The Language of Flowers

I woke up this morning at 3:03 a.m. without the aid of an alarm clock. I watched every minute of BBC America's LIVE broadcast of The Royal Wedding in high definition on my PBS station with no commercials whatsoever. I loved the symbolism of the 6 field maple trees (humility) and the 2 hornbeams (resilience) decorating  Westminster Abbey.

You may read an 1892 edition of The Language of Flowers illustrated by Kate Greenaway by clicking here. You will be asked to type in a few letters first to protect this digital copy. Enjoy. 

Queen Elizabeth's Drop Scones [Recipe]

I have all of these ingredients in my pantry and you probably do too. Will you be eating Queen Elizabeth Drop Scones while you watch the wedding tomorrow? They sound fabulous.

In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II sent President Dwight D. Eisenhower her recipe for Drop Scones which she had promised to give to him when he’d visited her at Balmoral Castle. Eisenhower was an avid cook.

Elizabeth II doesn’t seem like a likely cook, but she was an auto mechanic during World War II. She could probably stir up a batch of scones, if called upon in the line of duty.*

Cottage Reflection

What an absolutely beautiful little cottage on a pond in the woods. Wouldn't you love spending time in this darling outdoor sanctuary?

Palace Foot Guard Gets Royal Wedding Haircut

 

Just when you thought you'd seen everything concerning the royal wedding! Bet you thought those hats were made of bear skin too. It seems there are very special physical qualifications for becoming a Foot Guard at Buckingham Palace. 

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Boston, MA

The Gardner Museum's website is wonderful. Give it a few seconds to load and you will then be able to click around the background and explore the art, architecture, antiques, rooms and courtyard pictured above.
Start Exploring GardnerMuseum.org

A Wonderful Vertical Garden

I love this idea ~ A long vertical wood-framed planter hanging on an outdoor wall becomes an eye-catching garden filled with wool pocket planters.  

Royal Dog Collar

I made this illustrated quote using a scan from my antiquarian book, The Royal Book of Crests. I have no idea what breed of dog actually wore the collar from Alexander Pope. I was amazed that I could find an image so fitting for a Royal Dog Collar.

Crown Graphic for Royal Wedding Parties

Here is a nice crown graphic you might like to use for your Royal Wedding invitations, place cards, buffet food markers, etc.