I Am Simply Mad Over Peonies

The garden plan continues. Just brought home a Sandra Bernhardt peony to plant in a bit, along with some climbing roses and scads of vegetable seeds. The blowsy blooms of a peony are simply divine, and since it's (finally) the weekend, I thought I'd toss some peony kisses out there as a send off.

And this gorgeous painting by William Merritt Chase. Happy weekend!

Sutro Baths 19th Century Lithograph

There's something so whimsical about turn-of-the-century art. I recently found this poster at Nashville's fabulous GasLamp antique mall for $22.  It shows San Francisco's grand public complex, Sutro Baths, which opened March 14, 1896.  

The print is based on a lithograph originally owned by George Whitney, owner of the Sutro Baths and the Cliff House. The baths included seven pools and a glazed roof of 100,000 glass panes which allowed the sunlight to filter through. Unheated seawater filled the largest tanks. What a fantastic treat for a person of that era to go swimming there, right? 

I love the swimmers with their handlebar mustaches, waving or exercising or whatever it is they're doing. They're having such a turn-of-the-century blast, aren't they?

All the bathers were required to use the establishment's suits, which explains the uniform appearance of the folks on these stairs; no J.Crew for these guys. Sutro Baths also hosted entertainment events, such as trapeze acts, contortionists, dwarf boxing matches, magicians and high-diving canines. Fabulous! I would have been in the front row. 

Textile Designer Amy Butler

I got a sewing machine last Christmas, so curtain fabrics are very much on my mind. While I have visions of Kravat, Duralee and Schumacher (Imperial Trellis, anyone?), I simply cannot bear the $100+ per yard price tags. Enter Amy Butler. Her aesthetic is all about vintage with a modern twist. Big, splashy flowers done in graphic fashion. With just a bit of searching, it can be found for sale online at prices ranging from $8 to $15 a yard. Which leaves one some money, and fabric, left over for matching dresses and babushkas (for when one is having a "Sound of Music" moment, naturally).

Amy Butler's Fresh Poppies in fuchsia

Amy Butler's Belle Acanthus

Amy Butler's Cherry

Amy Butler's Floating Buds in ivory

Fat Tuesday is THE Day for Ladurée

Well, all good Catholics (and Episcopalians) know that today is "Fat Tuesday," or as the French say, "Mardis Gras." It's the last day to partake of rich and decadent foods before Ash Wednesday, the start of the penitential Lenten season. Tonight I attended the traditional pancake supper at the local Episcopal church. But I was daydreaming about what I'd truly love to have as my last, decadent hurrah before the season of bean soups, bread without butter, and stevia-laced fruit. Why, I'd waltz down the Champs-Élysées in Paris and hit the Ladurée store hard. Afterward, I might stroll over to the  Place de la Madeleine and take a few bites at Fauchon and Hédiard. As it is, I am in Tennessee, and thus had pancakes. But here are some fabulous Ladurée photos, for daydreaming ... 

How could you choose just one? 

Macaroons, naturally. Pistachio, orange blossom, rose, and raspberry. I'll take one of each, s'il vous plaît! 

The famous L'Entremet Marie-Antoinette cake by Ladurée. 

The L'Entremet Marie-Antoinette, full sized, for sharing (or not). 

Don't you wish this truck was headed your way? Photo taken in Paris by blogger "The Girl Who Ate Everything." 

Oh yes, this is how to do Fat Tuesday. Forget pancakes. I should have just donated my $5 for the cause, then headed for Paris...