Author: Frances

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner I am beginning to gather inspiration for centerpieces and gifts. This stunning arrangement by @foretdesignstudio stopped me in my tracks and got me thinking…there are so many beautiful winter florals that go unnoticed. So, I figured I would remedy that by outlining some of my favorites to make your next arrangement unique. See below….⁠
– Anemones⁠
– Ranunculus⁠
– Dahlias⁠
– Lisianthus⁠
– Lacy protea plants⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.#floralarrangement #fineartflowers⁠
#nofloralfoam #slowflowers #floralarrangements #weddinginspiration #luxurywedding #talentgarden #foamfree #floralinstallation #winterflorals #homestead #mybhg #habitandhome #mydomaine #dwell #ggathome #theeverygirl #anthrohome #rshome #targetstyle #amazonhome #flashesofdelight #entertaining #entertainingathome

We all know people who personify this, and perhaps we aspire to it ourselves. I hope I do. Heaven knows Helen Keller had more reason than most to rage at her circumstances and the cards life had dealt her, and I imagine she did rage from time to time. She was only human. But she chose to see her life, privileged as it was with access to education and other resources, as an adventure. Her attitude, determination, and sheer persistence were and ever shall be a light in the world and an inspiration to all, in sickness and in health.⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#motivationmonday #motivationalquotes #flahsesofdelight #helenkeller #quotes #francesschultz #adventure #wanderlust

Flowering winter branches bring the promise of spring.
#quince
#lilies #pink #floweringbranches

How does something as delicate as a flower have such power to comfort and please us? They remind me that beauty, like life itself, is fleeting, and that we must appreciate the bloom in the present because it is all we have. But oh what a miracle is the blooming!

#roses
#ranunculus
#hydrangea
#waxflower
#hellebore
#tulips
#parrottulips
#valentineflowers ?
#francesschultzflowers

So many favorite photos of our Nina, who never took a bad one, but I love this because of the expression on Sidney Poitier’s face. She was with @pattyraynes that night at one of her Patty’s father’s big doo-dah’s, back in the day. ‘80s?Dont know who took the photo, reposted from @ninaggg. Nina no doubt is continuing to be the life of the party in the life after the party. RIP beautiful friend.
#ninagriscom #sidneypoitier #glamour #glamourgirl

The city wakes up. The rising sun hits the tops of the buildings on Central Park West and for a brief few minutes they glow golden orange before cooling again into their gray and glass and steel.

Saying goodbye today to a dear friend of mine and to many. From my heart, thank you all for your condolences, your tender sympathies, and your memories. If you were a friend, and you are in New York, please come to her service today, Wednesday, at 11, at St James. She always played well to packed house.
Photo #rancholazaca

Goodbye my precious Ninja. A fitting nickname, though Leo at times called us both Ninja. Cannot imagine why, or that all those nights we stayed up way too late, drank way too much, and cackled way too loud, had anything to do with it. (And why wasn’t I Frinja?) During the day I was Miss Jane to your Drysdale. I think that started in Africa, hence this photo.

Not that the world can ever have enough glamour shots of Nina, but this is Nina’s glamour in the bush, on our first trip there together. Nina’s first, my ?th. I so wanted her to love Africa as I did. We went with a small group of fabulous girls, “Cougars Without Borders,” someone’s cheeky son called us. And after 10 days of bewildering beauty, bumpy game drives, much wine, and many late nights of inappropriate everything (is there a theme here…?), Nina did love Africa. At safari’s end she allowed that she was ready to “get home, get out of this khaki and into some diamonds.” But she was hooked. So much so that she joined the board of our beloved @empowersafrica charity and served with loyalty and enthusiasm.

Nina was not a Believer-capital-B in the conventional sense, but then she was not always conventional, period. I believe part of what spoke to Nina about Africa is its way of putting you in your tiny place in the universe, a way of making you feel so small amid its majesty and vastness, and yet at the same time a part of it, down to its very source. It is a liminal experience, transcendent, and it never leaves you.

Nina also believed in love and in life. She believed in the love of her husband Leo, her daughter Lily, her late mother Liz, and her army of friends. She lived life with irrepressible vitality and verve, with wit and style, with attitude and gratitude, and with her gorgeous head held high. You couldn’t help but admire and be inspired by her.

Her charisma and spirit were unsinkable to the end, and that is how we remember her. Her body failed but her spirit did not. She died defiantly as she lived, with dignity, gumption, and grace. Go home now, my sister, and get into those diamonds. Your sparkle is eternal.
#ninagriscom #ninagriscomrip #whatafabulouswoman #greatchick

Setting out for morning errands. These beautiful swaths of green are so rare and wonderful. They transform our normally brown high desert landscape, if only for a few weeks. We are so lucky to live here. I never forget that. Then again we are lucky to live, aren’t we. Happy Saturday to you all, and blessings.
#rancholazaca #morningdrive #oaksavanna #oaksavannavineyard #iwanttopaintit #iwanttopaintthis #santaynezvalley #santaynez #santa barbarawinecountry #californiacookingandsouthernstyle #landscape

The potato is the culinary Kate Moss. Unadorned it is beautiful but plain, But with just the right embellishment–not too much–it is GORGEOUS. From California Cooking and Southern Style, our Pan Fried Potatoes with Lemon and Parsley are gorgeous potatoes. Try them this weekend with any meat, fish, veggie, or a salad. Recipe on blog, via link in profile. I wouldn’t be above crumbling a little bacon on that salad, too. Just saying. Photo @DeborahLlewellyn @chefstephanievalentine⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#potatoes #californiacookingandsouthernstyle #comfortfood potatoeswithlemonandparsley #chefstephanievalentine #flashesofdelight #everydayliving #bhghome