New Head Florist at White House

It has recently been announced that Laura Dowling, a floral designer from Alexandria, Virginia, is to be the new White House Head Florist. Of course, those of us who were fortunate enough to be at her September 29th seminar at Pierre Deux in Carmel, knew weeks before that she was a finalist. We were, however, under a gag order until it was made public.

Our good mates Robert and Michelle were visiting from Australia, so we girls, and our official photographer, MQA, decided to attend the event.


It was standing room only, but those of us who arrived early got to sit right up front on some of the shop’s luxurious chairs.

Laura is absolutely charming, very accessible and passionate about her craft. She made her first trip to Paris ten years ago, and since then has studied under such floral masters as Christian Tortu and Catherine Muller.

Laura demonstrates the Bouquet Ronde technique

An arrangement in a miniature Anduze pot

The Vase Bouquet technique



Some of her signature ribbon embellishments

Long slender leaves cut, and folded, origami-style.

In closing, Laura said that a French style bouquet should look as if it comes straight from the garden or the meadow, using nature for inspiration, and mimicking how things grow.

Although, she announced that she was one of three being considered for the position at the White House, she asked me not to write anything on my blog yet. But I see I have already been scooped by many of the major networks!

Bonne chance Laura!
Marjorie

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch...

Whenever company comes to visit us here in Carmel, (and that is quite often these days), we hightail it down to the Ranch - Mission Ranch, that is. Nothing beats sitting out on the deck at sunset, looking out over the meadows and wetlands to Carmel Beach, and Point Lobos beyond.

This charming complex (lodging and restaurant) was purchased in 1986 by local legend Clint Eastwood, who has lovingly restored the property. Let me take you on a tour of the grounds.


Surely the "largest flower planter in the West"


The 1850's Farmhouse

Flowers planted in a tree stump

This must be the honeymoon cottage!


The historic bunkhouse, the oldest structure

The sheep are pets. No lamb on the menu here!

Happy Trails partners!
Marjorie

Our Sheldrake Wins "Top-100" Winery Award

Twelve years ago, we gathered in the field of a former dairy farm, high above Cayuga’s waters, in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. We were: a viticulturalist, an interior designer, a professor, two IT professionals, and me, the great-granddaughter of a pioneering American grape-grower*. Each of us planted a grapevine in honor of the inauguration of our new winery/vineyard venture, Sheldrake Point Vineyard, while an Abenaki Native American blessed the sight.

Here I am with our Winery Manager

Partners have come and gone, but our vision has remained the same, to respect and integrate the uniqueness of the Finger Lakes region, pursue the best sustainable viticultural practices, make the highest quality wine that the grapes and weather will permit, and offer our visitors a memorable experience.

None of us could have dreamed of the day when Sheldrake would be named one of the "Top-100 Wineries in the World" by Wine & Spirits magazine.

On October 14, 2009, three of us (my husband and I, and Bob, the Winery’s general manager) presented our wines at the Magazine's gala tasting event, amidst the splendor of the Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center.

There we were, standing shoulder to shoulder with the most iconic wine brands from around the world.


The Finger Lakes is known for its Riesling, and we showcased our best: a 2007 Dry Riesling and a 2007 Riesling Ice Wine. The ice wine is made according to Canadian standards, for example, the berries are harvested when it is below 15 degrees F. This wine has won many awards, including the "Best Riesling in North America" at the Hyatt International Riesling Chalenge, and has also been served at the White House.


Aside from receiving the “Top-100” honor, many other things stand out about the evening:

• Having my first taste of Cristal champagne (after waiting in line with the hoards of their groupies);


• Chatting with Prue Henschke (from Henschke Winery in the Barossa Valley of Australia), which made us homesick for the beautiful wines and the wonderful people of the land down-under;
  
• Getting a chance to meet the winemaker from Ridge, and sampling his famous Monte Bello Cabernet, which won the Judgement of Paris Rematch in 2006;


• Talking with the charming young representative from Fonseca, (a member of the Symington family, one of the oldest Port houses);


• Seeing Craggy Range from New Zealand, a picturesque winery in Hawke’s Bay on the North Island, where we stayed in their luxe ‘bach’ guest house among the vines;




• Sampling food from the many chefs, restaurants and provisioners. The most popular being Hog Island Oysters, which was perfectly sited in the Champagne and sparkling wine section.

Wish you had been there!

Salute,
Marjorie

*Wine and grapes are in my blood. My great-grandfather, Theodore Sedgwick Hubbard (1843-1906), established his nursery; T.S. Hubbard Co., in Fredonia, NY in 1866. Considered a leading authority on grapes in the world, at one time he propagated over a 100 different native grape vines, and sold rootstock all over the US and abroad. His grapes won awards at the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition, 1904, and in 1915 the received the Wilder Award from the American Pomological Society. Last summer, I walked the NY Ag Station experimental vineyard in Geneva, NY with a scientist who showed me a big purple, blue grape - named after my grandfather, the Hubbard grape. How proud I was!

Project Clothesline - Costume Competition

Shipboard, Halloween 1936

LuRene and Agnes win third
prize as clothes poles.
Prize—two silver loving cups
inscribed “S.S. California”

Announced by purser over loud
speaker in main dining room
during dinner.

T-H-R-I-L-LS!!!

"Talk to me, designers."
Marjorie

Marianne Faithfull in Big Sur

A siren’s sultry song brought us back to Big Sur, California for an encore visit. Legendary singer and enchantress, Marianne Faithfull, was going to perform at an outdoor benefit concert at the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur, and we had to be there.

Marianne Faithfull first became famous in the sixties at age 17, for her rendition of “As Tears Go By”, a song written by the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. She also gained some notoriety as Jagger’s girlfriend, and for her years of hard-living.

The Henry Miller Memorial Library was established in 1981, and is located on Highway 1 in Big Sur. The Library’s redwood cabin and grounds were the gift of the artist Emil White, Miller’s long-time friend and assistant. It houses a trove of Miller’s personal papers, a bookshop, and is also a cultural and educational center for the community.

Novelist Henry Miller is well known for his controversial books “Tropic of Cancer” and “Tropic of Capricorn”, but he also wrote “Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch.”


He was passionate about music, and wrote the following: “I prefer music above all arts, because it is so absolutely sufficient unto itself and because it tends toward silence.”

When planning concert events, the Library tries to select performers that “Henry would have approved of.” Past benefit concerts at the Library have featured the likes of Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass and Patti Smith. The posters from these concerts have become collectors’ items, and can still be purchased at the Library.


When the gates were finally flung open at 7:00 P.M, a small crowd of waiting fans streamed in. We followed strings of tiny fairy lights and candles, to the outdoor concert venue, which resembled a magical bohemian grove. With less than 200 seats, it was a very intimate setting. As part of the event, the Library also hosted an alfresco wine tasting on the deck.

The tradition at these concerts is to begin with Magnus Toren, the Library’s director, singing a song by Dan Bern entitled, “Marilyn”. Many people confuse Henry Miller with Arthur Miller (the playwright who was married to Marilyn Monroe). The first line of this song explains that “Marilyn Monroe didn’t marry Henry Miller”.

Then it was time for Marianne.


Her performance style is very cabaret-like, perhaps influenced by Kurt Weill whom she greatly admires. Her voice and presence are reflective of a woman who has been there, done that and survived. Accompanied by an amazing guitarist, Doug Pettibone, her songs at times seemed autobiographical. She sang “Broken English” (inspired by Ulrike Meinhof), “Why’d Ya Do It?” with a raunchy reggae beat (lyrics by English poet Heathcote Williams), “Strange Weather”, “The Crane Wife 3”, and Merle Haggard’s “Sing Me Back Home”. When she finally performed “As Tears Go By”, the entire audience sang along.

Afterwards, Ms. Faithfull sat outside in the cold and graciously autographed my poster (which now hangs in our hall). Later, everyone, including Marianne, headed down the road to the Big Sur Bakery for the after-party.

Here are a few interesting things that you might not know about Marianne.

This former rock princess is actually royalty. She is descended from the Austro-Hungarian Hapsburg line, and has just inherited the title of Baroness Sacher-Masoch.


Befitting her royal status she once lived near Leixlip Castle in Shell Cottage on the grounds of Carton House, in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. The cottage was decorated inside and out by Lady Emily Fitzgerald (1731-1814), with shells from around the world. Marianne resided there for 10 years, but now lives mainly in Paris.

In 2006 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is truly a survivor!

The poet, Allan Ginsburg, an old friend, once referred to her as the “Professor of Poetics, Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poets”.

How Henry would have enjoyed this evening!

Sur la route,
Marjorie

Sea Gypsy

Sea Gypsy

I am fevered with the sunset,
I am fretful with the bay,
For the wander-thirst is on me
And my soul is in Cathay.

There’s a schooner in the offing,
With her topsails shot with fire,
And my heart has gone aboard her
For the Islands of Desire.

I must forth again to-morrow!
With the sunset I must be
Hull down on the trail of rapture
In the wonder of the sea.

Poem by Bliss Carman, from More Songs from Vagabondia

Boat docked at Moss Landing California, October 2009

Still riding the waves,

Marjorie

Trés Chick

Wander down almost any street in San Juan Bautista, California, and you will encounter one of the towns’ feathered residents strutting their stuff.

Several hundred feral roosters and chickens have the run of the place. You will find them clucking, perched in trees, nesting in the bushes, pecking in the gardens of the adobes, and wandering in and out of the quaint shops. Basically, they're everywhere!

Accustomed to people, they preen and pose for cameras.

It is a great tourist draw, second only to the town’s historic Spanish Mission (1797). Legend has it that the early priests bought chickens with them, and some escaped into the town. These are the ancestors of the modern day birds roaming the village. This year we were among the visitors flocking here for the annual Chicken Festival.

Festivities included a parade, antique vendors, a crowing contest for the kids, a chicken barbeque, and the crowning of a "Miss Chicken Festival" queen.

Chicken Couture - as modeled by one of the "Miss Chicken Festival" hopefulls.


I came home with lots to crow about!

Sur la route,
Marjorie