In less than 24 hours and we will find out

if California Chrome will win the second jewel of the

Triple Crown!

2013 Preakness ~ AP Photo

While not as well publicized as the Derby,

the Preakness is much more exciting.
In the Derby, I pick a my horse by name, silk colors, 

jockey or anything that strikes my fancy but

at the Preakness, I want to see history so I

pull for the Derby winner.  And this year

the Derby winner was spectacular,

California Chrome!

California Chrome winning the Kentucky Derby

From humble, California roots, this chestnut horse

with the beautiful blaze and purple silks looks like

he could actually pull it off. 

So while I dream about race time tomorrow, 

here are a few fun facts about the Triple Crown 

and Baltimore to ponder.

There have been only 11 Triple Crown 

champions since 1913 with the last one being

35 years ago.

Most poignant race:

Affirmed and Alydar ~ 1978~ The Greatest Rivelry

Calumet Farm's Alydar came in second to

Affirmed, the last winner of Triple Crown (1978)

in each leg of the race, a feat 

that has never been duplicated. 

Pimlico is home of the Preakness and while there

are no funny hats or signature drinks

there is plenty to like about Baltimore, 

here are a few of my Baltimore favorites:

Baltimore Crab

The Inner Harbor

Baseball!

So set your watches and be ready to sing,

"Maryland, My Maryland"

and maybe, just maybe 

we will be on our way to witnessing a little 

bit of history!

Winner's Circle ~ Black Eyed Susan

~Maggie

And they're off!

Mid-April I feel the excitement starting as the 

first weekend in May looms on the horizon.  

Why?  

The Kentucky Derby!

My inner equestrian starts dreaming

of all things Derby...

Simple syrup ~ Mint Juleps

 Tasty treats ~ Southern Style

HATS

Roses

And of course, horses!

My selection strategy includes silk colors,

horse color, name or just a personal connection.

So taking all of that into consideration, 

this year I am going with 

Wildcat Red 

in honor of one son in
Arizona and my red headed son across the pond!

Wild Cat Red

So visit the official web site

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses

and be part of a great American tradition.

Post time~

Saturday, May 3rd

5:45 ET

~Maggie

Visit our Derby Day board on Pinterest for more Kentucky Derby ideas...

April in Paris

There are songs about Paris in April,
"I love Paris in the Springtime..."
or how about
"I never knew the charm of Spring....til April in Paris"
So with those verses running through my head, 
my husband and I headed to Paris in a April as part of an anniversary trip a few years back.
After the trip, my best advice for April travel in Europe,
go to Rome!
Granted it was early April but I did not expect 
the cold, rainy gray days that greeted us.

Maggie wrapped up for train trip into Paris from our small cottage outside the city.

We arrived at Gare du Nord 

(train station in Northern Paris)

and stepped out into a cold wind reminiscent

of our days on Texas Tech's campus. 

The crowd from the station quickly dispersed and 

we were soon the only souls trudging along the 

avenues in the whipping wind.

Destination ~ City Center.

After a good 20 minute walk (at a very snappy pace) 

we made it to the Seine.

The cloud covered sky was gray and threatening

rain but as they say in Paris

c'est la vie!

Gray Seine

We continued our stroll through the streets, 

looking for landmarks.

Notice everyone wearing coats.

 

Eiffel Tower blending in with the gray horizon.

In the park, we came across school girls whom

I suppose were out enjoying the spring weather,

all in their Madeline uniforms.

Jardin des Tuileries

More coat~laden Parisians in the park.



Gray skies across from the gardens...

Musee' du Louvre

I think I know now why there are so many paint colors

that are called French Gray!

Just as the sun started peeking through the clouds

I decided it was time for a break from the weather,

but no wine for this Parisian visit, 

today called for hot chocolate!

There are several establishments famous for their 

concoctions, Angelina's or Jean Paul Hevin, but

we settled for a simple walk up cafe' out of the wind

where we could listen to the street performers.

 

Because this trip itinerary followed a route from 
Rome to Belgium, we only had Paris for a day so 
with at least our insides warmed up, we headed 
back to the train and our small cottage on the
outskirts of town.
So lesson for the day ~ when traveling don't let 
weather slow you down.  
When in Paris, don't be a tourist, be a Parisian!
 Join the families in the park for a stroll, 
sit on a bench along the Seine and people watch,
amble arm in arm gazing through shop windows.
Just enjoy the fact you are there 
and the next time you travel
to Paris remember the next line of Cole Porter's song...
I love Paris in the Fall!

Can't take your mother to Paris for Mother's Day?
Visit our April in Paris sale and bring a 
little bit of France to her!

~Maggie

April in Paris

on Pinterest.

Spring has Sprung!

As I sit to write about spring,

a front has come through and it is a balmy

55 degrees and raining!

Well we need the rain so no complaints,

I will just enjoy the pictures of time

spent yesterday at the 

Dallas Blooms.

Tulips always make me wish I planned better!

One of my favorite areas of the 

Dallas Arboretum

is what I call my "Virginia" path, 

all dogwoods, ferns and azaleas.

Missing Virginia today.

This year the grounds are graced by a pair

of spectacular peacocks!

This was also my first chance to visit

the newly opened Children's Garden

I am amazed at the thought process and attention to 

detail that went into this garden. 

Giant topiary caterpillars,

telescopes painted like giant bumblebees 

and fountain mushrooms.

The science in nature exhibits explain everything from cave development to how water is used for energy.

I can't wait to take our grandson along the Math Path!

Now this is more my math style...

Looking through the waterfall.

Our stroll is over, I never get tired of the

changing seasons here.

Welcome Spring!

~Maggie

Visit our Grand Gardens on Pinterest!

Natural Beauty

With spring just sprung and the temperature not 

quite warm enough to venture outside,

it's time to flip through my always too large

stack of magazines and daydream 

about lonely rooms in need!

Since the colors of spring are still a few weeks away, 

today I decided to celebrate the more 

neutral tones of nature.

House Beautiful Inspiration Room

Elements - gold gilt,

eclectic mix of styles and of course neutral tones

on walls and furniture.

~Create~

Let's start with our background. 

Not a huge fan of white walls, 

I choose a Donald Kaufman paint

DCK - 37

Not really a color, just a lovely backdrop.

It works especially well with design's latest craze 

of burlap and linen upholstery.

Next up, a sea grass rug.

 The natural texture and beauty of these rugs 

can be found on-line or custom sized 

in a multitude of colors and styles.

I like the variation of color in this one.

A great anchor piece for our room, 

this sofa from Wisteria

is elegant without being fussy.

Starting to need a little warmth...

Our Scroll Wall Candleholder

and "Flower Power" mirror

add a rich, warm tone to the room.

This Wool Flowered Ottoman  

keeps things playful and soft.

Now some side tables to keep books and drinks handy.

This lovely 

Plankton Side Table

or Carved Wood Stool are some great options.

Finally, some accessory options...

Golden Fig Vases tucked onto 

a bookshelf or end table in a warm gold finish for 

additional warm tones. 

The Large Grove Bowls are beautiful filled 

with whatever hits your fancy or just enjoy

the soft wood texture on it's own.

Prefer something a little more bold?

These over-sized bowls in

their beautiful, soft hues make a great

statement on a coffee table.

So that's it!

A soft, textural look to ease your way 

into the colors of springtime.
A Natural Beauty.

~Maggie

Visit our Natural Beauty board on Pinterest for 

more ideas.