Welcome to Cottage in the Court

#allthingsbeautiful

Inner Gardening with Black Panther

By 2 Comments

A Red Carpet event after viewing the Black Panther was awesome. I ran into old friends and made new acquaintances. Delicious food, awesome vendors and an opportunity to have great conversation about the movie.

Long overdue, the movie ” Black Panther” was a delight to see. Recalling the tidbit of a preview shared at Blogalicious last year, I knew I wanted to see this movie. What I did not realize at the time, was how much the messaging would resonate to the world as we know it today.

It was refreshing to have a VIP event from a notable organization – Sisters4Sisters sponsor an after party for a purpose. The purpose was to send their group of girls S4S Daughter’s of Destiny to camp this summer.

I eat, breathe and sleep gardening. Seeing the beautiful land called Wakanda simply took my breath away. Fiction can always make mediocre things look phenomenal. Wakanda, however was not mediocre at all. It was a self-sustaining community that had not been colonized. Considered a small, backwards farming community, Wakanda was not on the radar of the outside world. This was the blessing that sustained its beauty. From the lush forests, mountains, magnificent waterfalls and beautiful people, Wakanda was naturally a beautiful land. The rituals that took place in the water to the beautiful heart-shaped plants, Wakanda was genuinely a place to dream about.

When Erik Killmonger became a force to be reckoned with, one of the first things he did was destroy life. Erik ordered the destruction of the heart-shaped plants that caressed

the vibranium. This heart-shaped plant was a herb that when properly prepared, allowed only those of royal blood to partake. Drinking this herbal concoction, allowed the person to transition and get advice from the ancestors who had passed on. It also provided strength to the recipient for the return journey back to earth.

In today’s world, as development razes older communities or breaks new ground, one of the first acts is removal of vegetation. Stripping the gifts of Mother Nature, to start with a clean slate. Is it replaced? Minimally, in most cases. The symbolism of this act in the Black Panther movie has stuck with me. When change presents itself, why is it easier to get rid of the unfamiliar?

What about integrating the old into new concepts? I could easily compare this to preparing pots for a new season. Should we dump all of the soil out and start with nothing ? Is it possible to mix in a little fresh soil to enhance the old? Is the old soil totally lifeless…or can it be revived?

All of the imagery was not positive. Just like in the garden, if you leave behind diseased foliage, it will cause problems in the garden. Killmonger was left behind by his uncle, which led him to feel unloved and unwanted. We must stop leaving behind things to haunt our existence as we plant seeds of positivity in our life gardens. Usually there is a way, preferably organic, to address and catch negativity before it becomes a problem.

There was other messaging such as the ability for this community to thrive, without outside influence. There were beautiful fabrics, wonderful market scenes and honestly, the people appeared to be happy.

There was even the opportunity to have a make up artist decorate your face in authentic markings of strong female warriors.

The messaging in the Black Panther movie was subliminal, but caught up with the viewer after the show. The conversations about the Black Panther will continue for some time.

I had to pull out my black and  authentic fabric with the triangles carefully placed. After all, the messaging was key. On this night, I was Royalty.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and I will see it again. I must say, it was quite refreshing to see a movie depicting Africa Americans with a positive ending and a willingness to share. We can create our own version of Wakanda by planting seeds of love, knowledge, prosperity, and by making sure that no one is left behind as we pursue success in this world.

Wakanda Forever…if only in my dreams…

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Le Primitif – Featured Art at MANTS

By Leave a Comment

Le Primitif offers unique art for the garden. My inner garden loves the birds in the tree…

Le Primitif is an unexpected pleasure each year at MANTS – The Mid Atlantic Nursery Trade Show. MANTS is an event which takes place every January in Baltimore, Maryland. For those who work in horticulture, MANTS is  THE networking event that starts the seasonal garden party. Vendors come from near and far to reconnect with old friends, make new friends and share what’s new. It truly is like a grand family reunion.

I have visited MANTS for the past 20 years and each year, I rekindle friendships and make new friends.  There is one old friend that I reconnect with every time year. Amidst the plant plugs, tractors, mechanized watering systems, there is my friend David McCabe, Owner of Le Primitif Galleries. Le Primitive Galleries offers Recycled Oil Drum Sculpture in all shapes, sizes, signed, unsigned, painted or in its natural state.

I first became familiar with David while working in Fredericksburg, VA. One of the best winter activities was heading to Baltimore to attend this wonderful trade show. Tucked away in the front corner was a booth that featured art. The raw form of this hammered steel was quite appealing. I admire Haitian art when I visit galleries in DC and New York. I had to hear this man’s story.

David became familiar with the Haitian community in his travels and fell in love with this art form.  One of the first blacksmiths who made this technique popular was Georges Liataud. Intrigued by the natural beauty of this art, David realized that each piece had a story to tell.

Le Primitif Girl On A Bike…This spoke to the freedom of life to me….and the time to garden.

Steel drums are in abundance in Haiti. Reusing them as art was a creative way to secure income to local artisans. To create this art, steel drums are flattened and stories in the form of art are drawn. Each piece is cut out by hammer and chisel finishing a story in the form of art. Proud of their work, each piece carries the artist’s signature. Le Primitif artists each have a unique story which makes each piece special.

My first pieces of Haitian art that have made Le Primitif an integral part of my garden.

The first few pieces I purchased for my garden. The style and whimsical stance of these ladies spoke to me. Their dance spoke to the spirit of my personality as well as my garden. Each year I visit MANTS, I make sure to visit with David. A simple “Hello” just to say hi and to see what I need for my collection.

Over the year’s, I have acquired more pieces from Le Primitif and not just for my garden.

Le Primitif has many different ways to enjoy the beauty of trees and birds.

Each of the pieces that I have purchased from Le Primitif has held up extremely well in my garden with no care at all. The bronzed patina that comes with weather changes has only made my original pieces more beautiful.

Le Primitif had this one just for me. I will place this beside my door that leads to my garden.

MANTS has continually given me the gift of connecting with Le Primitif every year.

Here is a link to see what else can be found at Le Primitif Galleries

Click MANTS to find out more about the Mid Atlantic Nursery Trade Show.

 

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Dad, My Favorite Gardener

By 3 Comments

Dad, My Favorite Gardener. How many people can call their favorite gardener, Dad? A gardener in so many ways, he was more than just your average guy. Dad was a man who was thoughtful, firmly kind and always desired that we be the best we could be in whatever we chose to be.

I never ceased to stop taking pictures of him, of us. I realized that was a way of capturing a moment in time.

Dad wanted me to “be a lady” so he reinforced the seeds of genteelness that my Mom sowed into my life. When he was fertilizing the hydrangeas to change the color or pruning the roses, I had to stand back and listen – instead of helping. Dad said “This is not something a Lady should do. You can water when I am done.” I was not amused, to say the least. In my mind, I just knew that one day, I would be fertilizing and pruning in my own garden. One day I would know more. I would understand the techniques and the dynamics behind it. I was expected to be good at whatever I chose to do.

My Mom would say, “Take Care of your Father when I am gone” and we did. Afterall, we honored Our Mom (our parents)  and would not think of letting her (them) down.

The original plants who sowed a seed which created a landscape gardener turned garden writer called Me.

Dad was a Minister as well as a teacher, and definitely lived what he preached. Sowing seeds of wisdom and his knowledge of the Bible enhanced the lives of many he met along his life journey. In Churches from DC to Maryland, Dad sowed words that continue to linger in the heart and souls of many who knew him. Among his words to us, “Give me my flowers while I can enjoy them”….and that we did. From Orchids to Freesia to mixed bouquets, there was almost never a time when we did not shower my Dad with flowers to enjoy no matter the season.

“Give me my flowers while I can enjoy them” Dad would say. So we did as often as possible.

Dad’s birthday was like a National holiday to us. Everything just stopped in our world. Proud to be a Navy Seabee, we made certain that his birthday cake reflected this achievement. Anything to make him feel and know how special WE felt to have him in our lives. To be able to call him Dad was a privilege.

We celebrated him like he was King of It All…and to us he was.

It has been officially a year. As we have spent this year closing down my parent’s house and preparing it for sale, I have realized so many things. Reflecting on time spent while tending his garden, I am more like him than I ever knew.

Dad’s tools are now mine. From the pictures, sketches, and projects he was so proud of, his Tithonia seeds, garden notes, and Mantis tiller are now all mine. While digging up some of the plants, reseeding the lawn, raking up the leaves and sharing the mums he left behind, I realized I had been quiet. I was not writing, nor was I doing or being the best that I could be. I had been feeling kind of lost without my Dad, especially as Autumn neared.

Autumn was the perfect time to shop for more Mums or sit outside in the carport and reflect on the season’s successes and failures. That conversation did not happen this year. There was no longer a way to deny the void was real. In year’s past, after every MANTS, every Flower Show, after every garden journey, I rushed over to see my Dad. I had to share what was new and exciting. Listening eagerly, he would adorn his head with whatever garden related baseball cap I brought him.

In turn, he shared with me what was going to be planted in the pots along the front for the year. Always sharing what he was going to order, he pulled from the stacks of catalogs in his “Garden Office”. His “Garden Office” was the chair beside “his” chair in the kitchen. Starting in early December, the “Garden Office” was filled with the sticky note, page folded catalogs. Easily accessible, right next to his Bible and his blood pressure monitor, Dad was always eager to show me something new.

I miss my parent’s. My Mom, my favorite seamstress and I miss my favorite gardener, my Dad. Life goes on and I must continue to honor them by being the best I can be. To be given the gift of working with my hands has been the best gift ever!

Today I honor my Dad…RIP (I know you are both watching!)

Gone but never forgotten, my Dad, my Garden Buddy, My Best friend…..

 

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

My Favorite Things for Gifting

By Leave a Comment

Each of us has favorite things. As we approach the holiday season, I would like to share a few of my favorite things for gifts.  Two items, in particular, are sure to please gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

I used this favorite item earlier this year. While attending The Garden Writer’s Conference in Buffalo, New York, I had no problem staying charged up. Needing a charger that was priced right, had adequate charging power, was quick charging and portable, I checked out Amazon.  Amazon helped me find this wonderful charger from iclever. What a lifesaver this little item has been on more than one occasion. It came with a wonderful pouch to protect the elegant exterior.

I can charge two items at one time – my phone and my Kindle Fire. I was even at a blogging conference and was able to charge my phone and allow a friend to charge her phone at the same time!! Who would not want a gift like this??

The subtle blue lights to let you know that your favorite item is charging. I pulled this out after not using it for a few weeks. It was still fully charged!

The charging notification lights are not glaring…they are reassuring!

The added bonus is the emergency flashlight. Great for those moments when you just want to keep reading or finding the right way to plug your charger cord.

I must say this is a gift that I would want if I had not gifted it to myself. Definitely, something to consider if you are taking a lot of photos of the garden, vacations or recording presentations. I love my iclever portable power bank. Someone on your list would love it as a stocking stuffer as well!

My next favorite thing is called the Bella Fitness Tracker. I am interested in making sure I get my daily steps in, get ample rest and aware of my stress levels. I also need “cute”. The Bella Fitness Tracker gives me all of this and more. I first purchased the Bella Leaf. I have worn it on my wrist, clipped to my shirt and once clipped to the waistband of my pants. Lately, I have worn it as a necklace – even while working out in my Tiara.

My Bella Leaf as a necklace while exercising with the Go Red Team at Blogalicious9. It captured my steps over 12k per day!!

While it does not come with a Crown, the Bella Leaf or urban is available in bundle form with a necklace or a leather double-wrap wristband.

I have two clips, 2 necklaces (1 silver and 1 rose gold) and 2 double-wrap wristbands (1 beige and one anthracite), as well as a tool for changing the battery.

A few of the highlights the Bella focuses on are activity levels, sleep patterns, stress levels, and a gentle alarm to remind you to get up and get moving. Getting better all the time the Urban also offers reproductive health monitoring and water resistance. Did I mention there is no need to worry about nightly charging? The battery lasts for 6 months and you can synch the Bella wirelessly to your favorite device.

I have a few other items to suggest for this holiday season or anytime. Monitoring how we are recharging our bodies,  is so very important. Equally important is how equipped we are to stay charged up on our devices.

Hopefully, this will jumpstart some ideas for quick gifting!

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Beatrix Farrand, Landscape Gardener

By 2 Comments

Beatrix Farrand, Landscape Gardener, and well-known Landscape Architect is a woman who has certainly left her mark on many landscapes around the country. If you admire Dumbarton Oaks, Beatrix designed this very special estate garden for the Bliss Family. This is a woman in landscape architecture that deserves to have her story told.

Beatrix Farrand, a truly unique visionary who forged her own path in Landscape Design

Karyl Evans took the time to actually document this story from Maine to California. Using interviews and footage of over 50 remaining gardens that Beatrix Farrand designed, we have a great story of her life. Beatrix started as a Landscape Gardener and by the end of her life, had become a highly respected Landscape Architect.

As an avid admirer of Beatrix Farrand, I had to seize the moment and attend this showing at Greenspring Gardens in Virginia. Karyl takes the viewer on a trip that gives us insight on how passionate Beatrix was for plant material and design. Beatrix Farrand’s finished landscapes had lots of color, form, heights, and texture.

Karyl Evans speaking to the attendees of her film on Beatrix Farrand at Greenspring Gardens, Virginia.

Karyl Evans placed us in the midst of some of the finest gardens that have survived the test of time. A documentary film has never existed about Beatrix Farrand. A six-time award-winning documentarian, Karyl has captured the story of a young woman who initially grew up in a well to do family. Beatrix Jones father was a well to do industrialist and her Mother was a Social Worker. The marriage was an unhappy one and unfortunately, her parents divorced. Beatrix had to figure out how to make a living to help support herself and her mother.

Employed by her Aunt Edith Wharton and mentored by Dr. Charles Sprague Sargent, Beatrix found herself doing quite well as a Landscape Gardener. With clients from coast to coast, Beatrix made a name for herself as she pursued this career. Not a traditional career choice for women, Beatrix Farrand excelled in Landscape architecture. A career that included being one of the Founders of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Conversations shared with Scholars like Diana Balmori, Landscape Historian Judith Tankard, and Shavaun Towers, Landscape Architect are peppered throughout the film. These conversations give a bit of information on how Beatrix Farrand is an integral part of the conversation on Landscape Architecture to this day.

This film can be purchased by clicking: http://www.beatrixfarranddocumentary.com

There is an opportunity to see this film at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. On November 1, 2017, from 6:30 – 8:30. Karyl Evans will share this long overdue documentary called The Life and Gardens of Beatrix Farrand. Joining Karyl will be Darwina L.Neal, FASLA and Maureen Joseph, ASLA, National Park Service.

Tickets are $20.00 for non-members of the National Building Museum, $12.00 for Members and pre-registration is required.

Walk-ins will be allowed if there is room.

To purchase tickets click here:

http://go.nbm.org/site/Calendar/1848501233?view=Detail&id=122563

Earning a coveted award as Most Outstanding Director, Karyl Evans is someone to get to know as well. She is on the Speakers List for the Garden Club of America and has had a 30-year career in public television, producing historical documentaries. A Fellow at Yale and a degree in Horticulture/Landscape Architecture, Karyl Evans saw a need for this story to be shared. It is truly a labor of love.

Thank you to the Darwina L. Neal Cultural Landscape Fund for recognizing the need for programming like this. As a Garden Writer, I hope to see more programming like this. It will help encourage other women to consider the garden as a place of beauty as well as a career. Thank you, Karyl Evans, for pursuing – from Maine to California – the story of Beatrix Farrand and documenting it on film.

To find out about a quick trip I took to Bellefield click here

Click for more information on the National Building Museum 

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather