Introducing… Maurice and Geraldine- my boxwood topiary ducks. Shown below is their before and after pictures. The before picture was taken in the spring of this past year.  The after photo was taken just last week after their late summer trim.

Maurice is a bit sparse in the head and neck due to a teensie bit of winter kill. He lost his head last year and it’s slowly growing back in. Topiary challenges my patience. One must wait and be hopeful, trusting in the plants’ ability to fill in and reach towards the sun. Thankfully I have so many other things vying for my attention that I can just walk away and leave the growing to him.

My family lived in Dallas, TX until I was 4 yrs old. I had a lovely babysitter named Joy and she had two gigantic white ducks in her backyard named… you’ll never guess- Maurice and Geraldine. This is my little homage to them.

Maurice and Geraldine have their own pond that the dogs, Oliver and Gracie, think is their personal water dish. I don’t mind. The rain continually keeps it full. Do you have a Maurice and Geraldine or a Rocco and Henrietta– a favorite pet or animal that needs a presence around your home? Any chance that you have a boxwood or yew that you’d like to experiment with? Why not add a little whimsy to your landscape?

Shown above is a photo of a Korean boxwood that I have been growing right outside the entrance to the studio. I keep asking myself “what does it want to be?”  Strangely I hear “a teapot” but I’m trying to ignore that since I’m really not a teapot kinda gal… not that I don’t like my tea, mind you. I haven’t decided. But I do know that I’m getting ready to sculpt it into something… so stay tuned. What does it say to you? What kind of topiary do you think it wants to be?

For more information on growing boxwood check out the American Boxwood Society.

I HAD to post about these boots. HAD to. Really. My pea green unlovely rubber farm boots sprung a leak last Spring. Curses. In CNY Spring and Fall are the mud season. Rubber boots are a necessity. I kid you not.

I have not thrown out my leaky boots but I did need a watertight alternative. Can you imagine my surprise when I received these kickin’ boots for my birthday from Farmboy and the kiddos. LOVE THEM. Because after all, cowboy boots NEVER go out of style. I can be having a bad hair day, don’t want to get out of bed day but put on some cowboy boots and put on a little attitude. Seriously.

Sometimes I need to wear a bit of attitude out to the garden. Something to remind me and the plants of who is in charge. Rubber gardening cowboy boots = in control. Fuzzy slippers and pajamas = not so much in charge. Wellies… politely in charge and plants will be deadheaded if they speak otherwise.

Are you in need of a boot pick me up… in the barn, in the garden, walking down the street? These little darlings will suit your fancy. And no, I have not been asked to do a review. I just like mine and thought you needed to know. They are available at www.signals.com. Giddy Up!

Michelle

Have you ever been driving at break neck speed and seen a glimpse of something that you immediately know has a purpose in your life, your business, your something? Let me set the stage… 3 nine year old boys in the backseat of the car after a birthday party. One mentions that he is feeling like he is going to throw up… yep. You know that feeling, right? The one that says… “Nooo, please don’t hurl in the car!” Oh shoot, and me without a proper hurl receptacle.*  After a quick stop beside the road, I was a bit anxious to get him home but I promise I was not REALLY traveling at break neck speed… just don’t throw up in the backseat speed.

Zoom. What was that? What was that funky little cart thingy I saw out the corner of my eye as we passed. Hmmm. I’ll have to remember that.

Fast forward a week later as LaLa and I are coming home from the grocery store. “LaLa do you feel like going on an adventure?”  “Sure!” She is always game. I saw something the other day, I can’t remember where… let’s go see if we can find it. “Great!” she says.

So we retrace our tracks and I had almost given up. It’s not there.  LaLa the optimist encourages me that we will find it. I come up with number in my head of what I could offer if it is still there. Last turn back to the village and there it is. Fab.

The owner and I strike up a deal and I am now the proud owner of this funky soon to be flower/display cart. A fabulous find, I must say.

Isn’t it cute? Of course, I’m thinking “French flower cart” to display my wares at the Philly Flower Show 2011 since the theme is Springtime in Paris.

Some toile fabric for the shelves…

I still have some work to do but it’s coming nicely. Can you picture the top stacked with pots and rosemary, myrtle, and angel vine topiaries? Maybe some handcrafted soaps on the bottom shelf, sachets or wine bags in the middle with linen towels hanging on the bar? What fun! Have you had any fabulous finds lately? Do tell!

*If you are ever in a pinch with car sick child and no appropriate receptacle… grab the nearest umbrella and open it slightly. It makes a large sized bowl. Don’t ask me how I know… I just do. : ) Have a fabulous friday!

Michelle

Have you seen my fun little Halloween designs? They are not exactly spooky but they do bring the smile factor. I love the saying with the Bewitched Garden Angel… trick or tree?

and last but not least, this year’s design…

All of the designs shown below are available on greeting cards, linen guest towels, linen cocktail napkins, lavender sachets and 5 x 7 giclee prints. Click here to order! Which one is your favorite?

But, of course! I have just completed an order of notecards, linen guest towels, sachets and beautiful pillows for the Newport Restoration Foundation featuring what else but three topiary camels.  I am very fortunate to be able to work with some wonderful organizations like the Restoration Foundation.

I was approached to do a design featuring the topiary camels (shown at top) on Doris Duke’s estate Rough Point in Newport, Rhode Island. The topiaries appear to be iron frames planted with soil, moss and various succulents.  They are replanted annually and “dressed” according to the theme of the awards presentation at Rough Point. They have even been known to wear pearls!

Shown above is a completed pillow and the coordinating notecards available for purchase through the Restoration Foundation. The accompanying information provided by the organization reads: The purchase of the items mentioned above will support preservation efforts organized by grants through the Newport Restoration Foundation in Newport, R.I. Along with funds raised at the annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards celebration, this income assists community renewal projects such as brick and mortar restorations, garden revitalizations and planning seminars. Ms Duke’s adored camels, which lived at Rough Point, her home in Newport, have been reproduced in topiary form on the property. Each year they are appropriately accessorized for the awards presentation at Rough Point.

For more information on the Newport Restoration Foundation founded by Doris Duke please visit their website newportrestoration.org

Yesterday I made the most fantastic salsa with fresh tomatoes and peppers from the garden. It will light your fire. I LOVE spicy food and this recipe is a keeper. I was running low on jalapenos so I chopped up and threw in a few green cayenne peppers with the seeds. Yowza! Sha-Zam! The seeds are where the heat comes in so adjust accordingly for your taste. And don’t rub your eyes while you are chopping your peppers if you don’t wear gloves like me! See important note below.

• 8 Beefsteak type vine ripened tomatoes
• 1 Jalapeno peppers chopped fine- add seeds for heat
• 1 green cayenne pepper chopped fine
• 1 large onion chopped fine
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• splash of red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• salt and pepper to taste.

Peel, seed and chop tomatoes. Add the rest of the ingredients and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Grab some corn chips and hang on to your hat!

If you accidently get oil from the peppers in your eyes or heaven forbid your nose…give yourself a yogurt facial. Seriously! I have rubbed it in my eyes before and it was the ONLY thing that worked. Farmboy had to do an emergency search online because I couldn’t open my eyes to see the computer. Moral of the story… don’t chop peppers and inadvertenly get distracted on the phone. You COULD just do what you are supposed to and wear gloves. But tell me, do YOU have latex gloves in your kitchen?

I do love dogs… and furniture! Can you tell? I could be getting a teensy bit carried away. My latest cutie-pie model is Stella a Boston Terrier. Doesn’t she look perfectly at home on this French style topiary chaise? She is the little Darling of my lovely and talented friend- artist/designer Shelly Kennedy of Drooz Studio. Have you seen Shelly’s work? Shown below is one of her canvas wall hangings. Delightful, Whimsical, Painterly… Love It! Be sure to check out her website- you too will adore her artwork!

The Boston Terrier design will soon be available at michellemasters.com in limited edition giclee prints, pillows, linen guest towels, lavender sachets, cocktail napkins and notecards. What a nice little gift for someone you know who has one! Justsayin… ; )