Hello,
I’m so glad you’re here. The other day was a beautiful golden afternoon and I got to walk with the littles on their way home from kindergarten. Actually, they were on scooters while their mom and I ambled along behind them. It was a small quotidian moment I will always remember falling fast on the heels of last week’s joyous family wedding. My weeks of fussing over bind wire, water tubes and hours spent watching floral designers on YouTube finally gave way to a flurry of flowers. There were glorious zinnias from my neighbor’s cutting garden, backyard blooms closer to home, and choice seasonal blossoms from the local flower farmers’ coop. Then five more buckets of dahlias showed up, donated by a flower farm that hosts one of Nai’a’s beeyards. We had soooo many flowers!
At a party the night before the ceremony and with plenty of help from the littles, I finalized last minute arrangements—I think of them more as floral collages than actual designs—while the bridesmaids crafted their own bouquets. And we still had enough leftover blooms for a day-long flower bar on the wedding day, an open invitation to anyone and everyone to play with flowers. The morning ceremony was glorious. The rain held off until late afternoon. Mama and son swirled (so fast!) to “Dancing in the Moonlight.” The day was hands on, handmade, and heart forward in every way. The love was palpable.
xo Lorene
2025 LIVING COLOR calendar
I’m extending the discount on 2025 Calendar pre-orders through the end of the month so you’ve still got time to get $5 off each calendar you purchase when you enter the code: YAY2025 at checkout. Thank you to everyone who has already placed orders — it means so much to have your support. With gifting season approaching, calendars are perfect to share with everyone on your list, including teachers, babysitters, neighbors and loved ones.
Seeing Color Workshop
There’s still time to sign up for a Seeing Color Workshop hosted by The Field Trip Society on Sunday, September 29th here in Seattle. Click the button below for complete details and registration information. I’d love to see you!
Let’s color
Simply chillin’ It’s the end of FLOWER POWER day. Everything is boxed and will hopefully all fit in the car.
Let’s get married!!! My family is growing in all the best ways.
It’s a watercolor world. And it’s wedding week. Bring on the love.
This is what love looks like among a dear community of family & friends. And yes, my baby wore a glorious purple suit and Nai’a was stunning in a soft mossy-green jumpsuit. We do color well.
Unless you’re a plant, I have a pretty poor memory.
Creating a color study allows me to mark a moment and hold onto a significant occasion. September is the time of ripening hips on the Nootka rose. I picked these prickly stems on a beautiful beach where dinosaurs lurked in the brambles on an almost-fall weekend when we all came together for a precious family wedding.
Some days words fail. That’s when love and heart (& seeds) take over to carry us from one season to another. From here to there—from now to next.
Love-in-a-mist. (Nigella damascena)
I love to complain about maintaining my pleached crabapple hedge, but twice a year the constant pruning feels worth it.
‘Evereste’ crabapple
While the writer in me loves the romance of ‘Lattarula’ Italian honey fig, honestly the name is probably the best part. The tree is said to have a compact growth habit and sweet fruit. My experience says otherwise with towering growth and insipid fruit. The crows don’t seem to mind.
OHHH what a joyous event - beautiful mother and grandmother and flower maven and artist thesholds....congratulations my friend - my heart is overflowing for you and your family!
Yay for soooo many flowers and a beautiful wedding!