Springtime in PARIS, Part THREE: the flowers

~If you've been following our Springtime in PARIS event (at the shop last Saturday, May 15), you've noticed that we love to celebrate with flowers! Good friend, Susan, was here all day - with her now famous pink shears~She started before the event began, using those shears to gather fresh greens (these are daylily) to supplement the blooms that would come in the door~Bringing viburnum - the shrub you're seeing in bloom around here right now, sometimes growing wild, other times cultivated. Its old-fashioned, hydrangea-like, greenish white blooms are a favorite of mine.And more fresh stems, branches-- bridal wreath ready to pop into bloom - oh, I love to get out and gather all of this myself - what a treat that Susan did this for us~ What can you gather - that's right outside - today?Just about everyone comes in the door with fresh blooms - imagine that~

Some brought their lilacs, fresh from their yard that morning~OK, viburnum or hydrangea?Susan took a huge task and made it appear effortless~she spent the day unwrapping, clipping, trimming, and designing absolutely glorious floral arrangements for us~ She designed with color and style - here mixing homegrown bleeding heart with gorgeous daisy mums~

Hosting not only the flowers, she was always quick with a smile and visited (when she could! She's holding a bouquet in progress)~

Every variety and color imaginable was here~

She made over two dozen unique arrangements for tables around the shop. Doesn't this look like a welcome place to sit for lunch? We convert our Atelier level to 'bistro', bringing in some tables and chairs - and make seating vignettes by covering chests and trunks already here.

We offered a morning and afternoon event that day, so she repeated the entire process with even more flowers arriving in the afternoon~

Arrangements large and small~

Wasn't her apron just perfect for the day?

Then, what she designed went home with our guests~

She grouped and wrapped endless packages - everyone went out the door with a personal bouquet~

Could anything be much better? A huge MERCI BEAUCOUP is due--- to Susan, our guests, and friends/family who were here to make a wonderful day happen ~TERESA

Springtime in PARIS 2010 part two: food, prizes & the apartment

The MENU at our 2010 Springtime in PARIS event at The PORCH & Atelier~

Chef Adam plans and prepares a unique, delicious, fresh menu for us each year~

He and Malia work well together - no detail is missed~I can't resist showing her here again today~Vichyssoise aux asperges blanc (first course) on the kitchen bar, ready to serve~Fresh carrots, beets, and green beans: blanched, marinated and served cold with fresh Dijon vinaigrette~
Rachel, preparing the wine cocktails served in the apartment~

98% of the prizes (over 50 in all- oh my, we love to give prizes!) were brought home from PARIS last month~ (The crown tray is from Sur la Table, but still acceptable, non?)Souvenir scarves, the', French magazines, Eiffel keychains, cafe au lait spoons, on and on -oh! it was fun!

PARIS shopping here, too - stacks of scarves, bags and bracelets to purchase ~

For those who have toured the apartment before, there were changes in the past year. Like this old aqua shed door, leading into the bedroom~There are now double doors into the bedroom, and I'm loving the European feel!

I hope you can visit me at the apartment sometime~ I love my home in this great old building~ Several people asked how I could ever leave it to do anything else- that's a wonderful compliment, isn't it? It really is magical here~

Fleurs, fleurs, and more fleurs - are you ready for the upcoming feature on all of the gorgeous flowers that were here? Enjoy simple pleasures today~ TERESA

Springtime in PARIS 2010, Part ONE: THE PEOPLE

Can you imagine how much fun I had, with all of these happy, smiling guests?

Thank you to those who were here~

Brenda, and many others from The PORCH & Atelier, were here to serve you~

Like Colleen (more about the food later~)

Some were here to celebrate their Mother's Day~

Or, quality time with friends~

Flowers and smiles - can it get any better than that?

Dawn was here again, with her group of seven friends and family~

They come prepared for a great time (they make it great)~

Celebrating a birthday!

Malia, in the kitchen all day with Chef Adam~

We have so many details to show~ But, we're happiest about everyone who was here~

Alot of people took flowers home with them~

I have to give you a peek at our napkin rings - curtain clips from PARIS, holding a French card~

And, what's better than an impromptu fashion show? Wendy, adorable in this gorgeous frock (it fit like it was made for her), modeled it in the apartment for us, and did take the dress home~

More Springtime in PARIS to come - food, flowers - and but of course, more details of the day~ Merci, TERESA