My good friend in Florence just sent me this bouquet she picked in the Tuscan countryside! Oh my, I’m buried in snow.

The exhibition goes to Venice when it closes in D.C. Hope you get a chance to see it!

I’m the 1960s when I was a tween! My mother made it for me in this exact floral material from this McCalls pattern. We shopped for both at our local JC Penney’s in Pierre, SD, where I grew up.

I also had bright orange strapped shoes. Ever since that time, orange/yellow/pink has been my favorite color combination.

I love and loved the 1960s!!

My friend Rudy in Japan sent these pictures from a recent garden visit in Okayama.

The koi in winter remind me of my winter walks through the Rose Garden in Florence. There are 2 tanks attached to fountains in that beautiful place, both full of koi.

Deep in the snows of winter, spring is just a fantasy.

Against this cold, white backdrop…

I’ve got spring bulbs blooming in my house to brighten up this dreary month.

I’ve got tulips ready to bloom!

And paper whites already putting on a show and a scent extravaganza!

And 2 amaryllis bulbs about ready to pop open.

Thank goodness for bulb forcing! It saves me this time of year!

Dr. Timothy Verdon knows and explains everything about this building and its site. Superb!

Are something to behold. Not all of them, but some are amazing!

And check out this drainage pipe: The donjon drain pipe of Château de Pierrefonds in France, 1393-1407.

Not every book is a hit, even though you know it is excellent. Maybe it was just the mood I was in, but as much as I admired the gorgeous arrangement of words and the story telling, I couldn’t get into this fine book in 2 sittings. That’s all I have time for at this point. Maybe I’ll try again another season. Still, it’s obviously a great book!