morning tea...

it's just too nice these early summer days to stay inside, so breakfast is now lingered over in the back yard...a tray with tea (wedgwood drabware), a jug of flowers, and the ny times are all i need!
photographs by marili forastieri

The New General Store

This is the weekend for our third annual New General Store event...we have 2 days of shopping, lunch at the farm table, book signing and vintage tent sale by Matthew Mead, and visiting with friends...Our local historical society is having their community yard sale down the road, so there will be lots of activity! all the details are on the website: www.thenewgeneralstore.com

wisteria in bloom

the wisteria is in full bloom due to all the rain and the fragrance is intoxicating!(unfortunately, the dandelions are in full bloom too- a bumper crop this year)

party planning

setting out the serving pieces in advance and washing the white slipcovers to get ready for summer dinners... cream platters and bowls by Barbara Eigen for The New General Store www.thenewgeneralstore.com
photograph by marili forastieri

guest rooms

I have a lot of house guests coming next weekend as we are having The New General Store pop-up shop weekend. Tucking in extra beds in the garden shed, in the sitting room, in my studio! Remembered a story I did for Country Home magazine on guest room prep as I get ready and pulled the list out.

guest room essentials:
extra blanket/throw
water carafe and glass
scented candle
magazines
book of short stories
pad and pen
good reading light
desk/table with comfortable chair
set of towels
terry robe
bath salts/lotions
tea tray set up
notes to guests about breakfast/coffee
pretty flowers!

apple blossoms

my favorite time of year when the apple tree outside my bedroom window is in blossom...

stone barns

loved a spring visit to stone barns at the old rockefeller estate in pocantico...the architecture reinterpreted as a restaurant/compound by machado + silvetti, the gardens, the menu, the landscape...heaven.