The Flower Garden Bug Has Bitten

For whatever reason, gardening has become a serious interest. While I have not blogged about this much, during the pandemic I refurbished an area of the farm into an herb and lavender garden and tried to grow a few vegetables.  See this post from 2020 for more.  It is really amazing what this area looks like now.  I'll report back on that.  I planted a small boxwood hedge to grow around my herbs and I have to put a small fence around it to protect the herbs from the critters like rabbits and groundhogs.  I filled the space with lavender and added a few hydrangeas (my favorite). There is a new birdbath too.  The plan here is to add only perennials that stay green a good part of the year or create a rotating flower garden.  There is so much to learn and soak in.

I planted allium bulbs last fall in another area near the patio and wow, they did not disappoint but they bloomed in early May not June as I expected. Mine were this color and were this beautiful. I can't wait for them to arrive next year.  We sat on the patio and adored these flowers that we first discovered in Boston Commons a few years ago for an entire month. Creating a nine-month garden (if possible in Virginia) is on my to-do list for this spot.  There is not enough time.

This is another flower, Fritillaria, I recently discovered and will order bulbs and plant for 2021 enjoyment.  I planted two from Lowe's yesterday but I find the bulbs you order and plant in the fall are more exotic.  Stay tuned.

These are on the fall planning board for my 2022 garden:

 

I would love to find an antique border for parts of my gardens (very hard to find) and expensive.  The new ones too new but I like this one:

Something like this (from Ebay) but dark.  These are in the UK:

I'd like to add a bench somewhere too and have my eye on one of these, painted dark in black or dark green:

Then there are the garden books, on order, from Thriftbooks......

And to keep with the flower and gardening motif, I am starting to love these plates, an oldie but goodie, made by Portmeirion.  You can find these everywhere.

Now if it will rain. We have record heat here in Virginia, extremely hot, the grass is crunchy and I am hoping that we are not in for another drought season. Dealing with our changing climate is indeed becoming more challenging. My garden but may be for nought without water!  Stay safe.

The Saturday List - May Version

It's been a busy month so far - mowing season is here so it leaves little free time these days. But here's the list for May.

1) Current Read - The Aviators by Winston Groom

This is an excellent read, well-written, full of history and tidbits about these men who are likely less famous to many today (since no one studies history now). If you don't know who Eddie Rickenbacker or Jimmy Doolittle are then you really need to read this.  And surely you know all about Charles Lindbergh?  Groom's book, The Generals, is also a great read.  

2) Currently Stitching

I'm working on this ornament, something a bit different, not a horse or animal. Very quick stitch.  If you love a visit to the Hermes store this is the next best thing right now and MUCH cheaper.

3) Netflix Recommendation - Cable Girls

To be honest, I have not been watching Netflix much between reading a night and mowing until dark (love that farm life) but I am watching this every now and then.  I don't like it when they dub instead of using subtitles (I know I am the only one) but this would be so much better with subtitles.  But I tend to love the Spanish shows, those actors, and this is a good one to watch.  

4) Equine Product Recommendation - Rebecca Ray Lilly Tote

I picked up a few items at Rebecca Ray's Warehouse Sale (still going on but the supply is now limited) and how fabulous is this!  The quality is excellent (nothing done cheaply here), the straps are heavy duty leather (like in a harness) with brass fittings.  This tote is quite large, much larger than I expected and it will be great on my next trip to Europe.  Treat yourself and hurry.  These are 50 percent off while they last.

5) Cookbook Recommendation - The Colonial Williamsburg Tavern Cookbook

I ordered this cookbook from Thriftbooks this week (and three others for a total of $20) and am going to dive in and cook like I own a tavern.   Amazon is for rich people.  Shop Thriftbooks my friends. If you love books like I do, it's the very best source. 

6) Whatever Else - Needlepoint Finishing

I am going to finish some of my needlepoint ornaments.  It's just too expensive and I am tired of waiting a year or more to get mine back.  Door hangers are equally easy to finish. Think of all the money I will save and I'll be able to enjoy my stitched heirlooms now instead of a year from now.  Here is a link to how to do it. Off to the fabric store today to buy cording and supplies. Stay tuned.

Trip to Williamsburg, VA

We recently ventured out for our first trip other than to the beach house, in over a year, to Williamsburg, VA.  I won't say how long it's been since we visited this lovely spot in southeastern Virginia, but like a good wine, it just gets better with age.

 

The restored area was not completely open but there was still plenty to do and see.  We stayed two nights and it could have easily been a longer trip.  The weather was perfect and we walked everywhere from our hotel to the restored area.  We did not need a car once we arrived.  There were many people there but it was not too crowded.  Some of the main attractions in the restored area were open and people were socially distanced and masked even outdoors. There were dogs everywhere - it must be dog friendly now.  And the gardens were simply lovely - I am now inspired to get my own in good order.

There were only two taverns open - Kings Arms for dinner only inside, and Chownings for outdoor dining.  We had a late lunch there and it was excellent, but certainly more casual.  That part I missed as I would have loved to dined indoors but perhaps next trip!

I had not been to the Museum before and we went in for a peak and could have spent a half day there for sure.  That's a great place to return to for a colder weather visit.  They have a great furniture and china collection as well as a small David Hicks (Peaceable Kingdom paintings) exhibit.

We stayed at the Griffin Hotel which is part of the Williamsburg Inn.  We wanted to be within walking distance of the restored area and it was worth the expense.  Highly recommend it.  We are not Busch Gardens types so we did not go there.  And there is a lot of golf in Williamsburg if you golf.  There is a lot to do here and most everything is outdoors so it's a great place to visit right now.

The carriage rides were completely sold out

There are many books I now want to read.....

Wednesday Musings

 Good morning!  Here are some tidbits for your perusing this fine May morning.......

1) Rebecca Ray Warehouse Sale

Find some great bargains on this very well made American brand of equestrian-themed handbags, belts, bracelets, scarves.  Santa came early!

 

2) New Monogrammed Needlepoint Designs from Kate Dickerson

Love these designs, perfect for a pillow, a tote bag, even a door hanger. Order directly from your favorite needlepoint retail store.

3) Malibu Moon Dies

Famous stallion Malibu Moon died suddenly yesterday while in his paddock at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.  The sire of Derby winner Orb, was still standing at Spendthrift and the entire racing world is mourning his loss today.  RIP.

Enjoy your day!

 

Ready for the Weekend - Saturday Musings

 It's Preakness Day and the weather has been divine this week in Virginia.  We had frost a few nights ago, likely a new record date for the latest frost.  My basil somehow survived this time around.  I am readying for summer, my favorite time of the year, full of al fresco dining, early morning rides, long evenings outside.  Memorial Day Weekend. July 4th.  Labor Day.  Horse showing this year!  Lots to look forward to even without vacation plans (we rarely take summer vacations other than to the beach house).

Love For Pete's Sake Pottery and her 4th of July collection is coming and it will set out fast. Love this chip and dip.

(Chip and Dip)

These fox canvases are fabulous (and expensive) from Stitching Fox.  I like them all. Some of them are quite big, so check the sizes.  These will make nice pillows or great for a stool or bench.

 

I just ordered this canvas from The Meredith Collection - if you want to order from this designer call M's Canvas House in Lexington, KY.  M's is Meredith by the way.  I'll make this into a door hanger to remind me of one of my favorite places, Keeeneland. Hope to make there for the October meet.

Love this ornament canvas that I stitched many years ago. It's back!  See it here.

 

I came across a vintage silver charm bracelet at an antique show last weekend. It was very small and it just barely fit around my small wrist. It made me think about how someone's life history was held in this small bracelet.  One charm was dated 1953.  Many had charm bracelets at one time and you collected charms that told the story of your life much like we do now with our needlepoint ornaments. I have two gold bracelets with no charms but it's too late now to start that tradition.  And how did this bracelet end up almost being owned by a complete stranger with no clue as to the provenance of those charms and the story they tell?

Love this vintage t-shirt with tennis rackets from J Crew. I have bought zero from J Crew this year. But this is cute and reminds me of stuff we once wore when prep was really in.

So who's going to win the Preakness?  I don't think Medina Spirit will win although I'd like to see him win but think he'll be second or third and he's never finished lower than second in any race.  Concert Tour is a factor as are the two Chad Brown trained horses, Crowded Table and Risk Taking.

I'll leave you with a bit of Preakness history.......

The photo below is Point Given, who won the Preakness in 2001.  Point Given had been expected to win the Kentucky Derby, but ultimately finished an uncharacteristic 5th behind Monarchos - the worst finish in his entire career. The loss had been attributed to many things - the heat, a ride that was too aggressive, and a fast track that made the colt's feet too sensitive.

Nevertheless, Point Given returned for the Preakness Stakes and this time got sweet redemption. "The Big Red Train" won the race by 2 3/4 lengths. He went on to win the Belmont Stakes, Haskell Invitational, and Travers Stakes, making him the first horse in history to win 4 $1 million races in a row!

In 2017, Point Given was pensioned from stud duties and is now a resident of the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions! You can visit him there anytime you are in Lexington, KY (and I plan to visit him next time I am there for sure).  We owe it to the old ones to give them love and attention even in their older years.  Don't they deserve it?

Post time is about 6:45 pm and you can see the race live on NBC Sports.  Cannot wait to watch this year.  Stay safe. Please wear a mask anyway.  I will be wearing one wherever I go.  And bless our friends in India right now.  They are suffering.....

What I am Loving Right Now

Good morning world.  It is a beautiful spring day in Virginia although we have no gas.  It's not a huge problem since we are all working from home, but think how we are polluting less today........ looking for that silver lining.

Here are a few things I am loving this morning.....

1) Saint James Minquiers Moderne Top

There's nothing like a classic Breton striped French top.  So plain, so modern, so French. Wear it with white jeans and a jean jacket.  Comfortable.  This will never go out of style and collect all of the colors although I am partial to navy and white.

2) Erno Lazlo Tinted Shake-It

I have been a Erno Lazlo fan most of my adult life and this is their very best product.  If you try this you'll never return to normal foundation ever again.  Use this as a base foundation and it's perfect to use with no make-up at all.  It is so natural, not heavy and no one will ever know you have it on.  Erno has been sold and it's changed over the years but Jackie, Marilyn and Audrey can't be wrong.  They were fans.

3) Medina Spirit

This little horse that could does not know he's the center of a huge controversy thanks to his trainer who has definitely lost his luster since the weekend.  The steroid creme or whatever was used would not have impacted his performance on race day but it has tainted Baffert, likely for good this time.  I have him "to show" this weekend in the Preakness behind his faster and fresher stablemate Concert Tour. We always love the underdog.  Love this article from Sports Illustrated. Pretty much sums it up for me.

Pat McDonogh/Courier Journal/USA TODAY Network

4) The Hermes Touch for Jean Jackets

I am in love with the jean jackets I am seeing that are embellished with what I'll call the Hermes touch.  Love this but it does have an Hermes-type price tag. J McLaughlin also put one out earlier this year but it's on back order.

5) The Cutest Sweats Ever

For those who just can't bring themselves to shelve the sweats, try these.  I found these at Old Navy and they are awesome - not too heavy, so cute, comfortable and at a great price.  Treat yourself!

Just say no to gas hoarders - if you live in the East. Shout them out!

Iden Pottery - Dennis Townsend

I love discovering vintage dishes, pottery, and I recently came across something on Etsy made by Ann Townsend in the 1970's.  Then I discovered Dennis Townsend, a British artist.  Iden Potter was set up by Dennis Townsend who became one of the more respected Rye Potters.  This is one of his pieces.  Can you see the large sheep on this jug from Etsy?

Iden Pottery is best known for its stoneware, and the quality has always been excellent. It was set up by Dennis Townsend at his home in Iden, a village near Rye, when he left the Rye Pottery in 1959. He started work at Rye Pottery in 1947, joining David Sharp as a fellow apprentice. 

By 1968 Iden's wares were stocked by Heals and Harrods. The pottery was run by Dennis and his wife, Maureen, producing until the couple retired in 2002. 

Here is an imprint from one of the Iden Pottery pieces:

Another one of his jugs, from Ebay in the UK:

It also appears that his wares were trademarked to Colonial Williamsburg.  This plate would be lovely on a bookshelf:

Another piece, a platter:

Here is a photo of a set of his wares from the 1950's that sold at auction in the UK:

Here is Mr. Townsend:

In the early 1990s Iden were involved in a commercial venture that enabled them to supply goods for export in much larger quantities than could be handled by the pottery in Rye. Dennis's son, David, established the Oxney Green company to handle the large-scale manufacture of goods in Stoke-on-Trent. Patterns were made and hand-painted in Rye and sent to Stoke where they were mass-produced and printed with an eight-colour process that was difficult to distinguish from the hand-painted originals. The largest number of Oxney Green products went to Martha's Vineyard in the USA, but there were three other importers in America and some in Japan.

Iden pots can sometimes be dated by closely looking at the blue oxide backstamp. In 1974 a small notch was cut in the outer circle, and another each following year. Count the notches, if you can see them, and add them to 1974.

Another piece: