Georgianna Lane

Love, Paris

2012-01-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Hello, my friends! Did you have a lovely weekend? I hope so. I've brought some rosy, romantic images from Paris to get us in the mood for Valentine's Day. They're also featured in three new Paris postcard sets, filled with flowers, romance and love:
(Some of you have seen them already in my shop but I'm just getting a chance to post them here now.) They're available here, here and here.

And I've (finally) completed a project that's been underway for over a year, after much research, trial and error. Using my photos (of Paris and roses, of course) and vintage art, printed on beautiful metallic paper and hand cast by moi, these fun pendants are now available here, along with other Valentine's Day goodies, and at a special Valentine's Day price.

Creating them is so much fun, although also quite time consuming, so I'm not sure how long I'll produce them. But it feels great to complete projects, doesn't it? Do you ever feel like you can't keep up with your ideas? How do you cope?

D and I were so pleased you enjoyed the mountain lodge images – thank you for all your kind comments. Reading them made a special trip even more so.

In a few days I'll return to posting images from the French countryside. So many still from last year. That should keep us going until spring!

much love,

– g

The Mountain Retreat

2012-01-19T23:08:00.000-08:00

Hello! I'm very pleased you enjoyed the Parisian weekend photos, both here and at Paris By Two. Are you ready for another adventure? Are you willing to leave Paris (only temporarily) and join us in the wild, wintery West? I hope so – we have so much to share.

This past weekend, David and I embarked upon a creative retreat in the Cascade Mountains, to recharge and to celebrate my birthday. Not the usual creative retreat, as the two of us were the sole attendees, instructors and leaders. That's right, we designed our own personal artistic getaway to think, to plan and to be inspired, and we couldn't have enjoyed it more.

We travel to many wonderful destinations worldwide but sometimes forget that we live in one of the most beautiful areas on Earth. A relaxing four-hour drive through magnificent scenery brought us to the Methow River Valley, a gorgeous haven for Nordic skiing, horse back riding and wildlife, with a laid back, rustic ambiance.
At the top of a mountain overlooking the valley, Sun Mountain Lodge perches, commanding staggering views in all directions. We stayed about a mile below the lodge, in one of their beautifully-appointed cabins (purposely without internet) at the edge of frozen Patterson Lake. Below are photos of our cabin: one bedroom, heated bathroom, large dining/living room, huge fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, soaring ceilings and every possible amenity. (I admit, this is NOT roughing it.)
When we weren't taking photographs, we sat by the fire with notebooks and notepads, sometimes talking and sometimes alone with our thoughts. And yes, we spoke about YOU and how we might best contribute to your creative journeys in the year ahead. (One topic was the e-course and in the end, D had only two words: "Do it". So, I shall be enlisting your input over the next few weeks, my friends, to create something that is the very best it can be.)

We had plenty of playtime, too. The Nikon/Canon shootout never rests.
An unintentionally amusing sign at the edge of the lake:
In the valley below the lodge is the somewhat quirky, slightly-contrived but still enjoyable Western-themed town of Winthrop. (You have to love a place that boasts a Tiffany blue bank building.)

Deer are plentiful in the region, and are a common motif.
A Saturday afternoon snowstorm vanished after darkness fell, revealing an indigo sky brilliant with stars and planets. Jupiter beamed in the southeast and the Milky Way spanned the expanse of the heavens, thick with more stars than I may have ever seen in my life. I began to appreciate the gifts of winter in a way I never had before. The tranquility we sought, of body, mind and spirit, enveloped us in the pure evening air.

Before dawn on Sunday morning, eager and invigorated, we rose to clearness and crispness, and drove up to the lodge to photograph sunrise over the valley. It WAS magical. Far below we could see the stables that belong to the lodge and the horses still sleeping in the golden light.

We hiked down to visit them, climbing the fence and joining them in the paddock, wishing we'd brought apples and carrots. They wished we had, too.

Magnificent creatures, stoic in the frigid air, snow sparkling like diamonds in their coats and manes.

We returned home refreshed and inspired, proclaiming it one of our best trips ever. And all along it was just right over the next mountain.

Thank you for joining us. Wishing you a weekend of creative discoveries.

love,

– g

p. s. I'll be back in just a few days with so much more. Hint: it has to do with the upcoming holiday of hearts and flowers!

Parisian Weekend

2012-01-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

"The Paris Apartment"

Hello, dear friends! Bringing a bit of Parisian fantasy to your weekend with some images from last summer. This Paris apartment with the arched window in Saint Germain intrigued me greatly and I entertained myself with imagining what it might look like inside, with tall ceilings, exquisite woodwork and, of course, sparkling chandeliers.

No doubt elegant vases of roses in every room.

And if not a view of the Eiffel Tower from inside, at least the thrill of knowing it is not far away.

More Paris photos here in our latest post at Paris By Two.

• • • •

Thank you all so much for your kind comments and input on my last post. D and I are deep in discussions on how to fit some courses and seminars in this year. It's your encouraging feedback which is fueling this, so I am very appreciative!

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend with a generous bit of fantasy and day dreaming included.

xo

– g

Dear January

2012-01-04T23:11:00.000-08:00

Dear January,

I'm glad you're here,

Unveiling the pristine path of a new year,

mantled in misty unknown
but beckoning with possibility.

Allowing me deep breaths and still moments,
to say that was then
and this is now
and there ahead lies what can be.

Bringing days, that, in their often bleakness,
inspire resolve to journey onward,
bright with newness.

Dear January,

I'm glad you're here.

I have great plans for us.

xo – g

A Very Happy New Year!!

2011-12-31T14:34:00.000-08:00

Chandelier, Opera Garnier, Paris, 2011

Chandelier, Opera Garnier, Paris, 2011

City Lights, Seattle, 2007

Carousel Horse, Seattle, 2007

Happy New Year, dear friends! Some sparkly, festive images for your holiday weekend and to say an enormous Thank You for being part of our lives this past year. Your generous visits and comments are a bright spot in each day and meeting many of you in person during 2011 was a true highlight!

My head is spinning today but not from champagne – just from all the planning we've been doing for 2012. I promised a little preview of upcoming projects so here you go:

Travel: Many of you have asked when we're going to Italy and 2012 is the year! In particular an extended visit to the city of liquid streets, La Serenissima. I'll be making a return trip to Paris, mostly likely in spring, and we'll return to South America as well. But we are also planning some good stretches of enjoying our own home and garden.

New items for the shops, including wearable art, art blocks, canvases and more. I have been working on some of these on and off for over a year and can't WAIT to complete them.

Workshops/Seminars: Locations being finalized – maybe in your city?

A possible e-course: If we can fit it in, we'd love to. What do you think?

Dare I say, a book or two? Nothing is definite but we have several proposals in the works and YOUR input will be most welcome. More on this in the next few weeks.

I will also be concentrating heavily in the beginning months on supplying images to our licensing partners and stock agencies. And the usual fiddly admin bits like website updates, contracts, spreadsheets, etc.

AND lots of home and garden improvement projects.

But enough of all that. For now, we're heading out to enjoy the city lights and then back for a cozy fireside evening.

We wish you a healthy, joyful, fulfilling and happy New Year of dreams come true, filled with beauty, light and magic.

lots of love!

G & D

Warmest Wishes

2011-12-21T23:45:00.000-08:00

Barn in snow, Skagit Valley, Washington

Hello, my friends! Here we are once again at winter's turning, at the pivot point of the year, and D and I eagerly embrace the opportunity to send heartfelt wishes to each of you for a festive and joy-filled weekend in celebration of all that you hold most dear.

(I'll see you next week with a little preview of what's ahead for the New Year.)

with love,

– g

Wonders and Delights

2011-12-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

The season of wonders is upon us, and so swiftly arrived, too, as it often seems. As the days of the waning year begin to rush ahead of themselves in an accelerated whirl of activities, we have little chance, really, to reflect upon the months just passed. We've each had trials, we've each had triumphs, and some may seem to outweigh others, but balancing it up waits for less festive days to fill the calendar.

These wondrous moments remind us that the magical awaits around many corners, in many forms, as long as we stop and listen and believe.

And a great gift of this season is that it's all right to believe. To believe in magic, in miracles, in our own truths as well as those of others.

May your last days of this year be filled with wonders and sprinkled with fairy dustings of delight.

In fact, I'm sending you some right now.

There.

Did you get them?

I hope so.

with love,

– g

p. s. a bit more magic for you at ParisByTwo.

Snowy Roses and a Gift for You

2011-11-27T22:03:00.000-08:00

Hello, friends! I hope, if you celebrate it, that your Thanksgiving was splendid! Ours, with all my family, certainly was and we so appreciate all the warm wishes from around the globe. I must say I was quite touched at the heartfelt greetings from friends in England, New Zealand, France, South America and many other locales where Thanksgiving is not a standard holiday. Perhaps we should make it that way, as we all share the spirit of gratitude. The holiday is certainly spreading: D's sister in Chile served a full Thanksgiving dinner in honour of their American exchange student and more than one blogging friend overseas tackled creating the feast. I even saw a website that listed the Parisian restaurants serving turkey dinner on Thursday!

I had a busy weekend but not too busy to create the annual holiday gift tag download for you with my scrapbook paper designs, some vintage ephemera and photos of my David Austin Roses. To download, click here and enjoy!

I have quite a few more in progress but let's start with these and maybe in a week or so I can post some others. (I've saturated the colors in the download PDF so they should print well even on matte paper.)

A quick reminder: all readers of my blog can receive a 20% discount on my 2012 calendars by using the coupon code CALENDAR20 with my thanks. (Oh, on our Midnight in Paris calendar, too!) Along with free shipping on all prints in my shops.

And that said, I think we all have a flurry of activities coming up so I wish you a cheery and happy week ahead!

lots of love,

– g

Remembrance

2011-11-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

I'm late posting these for Remembrance Day, I apologize. But truthfully, what is observed on November 11 should not be relegated to a single day, a sentiment I know we all share.

D and I photographed these fields on a rural drive in France last June. How fitting that we were in the peaceful and beautiful countryside of Normandy.

• • • •

Thank you for your comments and wishes on the last post – so very much appreciated!

And I neglected to tell you about two new Paris posts on Paris By Two, here and here. We hope you enjoy them.

Hope your week has been splendid so far and ends with a flourish!

much love,

– g

Published Work!

2011-11-07T22:55:00.000-08:00

Twenty-four hours of traveling, and the sunshine and sea breezes of the South American spring faded behind us as we turned hearts and minds back to the cool realities, darkened evenings and unique beauties of our Northern autumn.

And at last, the chance to share with you the double honor I received at the beginning of October – having my work appear in two of my favorite publications. My deepest thanks to the Editors and staff at Romantic Homes and Somerset Life. I'm very grateful to these amazing people who create and share such inspiration. And my gratitude to each of you who contribute in no small measure to making this possible by visiting here and being so supportive. Special thanks to Paulette Adams at Summerland Cottage Studio.

• • • •

Here's another look at some of the pendants I made for the Stampington staff that Christen mentions in the Somerset Life article above. I'd been working on this jewelry project on and off for over a year and it took me quite some trial and error to get the casting resin to work correctly. And D did the soldering for me as I didn't know how. :) I'd hoped to complete more of these for the holidays (I bought a lot of supplies!) but I think I've run out of time! So, a new year project. If you have any tips on using two part resin, I'd love to hear.

I think that's all for now, dear friends. A bit of rest this week and then to embrace the holiday festivities with as much gusto as I can muster – it's been a busy year!

love to all,

– g

Spring in Chile

2011-10-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hola, friends! Apologies for the short absence but you know by now that it likely means I've been traveling again and not so easily online for blogging. I'm posting today from the central coast of Chile where D and I have been visiting his family.

Here, it is spring, and every day has been warm and sunny, much more like summer than mid spring.

I took these images of wisteria and Lady Banks roses a few days ago at the family's ranch outside of Valparaiso.

One of the highlights of the trip so far has been my visit to a very dear friend, Maria Cecília of Casa Dulce Hogar (Home Sweet Home). We've been blogging friends for over a year and it was a true joy to visit her at her most amazing home and garden in the Andean foothills outside of Santiago.

Her terraces have views over the hillsides that are remarkable.

If you read her blog, and I hope that you do, you'll know she loves roses, gardening, flea markets and vintage linens, and that she has exquisite taste.

My images and descriptions really won't do justice to her home so I highly recommend you visit her blog.

Such a paradise!
Now I am back in Viña del Mar at the family condo, catching up a bit and walking around the local streets, where roses and bougainvillea are spilling over railings and doorways, wonderful subjects to photograph for our image library (oh yes, I am actually working!).

I've been gone a bit longer than planned due to flight delays from volcanic ash. Not so much looking forward to returning to the gray, dark days of the Northern Hemisphere but will be home next week and share the promised inside spreads from Romantic Homes and Somerset Life.

And thank you so, so much for your recent visits and comments! I hope you are all well and have enjoyed this little burst of spring-in-autumn!

love,

– g

The Time of the Roses

2011-10-15T19:14:00.001-07:00

Hello, dear friends! Thank you for your much-appreciated visits and comments on the Giverny village photos. Although many of us are well into autumn, at least per the calendar, in our garden we still have roses budding and blooming and very few leaves of any color. So, I thought we'd take one more visit to the magical village of Gerberoy, France, and its romantic, rose-covered cottages, okay?

Centuries-old stone work and beautifully-aged wood, softened by untamed roses.

Red timber work faded to deep pink.
This last was taken in Normandy, at the manoir where we stayed when we left Gerberoy. I'll be sharing more of that amazing place soon.

In other news, I'm thrilled and honored to be featured in two of my favorite publications this month, Romantic Homes and Somerset Life! You can see the covers on the sidebar at right and I'll share the inside details in the next post. And kudos to you, too, since each of you contribute so much by encouraging me in creating this online endeavor.

Wishing you a fresh and sparkling new week!

much love,

– g

Lunch with the Impressionists

2011-10-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

In the small village of Giverny, France, a few hundred yards from Monet's famous house and garden, one can still feel the atmosphere of the pastoral hamlet with glorious light that first captured Monet's imagination as he glimpsed it from a passing train in 1888.

A stroll from the gardens down Rue Claude Monet brings you to a Giverny landmark: The Hotel Baudy. The celebrated hotel, in great measure due to the industrious nature of its landlady, became an artistic and social center for a colony of impressionist painters, mainly from America, who were attracted to the area in the 1880s. Pissarro, Sargent, Cezanne all visited or worked in Giverny.

On the hotel's shady front terrace you can dine alfresco under a canopy of lime trees, overlooking the countryside, and revel in the views that drew so many to the valley over a hundred years ago.

D and I had lunch here – salads and cheeses and onion soup with generously buttered, crusty bread. Simple country fare with exquisite flavor, enhanced by a playful breeze and gently shimmering light.

The hotel's well-known rose garden is reached by going through the restaurant, its rooms themselves worth the journey to Giverny. The burnt ochres, faded blues, soft greens and sun-bleached yellows of the decor showcase the many paintings along every wall. You can almost hear the conversation and laughter and smell the whisky from those lively times as you make your way out the back doors.

Outside, you are enveloped in a quintessential French country garden filled with roses, shabby bistro chairs and blooming hydrangeas.

We were most taken with the artist's studio, built during the hotel's heyday.

The Impressionists were radicals, rule-breakers, outward thinkers, and were criticized and ridiculed before they were embraced and admired. They changed the way we look at the world, and we've been fascinated ever since.

I end with a grateful salute to dreamers and thinkers, the mad geniuses and imaginers who dare to see the world their way and are brave enough to challenge, inspire and encourage us to see it, too, and to think differently.



Wishing you an inspired weekend.

xo

– g

p. s. In case you missed it, there's a new post over at Paris By Two. :)

September Blooms and Winners

2011-09-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and happy new week! Stopping in to share a few images from Septembers past and to announce the winners of the second giveaway.

Last night wind and rain awoke us but the day unfolded with piercing blue skies and scudding clouds. Autumn is poised for an entrance but so much is still summery here. Rose bushes arrayed with new buds, hydrangeas with starry clusters of petals and dahlia blooms dazzling with bright color. Although the storm sprinkled the lawns with leaves, all but a handful are still deep green and we skipped among them during our game of badminton, the shuttlecock dancing around in the breeze.

And now, the winners of the second giveaway are: Gill and Michela!! Congratulations! (David himself pulled the names out of my French straw hat.) Please contact me with your addresses. Thank you again to everyone who entered. What a fantastic turn out. Shall we do it again soon? :)

A few quick notes:

We invite you to enjoy breakfast in Paris with a new post "Le Petit Dejeuner" at Paris By Two, now live!

And the 20% discount on all 2012 calendars and mini calendars ends September 30th.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you'll visit later in the week for "Lunch with the Impressionists"!

xo – g

p. s. I share some other news on Twitter and Facebook. Let me know if you're there, too!

French Blue with Red Roses

2011-09-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

My friends, D and I are infinitely touched and exceedingly delighted at your supportive response to Paris By Two. I mean, honestly, who could ask for better chums than you? So, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to each of you who stopped by, commented, wished us well and are following along. You encourage me that perhaps starting another blog wasn't such a crazy idea after all.

And I promised to let you know – there's a new post there now, with another scheduled for Thursday night and one for Sunday morning.

And for today, a collage on a theme of blues and reds from various French locations: cottages and an art exhibition in Gerberoy, watered silk wall covering in our Paris hotel and the cloisters at the top of Mont Saint Michel.

(Don't forget that you have until Friday night to enter the giveaway if you haven't already. Winners announced on the weekend.)

I hope your week has had many lovely moments so far with many more to come. Again, thank you, thank you!

xo

– g

p. s. I didn't respond to several of you who left lovely comments on the last post as I had no link back to contact you. Hopefully next time.

Paris By Two

2011-09-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I have a few things for your weekend, some projects I've been working on for the last few months that are finally ready for release!

First, I'm excited to share the launch of a new blog dedicated to our photos of Paris: "Paris By Two". I hope you get a chance to visit BUT before you do let me say that nothing is going to change here. The new venue just gives us a place to share more of our travel photos while allowing me to concentrate on creating and writing more here again. Already 10 or 11 posts are up at Paris By Two, with more scheduled about twice a week.

No obligation to comment or follow as I know you're busy. If you'd like to, that would be super, but I'll always link to new posts here as well. But don't go away just yet!

To celebrate, I'm doing another little impromptu giveaway. And the good news is that if you entered the last giveaway, you don't have to enter again to be in this one. In case you missed the first one, to enter now, just visit our new shop and leave me a note in the comments here with the title of the print you'd like if you win.

And what's the giveaway? Well, I have been in a true frenzy lately and have released two more new calendars, just for fun. So, I'm giving away one of these and one of these in addition to the print of your choice!

Have a beautiful weekend, thank you for visiting, thank you for being generous, kind souls and D and I hope you enjoy the new Paris blog.

love,

– g

p. s. Paris photos above: gardens at Notre Dame; shutters in Montmartre; façade of Notre Dame; lamp post at the Hôtel de Ville.

A Little Something for Everyone

2011-09-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I have to say I'm still bowled over by your response and heartfelt words to the giveaway and our new shop. You are each such kind and generous and playful spirits that I had to stop for a few minutes in rereading your comments today for a moment of gratitude that, however and why ever, we've connected and you've welcomed my world into yours. I absolutely did not, when I began this blog over four years ago, envision that.

Closer to home than recent posts – our David Austin roses and hydrangeas, photographed yesterday in our garden. Graham Thomas has decided to become a tree and is reaching his golden bouquets nearly up to our second floor office window.

As for the giveaway, we do have four winners that I'll announce in just a moment. But first, as you know, I most enjoy games where everyone wins so to thank everyone for participating, here is a new download for you of a sweet postcard that I purchased at the Port de Vanves flea market in Paris. It is such a charming piece – I can't help wondering about Mademoiselle Genevieve and how she spent her holidays back in 1934.

Download it here.

And now, the winners!

Kate I of Inspired in British Columbia

Miss Giny of Au Pays des Merveilles in Paris

Caro of Sodapop Design in Germany

and Jen of Frau Zinnie in Connecticut

Congratulations! Caro and Jen both chose Roue de Paris as their free print from the new shop. I'm delighted as it's one of David's images. Giny chose La Vie Est Belle and Kate chose The Blue Door.

I'm kind of chuffed, too, that Miss Giny, who is a photographer who LIVES in PARIS, mind you, likes my Paris calendar. :)

Hope you all have a happy weekend and thank you again for playing along. We should do it again, yes?

xo – g

New Calendars and a Giveaway

2011-09-01T23:47:00.000-07:00

Hello, my friends, and Happy September. We mark a gradual change in the year, don't we, no matter which hemisphere we are in. I'm so glad you enjoyed tea at Ladurée! I promised a surprise or two and here you go. First, a peek at four of my new 2012 calendars, which you were so helpful in working out. And then, to thank you, my first ever giveaway, just for you.

PARIS 2012 CALENDAR

See details here.

• • • •

MONET'S GARDEN CALENDAR

See details here.

• • • •

PEONIES MINI CALENDAR

See details here.

• • • •

DAVID AUSTIN ROSES CALENDAR

All the David Austin roses in the calendar are from our garden. :)

See details here.

• • • •

And now, to celebrate releasing the calendars and the opening of our new shop, I'm happy to announce I'm giving away one each of the new calendars PLUS an 8 x 12 Paris print from the new shop. So, each of the four calendar winners will receive a Paris print as well. (Winners will be chosen randomly and announced next Friday and you can enter no matter where you live.)

I've tried to keep this simple and fun to thank you for coming here. I hope it is! To enter:

1. Please visit our shop and choose which Paris print you'd like.

2. Leave me a comment here and tell me which one you chose. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win.

That's it! I don't want to require you to become a follower or anything as I would only want you to follow along on this journey if you really want to. But I will say IF you win and you ARE a follower, there will be an extra something for you from my goodies brought from Paris. :)

Wishing you a memorable weekend filled with laughter and day dreams. No matter what is happening in our lives, there is always room for those, isn't there?

xo – g

Paris: Tea at Ladurée

2011-08-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

We did indeed have tea at Ladurée, Champs Elysées in Paris. And I took these photos to share with you.

Some scenes from the exterior. Make no mistake, Ladurée is a true luxury brand!

The cover of the menu; a Millefeuille Fraise pour moi, coffee with chocolate (I don't drink tea!); and a strawberry Ladurée Religieuses (for D), (a very old and traditional dessert).

A peek in the back.

A sweet scene captured by D outside the patisserie part of the store.

Ladurée at 21 Rue Bonaparte.

And the chandeliers at Ladurée on Rue Royale.

• • • •

I'm dedicating this post to three dear Canadian friends, Judith, Jen and Valerie, who regularly gather for tea and who would most enjoy a magical afternoon spent at Ladurée. In fact, I believe we should all meet up there, what do you think?

Thank you kindly for your lovely comments on the macaron post. I know these recent posts are a bit fun and frivolous, but everyone needs a bit of that, don't they? Sooo much happening here and so much more to share. Calendars nearly all done, new projects and a surprise! Coming up Thursday.

love,

– g

Paris: Macarons and Rose Petals

2011-08-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Parlez-vous macarons?

As a sweet start to your week, I offer a little guide to a few of the dozens of flavors of macarons available everywhere in Paris.

Mûre Myrtille (Blackberry Blueberry), Réglisse (Licorice), Café (Coffee), Verveine lavande (Verbena Lavender), Caramel Salé (Salted Caramel), Vanille (Vanilla), Bergamote (Bergamot), Rose (Rose), Pamplemousse (Grapefruit), Passion (Passion Fruit), Praliné (Praline), Citron (Lemon), Framboise (Raspberry), Pistache (Pistachio), Chocolat (Chocolate).

We experienced a few showery afternoons while in Paris. And although Paris in the rain offers the potential for lovely photos of passersby with parapluie (umbrellas) and reflections on the sidewalks, in this instance not many people were on the streets and the light was too dull for reflections. And so, I stocked up on dozens of mouthwatering macarons and did a series of photo shoots in our charming, period hotel room and little balcony.

These I purchased at Georges Larnicol, a marvelous chocolatier and patisserie around the corner from us. Although I did visit three of the Paris Laduree locations (four counting Charles de Gaulle airport), none were very near our hotel and to be honest, the staff at Georges Larnicol were far more indulgent regarding photographs of the displays (showing the flavors above) than any of the Laduree locations. (But fear not, as we DID do a photo shoot inside Laduree, coming in the next post.)

Photographing the beautiful colors was fun but I will never be a food photographer – so fiddly and nerve-wracking when a small fortune in little gooey cookies begins to melt and drip in a muggy Paris afternoon, despite cooling off periods in the fridge. So I'd like to dedicate this post to my dear friend Éadaoin at City of Blackbirds in Ireland who DOES love food photography and takes yummy macaron photos herself. :)

Eyeing the gorgeous colors, I suddenly realized that the soft pinks, maroons, greens and yellows exactly matched the abundant handfuls of fresh rose petals that filled the gift bags I'd gotten at my new favorite flower shop, Au Nom de la Rose. Well, I had to photograph them together, didn't I?

Such sensory delights – an everyday experience in Paris.

• • • •

And now, I'd like to thank each of you so much for your input on the calendar subjects. We had some clear winners and I'm busy creating them. I do appreciate your time in answering my little survey.

AND one more bit of exciting news. We've had quite a few requests for more Paris photos so this week we've opened a second Etsy shop just for our travel images. I'm actually very thrilled for some of D's fabulous Paris images to be seen for the first time.

You can see them here!

In closing, I'm thinking of you all and hope you are well. Wishing you a most beautiful week filled with sweet things and flowers. Coming up next post: Tea at Laduree!

xoxo

– g

Paris Flower Markets

2011-08-13T07:00:00.001-07:00

Good morning, dear friends! I bring you rose petals to strew along your path this Saturday with some scenes from the luscious flower markets of Paris.

Such a joy to turn a corner and stumble upon a rainbow array of blooms, right out on the street.

Roses, of course, in the City of Love, are the favorite.

But all manner of garden and house plants are available, too.

Even David Austin roses (nearly $5.00 per stem!).

The artful arrangements are pure visual inspiration.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour – much more to come very soon.

• • • •

So many projects underway right now! May I ask your assistance on one of them?

I'm finalizing the designs on my 2012 calendars (yes, already!) and would love to know which subjects appeal to you most. No obligation but if you do take a moment to comment, could you include your top choices from the below? Just the numbers would be wonderful. And feel free to suggest anything I might have missed. Thank you so much and have a flower-filled weekend!

xo – g

1. Paris
2. Monet's Garden
3. David Austin Roses
4. French Country Roses
5. Peonies
6. Ranunculus
7. Midnight in Paris (recent night shots)
8. Carnival
9. Gardens of the World

I Dreamed I Was in Paris

2011-08-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

I dreamed I was in Paris, bathed in rose-colored light.

Where roses are necessary to life, and even the most petite chambres have a chandelier.

Where tea rooms are as glamorous as palaces, and shops adorn purchases with fresh roses.

Where confectionary rainbows tempt from every street.

And presentation is as important as the creation.

Where the ghosts of the Belle Epoque gaze out from elegant windows.

And the quality of life flows as it has for centuries.

But when I awoke, my eyes fell upon a miniature chandelier, hung from ancient beams, and the rose-colored light was floating in through tall windows. And outside, on the streets below, the purr of scooters and the scrape of cafe chairs on the pavement told me it wasn't a dream.

It was true.

I was in Paris, with my love, with long summer days ahead of us.

• • • •

Dearest friends,

Yes, last night I returned from a week in Paris – part work, part holiday.

(Our brief visit there in June was unexpectedly cut short under sad circumstances. And when the opportunity arose to finish our holiday, we decided to do it now.)

Although I had good intentions, I found I'm not very good at blogging or networking from the road. So, I apologize for being out of touch – I'm catching up now, love and appreciate all your comments (and you) and, I guess the best part being that I now have an embarrassing number of new photos from that amazing city. I hope you won't mind seeing more of them?

Thank you for following along. I truly hope you have been well and enjoying the summer/winter in spite of weather or other distractions. I can't wait to find out what you've been up to.

Wishing you a dreamy and beautiful week.

much love, – g

Our Roses

2011-07-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

Travel is a wondrous activity, isn't it? Days are richly rewarding with new sights and sounds and smells of astonishingly beautiful locations. We are fortunate to visit many such places and do our best to capture them visually for others to experience.

But to me the ultimate luxury is stepping out on a perfect summer's morning to our own garden and cutting a bouquet, or two, or three, of roses that I've planted and nurtured and managed to keep blooming in spite of the vagaries of weather and schedules.

Better than jewels and velvets and crystals.

A few impromptu arrangements photographed in the late evening this week. Mostly David Austin English roses, with some Queen Elizabeth grandiflora as well. Such simple things to bring so much pleasure.

The darling sea urchin shaped pottery pieces by my very talented friend Paulette, who I was lucky to meet up with in Laguna Beach in May.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed the snippet of Paris photos! Dare I say there will be more to come?

And soon I'll be away again, as some of you know already. But I will let you know when and where before I'm off.

Thank you for generously visiting, commenting and just generally being in my life, dear friends. I do so appreciate it.

xo – g

Paris

2011-07-16T22:35:00.000-07:00

What else can be said, really?

Dawn, from our hotel balcony in Le Marais

Detail of the carousel at the Eiffel Tower; roses at a fleurist on the Ile Saint Louis; sign for Amorino gelateria; chandelier in the salon lobby of our hotel.

Place des Vosges

The Rose Window of Notre Dame, a very compressed view with rooftops and balconies, taken with a long lens

Sunday morning at Jardin du Luxembourg

• • • •

Thank you ever so much for your amazing comments and thoughtful words on the Giverny photos (and mine). It means a great deal that some of the essence of the garden and Monet's work came through in the photos so I appreciate your time in letting me know. I very much value your opinion.

I hope you have a wonderful new week!

xo – g

p. s. (I've been holding out, I apologize. As some of you already know, these have been released here for a week or so.)

In Monet's Garden

2011-07-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

How does one photograph a legendary place, an iconic garden, known and loved the world over? A location that has been painted to perfection by the brilliant artist who created it, and photographed from every angle, in every season so that even taking a single image of a single red poppy risks redundancy?

If you've been there, you know. It is breathtaking. The garden design itself is as stunning a creation as the artworks inspired by it.

I felt very humbled, and uncertain, in attempting to capture its atmosphere.

Often, when I share location images here, I include record shots – what the place looks like if you were standing there – as well as images that capture more of how it makes me feel, less literal and more atmospheric.

Here, truly, only a purely impressionistic style seemed appropriate.

Is this exactly what Giverny looks like? No, not precisely. But then again, perhaps. And possibly how Monsieur Monet imagined it, over the course of nearly 40 years, but who am I to presume?

I can only share my interpretation, of a warm June afternoon, riots of color and bloom, drooping willow and bamboo. And everywhere, poppies.

There is, with certainty, no place like it on Earth.

We felt so fortunate. And here, because otherwise without it, this might seem too fantastical, is the magical water garden, the well known bridge and the most famous waterlilies ever grown.

Taken by D, among the roses with my camera, a sunny day in June. Nothing more need be said.

• • • •

Thank you so much for your visits, comments and for following along. Each of you is very important and special in our lives. And D and I wish you a most joyful weekend!

xo – g

French Village Morning

2011-06-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

Looking out our bedroom windows, dawn in Gerberoy, France. Deeply peaceful and utterly silent. Except for the birds. (which, of course, I recorded at 5:00 am – here they are:)

Early walk through the village before breakfast, incredible details, colors deep and saturated in the shadowy light. A mosaic of D's and my photos, different styles but together a more complete view.

We stayed at Le Logis de Gerberoy, one of only two hotels in the village.

We both fell in love with our landlady, Cecile, for her welcoming charm, delicious homemade jams and the best freshly made croissants, bread and pain au chocolat ever. (all photos above by D.)

Some of my favorite images.

The village sits on a small hill with views over the surrounding farmland.

Travel notes: Village of Gerberoy, Picardy, France. I believe it is still there, unless it was a figment of my imagination.

For those of you who are great fans of the early Victoria magazines, as I am, it was in the February 1994 issue that I first read about Gerberoy and have dreamed about visiting ever since. In fact, Victoria's French issues were a vital source of inspiration for a number of our locations on this trip, which I'll share as we go along. I am so grateful that the village is still unspoiled. May it remain so always.

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends.

And Happy 4th of July weekend to everyone in the States! D, being English, feels the Brits should celebrate for getting rid of us pesky Colonists. :)

Whether it's a holiday or not, winter or summer, we wish you a wonderful weekend of love and memories.

xo – g

Of Roses and New Friends

2011-06-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

(Hello friends, thank you so much for your kind words on the French village photos. I'm really happy that you enjoyed them as I took many of them with you in mind. More to come, including a little history and more info on the village. But first, a short break from the travel photos to bring you a special story that I've been waiting to share until this exact day!)

Do you believe in coincidence? Or serendipity?

Two years ago today, I wrote this post. It's my only blog post about designing a magazine cover photo shoot and the only time I specifically named one image as being appropriate for a cover shot. (Although I do it often, I don't post about it.) This is the image showing David Austin roses and other flowers freshly cut from our garden that summer evening in June 2009.

The morning after I wrote the post, I sent the image off to one of our international reps along with a thousand other images, including lots more covers, and thought nothing more about it.

A year later a royalty statement listed among the sales this exact photo, sold and licensed for a magazine cover in Australia. (By this time I'd forgotten that post.)

Now, the royalty statement didn't give the name of the magazine so I looked a bit for it online. I considered asking friends in Australia but felt that would be a lot of bother. So, I just hoped that one day I would find a copy to add to my portfolio and again forgot about it.

And then, in March of this year, almost another year later, I received a lovely message, via the contact form of our stock photo website, from an Australian artist, Lyn Donald. Lyn had seen the magazine cover and had gone to the trouble of contacting the magazine to track me down, via the photo credit. She loved David Austin roses but wasn't able to grow them in her area and was asking permission to use my photograph as the basis for one of her paintings. And she sent me a scan of the magazine cover. Coincidence? Lyn and I don't think so.

I was very touched that she went to the trouble of finding me, and even more touched by her warmth and her wonderful talent. Lyn paints very large scale (6 feet tall!), close-up paintings of flowers that are truly exquisite. We exchanged several emails and last month she sent me a photo of the finished painting:

Georgianna's Bouquet by Lyn Donald

I love it! And just had to share it as I know so many of you love David Austin roses and beautiful art, and we all are so appreciative of the connections we make around the world. It was meant to be! Thank you so much Lyn.

Contact Lyn here to find out more about her amazing work.

See you all in a day or two!

xo – g

Time Traveling in France

2011-06-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

... in a tiny medieval village, of cobbled streets and ancient timbers, and houses draped in roses, a place that I'd been dreaming about, planning, researching and hoping to visit for over 10 years.

And we made it. Driving through the countryside of Picardy, only losing our way once or twice, down country lanes and up narrow roads, D and I arrived, welcomed by roses at their peak and a hostess whose charm and presence were a perfect compliment for the impossibly picturesque village, nearly untouched by time and ready for our days of exploration.

La Maison Bleue, dated 1691, is by no means the oldest house here, for the village was in existence at the time of William the Conqueror.

Roses adorn nearly every doorway, window, and fence. Buildings are still comfortingly solid and sturdy after centuries, every surface is aged and worn, but with authenticity, not artifice.

This is the real thing.

Walking the silent streets (only two of them) the dreamlike quality is palpable.

I'm rather delirious about the images we took in France. I find myself really transported by them and hope they do the same for you.

And since I've had some requests, I'm doing a few things I haven't done before. I've begun making some of my travel photographs available as fine art prints in my shop, and I'm creating select image collections in a very affordable 4" x 6" size. I'd really love for as many people as possible to be able own them as they are quite special to me.

The first collection features four images of La Maison Bleue. Honestly, could there be any place more charming? The prints are available here.

The second collection is Les Fleurs du Village, six dreamy scenes of roses and flowers in a French country village. Find it here.

Some larger prints are available in the France section of my shop.

Next post I'll share more about the village and Picardy. Still to come – Monet's Garden, French chateau gardens and Paris!

• • • •

We had a lovely day and evening celebrating the first day of summer at Hillhaven – warm, sunny with dinner alfresco with family. Quite perfect. I hope yours was, too.

Thank you for visiting, thank you for following along and thank you for all you do each day to make the world a happier and and more beautiful place.

love,

– g

To Friends in Europe

2011-06-18T17:53:00.000-07:00

My recent European adventures began in Amsterdam. A direct flight from Seattle made the journey a breeze and my first stop upon landing was a business appointment with our Dutch photo reps. After a successful meeting, I had the extreme pleasure and delight to be picked up by my dear blogging friend Eline! Our first in-person meeting and we had just the best day! She took me to Broek in Waterland, an historic village with beautiful homes, quiet streets and lots of roses. We had traditional Dutch pancakes at the White Swan (bacon and apple for me) and walked through the village. Afterwards, we took a canal boat ride around Amsterdam which I had never visited but can't wait to return to. Eline is a very talented designer and is working on her second book of crafts and projects and I'm so proud of her. She brought me a wonderful collection of her beautiful papers, fabrics and stamps. So, here is our day in photos, laid out on Eline's papers. Thank you, Eline, for such a special day!
Her beautiful stamps:

And just prior to leaving the States, I won a giveaway by a dear Italian blogging friend, Monica, of Le Tre Civette (The Three Owls). She sent me a fabulous handmade heart pillow, fragrant lavender sachet and sunflower seeds for my garden. As I was putting this post together, I was amazed at how beautifully Monica's exquisite creations integrated with Eline's papers. I think they are all gorgeous! I was also struck by how fortunate I am to have made friends with these talented and generous ladies in Europe, and indeed, with all of you, too. What a truly remarkable community.

I wish you all a wonderful day. Next stop: France! And yes, for those of you thought that the photos in the last post were reminiscent of Monet or in fact were taken at Giverny, you were absolutely right – we visited the incredible gardens at Giverny last week. And took a photo or two. But first, a few villages in between.

A bientôt!

xoxo

– g

Summer Impressions from Far Off Lands

2011-06-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

My dear friends, a quick hello and update. Yes, I've been away again – a somewhat spur of the moment and simply marvelous trip but one rather unexpectedly without internet, hence the silence here and lack of email and visits from me.

My adventures of the last ten days are far too numerous for one blog post. In fact, they span such a spectrum of activity and emotion, if they were in a novel they would be considered unbelievable.

To start, here are a few new images captured in a legendary garden a week ago today, with many more to follow.

I hope you have been very well. Thank you for your patience while I get caught up – I've now read all your recent comments and look forward to being in touch with each of you. To new followers, lovely to have you here and to get to know you.

A bientôt!

xoxo – g

The Scented Whites of Spring

2011-05-31T22:43:00.000-07:00

Somehow, the first of June seems like the start of summer, although officially it is still weeks away.

I couldn't bid spring farewell, though, without a tribute to these sweetly scented, delicate companions picked from our garden these past few days. And indeed, Spring arrived past her usual time, so in truth, it is still very much au printemps at Hillhaven.

Our Lily of the Valley is so abundant in the front garden and along the walkways that I can cut heady bouquets to share with my Mom.

And white lilacs, her other favorite.

Each autumn I plant hundreds of narcissus so I have plenty to cut and bring inside where the tangible fragrance in our office makes me a bit dizzy and very happy.

Simple garden flowers, pale and precious, inspiring joy and wonder. I don't believe it is a coincidence that their purity is accompanied by heavenly fragrance.

• • • • •

Wishing you a joyful week! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the South Carolina magazine.Thank you very much for your lovely comments. Perhaps I'll have a chance to do another before too long.

June 1 is our fourth Anniversary! Happy Annivesary, D. You make all my dreams come true, even ones I didn't know I had.

I love you.

(D is alone in Europe but won't be for long.)

xo – g

South Carolina

2011-05-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

Hello, my friends! How are you? Before Spring gathers up her blossomed petticoats and floral garlands and dances away on the first summer breeze, I wanted to share a bit more of my trip to the South last month, this time the incredible gardens I visited in South Carolina. Since there are quite a few images, and since I'm often frustrated with the limitations of the blogging format, I've created a mini magazine which I hope you will enjoy!

And I must mention again my deep gratitude to my Flickr friends Tina, Lis and Kelly, whose captivating images of South Carolina were one of the main reasons I decided to visit there. Tina even generously had me stay in her darling home on the water in Beaufort. Thank you, ladies! I will always carry precious memories of that special week.

And here are some of them.

Open publication

I hope your weekend is filled with growing, blooming and memorable new adventures.

xo – g

p. s. Previous Southern posts here, here and here.

p. p. s. The mag was created in Indesign, exported to PDF and uploaded to my Issuu account. I joined Issuu about three years ago to post my art related articles and really love how easy they make it to share documents.

Sparkly

2011-05-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

It was a sunshine, lollipops and rainbows kind of day here in Seattle today! The garden is looking sparkly and smart as we spent much of the day tidying, weeding and sprucing.

These are tulips D brought from one of his trips to The Netherlands last fall that I planted in the woodland garden.

They even look kind of like lollipops!

Plus bluebells, apple blossoms, azaleas, rhododendrons, trillium and still lots and lots of narcissus. Oh, and today I saw the first columbines about to bloom. :)

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my last post – I did get them all via email even though Blogger lost half of them here.

(And now I see Blogger has published THIS post before I was finished with it. Oh, dear.)

So, I'll leave you with wishes for a weekend that's brighter than a lucky penny and filled with everything that's wonderful.

xoxo – g

p. s. These were all shot with my magnificent Nikon 105mm macro, very shallow depth of field and purposely a bit overexposed. No time for processing, just posting as shot. xoxo

Cheerful Colors

2011-05-10T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy May! I hope you are well. I'm still editing images from the Southern US trip so have to delay sharing South Carolina for a bit longer. Meanwhile, here are photos from recent shoots and a bit of what's blooming in the garden right now. Lady Spring has been slow to grace us in the Pacific Northwest this year, but happily, I can with certainty say she has arrived.

(I love this basket! 99 cents at the thrift store.)

A spring nosegay picked straight from our sweet woodland garden including Hellebore (Helleborus x hybridus), Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa), Periwinkle (Vinca minor), Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum), Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) and Nemesia (Nemesia 'Sunsatia Mango').

More from the garden with the addition of Narcissus 'Cheerfulness' and 'Sweetness', Rhododendron 'Cheer', Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles) , Azalea and Evergreen Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens). Kwanzan cherry blossoms from Mom's enormous tree. I might add that this basket is very fragrant! I wait all year for these heavenly smells.

Thank you, each of you, for visiting. Welcome to new followers and may we all become old friends before long!

xo – g

Surprises and Serendipity

2011-04-29T20:28:00.000-07:00

I've been away.

Hello, dear friends! Yes, I've been away again, not only from my blog here and your wonderful spaces but away from home, on two wonderful journeys in less than a week. From a celebration in an historic English castle to beach towns, sun and sea breezes, inspiring encounters with remarkable women and a giddy jaunt through fields of impossibly brilliant color.

So, if you don't mind, I'm taking a brief detour from the Georgia and South Carolina trip to share some recent images with you. They seemed to fit this day of pageantry and celebration.

I mentioned some surprise plans for D's birthday (he sends many thanks for your thoughtful wishes) which I'm pleased turned out beautifully and were indeed (thankfully) a surprise to him. On Saturday, I drove him out of town, having sent him an invitation a few days earlier with instructions to pack an overnight bag. And this is where I took him:

Thornewood Castle is an authentic, Tudor-era English manor that was purchased in the early 1900s by Chester Thorne, one of the founders of the Port of Tacoma, Washington. He had the house dismantled, brick by brick, and brought from England to America on three ships which sailed around the Horn. The house was rebuilt as a gift for his wife, Anna.

Stained glass fragments, a grand staircase of 500 year old oak and original panelling are among the astounding features of the house.

Luckily for us, it is now a classy bed and breakfast. And only 45 minutes from our house. I couldn't resist it as a birthday surprise.

Looking out the windows of our room.

Then early, early, early Wednesday morning (perhaps too early for me anymore), I flew to San Diego and drove north up the California coast for two appointments with very remarkable and inspiring women who I was thrilled to finally meet in person. I am so grateful for this amazing community where meeting our online friends feels so much like a homecoming and connections click into place in an instant. Much more on these meetings in a future post.

In the evening, I drove south again, hugging the coast as the sparkling surf rolled in, and stayed in a town on the sea. The morning found me up early, invigorated by the sun and knee-deep in 50 acres of these:

Yes, a hillside farm covered with ranunculus, and me on my own with my camera gear. So eager to be there that I left the hotel without so much as brushing my hair. After all, I had the day ahead of me, all alone, and no one but D knew I would be there.

But it was my turn to be surprised when, after some hours among the flowers, I heard a voice say "Are you Georgianna?" Umm, excuse me? I was alone, on a breezy hillside, in a town I'd never visited before, confident and comfortable in my anonymity. I looked around, suddenly conscious of my disheveled appearance. A lovely lady standing in front of me said "I'm Lauren." Lauren! Blogging friend, fellow passionate traveler and avid photographer. I stared, incredulous. So did she. Both of us amazed she recognized me and dared to ask. We laughed, we hugged, we had lunch and rambled through the blooms. She had, somewhat on a whim, driven down from LA to photograph the fields.

Who would ever have thought. I'm still stunned. And, once again, these incredible connections, meant to be, I'm convinced.

I arrived home late last night, too tired to stay up for the live coverage of the Royal Wedding but I did indulge in watching it this morning over coffee. And so, another week ahead of catching up but oh, well, well worth it!

I hope your weekend is filled with lovely surprises. I truly do.

love and hugs,

xo – g

Savannah Stroll

2011-04-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

Let's take a stroll and admire the visual wonders of Savannah, Georgia, shall we?

Corner gardens, benches, stone decor and lamp posts are all rendered even more beautiful by the soft, dappled light that floats gracefully over the city's historic squares.

Ironwork, stone and time-worn nostalgic colors captivate the senses on every street. Much of the delight in exploring Savannah lies in discovering hidden details, many of them hundreds of years old.

A profusion of pink and white azaleas, creeping vines, gates and railings and lamp posts and newel posts add to the air of languid gentility, of gently faded elegance.

The soothing murmur of fountains is never far away.

Below is the famous Pink House, an historic building, now a restaurant. (Since you liked the pink house in Madison, I thought you'd like this. Yes, there are lots of pink houses in the South!) The Spanish Moss adds such a romantic quality, it's hard to imagine Savannah without it.

Outside the Pink House are two benches, forever immortalized now. When I met up with Flickr friends Tina and Kelly on my last day in Savannah, it happened to be Kelly's birthday. We had an outdoor pub lunch, shopped and ooo'd and ahhh'd at Paris Market and then took this photo (happy I lugged my tripod from Seattle). More on my adventures with these incredible ladies in the next post.

A few miles from downtown is Bonaventure Cemetery – possibly the subject of its own post one day – an astonishingly atmospheric location. This avenue of live oaks, Spanish Moss and azaleas is quintessential Savannah. I'd hoped to get such a photograph and feel very fortunate that the timing of our visit enabled me to.

But perhaps the scenes that speak most to me of Savannah are ones such as this, timeless, mysterious, slightly haunted, saturated with memories and the reason Savannah intrigued me, called to me and ultimately rewarded me with images and imaginings like no where else I've ever been.

Thank you so much for joining me. I hope this has given you a taste of this fascinating city. Next stop, the very beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina, Tina's home and a charming coastal village. And I'll reveal what part Tina and Kelly played in fueling my passion for visiting the South.

On this bright April day, I hope you discover beauty in your surroundings and can take a moment to share it with others and brighten their day, too. :)

As always, your visits and comments mean so much and are greatly appreciated.

xo – g

p. s. D's birthday this weekend! Big plans but I can't share them yet as he will be reading this. :)

Savannah Spirit

2011-04-14T22:35:00.000-07:00

Savannah welcomes...

with

filtered light through canopies of gnarled oaks,

garlands of Spanish Moss undulating with a sweet, slow dreaminess,

a faint breath of melancholy and barely-heard, haunted whispers.

Savannah seduces...

with

sinuous ironwork, candy colored azaleas

mist from verdigris fountains and a thousand, thousand tales

Savannah remembers...

her gracious days and sultry nights

her flirty Southern charm and style

uniquely hers, like nowhere else.

And wants you to remember, too.

(to be continued)

• • • •

Thank you for all your beautiful comments. It's great to be back. Wishing you a magical weekend.

xo – g

Back from the South

2011-04-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

Hello, dear friends! How have you all been? I have returned from my long-planned photographic journey to the Southern United States, where I found beauty, history, stunning locations and friendship far beyond my imaginings. Perfect weather, spring bloom and wonderful company made it hardly seem like work.

(Please forgive me not posting from the road as promised – the shooting days extended well into early evening, I covered over 1200 miles by car and internet connections were sometimes challenging. I owe lots of you visits and replies to emails, comments and letters which I will catch up with this week.)

The first days of the trip I spent with my brother David, setting out from Atlanta for the historic antebellum (pre-Civil War) towns between there and Savannah. First stop: sweet Madison – small, charming, carefully preserved and, at this time of year, decorated with a lacy veil of dogwood blossoms, wisteria and bursts of pink azaleas.

Throughout the South, iron fences and gates gently define properties, not so much barriers as embellishments.

Wisteria entwines and festoons trees and structures, creating irresistible flowery vignettes.

Lots of pink and purple!

Rocking chairs and front porches speak of lazy evenings in the coming heat of summer.

And a local florist shop celebrates spring with old-fashioned blooms.

We'd planned to spend an hour or two in Madison but stayed the entire day, walking the back roads, taking photographs and dining too well on traditional Southern fried chicken with sweet potatoes and peach cobbler before heading out of town toward Savannah. We vowed to return to Madison one day.

I have certainly missed you all. Thank you so much for your comments on my last post – I hope you have been well and can't wait to catch up on your adventures. See you in a day or so with much more!

love,

– g

Flights and Fancies

2011-03-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! I seem to see photos of ranunculus everywhere these days and, since we all love them, I thought join in again and share a few more from my recent shoots. What is it we so love about these sweet flowers?

This week has been a whirlwind of fun and creative activities. I've been heavily into research and planning for my trip to Atlanta, Savannah and Charleston, doing detailed studies of public and private gardens, architecture and other aspects for my photo shoots.

I've been setting up and transferring files to my new 27" iMac which I already love for its beauty, elegance and speed. And D and I got our new iPads which are so gorgeous and tremendous fun but which I also foresee becoming vital production tools.

And blossoms abound, so I'm torn between my lovely new tech devices indoors and my camera and the exploding spring outdoors.

But, in a few days I'll be leaving it all behind to go on the road (D will be here holding the fort), first meeting my brother in Atlanta to spend a few days driving the Antebellum Trail and visiting and photographing Savannah. Then I'll be meeting up with Flickr friends Tina and Kelly, photographing more of the area, including Beaufort and on to Charleston. (I'd love any advice you have on what to see and do in the Low Country, as it's called.)

I've scheduled some posts ahead and plan to stay in touch while traveling, via here, Facebook and Twitter. (I just downloaded a nifty app called Zapd which makes mini websites that you can post directly from your iPhone or iPad so I hope to try out some of those as well so you can follow along on the trip.)

Lastly, thank you all for your wonderful comments and welcome to new followers. I hope you enjoy your visits here.

Wishing you a very beautiful week.

xo – g

Welcome Spring

2011-03-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

It has seemed a long time coming, hasn't it, dear friends? But, after an awe-filled night under a super-glorious full moon, a fresh new season arrived, splashed with crimson dawn beneath welcoming skies of Robin's egg blue.

I wish that your week is rich with blossoming promise, that spring's abundance carries through for those heading toward autumn, and most of all that our dear neighbors in the Land of the Rising Sun and elsewhere who are suffering feel love and comfort and have hope for new growth to come.

Thank you, as always, for stopping by. Across the world, from near and far, your visit means so much.

love,

- g

Sweet Snowdrop

2011-03-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends! The Equinox approaches, the coins of the year already nearly a quarter of the way spent and jangling away in memory.

Galanthus nivalis

Snowdrop

Sweet snowdrops, early heralds of spring. Their delicate performance is nearly over, captured here in the lingering light of a longer day, soft sunlight through an open window. Do you see how it illuminates the fragile structure, so much smaller than the tip of my finger? Do snowdrops hold a place in your heart?

But I'm afraid I have told you an untruth. Forgive me, but I wanted to make a small point, as you are interested in what I do. You see, in fact, I took these photographs late last night, in the small hours of deepest darkness, when most people are snuggled in sleep.

On my way up to bed, passing my studio, I remembered that I promised this precious little bloom (the only one of his kind that braved our incessant rain this month) that if he allowed me to cut him out of the garden, I would take his portrait and share him with the world.

And thus, I did. Knowing that his beauty might be withered by morning, I did it then and there. Pitch black and bucketing rain outside but a sunny spring day inside.

And so, dear friends, I offer a little tip for you. If you are serious about your photographic journey, please don't limit yourself to only sunny, daylight hours. Be willing and able to get any photograph, at any time. Every moment matters – and they are all fleeting. Learn proper studio lighting – it isn't hard or expensive. It's a whole new world.

Without it I wouldn't be able to share this sweet Galanthus with you today. Doesn't he look proud?

• • • •

Thank you, as always, for your visits and lovely words. I know our thoughts and hearts and wishes and love are oceans away with our island nation friends. I appreciate the time you take to stop here.

love,

– g

p. s. Nikon 60 mm f/2.8 macro lens, at f/5.0, 1/250th of a second, Paul C. Buff softbox, Alien Bees B800 monolight, on Manfrotto tripod

Damask and Daffodils

2011-03-07T23:50:00.000-08:00

Hello, my friends! Spring is so very close, isn't it? Here is a peek into what's going on in my studio. The weather hasn't been too inviting, some sunny days but also coolness and gray rain – fortunately the light is reaching further toward the equinox and there is lovely softness coming through the windows.

So scattering some spring color your way to brighten your week.

Narcissus 'White Tete a Tete'

Once again you've overwhelmed me with your gracious and enthusiastic comments on the ranunculus post. Thank you very much. And delightful to see quite a few new visitors from around the world – so lovely to hear from you!

And in the garden, the robins are singing, the chickadees are chattering and soon I'll be rising before daylight again to begin obsessively recording it all. What joy! And what a pity we have to sleep at all in spring and summer.

A most beautiful week to each of you.

love,

– g

Ranunculus Studies

2011-02-28T23:36:00.000-08:00

We never tire of rancunculus, do we? I've been working with some textures and digital papers I made a few years ago – some destined for prints, some for cards. A secret to better depth in the image is many layers used strategically to enhance, not just mask the image. I'll cover some tips on this in the upcoming tutorial(s).

(A little message to D who is in Europe at a client's. He reads my blog now so we all have to behave.)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your comments on the last post and welcome to new followers. Really, I was so pleased that you enjoyed the botanicals. (I almost didn't post them as I thought the Latin might not be of interest but now you will get more! :) )

I've experienced some incredible artists this week. Do visit Thorsten Becker and let him weave the tale of Wind's Little Sister.

Wishing you a beautiful week! Oh, and Spring, we are ready for you – with bells on!

Botany Lesson

2011-02-21T22:31:00.000-08:00

Aquilega

Columbine

Trillium erectum

Trillium, Wake Robin

Dicentra formosa

Pacific Bleeding Heart

Aquilega

Columbine

Hycinthanoides hispanica

Spanish Bluebell

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Ostrich Fern

Convallaria majelis

Lily of the Valley

Syringa vulgaris

Lilac

Dicentra spectabilis

Bleeding Heart

Plants are endlessly fascinating. I've collected botanical prints for many years and love the current resurgence in interest in them. I marvel at those long ago artists who feverishly drew exquisite renderings of live specimens before they withered. And so, let's conjure spring with a little Latin invocation of some of her best offerings!

(Thank you all for your visits and lovely comments on the Valentine's roses. I'm working on a tutorial which I'm planning to be in video format. Question: do any of you use Lightroom or Photoshop or Elements? )

Wishing you a beauty-filled week!

xo – g

(all plants from our garden, taken in previous years)

A Little Romance...

2011-02-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

...is good for the soul.

I hope your day is filled with love and affection. Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

• • • •

More images from last year. Not much time for new photos as I'm intensely planning trips and setting up locations for spring and summer. First stops – Atlanta/Savannah/Charleston next month – I can't wait! Although it is always hard to leave our own sweet garden – the daffodils and first rhododendrons are just about to bloom so will be sharing those very soon. xo

p. s. Thank you very much for your kind words and thoughts on my last post, so thoughtful of you.

p. p. s. let me know if you're interested in how these photos were processed. Maybe I'll do a little tutorial. xo

Persistence and Grace

2011-02-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

Magnolia x soulangiana 'Rustica Rubra'

A source of springtime awe and wonder, the regal magnolia unfolds its flower goblets to the welcome sun, as it has for millennia, for a million years or more, for this ancient genus has inhabited the planet longer even than bees.

Magnolia liliflora

And so, I find them – at this juncture of the year – a fitting symbol of endurance, an annual reminder of the power of persistence, adaptability, longevity.

Magnolia x soulangiana 'Rustica Rubra'

Hot, cold, wet, dry – their lineage has not bowed to the vagaries of climates and seasons.

Magnolia 'Ricki'

They adapt, they persist, some do not survive, but as a species they thrive.

Magnolia 'Royal Crown'

Just as we do, in our own way. A season passes, a year, a lifetime. What is left behind? The memories of laughter, the seeds of the future, the unbroken line of family and dreams. Grace and dignity, passed on, passed down. The true essence and vitalness of every individual. The comfort of knowing what will come again.

Magnolia x soulangiana 'Rustica Rubra'

Sending you thoughts of peace and renewal, for spring or autumn, at the turning of the year.

In loving memory of my cousin David O.

• • • •

love,
– g

Hearts and Flowers

2011-02-05T21:20:00.000-08:00

This morning I heard the very welcome and sweet opening notes of the first robin's song this season! A day earlier than last year, which was earlier than the year before. This, of course, means that soon I'll rise before the sun each morning, recording our glorious dawn chorus to share. This makes me positively giddy! To celebrate, here are some images I look last spring, lilac and Blirieana plum blossoms from our garden.
These four images are also now in my shop, individually and as a collage.

AND, I made a little hearts-and-flowers download for you, for your Valentine's projects. You can download it here. (They are sized for a McGill 1 1/4" heart punch, in case you have one. Personal usage only, thanks.) Enjoy!

Wishing you a Sunday filled with wonder and wonderful things!

love,

– g

p. s. Thank you so much for your enthusiastic response to Eline's book. She shared your comments with her publisher to inspire them to do an English language version!

A Visit to Eline's House

2011-02-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

Happy February!! Still a bleak winter for so many, I thought you'd enjoy something cheery. Let's visit a great blogging friend from The Netherlands, designer Eline Pellinkhof. (We met on Holly Becker's Blogging Your Way e-course last year.) Eline and her work have recently been published in a beautiful book exclusively featuring the designs from her studio, called Eline's Huis (Eline's House). We did a holiday swap, and in exchange for my 2011 roses calendar, she sent me a copy of the book! Inspired by all the amazing projects inside, I created some gift tags and paired them up with some of my rose photographs:

The entire book is done in a palette of red, pink, pale blue, ivory, sand and white. It is so gorgeous. Above left are my tags and on the right you can see many of the common elements used throughout the book's projects – butterflies, hearts, pretty stamps, lace and needlepoint.

The cute felt heart and red heart tape on the tag above were Christmas gifts from my dear friend, Tina at Traveling Mama. Another wonderful designer, she sent them from Copenhagen and they're perfect for this project. Thank you, Tina! And more roses:

Below is not my house, but it IS Eline's house and you can see the cover of the book as well as many of the projects that appear in it. Aren't they wonderful?

The photography is stunning. Here's a great video that takes you through the book:

Very exciting news is that the book has already sold out its first printing of 3,000 copies! But it is back in stock and you can get it here and here. So far it is only available in Dutch but it's very easy to understand the projects even so. It's really one of the most wonderful craft and design books I've ever seen and I wish I could take a year off and make everything in it! Congratulations, Eline and thank you! Be sure to visit her blog for many more projects.

• • • •

And thank YOU very much for your beautiful comments on my last post and for visiting my new website. Your feedback on that is invaluable and I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy days.

Positive thoughts and best wishes to any of you facing rough weather this week.

love, – g

Prelude...

2011-01-25T18:13:00.000-08:00

to Romance...
Yes, it's almost Valentine's Day, with its sweet celebrations of love and affection! Just a few images I've been working on this week (among many, many other projects) for YOU in order to say thank you for visiting and for the overflow of good wishes, lovely blog mentions and beautiful gifts I've received recently. I'm tremendously grateful. (That I haven't shared them here yet in no way means they are not extremely precious to me.)

I rarely purchase roses for my photographs (our garden provides them in summer). But these little spray roses 'Minou' waved eagerly to me in the store with their irresistible pink petals. And seemed perfect for some vintage containers.

Pinks and silvers and soft neutrals. A gentle prelude to the red hearts and sugared confections and blossoming spring soon to come.

I've been most awfully busy with all manner of projects – from the creative and exciting (upcoming trips, new gear) to the mundane (studio reorg) and downright fiddly (website upgrades and taxes). And suddenly, January is almost gone. But there's a quiet whisper of expectation and new growth.

And you? How are you? Are you feeling the soft turning of the season yet? What are your plans as we embrace February? I hope you are weathering your weather – so many storms and challenges in so many places. Sending wishes and thoughts that you are cheerful and safe.

Much more to share, soon.

Love,

– g

p. s. A happy accomplishment, ages in the making, was to get my personal website revamped over the holidays. If you'd like to take a peek, you'll see more of my images aimed at the horticultural industry. Not so many of the arty ones that I share with you here. Let me know what you think and if the site works fine for you? Thx!

Now I'm up to my gills in updating our business website, which makes me VERY happy. Or will when I'm done.

p. p. s. The above images were shot with a 60mm f/2.8 macro Nikkor lens with a mixture of daylight and a soft box (strobe) for very soft shadows and even lighting. The strobe ensures sharp detail where I want it but a wide aperture gives the shallow depth of field. Processed with my own Lightroom presets and (fourth image, right) with some of Shana's wonderful Florabella textures. Digital collage by me.

Winter Magicians

2011-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hamamelis mollis, Chinese Witch Hazel

The dormant depths of winter, when most plants rest in well-deserved quiet, are the invitation to awakening for the magical Witch Hazels, who brighten dim days with their adornments of colorful fairy wands, flounced with the tiniest of crepe paper streamers.

Their sweet, evocative fragrance fills the woodland glades where they thrive.

And the low sun is caught in their ribboned blossoms.

Ducking under and through their branches on a crisp January day encourages happy thoughts of spring's arrival.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Ruby Glow'

But surely it is too early for such blooming?

Hamamelis mollis 'Gold Crest'

No, indeed. Although I've not visited this forest yet this year, these images were taken on this very day, exactly two years ago. I thought you might enjoy a burst of golden sunlight. ♥

• • • •

And a cheery welcome to new visitors and followers – I look forward to stopping by to see you very soon!

In the meantime, 2011 has already blossomed into a full and rich and busy buzz of activity. I have many things to share in the days to come.

Wishing you a sunny, joyful and magical week!

xo – g

Reflections on Beauty

2011-01-11T14:38:00.000-08:00

Another holiday season, another New Year, another birthday. Looking out the window, looking in the mirror, evidence of time, evidence of change.

A curious time of year, isn't it – mid-January? A sort of vague limbo between the festivity of the holidays and the exuberance of spring. A lull, and a seemingly dull lull at that. The bleakness of winter, the sad browns and tans and grays, feel settled in. Skies of ashen pallor refuse admittance to precious extra moments of light.

Perhaps our least beautiful month, here in the Northern Hemisphere. The search for beauty costs more effort with less reward. Or at least it seems.

So in this curious month, on this curiously neutral day, I became curious about the illusive qualities of beauty and what those in essence might mean. As always, a consultation with a dictionary provided a quite wonderful definition:

beauty

1. The quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness and originality.

American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

Truthfulness.

Originality.

Not merely physical perfection. Deeper qualities that transcend time and age and weather.

And as I looked out on winter camellias in bloom and the very first shoots of the early narcissus peeking up in the woodland garden, snow began to fall, and in a few hours all was soft and white and puffy and pristine, reflecting light along all the garden paths and into each window in the house.

And in seeking beauty, unexpectedly, it found me.

Perhaps January is our most beautiful month, after all.

xo – g

• • • •

p. s. I'm honestly overwhelmed with your supportive comments and lovely words on my article in Somerset Life. Thank you to each one of you, more than I can say. I will see about posting it in full here for those of you outside the US who don't have access to the magazine.

Wishing you a beautiful second week of the year!

p. p. s. (The water reflections were created in Photoshop with the Flood filter by Flaming Pear.)

Thank you, Somerset Life!

2011-01-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

Four years ago, I stood at the periodical rack at Barnes and Noble in San Francisco, gaping with astonishment at the gorgeous publication held in my hands – the Winter 2007 issue of Somerset Studio Gallery. I had never seen such a publication – filled with inspiration, beauty, skill and a celebration of creativity. With a thrill of delight, I pored over every page, humbled by the work of the featured artists. From then on, the publications of Stampington were a source of awe and wonder to me.

Never in my secret-est dreams did I imagine that one day I would have a piece appear in a Stampington publication, let alone Somerset Life! But today, I stood at the publication rack at Barnes and Noble in Seattle and what stared back at me was the Winter 2011 issue of Somerset Life, in which my work appears as one of the "Blogs With a View".

:) (imagine this quite large)

Oh my, such a very fine start to my year and I am tickled pink – quite chuffed as we say in England! I am truly and deeply honored and send sincerest thank yous to Kellene Giloff, Christen Olivarez and Jennifer Jackson at Stampington for including me in the inspired vision that is inherent in everything they produce. Are they not just the most amazing ladies?

And I thank all of you as well, who have shared my little journal here with others, supported this space and left so many generous comments. Honestly, this would not be the same place without each of you. THANK YOU!

I leave you with some images in winter's palette, now as Twelfth Night approaches, and wish you warm revels to brighten the bleakness of the month.

No snow has fallen here but many of you have more than your share so I will join you in remembering its beauty and forgiving its bitterness.

But soon, very soon, it will pass, like an inevitable foretelling. Already in the garden the first buds of hellebore blossoms peek up and today a yellow primrose pushed a few dainty petals through the earth.

The wheel of life revolving, now at winter's turning.

I hope this first week of the year has been a happy and fulfilling one for you, dear friends!

love,

– g

Hopes and Dreams and Wishes

2011-01-01T15:51:00.000-08:00

and fresh, new beginnings.

Happiest New Year Greetings!

I hope this bright new day has been one of positive reflection and renewal and that you feel recharged for a new venture into the universe.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful holiday adventures and memories and for your visits, each of which please me no end.

Every one of you has my sincerest desires that your hopes, dreams and wishes come true and that 2011 is a year of joy, health, prosperity and delightful surprises. I would love to know what you are wishing for this year, so I can send lots of sparkly energy your way.

love,

– g

p. s. a collection of images gathered from the past few years. ♥

Love and Light

2010-12-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

A few more of the lights on our two little live spruces (one in our office and one outside the living room) with different filters.

I wish each of you a wonderful season of celebration in honor of your beliefs, whatever they may be, and of our collective beliefs in the goodness of our fellows and our hopes for a bright future.

love and light,

– g

Holiday-cor

2010-12-19T22:32:00.000-08:00

Hello and I do hope you are having a splendid, festive and throughly enjoyable week!

By request, here are some images from around our house this holiday season.

Whites and silvers for our cream and white dining room. Although I don't think they show well in the photos, I hung dozens of vintage hand-crocheted snowflakes from the ceiling. We don't have any snow at the moment, but this makes it feel wintery. My inspiration was the ice palace scene from Dr. Zhivago? Do you remember that magical scene?

Another of the handmade candles from Peru. and a little church ornament that reminds me of the charming white country churches I photographed in Vermont.

The table is usually bare wood but I liked the delicacy of this ($5.00!) lace tablecloth. German blown glass owl ornament was a gift from my Mom a few years ago.

And now, on to our office, where we spend most of our time in the winter.

A tray of loose ornaments:

I usually do our holiday decor in traditional burgundy, gold and sage but this year, inspired by the wrappings on a huge array of gifts that arrived from a dear friend, I decided on turquoise/Robin's egg blue/Tiffany blue with pinks and accents of red hearts.

It feels refreshing and happy.

The ornament on the left above is quite old and has a wonderful crackled surface.

We always use a live tree as I hate the idea of chopping down any tree. This year we decided to have one in the office, a spruce, as well as our live one outside the living room windows.

Here he is! He sits in the corner windows between our two desks, looking out over the other evergreens on our property. I only used lightweight ornaments as I don't want to strain the branches.

One of my oldest ornaments, the crystal bells. Plus lots of bird ornaments. I hung a big paper star above the tree.

Garland on the kitchen door:

Miniature sled with very old, tartan covered books. They are only a few inches high. The sweet little mouse is an antique ivory netsuke given to me by a friend many years ago.

And finally, some heart lights (you knew that was coming, right?). :)

Thank you for coming along through the tour. And thank you for all the holiday beauty you've been sharing on your blogs – I've loved all of it!

I'll be back in a few days with some final images and will be visiting you but in case I miss you before the New Year, all my dearest wishes to you for a most wonderful, magic-filled holiday season and the brightest New Year you can imagine. Thank you for bringing sparkle and joy to my life.

with love,

– g

p. s. I hope you don't mind the falling snow effect. I normally don't like little gimmicks on blogs but I think this one is so charming. :)

♥

Country Wonderland

2010-12-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

I hope you are enjoying a fun and joyful week of holiday preparations! Happily, I finished a huge project on Monday, the last of this year, and now have a bit of play time to fling some finery around our place (will post about in a few days.)

Tidying up my files after the big project, I came across these wintery barn images that were begging to be shared.

Two years ago, we had quite a blizzard so D and I ventured up to the farmlands an hour north of our house. The farms lay serene and still – few vehicles disturbed the pale peace of the day and a cool, clear sky sent twinkling lights dancing across the hushed snow of the fields.

We felt transported by the views to a country wonderland, a real-life vintage postcard, nostalgic scenes of a timeless way of life.

I hope they do the same for you.

Thank you greatly for your recent visits and comments. I've loved visiting you and seeing all your baking, decorating, wrapping and shopping adventures! I'll be back soon with a few of mine.

love,

– g

Radiance

2010-12-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

One subject I love to photograph, as much as flowers and gardens, is light. Light of all kinds – capturing its illusiveness has fascinated me for a long time.

In the northern Hemisphere, we approach the darkest days. But spirits are brightened as the festive season uplifts with endless sources of light, from man-made to spirit-made, from souls in harmony reaching out to spread brightness and warmth.

Some photographs taken over the last two or three years, experiments and explorations.

Twinkle, twinkle, great big stars.

Hearts, of course!

A butterfly-shaped filter I made for the Lensbaby and then pointed at the huge star light on top of a department store, turning its single light into a winged beacon. (For you, dear Kathryn.)

Just for fun, just for some sparkle in your day.

• • • •

Thank you very much for your visits and comments on the last two posts. I'm really so happy that many of you stopped by City of Blackbirds for my inspiration article and left such sweet comments for Éadaoin. I hope you get the opportunity to visit her regularly, she is a very special soul.

A bit busy at this end, and I imagine for you, too, dear friends, yes? I hope you can take the time to enjoy the preparations amid the busyness and know that you are appreciated.

xo – g

Inspiration

2010-12-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

A quick hello (and one more image of the plum blossoms in snow with our woodpile).

I wanted to let you know that my dear friend Éadaoin at the wonderful City of Blackbirds in Dublin invited me to participate in her wonderful series "Inspiration Secrets". My article is posted there today along with several of my images that have never been posted or published anywhere else so we'd love it if you have a moment to stop by. My post is here and Éad's intro to her terrific series is here. Several of my favorite blogging friends have already contributed to the series and I know you'll find their posts valuable and enlightening. Thank you, Éad!

Wishing each of you a warm and happy day!

love, – g

Snow Wonder

2010-12-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy 1st of December!

I don't really love snow but since you were so encouraging about my snow photos from this post, I thought I would share some from a sudden spring snow storm a few years ago. They've never been posted or printed before but your kind words inspired me to do so.

Since we are well into the holiday season, I thought these images would carry on the frosty, festive, although shivery, mood.

Our Blireiana plum trees were just blossoming when a snow storm hit. Very unusual. But awfully pretty, too!

I've just added them to my shop here with a super special price for the set.

I'm so happy you liked the gift tags! It's been a very hectic week or two with unexpected occurrences that are, thankfully, coming right now. In between, I'm so enjoying all the beauty you are sharing on your blogs. Honestly, you are so helpful in getting me in the holiday spirit. I was thinking about not decorating this year but you've definitely inspired me to. Next stop, the attic for boxes!

Thank you as always for your lovely comments and visits. Wishing you a magical week, whether your weather is snowy or sunny.

xo – g

With Heartfelt Thanks

2010-11-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

I do believe that most of us are ever mindful of our many daily blessings, the aspects of life – the major or the inconsequential – that fill us with gratitude, our families and the people that inspire us to be better, kinder, stronger and braver in our dealings with others.

And these accountings come most to the fore during the holidays, the days that seem a mad rush but also offer times of reflection and appreciation. Year's end, a quiet roll call of the good and fortunate occurrences and encounters that tip the scale toward happiness and allow us to ink them in on the plus side of the ledger and tally them up to a positive balance.

This year I have more reasons to be grateful for than ever and each of you that visit and comment so generously are high among them. It is a pleasure and a privilege that you welcome me into your lives.

On this eve of Thanksgiving, I thank you for your continued kind thoughts and good wishes, most recently regarding our sudden snowbound status, which is mostly unchanged tonight. We are tucked inside, editing photos and listening to an audio CD of PG Wodehouse, filling the frosty night with mirth as the moon sets the white mantled garden aglow.

And with the holiday season now well upon us, and gift wrapping a prominent activity, I thought you might like some festive gift tags to accompany your packages. I created these from a few of my rose photographs, vintage bird illustrations and scrapbook paper backgrounds that I designed last year. So, as promised, a holiday download for you, along with my gratitude to you for being who you are, for striving to be better and for sharing your unique selves with the world.

Below is what the Holiday Gift Tags look like and they can be downloaded here. I hope you enjoy them!

(Please note, as previously, this is for personal and not commercial usage. The link will be active until 31 December 2010.)

I have also been busy putting lots of new prints in my shop. I didn't get a fraction of the new items completed that I wanted to, but that is what next year is for, isn't it?

I love that I've gotten Thanksgiving wishes from Canada, London, Sweden, Finland, France, Italy, India, Australia, South Africa and more. We truly have an international community where holidays are shared and celebrations rejoiced by all. Isn't that wonderful?

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you, dear friends!

love,

– g

Snowbound!

2010-11-23T15:52:00.000-08:00

Not just a poetic title, D and I are, in fact, snowbound, by an unheard-of-for-November storm, which left us with a generous helping of what the weatherman (wrongly) predicted would be a "near-zero chance of accumulation" or a "slight dusting". Ha! With a steep and narrow drive, and icy roads below, we are, at least for a day or two, marooned on our hill.

We have plenty of provisions and are cozy and safe. But never before in my recollection has snow fallen here before the trees were bare of leaves, an uneasy foreboding of a winter not yet arrived.

My yellow rose 'Graham Thomas' still boasts dozens of buds.

Tonight will be bitterly cold. I'm thawing the hummingbird feeders hourly and the little hummers are gratefully drinking and drinking, their tiny bodies shivering in the wind.

Although it will all thaw in a few days, I worry that it is too extreme, too fast for the garden.

But hopefully not for our sweet wildlife friends.

While the snow is here, I'll do my best to appreciate the beauty and record it with my camera, attempting to not fret about the plants, disrupted holiday plans, and mostly minor inconveniences.

It is, after all, nature's way.

• • • •

I want to thank each of you for your lovely comments on D's photos from Belgium! We are both really delighted that you enjoyed them and that they brought back happy memories for many of you. Thank you most kindly.

I do have your special holiday download ready for you as promised but quite a few plans were pre-empted by the weather so I will have it posted tonight or tomorrow am. We are about to go into the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend here in the States and we send love and wish you all a week of joy, gratitude and good cheer shared with loved ones.

xo – g

Guest Photographer – Beauty from Belgium

2010-11-20T23:24:00.000-08:00

Hello and warm greetings! Our balmy, sunny autumn has flown with the leaves on strong winds – winds that cleared the skies for a magical view of a glorious, almost-full moon last night. Did you see it? At midnight, looking out from the upper windows, our property appeared as if in near daylight with deep shadows cast by the trees and all else silvered with gleaming light. And the day dawned with ice on the bird baths and a faint threat of snow.

A day to stay in and delight in armchair travel! Join me on a little surprise tour that I've put together for you. D (my husband David Phillips) recently returned from two trips to Belgium for a client and I thought you'd enjoy some of his photographs as I've been doing this weekend.

First, an entire day exploring the magnificent medieval city of Bruges with the famous Flemish light, loved by painters for centuries:

Canals, marvelous architecture, autumn color, and a sweet pup napping in the sun.

When I'm not along on these trips, D always shoots for me the details I love – doors, windows and of course, hearts!

Part of the day was rainy and murky so he processed these images in an antique style which really suits this wonderful city.

In Bruges, two prominent features are chocolate and lace.

As well as beautiful views that haven't changed in hundreds of years.

A few images of dramatic Antwerp in early morning light:

I love how he captured the light illuminating these golden statues so that they glow.

Tall ships and bicycles.

Thank you for coming along on the tour. Yes, I admit to bias, but I fell in love with D's photographs before I ever met him. I hope you've enjoyed these as I have. More of his Belgium photos can be seen here and much more of his work can be seen on his website here.

• • • •

I will return tomorrow with a little early holiday gift for you!

(Don't forget about the sale in my shop - it includes free shipping but that is first class, not priority, so the earlier the better in that case to save you on rush shipping. And any images from my blog, Flickr or stock site are also available. Just let me know.)

Wishing you a week of abundant cheer and joy!

much love, – g

p. s. In the time I took to write this – snow!

Jewelled Tones

2010-11-15T20:01:00.000-08:00

As the richness and glitter of winter days approaches, an unplanned but common motif emerges from recent shoots – hues of garnet, ruby and tourmaline, shades of alexandrite, topaz, amethyst and sapphire, jewelled tones to welcome the coming festive season.

The last of the roses from Mom's garden – Rosa 'Mr. Lincoln', photographed in a simple blue bottle on her antique Welsh sideboard.

A serendipitous mid-autumn flower market find – armfuls of rainbow-hued ranunculus!

Perfect buds in mesmerizing colors, faceted and sparkling like costly gems.

Outshining a silk damask pillow in our living room.

Saturated pinks and purples of handmade candles purchased in Cusco, Peru, regal in a silver candelabra – a wedding gift to my parents that now sits on a shelf in our office.

Vivid colors in our entry hall – hand bags and textiles from Peru, and more ranunculus.

My thoughts turn to velvets and satins, exotic wrappings and treasures from distant lands, gifts to be given with a grateful heart and joy to be shared with loved ones far and near.

Wishing you a week of bounteous beauty and wonder, dear friends!

love, g

Living Copper (and a Special Sale)

2010-11-09T20:48:00.000-08:00

Some scenes of autumn's waning glory, as russets and vermillions segue into golds and coppers, and the gentle drift of petals and leaves tucks the earth in against the coming frosts.

• • • •

My sincerest gratitude to you, yes, YOU, for visiting and commenting so generously on my last post. I read your comments to D and we are very tickled that you enjoyed the little tour of our garden and loved that so many of you want to visit (or move in!).

The leaves are truly falling now, and although D has begun raking the front lawns, the back lawns (that you saw in the photos) are off limits to rakes each year until I'm finished with photos. We are planting new hydrangeas and roses and rhododendrons and soon it will be cool enough for the 200 new narcissus and tulip bulbs.

♥ A NEW SALE ♥

And now, I'm happy to announce a new sale in my shop – with an extra special bonus for all of you.

Throughout November, all prints in my shop – including any custom orders – are Buy One Get One FREE. Readers of my blog here will also receive an additional surprise print as a special holiday gift from me to you. You don't have to follow or comment or anything, just leave me a message in the "note to the seller" that you are a regular visitor here. This is only for YOU, I'm not promoting or offering it anywhere else. Okay? I thought that might be fun.

And I'm working on a few new downloads for you, too.

Hope you're having a marvelous week!

xo – g

Our Autumn Realm

2010-11-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Our garden is a magical place. And never more so than in autumn.

Would you like to come for a little tour?

The front of the house yesterday morning, as seen from the northwest corner, looking southeast. The house sits in the middle of half an acre and faces away from the road, which is behind and below, so it is very private.

When we step outside our front door and look up, this is what we see:

Japanese maples, red maples, vine maples, Bradford pears, cherry, oak and plums.

The oak leaves are the first to change and fall.

The mid-morning sun illuminates the maples with a shimmering glow.

We've let some of the rolling back lawns go to moss, beyond the woodland garden. It's a little wonderland.

The Japanese maple, looking up from the front porch; and reflected in a mirror leaning on the old stump in the woodland garden.

Looking out from the upper landing window at the heavy iron chairs that I jokingly call the "thrones". And some of the best views of the trees are from the upstairs bathroom window.

What I can't capture with a camera is the brilliant reflected red light from the Japanese Maple that pours inside the house and paints the ivory walls and oak floors and white furniture with a warm, rosy tint. We love that so much.

Our garden is a magical place.

It is often messy and chaotic, needs weeding and trimming and new steps and more plants.

But we love it very much.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to join me – I hope you enjoyed this little tour.

• • • •

(Like my garden, life is a little chaotic right now. I'm picking my brother up from the airport at midnight and D returns tomorrow morning after two weeks in Europe. I may be missing for a few days but wanted to share these photos as promised. The holidays approach and I know we all have extended to do lists. So, I very much appreciate your time here and your comments and send a warm welcome to new visitors. Sometimes it might take me a few days to respond but I always look forward to the pleasure of visiting you.)

Wishing each of you a very magical weekend!

xo – g

(all photographs taken November 2nd-4th 2010.)

Autumn ♥ Love

2010-11-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

Autumn can make me moody and melancholy. The dark, the damp, the dreary.

But this week such gloom and glum has been banished by our record-breaking warm and sunny weather – 74 degrees today! November! Not an occasion to squander.

So, the last two days have found me on a frantic and frenetic frenzy of photographing fall foliage!

Whew!

I simply decided to drive through my area and stop at all the places that I regularly pass and say "sometime I must come back and photograph that." (Don't you do that, too?)

Yesterday's first stop was magic, no doubt. Lured by a liquid light swishing through multi-colored leaves in a park I've driven past hundreds of times, I was enchanted to discover sweet trees festooned with golden hearts!

And with such a sweet name – 'Forest Pansy', of the Redbud family. (Cersis canadensis)

Nature's garlands, buntings and banners.

I left exhilarated, elated and extra-appreciative of living in such a gorgeous city.

AND so happy to share it with you, who are so lovely with your kind comments and visits. I'm really delighted to have you along on these adventures but I must admit to much more to come – can you stand it? Do let me know if you tire of autumn – I have lots of pretty flower photos to get us through winter but, gosh, this. is. happening. right. now!

See you tomorrow with more. I hope you are having a joyful week and thank you as always for your kindness and support.

xo – g

p. s. And in the middle of it all (thanks to my iPhone), I received some exciting news which I should be able to share on Saturday!

All Hallow's Eve

2010-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

All Hallow's Eve. All Saint's Eve. Samhain. Hallowe'en.

An ancient festival marking the end of light and warmth, and the transition to dark and cold.

The night when the curtain between the spirit world and the physical was thought to be torn aside, and the souls of those who had departed flew freely over Earth.

The skies they were ashen and sober;

The leaves they were crispèd and sere —

The leaves they were withering and sere;

It was night in the lonesome October

Of my most immemorial year;

It was hard by the dim lake of Auber,

In the misty mid region of Weir —

It was down by the dank tarn of Auber,

In the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir.

– from Ulalume

by Edgar Allen Poe

A few other wonderful ghostly poems:

Ghost House

by Robert Frost

The Listeners

by Walter de la Mare

The Highwayman

by Alfred Noyes

Oh, I could go on and on! I'm sure you have your own favorites.

Wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween!

xo

– g

p. s. Notes on the image: The tree I photographed a couple of years ago, the moon is a separate shot I took last year. The birds are modified by me from a wonderful texture by Michelle Black at thephotoprofessional.com

Pumpkin Art

2010-10-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big fan of orange – for me almost none goes a very long way – but I couldn't let October pass without tipping my hat to one of my favorite autumn destinations. These stunning paintings and beautiful displays are the work of artist and farmer Eddie Gordon, of Gordon Skagit Farm in the Skagit Valley, about an hour north of where I live.

You can read a bit more about my visit last year here. And yes, this is the home of the lavender truck!

Dozens of types of heirloom pumpkins for sale, a corn maze, apple cider, a beautiful farm and a welcoming autumn adventure all in the gorgeous Washington countryside. The farm is open through this weekend so if you are in the area, it is well worth a visit.

• • • •

In other news, huge thanks to the wonderful Holly at Decor 8 for including my 2010 Roses Calendar in her annual calendar round up this week! And thank you to dear Jacqueline for letting me know the calendar also made the front page of Etsy a few days prior.

And many thanks to each of you for visiting and leaving such lovely comments. Welcome to new visitors and followers – I hope you all find some moments of peace and beauty here in the midst of your busy days.

Almost Halloween!!

xo – g

Kaleidoscope

2010-10-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

I've photographed these woods many a time. Truly, I know the name of every tree on this woodland path by heart; we are good friends by now.

Today, after a week of gloom – some clearing, and a glimmering light – a sparkle of brightness before more promised rain.

I didn't feel like going out, cozy and comfy inside, and the mountain of projects on my desk glowered at me with hearty disapproval. But, as I do so often when perfect light beckons, and blue saturates the large windows in our office, I gathered up gear, cast aside commitments and met up with Nature to see what wonders she would amaze me with this brilliant autumn day.

Yes, I've photographed these Japanese Maple and Fothergilla trees at the Arboretum many lovely times. But never before with Lensbaby. (A guilty pleasure I do try to minimize!) The swirling colors and dancing light nearly insisted upon it, though – thus Lensbaby and I had a merry time among the trees, crawling into bushes and ducking under shimmering branches.

In less than an hour, the light had diminished, subdued by thickening clouds that once again flaunted rain.

I would have loved to have shared it with you! But here, exactly as photographed, is a little sampling for you of what I saw and felt – spinning inside a giant kaleidoscope of glittering colors that winked and twinkled and blinked and then were gone.

And now, I must make up for my indulgence and return to the abandoned demands on my desk!

Thank you, each of you, for your visits and special comments recently. Each of you are so appreciated and it wouldn't be the same here without you!

xo – g

Gold and Blue

2010-10-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

Inspired by my yellow David Austin rose 'Graham Thomas', who, at this moment, as October blusters to a chilly end, is bursting with dozens of new buds.

I'm not fond of the screeching, bullying ways of our sassy Blue Jays. But even I cannot deny their astonishing beauty.

Our recent days of golden sun and intense blue skies have bowed off the autumn stage. But Graham's incandescent blooms still brighten our office window sills and we more than appreciate the abundance of this mighty rose.

Our trees are just beginning their autumn performance, so I offer this last taste of sun and sky, a prelude to the warmth of a golden fire, cherished old volumes and the coming coolness of the season.

I hope this finds each of you recharged from a weekend of satisfying creative pursuits and I wish you a new week of adventures that are even better than you imagine!

Thank you so much for your visits and comments – each one is a treasure to me.

xo – g

Folia Botanica

2010-10-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

In celebration of the magnificence of trees and leaves.

Red Maple (Acer Rubrum), Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), Oak (Quercus)

• • • •

Are you having a good week? I truly hope you are! Another GORGEOUS day here in Seattle. I'm feeling a bit buffeted about, like a leaf sailing through the cool autumn air, but I'm trying to enjoy the ride!

xo – g

Golden

2010-10-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

And a surprise...

Sunlight angling lower by the day gilds the simplest scenes.

This week in Seattle we are having just delicious weather. Wednesday was clear, 70 degrees and as lovely as any day this past July. My three-mile walk around Green Lake looked like summer – the trees showing the merest dabs of color. A bit of rain last night cleared for another gorgeous, bright morning, but a shiver of coolness hastened my pace as I tackled the lake walk again. And the forecast for at least a week of the same makes me relaxed and happy.

I love apples, sigh...

I hope you are enjoying a memorably beautiful autumn, or to our friends below, a truly stupendous spring. I'd love to hear how you're spending it.

• • • •

A little surprise announcement.

I received a special request for a new piece that I decided to make generally available because so many of you were lovely in sharing your reminiscences of this location.

Here it is:

Some of the images from my earlier post and some you haven't seen before.

It's available here.

• • • •

I'd like to thank two wonderful bloggers for featuring my work this week.

Sandy of Sandy a la Mode featured my Vintage Harvest note card set in her Flavors to Follow: Pumpkin post. Sandy's blog is so lively and entertaining – one of my favorites and I know you will enjoy it.

And sweet Ivy of Grace and Ivy featured some of my tree images in this post. I've only recently become acquainted with her blog but it's beautiful and she takes readers on the most fabulous Virtual Vacations which are so much fun, you will not want to miss a single one.

• • • •

Thank you for your very much appreciated visits and comments on Les Roses Antiques post. You are truly spoiling me.

love, – g

Les Roses Antiques

2010-10-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

As the days close inward, smudgy skies invite contemplation

Thoughts stray to autumn tales and scenes that might have been...

• • • •

An imagined romance, in Left Bank apartment

of worn velvet and embroidered silks,

lace curtains, a view of The Seine

the smell of old books, the faint ticking of an ormulu clock

long ago rain on the sill

he always brought roses, voluptuous and fragrant

she always served cakes on small plates of flowers

they spoke of the country, and spring, and the future

while the fall of spent petals marked the passing of days

• • • •

Les Roses Antiques (Antique Roses)

A new series I mentioned working on, when I ought to have been doing much more practical things, sigh...

What do you think? I've gone a bit crazy with this, and had fun creating new things for my shop. You can see them all here.

Thank you so much for visiting and beautiful new week to you! More soon.

xo – g

Fallen Gently into Fall

2010-10-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

A warm hello friends! I must say, you totally overwhelmed me with your kind comments and memories about the Oregon Coast images. Amazing that several of you had visited there, even though you now live in other countries. I'm delighted we all got to share it - thank you again.

A few days ago I mentioned working on several new series of images and here is the first, Fallen Roses. I had in mind a shift in mood, a sort of slow segue into autumn colors, slightly desaturated and a bit less brightness and light but without saying a final farewell to my beloved summer roses.

I've been resisting autumn but decided I'd better embrace it before it is over, for I do actually adore it. September slipped through my fingers like the coastal sands but October and November will be gathered up and cherished.

I found it fascinating how, laid flat, the roses opened up, revealing their inner structure. Usually, when upright on stems, the petals fall without showing this.

I've been busy updating my shop and these are each listed as 5 x 5 prints, with the full print set of all four at a very special price.

And to get myself in the spirit even more, I put together a little Vintage Harvest series of a few of my fall favorites.

Do you love this purple truck as I do? The make is International Harvester – how fitting! All four images are in the shop as a print set and as a note card set.

Autumn brings such wistful nostalgia, an almost sweetly melancholy atmosphere, in spite of its dramatic beauty. I love capturing its unique moments.

• • • •

There you are, a bit of what I've been working on, and, a warning – there is soooo much more to come. I hope you don't suffer from post overload from me!

I wish the rest of your week to be filled with wonderful autumn treats and treasures! Thank you for being here.

xo – g

p. s. Google reader is acting up – if I've missed your latest posts, many apologies. I will get there, promise. xo

One Last Waltz With Summer

2010-10-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon

We'd dreamed of coming here for months. But unpredictable weather at the coast and even more unpredictable schedules kept it out of reach until, finally, last week, a lovely alignment of circumstances, centered around a promise of clear skies and a tiny break in D's travels, afforded us the chance.

We drove the easy four hours, stopping for lunch and a little exploration in historic Astoria before rounding Ecola Point and turning off US Highway 101 into Cannon Beach. Welcoming us – a rare combination here – warmth, little wind, piercing blue skies, and a town and beach devoid of crowds.

The Oregon Coast has always been a constant for my family. We came here as children, my mother came here as a child and even my grandmother stood on these shores, taking photographs of her sisters as they splashed in the sea foam. Pounding breakers, mist, wheeling gulls and the delicious tang of salt air. Years and people pass but these endure.

We walked for hours along the shoreline, talking in snatches of nothing in particular – shells, birds, vague musings about coming here to work on our fiction projects. The rhythmic, booming surf dominated with its own conversation, delivering its messages to the sand, as it has done for centuries and will continue to do when we and our words are gone.

The unspoiled town echos its environment in ambiance and hue – weathered cedar shingles, splashes of blue at doors and windows, relaxed and unfussy.

The most vibrant splashes of color being offered by the local confectioneries...

... and then by the brilliant sunset.

Ever constant, yet ever changing.

The locals had proclaimed it one of the best days of the year. And so it was.

But by morning, the fog had crept inland, enveloping all in a soft, cool embrace. The views became rugged and less friendly, though no less beautiful.

A hoped for clearing never came, the clouds settling in with authority.

With a sigh, I accepted the inevitable entrance of autumn, grateful for this last dance of the season, as summer twirled away into the mist.

• • • •

TRAVEL NOTES

Thank you so very much for your well wishes for our little getaway! I apologize for being mysterious about the destination – some details of it were a surprise for D and I didn't want to reveal it in case he happened to stop in here. :)

The Oregon Coast – over 360 miles of pristine, public coastline. The 1967 Oregon Beach Bill law allows free beach access to everyone. No landowner can take away or deny access, nor can they build on the beach.

Cannon Beach, named for a cannon washed ashore from an 1846 shipwreck, has a population of approximately 1,600 and is dominated by Haystack Rock, one of the largest monoliths of its kind in the world and a noted bird sanctuary.

We stayed at The Inn at Cannon Beach. Well recommended.

Dining at the Warren House Pub, two doors from the hotel and at Morris' Fireside Restaurant, cozy and already offering autumn fare such as bread pudding and cider. Cannon Beach has numerous shops and art galleries, well worth investigating. We purchased lots of salt water taffy for friends and relatives. But it would be very wrong of you to assume that I'm sitting here indulging in some with my morning coffee. :)

Thank you, thank you, for your continued visits and sweet comments. Sending wishes for a wonderful new week. I'll catch up with you and then return with some of the promised posts.

xoxo – g

p. s. I just realized today is my one year anniversary of seeing the sunrise at Machu Picchu! A bit about that trip here if you're interested – no obligation. xo

Tales to be Told

2010-09-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, lovely friends! By the time you read this, I will be away again for a few days, bound for what I believe to be one of the most scenic places in the world. We are due summery, warm, sunny weather, which we've had a lack of the past few weeks. But I have much to share when I return and thought I'd leave you with a few sneak peeks.

Above is one of many from a new image series underway which I'm actually quite excited about. You'll hear and see the details soon, as well as...

... an epic story told in stone.

... scenes from around my home, including an overabundance of props

• • • •

... and the histories of some precious things

• • • •

Thank you all for your comments on the last post. I sooo appreciate hearing your experiences with the sweet Gaura and hope that I can have more success with it next year.

And I'm happy you enjoyed the bouquets of roses and blackberries. I must tell you it is not my original idea – I've seen the combination a few times throughout the years, including the July 1996 cover of Victoria which paired roses and raspberries, I believe. So simple and charming. And one of the most rewarding things for me is reading the delightful childhood memories you so kindly share – I love each and every one and the images they evoke, as I'm sure do the other visitors, so please do continue.

See you soon. Have a beautiful weekend and you'll hear from me in a few days.

xo – g