Tag: nature

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A Few Favorites {6. 3. 2014}

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{I was sitting in the window seat at the front of the house when this spring storm appeared fast and furious!}

Spring Rain
Have you noticed spring rain is so invigorating and refreshing, not only for the lawn and vegetables in the garden, but also as a natural beauty treatment. I remember collecting rainwater to rinse my hair as a teenager and still enjoy being caught outside during a heavy deluge when working the grounds at Heath; it makes my hair feel so lush and soft. These luxurious drops of water vapor are the ultimate earthy product.

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{The pinky-red peony buds are bursting through the leaves above this creamy iris.}

First Iris’s and Peonies
The first cutting flowers to bloom after the cherry blossoms are the irises and peonies around Heath. After an extremely cold spring, their flowering was later than usual by a few weeks and very rapid process.

Toro@
{The bathrooms at Toro Toro were luxuriously covered in raw cowhide to create this Latin American theme}

Toro Toro
1300 I (Eye) Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
202.682.9500

I stopped by Toro Toro for lunch after frequenting a few art galleries while on a recent visit to Washington, D.C. The restaurant features a churrasco and grill type cuisine in a trendy lounge-like environment with Japanese and Latin American design elements. It was completely relaxing after a day of viewing an abundance of art. We were able to sample ingredients and flavors from South and Central America, and could taste an array of hot and cold plates with various steaks, seafood and poultry all meant for sharing. It was wonderful to be encompassed by such convivial surroundings, which made talking to the people at the next table extremely interesting.

Patches{1}Patches the Dachshund
This is my brother’s dog, a frequent member at many family gatherings. Most of my siblings have a myriad of dogs, but I am the only one with a cat. My brother-in-law {Omar} helped me with a brush-up session in Photoshop and this image is what was created, a very “Andy Warhol-ish” type representation of modern of art and photography. I love this picture of Patches!!!

Create stylishly,
K

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Restoration and Renewal @ Heath

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{Getting top soil, peet moss, manure and a bit of compost into the ground after tilling helps combat the clay soil}

IMG_1687In order to beat the heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic region, there are those of us who are taking clear advantage of the 70-degree temps and balmy breezes to finish off spring-cleaning chores. Such as tilling and weeding the garden, maintaining the lawn by mulching, mowing, weeding and edging. Plus the necessary task of restoring the front and garage doors with a fresh coat of Minwax to protect against the extreme heat of the western summer sun.

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{My brother John helping till the garden, which we will shape into rows for the various vegetables and flowers}
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{My brother Stephen helping me stain the garage doors, while the weather is reasonably cool}

I enjoy the teamwork from each of my family members, primarily my brothers, as everyone knows what must be done to complete all chores. Paul keeps the lawn trimmed, John gets the mulch down around “Poison Ivy Row” and into the garden after pulling weeds on the northeastern potion of the property and Stephan takes care of maintaining the front and southwestern part of the house along with staining the front and garage doors with me.

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{And yes, Malcolm the cat also helps around the property by keeping watch from the Liriope}

An extension of vibrant color is added to the front porch and deck with reddish-orange gerbera daisies, orange and pink impatiens, hot pink geraniums, deep purple petunias and dragon-red begonias being placed into planters for added beauty.

All in all the weekend was a huge success with a lot of work accomplished by all and Heath being carefully maintained for another year!!!

Work stylishly,
K