lulu
In our family, when something is abundant we call it _________ heaven. For the last couple of weeks, peony heaven describes the bounty that has existed in the garden.
These beautiful blooms don’t last long especially if there is rain that weights them down, so I cannot resist cutting a few every day.
In a variety of containers, they are placed on every flat surface in the house
from the kitchen
to the bathrooms.
Their variations amaze me. There are tree peonies the blooms of which remind me of a ballerina’s tutu.
Peonies come in shades of pink ranging from bubblegum pink to luscious fuchsia.
There are whites, some with layered petals reminding of ruffles,
others flat with yellow centers and tinges of pink.
What is sad is that these beauties last for such a short while, but even as they fade and petals drop I see them as works of art.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is the Pink City so called because of the pink painted buildings lining the streets of the old walled city. A highlight here is the fortress/palace of Amber built in the 1500’s.
It sits high on a hillside which means a long walk to the top or opting to take the trek on an elephant.
As with other sites we have visited, the architectural details are magnificent. One can wander for hours taking them all in.
A unique feature of the Amber fortress is the use of mirrors on walls and ceilings. Their glimmering surfaces cast reflections in every direction.
While there is much more to share about Jaipur, let’s move on to Jaisalmer, the Golden City located in the desert near India’s western border with Pakistan. 
Here, too, is a fortress, and unlike others it continues to be inhabited, and its alleyways are alive with activity.
Ornate havelis dating back centuries and once home to wealthy merchants are still intact.
I love the color that changes from place to place
and signs of life that abound.
The main tourist attraction in Jaisalmer is a camel ride in the desert. I have to confess that the experience won’t go down as a highlight of this adventure!
The third J is Jodphur, the Blue City. Blue is said to be the color favored by Lord Shiva as well as a way of identifying property owned by the Brahmins, members of the highest caste. Speaking of caste, I am somewhat confused by the difference between it and class which were the terms used by guides to define social structure.
In Jodphur, as in other places, what strikes me most are sights of people doing everyday things.
I’m taken in by its vibrancy 
displayed in so many ways.
Here and elsewhere I am continually amazed and sometimes frightened by people and vehicles vying for space in what seems to be a most disorderly fashion. While that may seem unusual to me as a visitor, I suspect those who live here see it as nothing more than a way of life. 
My bucket list isn’t long, but at the top for some time has been India. I am fascinated by its colors and textures to say nothing about the textiles and architecture. As if that’s not enough, there’s the food which I expect to be even better than Trader Joe’s Indian entrees!
All you have to do to see that is visit a nursery
where the selection of growing things edible and decorative is overwhelming.
My attempts at gardening so far are mostly trials and even more miscues. What I am striving for is a cutting garden with blooms lasting through the summer and into the fall. While that is possible, there’s lots to learn about what works. Take delphiniums which are beautiful to look at, but they get so top heavy they topple over, especially after a rainfall.
And, that flower around them, which I think is a type of geranium, is the right height, but rather than stand up it spreads all over the place destroying other plants with their weight.
Perhaps the most important lesson is that successful gardening can be done in pots! It is ever so much easier to combine interesting plant materials in pots than to try to balance them in a garden. 
As I continue to learn to create the bigger picture, I’ll not abandon my successes!
From the minute you enter this home, you know that it’s going to be special.
The walls are neutral backdrops for a world of color gathered in Mexico, Cuba and New Mexico.
No piece appears by accident as I happen to know how much thought has been given to each one.
There are interesting collections throughout,
all of which have their special place. Thinking ahead about how to display eliminates the potential for clutter.
Color abounds lending its own energy to every space, 
but it is not used carelessly as the same colors repeat themselves in different ways throughout the house.
There is much to catch the eye be it the accessories 
It goes without saying that the folks who live here are comfortable with color and texture and have used both to their best advantage. There is something to be said about knowing your style and carrying it off successfully.
Several years ago, some walls in the bedroom and study were done with Venetian plaster that blended more than one color. The color chosen for the remaining walls was never right, but since I saw them in the dim light of morning and night I let it go. Not possible after looking at it day after day.
So, the first thing was to choose a new color that would blend a little better. After sampling several grays, the selection was Sherwin Williams Lazy Gray. A new color meant new carpet, darker than the one that had shown every little bit of dirt. How much airier the space seemed with those changes!
The hubby thought that was enough, but no, I wasn’t finished. Every picture was relocated. I don’t know where the botanicals came from, but I found them in a closet. What made them a great choice is the frame which picked up the tones in the piece over the bed.
Art that hung over the fireplace was pleasing, but the frames were mismatched. Again I shopped the house, gathering pieces that not only had matching frames but played off the colors dominating the room. And, note those shelves. All the clutter is gone and what’s there looks like it belongs.
Though the hubby groaned thinking the project was unnecessary, he admitted when all was done that the changes were quite an improvement. That made it all worthwhile, but he’s hoping I don’t have opportunity to obsess over something else in the near future!
Beautiful floral arrangements are works of art, particularly when they are created to meet a challenge such as that demanded by Florescence, an annual themed flower show in Houston. For two days the entries are displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts where huge crowds marvel at the astonishing creativity. 
This is a very formal table with layers of textiles complementing the gold accents on the stemware and china.
Unique features are the unexpected use of orchids on the candlestick
and the fish jumping into bowls filled with iridescent baubles.
As with the first table, a tall arrangement is the focal point. I couldn’t help but think of sitting at either and wanting to move the arrangement to the side.
Two things, the teacup as a container
and a natural leaf secureing the napkin, are features worth remembering.
This table is all about fun and thanks to the clever arrangement I could almost forgive its size as a centerpiece. 
The use of pattern and color is consistent in every detail
right down to the elephants suspended at the layered corners. What sets this table apart is its touches of whimsey.
Here pattern is key,
and the layered textiles define the color palette used in both the flower selection and tableware. 
Overall, this is a simple table made warm and inviting by color and texture. Did you notice that the floral arrangement is on the side?