Garden Notes

 The wonderful thing about traveling is that you bring home all sorts of ideas and inspiration.

Visiting Charleston really inspired me to get outside and dig in the dirt.

 We've had so much wind lately that it's virtually impossible to be outside without risking your life!

Finally, the wind calmed down long enough for Oscar and I to access the garden and plan what needs to be done this spring.

 I'm so glad that earlier last month, we pressure washed the brick and washed the teak, which was a huge improvement.

 I cleaned up this obelisk while soaking up the sun, winding both ivy and morning glory around it.

 The Cecile Brunner roses are just starting to bloom on the fence.

The Santa Barbara daisies are blooming too.

 When I designed the garden over 10 years ago, I deliberately planted for low maintenance.

Azaleas, roses, daisies, lavender and hydrangeas continue to deliver year after year!

 The problem is that it gives me a false sense that the garden is just fine.

Oscar and I made notes of what to plant, filling in gaps and adding color where needed.

 As we sat on the outdoor sofa, we made a note to replace the throw pillows...

I think I can get one more year out of the stripe cushions.

Note to self:  Never, ever choose polyester outdoor fabric.  It doesn't last.

Always choose acrylic.  That's what Sunbrella is made of.

Oscar is exhausted from all the note taking!

And we're only talking about the back yard!

What are your plans for the garden this spring?

Little Brown Jugs

 Since lilac season lasts about a hot minute, I am taking advantage of this time to thoroughly enjoy their beauty and scent.

So with my collection of little brown jugs in mind, I clipped enough lilacs to enjoy them inside.

 At first, I put the little brown jugs on the kitchen window sill....

Until I moved them to the dining room table....

Where they look wonderful, but I want to see and smell them all the time.
So, I moved them again.

To the family room mantel....

Eventually they ended up on the kitchen table....

Where they accompany my newest treasure.

I found this wooden pedestal in Charleston and hand carried it home.

It takes center stage, highlighting one of my found bird's nests.

I'm loving how the little brown jugs of lilacs play a supporting role.

And we get to enjoy the tablescape and their heady scent for just a couple more hot minutes!

Literally, 24 hours later, they wilted, even with plenty of water.
Does anyone have a secret to preserving cut lilacs longer that a day or two inside?

I'm joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.

Got Lilacs?

Lilacs are considered the harbingers of spring, so with my one and only lilac bush in full bloom, I guess it's safe to say "spring has sprung!

Lilacs, according to Greek mythology began with the beautiful nymph Syrniga. Pan, the god of forests became captivated with her beauty and chased the frighted Syringa through the forest.  She turned herself into a lilac bush to escape him!  That's why Syringa is the botanical name for lilac.

According to the "Language of Flowers," purple lilacs symbolize the beginning of love.

 White lilacs symbolize the innocence of youth.

 All I know, is that I love lilacs!

I love to cut them and make arrangements for the dining room table.

I like to fill all my little jugs with lilacs and place them in every room, filling the house with their heavenly scent.

And they are my go-to flower for Easter and spring tablescapes.

"Go down to Kew in lilac-time, in lilac-time, in lilac-time;
  Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London).
    And you shall wander hand in hand with love in summer's wonderland;
      Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London)."  ~Alfred Noyes

Got Lilacs?

Make It Right

While vacationing in New Orleans, Mr. A and I took a city tour which included the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Seeing for myself the devastation was very sobering indeed.

We were very surprised the amount of homes that have yet to be repaired or rebuilt.

It appears that there is so much work to do still.

Here, people are working on their home, but it looks so overwhelming.

 It's hard to believe the water rose to 13 feet in this neighborhood, flooding the attics.  

Notice the hole cut in the roof....

So many residents opted to leave New Orleans instead of rebuilding, leaving behind deserted homes.

Wikipedia

Many vowed to someday return...

So I was happy to learn that in the Lower 9th Ward, rebuilding has begun in a very positive way.

In 2007, Brad Pitt visited New Orleans and was just as surprised to see little rebuilding, so he took action and formed the Make It Right foundation, which builds green homes for people in need.

He committed to build 150 homes in the Ninth Ward.

These aren't like the homes that were here before at all.  Instead, they are LEED Platinum Certified using Cradle to Cradle technology.

This is an example of a Make It Right home with its solar panels and the only home I was able to personally photograph.

Make It Right

The website though has many photos, depicting the varying and unique architecture of Make It Right Homes, designed by architects that have donated their services.

These homes are available to the residents of the 9th Ward before Katrina, as well as teachers and first responders.

Make It Right

This home has a living roof planted with sedums which will help keep the interior cool.

All of the homes are at least five feet off the ground and come with escape hatches should another hurricane hit.

Designed by Shigero Ban Architects of Tokyo, Japan

Make It Right

Some, even more which provides parking underneath, as well as safety from floods.

Pervious concrete is used allowing for storm water to infiltrate.

Designed by Concordia Architects of New Orleans.

Make It Right

I think this home is attractive.  It was built offsite as three modular units and assembled onsite.

Designed by Waggoner and Ball Architects of New Orleans.

Make It Right

The interiors look to be very attractive.  

The paint used is by Benjamin Moore and has no VOC's.

Make It Right

All appliances are ENERGY STAR.

The cabinets are from Legacy Cabinets and contain no formaldehyde. 

Make It Right

The countertops are by Eco by Cosentino and are made with 76% recycled content.

Make It Right

The floor coverings used are from Shaw using recycled and post-consumer materials, utilizing the Cradle to Cradle philosophy.

It's nice to know that the average price of a home is $150,000 making them very affordable. 

Make It Right

The Lower 9th Ward at sunset.

Kudos to Brad Pitt and the Make It Right foundation for making it right again.

Make It Right's mission is to build healthy, affordable homes for communities in need, not just in New Orleans but also in Kansas City and Newark.  

They rely on donations from people, corporations and foundations to get the job done.

For more information and how to contribute, visit their website here.