When I’m not herding monkeys and slipping on banana peels I’m back here.
2 years ago on a rainy spring day in Amalfi, Italy I rummaged through tiles in a small shop searching for just the right letters to spell, Moss Cottage. I waited while each tile was wrapped in tissue by the old patient store owner. Then I toted them through the damp labyrinth of streets all the way back to my suitcase. Along with a new blue tile border, those tiles I carried back in my little suitcase across an ocean blue, and an entire continent…have made it onto the wall of my new courtyard-esque patio.
Until I get a better shot you can click twice on the photo above to see those tiles a bit closer. The back bluff is a wild outpost. Best to leave some parts of the garden untamed.
I also carried back an old pinkish file folder I found in a box next to a dumpster one night. I told that story before. I am wont to repeat myself. Don’t hold it against me.
Exhibit numero tres: giant thick file folder/portfolios I found in the
trash while out on a moonlit walk one night in Praiano, Italy. I
carefully extracted them from their tattered cardboard box and hauled
them all the way to dinner, then home, then back across the Atlantic.
Future journal or mailart fodder.
I didn’t know at the time that the pink folder would lead to the Lisbon travel journal for my sister or that that journal would eventually turn into the inspiration for my REMAINS OF THE DAY class. Nope. Didn’t know any of that. I was just looking in the trash. Who knows where the green folder will lead…
Maybe I’ll think of an idea tonight by the fire.
Or while staring deeply into my latest hibiscus blooms. Psssst… come here Gator Pride. I’ve got a secret that only you can hear.
Creme de Cocoa.
And Suede Bottons. My pretty brown girls. I’m leaving them in their pots until I make sure they’re happy.
Ahhhh love the patio…. so European… I am lovin’ those hibiscus babie! Where did you get them??? I must get some too! I loves me some pretty hibiscus…. hmmmmm hmmmm!
achingly beautiful — I’m so moved here! You get to have what you’ve wanted. You’re creating it. and you’re enjoying it with your whole being. inspiration in 100 different lights.
I clicked, I saw the tiles, I admired.
And that night time scene! Gorgeous.
Clever you.
That and a glass of ruby red wine would be all I need right about now =)
I love your new patio and of course, the tiles make me homesick for Mexico!!!
I love your stories, your textures, your tiles and your folders…all of it, the details…Did a little of unexpected traveling this morning here with you…
XOXOrly
Can I come live on your patio? I promise I won’t take up much space…
Wonderful!!!!!
Intoxicating!!
but really the important question- how do the cats feel about that amazing patio??
It is wonderful!
You know how to create havens and spots of indwelling peace, wherever you might be! Such a lovely place!
I’m with Susie, I’d like to wish myself to Moss Cottage as well. Do you have any rooms to rent, perhaps? A little B&B sort of experience for your beloved ROD students? Perhaps at home workshops hosted by yourself and the cat posse? Stand back and watch the dust fly as we stampeded to sign up for that experience! 🙂
Outpost indeed..you’ve created a gentle place to enjoy every delicate flower, to ponder by the light of the fire and slip into bliss any time you wish…oh my goodness…you can expect me around 6ish. VBG!!!!! OK…now I just have to figure out a way to ‘wish’ myself to Moss Cottage. (the tiles are AWESOME)You share the best stories. Can’t wait to see the mail art folder evolve.
Gorgeous. You have outdone yourself Mary Ann! xoxo
Love, Love, Love the purple door. The patio is perfect!
It is perfect, I would never want to leave!
Lovely…perfectly lovely…its so gorgeous and the story of your tiles and trash to treasures…i just love it!!!!!
Water, fire and a fabulous tile mosaic, the Moss Cottage fits so perfectly. Those cocoa hibiscus are so yummy! What a lovely
place you are creating as a gift to yourself.
yes susan, its a gas firehearth. burns clean. no fire to put out when youre done. nice if you just want to sit for 20 minutes or so.
This is bliss. California is ideal for this; which is why Sunset magazine always makes me dream. Is the firepit fueled by a gas line? The lava rocks don’t look hot enough to be bringing fire from the center of the earth. I’d never thought of a a gas fireplace for outdoors consumption. Clever – no ash to clean just flames. Now, where are those marshmallows?
I needed a place to dream today so I spent a little time on your patio. i really didn’t want to leave but duty called and I responded. Look around this evening, though. I may be there again.
Here in the NC mountains, we finally have leaves on nearly all the trees and my peony buds are getting fat. Spring has been slow but it has come.
I was born and raised on the East Coast, about 40 minutes from where I live now. In between, I spent most of my adult life in Indiana… but when I read about your garden, it almost makes me want to move to California… Almost…
Those hisbiscus are gorgeous – wonder why they aren’t available here? Want to come over to visit on your patio – well, I can dream…
OMG. The beauty. The beauty …
That lavender door is fantastic! Your whole patio is just beautiful. I love the story about the tiles over the door and the pink folder….I’m so glad you found that folder because I loved Remains of the Day even though my journal is only partly finished. One of these days I’ll finish it and surprise you!
I have been holding my breath for two days! Ahhhhhhhhhh, it was worth it. Simply divine, you have created a stage that will host many a drama and probably many more comedies…and that’s just the plants. LOVE IT!
I love, love, love your lavender door–it hints of wonderful secrets hidden within…
Beautiful…