Peony The Size Of A Luncheon Plate

I photographed this huge peony at a friend's house this morning. It's spectacular, isn't it? I've started carrying my tiny point and shoot camera in my purse for capturing moments like this. I used my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 with a Leica lens.

My camera is 4 years old but quite adequate with a mere 6MP. That's all you need. The prices have really dropped since I bought mine.

More current models are available. 

Picasso Brings $106.5M, Most Espensive Painting Ever Sold

$106.5m buys the most expensive painting in the world: "A 1932 painting by Pablo Picasso has set a world art auction record, selling for a staggering $US106.48 million, the auction house Christie's announced in New York."

The New York Times reports that Picasso dashed this painting off in one day in 1964, not 1932. Regardless, it is now the most expensive painting ever sold. It is called Nude, Green Leaves and Bust. Read the fascinating article when you have time.

Now I'm off to plant some herbs that cost $1.99 US.




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Chateau de Chambord - France

Château de Chambord is one of the most remarkable Renaissance castles in France. The castle, completed in 1547, contains 440 rooms, 84 staircases, 365 fireplaces (one for each day of the year). It also has stables to accommodate 1,200 horses. The property is surrounded by 20 miles of walls which protect more than 13,000 acres of woods. This huge hunting reserve covers as much ground as all of Paris!

Imagine having a fireplace for every day of the year. Amazing, I'd say. Have you ever been to this castle? I have not.




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Emily Dickinson's Garden Recreated @ NY Botanical Gardens

Emily Dickinson's Garden:

"If Emily Dickinson's neighbors saw her gardening at her Amherst, Massachusetts home in the moonlight, they might have thought her eccentric. She was that. But the poet was also troubled by very sensitive eyes, and the sunlight hurt them.

She did love her gardens, and the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx celebrates the poet and gardener with a newly-opened exhibition that continues until June 13." Read more @ http://nybg.org/



This looks wonderful, doesn't it? I'd like to go. Will you drive?

I know Emily and I would have been friends. I'm often out in the moonlight pulling weeds. Not because of my sensitive eyes, but because there aren't enough hours in a day to get everything done.




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Beautiful Magnolia Blossom

I miss seeing Magnolias and smelling their sweetly intoxicating scent. I grew up in the south but I'm a Yankee now.

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The Miseducation of Carey Mulligan

The miseducation of Carey Mulligan: How this actress become our favorite leading lady:
When Carey Mulligan was nominated for an Oscar for her amazing role in the film AN EDUCATION, the first thing she did was call home.

But instead of the squeals of delight she might have anticipated from her mother, the young actress received a rather more level-headed response. ‘I phoned up,’ she says, ‘and said, “Mum, mum, mum! I got nominated for an Oscar!”

‘And she said, “Oh fabulous, I’m just with a student – can you call me back in 45 minutes?’”

And in that calm reply lies the key to the down-to-earth appeal of the 24-year-old with the elfin smile who is set to become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

Isn't it wonderful that she's so normal? I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

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Bluebird On The Roof

Even though I have a birdhouse full of bluebirds right outside my window, I never fail to be thrilled when I see one. I can see this portion of my garage roof very clearly from my attic studio. This is fresh off the press. News Alert ~ Blubird sighting.




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Actress Lynn Redgrave Has Died At Age 67

Actress Lynn Redgrave Has Died At Age 67:

"Lynn Redgrave died peacefully Sunday night at her home in Connecticut. Children Ben, Pema and Annabel were with her.

"Our beloved mother Lynn Rachel passed away peacefully after a seven year journey with breast cancer,' they said in a statement Monday. 'She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before. The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives. Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time."

Read more via The New York Times

So sad. Rest In Peace.




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Mansion in May | Designer Showcase House and Gardens | To Benefit Morristown Memorial Hospital

Women's Association - Morristown Memorial Hospital - 2010 Mansion in May:
The Woman’s Association of Morristown Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce its 15th Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens at Fawn Hill Farm in Harding Township, New Jersey during May of 2010.

Fawn Hill Farm, one of the largest intact estates within the New York City sphere, is also replete with picturesque pastures, ponds, stable and barns and adjoins miles of equestrian trails that lace Harding Township. Remarkable in its extravagant scope and pristine condition, Fawn Hill is a mansion extraordinaire.

My real estate office went to the Weichert-sponsored preview of this landmark event on Thursday night and it was wonderful. I was rushed pulling up the rear as my coworkers dashed through in a hurry to get to the tent with food and drinks. I didn't get to linger in any of the rooms and can't wait to go back. I didn't have a chance to even peek into any of the shops in the carriage houses either. I took all of these photos...none were allowed inside the mansion.

Let me know if you are interested in purchasing this fine estate. It's for sale by my agency. I'd love to show it to you. I live just down the street.





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That's Some Pig

While we're on the subject of pigs... here is someone's beloved pet. He's looking at a spider and thinking, "Charlotte, is that you?"

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White




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Abandoned Piglet Adopted by Giant Farm Dog

Abandoned piglet is lost and hound: Giant farm dog saves baby pig's bacon by adopting it as one of its own
"A giant farm dog and a tiny piglet cuddle up as if they were family after the baby runt was dismissed by its own mother." Click on the link and read this heart-warming story. Aren't dogs the best?




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An Unusual Friendship

If these two can be friends, why can't everyone? So sweet!




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Perfect Pansies

I love pansies, don't you. They have such happy little faces.




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