Blooms for the Winter Blues

 

I'm in desperate need of a reprieve from winter! Thank goodness warmer weather is apparent! It is difficult to believe that this gorgeous wintry wonderland  our city has become, will eventfully emerge into greenery and blossom in a few months time. 

 

I've filled the house with the floral scent of Jo Malone's 'Orange Blossom' candles and have been taking a look back at my photos of local gardens in summer; as well as some bountiful blooms from our vacations over the past few years - has been very therapeutic! (Please take note, these are my original photographs!)

 

Can you guess where these locations are? See the answer key at the end of this post...

 

 

 

Winter has taken hold all over the globe it seems!.....

 

~ Wishing you warm and sunny days ahead! ~

 

 

From the top: Our back garden, Calgary; Holborn, London; St. James's, London; Lougheed House, Calgary, ; Colony Palms Hotel, Palm Springs; Bistro Jeanty, Yountville; South Beverly Hills, Los Angeles; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; Rosendahl Palace, Stockholm; Memorial Park, Calgary; Botanical Gardens, Sydney; Reader Rock Garden, Calgary.

 

Late Summer Gardens

As the leaves are turning and the air has become much cooler at night, it's time to face the fact that summer's a wrap. Leaving you with some beautiful images of summer gardens here in Calgary before we usher-in the next season.

 

 

Next up: a 'tale of two cities': Amsterdam and Stockholm. Can't wait to share our holiday!

 

~ So long, summer! ~

 

 

Christmas Kick-Off!

 

It's official! The Christmas season has begun. We attended our first Christmas party last weekend at the Lougheed House here in Calgary. It was a wonderful night and I even made off with this beautiful centrepiece during the silent auction.

 

~More festivities to come this weekend...See you next week!~

 



Prairie Manor House

Welcome to 'Lougheed House' which was once the grand home of Sir James Lougheed and Lady Isabella Lougheed. Built in 1891, this elegant sandstone masterpiece just sneaks into the last decade of the Victorian era. Each year around Christmas time, various designers decorate each room in the historic home as a charity fund-raiser. A few highlights from the event last weekend....

This grand front room must have been wonderful for receiving guests and entertaining. I may need to track down that elegant round ottoman-cocktail table for my own living room!

The elegant main staircase below is adorned with detailed stained glass featuring local wildlife.

The two photos below are of the 'gentleman's parlor'. I really liked the feel of the this room. I would have been quite comfortable sipping a brandy on that chestnut leather sofa!

This bedroom has such a welcoming feel. The rustic oil painting over the antique bed echos prairie life.

A nutcracker stands guard at one of the many fireplaces throughout. This one is in the basement ballroom where many events were held by the Lougheeds.