Spring has returned.The Earth is like a child that knows poems. Rainer Rilke

Our home is in a densely populated part of our city called Olde Towne.  And yet, still I am surrounded by the palate of nature by the Elizabeth River on at the end of our block, as well as the trees, parks, and spring flowers of Olde Towne.

This is the time of the year when I begin to get our garden area in order. Our garden is secluded in the back, as the front of our hundred-year-old Victorian home sits directly on the street. The garden shivers a little today, a bit forlorn in our sunny, but cold again weather. It is quiet still; the grey brown shriveled leaves make whispery sounds in the breeze. The only signs of life are subtle buds on some plants.

Oh, but I have plans for my garden that I’ll share with you soon! My beautiful garden is my refuge as spring fully emerges, my sanctuary there among the blooms and the chirping birds. I pray and dream out there, think and plan, relax and wonder, and often entertain.

When I get into the shop on early spring days, I feel drawn to beautiful fabrics which echo the images I see around me in nature. I feel my heart beat just a little faster when I see the flowering trees in pink, green, and white against the blue skies

These beautiful floral fabrics are from one of my favorite companies, Colefax and Fowler, a British textile firm.

I also adore this exquisite white fabric from S. Harris called "Polaris."  This fabric has a silk background with cotton embrodery.  Despite the sort of "Northern Lights" name, the embroidered figures are actually small leaves contained in a rain drop shape.  Although this fabric is more quietly beautifull than the florals, the inspiration of spring still shines through. 

Ellis Peters said that, "Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment," and he was right.

Appreciating and taking inspiration from nature is another way that I live life beautifully,

Elaine