Goodbye to Bee Cottage

Interior/Exterior/Portraits of Frances Schultz and her "Bee Cottage" located in East Hampton NY. Originally shot for a series of columns written by Frances Schultz for House Beautiful Magazine

The rumor is true. I am selling Bee Cottage. Have sold it, in fact, closing this fall. And yes, it is hard to let go. Really hard. Lump-in-my-throat-all-summer-hard. But there comes a time. If His Grace (aka my husband for new readers) hasn’t taken a shine to it by now, he’s not going to. Oh,… Continue reading Goodbye to Bee Cottage


Travel Sketch: India

Government building in Delhi

Truly, you don’t have to be an artist to sketch your travels. The point is not to create great art (obviously, in my case) but to look and to see in a new way, and then to have a souvenir that is way better than a t-shirt. Here’s mine from a recent trip to India.… Continue reading Travel Sketch: India


The Most Brilliant Hors d’Oeuvre You’ve Never Heard of

Bagna Cauda in all its olive-oily-garlicky glory. Recipe and photo by Stephanie Valentine.

An easy, do-ahead hors d’oeuvre full of rich, buttery, garlicky goodness–delicious and different and everyone loves it. Drum roll please…Bagna Cauda, or “hot bath” in Italian. It’s also a Christmas Eve tradition in Italy’s Piedmont region. Perhaps it will become one for you?


How to Make Time Go More Slowly… and What I’ve Been Doing With Mine

Image via LL Bean, www.llbean.com

First, how to make time go more slowly: Wouldn’t we all like time to slow down? (unless we are at the dentist) Sounds impossible, but seems you can, because time is relative. Literally. It has to do with Einstein’s Theory of Relativity,* and how time is relative to distance and the speed of light and what… Continue reading How to Make Time Go More Slowly… and What I’ve Been Doing With Mine


Special for Connecticut Area Readers…

A little bouquet I whipped up a while ago...

If you are ready to tap into your inner potential and to take deliberate action (and you live near Connecticut ;), then this is your day. Come to play your “woman card” (sorry, couldn’t resist) with strong, inspiring women in a lovely and intimate setting at this Women’s Leadership Retreat on May 11 in Glastonbury, near Hartford.… Continue reading Special for Connecticut Area Readers…


Coming to San Francisco!

Will be making a mad dash to San Francisco this week to speak at the fabulous de Young Museum. It is their celebrated, annual Bouquets to Art event.   I am pinch-hitting for my friend Carolyne Roehm, who has family matters to attend to. She was, as she always is, very generous to suggest me… Continue reading Coming to San Francisco!


Five Ways to Work Your Way Out of a Muddle

Late afternoon in the vineyard, Rancho la Zaca

You may have noticed (or been relieved) that I’ve stepped aside from blogging, in part to promote The Bee Cottage Story, which is pretty consuming. But also because I’m confused about what to do next. What to say? Where to focus? Who to become? WTF? Do you ever get like that?


Hopeful New Year!

Hopeful New Year!

Greetings Dear Readers, as we gallop into 2016, I’m still catching up with ’15…Last year’s Downton Abbey for one. Didn’t you love the point-to-point? And how the closed captions said things like: “MAN: FASTER!” The clothes were pretty swell, too.



Happy Thanksgiving Decorating and Beyond

Happy Thanksgiving from our ranch to yours. Here’s a glimpse of last year, in case you’d like a little last minute inspiration. These feathered turkeys have become a staple in the entry hall. I ordered them from the Internet (no idea the source, sadly).  This is his mate on the opposite wall. You will notice they are both Toms.… Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving Decorating and Beyond



Need a Pat on the Back or a Kick in the Pants? This 4-Minute Chick-Flick Does Both.

It’s beautiful and inspiring and okay a little schmaltzy. But sometimes I like that, because I am, at heart, a sap. Anway it’s a good way to start the week. A dear friend sent it to me, and I thought I’d share. Watch it here: Today I Rise.  Below are a few of the film’s images, in the background… Continue reading Need a Pat on the Back or a Kick in the Pants? This 4-Minute Chick-Flick Does Both.