Good enough to Eat

When I am feeling low I turn to flowers.

When my daughter Libby feels blue, she bakes.

And with a cake this cheerful, how could you not smile?

It has got me in the mood for a bit of Jubilee baking - but in this case with ingredients of hydrangeas, roses and allium.

Delicious!

I took these photos some years ago on the Jane Packer stand at Hampton Court Flower Show. A lady who is sadly missed by fellow flower lovers.

With the sun blooming at Chelsea, the Jubilee just around the corner and Libby baking in the kitchen, I thought it was time to bring these photos out again.

It seems many florists are inspired by cake - these from Rachel Lilley, who used to have a beautiful flower shop in Bath.

And here a cake of flowers, inspired by Jessie, The Poundbury Florists.

Have a happy Jubilee.

Cold enough for Christmas

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, 

And the fire is so delightful ...

Last year Christmas was cancelled. My eldest daughter was in Australia and we decided it just would not be the same without her.

Her sister Libby wrote; "My mother gave Christmas its ultimatum in an email 'Christmas isn't Christmas without the four of us, so it has been postponed until further notice' "

"When December arrived and the lights went up I was almost surprised. Didn't anyone get the memo? Christmas is off this year. As I sidestepped my way between Christmas shoppers and battled a tied of yellow Selfridges bags on Oxford Street, I felt like a fish drowning in a sky."

So this is why, when the radio weatherman declares "This bank holiday is going to be colder than Christmas" I am probably the only person thinking 'Great!'

We have the tree, we have the Christmas cards,

we have the holly and ivy

and lights and crackers and stockings.

The fire and lanterns are lit, the turkey is in the oven and Michael Buble is crooning around the kitchen.

We even have slight hangovers from a Christmas Eve drinks party.

But most important of all, we have the four of us around the table.

It turns out Christmas wasn't cancelled, just postponed.

Happy Flowers, Happy Florists

A window full of gerbera filled milk bottles is enough to make anyone smile.

Kate, at Rustic Rose, tells me they have had more people into the shop because of this window, than with any other window display they have done.

It is also a very appropriate window for Kate as her family are dairy farmers.

It seems people come in asking to buy the flowers and the milk bottles!

Well, it certainly made me stop and smile.

And it is not only the customers who are smiling.

Spring is one of the best times in a flower shop. Fragrant old favourites arrive and there is always a splash of unexpected colour.

The bulbs are coming up ....

and there are no end of flower combinations to choose from for posies and bouquets.

Or you could go for one single flower - like this bucket of creamy white anemones.

With all that on offer, how can you resist smiling too?

Passing Time with Paul Thomas

On a warm Spring day in London there are few nicer places to be than sat at a table in the sunshine in one of the alleys that intersect Shepherd Market. Once famous for its prostitutes, here you will now find restaurants, cafes and unusual and interesting shops.
This includes award winning flower designer, Paul Thomas. I had heard of Paul and his work and was delighted that as I chat to Sarah, his manager, (she tells me she has been with Paul for over 20 years) Paul pops his head into the shop, - in between appointments.
Paul tells me that last week was their 23rd birthday - and in these tough economic times for florists, that is a huge achievement.
For those who do not have time to call into the shop, I would suggest a wander through Paul's website www.paulthomasflowers.co.uk

Look on the Events page at Paul's romantic and luscious wedding and party designs - the type of work that earned Paul the position as in-house florist for the Ritz. I am reminded of my friend Trish, who years ago worked in the Ritz flower shop, she told me that if there was someone famous staying who the florists wanted to have a look at, they would grab an arrangement and walk purposefully down the corridor - pretending to look busy - in search of them! She had a particular soft spot for Richard Geer and the manager of the restaurant had it noted that if he ever ate there he should give her a call!

As you scan Paul's website - definitely have a look at the Contracts page. There are so many simple and effective ideas there that could be used - even on a smaller scale - in your own home or office. As I am typing this I look around my office and realise, apart from the masses of flower photographs on the walls, I do not have a single flower. Shame on me! I am going out to do something about that right now!

Picking Flowers

What better place to meet a friend to help her choose her wedding flowers than Pythouse Walled Garden on a sunny Sunday lunch time?

It is such a good idea - everybody comes!

Rowena and Richard are getting married in June so they have SO many different flowers to choose from,

and it just so happens I have the books to help them!

Chat about flowers followed by lunch and wine in the sunshine with friends - it takes a lot of beating.

Since I last blogged about Pythouse they have had a bit of a shift around and make-over (bit like me and my office).

The shop has been changed around to give much more feeling of space and light

and inside the Potting Shed Cafe a new mural graces the walls, reminding those sipping coffee and eating cake on rainy days of what waits outside when the clouds clear.

Room for Renata

I have spent this week up a ladder. I have been painting and decorating and shifting furniture. I have moved my office from what will now be our dining room into an upstairs bedroom.

I am tired and a bit battered but very happy. I am thinking of asking Farrow & Ball for call their next shade of grey paint (with a touch of aubergine), Sally's Bruise. What do you think?

I now even have somewhere in natural light to draw and paint.

I am in love with my new office.

Every girl needs a space of her own.

My friend Renata asked to see photos of it finished - so here they are. And Renata, you are welcome anytime to call in for tea or wine.

But I would leave it a few days or you may get roped into sorting the dining room out - which at the moment looks like a bomb has gone off in it!