Friday, March 9, 2012

The Promise of Spring



Spring is almost here and flower arrangements like these from Botany Flowers bring it a little closer.  Friends came over for dinner last weekend and the flowers above were a beautiful centerpiece for the table.  A few days later I hosted a meeting for the "...into the garden" Benefit Garden Tour put on by the Friends of Robinson Gardens.  I wanted to add a dose of spring freshness to both occasions and so called on the wonderful florist Botany for two flower arrangements.

About 25 dedicated women attended the fundraiser meeting at my house and it was very successful.  Have you ever noticed how creative women are when they are motivated and passionate about their cause?   A friend of mine said something so true, "I have always believed in the power of women gathering to work on good things in this world."  I agree with her, there is nothing like a group of women for getting a job done.  I am so inspired by all the talented women I know and the contributions they make to their community.


The Benefit Committee's task is to put on a garden tour (guests see five private gardens in West Los Angeles) which is followed by a garden party at the Robinson Gardens Estate.  This takes place on May 18.  It is our biggest fundraiser of the year and an event that every garden lover in Los Angeles looks forward to.  This year I am working on the boutique and we have gotten some very exciting vendors to participate.  They will be selling garden hats, jewelry, purses, art, home decor, garden ornaments, plants, clothing, and other lovely items.  I have been going on this tour for many years and it has always been a highlight of the spring season for me.  Now I get to work on it with the talented women in this group and it is an inspiring experience.  Spring is traditionally a time for garden tours and other fundraisers.  It is a season of people working together as volunteers on projects they care about.  If you are involved in something like this in your community, I would love to hear about it.

Spring is the season of renewal and rebirth, and there is nothing like getting involved in your community to make you feel energized and alive.  

By the way, today is the birthday of English writer and gardener Vita Sackville-West who was born in 1892.  Happy Birthday, Vita!  Her garden at Sissinghurst Castle has been a source of inspiration for so many gardeners.  You can read more about her on the Writer's Almanac.

Happy Spring!

11 comments:

  1. What a beautiful painting you have. I would love to hear more about it sometime. Of course, beautiful flowers too!

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  2. Good luck with your fundraiser. Sounds like it will be a success!

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  3. You have the loveliest house Sunday, I am always excited when I see one of your 'home' posts. It sounds like you have your work cut out for you and a very able group of talented women to assist you. That makes all the difference. I count myself very lucky when I am in a situation like that. Speaking of Vita..I was in a bookshop this week, browsing thru the tried and true and picked up 'Lady Sackville A Biography' by Susan Mary Alsop published in 1978. It cost 50p..not sure which I am more excited about! I thought of you... I also picked up a recent publication, 13, rue Therese by Elena Mauli Shapiro...have you heard of it? One of these days...I will read all these books, until then...my stack blooms...
    Best wishes for a lovely weekend... Sunday.
    Jeannexx

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  4. Hello. I am new to this blog. Those bouquets are lovely. And I totally agree about women being passionate about something and getting together to be creative. It works wonders.

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  5. I wholeheartedly agree with you friend, Sunday. Your home is lovely and I am sure the walk will exceed all expectations of those attending.

    Our garden club is already in the planning stages of our 17th annual Garden Walk and Faire, which will be in July. We feature 6-8 private gardens each year and have a boutique and fair in an historic park in Elmhurst. While I've worked on the event for the past seven years as publicity chair and write-ups for the garden descriptions, this will be my first attempt at chairing the boutique. Much work but such fun for good causes (ours goes to scholarship).

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  6. Yes indeed Happy Birthday Vita! I'm sorry I missed it. gorgeous flowers & hurrah to spring.

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  7. Yes, spring is in the air at last. Fabulous flowers - I'd like to take a flower arranging course someday. Good luck with your fundraiser!

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  8. you've inspired me to participate in our small city's garden tour this spring (also held at several private homes)! It's been something I've wanted to attend for some time. I also love the tradition of touring public gardens this time each yr. For now, I am enjoying the huge popcorn sized white blossoms on trees lining every street in town. it's a spring wonderland right now.
    gorgeous photos! good luck with your event!

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  9. What a gorgeous dining room - the flowers are fabulous and love the painting. Hope the fundraiser is a huge success!!

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  10. Beautiful beautiful flower arrangements!

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  11. So looking forward to the Garden Tour and luncheon. And the shops! Bought a gorgeous hat last year, and my daughter got an ivory fascinator.

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