Orchid Beauty

Some of the most beautiful orchids I've ever seen were at this year's Orchid Show.

Building a Nest

Take a small twig wreath, run twigs to and fro to make a bottom, then weave tiny branches of pussy willows around the edge. Line the nest with dried rose petals. Fill with an assortment of delights: a handmade sachet heart stuffed with home-grown lavender, a tiny clay flower pot filled with scilla blooms, and hazelnut praline chocolate eggs. Perch a sweet pink-tinted bird on the edge ready to greet the recipient. A medley of beige and pink to offer a friend for Easter.

Bunny Buns

A centerpiece for Easter dinner can be made from a wire Easter egg stand... with the additions of moss to each wire cup, some small candles, spring flowers tucked into dampened florist's oasis, and tiny eggs.

Also adding enjoyment to the table were these delightful bunny buns. The name alone brings a smile. What fun!

The handwritten message on this vintage Easter postcard warns against eating too many Easter eggs.

Easter Pastels

Easter baskets reminiscent of the soft pastel-coloured baskets of my childhood. How lucky to find so many matching coloured sweets to fill them.

Stormy days

The Lightness of Spring

Sunny daffodils, in a pot the colour of a robin's egg, provide a simple display... bright and cheerful, yet with the lightness of spring.

Fruit Carvings - Thai Style

These fruit carvings, a Thai artform, are breathtaking in their precision and intricacy of design.

During yesterday's celebrations for the Thai New Year at City Hall, I watched in fascination as a women demonstrated how to turn a tiny red radish into a lovely blossom with delicate red and white petals.

Pictured here are some of the lavish carvings of melons that were created for the event. Are they not astonishing?

Floating Rose Petals

Hanging silk banners, an abundance of colourful fresh flowers, rose petals floating in ornate metal bowls, exquisite brightly coloured silk garments worn by Thai women... these were just some of the sights today at the Thai New Year celebrations.

Feasting, dance and beautifully carved fruit garnished with flowers were also part of these celebrations at City Hall, and everyone was invited to attend the event.

Here's a handy idea for keeping the extra buttons for the clothes in your wardrobe organized and all in one place.

A Lovely Delight

Imagine coming home from work only to find a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers like this one at your door? Well, that is exactly what happened to me today. Dear L. next door, who is graduating from a floral design program, surprised me with this gorgeous "pompadour" style bouquet. Isn't it a vision? It's lovely delights such as this one, that come upon us unexpectedly, that make life so special.

Breathe and Grow

The crocuses are up. Time to clear away the leaves from the flower beds to let the spring bulbs breathe and grow.

Whispers of Spring

Long before the yellow stars of forsythia, the sweet scent of lilac or apple blossom clouds, pussy willows whisper of spring.

Cut and gathered into bunches tied with ribbon, they make a lovely way to proffer a taste of spring. Why not surprise someone with a bunch today?