making memorials

In the olden days, people called Memorial Day Decoration Day. Families visited graves and memorials, paid their respects to the war dead and adorned these sites with flowers. We believe the date was chosen as so much of our country is in bloom in late May.

In the modern age (that's us), we also mark the official start of summer, we approve the wearing of whites and we fly the American flag at half mast from dawn until noon.

my maternal grandfather, floyd e. johnson, 1909-1999, charlottesville, virginia

I've come to think of the holiday as a time to recall our personal and national history.  I use the day to tell the children about their extended and distant family. I tell them the basics, the legends and the lies (let's don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!)  As a child, my father amused and taught with stories whose characters came straight out of Big Fish or The World's Largest Man; that's entertainment. And to pull all these sentiments together, last year, my sister sent me this New York Times article that suggests that families that tell family stories stick together longer and better.

In the last ten years, my husband and I start one selected project on or about Mother's Day. We garden, plant trees or flowers, build something.  Sometimes we finish in a day, but we often finish on or about Memorial Day. Then we go fishing as a family.

Of course, all the fish take our sorry, undersized bait as soon as it hits the water. We spend all day and half the night passing the pole between our muscle fatigued arms. The monster won't tire!  The sand gnats swarm in island sized clouds. We land the beast on deck just in time before the tidal waters disappear. We've narrowly escaped being beached and with a hearty supper that will feed all of Vernonburg! True story!

2010: springhouse roof redux, 2013, spring house "porch", 2014 springhouse vertical garden, 2015 potting bench, sink (wip)

Also true, it strikes me as I write this post that I am making memorials to my family, passed (in service to our country or simply in service to our family) and present. I pay homage to Savannah and to the life that I am carving out. I'm also creating a standing memorial that refers to the past, present and future. Our projects are informed by and honors those around us, some dear, some strangers. Both the making and the associated story helps us to create our own traditions and to recall some part of our past.

I'm looking forward to torturing my children with history and projects this entire month, but especially on Memorial Day. Whose story will you tell? Who will you honor and what form will that endeavor take?

plant in vertical garden adopted from lynn serualla + adam kuehl in turtle shell found by family in the georgia woods 

Blogging this week for The Paris Market, artist and collaborative designer katherine sandoz makes abstract paintings, fiber arts, illustration, portraits and collaborative works of art in a barn behind her home in Savannah, Georgia. The flora and fauna of the low-country serve as fodder for her imagery. Sandoz, a former service member herself, is moved and inspired by soldiers and warriors of all kinds and times.  

mother's day scrip

You want to ride boldly and with confidence into Sunday on a white horse and avoid your moms thinking you're a bit of a jackass.  Please take to heart two from the list below. Then call Paris Market in the morning to make a plan of action. Mother's Day is this SUNDAY, 5-10-15!

1.  Moms do NOT want sensible pajamas or sugary edibles. Ever. Really.
2.  Find a beautiful basket/receptacle/vessel. Yes. We always can appreciate and/or use another.
3.  Think themes or interests and fill that basket up. Nothing need be over the top. Thoughtful is the answer.

available at paris market: baskets, candles, fine linens, tabletop goods, air plants (not pictured)

a. reading + learning

b. arts + crafts

c. gardening

d. tabletop

e. teatime

f. travel inspiration

g. home decor

4.  Including one flower element is advised (dried, cut, potted, paper).  Consider researching the flower that symbolically best suits the mom you are appreciating.
5.  One hand-made element is compulsory. Take the time to help the children (if applicable) make or write something. Take double the time to do so if you are the partner/spouse/child/grandchild leading the household's efforts.
6.  Remind the household that parents should be made aware, in word and deed, of your gratitude often and throughout the year.

Blogging this week for The Paris Market, artist and collaborative designer katherine sandoz makes abstract paintings, fiber arts, illustration, portraits and collaborative works of art in a barn behind her home in Savannah, Georgia. The flora and fauna of the low-country serve as fodder for her imagery. Katherine's favorite month of the year is May.

a haphazard gardener

I have a May-December relationship with gardening.  By that I mean, most of the gardening I do happens in May and December.  The rest of the year, I do when I can which is often on the fly and between a million other projects I'm seeding, hoeing and harvesting.

Not exactly a student of almanacs and catalogs,  I'm the kind who throws last year's seed packets into the frost bitten plants to see if anything will happen. 

I have a bunch of "plants-with history" adopted from or given by friends and neighbors.  One is titled "don't-pay-attention-to-me-cactus." I also appreciate the garden-in-a-bag available at The Paris Market. If you have the bag, there's no more looking for flats, seeds or soil. Where is my watering can anyway?  

available at the paris market: garden in a bag

I truly appreciate these one-stop-shop-garden-bags as gifts.  They seem to send a message:  English Thyme (git you some time! or English?),  Sage! (you're so smart!)  French Marigold (perfect for my niece named Marigold).  I want to send one or five to everyone I know.

available at the paris market: egyptian cotton throw

But then I'd have less time to ignore my cactus which I really don't ignore at all.  I spend every single month of  the year appreciating my sometimes unruly, but always loved garden.

Blogging this week for The Paris Market, artist and collaborative designer katherine sandoz makes abstract paintings, fiber arts, illustration, portraits and collaborative works of art in a barn behind her home in Savannah, Georgia. The flora and fauna of the low-country serve as fodder for her imagery. If she were not a full-time artist, Sandoz would be a plant burglar.

On the Shelf: Spring Potting Shed

We've finally started to see some teases of spring with the warmer weather this week, which means we're anxious to get out in the garden & get our hands dirty. But of course, before we could even make it to the weekend, a cold spell hit! So in the meantime, we put our green thumbs to work on our newest potting shed display! Overflowing with beautiful dried botanicals & filled in with planting containers in all sorts of shapes & sizes, this display has definitely helped to put our gardening urges at ease. At least until the sun comes back out! So use this gloomy day to come by the store & start planning out your own spring garden!

This Just In: Garden in a Bag

For some of us, the amount of time or space required to start a garden in our home is simply not in the books. Though we may romanticize the idea of waking up, stepping out our door and picking a fresh tomato off the vine, the reality of the situation is not quite as romantic. Fortunately, we've just stocked our shelves with the perfect solution in a bag! Though it may not be the same scale as a garden in your yard would be, the herbs are unmistakably top notch. And best of all, you can easily move them anywhere you would like! If you're wanting to start a micro garden without the hassle and commitment of a normal garden then look no further! Garden in a bag will equip you with everything you need! And, when you're ready to clean up for the day, our gardner's soap will make sure your hands look and feel as fresh as the herbs you've been planting. Happy gardening!

Available at The Paris Market.

Currently Inspired: Garden Essentials

Today feels perfect. The air is balmy, the sun is warm and a smile can be seen on every face that passes our front doors. It's the type of day that one dreams of when they think of the perfect day. As you can imagine, we're itching to be outside. We can think of nothing more enjoyable than to soak up some sun rays, get our hands dirty and start planting until we can plant no more! Especially since our shelves are now bursting with all sorts of garden greatness. It feels like someone is playing a masterful prank letting us see all the ways to make a beautiful garden but not letting us do anything about it. But we're not worried because we've just crossed the daylight savings time marker, making the days longer, which means we still have plenty of time to play in the dirt after work. And if you're stuck indoors all day long too, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to get some extra outdoors time. Stop by soon and see the rest of our springtime garden collection!

On the Shelf: Earth Day

Just in time for celebrating Earth Day, our entry display embraces the beauty of this springtime holiday.

A diverse range of textures can be found throughout, which adds a rustic feel and an interesting play of contrasts that highlights each item. The combination of the cool-grey zinc and the rough, warm terra-cotta adds to the earthy aesthetic that encapsulates the spirit of this holiday.

With an abundance of garden treasures it's difficult to single out a favorite product. Whichever item you may choose, whether it be a porcelain bird vase or a zinc garden planter, it's bound to be perfect for any of your springtime needs.

Stop by today and see what other gems are hidden throughout the store!

Bookmarked - Bring The Outdoors In

The overall process of bringing the natural world into your home isn't difficult, at its core it's about choosing the right botanical element to fit with the style of your space, the right location for your plants to flourish, and a great book to help turn your brown thumb green.

If you're a plant lover, either seasoned or green, Bring the Outdoors In is the perfect read for the upcoming spring season. 

In this stunning guide, acclaimed designer and stylist Shane Powers provides 22 simple yet arresting projects to bring natural tranquility to any. From colorful dried floral garlands and eye-catching willow wreaths to intriguing water gardens and timeless succulent landscapes, the projects use a range of live and dried plant materials so you can achieve a great look even if your aren't a green thumb! 

With step-by-step instructions, styling and container ideas, helpful resources, and gorgeous photography, Bring the Outdoors In will inspire you to enhance your interiors with the beauty of the natural world.

To see what else is on our Book Love List, click here! And be sure to uncover those gardening gloves and head on over to The Paris Market to pick up your own copy of Bring the Outdoors In.