built. She has devised some charming pieces, including a "Royal Wedding Procession" tote and print (above), and a very clever pop-art take on The Ring. Everything is available in her etsy shop. (Oh, and you mustn't miss Brittany's own beautiful wedding!)

So, fess up. . . will you be watching?

(image: courtesy of The House That Lars Built)

growing season

Government shutdown averted, I may now turn my mind to more gentil pursuits. Gardening! Tender sprouts and top soil are the topics du jour. You may recall last year's roof garden (complete with ugly-ripe tomatoes and urban landscaping)? Well, it was such a huge success with the community that we have received permission from the condo board to grow again. Along with additional pots, a new garden hose, and a BUDGET! I am already dreaming of tasty summer meals garnished with fresh herbs.

While I was in London this past February, I stopped by Petersham Nurseries in Richmond (after my outing with Emile). It was not yet spring, but the greenhouses were filled with seedlings and pots of bulbs. . . and an impressive line up of Wellington boots (would it be too outrageous to tromp around a concrete roof in a pair of Hunters?). Visual inspiration for the growing season to come.

Ahhhh, cooking & gardening:

* you grow girl

* How I Cook (Skye Gyngell's latest cookbook)

* great food from Penguin + Coralie Bickford-Smith

* and Emily Dickinson's herbarium (just to give it all a historical twist)

Happy monday!

trouvée: the capitol

All I will say. . . is that it is a rough day on Capitol Hill. Without getting into politics.

I received an email earlier today from a photographer in New York I work with frequently. He was surprised to hear I was at my desk: "I thought the government was already broken."

Well, not quite. But almost.

Along with some 800,000 other federal workers, I will be furloughed if a budget agreement is not reached by midnight tonight. Please know that while many Americans don't seem to care if the government is shut down, we are disappointed not to be working.

Have a good weekend.

apple blossoms & anniversaries

It was just a year ago that a certain gentleman proposed under the apple blossoms at Dumbarton Oaks. That day was sunny and hot, the temperatures in the 90s. Today is just as sunny, but we are more likely to need a scarf and mittens than a sun hat! What a difference a year makes.

Anyway, in honor of this anniversary I thought I would share with you our wedding announcement (which we have at long last mailed off!). It was designed by my friend Tania Lee, an extraordinarily talented illustrator. It was printed in letterpress on creamy white Cranes stationery, and is probably the most divine thing I have ever seen! I simply told Tania that I wanted it to tell the "story" of us ~ and she took it from there. The lettering was inspired by the title page of a Humphry Repton red book (a nod to our Attingham summer school beginnings). Carlyle House was where we married, and the Planters Inn where we honeymooned. And of course Cupid played a little role in all of it. . . ! {click image to view larger}

Huzzah!

spring forward

I always marvel at the transition from winter to spring. It is the roughest of all I think. Last week was cold and rainy, and positively dreary here in Washington ~ culminating in a wild day of weather on saturday: rain, thunder, hail, wind, torrential downpours, and more thunder, finally ushering in some sun and softer air. Winter is so very stubborn.

Every morning on my way to work, I pass a little Japanese maple tree and a funny pink building (do you remember these raindrops?). This morning I noticed some shiny new leaves and little red buds. So, perhaps we have sprung forward. . . for real!

Simply beautiful (I can't stop staring):

* Kate Headley in India

* Emily Shur in Japan

* and some Saarinen

Happy monday!

trouvée: a little behind

Happy April, fools! Just a little reminder not to take life too seriously (from an anonymous group in Wisconsin).

Some more fun:

* Queen Victoria's underwear (what scandal!)

* a kiss from Keats

* a balloonist photographer

* and some mug shots (they just don't take them like they used to)

And, if you are in Pittsburgh next week, be sure to take a little time to celebrate Fallingwater's 75th anniversary ~ with a symposium: Private Domains, Public Displays: The Modern House Interpreted, April 5, at the Carnegie Museum (one of my favorite guys is speaking!).

Enjoy.

Have a good weekend. . .

twilight

Our second evening in Pennsylvania. We walked, through the fields and into the woods. Me and two of my favorite guys. We talked, I can't even remember what about, but it was good talk. And as the sun slipped slowly behind the inky mountains, we headed back to the house. The men gathering kindling for a fire as I followed behind. Twilight is my favorite hour, the moment when you savor the last bit of a good day, before heading home to a warm fire and a good meal.

- - - - - -

Yesterday Emile honored me with a Stylish Blogger award. Since then I have been thinking about style. Webster's Dictionary defines style as "a distinctive manner or custom of behaving or conducting oneself," or "a particular mode of living." I like to live well, and fully. On my own terms, and with the people I love most. I suppose my blog is a reflection of that, and so to have Emile (who I hold in high regard) pay me the compliment of an award, I am truly flattered.

Thank you.

a weekend away

In the wilds of western Pennsylvania. We drove through snow showers in the mountains, and were greeted upon arrival by temperatures in the teens (it was almost like turning back a season!). But, the rewards were many. Brilliant sunsets, golden fields and indigo hills. Warm fires and good friends, and the sorts of memories you keep in your breast pocket for leaner days.

More tomorrow.

hello spring

Here in Washington the first full day of spring was ushered in by thunderstorms and a few pink blossoms.

Some bits for the history buffs:

* the Printing Office of Edes & Gill opens next month in Boston
* the map that put Manhattan on the grid
* and the conservation of Jefferson's Bible

Happy monday all.

P.S. Our wedding is over here!! (thank you Kate!)

trouvée: two broads and some bread

Just couldn't resist ~ because it's friday, and I thought we could all use some levity. Throw in a 1937 Ford and you have a little bit of fabulousness. This one found somewhere, in some box (I can't remember exactly). {click to view larger}

I have been working hard, and thinking hard this week! I am ready for the weekend and a margarita (!!!).

Two nice things:

* Seton Smith has a new show opening
* and Jane Eyre opens in Washington tonight (and I have a date to see it!)

Have a good one. Enjoy.