Perfection Stands Before Me: The Lilies.

Today I share the photos of my most prized garden possessions!  The Lilies.
Ever since I can remember, I have always loved these flowers-

They are stately, strong, perfumed, heavy, nostalgic, passionate, and graceful.

My lily garden is going to be in full grandeur this summer- as I have added some new strains to the mix!
I cannot wait to photograph them all season long as they travel from young to old in just 3 months!

Golden Splendor

This yellow beauty reaches the sky at 7ft tall and carries countless blooms that gently bow their heads to the ground as they open.  Like a gentle nod of the head in recognition of a roaring applause.

Holland Beauty

Holland Beauty is one of my most anticipated blooms!  A dark hue of burgundy adds lots of drama to the garden's bright canvas.  She also carries an abundance of blooms that bow their heavy heads to the earth.  A spicy smell.






                                                                  

Salmon Star

Little Salmon Star is an eye-catcher!  In a color we normally do not see from the Lilium class, this pinky- orange almost glows alongside the others.  This is a small plant that holds very big blooms- giving this guy a tuft of color in the garden's foreground!  Charming.

Tiger Lily

The old fashioned Tiger Lily is an heirloom that is very dear to my heart.  My Grandmother's garden was spotted with these antique blooms every summer.  They are among some of the tallest in their class to reach 8 ft after a few seasons!  And their backward facing petals are heavily freckled and super intriguing!

Conca D'Or

This extremely heavy lily is a showstopper!  The soft butter-cream coloring, mixed with the spicy-sweet fragrance stops you in your tracks as you pass by.  It stands as tall as I do and blooms slowly for about one month!  This lily kicks ass!  A True Queen.

Lake Carey

No lily comes in a brighter shade of Barbie pink than this one!  It is so loud and fun in the garden.  It is on a smaller stem so having her shine in the foreground is a must.  The sweet perfume of this lily is intoxicating!

Casablanca

Everybody knows of the Casablanca Lily!  The true white lily.  Fit for a Princess.  A sense of nostalgia drifts over these beauties as they bloom...for this is the flower many florists use for weddings and funerals--and I have personally used them in much of my own work!

African Queen

The African Queen is a Trumpet lily which grows to be 6-7 ft tall!  Standing beside them, you have to lift your eyes into their downward-facing trumpets in order to witness their beauty as they tower over your head.  This is one of the only orange trumpet lilies available in the market today-  so she is a special gem in the garden.

Shocking

The Shocking Lily is just that: Shocking!  Like flames blaring over the sun's molten surface, this lily is Hot!  A real display of drama and intensity.  This lily also has a slight glare to its petals when in full bloom- it almost appears to be artificial!  Also a highly fragrant flower.

Leichtlini Lily

Another favorite heirloom lily of mine is the Leichtlini Lily...a close relative of the orange Tiger Lily.  With the same growth habits and flower formation as the Tiger lily, this strain is as bright yellow as any flower comes!  I love the way these lean and sway with the summer's wind- almost like sailboats on a choppy shore.

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The Lily Garden is a very special addition to my own cottage-inspired garden.  These flowers come and go so quickly but for their reigning-time, they are the focus of the entire back yard.  With over 17 different varieties, this garden will be highly perfumed and very dramatic during the months of summer.

I like it when something stops me dead in my tracks.  Lilies do that.  They stop me in my tracks.  And I ponder on their Beauty for a moment.

And in that moment, Perfection stands before me.   

Time For Your Table Makeover!

Spring is Arriving, People!

Yay!  This is always such a great time of the season for me!  The time when the sun travels across the sky on a different arch and floods all the rooms in the home with much-needed light!  When the sun's glow hits the dining room especially, I get excited--it means Spring is just around the corner.  And, like the groundhog seeing (or not seeing) his shadow, this room tells me when to gear up for the real seasonal change we are all looking forward to.

In Celebration of Spring's arrival, it is crucial to create a centerpiece on the dining room table that promotes this great shift in season.  Our dining room is the central room of the home; therefore, I must set the tone for the season carefully!

As described before, this room is all about light, water, and air.  What better way to bring these elements to life than with the addition of plants and glass?  Do I hear "Terrarium", anyone!?

I've gotta get rid of all this crystal (which was a great post-Winter look)

and shift subtly into my new season:  Early-Spring!

Any time we shift from season to season, find the 'seasons in-between' the seasons

to allow for a more expansive range of stories to tell!  

Yes- we have Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.

But we actually experience Winter, Late Winter, Early Spring, Spring...you get the picture...

This gives us so many more reasons to change and move and to refocus our ideas.  Our homes appreciate a good face lift every now and again!

Let's Get Started!

 First, I know I'm using glass as the through-line in this project.

Now I need to find the perfect containers

 in the right numbers for the tablescape.

Here, I have an apothecary jar for the middle
and four humble vases for the sides.

Next, what would this project be without these perfect little plantlets?!

I have made sure to chose plants that will thrive in the bright, indirect lighting of the room.

Now The Fun Begins!!!

Okay, so I've formed a concept...and my containers and plants are chosen.  Now I move into the workspace downstairs to create this refreshing little storyline!

 Because we are planting in glass, it is important to use the highest quality soil 

with lots of organic substance to allow for optimal root growth and airflow.

Remember, there is no drainage in these glass vases- we have to be careful.

 Find some neat stones or pepples to use for a drain basin to allow the excess water a 

plane to settle on (which keeps our soil from becoming water-logged).

 On the left, I show the first layer of stones being added as our water-basin.

And on the right, I begin to layer my vase with soil and stone.

This is the part you can get really creative with!  Use whatever you like for layering!

Note: It is very important to never pack the soil in as you layer.  It must remain fluffy and light.

Dense, tight soil does not allow the forming baby roots to travel and the plant will suffocate.

Time to Add the Plants!

Place the plants in softly.  And don't plant too tightly!

I have also decided to top the design off with a layer of stones

at the crown of the plants.  This is purely aesthetic.  Moss would be lovely too.

Since I am using stone previously, I will finish with stone.

And you're Done!!!

They look Great!

My Only Warning!:

As you get ready to take these to the sink for cleaning and watering, be very aware of how much water we are letting into the soil.  This is where we can set ourselves up for total failure.  I try not to get any water in the container at all while I'm cleaning the vases' surfaces.  And when I'm ready to 'water these in', I add only 1/2 cup of water to the container.  This sounds like nothing when we compare it to the water our other houseplants take in...but because we have no drainage and barely any airflow in the glass, this water is enough to last the plant nearly a month!  

* Do not over-do it; you will have to start all over if the soil ever gets drenched.  I've learnded the hard way many times.  Water-logged soil will never be able to dry in this application.

  Let's put 'em to the Test!!!

 I love placing them equidistant from one another to really add length to the table. 

But grouping them and clustering them with varying sizes would be fun too!

And what's nice is: my white linen table cloth will never have to suffer the consequences

of having live plants on it's surface!  No water will ever stain this table!

 Now Add the Final Flare!

 I love these new plant-filled vases on my table! 

And the piece in the middle (a true terrarium)
adds a special detail that sets the story's pace.

Now I've got a Spring Flavor in the house that tosses Winter on its Ass.

After all, this is the beginning of a very intense and physical season for me- Summer-

So I like to ease into it however I can!

Cheers!

The Incredible Gift of Flora--

Welcome to our Garden!

This is where magic happens for roughly 7 hours each and every day during the long days of summer.  I can never spend only a few minutes out here...for the garden gives me breath and soul.  I give life to the plants which thank me in return with their magnificent display of blooms everyday.

It is a complete Celebration of growth and health in its finest!  There is a sense of ease and grace that falls over me when I play with such Beauty.  The garden will forever be a intricate part of my recovery and my spirituality.

 The backdoor hardly becomes visible as we exit the strict confines of the home and enter the little oasis.

I have started everything in this picture by seed or bulb during the first season (last Spring).  We moved into the home just 2 months before this photo was taken- and what I had to work with upon move-in was literally grass and brush.  No garden space at all.  It has consumed 90% of my free time to create the canvas for my beauties to grow.

 

 Now the garden leading from the back walls erupts with flavor, color, and texture.  I've used tropical foliage as well as regional growers here for all-season drama.  My Canna lilies (the broad green foliage near the door) are some of my favorite statements in the garden.  I wanted this space to be as much about leaf texture and variety as I did the color.  Blooms actually take a back seat to foliage in my garden.

Like a ladder, the foliage and blooms stumble forward into the foreground.  Castor Bean and Tithonia as the backdrop...and Nasturtium, Marigold, and Crassula as the border.  This blanket surrounding the home was a lot of work to knit...but so very worth my Love and Time.

 Subtle curves surround the entire backyard from this main garden here.  Banana, Canna, and Castor Bean give me the texture I need...and Dahlia, Marigold, and Madevilla give the accent of color I need to complete the story.  My dog, Diezel, has also added a touch of his own by peeing right on the clearing of grass off the concrete stoop.  I love the brown patches of dead-ass grass.  A nice touch.  Thanks Diezel!

 The back gate opens into a land where Life is thriving.  As the summer months continued, this little gate door became less and less functional!  Story of my life!!!

 As with the home, I really love the small details that make a space 'speak' to the guests...and to me, for that matter!  Mary on the left stands infront of a lovely old door we found at a garage sale and peers into her garden as if to lift the spirits of the blooms out of the ground with her mournful tears.

And on the right, I have added small elements such as brass butterflies and a Baroque-style mirror to create a sense of the 'story-book' fantasy.  The pink metallic globe is reminiscent of the crystal ball we recall from so many of our childhood classics.  And the wagon struts around a couple of baskets filled with Impatiens.  It is clear in some of my work that my childhood is still very present.  Very Visceral.

 My Mandevilla Warrior (left) and my perfectly colored Cosmos (right). 

One of my favorite flowers to grow for their ease and intense coloring all season long is the Zinnia.  It is an old flower dating waaaaay back into the gardens of so many of our ancestors and still manages to create the conversation in this garden!  They are charming, robust, and great for cutting!

 Above is a relatively new Zinnia strain called Cactus Zinnia.  Huge flowers and very long lasting bloom period.  They bloom in all shades of the rainbow and stand as tall as I am...nearly 6 ft!

The Diablo Cosmo

The Zinnia

 Some of these blooms have such striking structure; such as the Yellow Dahlia and the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea).  These blooms are nearly everlasting and create such a statement in the summer garden.  I have paired my Echinacea with White Angelonia to break up the powerful structure of the blooms and the color.

My Beloved Zinnia Garden.

In all the ways Mother Nature gives to us...it is nice to give back when we are able to.  The garden not only becomes my safe place to create and meditate every day and night...but it is also my gift to the Powers Greater than Me.  I spend all my better-Being on creating this Beauty for the Forces that make my life so wonderful today.

It is my Gift.  And my Duty.

And I love my Garden.

Into this Ethereal Light I Travel.

The Light in this home is Alive.

Shadows fall onto unsuspecting territory and illusions of this dreamy realm come to life.  The darkness that disappears beyond the illumination is surreal.  We see no finish.  We see no end.  All we see is what the flame allows us to see in that very moment.

It is pure.  And it is fleeting.

The Beauty in the heart is brought to life as the shadows flutter in the still air.

I stare into this silence and witness the spirit within these walls.
Weightlessness comes over me.

I find this Presence in the room to be awakened at the soft sounds of my thoughts as they whirl into the air like leaves in the fall breeze.

I sit still.  I listen.  I sit still and I watch.

This home breathes with life.  It lives with light.  And this Light is eternal.

I stay in its Glory and I feel Alive.


...And the things around me begin to tell their story. 

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...All She Ever Wanted Was to be Loved.

Peering over the flame, her eyes are intense and ridged.  She stares into the distant darkness and waits.  She waits for her heart to stop pounding into the ground.  She waits for ease.  She wants to catch her abandoning breath again before it is too late.

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Forever

Staring into the heart, she senses a loss.
Her loss is visceral.  It is ages old.

And it is eating her alive.

She cannot speak of the emotions ripping at her soul.
But she sends them into the Heavens.

And she, too, waits.

Waits for ease.


Perhaps Forever.

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They cannot seem to find one another, no matter how closely they look.  

They just can't find the other.  

Looking straight ahead, they hope to bump into each other...someday.  

They can sense it.

Those we surround ourselves with everyday 

may always be searching for us...

and never, ever know we are only a turn-of-the-head away.

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This stillness in this glow allows my mind a place to breath and to regenerate.

It is my hour of strength.

I ponder my life.  My sobriety.  All the people I've known.
I wonder if things would be different had I only changed before this disease threatened every part of my being.  Would I be affected?
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The light in this home allows my mind the freedom to travel through these pages of my story.  My Beauty.  It gives life to the energy behind my thinking head- much like it does to the dancing shadows on the walls.

And from within its darkness-
The liveliest of life still thrives.

Within the glass walls of my heart, I preserve and protect my inner-most feelings as if keeping a precious secret for as long as I can...

But soon, the living and breathing feeling becomes too vigorous for the glass it is encased in and needs to be let free.

The glass will break and the heart will breathe again.

And the Sorrows of the past can be Illuminated 

and Forever swept into the Sun.

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Dance with me- You stories of my past.

Take my hand and flicker across these walls in the deep dimness of my mind.

For it is within your Presence I become Whole again.

For it is within your Presence, your Light, 

I Live.

Again.

These Moments in Time.

The story of my youth was told.  The story that is now quite public but has remained hidden for so many years.  The reality behind my growth in recovery is that I am getting back to Murphy, the child, and teaching him the ways in which to think, act, and behave...as if all over again.  Though sobriety has given me, at least, a regular schedule and a clean slate...it has certainly been a journey for my whirling emotions and ways of thinking.  Push forward and do so with 'goodness' in heart and in mind.  As long as I am doing the best that I can Today- I am in wonderful shape.  In all honesty- these two years have been all about doing better than the day before.  That is roughly 750 days of continually doing better than the previous day.  It is work.  It is painful.  It is Lovely.  It is Life.  I remember day One of my sobriety on January 23rd, 2010.  I was incredibly scared, alone, and horribly ill.  I was at the bottom, after all...like a body pushed to the side of the wintery streets; barely breathing.  Today- I am Strong and Grateful.  I love my life.  I love my Beauty.  And I have people in my world who care about my growth everyday.

Today, I share special areas throughout the home that give me the happiness I seek.  Everyday I wake in the morning to a new and less challenging day- which is a reason to celebrate Beauty!  I call these my 'Moments-in-Time' and they are my peace and my comfort.  These 'Moments-in-Time' are not unlike the moments I was to create as a sickened little boy; the differing factor today is that these moments are a Celebration of Beauty...and not a Desperate Cry to Beauty.

Set The Scene!
These photos are of small 'vignettes' throughout the home that are used as displays...setting the scene for the overall tone of the room or space.  We have developed a strong liking for the withered, wilted, and weathered pieces...therefore 'setting the tone' is very important as to give them a space to shine in the appropriate manner.  

Dress Form from France Costume Shop.  Vintage crystal and pearl necklace and broach.

An old door and broken thatched chair provide the backdrop for this incredible antique from France.  This corner sets the energy for the whole room and is the base of the story-line for the whole house.

Mother Mary. 

Clashing wood-tones and old brass lanterns give this statue a place to reside.  Because it is in a stagnant corner, the candles burn with such stillness- almost as in a sanctuary.  Calm.  Peace.  Beauty.

Weathered Wood Relics.  Window, Birdcage, and Child's Toy Sleigh.

This wall is an accent to the over-all theme throughout.  We use old windows everywhere as to create the illusion that the space is bigger than it is...and the other pieces give illumination to the idea of being outdoors.

Think Gardens.

I use this area to 'inspire' and 'excite' our guests as well as ourselves.  The book on the white chair becomes a noticed piece of the puzzle suggesting a particular idea or inspiration- in this case: Gardening!  A small terrarium finishes the thought as it stands for display on a complimenting white stool.  And there's always a reason to add a scary head to any vignette!

The Decaying Dolls.

The dolls of the early Century grace the mantle as a conversation piece in the home.  They stand in front of an old storm window and provide the room with an eerie essence that you're being watched.  And because so much of this space is used to 'tell the story', these dolls become a valuable tool in the machine.  The three on the left side belong to my late Grandma Bobby (mentioned in my previous story) so they are forever priceless.  The others are also special.  A gift and a find.  At night, they seem to have life from within the glowing candles and lamps.

The Old Potting Shed.

This awkward corner in the house is utilized by making the best of a high-traffic area.  Antique tools and Butter Churning urns allow me to tell this story.  The photos of the dilapidated home alongside the tools are very reminiscent of the old shed concept I am trying to create.  These little sapling trees give me the final touch to the illusion.  They are artificial saplings given to me from a dear friend and they look as if they are really sprouting in these purposefully over-sized jugs!

The Tablescape
Here, the table surfaces aren't only functional, they are telling.  I like to present certain ideas and inspirations on my tables and desks...to complete the tone of the space.

Beauty and Grace.

The Ballet painting, along with the photo of my Grandmother and an old Pitcher and Basin give me the finishing touches to this room.  There is beauty in age and age in Beauty.  All the color tones here are soft and serene as to suggest a heavenly place...for my Grandma.  She overlooks the space and is sitting in the very midst of Beauty which she, herself, would have created in her own home.

Crystal and Dining.

Because the dining room is so bright and filled with light and movement, I like to showcase my glass and crystal here.  The mirrors and glass, along with the aquarium (not seen in photo) provide the essence of 'air' and 'water' which makes dining and visiting with friends and family very open and free.  And among candlelight, there is nothing prettier than polished crystal!  The green and blue colors support the idea of being with water and air...and begins to draw your imagination outside...in the garden- which is an underlying theme of the whole home.

The Small Details Matter!
In the midst of all of this 'scene-setting' it is crucial to support the theme with pieces that energize the story.  Purposeful and noticed items that tie up the ends. 

Swarovski Crystal star

This Crystal Star shines beautifully in the dim light of the space.  Because most of the tones in the home are of antique quality, this crystal really adds a sparkle to the overall picture I am creating.  Almost like a drop of water from out of nowhere.  And your eye is surprised.

The Hobo.

Silly and fun, this porcelain Hobo doll hangs eerily from a ceiling corner to provide a small surprise and an essence of play in an otherwise serious space.  His somber tones still fit the through-line, however.

The Jekyll Brothers.

These three linen dolls stand authoritatively on a table overlooking the space.  They were totally clothed and had hair and bonnets...but I dismantled them totally to give them an 'other-wordly' energy.  They, too, tell the story of the home and allow for our eyes to settle on them and think for a moment.

Wilber in the Stall.

An old latter accompanies this concrete statue in our staircase nicely...as to suggest Charlotte's Web.  We are brought back to the outdoors with this little scene which has remained constant throughout.  He is a great way to add a sense of our childhood back into the story!

Irene.

This cloth and cotton doll was beautifully created for me by my brother's wife.  She has hand-sewn Irene with love and dedication- for she knows Irene would be a perfect fit for this home!  Equipped with crystal earings and old, ratty hair, Irene is a staple in the room.  Thanks Casie!

Music's Ghost.

I used to play the French Horn very seriously all the way through high school and gave up wonderful opportunities to pursue music as I approached the onset of my alcoholism.  I hold nostalgia and honor with the French Horn- and what better way to show the emotions whirling inside my head than with a ghostly doll standing alongside this sculpture of the instrument?

And Don't Forget the Drama!
Much like the little boy inside still creating drama and chaos in order to escape reality...I have created this canopy over our staircase.  It is a series of branches lit with Christmas lights and dripping with lovely glass ornaments and a vigorous vine.  Though I am no longer escaping my reality, I do love to play in the same manner I did when I was first learning about Beauty.  And besides, what else am I to put in a vast, empty stairwell anyway?!  ...exactly.

The Enchanted Stairwell.

These Moments-in-Time make me smile and they make me whole.  Though these spaces are always changing and telling new stories, they stand for the person I am Today.  These moments give this home a personality and a life that, in turn, gives me the same.