progress

Thank you all for taking the time and sharing your excellent ideas for my garden.  A little progress was made in the last few days.  I planted these little white vinca flowers in hopes that they will fill in this planter so that eventually no dirt will show.  Underneath them are the mums that were planted for the wedding 2 years ago so that will be cool if they can come up in between the vinca.

This is the the area that is under scrutiny.  It get hotter than blazes here in the late afternoon.  I want to remove the rock border and put a small hedge and then fill with iceberg roses and maybe herbs too?  Not sure.  But as you can see it looks awful as is.  It kills me each time I pull into the driveway.

Also, some of you are interested in A and B's store here in Redlands.  It's called Redlands Country Mart and the address is 1915 E. Citrus Avenue Redlands CA 92373.  I help out there when I can and I can't tell you how much fun it is.  Their prices are reasonable and they both have a great eye for amazing pieces.  This is one of the tee shirts they make, $28.  They make all the sweaters and tee's themselves right here in Redlands.  They ship worldwide too!  Also, these sunglasses are from the 1950's.  They have a few brand new (deadstock) pairs for $38 ea.  Please stop by if you are in the area for a great cup of coffee and a lookaround.  See their Instagram HERE xo

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saturday in the park

last weekend i took some photos of a couple who are expecting their first baby.

we walked across the street to prospect park, my favorite park ever.

i had no idea what i was doing (as usual) but a few of them came out cute.

they said i could share a couple with you.

here i am bossing them around.

this is my breakfast.

it's yukon gold potatoes sauteed with some red onion.

that's the raw yellow pepper puree i made the night before.

that mixed with the potatoes...heaven, if you're a potato kind of person like me.

also, that is a slice of ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast for all you inquiring minds out there.

have a fabo sunday.

xo
janet

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a walk in the park

about 20 feet from my front door is a 40 acre orange grove and within that orange grove is an 11 acre botanical park known as prospect park.  i've been taking pictures of the park over the last couple of months and boy was it hard to narrow them down, the park is gorgeous.  with its wide walkways that are lined with curvy cut granite walls and plantings from the late 1800's, you can just imagine what it must have been like to be here at the turn of the century.  the park also has an outdoor theatre that hosts the redlands theatre festival, which runs during the summer.  the park is strung with charming white lights for picnickers to enjoy before the plays begin and because our night temps during august run in the 80's it makes for very charming and romantic evenings.  our grandaughter loves playing on the stage and running through the bamboo mazes.   there are also lots of weddings here, so often music is wafting through the air.  the park was built at the turn of the century and brought 3 presidents (mckinley, roosevelt and taft) here for visits.  it's fun to imagine that at one time horse and buggies drove through the park.  i include the park every morning on my walk and most evenings we take a stroll through it.   right now the orange trees are full of blooms and the scent is intoxicating.
so enough of me rambling, if you are ever in the area, stop by for a visit and in case you can't... 

let's take a walk.



wishing you a peaceful weekend

xo
janet

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it's a date

skirt and shirt - talbots

 cardigan - j. crew

 sandals - oscar de la renta

copy kate bag - yours truly
bracelet - julie lorusso jewelry

i recently came across a lovely blog called danibp mop philosopher.  dani is a beautiful mom with a wardrobe that makes me want to ditch project 333.  she wrote a post about going on a date with her husband that i thought was just brilliant.  i think anyone who is in a relationship should read it, whether you are a newlywed or even terminally married such as myself.  read her post here, you'll be glad you did.

so taking her advice, and after a long day of working in the garden, i cleaned myself up and in no time we were sliding into our favorite booth in our favorite mexican restaurant, casa maya.  i ordered the potato and avocado empanada that is drizzled with a balsamic reduction glaze and a margarita.  they line the rim of the glass with salt and freshly ground chili pepper.  why i never thought to do this is beyond me because it is freaking delicious.  it's very hard to stop at one, so i usually don't.  this is when we do our best problem solving.  not our own, mind you but everyone else's. 

so tell me, are you dating anyone?

xo

janet

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the big yellow house

Hi everyone.  Before the rain hit Southern California with a vengeance, I was out and about with my camera.  I have long admired this beautiful Queen Anne Victorian and decided to take a few pictures.  I knocked on the door but no one was home.  I was acquainted with the woman who lived here so I took a chance and snapped a few pictures hoping to get her permission to post them on my blog later.  A few days later while driving by I saw that she was home and not only did she give me permission, she invited me inside to take a few more.  I did not have my tripod which I really needed because the interior is dark.  But anyway I hope you will enjoy this amazing home as much as I did.

As I mentioned above, the home is a classic Queen Anne Victorian built in 1891.  Sue and her husband have lived here for the last 15 years lovingly restoring it to its original beauty.  She said the entire interior had been painted white.  Sue works in the antique business and has amassed an amazing collection of fine antiques.  She does not do reproductions, even the garden urns are antiques.  The interior is all dressed for Christmas.  I hope you enjoy the tour...

Built in 1891 - a Perfect Queen Anne Victorian

The clipped boxwood is spectacular.  They planted the entire garden.

An antique fountain complete with moss.

Lets go inside...

Upon entering you are first struck by this beautiful chandelier and the gorgeous woodwork.

You get the feeling this isn't going to be your average home.

The hand-carved wood details are just beautiful.

This is the front parlor to the left.

Sue has an amazing collection of antique feather Christmas trees and antique ornaments.

I lost track of how many trees she has.

A beautiful rare, white peacock.

The dining room.

So much to see in here.

Another view of the dining room.

Sue's husband worked in the grocery business so they created a replica of an authentic Victorian country store.  This room really is more like a museum.  There is an Indian trading section and civil war memorabilia too.  They give tours to local elementary schools.

And yes, that is a buffalo head.

This is the path that leads to the backyard.

An antique fence post.

A little knot garden.

More antique urns.

The pool gazebo filled with antique garden furniture





A little vignette under the orange trees.

Thank you so much Sue for sharing your home with me and now with the world.  It is so obvious how much your home is loved.

Merry Christmas

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miss doris

This is my dear neighbor, Miss Doris.  Miss Doris lives in this huge yellow Victorian home.  When I moved to Redlands 3 years ago, I would pass this house on my way to work and notice this woman always working in her garden and also walking her beloved poodle, Bobbin.  What struck me immediately about Miss Doris was the way she was dressed.   You will never catch Miss Doris walking Bobbin wearing a track suit, sweats or those nylon gym type outfits that a lot of women her age will wear.  No, every time I saw Miss Doris out walking she would be wearing a belted trench coat with a scarf and black boots.  Or if she was out doing her gardening, she would be wearing a full, flowered skirt, a blouse and cardigan.  Never grubbies, as she calls them.  She doesn't see the point.  She figures she has beautiful clothes so why not wear them everyday.  Needless to say she had a huge effect on the way I looked at my own clothing.  I no longer wear grubbies either and i thank Miss Doris for that.

I was so intrigued as to who this lady was I asked my co-workers if any of them knew her.  Turns out one of them lived next door to her!  So I asked her if she could introduce us.  The next day I finally met her and we've been friends ever since.  To top it off she shops only at thrift stores because she loves saving money and the thrill of the hunt.  She loves sewing and can deconstruct a garment and tailor it perfectly to fit her.  She also makes lace.  Who makes lace?   You cannot believe how time consuming making lace is but it is absolutely beautiful.  As I was driving by yesterday, she was out mowing her lawn and she agreed to have her picture taken.  She is wearing navy slacks, a red gingham blouse and red sweater - proper mowing attire, wouldn't you agree?

The One and Only Adorable Miss Doris

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