Proud Mamma !!!

These are some moments that didn't make it into print. Marcey the photographer took probably 1500 photos and narrowed it down to what you see in the magazine. There is so much work that goes into the final product. This is just a glimpse into "behind the scenes".

First of all, Happy Memorial Day to everyone !!! It is certainly a time to be thankful for our freedom, and thank God we live in a country that we have the freedom to say, do , and think whatever we decide. There are alot of Men and Women who gave up their lives to give that gift to us.

I have to Brag today ! Do you remember that post last year with my daughter who purchased a rolling picnic cart and put on a picnic, and invited the entire family?????

Well......She was fortunate enough when VICTORIA magazine came to photograph Peacock Park last summer, the stylist brought with them the most darling wardrobe and planned a picnic with the beloved picnic basket. I have been keeping it a secret until it hit the newsstands, because you never know, it might not make the cut.....Well. Here it is...this months Issue......

And I have a double brag....not only is my daughter in the magazine, but my granddaughter is as well.....yep, you read right...granddaughter, they are best freinds and 3 weeks apart in age.
My stepdaughter Kristins beautiful daughter is the one with the bow.

Also, Molly, also made another national magazine spread. (Molly is the sheep) she was also featured in Where Women Create. Molly doesnt know she is a sheep though, we just dont have the heart to tell her ! (hahahah)..

Oh Canada.

Have you ever been to Montreal??? It is the closest thing to Paris that is so close in Canada.
Everything about Montreal is reminesent of Paris. The stone buildings, the cobblestone streets and of course the FOOD !!
There is even a cathedral called Notre Dame in Montreal. It is modeled after the original in Paris, France. It's exterior is a smaller scale version of the original, but the INSIDE.......WOW!!!
The Interior is much more ornate than the original in Paris, of course it is one thousand years newer. The style is an amazing mix of almost Moorish architecture with Gothic Quatrafoils.
Enjoy.......

A Sea of Purple and clear votives.....

Have you ever seen more magnificent organ pipes????

The Carved wood Pulpit is a masterpiece of design.

This is a barrel vaulted ceiling that is in the oldest church in Montreal. You can see the boards through the painting.

This is the alter to the oldest cathedral. Stunning.

This is a wonderful year round christmas store, Doesnt this have great curb appeal???

With the huge amounts of snow , I just can imagine HOW they plow these cobblestone streets??? Hhhmmmmm.

I love old painted signage, I always notice the peeling images on walls, buildings or barns. It is such a dying art. Everthing is computer graphic. These images were painted years ago.

This is an old bronze flag holder on the side of an antique building. Oh, I want it ....what do you think, We should make these in a mini version for the average home. How regal....

Back Home and back to reality.....Ah, the onion soup, the escargot, and of course the bagettes.

Bon Soir Montreal, Bon Soir.

Wisteria Lane........

OOooooh I have been missing in action lately and I am sorry for the delay in posts. I have been traveling like crazy getting ready for the next season of Peacock Park Design.
When I arrived home, it was such a wonderful surprise. My Wisteria was in bloom....Yes, in Bloom. I have been waiting for years, and I dont know why this year is any different but I am thrilled. I hope it will do this every year.
This drapes over my side door enterance....They smell so sweet too.

It wasn't just the wisteria that was in bloom, there were so many trees in the yard that had turned into a monet painting.

The trip all started with Kelly and I off to China to visit with our manufacturers to secure new designs, discuss issues etc. We flew into Hong Kong, and then went into China by train.

Hong Kong is a very modern city, the cabs are all red that go to Hong Kong, or Green if they will be taking you to the mainland.

This is a sneek peak into just one item that will be coming soon. There is a small factory in remote china, that does the most intricate work for us. They are going to make these hand painted canvas butterflies for us, in a myriad of colors and designs, with all the edges hand stripped to have just the right fray. I love these.

If you get hungry in china there is always plenty of street food. Octopus skewers anyone???? (Ewwww).

We lucked out and got an upgrade to the executive suite. We called it the sweet suite. It was sweet. It had living room, dining area, office, huge bedroom, walk in closet and giant bathroom.

Not a bad view eh? this is the HOng Kong Harbor. We headed home the next morning.

I got home 24 hours later, literally got up the next morning, for a flight to New York with my Handsome Husband for an award ceremony the next day.

This is Times Square actually one hour before they had it vacated due to the bomb scare. That is how many people are there. Amazing isn't it?

New York always has avant guarde displays, like these distressed burlap chairs. I love the look of this, my husband on the other hand, just "doesn't get it" in his words. Why??? would anyone want that in their home?

I think this was a great idea. Take old metal tea sets, and prime and paint the outsides with a great gloss color. It is a contemporary classic.

Did I tell you I was on Broadway.

This amazing building is vacant and for sale.....Okay, I think I could actually live in New York with something like this. How European.

These tulips were in bloom all over the city.

This is a great old store sign. They are still in business and have been for over 100 years.

This was the old painting on the side of the building. They dont do that anymore. Signage is mostly done digitally now. It is truly a dying art.

Just another wonderful structure from New York.

This was the Salad at the Award Ceremony. Oh My Gosh !! It was thee best salad EVER. It had a puff pastry base, two colors of beets , yellow, and red, warm goat cheese topped with exotic lettuce, all drizzled with reduction sauce.....YUM YUM YUM.

This is the ceiling in the award ceremony. It was held at an amazing circa. 1880 bank. It was designed by the renowned architect of the day meade and white. It is nothing short of incredible.

We caught a play on Broadway Les cage au Folles. It was terrific, we had both seen it before, but this time it was starring Kelsay Grammer as the lead character. He was stupendous. I adore that play. So if ever in N.Y. try to see this one.

So now I am sitting in my living room, typing on my lap, and loving this day. It is my FAVORITE day of the year. I tell my kids, of all 365 this one single day is by far the best one of them all. I am so blessed, and fortunate, and thank god for my family. They are so understanding as I have had to be away for stretches of time on end. But thank God for my mom. (DEE) She is my hero. If it weren't for her, I could truly in no way be able to accomplish what I have. She moves in so I can move on. Thank you , Thank you , Thank you. I love you MOM> you're the best EVER !!!