Walls painted by 18th century artist Jean-Baptist Pillement

(More here) at Haroué, a palace in Lorraine…

 The French Chateau… more here

Christian de Nicolay-Mazery

My birthday is at the end of May…and the accompanying

effusion of self-love (!) with which I regard myself

for a week or so before my “special day” often leads

me to extravagant and serendipitous finds.

I was thrilled to find one pair of late 18th or early

19th century silk shoes, and then stumbled upon

this tattered silk pair inscribed with a wedding date c1773.

I’m happy with just a few tangible and tattered pieces that

are a wispy connection to a far off time…little triggers

to my imagination. When they intersect with my love

of gardening…perfection.

 Though my favorites garden roses are 19th century

Bourbons…here are a few modern roses with an old rose

look. They are reliable, easy roses with old fashioned

blooms on a nice shrubby bushes that look lovely

in a garden border. Or, when it’s pouring outside..

in a line up of votive glasses inside…

Love that particular shade of blue with peachy pinks…

The two tone pink is Pierre de Ronsard (also known

as Eden) introduced by Meilland, France in 1987.

 From David Austin’s rose collection: the peachy bloom

is Cressida, the light pink Evelyn was developed for

Crabtree & Evelyn’s rose fragrance here.

A  Duchesse Brisee tucked into a window recess…

Also from The French Chateau …fits my “nose

to the window” mood…waiting for the bright

days of Spring to return…

A bouquet of peonies and foxgloves rescued from this

morning’s downpour!