TOMORROW IS OFFICIALLY THE FIRST DAY OF
SUMMER BUT HERE, IN SUNNY FLORIDA, IT HAS BEEN VERY HOT FOR A LONG TIME. GETTING OVER THE 100 DEGREE MARK TODAY, AGAIN!
IT'S TOO HOT TO EAT EXCEPT FOR SWEET HONEYDEW, LUSCIOUS STRAWBERRIES, RIPE AND JUICY PEACHES, AND A GLASS OF LIMEADE................DON'T THIS PHOTOS MAKE YOU WISH YOU WERE HERE? OK THEN! FOLLOW ME IN THIS DREAMY LITTLE SUMMER VOYAGE.........
BY THE WAY: ALL THE VIGNETTES BELOW ARE A SMALL SAMPLE OF THE MOST RECENT SHOOTS WE DID FOR UPCOMING ISSUES OF ROMANTIC COUNTRY SO LOOK FOR THEM (AND A LOT MORE) IN THE FALL AND WINTER/SPRING ISSUES.
(THE RESPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS HAVE BEEN CREDITED.)
(ABOVE PHOTOS: DAN MAYERS)

(PHOTO ABOVE: MICHAEL GARLAND)
IT'S THE TIME OF WINE.......................
AND ROSES.................................
AND SWEET DOVES CUDDLING TOGETHER...................................

(ABOVE PHOTOS: MARK LOHMAN)
.........IN THEIR OWN HEAVENLY REFUGE.................................................................
............OF BUTTERFLIES FLEETING FROM FLOWER TO FLOWER...........................
.....OF MAGICAL GARDEN PATHS TO FAIRYTALE COTTAGES.....................................
(ABOVE PHOTOS MICHAEL GARLAND)
....OF RESTFUL INTIMATE SPOTS...MAY IT BE A SWING, A CHAIR OR A BENCH......
(ABOVE PHOTOS: MARK LOHMAN)
..............................A CHAIR.............................................
(ABOVE PHOTOS: MICHAEL GARLAND)
.............OR A DREAMY GAZEBO.................
(ABOVE PHOTO: PHILIP CLAYTON-THOMPSON)
IT IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR ENTERTAINING AL-FRESCO............................
IN PRETTY RELAXED WAYS....................
(ABOVE PHOTO: MICHAEL GARLAND)
.....OR MORE FORMAL STYLE.....................................
(ABOVE PHOTOS: MARK LHOMAN)
BUT IT'S ALSO THE TIME TO OPEN THE WINDOWS WIDE TO LET IN THE SUNSHINE AND FRESH AIR AND GIVE THE HOUSE A FRESH SUMMER MAKEOVER.....................
(PHOTO: MARK LOHMAN)
(PHOTO: PHILIP CLAYTON THOMPSON)
(PHOTO: MICHAEL GARLAND)
IN SPITE OF ALL MY WHINING ABOUT"POSSUMS, FLIGHT DELAYS, 4:AM WAKEUP CALLS AND OTHER TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS", AS THESE IMAGES CLEARLY SHOW I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO BE WORKING WITH AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHERS, TO MEET TALENTED HOMEOWNERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, AND TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE SO MUCH BEAUTY WITH EACH OF YOU.
(PHOTO: FIFI)
WISHING YOU A MOST ROMANTIC SUMMER.
Everything is just dreamy. You post, I read and view the amazing photos and I think I noticed my blood pressure go down a little and feel a whisper of take it easy and breathe it all in kind of feeling ~ really! I am still enjoying the new issue of Romantic Country, Fifi but can't wait to see the Fall one as well. Do I see numbers hanging from the ceiling in one of the photos? Love it and everything you do. Happy Summer Sweet Fifi!
xoxo~Tracie
Posted by: Tracie~My Petite Maison | June 20, 2009 at 09:30 AM
Wow. Those are beautiful photos. Also Romantic Country is sooooo beautiful. Thanks!
Posted by: Gerry Sharp | June 20, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Of Fifi, I can't wait for Summer. It is Winter here in Australia and after seeing all of these amazing photos I so want Summer to hurry and come back.
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | June 20, 2009 at 09:40 AM
I just died and went to Heaven....Just like that!
Posted by: migambeta@yahoo.com | June 20, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Wow. Not much else to say to such photos!
The vintage columns in one pic sent my heart soaring! That grand bird "cage" (aviary!) was really something! Surely the birds who dwell within it sing a beautiful song! :)
Thanks for the beautiful inspriation!
Your partner in the Florida heat,
Ruth
P.S. Ran into Kim M. the other day! We must all have coffee (Sue, too!).
Ruth
Posted by: The Beautiful Life | June 20, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Oye,
100 degrees way to hot for us. Stays in the low to mid 90s here.
We just weathered our first Hurricane yesterday. Suprised even the experts. Was predicted as a tropical storm. Hit land about 50 miles south of us as a catagory 3!!! No fatalities but alot of damage. :(
Take care and have a wonderful summer!!
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mexico
Posted by: Pattie | June 20, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Oh Fifi...it is just beautiful! It is raining here again today...I can hardly believe it! We have had so much I just did not think it could rain anymore. Thank you for transporting me to a non rainy place!
annie
Posted by: Firefly Hill | June 20, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Dear Fifi, you are better than Calgon ~ Thanks for taking me away to such dreamy, enchanting worlds! Love all the pictures you've posted. I'm also enjoying my newest Romantic Country magazine immensely. Love that the pic I voted for made it as the cover on this issue!!
Happy Pink Saturday!
Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Posted by: Stephanie | June 20, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Sweet photos I wish I lived in them all LOL.
All the best,
Allison
Posted by: Allison | June 20, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Eye candy!!!! My mother (85) and I just nibble and then devour your beautiful photos and your wonderful, wonderful, best-magazine-on the-market Romantic Country... Love it! Hugs... Thank you for all your dedication, your great eye, and your talent... Hugs...
Posted by: Gayla | June 20, 2009 at 12:04 PM
What beautiful photos! I would love to be in each one of those beautiful places.
Where in the world did you find that great glass heart shaped hanging vase Fifi? I love that!
xo
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio & The Comforts of Home | June 20, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Coucou Fifi, just a BONSOIR from South of France ! Mylise
Posted by: Mylise | June 20, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Beautiful photos. A sweet taste of things to come! Can't wait!
Posted by: Southern Lady's Vintage | June 20, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Gorgeous photos, Fifi! The current issue of Romantic Country is fabulous! I've seen Paris Flea Market's things at Vignettes and I am in love with that kitchen!
Posted by: Claudia | June 20, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Breathtaking....
I am a bit late..I just picked up the latest issue today.
I sat down and devoured each page....now I can get up and clean the kitchen.
So much inspiration is packed in Romantic Country magazine and your lovely blog as well.
Happy Summer :)
Sheri and Sophee~a
pawshpoodle.blogspot.com
Posted by: Sheri Ingrande | June 20, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Fabulous photos, of a romantic summer indeed, Fifi! p.s just got my new issue of Romantic Country and have been thoroughly enjoying it.
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | June 20, 2009 at 04:51 PM
What a treat this billet doux is! I would love to BE a photographer..I would take 2 classes in my next life.. photography and cooking:)
Two passions I have developed much later in life..
These photos leave me speechless and wanting to learn more..
I wish I could be happy eating just fruit:)
Pasta may be my middle name now:)
Happy..beautiful summer to you also..
But..isn't it always.. happy beautiful summer there?
x
Posted by: Monique | June 20, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Oh it's definitely SUMMER here in Macon! We had a heat index of 102 today. EEK! ;0
Thank you for sharing such breathtaking photos. We the readers are extremely fortunate that Harris publications hires the most excellent staff of editors, writers, stylist and photographers. Every publication is just more and more beautiful and we continually look forward to every new issue! Thank you filling our lives with such beauty. Enjoy you summer! ~*~*XOXO*~*~Jenn
Posted by: Jennifer | June 20, 2009 at 04:59 PM
There really is artistry in what you do and I appreciate your art! I am always drawn to pictures that make me want to step in to the scene and yours did just that.
I enjoyed my visit.
Becky
Posted by: Becky | June 20, 2009 at 06:03 PM
Mark is a wonderful photographer. Nice light.
Posted by: deb | June 20, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Hello Fifi; Wow what beautiful photos, I can't wait till the next issues come out, I just bought the new one today, can't wait to sit and gaze at it all...
Hugs;
Alaura
Posted by: Alauar Parrish | June 20, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Fabulous! Is that the garden of a Scottish Princess I saw amongst the beautiful shots?
Hope you are keeping cool, and all the kitties, too!
xo Lidy
Posted by: frenchgardenhouse | June 20, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Beuatiful and inspiring photos....thank you Fifi! x
Posted by: Hannah | June 21, 2009 at 12:38 AM
The post is very lovely as always.
Posted by: Marietta Hoschak | June 21, 2009 at 06:49 AM
So many beautiful pictures. I really love the doves and that gorgeous house of theirs.
Posted by: YSLGuy | June 21, 2009 at 06:53 AM