Ever since I was little, July 4th was a big event in our family. My Dad would set off millions of fireworks in our back yard with all of our family and friends there to eat and celebrate. As the years went by, backyard fireworks became a memory but we still couldn’t resist the sparklers as a fun finish to the evening! Our kids were so lucky to share the holiday with these wonderful grandparents!
INFIORATA!
As I look at the flowers I planted just a few weeks ago nibbled by bunnies and looking a bit sparse, I am inspired to try again as I see the Flower Festival in Genzano celebrating the Corpus Christus Feast yesterday! For over two centuries, the community has created a beautiful floral “carpet” that looks like a mosaic made from fresh flower petals and placed painstakingly on chalk drawn designs. The culmination of the festival occurs when a masked parade walks the street wearing medieval and traditional clothes. This photo was from 2012 and found at www.travelvivi.com.
This month for the wedding post I couldn’t help mentioning my 27th anniversary which was June 13th. Yep Friday the 13th! My husband Lenny and I always considered 13 a lucky number. So with 27 years of wear and tear and lots of chips and cracks, we retired the pottery we registered for and replaced it with some of our favorites! And to celebrate on Friday, we shared Caesar salad, steaks on the...
When our second child left for college, my career happily changed from an office with all the support you could want to a warehouse on my own with weekend support from my husband! I needed some company! You met Scout last September, making herself at home in a Modigliani piece and in November working in the warehouse unloading a shipment! Now we introduce her little sister Nellie. Nellie is a wonderful Golden Retriever that joined the family 2 months ago and is learning the ropes from her sister! I am sure there will be escapades to share from this dynamic duo!
With Fathers Day around the corner, I find myself counting my blessings for the special role my own Dad played in my life and that of my children. Although he died 9 years ago, his presence is felt and his legacy is evident each day. He generated respect by example, encouraging us to not be afraid to try something new, and to have confidence that we can achieve whatever we want to in life with...
You may recall our Facebook post in February when we were in the little town of Panzano eating at Mac Dario, the family style “fast food” restaurant owned by the famous butcher Dario Cecchini. We learned after being greeted with Grappa in the butcher shop by Dario himself that he would be coming to Kansas City, our home town, in June. It’s hard to believe we will be enjoying a meal this week...
Kick Off Summer
Summer is here and while we are as far from a coast as you can get in our Kansas City Showroom, we couldn’t resist sharing a bit of the beach and dreaming about seafood to fill our giant appetizer platter!
GARDEN WEDDINGS
Many years ago I attended a beautiful garden wedding in a backyard full of special gardens, gazebos and pools. What an incredible opportunity to share your new life together with family and friends in your own backyard! Rain threatened but in the end the evening was glorious as the pictures here reveal. In fact a year later, another wedding was held in the same spot but felt totally different. It is remarkable how each bride can make her experience unique. It is one of the things I like most about working with brides!
OUR WINNER!
I am honored to present our winner for the Mothers Day Contest. Here is her story:
“It is so hard for me to articulate verbally sometimes, so I am grateful for the opportunity to use writing to show appreciation for my Mother. This wonderfully unique gift comes at a perfect time and is very appropriate this Mother’s Day. Six months ago my husband left our family. Losing a spouse no matter how or why requires time to grieve. Doing this with a 2 and 6 year old that require my time and love is difficult. Especially when they are grieving too. There was no hesitation from my mother to jump in and help out in anyway she could. I had been a stay-at-home-mom for 5 years and she had just entered retirement. I know she was looking forward to a nice relaxing lifestyle after many years of hard work. But instead she was faced with helping me raise my girls so that I could go back to work. Whether it be taking the kids for me, listening to me grieve, or doing my dishes for me. She is there. Often I come home to a vacuumed house, clean bathroom, and laundry done. Having these things done for me allows me the time to nurture and care for my girls. These services are invaluable. During this time I have realized how important family is to each other. How it really does take a village. This Mother’s Day she deserves nothing less than a gift that is unique and heartfelt. A gift that someone put their heart into to make, as she has put her heart into her family. I am very grateful! Thank you.”
Italian Gardens
In Italy the formal gardens are like a piece of art with harmonious symmetry that becomes at the same time a part of the villa or castle and the country surrounding it. This was the inspiration for our Giardino all’Italiana collection. Spring is here!