Sotto Il Monte Vineyards

4.06.2009

GARDENING BOOTS............SUCCULENTS

After this years extreme drought in both California and Texas ~ I'm thinking of putting in a few succulents. These two images were taken in Montecito when I was out for a walk one day.

Botanik in Summerland, CA is a great place to find beautiful succulents ~ like the one below......................................

I took these next images at Seaside Gardens. It is a lovely place to stroll around. Four acres of really beautiful gardens, a nursery and gift shop.

Mountain Aloe..............................

Fan Aloe..............................

Another favorite garden that I frequent is the garden surrounding the Carmel Mission. This last image of Aloe was taken there.

Photography by: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

4.04.2009

Bon Voyage Cathy!

Bon Voyage to Darling Baker friend Cathy! She is off to Paris! I've been down to the market for baguettes and we will give her a head start with a little French Cuisine.

French Onion Soup for a starter.................................................

A French table setting.......................................................

And for the entree ~ Salmon with a Genevois Sauce and Haricot Verts. I have collected French pottery for years. Some of it came from a Parisian friend who brought them over from France and another beautiful Confit Pot was recently added to my collection courtesy of our sweet daughter Lissa.

Au Revoir Cathy ! Have a lovely trip!

Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

4.01.2009

Living Outside

I could live outside. With each of our houses I've created outdoor living areas. One thing I've learned is that you always need a roof over an outdoor space. These images are of a house we built in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This house was built hacienda style with all the rooms opening up to a center courtyard. Tall walls protected the courtyard on all sides. The portal was roofed and the center left open. Walls of glass doors opened up the main living spaces to the courtyard. Santa Fe can be very windy in the springtime. The protected area created a micro climate for the plants within. I loved this courtyard ~ we had great parties there.

Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman