Lucinda’s garden lingers in my mind even after The Garden Bloggers Fling has passed. It is imprinted in my heart after wandering through one early morning in May. The colors ever cheerful, the whimsical art and coveted pieces from Lucinda’s life journey.
Lucinda’s garden persona can be found around every corner, peeking out from under eaves and cozy nooks. She has left her mark of love everywhere imaginable.
Using bold colors reminiscent of her travels to Mexico, Lucinda Hutson created a memory. Paying homage to the people, the culture, and Tequila, Lucinda has authored several books. “Viva Tequila”, is the latest book written by Lucinda Hutson. Nationally known as a food, garden and lifestyle writer, as well as a colorful lecturer, Lucinda has gardened here for 40 years. She welcomed Garden Bloggers from around the country to see her creative use of space. What a perfect place to visit for the 10th Anniversary of The Garden Bloggers Fling. This Texican garden truly celebrated the diversity found in Austin Texas…and in its gardens!
Hesitant about color? Not Lucinda! Second-guessing what coordinates with what? Not in this garden! Having some of your peers do a bit of creative tile work to tie things altogether? You can find the work of her talented artisan friends here.
This is a place that leaves you shaken and stirred like a Drunken Sugar Plum Cocktail (pg. 168, Viva Tequila!). I remember the art, the plants, the tiles and the smiles. All of this, I mentally captured on a beautiful morning in Austin, Texas. I relished in this beautiful moment in Lucinda’s garden.
Starting our day in such a vibrant space, was truly a living alarm clock for the senses. This Garden Bloggers Fling gave me a lot of perspective on how other people garden. Whether on the East Coast, across the Pond, or the Southwest, gardening can be as unique as the gardener. Lucinda’s garden gave us permission to garden with total abandon.
Do you garden with total abandon? Does your garden – whether formal or unique – leave you shaken and stirred?
To find out more about Lucinda Hudson, click here Lucinda. You just might learn a few things about cooking or the history of Tequila as well!
What is a Garden Bloggers Fling? Click to find out about The Garden Bloggers Fling2018.
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Ushering in Spring this year meant traveling to the Philadelphia Flower Show to embrace all that Spring has to offer…in advance. Usually, I am either sponsoring or a participant on a bus trip to see the Philadelphia Flower Show. It has been an odd year of unanticipated changes, so I thought I needed to experience this Spring Advance Showing with a different set of eyes. In a way, I am glad I did.
I have visited the Philadelphia Flower Show for over 20 years and have never regretted going. Some of the themes were not appealing to me at the time, but when I look back, an exhibit, a vendor or a moment, always lingered in my mind….at least until the next show. To anticipate my personal Flower Show in my mind always starts with my yearly trek to the Philadelphia flower Show.
This year, the theme was Holland. When I think of Holland…well bulbs naturally come to mind. All kinds of bulbs from Tulips to Daffodils, Muscari to Galanthus to Hyacinths – bulbs mean Spring no matter where you go. This year’s Philadelphia Flower Show did not disappoint from the inspirational bulb displays to the creative combinations. Distinctive displays shared how plant material, such as trees and shrubs, can be integrated into the Spring landscape and complimented by a underplanting of bulbs.
Greeted by a phenomenal arch of assorted bulb combinations, the fragrance of spring, the fresh foliage filled the aired, causing the world outside to be a distant memory. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that some of the bulbs I would see were from a familiar vendor, 
There were large displays with outrageous interpretations of landscape options. 
Big displays, small displays, minimalist displays…
and over the top displays. 
There was the theme of bikes, alternative means of transportation made beautiful simply by adding flowers. 
I also seemed to find a lot of wire and floral collaborations. The diversity of bikes, wire and light bulbs…yes light bulbs, was uniquely integrated into inspirational floral fantasy. 
This yearly trek always includes a little shopping with the vendors located on site. 
From a simple souvenir to ornamental flags to whip in the breeze in front of my house as a constant reminder of a wonderful day. Light shopping this year…but this year, it was all about the memory as well as the escape from the world as I know it. A limited edition pin, mug, GROW magazine, and key ring, were just what I needed. When I sip from my coffee mug at work, my smile merely reflects the memory of a great day at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
The Philadelphia Flower show ushers in Spring and has for quite some time. Quite honestly, I cannot imagine Spring without my yearly trek to be in the City where I can immerse myself and find the creative interpretation of all things Spring. Thank you, 
On a cold December evening, I had the opportunity to enjoy a long overdue date. A date I had never found time for in past visits, but one I longed to enjoy. I love art that depicts peace and oneness with nature. I think that is how I fell in love with the works of Monet. Yes, there are other great Masters but Claude Monet’s art simply stole my heart many, many years ago. So I stood in 28-degree weather, in the evening and waited for our date to begin.
Here in the Musee d’Orsay, there are many works from Art Masters displayed and viewed by many. Musee d’Orsay is a former railway station, that at one time housed a hotel and a huge reception area. A pausing point for travelers near and far, this building served it’s purpose around the time of the World’s Fair. When times changed, the French Government thought it best to use this building as a museum. In 1986, the Musee d’Orsay was opened. The works of art contained within these walls date from 1848 to 1914. 
One can find the works of Degas, Van Gogh, C’ezanne, Delacroix and of course…Monet. I was pleasantly surprised that since it was after 6:00, my entry fee was only 9 euro. I was simply overjoyed when I saw the great reception hall filled with such beautifully cared for sculptures and paintings….
I saw the works of Rodin…
a little Van Gogh…
and of course the works of Monet…
and more Monet….
It was time for the best part of my date with Monet. I was simply not ready emotionally to see what I had longed to see in person. One lady in her wonderful accent asked if I was okay as my eyes glistened and eventually overflowed with tears of joy. I am sure we were quietly crying together.
My world is ever changed. My date with Claude Monet and his works are forever etched in my mind. Savoring the moments, I slowly walked away ready to dream of revisiting Giverny in a warmer season….perhaps later this year as I continue to discover Paris…
Sharing the significance of places such as the Pantheon, the Odeon Theater and more, Tom did not disappoint as he shared history I was simply not aware of. Tom Reeves research and perspective of The Black History of Jardin du Luxembourg and the area surrounding it, left me yearning for more.
I could not leave the area without dining where some of the great men and women of color had dined in the back room as they shared ideas and felt more than welcomed in this foreign land, The Cafe Tournon. With an American coffee (I called it a large cup of warm, delicious jet fuel) the salad with ham, eggs, pickled vegetables and a dash of dressing, was all I needed to continue my journey. The two hours shared with Tom Reeves and my small group was not just food for my soul, but just enough substance to encourage me to discover more about Paris than the gardens, the fabric, and the fashion – I urge anyone visiting Paris to use 
Last year I was blessed to enjoy Jardin du Luxembourg in its summer glory, I was not aware of whose footsteps I was walking in as well. With 3 plantings a year, courtesy of the French Senate, the grounds are just as beautiful in their winter nakedness and give way to the anticipation of Spring.
