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Laura Dowling – Unique Floral Conversations

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Laura Dowling is a Creator of fabulous florals as well as a storyteller. Her books serve as great instruction for recreating beautiful florals from vase to door.

Laura Dowling is a unique woman. Not just because she was the former Chief Floral Designer for the White House, she is deeper than one job. I had the opportunity to be introduced to her book, Floral Diplomacy At The White House in 2017. Explaining how challenging it was to address the demands of the job, allows the reader to understand how to make the right statement.

FLORAL DIPLOMACY AT THE WHITE HOUSE

I can only imagine sharing your floral vision with the First Lady. What an opportunity!

This book introduces the reader to Laura from her beginnings as a farmgirl in Washington State. Laura’s journey includes a prestigious political science career, a vacation to Paris, and falling in love with Floriculture. Laura even shares how Mrs. Obama chose her to represent the floral messaging for the White House. Now the fairytale continues and Laura adds author to this amazing journey.

Laura breaks down her thought processes, including the research required for each event. Knowing the customs of the invited guests, coordinating with the selected china, and choosing the correct flowers to make the right statement was important. The pressure she endured must have been over the top until she became familiar with the demands of the job. What a job that must have been!

Viewing the photos of the table settings, the reader can imagine the floral beauty displayed at the event. From the colors, cultivars, and containers, it is truly like being a VIP guest on every page. In one instance, you could see Angela Merkle having a conversation over a bright bouquet. Whatever the topic, the flowers soften the moment. Moments like these are scattered throughout the book as she shares her memories along this fabulous journey.

WREATHS

Autumn is the perfect time to be creative and explore wreath making. This book on wreaths offers terrific examples with instructions. This is one of my favorites.

I love wreaths. They are the perfect accent on a wall, a door, or in the yard. Laura shares the correct tools for making the perfect wreath. The form, the materials, and most importantly the design process for the perfect wreath are included. Laura wrote Wreaths With How to Tutorials to make creating a simple wreath a work of art. Folding leaves, scouring grocery store aisles, in addition to craft stores are ways of making your wreath unique. I fell in love with the way Laura shared mixing peppers, greenery, assorted berries, and limes to create a wreath that brightens any room. Mixing things up from the base to the eyecatching ingredients certainly makes the case for diversity in wreath making.

BOUQUETS

Imagining creating fabulous bouquets that start from the vase. Allowing the creativity to rise up is something to look forward to.

I can only imagine taking classes in France on Floriculture. When I read that Laura had been trained in France, I realized why I love her bouquets. There is a certain creative, twist in each and every design. Her book, Bouquets With How to Tutorials offers inspiration with instruction. Easy to understand directions on how to mimic her style fill each page. She is also a storyteller. Along with every design, there is a story. Whether creating an arrangement for a particular season or occasion, allowing the inspiration is refreshing and doable.

I understand that another book is in the works. Waiting will be a struggle, however, with instructions like these, I can create my version of floral fantasies with ease. These books including, A White House Christmas: Including Floral Design Tutorials are terrific editions to any home.

Dreams can become a reality…Laura Dowling has shown us how.

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All Up In My Feelings – The Meditative Gardener

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All books on mediation or being mindful are simply not the same. Cheryl Wilfong has made this very clear by writing the book, The Meditative Gardener.

Of all the books on my shelf that I reached back to read, this book fit the moment. The Meditative Gardener – Cultivating Mindfulness of Body, Feelings and Mind is worth the re-read. Most books I review become part of my reference library or I find a fellow gardener to share it with. This is not one of those books to give away.

From time to time, there are words that suggest actions. These words tend to have me “all up in my feelings”. Cheryl has words that echo in my mind and cause me to reflect inwardly. Particularly because this year. I will not have the opportunity to #resetrenewrestore in my usual manner. My annual pleasure of choosing a faraway place, commit to seeing all of the gardens, and acting like a local has been revised. Cheryl Wilfong has helped me revise my mindset by immersing myself all in this book.

During this time of unintentional pausing, making tie to meditate allows me to feel ALL of my senses. It is mind blowing! Cheryl Wilfong is not just a Psychologist, but a Meditation Practitioner, and a Master Gardener, as well. Gardening is a great way to reduce and release stress. Meditating only enhances feelings of peace, as we consider how we garden.

Cheryl begins by using the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as the hardscaping for this book. The act of connecting us with our inner feelings as gardeners is important. Simple instructions provided by Cheryl asks the reader to choose one of the contemplations provided in the text. Readers can choose one daily, weekly or monthly. Choosing a contemplation enables the reader to practice mindfulness in the garden.

THE TOOKIT

There are two mental tools that Cheryl advises us to carry into the garden. Mindfulness of the body is number one. This tool allows us to touch on all of our senses as we garden.

Goodwill towards the garden, as well as the gardener, is the second tool. In short , this translates into gardening for joy. Cheryl reminds us to garden simply for the joy, not perfection or overabundance. Simply garden for the joy of being in the garden.

Whispering phrases of love and acceptance fertilizes our existence. Phrases like “May I feel safe”, May I feel happy” or “May I abide in well being ” all affect how we garden. By repeating phrases such as these, we harness the energy found in our minds. One of my favorite phrases is “May I feel safe”. I find myself repeating this important phrase daily.

THE ART OF MEDITATION

Cheryl suggests many options for meditating. As I read this book, an awareness came over me causing me to think of how I meditate. The innocent ways I engage with nature are a form of meditation. As a child growing up, I spent summers in the garden just laying amidst the flowers. I would stare up at the clouds and look through some of the petals on the blooms. Allowing my mind to wander, my extremities to feel the warmth of the sun, and my nose to capture all the scents wafting in through the air. I did not know at the time, I was practicing a meditative mindset in the garden.

Meditation in the garden should be an easy practice. I often wonder if my parents knew this as they taught us how to garden? From selection, sowing, watering to nurturing a simple seed. We were encouraged to be optimistic, to care and to give. The garden is the natural place to learn, reflect and of course…meditate. There are many different ways to meditate in the garden.

It is hard for me to actually say what the best part of the book is after reading it. The entire book was informative. All of the meditations can be applied to our daily life. One chapter that I really spent time on was THE ROOTS OF STRESS: Greed, Aversion, and Delusion. I found this chapter to be enlightening, informative and insightful on many different levels.

There are many topics covered in the MIND -Mind and Body Contemplation segment of this book. Cheryl followed up with a chapter called CONTEMPLATIONS. This chapter allowed the reader to investigate things like aging, change, even karma.

A particular exercise that melted my heart was called A Bouquet of Joy. The reader was advised to pick flowers from the garden. Utilizing all the senses, the reader should not look at what is missing in the bouquet. Explore how the bouquet makes you feel inside. It is suggested that the reader share the bouquet.

This book is a must read, in my opinion, for those who garden for the pleasure of gardening. The enlightenment of the mind and senses is a bonus.

Meditating in the garden should encompass all the senses…

Today I meditate, reflect and embrace the beauty that surrounds me…in my garden. Do you meditate in your garden?

Teri, Cottage In the Court

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Secret Gardens of East Anglia – A Book Review

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Secret Gardens of East Anglia: Segall, Barbara, Harpur, Marcus ...
Secret Gardens of East Anglia is one of the best armchair adventure books to make unintentional pausing easy.

Secret gardens are always amazing to discover. If secret gardens are in England they become magical adventures. Barbara Segall has written a wonderful book, Secret Gardens of East Anglia – A Private Tour of 22 Gardens. This book was beautifully and lovingly photographed by Marcus Harpur. With a foreword written by Beth Chatto, the English garden enthusiast realizes this book will be a treat to enjoy.

Beth Chatto refers to the curators as ‘garden artists’. The people who have created East Anglia gardens had to realize the challenges of the area. With climate, space, and other limitations, beautiful gardens were created. The owners of these secret gardens, want to inspire others to create beauty in their own green space.

SECRET ESTATE GARDENS

To achieve the secret garden feel, one of the landowners had to learn how to manage a windy site. By creating shelter belts, carefully curated areas to garden passionately became a reality. Gardens rooms that focused on a certain style of landscaping were created. Two different personalities invested time, effort, and a lot of love to create quite the garden. The pictures of East Ruston Old Vicarage speak volumes!

I have recurring dreams of creating deep floral borders. Helmingham Hall has deep borders that are quite exquisite. Researching styles, creating plant combinations, and incorporating abundant color was executed very well by Lady Tollemache. Better known as Xa, this homeowner is now a seasoned garden designer who is familiar with creating secret gardens that pop!

A SECRET TERRACE GARDEN

What is the main ingredient of a secret terrace garden? Walls. High walls that embrace whatever is behind them. Every English inspired garden does not have to be an Estate.

In this example, a terrace became a secret garden. The residents had a track record of creatively designing properties from London, Italy, and now Cambridge. A voluptuous secret garden is artfully curated in less space. These gentlemen used colors that allow the plants to be the focal point. The hardscaping is not overwhelming, simply beautifully present. Subtly painted columns creatively hide garden necessities. The glass doors invite the garden to be an integral part of the day.

A pool, voluptuous pots overflowing with color and hardscaping mimicking Spain with a Moroccan feel…I can only say AH-MAZING!! This garden has the wow factor of a small scale estate. In this secret garden, size truly does not matter!

A SECRET BEYOND THE MEADOW

Imagine finding a 500-year-old farmhouse, a parcel of land, and no garden. After renovating the house, the next task was to create a meadow. A meadow is merely the gateway to creating more gardens. Adding pathways to define the space, Emily Shelley curated a secret front yard garden. Her philosophy consists of two words – random and relaxed. By allowing the plants to chart their course, the front yard garden is amazing! With silver foliage, shades of purple, and accents of pink, this garden speaks to me.

There are more gardens in this book. Barbara Segall and her team did a fabulous job. I did not even mention Wyken Hall or the other bodacious gardens. Barbara also graciously provided a list of open garden information in this book. The possibility of visiting on Open Garden dates is an added value to the reader.

Barbara, you have made my armchair trip quite the adventure. I want to experience the garden’s first hand. I recommend this book to the avid gardener who loves to dream.

Clicking my heels three times as I wish I was in the garden at Hoveton Hall…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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The Lifelong Gardener – A Book Review

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The Lifelong Gardener advises us on how to garden at any age.

Lifelong, wow what a word. Merriam Webster defines this word as lasting or continuing through life. As a gardener, how we would love this concept to be very true at all stages of life. As we age or have disabilities, this word might be questionable. The possibilities of lifelong gardening is no longer a challenge, but a reality.

The Lifelong Gardener – Garden With Ease & Joy At Any Age, published by Timber Press is just what we need! Toni Gattone has written a book that examines how this word “lifelong” can become a reality. We are all aware of the challenges that reveal themselves to us as we mature. If you are used to gardening, bending, stooping, and squatting might be words of the past. There is a way, as this book demonstrates, to garden with ease and joy at any age.

BASTA

Basta is one of my favorite new words as I #gardenwhileaging. An Italian word meaning “Enough”. Toni gives us permission to say, know, and realize when we have had enough gardening for the day. Utilizing tips from this book has allowed me to be honest and stop when I feel like it. Gardening smart is just common sense. Pushing it to the point of “Oh So Tired” is not something we can continue to practice safely. Using some simple tricks, we can garden safely and wisely as well. There are examples of this throughout the book, such as:

  • adding a pouch for tools if you are using a walker
  • sit down to work in the garden
  • make those large projects digestible by making them several mini-projects
  • find help for the tasks you can no longer comfortably do

It all seems like common sense, right? Toni honestly shares advice on functioning through, as well as easing the pain as our bodies change. Defining items like knee pain, hand strength, stamina, and more. What a great way to encourage embracing the inevitable so we can be lifelong gardeners.

LIFELONG TOOLS

Toni even advises the reader on tool decisions. Parting with our “garden friends” or tools to some can be hard. Instead, reassess what you really need and define its function. Determining the comfort, sentimental value, as well as the real purpose, is important. Whether or not you will ever really use it again will save time and possibly some pain. Some items just might be considered garden art – still usable with a memory attached.

From pruners, spades gloves, and more, Toni offers useable advice on how to garden no matter what age or disability. Lifelong as it pertains to gardening is something that at one time was inconceivable. As we age we might slow down. Just the thought of not gardening due to age or circumstance is unfathomable.

At the end of the book, Toni provides a space to create an action plan for lifelong gardening. It seems as though Toni wrote this book for any age or for a person with disabilities. The Lifelong Gardener – Garden With Ease & Joy At Any Age is perfect for gifting or for the aging gardener!

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Inspiration In Preparation of Gardening Mindfully

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Inspiration in the palm of your hand is wonderful!

Inspiration, as we unintentionally pause, can easily be found on the internet. Reading to stir the creative mind is one act that can get us through. To have a book with examples of uniquely inspired green spaces is a gift. As I considered renovating my back yard, I knew I needed inspiration. Thank goodness for Gardenista – The Definitive Guide to Stylish Outdoor Spaces by Michelle Slatalla. The landscape of my dreams became an achievable reality as I read this book.

Every book has a mission. The mission of this book is to inspire and encourage the reader to create a green space of their own. Project size or the level of experience is not initially important. The contents of this book left me encouraged that I could create a space that reflected me.

There is a manifesto at the beginning of the book that defines ten Gardenista “Rules to Live By.” Logical, simple, and easy to remember, these rules were quite practical. There was a specific one that caught my eye.

#10

Choose personality over perfection, a little wildness in the garden is a good thing.

The Gardenista team consisting of Michelle Slatalla, Julie Carlson, and photographer Matthew Williams collaborated on a gift that encourages gardening. Connecting with nature is the theme. The authors believe in helping the reader develop confidence. Confidence in creating unique green spaces is shared in this book. Even the photography was amazing. Each example shared information on the unique concept of the homeowner. I found the information on how to emulate each theme quite helpful.

This book shares gardening from multiple settings. Each example exhibited unique perspectives of a particular style. One concept that I agreed with is getting outside and enjoying the garden. Most gardeners forget that enjoying the garden is a part of gardening. Balancing work and play in the garden can often be overlooked. From artfully curated examples of garden rooms, terraces, and places to pause, the inspiration flows on the pages of this book.

Hardscaping is one area that was difficult for me to decide. There are so many alternatives to choose from. The style of the garden chosen determines how the garden will be connected. What type of path makes sense? Will drainage be an issue? How will the owner’s taste be reflected in the landscape? These questions are all answered in Gardenista.

My favorite part of Gardenista is the ultimate DIY Work Space chapter. Inspirational and simple ideas like a foot shower or dog washing station can be found in this book. Using everyday supplies, the examples are easy to construct for the average homeowner.

Encompassing 100 Gardenista faves and ending with a full-bodied reference section, Gardenista is welcome on my bookshelf any time. The new gardener will find the included hints useful. A curious gardener is inspired to enhance an existing landscape. I would recommend this book as a terrific gift for any gardener.

Now to figure out how the foot shower works,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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