Flowers From the Market

TD and I headed over to the Union Square Farmers' Market on Saturday where things are now in full swing. We always go first to the north east corner of Union Square to the Durrs' truck. They have a plenitude of offerings year 'round. On Saturday there were bouquets mixed with different flowers, which look pinkish here because of the red tent overhead.

There were clouds of what I call little daisies; I don't know their proper name.

These are branches of cranberry something, I couldn't understand the guy's accent. I love flowers, but I also love things that are not flowers – vines, leaves, branches, berries like this.

Other vendors offered a wealth of potted plants for the garden

and buckets of lilies.

We bought a bunch of the little daisies and cranberry branches and a mixed bouquet.

The cranberry branches went into the galvanized florist's bucket. TD added in some of the daisies. I like an arrangement that is loose, airy, simple and natural looking – as if it was just cut from your own garden. It gives a feeling of the country when you're in the city. Over-sized is good too.

I took the bouquet apart and put some of the red bits into our radicchio vase from Tiffany's. The colors of the flowers repeat in the hand-painted vase.

TD likes a flower on his bedside table so he got the sunflower.

The little daisies went in the entry hall, where they light up at night.

After all the arranging, everyone was pooped.

Flowers Right Now in New York City

are purple. Like the purple pansies I planted at the front door. Pansies like cool weather so these have been happy this spring. I love climbing the steps of the stoop and seeing their smiling faces.

(click to enlarge photos)
Inside we have magenta peonies, full and luscious, each one like a ruffled ball gown which grows out of a small hard ball of a bud.

At the farmer's market there are spiky irises

and pastel cornflowers

and clouds of phlox.

I like the coolness of these purple spring colors before the hot pinks and reds of summer. This pale lilac phlox tone to me is a Swedish color. I'd like to have a room painted this hue, like a library. Right now our library – I say library, it's our office/guest room/library – is painted grey but it doesn't read grey to me, it reads dark white. Next time I think I will try a soothing Swedish purple color like this phlox.

Tulip Time

This is the time of year when tulips are blooming all 'round in New York City and they are such a delight to see. I photographed the vividly striped tangle above in a sidewalk tree garden off of Madison Avenue.

Tulips originated in the Ottoman Empire and so the name for the curving flower is derived from the Persian word for "turban." The bright blooms were brought to Europe in the sixteenth century where they took hold in cool climates like that in Holland.

Right now at the Union Square farmers' market, a vendor is selling spectacular single stems, $1.50 each, ten for $13.

They come in a great variety of colors and shapes.

A bouquet can be separated and placed around the house - on a table

or on a mantle.

It's amazing what one big tulip can do for a room.

Happy Easter from NYC

Flowers at the deli on Seventh Avenue.

Shopping for daffodils at the farmers' market.


Easter lilies and pussy willows.


We're off to our liberal and artistic church Judson Memorial on Washington Square South, and then to friend Abby's home for Easter luncheon with her family on East 9th Street.
Happy Easter, chickens. Hope you have a great day.

Autum Arrives

Fall has come to the Farmers Market, with mums


and pumpkins.


It was cool and crisp today. I love the cool, crisp weather of Fall. It reminds me of school -- high school, and running on the cross country team over hill and dale in New Hartford, New York. And it reminds me of college -- McGill, and being back in Montreal which I loved. I always liked the clothes involved with going back to school -- woolly sweaters and corduroy pants, and I had a great tan color corduroy blazer which came from Rudy's, the legendary men's store in Herkimer, New York. Fall has a kind of innocence to it, the feeling that life is full of hope and anything can happen. No matter how long I am out of school, Fall always brings for me the feeling of fresh beginnings.