Cloudy white breath of heaven billows in the wind.

My garden is glowing with abundant white blooms: cloud-like clusters of breath of heaven, fragrant peppery freesia, regal Calla lilies, towering over furry lamb’s ear. The chorus of birds announced the coming of spring today and I feel the excitement of spring’s promise of renewal, beauty, abundance and change.

Regal Calla lillies tower above the ground.

Peppery Freesia

Rooftops and Dream Clouds of Paris

“Things felt oddly bigger to me in Paris. The sky was more present than in New York, its whims more fragile. I found myself drawn to it, and for the first day or two I watched it constantly-sitting in my hotel room and studying the clouds, waiting for something to happen. These were northern clouds, the dream clouds that are always changing, massing up into huge gray mountains, discharging brief showers, dissipating, gathering again, rolling across the sun, refracting the light that always seems different.

Ordinary and Iconic Paris

The Paris sky has its own laws, and they function independently of the city below. If the buildings appear solid, anchored in the earth, indestructible, the sky is vast and amorphous, subject to constant turmoil. For the first week, I felt as though I had been turned upside-down.

Under a momentary October blue sky, the Hotel de Ville is illuminated.

This was an old world city, and it had nothing to do with New York- with its slow skies and chaotic streets, its bland clouds and aggressive buildings.

The beauty of an urban park as seen from Notre Dame.

I had been displaced, and it made me suddenly unsure of myself. I felt my grip loosening, and at least once an hour I had to remind myself why I was there.”  from The Locked Room, by Paul Auster, 1986

The everchanging light of the sky in Paris, as seen from Notre Dame

The sunlight illuminated the Seine, if only for a moment!

Sacre Coeur keeps a watchful eye over the city of Paris

Looking through old photographs I am inspired by the beauty of Paris. Come along with me, let’s dream we are there!

Fauchon Window Treats

A grand entrance into a private courtyard invites us to dream of what's behind the door!

One of our favorite Paris restaurants for cassoulet, sadly now gone.

Our entertainment on the train to Charles de Gaulle!

Sunset in Paris 2003

The new year gleams with possibility for creativity!  Ideas have been germinating and are ready to come to life. Valentine’s Day, while a social conformity, still inspires us and presents us with fun, playful ideas to share with our love interests, friends and families. Reflections on love as we count down to Valentine’s Day will be featured here.  “In love there is always one who kisses and one who offers the cheek.” -French Proverb

Are you the one who kisses or the one who turns the cheek?

Sheryl Purcell& Trish Vernazza of Venus in Bloom  & May Bergman of Venus in Bloom Finds will be exhibiting Sunday, December 6th 10-4;00 at the home of  Keely & Dave Brewer, 2507 San Clemente Ave., Vista Ca 92084.  Keely is an  interior decorator and her home will be splendidly decorated for the holidays.  Percentage of our sales will be benefiting Vista Community Clinic.  Hope to see you there!  Venus

Feel free to visit this fun-for-everyone event.

Holiday Boutique
2131 Oceanview Rd Oceanside, CA 92056

For more information about Venus in Bloom visit our website [link]

Hope to see you there!