Some Spring Things

According to the calendar it's officially been spring for a whole week!

Unfortunately for us, it appears that Mother Nature is still on the previous page. 

At least we can pretend everything is coming up tulips and daffodils by visiting the "Rooms of Blooms" event at our local Paine Art Center and Gardens. In March of the last few years, area florists and garden clubs have been decorated the mansion with unusual and extravagant floral displays. It's always a treat to escape the cold and snow and wander through room after room of flowers.

In order to link art and nature the arrangements are generally positioned beneath the more important works of art as well as the usual places. Four hundred years ago when this portrait was done, could the subject of The Lady of The Lennox Family ever have imagined it would end up in a 1920's fake Tudor mansion in Oshkosh, Wisconsin built from the profits off kleenex and disposable diapers? I suspect it would be something like, "WTF! How did I end up here? Is this country even on the map?"

Down the hall in the formal dining room the table was all decked out in this over the top centerpiece. I'd be afraid that one clumsy move would have the whole thing toppling down on everyone!

Some decidedly safer roses for the Lake St. John, Canada, watercolor by Winslow Homer.

The breakfast room not looking like the bright and sunny space it was intended to be.

 The French Barbizon school was a favorite of the Paine's and this painting, The Watering Place by Emile van Marcke de Lummen was adorned with an arrangement of sweet little daisies. Is is possible that there is a public place in Wisconsin where there's not a cow or wedge of cheese on display?

Upstairs, traditional bouquets adorned the dressing room,

and across the hall was this untraditional but interesting assemblage.

At the other end of the estate, tea was served amid the tulips in the new-ish Conservatory. 

Things also took a more whimsical turn with some botanical couture.

The front of the dress was interesting enough but the back was spectacular!

Of course I've failed to mention that the whole place smelled heavenly.

Meanwhile, Burt and Ivy were hard at work decorating eggs just in time for some Easter spookiness. I hope everyone is enjoying spring and indulging in some chocolate bunnies and eggs!

Best Wishes to everyone for a Happy Spring or Easter, whichever you celebrate!