Blog - Page 44 of 52 - Linda Nelson

MEET SUSAN SPRINKLES

August 4, 2014

Susan Sprinkles just got a fabulous makeover AND a new job – a revolving position at the createaerie.

See, this was Susan before, only folks just called her Sprinkles.

©Linda Nelson 2014

This is Susan now! She’s my personal assistant for when I wear my floral designer’s hat.

©Linda Nelson 2014

She’s definitely not lazy.

So, as you can see, Susan has moved on and up in life…….,

……but still remembers how to do her old job, too.

©Linda Nelson 2014

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RELIVING THE DREAM AT WING COTTAGE

August 4, 2014

This past weekend I made a return visit to my friend’s dreamy Wing Cottage in New York’s Duchess County town, Clinton Corners. It just gets better and better. Her long time friend (both of them having had residences in the Hamptons, and currently, in Manhattan) was also there for a visit. The concoction… the most delightful trio of female energy. A love for farmhouses, rural landscapes, old books, home interiors, antiques, lazying around, great food, lovable lap dogs, and a screened in porch was the glue that bonded us for the weekend.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Local ventures included lunch at Pine Plains Platter, poking around in A New Leaf Used Books, and dining at Rhinecliff’s Chine Rose. Take a peek at my post from the past to learn about additional sweet spots in the area.

Our stay concluded with an alfresco lunch – a tri tip steak grilled to perfection and a medley of homemade, farm to table salad dishes. What farm, you ask? Well, it’s the one nestled right within the rolling hills of my friend’s property.

©Linda Nelson 2014

©Linda Nelson 29014

This morning I’m back to reality, albeit refreshed, satisfied and still basking in the glow of my weekend visit to heaven on earth.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Do stay tuned…… you wouldn’t want to miss seeing Wing Cottage in autumn, would you?

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HYDRANGEA PANICULATA UPDATE

July 28, 2014

My post from the past, published back in April, was a simple tutorial on spring pruning Hydrangea paniculata. These are the same hydrangeas today, the flower buds soon to become jumbo sized, white floral cones.

©Linda Nelson 2014

In the lower right corner of the photo you will notice that this plant has no flower buds, a result of my accidentally forgetting to spray deer repellant on time at some point during the summer. It’s all good, though. There are enough buds on the plant to compensate for that.

I look forward to sharing a photo of these gorgeous plants in their glory, and that could be very soon!

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VEGETABLE GARDEN BUD VASES

July 26, 2014

Who says tomato plants aren’t decorative?

Incorporating fruit and vegetables into floral design arrangements is nothing new, be it artichokes, lemons, cabbages, etc…. This post is not about that. It’s about something more humble, rustic and more close to home… as right in your own back yard. Snip from your vegetable garden what you would otherwise not think to use for filling little bud vases. You’ll be delightfully surprised and amused by the smorgasbord of plant material there is to choose from.

One of my carrot plants, pictured above, went to flower. I love the delicate, lacy umbel shaped inflorescence it produces. And, hey, if your bottom half is cute, you might as well show that off, too, right?

Nasturtium leaves remind me of Thumbelina size flat-topped parasols.

Leeks, belonging to the allium (onion and garlic) genus, produce globular blooms that look beautiful long after its petite white florets drop off.

I think sage leaves and dill blooms(another umbel) look lovely together.

The apricot-orange flowers of the zucchini plant, though only lasting for a couple of hours in water, is worth the short lived show.

There you have it, some vegetative inspiration. Now, go snip.

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