LITTLE DID I KNOW....................................

...................the kind of response I would get to A SIMPLE QUESTION!

How can I ever thank each and everyone of you for taking the time to leave all these heart- warming-doubt-effacing and caring comments??? I had NO idea this little blog was the source of such pleasure and inspiration for so many of you. I am like everybody else: I tend to second guess myself a lot. But now that I know how you all feel, I have a sense of purpose. I wouldn't dream of letting you down. So sorry I created such a commotion. I am just a big whiny-baby!

Not only did all your loving comments made me realize the meaning of Chez Fifi but if I needed yet more affirmation this email from SANDRA (I asked for her permission to post it) would have erased any doubt, if I had any left. It's charming because of her English. It's touching because it's sincere. It's lovely because it shows how a little thing like a blog can bring a little bit of relief in difficult times.

Dear fifi i hope you read this email i know you have so much to do but please read it.my espelling is not so good i am self tought inglish.my name is sandra dias and from may 2007 i fin you and i will take a pick every nigth to see what beuty you have post.i am so sorry for what someone thid to you copy your art there is no words to descrive that action you are so generos with us you share alld the beuty that you have inside  your beutifull hart.letme tell you about me i am 51 years old i dont have a blog but god givme a talent for beuty my grand mother was from spain and i she create the most beutifull weeding dresses and i yusto sit next to her and ovserve the beutifull details that she create andshe also have a rose garden i think i got my talent from her i love white and ligth pink old fassion rosessomethimes i dream of gosefine bounaparte the beuty that she created her rose garden same has madame pompndeur.please dont stop posting rigth 2 days before christmas i foud that i have breast cancer on april 28 i star my kimo i have been thrue alot surgerys  some times you desapir  i know that you have a lots a work i have alld the magassines of romantic country i live 3 hours awy from the beutifull rose story farm and 1 hour from san fransisco ca.you are my window to beuty in this hard times for me  CAND YOU SEND IN THE CLOWNS FOR ME.love and blessigs sincerly sandra dias

I think it says it all. It also makes me feel ashamed to have created such a stir when I should have kept my mouth shut and, instead, focused on "doing the right thing."

So, Chez Fifi lives on.......................................................................................

THANK YOU TO ALL. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

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Back a few days: As you may remember from a few posts back, I had hung 2 big beautiful baskets in the front of the house. One was hanging from the arbor over the front gate, the other from a tree branch by the picket fence. Well, about 2 weeks ago someone stole the one from the arbor so I moved the remaining one from the tree (to close to the street) onto a bracket attached to the post where the blue hammock is fastened. Can you believe that yesterday morning that one was gone as well!? That means somebody actually walked through the gate and right to the middle of the garden to take it.

So, this evening I decided to drive around my neighborhood to see if my baskets were hanging in someone else's garden. Needless to say they were nowhere to be found, Whoever took them must be smart enough to hang them in their backyard..............BUT, something lovely came out of it. I saw the most amazing tree in front of a little cottage. I rang the door bell and this very nice lady told me she didn't know the name of the tree but I was welcome to take home some cuttings. Like with angel trumpets, you can plant the cuttings directly in the ground with some root starter, which I did right away. Tomorrow I will bring her some angel trumpet cuttings in return for her gift.

This is what the cuttings look like.....long branches, with huge buds...............

             

............that open into these "pompoms-like" blooms..............whatever the real name of the tree is, and I will find out, I am going to call it "Dr Seuss tree" because it looks like it comes straight from his books............very strange and whimsical...............just look at these "flowers!"

 

                     

They are like pink fireworks or maybe like feather dusters or again like a fancy bird's feathers.................anyway, when I go over there tomorrow I am going to take a picture of the whole tree (it's a BIG tree) covered with these blooms. You'll see: it's like something out of a fairytale. AMAZING! I can't wait for my little cuttings to grow into big trees. So, out of my stolen baskets saga something very good happened! If not for it I may have never seen that tree!!

                                 *******************************

I hung an old bird feeder outside my kitchen window and, of course, the squirrels discover it right away and are feasting on sunflower seeds..............but the cardinals and the blue jays are coming too................................................................................

 

...I got this lovely bush called "the butterfly bush" because its numerous blue flowers are shaped like little butterflies.....the beautiful little "baby" was given to me by a very lovely friend who is very sick and wanted me to look after his favorite little statue.......truth be told, I think he felt I needed the tiny angel to watch over me............what a kind thing to do......

                  *********************

After planting my new tree cuttings I also planted more moonflower and blue and pink morning glories seeds......................................................

                     

Tomorrow I will plant giant sunflower seeds and hope the squirrels won't dig them out.......

                     

                *********************************

Lastly, one of the perks of being an editor is getting new books from publishers before the books come out. Look for these due in rhe book stores in May.......................

      

      

Each offers some great ideas, whatever your style...............................

I will try to post again before going to the New York office to do the the final editing for ROMANTIC COUNTRY...................................so, if I am "absent" for a few days don't think I have given up..........I promise................like Arnold would say "I'll be back!"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Fifi-the-Pest.....................................

********************************************************************

Comments

[Lisa]

What a lovely e-mail to receive. It's nice to feel like blogging efforts are truly appreciated.

My copy of "Creating the French Look" arrived two weeks ago from Amazon. What a wonderful book filled with great ideas to transform the ordinary into something special.

I have a few of Annie Sloan's earlier books and those are fab too.

Have a great trip to New York.

[Linda]

Hi Fifi,
I have been reading your blog for a couple of months now and you never seize to inspire me. I'm sorry to hear about the stolen baskets but glad to hear that something good as come out of a bad situation. Love seeing photos of your beautiful home cheers from down under.
Linda

[Daisy Cottage]

We love you Fifi!!!!
(((((((((hugs))))))))))

Kim

[Jen R]

Oh Fifi, I am so glad you are going to keep going! Love your blog!
I just read the "French Inspired Home" and really liked it a lot.
Thanks for posting! Keep up the good work! :)
Jen R

[Jen R]

Okay, I meant "Creating the French Home." I am sure I just typed the wrong book name in, though both are absolutely lovely... ;)
Jen R

[Alison Gibbs]

What a lovely email Fifi. Wishing Sandra well and hope her chemo goes well.
How can anyione have the cheek to come in through your gate to steal the 2nd basket. Unbelievable!!
Your garden is looking so pretty. What a abulous bloom from the tree you have planted cuttings for.
Have a great week
Alison

[Anita]

AS ALWAYS...lovely post. I must comment on the thief who took your hanging baskets. We have a lovely yard and take so much pride in it, and put out tons of statues and fun things to make the yard beautiful and fun. We even have people stop and comment and look at our yard and the special things in it. Last year, or the year before, garden statues were stolen from our yard, gazing balls, etc.... These were special items that cannot be found anymore, and the thieves had to have come clear up into the yard and even close to a window. It was done in the middle of the night and when I woke up the next day and discovered this, I was devastated and cried for days. I then decided I would not "decorate" our yard for people and thieves anymore....as I lost confidence in the mean world....needless to say that did not last long, but it affected me for a long time. I am sorry something similar has happened to you...how sad, huh?
Big hugs,
Anita

[Mo...Mo's Cottage]

Hi FiFi, I had the same thing happen to me. I had a wreath stolen right off my front door. A very cute one I might add.
I loved the note from Sandra. You can read it was right from the heart. What a lovely lady. I will keep her in my prayers.
Mo :-)

[vickie...mademoiselle-rose]

Dear Fifi!

I know what you mean about keeping a blog. I've only had mine for a couple of months and I'm already wondering if anyone really cares! But I will plod on and see where it goes! It certainly was a lovely letter from that lady, it sort of confirms what I tell myself when I'm getting all wound up over something...there are people dying in this world, so get over it girl! In any event, I enjoy your blog as well, so yours is definitely worth it! I love the Dr Suess plant...funny, that's exactly the first thing that popped into my head when I saw your picture!

Warmest regards
Vickie...

[Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss]

Hi Fifi~ I come here often but I don't think I've ever left a comment- just wanted to say how sad it is that you had your beautiful baskets stolen! How about re-hanging them using wrap around wire to secure it to the post/hanger? It would'nt be so easy to take! The tree cuttings are beautiful and I agree- Straight out of Dr. Seuss! My parents brought me some moon plant seeds from Florida about 10 years ago and I keep re-planting them- my plant expands to over 10 feet wide every year-it's fabulous!

[suzy]

Hi Fifi, I can't believe someone had the balls to come into your yard, through your gate to steal your basket! I can't wait to see the picture of that tree and learn the name of it. I've never seen anything like it, Dr Suess tree fits it well. xo, suzy

[Susan]

Hi Fifi, Those blossoms are great. Keep us posted if it roots. I have never been real successful with root starter. Unfortunately I can believe someone would take your baskets. Their need for your baskets must have been huge. Some people really do have a true lack of conscience, unfortunately. Don't let it get you down. A few years ago we had a plant thief who actually got caught digging plants out of my neighbor's front yard. It's not an excuse, but she suffered from mental illness. Sad, very sad. Sandra is in my prayers. Have a great day. SusieQ

[kathy]

What a touching email. I'm not surprised the wonderful impact your beautiful blog has. There has to be many people that are confined to home and this gives a lovely escape. For those of us that are lucky and healthy it's like eating a box of chocolates without the calories :)
That treee will add even more magic to your darling yard. At least they can't steal a tree. That nasty person must have returned to steal your other plant...what nerve!
Have good trip.
Best,
Kathy

[Karla]

That is such a sweet e-mail. I agree with her - your blog is a place of beauty and inspiration. I can't believe someone took both of your baskets. What in the world goes through these people's heads? At least you are able to look at the bright side - the clippings are intriguing.
Karla

[Jennifer]

Fifi,
I can't begin to write something as touching as the email you shared. I just want you to know that I love your blog and pull it up every day. I keep it up all day at work so I can "sneak" a peek at your photos when I need a little lift during the day. Your house and gardens are so beautiful, thank you for sharing. Also, one of the things I love about your house and gardens is that you are so thrifty. It is easy to create beauty if you have unlimited funds, but you are so creative w/out spending a fortune. Thank you for that.
Jennifer in South Dakota (where we had snow just 2 days ago :( !!!!!)

[Diane]

Dear Fifi, We ALL need affirmation sometimes and I'm so glad you have so many readers who get so much from your blog - I among them. God bless, Diane

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

Blogging world is a fantastic world ! Touching email and I had no doubt you can help someone thanks to the Beauty you show us !
I can not believe there are robbers in Florida !
the tree with the " pompon " is fabulous

[Monique]

Sandra's words ARE heartfelt..All the way to QC..!Sandra I bet your wedding dresses are wonderfully beautiful!
Your poetic sincere heart shines through in your words.
I wish you well..and a 100% recovery~
That's a sweet well edserved note~

Tu la mérites cette note..
Sunshine comes in all forms..

Chez Fifi..is definitely one of them..

That tree is over the top! It's perfectf or you.I ahve never in my life seen one!!

Cute cute!

[Debe]

I too am really amazed that some people have the nerve. Sorry about your baskets. Keep the blog, please. I love hearing about your exciting life and all your baby cats! Inspired seeing your house and yard. Please keep us in your life!!

[Catherine]

Playing catch up again Dear fifi, you have given me and everyone quite a scare! I'm glad you realize NOW how "IMPORTANT" YOU & YOUR BLOG is to so many~including ME~YOU are such an inspiration~WE NEED YOU!! So don't you go anywhere Fabulous Fifi!:) ~I think its a female thing~the self~doubt issues we all experience! That all being said, I can't belive someone stole your basket's, especially the one in your yard!:O
But, its wonderful that you can find good in it, that is one intriguing looking tree,they look like pink pom pom's! It is fairy~tale like! I love it! See you are an inspiration you can always find something good in the bad that happens to you!:)
Great photo's! And one can never have too many morning glory plants, or moonflower's!
Hug's
Cat

[Catherine]

P.S.

"Let us be grateful
to people who make us
happy; they are the
'CHARMING GARDENERS'
who make our souls blossom."
~Marcel Proust

That is you fifi~you are the 'Charming Gardener' that makes our souls blossom!!
You make us all very happy! :D

Just so you know!
xoxoxo
Cat

[Brenda Kula]

Well, it usually takes something truly out of the ordinary to bring us back to our senses. It's the same for us all, Fifi. Just when I think I'm down in the dumps, someone tells me of someone less fortunate, and I feel foolish. You were just letting yourself "think" out loud, and you got a deafening response! I loved what she wrote. And equally, how you responded to it.
Brenda

[Andie]

I am commenting with wet cheeks tonight...I can almost "hear" dear Sandra speak the sweet words of her email. Such a poignant and heartfelt outpouring of emotion! Do not be TOO hard on yourself my friend. You are human (although I believe there's a bit of fairy dust in those veins!) and it's human to have questions and doubts. I'm outraged by your thief! Such brazen acts.....but I'm delighted by your "Whoville Tree". lol Quirky, quaint and cute...of COURSE it belongs in FiFi's Garden!

[The Beautiful Life]

Totally agree with sweet, wonderful Sandra Dias -- I check your blog "religiously" to see what you come up with next! :)
Cyberspace would be a black hole without your blog!
What a greent thumb you have! If I thought I could get away with it, I'd "plant" all silk flowers and bushes in yard :)
Thanks for being out there for us to enjoy -- you are a delight! :)
=Ruth

[Natasha Burns]

I love that letter you got, how wonderful!
That tree, wow, I love those pink flufy bits, they really do look like they are from a Dr Suess book!!!
Your blog is gorgeous and I really enjoy visiting Fifi, please keep going for all of us!! ox