HERE I GO AGAIN........

Late yesterday I finally got around to the blog. Had managed to write quite a few things and posted many photos when a sudden thunder storm blew in and the power went out. Of course I had not saved anything yet (my own stupid fault. I know better!) and it all disappeared....by the time the power came back on it was after 1.00 AM and too late to start over. So, here I go again.

The first thing I noticed when I came back was how much things had grown in one week. It's not that obvious on a day to day basis but when you have not been around the garden for 8 days you see it with a fresh eye. I was greeted by a profusion of blooms and......weeds.

The Thumbergia vine (also known as Sky vine) has taken over the picket fence on the west side of the garden.

The yellow Alamenda has sprawled on the East side and the gourd vines have began to bloom. Soon the little gourds will appear......

The beauty berries are clustered like beautiful amethyst jewels and the spikes of the Tabouchina Grandiflora reach the kitchen window.

The moon flower vines were not in bloom before I left but now they open in the early evening and their sweet fragrance perfumes the night garden together with that of the angel trumpets.

Another pleasant surprise awaited me when I came home. My sister came up with a lovely stencil design that she painted on pillows and curtains. I tried to order the stencil on line but it's only available in France in the store that carries them. So, I have to wait until this winter when Sylvie will bring me one when she comes to visit (they are too large to mail and cannot be folded.)

Speaking of pretty things I went back to BOUNTIFUL, the most amazing (and expensive) antique store in Venice, California. But don't worry I was a Good Fifi and did not buy anything, though they had this really cool vintage metal sign. It was in perfectly peeling pink and had a the name of a chocolate manufacturer on it (none than I knew of.) Anyway it had a "hold" tag and I asked if it was still on hold. The answer was no. So, with great trepidations, I inquired about the price. I was told "Ninety five but it's 50% off." WOW, what a find, I said quietly to myself. I told the young man "Great, I want it!" He gave me an odd look and replied "It's $950 less 50%." To which I said "Thanks but I don't want it that bad." Even at $425 it was a major rip off. It's the kind of sign you can pick up at a flea market for, at the most, $100. I was so turned off I didn't even take a picture of it. Actually, they don't like you to photograph the shop but I took some other pictures anyway. Take a peek.

 

I posted photos of my friend Lizzie's guest cottage but now it's time to share some of her own cottage. It's tiny, cozy and, like Lizzie herself, totally charming.

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Today I got one more surprise. This one from my friend Tara Frey (of Bella Pink fame.) Tara sent me a box of Salt Water Taffy from her vacation on the Jersey Shore. I had never had any of the famous Taffy but ate 5 sticks as soon as it arrived! Yum! Not only the Taffy hit the spot but the lovely note and plaque she sent along are beautiful! Thank you so much sweet Tara. Your gift reminded me of the equally thoughtful gesture of my other dear friend Barbara Jacksier (http://www.barbarajacksier.blogspot.com) who sent me a box of famous candies from her trip to France. You girls keep it up and you will turn me into Chubby Fifi faster that you can say "bonbons."

    

                           

Well, on second thought, I am going to make a cup of tea and enjoy more Taffy. Bon appetit to moi.

Comments

[Elaine]

Fifi,

Your garden is simply beautiful! I know exactly what you mean about how dramatically things seem to grow when one is gone from home. It's as though our plants have taken on a life of their own whilst we are away.

When I am gone for at least a week, I like to walk around my home and notice my first reaction to each room. We get so accustomed to our own surroundings that sometimes we lose all perspective.

Lizzie's cottage is so charming! Who wouldn't love visiting there. It seems so calm and peaceful.

I love visiting your blog.

~elaine~ from SoCal

[Bethany]

Fifi, so glad I found your lovely blog! What gorgeous pictures you shared on this post....and I have to take my hat off to you for turning down that outrageous price for the chocolate sign!! Good grief, are they kidding??!! You have such an awesome way with design...I will be stopping by a lot :) Thanks for sharing.

[Pam Aries]

Ho Fifi! I am so happy to see you are home! I have been catching upu on your California trip! Oh my! What a fin time you had ..and all the groovy , cool, pretty things! Merci for sharing such splendid photos! ...I finished my floor..but I kinda cheated. I used white semi gloss mixed with water straight on to the plywood,because I didn't have time to polyurethane..it turned out great ! I love it! I will take pics later!

[Connie]

Thanks for sharing Lizzie's cottage. Her cottage is unique, charming and inviting. She did a great job of decorating. I know you are going to enjoy working in the guest house.
Your garden is simply amazing and it doesn't take long for it to grow. Enjoy your time at home and renew yourself.
Connie

[Mélanie]

This shop is terrific but you were a good FIFI and you havent bought anything at any price !!
I think it must have been very difficult because everything look great in it.
Mélanie

[Kathy]

Oh I love your garden. It's a little wonder land. For the first time I'm growing pumkins. I didn't realize they would spread so! Next year I plan to plant gourds too.
Lizzie's cottage is so much fun. That kitchen is just packed with personality. What a cozy place to come home to.
I grew up in NJ and spent summers on the Jersey shore, as a teenager I worked in Ocean City, NJ. I've eaten my share of taffy that's for sure! I think I like the cute boxes as much as the taffy.
I'm going back to study your photos again!
That stencil is wonderful! Your sister has great style. I can see it runs in the family.
Best,
Kathy

[Tara]

Enjoy the goodies petite fifi! Like I said, I should have sent you some famous FUDGE. The pictures of Lizzie's cottage are just dreamy! Bountiful story...so funny! xo

[Penny]

Your garden is just beautiful! I love Lizzies home. I especially love the way she suprised us by popping in the red color in her kitchen. How fun!
Penny

[Joy]

Had to laugh at your story about the metal sign! Crazy prices for sure, I guess they have to pay their "bountiful" rent! ;) I was at an old barn sale this past weekend and I got a fabulous pink salvage window frame for just $10.00! What a steal! Paying top dollar is never fun - it's finding the deals that thrills me... :)

[jessi nagy]

wow! is all i have to say!
im so excited i found your blog. it rocks!!!! so much eye candy!
Jessi Nagy

www.scrappyjessi.blogspot.com

[phyllis]

So much to say ...yes your garden...you have things growing that I have never seen...and not a drop of rain here for weeks and weeks. That little cottage is precious! A very happy person she must be.
I would be so turned off like you were at the prices in Bountiful...can't believe people don't just re-create the look in other ways!

[dawn]

Your trip sounds like it was lovely. I can always count on yummy eye candy when I come to visit you. Too bad about Bountiful - i get so irritated when things are needlessly (and ridiculously) overpriced - kind of ruins a pretty placce, doesn't it?

[Maryam in Marrakech]

So glad that Desire to Inspire sent me over here. What amazing stuff and images you have. I wish I could hop on a plane from Morocco and go shopping with you!

[Alison Gibbs]

Fifi, just love your garden photos.
Lizzies cottage is adorable. How lovely to come home to such a peaceful haven. Thanks for sharing your photos from your time away. Alison

[Teresa]

I adore all of your photos. All of your plants are just beautiful. I really liked that stencil, actually one of my designs is very similar to part of this design, I just need to add some candle holders to it. :) Beautiful cottage!! Thank you for sharing with all of us!

Teresa

[Alexandra]

"Good fifi," "chubby fifi..." You are too fun. A friend sent me your blog and I am in love with it. I can't wait to read more. I'm adding it to my blog list. I love your perkiness, style, and Lizzies cottage is so, so lovely.
Alexandra
silverbellcottage.blogspot.com

[hiddenInFrance]

I only now discovered your lovely blog. (via absolutely beautiful things) I'll be visiting again!

[Theresa-Garden Antqs]

That is my most favorite shop, even though I've never been I love to see photo's of Sue's shop through blogs. I've adored her look for so many years through magazines and on decorating shows. I will go there one day!! Thanks for the great photos!!

[chris]

fifi~Your Florida gardens are GORGEOUS!!! They rival any up here in the northeast or anywhere for that matter. You have to deal with so much more heat than we do too! How do you keep these beauatiful gardens going year round?? Enjoyed the trip to bountiful via you! Lovely stuff but so EXPENSIVE!!!I love to look at their boutique on-line when I need to be inspired~thank you for taking us along!! Your Blog is fabulous & I am enjoying it so much~