Traffic Jam and Chocolate

Ravenel Bridge Towers and Cables, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


A question that I asked myself one day recently was... how should I pass the time while sitting in a rush hour traffic jam on the tall Ravenel Bridge?

Call my buddy Harry Sasquatch to ask him how his big hairy feet are surviving the snow?

(Eat a Winnie-the-Pooh shaped chocolate.)

 Recite Melville's Moby Dick in its entirety from memory? "Call me Ishmael..." Ok, that's all I can remember... and traffic still isn't moving.

(Eat a Tigger shaped chocolate.)

Pull out my Stradivarius and play me some wicked Paganini riffs?

(Eat a Piglet shaped chocolate.)


Work out Einstein's mathematical formula for Energy... backwards, while patting my head with one hand and rubbing my stomach with the other?


(Eat an Eeyore shaped chocolate. Ugh, I ate too much. I feel sick.)

No, wait, I know, take a picture of the bridge with my trusty
Super Kinetic Hyper Reactor Hue Extractor!
Zippo Zappo Gong!
 (That's the sound of the shutter.)

Chanel Brisbane 2011

Last night Brad and I attended the glamorous Chanel party/parade at Old Government House.  We were greeted by a man in a white golf buggy who drove us down to the lawned section where a fabulous white painted platform had been installed.  There were so many people we knew and it really was such a lovely party.  My favourite champange, Perrier Jouet flowed on and on throughout the night.  Unfortunately the photos I snapped on my i-phone didn't really turn out very well but you can see that we had a wonderful vantage point.  Our seats were front row at the end of the catwalk...AMAZING!!

Oh and here I am just before we left.   I wore black of course.  My eyes look red and very tired...obviously a sign of absolute exhaustion...it's been a big year!  I can't wait for the holidays!

Thanks Chanel for inviting us to your beautiful party.  We had a fabulous time and dinner with FF and Mr FF afterwards was fab too!!
xx
Anna

Baroque Puns?

Dragon Fountain, near Vatican City, Italy  © Doug Hickok 
(Velvia Slide Film)

The baroque fountains of Rome are well known to travelers of Italy. Some of the most famous ones are the Trevi Fountain, and the Four Rivers Fountain in the Piazza Navona.

There are numerous others, but some of my favorites are the smaller, less conspicuous ones, like this intricately detailed dragon fountain near the Vatican. The ornamentation looks baroque in style to me. Yet, if you look closely, a missing head from the fowl figure (the result of foul play?) indicates something is broke on this baroque fountain. I hope the faulty stonework did not cause the sculptor to loose his commission... and go broke. Hopefully a financial settlement was made between the artist and his patron... unless of course the whole deal broke off... before the dawn of a new day broke over the city. In which case the baroque artist's ego would be broke for eternity.

(Ok... enough with the forced puns for this weak post... 
unless you force me to post enough puns for a week... ok?)

Our world Tuesday.

The week before last we went to the beach in a little village called Noordwijk. The beach and the dunes are beautiful there and of course the North Sea  .I spent many a day there when I was young but mostly in the summer.
This day it was cold and windy but there was a  clear blue sky and  some sun so it was good for walking.  That's what we did.

For more our world photo's go here : http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Parties, Weddings, Installations...

Over the weekend I met a reader from New York at a party for my soon-to-be cousin-in-law.  She said that one of the things she loves about me is that I always let my readers know when I am going away from the blog or not going to post for a few days.  Well, I must apologise to her and to you as I seem to have been missing in action since last Wednesday with no such notice of absence.  I'm unsure where all of those days have gone to...

So, what have I been up to you might ask?  Well, I won't delve into every single detail however, here's a snapshot of a beautiful bedroom I just finished for a lovely teenage girl.  It was an absolute delight working with her and her mum.  I think she is the most polite, effervescent and happy teenager I have ever met. 

The day we installed the furniture into her room, I took her some dahlias from my garden which we arranged on her antique bedside table I found for her.  On the other side of the lovely upholstered antique French bed we placed a Stuart Membery chest of drawers.  I love the mix of furniture we chose for her room and I must admit I found it very hard parting with the antique bed.  However, I know she will cherish it and that makes me very happy!! 

I wish I got some better photos...I seem to be always saying that but I'm always in such a hurry.

This week is a very big and exciting week for my family as this Saturday my cousin is getting married to his beautiful fiance Phoebe at the most divine property in northern NSW.  We have family flying in from Canada, Sweden, New York, Holland and interstate.  Everyone is coming together which is just so exciting.  I have been given the lovely job of arranging the flowers for the tables.  I am using  the beautiful dahlias and zinnias from our garden which is very exciting.  I can't believe how many flowers we have.  It's quite amazing and so thrilling to be able to use my own flowers for my cousin's wedding.

Oh and tomorrow night is Chanel.  As an update to my post from the other week, Chanel called today to ask for Brad's last name.  Maybe they read my post!!xx

Anna

x

Misty Monday - Craggy Shores

Craggy Rocks, Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada  © Doug Hickok


As the mists of sea fog roll in and out along this rocky shoreline, a weakening sun, reflected in a tide pool, tries to break through thick layers of clouds. These slippery, craggy rocks are the backbone of Campobello Island and make for tricky beach walking, if you dare. The rocks consist mostly of quartzite, a very hard and compact metamorphic rock, which was once sandstone but transformed after millions of years of intense geologic pressure and heating.

Around Town Sounds

Gate Scroll and Saint Michael's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Framed by the scrolls of an ornate iron gate, Saint Michael's Church stands prominently aglow at dusk. Charleston has more than its share of beautiful historic churches, which is why it has traditionally called itself the "Holy City". Church bells ringing throughout the city is as common a sound as the clip clop of horse hoofs when you walk around town.

For Kat

Red Bicycle, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


This post is dedicated to bicycle lovers everywhere, especially in Auburn, Alabama. (Wink, wink, Kat!) It doesn't matter how old you are, or what generation you are from... almost everyone loves a bike ride.

So get your life blood pumping, let the wind caress your face, savor the sights, sounds and scenery, and ring your little bell...

Enjoy a bicycle ride this weekend,
and sing along with Queen.

Pink Saturday.

Pink Saturday is hosted by Beverly from :How sweet the sound"

Two days ago my friend and I had a High Tea in a lovely tearoom. It was delicious. All of it.
Here a little impression of the tearoom in and outside and what we were surprised with.
I must say that the little tarts on the big plate were fake but they looked so real. Unbelievable. They were handmade the lady said. and for sale.

This is the link to Beverly's blog where you can find lots of pink. http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Primary Abstract

Detail of a Painted Metal Sculpture, Riverfront Park, Old Navy Base,
North Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The primary colors of pigment come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you can find them in the most expected places, like in a public park, on a vividly painted metal sculpture.

Relative Theory?

Larch Tree Bonsai, North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok


To me, this bonsai tree is Lilliputian in size, barely 2 feet tall. It is a larch tree, shining in its golden autumnal hues. It can grow up to 150 feet tall in the wild. But even at its most towering height, it is a dwarf compared to the gargantuan size of a mountain.

However, compared to an ant this bonsai tree is a large larch. Yet as tiny as an ant is, it is a Goliath compared to a microscopic organism.

Everything is relative. Even my distant cousin, Billy Joe Bob Roy Boy Junior III, the hillbilly moonshiner, is relative... to me... 
though I wish he wasn't.


Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA.
A day that is filled with relatives...
Happy Thanksgiving!
(Happiness being a relative term, of course.)

Alphabe Thursday.

For Alphabe Thursday hosted by Ms Jenny Matlock we have to study the letter D this week.
I found quite a few words beginning with D,   could not
Decide which ones to show so I made a collage.

Let me explain:


By now everybody knows I am Dutch so the first photo is more or less a Dutch country sight.
Then we have this statue of the Dancing girls
This beautiful Delft blue vase, 
The Ducks on a little island,
The Darling kissing Dolls,
The Dunes ,
The Delicatessen shop,
That large Door
and the beautiful swimming Dogs.

For more Alphabe Thursday letters go here : http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/

Riet

Testing...

Reflection in Abandoned Quarry, near Micaville, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok


This mirror-like reflection in an abandoned stone quarry reminds me of a Rorschach inkblot test. If you rotate the image 90 degrees to the left (if you are right brained), or 90 degrees to the right (if you are left brained), you might see something resembling the famous painting by El Gecko called "Flight of the Duck-billed Platypuses".

Or, maybe not.

You might see something altogether different.

Beautiful HB

Receiving my digital copy of the December issue of House Beautiful this morning was like a breath of fresh air.  I loved this house above in particular.  Absolutely beautiful...

xx
Anna

Guest # 3 - Paul Hunt

One of Brisbane's finest couture fashion designers, Paul Hunt was only too happy to be involved in our Summer Vignette photo shoot.  Paul has long been a wonderful customer and supporter of Black & Spiro and we were so thrilled to have him in our Summer Vignette.  He certainly is one stylish lad. 

Here's what Paul had to say about Christmas...

What has been your most memorable Christmas?
There have been so many! One was at home in Glen Innes before I moved to Brisbane. After lunch we all lay on the floor listening to old records of Monty Python- we laughed and laughed.


What is a Christmas tradition in your family?
When we are all together the roast lunch is always a must to our Christmas.

Where are you celebrating Christmas this year?
With my loved one.

What are you giving for Christmas this year?
Who knows???? Haven't had time to think yet.

What do you hope to receive for Christmas this year?
Well a puppy would be nice but I know that's not practical. So maybe a gold fish for starters!!!!

What does Christmas mean to you?
It means being with loved ones. Oh and holidays :-)


Hope you get that gorgeous puppy Paul!!  Happy Holidays and thanks for being part of our Summer Vignette!!
xx
Anna

PS.  If you haven't already visited our online store, here's the address...www.absolutelybeautifulthings.com.au 

Riotous Color

Traffic Sign and Colored Ribbons, Cincinnati, Ohio  © Doug Hickok
(click image for larger view)

Above a busy city street, the back of a traffic sign stretches across the image against a backdrop of riotous color... the decorative facade of the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center. Whoever conceived the adornment of this edifice must have felt a heightened sense of hoopla upon its completion.

Oddly enough, the Grand Canyon has never been adorned in such a manner. Why no one has ever thought to do so... baffles me.

Our world Tuesday.

These last few weeks I have been so busy and tired that I have not been posting much. So I am using photo's I made this time last year while walking in a beautiful little park. Many different mushrooms and I am sorry to  admit that  I don't know their names. But I think they are all beautiful.

Here you can find a lot more photo's from around the world.
http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/ 

Horse Sense

Horse Carriage and Dock Street Theatre, French Quarter, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


If you come to Charleston, it might make sense to catch one of the horse carriage tours through the Historic District. They are fun and informative, and a practical way to see the city if you want take it slow and easy... little effort is needed on your part. My preferred way to sightsee in Charleston is walking, even if it takes more energy. Charleston is one of those places that is better sampled up close, where you can enjoy the details you see along a leisurely stroll, going at your own pace. But however you tour, do not, I repeat, do not use a pogo stick as your mode of transportation. That would make no sense at all.

Saints Alive!

Statues and Papal Coat of Arms, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Italy  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia Slide Film)


Sunday Masses at the Vatican are impressive to see in person. The large crowds that gather in the square in front of Saint Peter's Basilica are surrounded by a colonnade of travertine stone, which hugs the faithful like the "maternal arms of Mother Church", according to its famous designer Bernini. The project was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, Pontifex Maximus, in the year 1658.


Atop the colonnade are rows of statues representing various saints. In this image a few of them are suffused by the light of a setting sun, which seems to bring the old stone sculptures to life.

(I am trying out a new blogger template this weekend, for a change of pace. I will return to my normal one on Monday.)

First Dahlias Flowering

Earlier in the year I was so impressed by the pretty Dahlias one of my clients had flowering in her garden, I decided to plant some in our garden for this Summer.  About 4 1/2 weeks ago we planted 60 Dahlia Bulbs and this week I cut my very first bunch.  My Mum and my Grandmother and Aunty came over yesterday afternoon and each of them picked their own large bunch to take home.  It really is such a joy to be able to give flowers from my garden to my family and friends.  I can't wait for the Asters and Zinnias to flower in the week ahead...

Old Black Pine

Black or Pitch Pine, Licklog Ridge Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok
(click image for larger view)

This old pine, which perches at the edge of an overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a landmark at this spot. Who knows how old it is... several hundred years is my guess. It has probably stood here since the era when only the Catawba Indians inhabited these mountains and valleys. Clearly it has seen its best days. Yet old Methuselah will likely stand sentinel for a decade or more, even if only as a shell of its vigorous prime.

Undoubtedly it has witnessed untold changes over its lifetime, more than we humans will know. In essence, this old pine is symbolic of the Appalachians, some of the oldest mountains on earth. Like these ancient enduring ranges, this old black pine practices patience and resilience, even in the twilight of its existence.
(This weekend I am trying out a new blog template. 
Tell me what you think. If it works well, I'll use it again next weekend.)

Pink Saturday

Pink Saturday is hosted by Beverly of :" How sweet the sound"


Today I have photo's of more pink flowers I received from friends last week.

For more lots of pink go to Beverly's blog: http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/
Happy pink Saturday.

Light Entertainment

Crazy Lady Woodcarving, Oregon  © Doug Hickok


To continue from yesterday's post, which noted this blog's one year anniversary, I wanted to revisit several of my early posts. These are what I would call "light entertainments" rather than pure photography posts. I have put in links to 10 of them. My hope is to put a silly grin on your face going into the weekend.

Thou Art Like A Stoic
The Shocking Truth About Yuccas
Pythagoras and the Geometry of Gas
Tahiti in Hiding
"Mad Mountain" Haystack vs. the "Killer" Needles
The King of Early B-Boy
The Sultans of Swat
The Eyes Have It
Ode to a Classic
Pan and His Delicious Cakes

Enjoy!

Guest # 2 - Joshua Jones

My second guest over in our Summer Vignette is the very chic Joshua Jones.  Josh, as we like to call him, is the General Manager and Buyer for Brisbane's top fashion Emporium, Jean Brown {www.jeanbrown.com.au}. 

He always looks so groovy and stylish and is one of the nicest people you would ever wish to meet.  Oh and did I mention he used to be the State Manager for Ralph Lauren...

Here's what Josh had to say about Christmas;

What has been your most memorable Christmas?
I think childhood memories of Christmas are my favourites! My grandparents had a house in Tasmania when I was a child. Most of the extended family would try and make it down there to have a large joint Christmas. Because we were all catching up after a big year it became a whole celebration rather than just Christmas, and would take up the entire month! My grandmother was quite the cook and with my mum and all her sisters in the kitchen, it was the place to be - especially waiting for a fresh, raspberry-filled sponge cake!

What is a Christmas tradition in your family?
Presents in the morning and then everyone pitches in to get the Lunch ready! Lunch normally goes for a good 4 hours and then a few quiet drinks after clean up. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some reflective drinks at the end of a long day. Then we normally get family rivalry back on, and bring out the board games!


Where are you celebrating Christmas this year?
I will be starting in Samford this year to see my partner’s parents then off to Maleny to have lunch and a sleep over at my family’s. A country Christmas all round!

What are you giving for Christmas this year?
I like to find individual items, such as antiques and quirky one off pieces. A few bits and bobs from Black and Spiro never go astray! And handmade cards and wrapping paper always set things off and add that personal touch.

What do you hope to receive for Christmas this year?
An orange box is always nice! Honesty, I don’t mind. It is always the thought that counts, and some of my most treasured gifts received are the ones I would never expect.

What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas is a time when I can really catch up with my family as a whole. It really means laughing, relaxing, watching my nieces and nephews grow up, pretend to be a kid again and eating lots! 

A huge thank you to you Josh for being apart of our Christmas/Summer photo shoot.  You looked so cool on that gorgeous vintage bike!!  Oh and I loved your orange shorts and your YSL tote bag didn't go unnoticed!!xx

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!
xx
Anna

PS.  Here's the website for our online store http://www.absolutelybeautifulthings.com.au/  just in case you haven't already visited!!

Dedicated to You

Tropical Flowers and Shutter, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

This week marks the first anniversary of Doug's Photo Blog. When I began it last year, I had no idea what I was getting into. I knew little about blogging. But I needed a spark, a way to have some fun with my photography. Since I had so many images to share, both slides from the archives and new digital photos, a blog seemed like a promising idea. Later, the idea improved when Becky, my lovely wife, joined the process of creating posts, adding a more exciting dimension to the fun (she is the Editor in Chief of my blog, and of many other things in my life).

What photo blogging has become is pure delight... not only because of the joy of sharing my photos with you, or the satisfaction of writing serious and informative (and often silly and disinformative) posts... but mostly because of you, all of you... friends who drop by for a visit.

One delightfully surprising aspect of blogging is how much I have learned from you. I am constantly amazed by the diversity of your styles, talents, imaginations, techniques and subjects. I believe my photography has improved because of you. And perhaps more importantly, Becky and I enjoy the variety of your personalities.

 Overall, what we have come to realize most about this blogging adventure is how much we enjoy your company. You are the driving force behind our blog.

So, since my eyes are attracted so readily to bright hues, I saved this picture, one of my more colorful images, to dedicate to all of you... our BBF's (best blogger friends). It is a small, humble thing... flowers from Charleston. I know, it is not a million dollars or a palace on the Riviera, or a box of rich chocolates, but nonetheless, it is from the heart.Thank You Everyone!
(Please stay tuned... tomorrow I will have another offering).

Landscape Designer Mary Reynolds

Mary's Gold winning Garden at Chelsea 2002, Tearmann sí – A celtic sanctuary

So this post is a first for Stone Art's Blog: throughout the past two years or so that I have been writing this blog I have highlighted many artisans and stonemasons. However this post is the first time I have highlighted a landscape designer. And who better to begin with than one of my favourite Irish designers, award winning landscape designer Mary Reynolds.

Landscape Designer Mary Reynolds

Mary Reynolds, the first Irish winner of a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal for garden design, started her landscape design company in 1997, where she began her professional career designing gardens in and around  Dublin city. However over time she began to feel that city life was suppressing her creativity so she moved out of the city to the “wild west “of the Wicklow Mountains. As soon as she got back into the wilderness, not only did she feel inspired for the first time, but she aslo knew where it was that she wanted to bring her skills.

Mary felt the gardens she had been designing in the city were lacking, because they did not have that depth of soul that exists everywhere in wild places. Being once again surrounded by wilderness, Mary realized that this beautiful natural wilderness that is of such great inspiration to her as well as others was disappearing fast because people had become disconnected from it and had forgotten the importance of that connection, so she took it upon herself to create gardens that would bring this connection back into peoples lives.

Tearmann sí – A celtic sanctuary

In 2002 at just 28 years of age, Mary entered the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with her garden ‘Tearmann sí – A Celtic Sanctuary’. Inspired by the Wicklow countryside and her love for Irish mythology, Mary’s garden consisted of a circular stone moon gate lead over a stone path to the inner circle, where the elements of earth, air, fire and water combine. Surrounding the central circle was a grass mound carpeted with bluebell, inspired by Tara Hill in County Meath. Hawthorn and elder, two trees that feature in Celtic lore, formed a protective circle around the very edge of the garden. Enclosing the garden was a traditional dry stone wall, planted with native Irish plants, such as yarrow, thrift, hart's tongue, maidenhair and spleenwort.

Mary's Garden at Kew Gardens

As a result of her Chelsea victory in 2002, the British Government commissioned Mary to design a garden for the world-famous Botanical Gardens at Kew in London.
The garden is based on the imagery and atmosphere of the poem "The Stolen Child" by Irish poet W.B. Yeats.

Mary's Garden at Kew Gardens

Mary was also commissioned to design Brigit’s Gardens in Galway. Brigit’s gardens consists of four interlinked gardens, based on the Celtic festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa that provide beautiful and tranquil reflective places and are a celebration of nature and the cycle of life.

Imbolc Spring Garden at Brigit's Garden

She had started on the project before her Chelsea win and completed the design later in 2002.

Samhain Winter Garden at Brigit's Gardens

I visited these wonderful gardens a few months ago, but there is so much going on at these gardens I am going to write a separate post about them at a later stage, so that I can write about this magical place in more detail now.

Bealtaine Summer Garden at Brigit's Garden

Lughnasa Autumn Garden at Brigit's Garden 

Some Mary’s favourite materials and structures to incorporate in her designs include stone, sculpted earth shapes, mosaic, living willow structures and cob structures. She also likes to incorporate native planting and Irish mythology.  It is all these qualities that make her one of my favourite Irish designers. I also love that she often includes stone seats. As well as being one of my favourite things to build from stone I have also written about stone seats and their importance in Irish folklore on a number of occasions. 

Here are a few other gardens by Mary that I find inspiering.

The Glenstal garden

Stone seating in The Glenstal garden

Cornwall seaside garden

Cornwall seaside garden

 

Cornwall seaside garden

Photographs courtesy of Mary’s website with her kind permission. Be sure to check out her website for more information and photos of her work on  http://www.maryreynoldsdesigns.com/

Alphabe Thursday.

Alphabe Thursday is hosted by Ms Jenny Matlock. This week we study the letter C.
I found some words and photo's to go with them.

C is for Chinese, and Cross, and Church, and Café, and Cocoa with whipped Cream.   Mmmmm


See you next week.

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/ This is the link for Alphabe Thursday.

The Uncommon

Detail of Handicap Parking Symbol, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


One day something will catch your eye a certain way, even if you have seen it a million times. One day the common will become uncommon. Some little detail will jump out at you. Perhaps it will be a color, or the way the light is shining. I have walked over these handicap parking symbols in every parking lot in town it seems. But on this day, in this parking lot, I became intrigued with the color and texture of paint on asphalt. It had just rained, so maybe it was the way the water saturated the hues that caught my eye... I grabbed my camera and shot it.

But discovering that uncommon moment doesn't have to be in photography. It could be in anything. It could be the long sought solution to a problem you have struggled to solve... or it could be that you finally understand the punch line to a joke a friend told you weeks ago... or maybe one day you realize you like, really like, the taste of dry lima beans. And now you want to munch them by the handful.
Whatever your uncommon discovery...
EXPLORE IT!

Today

After what has been a kind-of yucky start to the week, today I arrived at the front gates of my clients home and I was greeted with the most beautiful sight...masses and masses of agapanthus in flower.  Not only do they line their driveway, they pretty much line their entire property.  The very generous J wouldn't let me leave without a huge armful of flowers.  I was absolutely delighted.  They certainly cheered me up.

I brought them home and arranged them in one of my large glass vases.  They are so pretty.  You might notice the black and white card sitting on the table...

I was thrilled to receive an invitation today to attend the very exciting Chanel party at old Government House in a couple of weeks time.  I can't believe little old Brisbane town now has it's very own Chanel store.  I tried to visit the newly opened store on Saturday just gone but I don't do queues so I'll be sure to enjoy my visit when the queues slow down.

As I go by my maiden name Brad sometimes gets tagged with it too!  It was funny to see the address on the invite with him as Spiro! 

This will be one party we won't be missing.  The WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR conversation has already begun!!

xx
Anna