Carolyne Roehm sends her thoughts and prayers, as do I, to all who continue to struggle in the wake of the horrid storm… As an antidote to the destruction, Carolyne posted “Something Positive After the Hurricane,” which was about guess what. Our wedding. Aww. Here’s an abbreviated preview below, and you can see more photos… Continue reading Wedding Highlights From Carolyne Roehm
Author: Frances
The Good Effects of Goofing Off (But Beware of Zombies)
I was tooling back to the ranch from lunch with girlfriends in Los Olivos the other day and thought while I was goofing off I may as well stop in at my friend Jefferson Woeste’s shop J. Woeste, which is a great place to goof off, and there is always something there to make you… Continue reading The Good Effects of Goofing Off (But Beware of Zombies)
Big Bad Sandy No Match for the Good Guys
This photo was going around Facebook and on the news, in case you missed. If you know the photographer’s name, please send so I can credit him or her.* In our 24-7 news cycle, we may become inured to images of soldiers in hardship (or worse), and then a photo like this lands and stops… Continue reading Big Bad Sandy No Match for the Good Guys
“Autumn Is a Second Spring With Every Leaf a Flower.”
“Autumn is a second spring with every leaf a flower.” Albert Camus said that, and I never heard it until this very autumn. Bust my britches. Camus probably never said bust my britches, which in French would be something like Eclatez mes pantalons! Now I’m certain he never said it. Did you know Camus was the… Continue reading “Autumn Is a Second Spring With Every Leaf a Flower.”
Celebrate From Decor-8: Cute Supplies
While we’re in a celebratory mood, here are some really cute party supplies and pointers. Are you familiar with the Decor8 blog? It’s fab and so is its creator Holly Becker, who graciously allowed me to re-post this. Enjoy, and do jump over to see Holly. Party Time: Cute Supplies (via Decor-8) by Holly Becker… Continue reading Celebrate From Decor-8: Cute Supplies
Joyful, Joyful – Wedding at Rancho La Zaca!
Well ladies and gentlemen, here we are. I’ve gone and married my Cowboy, (His Grace, for new readers) and I reckon that makes me Miz Grace? It definitely makes me happy. Apart from losing the marriage license the day before the wedding and driving a million hours to the nearest clerk’s office in Santa Maria… Continue reading Joyful, Joyful – Wedding at Rancho La Zaca!
My Wife-in-Law and Woods Lake
How beautiful is this? It’s Woods Lake in Colorado, and this picture came to me from another Frances along with an invitation to come up there and paint sometime. She won’t have to ask twice. Now Frances is Frances the First, who also happens to be His Grace’s first wife. (For new readers His Grace… Continue reading My Wife-in-Law and Woods Lake
Buck House Goes Pink
A friend, reader and fellow breast cancer rodeo contestant sent me this photo and I wanted to share it with you in case you haven’t seen it, in a nod to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I’ve always heard the queen had a sense of humor. Lest there be any doubt that thing she did with… Continue reading Buck House Goes Pink
Out of Africa: A Suzanne Kasler House, James Givenchy Jewels, and a Benefit
Africa is on my mind lately, though it is always close to my thoughts. House Beautiful’s October issue with its inspiration from ’round the world features a fantastic compound of thatched cottages on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, designed by Suzanne Kasler in what she calls a “weaving of African and British traditions and… Continue reading Out of Africa: A Suzanne Kasler House, James Givenchy Jewels, and a Benefit
Thankful for the Harvest
We’re having a good harvest this year in the Santa Ynez Valley, and a good one from our small Oak Savanna Vineyard here at Rancho La Zaca. Last year a late frost spelled disaster. So we will toast this year to the heat and sunshine that makes these babies ripen. I will not bring up… Continue reading Thankful for the Harvest
Lessons From House Party of Painters
The nicest notes came last week from a group of gals from North Carolina who came to Rancho La Zaca to visit and to paint. I had long wanted to organize a workshop here for my awesome Aunt Gray and her painting buddies. And by dern we finally got around to it. Had a wonderful time,… Continue reading Lessons From House Party of Painters
Nina Griscom’s Got a Brand New Blog – and a Yummy Soufflé
Can I brag on my friend Nina Griscom? Thank you. She’s got a brand new website and blog, and they are beautiful. Like her. Do stop by. Meanwhile here’s a sample. This elegantly simple fall lunch for 2 would make just as good a light supper. And there’s something about a soufflé that says “occasion.” I’m… Continue reading Nina Griscom’s Got a Brand New Blog – and a Yummy Soufflé