Flowers for a Friend, and Music....

 One of my very good friends turned 50 a couple of weeks ago, and for her gift, I put together flowers for her party. My friend, Dorsey, always has wonderful parties. Her beautiful garden is the perfect setting. There is always delicious food, usually contributed by her numerous friends, as well as many a beverage. And there is music. Her family is one of those where music has always been important. She has a daughter who sings old jazz, a son who channels Roy Orbinson, and many friends who chip in....(more on that in a bit). 

And there are friends that have accumulated over a lifetime.....many of them.

 These friends got together to plan her party and as I said,  I did flowers. I plucked from my garden....lavender, rosemary, hydrangea foliage, and coleus. I went to the Farmers Market for Sunflowers, and the Wholesale Floral Market for berries, Peruvian Lilies, Safflowers and Kale. There is something about arranging flowers that is so satisfying. It is like decorating on a fast track....planned in one's head....elements purchased in a day...and finished in a couple of hours.

The car was full of beautiful color by the time I was done. I was ready to take it all to the party....

 I added little pots of crayons and put butcher paper on the tables for guests to leave birthday wishes....

Home again to get ready. By the time I returned....the music had begun....

 Young men playing French Gypsy Jazz....think Chocolat and you have it.... 

 They call themselves The World's Finest Apples....hop on over HERE to hear what they do...

The evening fell into night. Dorsey's daughter Molly sang with the young gents in accompaniment.....We filled ourselves with custom concocted salads....spinach, arugula, romaine, beets, mushrooms, gorgonzola, sunflower seeds, fresh corn, kalamata olives, pine nuts, grilled vegetables and so many other choices it was hard to decide.....then topped with grilled chicken, tri-tip or shrimp...and all served to our specifications....mmmmmmmm....

And there were cupcakes to celebrate..... and ice cream cones.....

Later....there was dancing.....

Such a wonderful celebration for a wonderful friend.

WINNERS

Best of Show! Elaine's Betty

Tim and I took a quick morning trip to the 87th Annual Camellia Show hosted by the Camellia Society of Sacramento a couple of weeks ago. Tim, because Spring has sprung and he is anxious to get the garden in order. Sacramento has a pretty much perfect climate for Camellias and you can find every variety imaginable. Tim was on the hunt for ideas. Me, well.... I will take any opportunity to gaze at the beauty and practice with the camera.

The Show always presents a Best of Show Winner, and the bloom that won was certainly an amazing specimen of floral fabulosity. The winning variety, "Elaine's Betty" was grown by Mr. and Mrs. Don Lesmeister and was presented the Rosalie Lee Memorial Trophy by the Camellia Society of Sacramento. Spectacular.

So....who, you may be wondering, is the next "winner", and what did they win? The beautiful Rizzoli book, Walls: The Best of Decorative Treatments was the latest katiedid Give Away....and the winner is Mary! Congratulations Mary! Rizzoli is sending you a copy right away.

But for those of you who didn't win this time, do not despair. I have another great Give Away coming up this week! Rizzoli is graciously giving away another fantastic design book. It is not even on the shelves yet! Designer Kelly Hoppen has just put together another collection of wonderful design ideas in her latest book:

  Kelly Hoppen Interiors, Inspiration and Design Solutions for Stylish, Comfortable Interiors


More winners to look forward to!


Back to the Camellia Show.....I was able to snap some "winning" photos as well....hehe. Here are just a few:

The Camellia Show was held at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium which is listed on the National Historic Register. The National trust for Historic Preservation has named the Memorial Auditorium as one of five winners of "Protecting America's Treasures". So clearly....another winner.

So.....I took a few more pictures. There is nothing quite like playing tourist in your own town on a rainy Sunday morning. It makes what might have been a ho hum day into .........a winner.

All photos copyright by Katie Denham

 (Exception, Walls Book Cover.)

Have a Winner of a day!

Have a Beautiful and Heartfelt Valentine's Day!

Beautiful arrangement from Flora Grubb Gardens

Wishing you all a Wonderful Valentine's Day!

Sweet Hearts

Gumps has so many beautiful Valentine's Day gift ideas! What better than flowers, chocolates and champagne? But there are so many other ideas as well. The bedside clock with pretty red crocodile case, and notice all of the jewelry in the background? I certainly did!

It's almost here, that most sentimental of holidays. And there are plans to make, however big or small, to show those sweethearts in your life that you love them. "Sweetheart". It is one of my favorite words. Especially when it is broken down into it's parts:

"Sweet":

• amiable, kind or gracious, as a person, action, etc.
• dear, beloved, precious
• fragrant, perfumed
• pleasing to the ear, making delicate, pleasant or agreeable sound, musical

"Heart":

• The center of total personality, esp. with reference to intuition, feeling or emotion
• The center of emotion
• Capacity for sympathy, feeling, affection
• Spirit, courage or enthusiasm

Gumps has beautiful Victorian inspired Valentine's Day cards, sweet little heart shaped chocolate boxes, and lots of goodies behind the candy counter.

I have a few sweethearts in my life: my husband (of course!) and my daughters (naturally), my Mom (always remember your mother!) and my sweet dogs (maybe a little strange, but many of us do love our dogs to distraction!). There is always someone who needs a hug, or some small show of appreciation. This day gives us an opportunity to express it.

So many sweet hearts!

I was in San Francisco last week at Gumps for a book signing for Margaret Russell's wonderful book: Style and Substance. While wandering about, I got so many Valentine's Day ideas!!! Really, there were so many sweet hearts, I was all smiles.

Loved these heart cookies! Perfect for any sweetheart.

What is so nice about Gumps is that they truly think of everything. I found something for everyone on my sweetheart list!

Beautiful heart shaped soaps wrapped in black and white toile paper, or red,or white, from Gianna Rose Atelier.

Rose bouquets...so real!!

I had thought these flowers were brought in fresh for the book signing event. But upon closer inspection realized they were imitation! I was so fooled. I am not fond of faux flowers, but these looked so authentic, I would definitely change my mind. The roses in the pictures above were also faux. Hard to believe!

These peonies, also faux. They really did look so real! Beautiful soap gifts with their own bamboo stands. So pretty.

Love Sonnets, Bronze "key to my heart" paperweight, and more chocolate hearts.

Sweet note cards, and more bronze hearts pierced with Cupid's arrow. In the background, Murano glass hearts and crocodile picture frames (put in a picture of your sweetheart and you!)

Check out the Gumps website HERE for more information and pricing. There are lots more ideas there too!

Many may not think they have a sweetheart for a Valentine. But I say, just show someone, anyone, that you love, or simply like, them. It does not have to be a romantic love. Remember when you were in 1st grade and everyone gave each other those funny little boxed valentine's cards with cartoon characters? My girls decorated shoe boxes to take to school with slots cut out of the top to put in their cards and heart-shaped lollipops. What smiles and goods feelings there were, all kept in a simple shoebox. Everyone smiles when they are given a little something that shows someone cares.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Friday is Here. What are You Doing?

Enjoy your weekend!

The Future’s So Bright……

I passed a milestone last week. I have to say I am a little put out by this whole “getting older” thing. I don’t feel any older. I feel like I am just getting started! Not that I haven’t lived yet….but there is so much living yet to do. And I am enjoying every bit I can.

We went on the most beautiful hike on the 4th. Took the dog, and a picnic. Tim and I and the girls drove up to Horsetail Falls in the Sierras and it was just a gorgeous day.

Cooper couldn’t have been happier. Squirrels, leftover cheese from the lunch pack, sticks to chase, and cold clear H2O from the Sierras. What could be better?

Later we had a block party with the neighbors…pot luck….and I have foodie’s for neighbors, so the spread was amazing! A very nostalgic, old fashioned Fourth of July. We even stood in a circle at one point right before the fireworks “finale” in the street, and everyone sang the National Anthem. I was quite impressed really. We all remembered the words, and most were able to hit the high notes.

Then Monday came around. I woke up feeling the same as I usually do….a little groggy, but looking forward to the day. Then I remembered. It was THAT birthday! I tried to just put it out of my mind. I had a pretty normal day. I worked. But when I checked emails, I was really touched to receive so many well wishes from my blogger and facebook friends. I have to say it really brightened my day! Thank you all so much!

When I say I worked…I was actually told to stay in my basement studio until my family gave the word that I could come up. They were preparing something special!

My husband prepared one of my all time favorite meals: BBQ-d steak (medium), fresh salad with roasted pine nuts and avocado, and corn on the cob. Then my girls presented me with this! Orange chiffon cupcakes with orange butter cream frosting (all home made from scratch!). They even made marzipan labels with chocolate letters that spelled out “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM”.

They were sooooo good! Someone was waiting very patiently for a piece:

After dinner and cake, it was on to the presents!

And what is it about Mothers? My Mother always seems to find the perfect thing. She wrapped individual little packages (one for each year….you’re counting aren’t you!) and fit them into a vintage cloche on top of an antique footed ironstone platter, both so gorgeous, I was speechless. It was so much fun to open every little package, funny little things: a bandana, a carved wooden stamp, a hair comb, a beaded necklace….and on.

Some birthdays seem to have a sort of “theme” to them, don't they? This was a birthday of flowers. I seemed to receive them all week long. The first bouquet was from my workmate, Lise. She picked the most beautiful roses from her garden. They smelled heavenly!

The next day I got a knock on the door, and these were on the other side! My old college roommate who shares my birthday sent this stunning bouquet. There is a rose for every year…..your counting again right now aren’t you?

The week kept rolling along. My husband and I were going out for dinner Friday, just the two of us….but when we got there, they had given away our table………or did they?!?! When the hostess said she would find something for us, she opened a curtain, and, …..yes…..SURPRISE!!!! Twenty of my girlfriends were there to celebrate my birthday with me. My husband had been planning for months. I am very lucky, I know. These were waiting for me in front of my seat at the table:

It was a wonderful birthday WEEK! I got to see friends that came in from out of town, and friends that I have known since my kids were little. This getting older thing turned out to be not so bad. It was a reminder of how many people I have met and who have become friends I care about.

I received so many thoughtful and beautiful gifts, and very kind words. And I will keep them all in my memory. Thank you all! But, one of the things I will treasure above all (along with my husband’s careful planning), is this simple white envelope with cut out letters made by my daughter’s hands.

The Future’s so bright…you gotta wear shades!

To All the Fathers That Hang in There, Especially my Husband

A Father's Day Bouquet collected from my friend's garden for my husband

Thanks!

We wives, and mothers, and kids appreciate all you do for us. Whether it is being there for every concert performance, coaching the soccer team, or squashing the spider above the bed, it matters so much that you are here, and that we can depend on you.

Love you lots!

Have a great one everyone!

Valentine's Day Round-up

Valentine's Day Cake for Two. Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse, layered with Tahitian Vanilla Bean Bavarian Cream, Flourless Chocolate Mousse Meringue Cake, and Raspberry Chambord Caramel. Must be ordered 48 hours in advance. $28

What are the necessities for Valentine's day? Well....the list has grown over the years. But everyone has to agree that CHOCOLATE is high on the list. We are very lucky in Sacramento to have cultivated a premier chocolatier by the name of Ginger Elizabeth. She is a hugely talented young woman especially in the ways of chocolate. This Valentine's Day, Ginger Elizabeth is offering two very special treats if you live in the Sacramento area.

Handmade edible Bittersweet Chocolate Box with edible White Chocolate Rasberry Bow, filled with Chocolate Pearls and 8 Artisan Chocolates. Limited....order in advance. $50

To read more about Ginger Elizabeth and place orders for shipment online click here.

Chocolate is a must....and so is a card, don't you agree? These flocked vintage Victorian style cards from Carmel Bay Company are so pretty and romantic:

Over two dozen assorted vintage style flocked Valentines and envelopes punch out, assemble, And send to the ones you love. $4.99

Hearts for Valentine's Day? Of Course!:

African soapstone hand painted and polished to a smooth touch. The perfect gift for someone you love. Use as a paperweight or create a colorful collection. Background colors: black, red, pink, yellows etc. Small $6.75, Large $15.50. Carmel Bay Company.

Let's see......Flowers are always important, but never more so than when sending to a Valentine. Some of my favorite bouquets can be ordered from Jayson Home and Garden. I thought this Anemone bouquet was particularly wonderful, and the onyx box is a keeper!:

Fuschia Anemone's in an Onyx Box. $135. Jayson Home and Garden.

Hmmmm, what's next......JEWELRY! How could I forget. I can always count on Sundance for having jewelry I will love. Here a re a couple of rings I particularly LOVE. And that is what Valentine's Day is all about, right? LOVE:

Red Jade Ring. $48. Sundance.

Rose Petal Ring. $220. Sundance.

Well....those are the essentials. But it never hurts to show your love by showering your Valentine with gifts. I heart all of these sweet gifts:

Proust Questionnaire - Pink. $34.95. Read more about it here. Jayson Home and Garden.

Surprise Ball. $10. Unwind to discover keepsakes, fortunes, and prizes. Sea and Jae

I loved these when I was little and have only been able to find them again through Sea and Jae. Sea and Jae also have a wonderful blog all about giving gifts that are unique and creative. Check it out here.

I was recently introduced to a fabulous pillow company called Fabricadabra, and this pillow says it all:

Felted Wool Appliqued Pillow. 20"x20". $65. from Fabricadabra

The most important thing to give for Valentine's Day is, of course, LOVE. So be generous and spread it around. The world needs it right about now.