Tulips on Park Ave NYC

Some interesting facts about these yearly tulips:

This Spring the tulips are a sunny, yellow Darwin Hybrid called Golden Oxford – among the most weather resistant of all garden tulips with large flower heads and strong stems.

After the Tulips have finished, the Park Avenue Fund hosts a “Park Avenue Tulip Dig” – a longstanding tradition that allows members of the community to dig up the spent bulbs for future use in their own gardens.

How nice! via New York Social Diary

Mosaic Tile Floor with Birds

This is spectacular, isn't it? Wish I could see the whole thing. What a work of art! Hope you are having a great weekend. Most but not all of my trees are budding and the spring green is beautiful. I cleaned my deck yesterday and it looks almost brand new. I forced all of the dirt from between the joints with a screw driver and blew it away with my power leaf blower. Then I squirted with the jet selection of my hose sprayer and wet everything down. Then I mopped it with a foaming oxy-deck cleaner and scrubbed it with a stiff broom. It was fun playing in the water and the end result is very satisfying. I didn't clean it at all last year and it really needed it. That and hacking away at overgrown multiflora were my two accomplishments yesterday. Today I've just been enjoying the weather and not much else. xo

Photo Source

The Queen with her Grands

Taken by renowned American photographer Annie Leibovitz at Windsor Castle last month, these remarkable pictures have been released to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday today. This photo shows Her Majesty surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Another photo on The Daily Mail identifies the children. Read all about the 90th Birthday of our favorite Queen here and view more photos too. Doesn't she look great? Love her.

Exceptional Kitchen

Swoon.

This kitchen is gorgeous!

I have looked and looked and wouldn't change a thing.

Miniature Basket of Vegetables

Look at the push pin beside the small silver basket for scale. The handmade ceramic vegetables are very realistic. This is one of my favorite finds recently snagged at an estate sale. Don't you love it?

I am off to mow the front yard before it gets too hot. It is supposed to reach 81° today. The sun is still in the back so I think I will be okay. 

DIY Versailles Case (Planter Box)

I photographed the first four images from one of my gardening books on container gardening.

Have you ever lusted over a Versailles box? I certainly have. This is a poor man's DIY version that I like a lot.

These photos are full size versions. Click to enlarge so you can read the text easily.

Directions are very simple and easy to understand. Measuring and cutting the wood is the only hard part.

Make one yourself or hire someone to make several. The assembly is simple once you cut all the pieces. Might as well make a large grouping, right?

Want a real one? Get out your checkbook and buy one on this website. Have a great Sunday. xo

Wonderful Antiques

Not my photo, but it could be. It has all of my favorite things in it. My newly polished sterling silver trophies are lined up on my mantle. Photo found here.

Construction Projects Nearby

This lovely barn/garage/loft/shed is somewhat new construction built on an old stone foundation.

A recent house fire destroyed a beautiful 18th century home and it is being torn down. Owners who weren't home at the time will rebuild. A neighbor told me flames were shooting up from the basement. I'm wondering if it was started by a dryer fire? 

New construction replacing an 18th century house in horrible condition that could not be saved.

All three of these photos are on the same street with only a few homes in between. Photographed from my car yesterday on my way home from a haircut.