Sunday showhouse.......and you're invited!

Posted by Mr Wong at 4:58 AM 0

Happy Sunday! Its Oscar day....love watching the Academy awards and am making a wonderful dinner for the occasion! I am in an "arugula state of mind" hence my menu of  Spaghetti with arugula and lemon, a small flank steak marinated in arugula oil and a fresh baby arugula salad with a spritz of lemon and olive oil. I have made them all before and they are each AMAZING in a simple, fresh kind of way.  Normally we go out on Sunday night but there is no way I am missing a minute of the fun pre shows, watching all the glamorous and sometimes not so glamorous fashions make their grand entrance onto the famed red carpet. I am personally rooting for The Kings speech, such a wonderful film and I am always thrilled when I see a movie "of real substance"  honored and recognized by being given an esteemed award like an Oscar, which I personally think its very deserving of. Just in case you too, are in for the day or just having a lazy morning...you might enjoy this quick run through of open house Sunday. Three entirely different locales...and three very different homes. All so beautiful, each with its own distinct personality. Do you have a favorite? Enjoy your day!





First stop is in Palm Beach,Florida and to this gorgeous Mediterranean..I am normally not a big fan of Mediterranean homes but when done right, they are truly magnificent. Case in point is this fabulous newly constructed home with vistas and views out of this world! I appreciate the attention to detail shown throughout the house from the main hallways and their softly glazed gray walls to the stunning covered porch. The house also has so much natural sunlight.....everything just glows. I think this house does Addison Mizner proud!

Then we are off to Houston, Texas..... an area certainly no stranger to beautiful grand homes. This French inspired home is beautifully done in soft neutrals throughout and though formal it is still very much a family home. Love the lush green foliage and old world feeling that the home, though newer has maintained. It is so important when building a new home to pay close attention to the landscape, the setting and to do ones best to preserve the integrity of the land on which the home is built. I think they did an outstanding job here.

Last we go back to East Coast, to the famous quintessential New England vacation island, none other than wonderful Nantucket ...here is a beautiful understated wood shingle home decorated by Victoria Hagan. Love the crisp, fresh decor...very cohesive, elegant without feeling stuffy and breathtaking at every turn. Definitely the ultimate beach house in my book!

Wow! Those are some beautiful homes indeed. Do you have a favorite? I would have to pick a few spaces from each home to make the ultimate home......each of them are so well done. Enjoy your Sunday, hope its relaxing!

All the Colors of the Rainbow!

Posted by Mr Wong at 5:03 PM 0

Hello everyone,

     How is your weekend going? We did get the snow storm that was predicted so everyone here had some digging out to do today. The annual community tea party that I planned to attend morning had to be postponed as well as many other events. The snow plows are being kept busy this year keeping our Island roads open.

 Anyway, since I was home I did some garden planning and then enjoyed viewing some of my garden photos from previous years. So, I made some collages for you again- I hope I didn't hear you groan!

orange-well, actually peach

Yellow (sort of)

Green

Blue

Violet

While I may be dreaming of spring this is my reality! We have more snow then we have had for several years and I hate to say it, but winter is not over yet- we can still get a lot of snow in March at the rate things are going. There is no frost in the ground though so when it starts to melt it can go fairly quickly.....maybe!
 Now, if you southern bloggers(or European) have flowers blooming in your garden could you please hold off on posting them for awhile yet? It's not easy for me being green(with envy)! Actually, I love seeing your gardens and I know spring will come here sooner or later and you never know what ideas I can steal from seeing yours!
So, do you have a favorite color of the rainbow?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Carolyn

Getting Ready

Posted by Mr Wong at 8:59 PM 0

We have some good friends visiting this weekend.  I usually buy a bouquet of flowers for the guest room.  Today I bought a pot of daffodils instead.

I have had this old copper pot for years.  I love the way it looks with the daffodils.

I couldn't resist buying some flowers for my bedroom too.  For me, roses.

I also added some flowers to my new header - for all of you~after all you are my guests too!!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends.

Welcome Home,

Penny

Garden Pinks

Posted by Mr Wong at 3:48 PM 0

Hello everyone,

    I am still on a garden theme but with a pink twist as I am joining Beverly for Pink Saturday again. So this first photo is the clematis Josephine and the Therese Bugnet rose. I do love roses and clematis together as I am sure you do too.

Therese Bugnet again with a pretty lady statue in the background.

The hardy John Cabot peeking through our fence at the road.

I also love peony and roses together-don't you?

This is the amazing little rose The Fairy-that blooms most of the summer and into fall.

Our pink tree peony in bud.

a collage

Now for some softer garden pinks- a soft pink peony in  pretty pink china.

I am not sure which rose this is but if you look carefully there is a little white spider on it.

A very delicate pink geranium.

another pretty pink rose from our garden.

One thing I know for sure these roses and perennials have lots of snow protection from cold and wind! We have at least 3 feet over almost all parts of the garden.
Now if you love pretty pink things you must visit How Sweet the Sound and enjoy Pink Saturday!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend,

Carolyn/