A GARDEN OF WHIMSY & DELIGHT IN FRANSCHHOEK, SOUTH AFRICA

FRANSCHHOEK IS NOT ONLY THE CULINARY CAPITAL OF SOUTH AFRICA, NESTLED IN A VALLEY SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS, AWASH WITH SUNSHINE AND GRAPE VINES, BUT ALSO HAS SOME OF THE MOST STUNNING ARCHITECTURE AND GARDENS I HAVE EVER SEEN.  BUT THEN AGAIN, I AM BIASED……..

This little thatched cottage in the middle of the village has an abundance of plants that spill out onto the pavement.

As you approach the front gate, you realize that this place is something different, unlike anything I have seen before.  It is a garden gallery of plants, collectibles, found objects, an artful creation.

On either side of the stone pathway, 2 majestic Fever Trees (Acacia Xanthophloea), stand out with their green bark - a native to Eastern & Southern Africa.

The garden gate says it all - creativity abounds.  It starts with shells and beads dressing up an otherwise very boring entrance gate.

Once inside the gate, the narrow stone pathway, flanked by orange Strelizia, another native of South Africa (I gloat), directs you to a grape vine covered patio.

Now this is different, an amazing woodpile on either side of the door, with 2 baboon statues daring you to come on up.  I have to love the wood pergola covered with grape vines and the simple terra-cotta pots on either side of the brick steps.

And so the pieces of art begin - an old car tire turned inside out, cut into a design and decorated with oyster shells.  Fun.

Branches of twigs tied up to look like broomsticks and covered with a pop of red ads color and interest.  

This lovely lady is just trashy - bedecked with a rusty tin can top skirt, shells, mosaics and other rusty pieces for a hat - isn't she lovely.  An interesting woodpile and tree trunks painted white to contrast the background.

In all her glory.

A great collection of indigenous aloes and succulents.

Yet another gate dressed up in seashells, mosaic edging and found objects add something different to a gorgeous specimen plant.

Old rusty tin can and pot lids, garden tools and barbed wire look stunning against that brilliant blue painted wall.

A simple outdoor shower, a little privacy - I love the use of Perlemoen shells (Abalone), to disguise the plumbing pipes.

Even the rows of bamboo sticks, accentuating the curves of the beds, do not go unadorned.  Pods from gum trees sit on top of each and every one, natures finial.

Another gorgeous creature watches you walk by.

The back patio is a peaceful, cool retreat, overlooking the "gallery".

An interesting mobile using rusty tin can lids, beads, stones and a lovely long arm of driftwood.  That hand on the end is so elegant.

The lovely lady holding a large shell for water? birdseed? or just to look pretty.  A glimpse of the mountains in the background which are a backdrop to the entire village of Franschhoek.

The back patio.

In a secret little nook, again old rubber tires turned inside out and cut into decorative containers with vegetables and herbs growing in them. 

And the path leading back out, now I'm homesick.

WINTER WONDERLAND IN MY BACK YARD

It's the most wonderful time of the year………

I couldn't help taking these roses out to photograph in the snow

Click on this link to watch my favorite from Freddy Mercury -
A Winter's Tale
It gives me chills every time I listen………….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjWQZBmJf6M

The back patio table

My son's Jeep parked in the drive

A candle centerpiece from the dining room table, leftover from Christmas - the roses, bittersweet berries and nandina all dried perfectly

My veg garden in all it's dormancy glory - I cannot believe out of this will come bounty - SOON…… please

Holly with berries and heavy with snow

Those lovely roses

Our precious little Sadie, loving the snow

Beautiful red male Cardinal

It's snowing - again and again this year...

Another little seating area out back

Robins flocking and feasting on berries

A WINTERY DRIVE INTO THE MARYLAND COUNTRYSIDE

Not even a half hour south of Annapolis, you hit rolling hills, country lanes, horse paddocks, small ponds, thick forests and beautiful fresh country air.  With a crisp chill in the air, the trees are stark, there is a layer of ice on the ponds and red or old wood barns dot the fields.  In spring, this will turn a brilliant green and turn into lushness that is difficult to imagine now.  In the meantime, I will enjoy the stark beauty of a Maryland winter. 

The long and winding country road

We picked up some old wooden french doors from a friend who has a wood shop out in the country

Rolling hills

An interesting clump of black bamboo which seemed so out of place, but certainly made a statement.  There were piles of cut stalks nearby, so they must use them for something.  

Ice everywhere

The reeds frozen into the pond

Half the pond is frozen in the foreground, slow melt

A lovely dirt country road with moss and ferns on either side.

I cannot get enough of old wood outbuildings and red barns.

WINTER SUNSETS

The frigid air on the east coast has also brought along some spectacularly beautiful sunsets unlike any others I have seen down the road from my home, in a long time.  Just a few I have taken in the past couple of weeks, all looking across the same sod farm in my neighborhood ………………..

BASS PRO STORE, ISLAMORADA, FLORIDA KEYS

A trip to Islamorada, one of the many Florida Keys, brought us to visit their local Bass Pro stores.  Islamorada is about an hour and a half south of Miami and a 2 hr drive northeast of Key West.  This is one of America's incredible outdoor camping, hunting, fishing, sport stores that sell related gear, great clothing and with the best store decor I have seen.  Each store is decorated with paraphernalia  representing the immediate area, like the huge fish tanks with fish caught in surrounding waters. 

You can see the fish tank in the far left corner, people standing in front admiring these spectacular fish.

One of my favorite parts of the store, the sister-boat belonging to Ernest Hemingway, he played a large part in the history of the Florida Keys, his magnificent wooden fishing boat PILAR sits proudly in the middle of the store and is so interesting to board and walk around.

Another treasure in this particular store is an antique elevator which works, taking you from the first to the upper level where you can look down over the entire store, and admire the many bits and pieces used to decorate this store.  And of course shop.

Look at the detail in the old woodwork used upstairs.  More bits and pieces used to decorate, related to the island living and the fishing and boating which this area is so famous for.