Mount Auburn Cemetery

One of my favorite places in the greater Boston area has to be a cemetery. If you've ever been to Mount Auburn Cemetery you'll know why. I've been coming here since I was a wee little girl, to walk the beautiful grounds and learn about all the local and natural history.




I'm a little biased anyway because I love cemeteries. I did my thesis on one (King's Chapel Burying Ground in downtown Boston, yo), they're free to get into (can't say that about many places anymore), they're usually quiet, and they often are full of beautiful, storied, artwork.

Mount Auburn is all these things, and more (I kind of feel like I'm writing a tourism brochure here) - and let me tell you why!

It's Historic: America's first garden cemetery, it's also home to many notable burials such as Mary Baker Eddy, Charles Bullfinch, Isabella Stewart Gardner, and others too numerous to name


It's beautiful: Green rolling hills, flower trimmed lanes (each "street" in the cemetery is named after a different flower or tree), unique and exquisite monuments, ponds, and a view to die for at the top of a centrally located tower.

View from the tower

Flora and fauna: If you love flowers and trees, this is the place for you. There are so many different species, and they are all helpfully labeled. Mount Auburn is also one of the best places in the area for bird watching. I've seen hawks, turkeys, cardinals, gold finches, and that's without even having to go look for them. There is a big chalkboard in entrance gate where people write down the rare birds they have seen lately.

Beautiful Irises in front of a grave

A hawk sunning itself on the ground. I took this from the tower so it's a little hard to see!

It's Free: and right off public transportation, too :)



Bonuses: On clear days in the spring and summer (and we always hope- the fall) you can hear Red Sox games being announced all the way from Fenway park.
Mount Auburn is also a stone's throw from Harvard Square, so when you're done hiking around you can get some delicious food at one of the many restaurants around.

It's a special place for me, because no matter what changes or happens, I can always come here and see the same monuments and trees I grew up with.

Visit the website here!

Have you ever been to Mount Auburn Cemetery? What do you love about it (or maybe not love)?

Or, what are some of your favorite places to escape to for a day?

Deck Garden, Pt. 1

First off, thanks to everyone who took my poll and helped point me in the right direction for my blog. The majority of votes went to seeing more tutorials/tips on my blog, and more personal posts from my life. Crap. haha, I will have to think hard about what kind of tutorials I can offer, since I don't feel like I'm particularly qualified in anything to be teaching it. But we'll see!
As for more stuff from my very exciting life, well, this week Mike and I started our long awaited deck garden so you can read on about that....

We have a small, second floor apartment with a small, dilapidated deck. The (lead) paint is peely and the weight limit is, well, we've never really tested the weight limit, but it's not the sturdiest piece of engineering out there. Anyway, with no yard we really wanted to have the next best thing to a garden.

Roland inspects our purchases while BabyCat looks on from the screen window

We went to the local garden center and bought a bunch of plants. I LOVE flowers and plants, unfortunately, they rarely reciprocate my feelings and die shortly after coming into my possession. But this time it's going to be different. I picked out perennials that aren't really supposed to be grown in pots, but I'm determined to make it work. Wildflowers are my favorites, so I got a beautiful Phlox plant, Echinacea, Lavender (!!!), and Bachelor's Buttons. The store was sadly out of Forget-Me-Nots, one of my favorites. I also got Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage and started an herb planter. Smells heavenly!

My flowers

Mike, for reasons I still can't fully comprehend, seems to have more of the green thumb between us. He's in charge of growing us a bunch of vegetables including, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, and kale. He pretty much potted everything.

Husbands are really handy to have around

Mike wrestles with the Topsy-Turvy while I continue to cultivate my paleness, have messy hair, and blow bubblegum. Hey, someone has to do it

Roland keeps an eye out on the weather. Hey guys, GUYS, a storm is coming!

The weather kept changing every few minutes, and we had to take a break while some rain blew in. Mike took this opportunity to go buy more much-needed dirt at the store. I continued to not get wet and dirty inside.
This is what our deck looks like with all our plants now:


We got some tables at Ikea the other day (so cheap in the remainder section!) and we're going to use those to create some more space. I also grabbed some Morning Glory seeds at the grocery store and we're going to plant those in a box and hopefully they will grow around the rails!
So we'll see how everything does in pots. I'll take more pictures as things grow, we re-pot, and hopefully yield veggies and more flowers!

Living with Flowers Roses

("A Gift" by Sweetblue on Etsy)

Who doesn't love roses? Probably the most recognized, loved and generally romantic of all flowers, roses are deeply ingrained in our culture and lives. Whether it's a floral print blouse, your grandmother's china, or your perfume, chances are you experience roses in at least some capacity every day.
In Victorian times, as well as today, roses symbolized love. Different colors, number, and stage of openness could change the connotation slightly, but the main theme of love was always there.
Here are a few different ways you can enjoy roses even more in your home..

Potpourri:
While potpourri can contain many different kinds of flowers, there is just something about a potpourri with roses in it that makes it so pleasing. You can put it in sachets to give as gifts or scent your linens, or put it in a glass bowl in your home as a lovely and aromatic decoration.

Here is a beautiful potpourri of rose petals from Marimakingsupplies on Etsy

Rose Teas:
Teas with roses in them are both delicious and have many health benefits, such as being high in vitamins and strengthening the immune and digestive systems. This article explains some of the properties of rose tea in more detail:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/71165-rose-tea-health-benefits/


Paulajeansgarden on Etsy offers this beautiful and delicious looking Sweet Heart Tea with rose petals.

Rose Hips:

("Yesterday's Roses" by Lynda Naranjo on Etsy)

Rose hips are so pretty, and don't get nearly enough attention as their blooming friends! They can be found in jams, teas, wine, natural remedies, and even soap!

This natural and vegan soap by CrowleyManor on Etsy is a gentle way to exfoliate for sensitive skin. The rose hip powder in this soap is high in Vitamin C and promotes collagen production!

Living with Flowers: Pansies

("A Rough Start" by Dancingtreephoto on Etsy)

Pansies have just got to be one of the sweetest flowers around. Their unique and cheerful blooms are synonymous with springtime, and they're so easy to grow which makes them a favorite with children and adults alike.
In the Victorian language of flowers pansies symbolized merriment and meant "you occupy my thoughts." What a nice sentiment!
Here are some beautiful ideas from Etsy to bring the cheerfulness of pansies into your home.


Floral Wreathes
How about a beautifully vibrant everlasting wreath? This gorgeous example from StylishStems
is made of silk bearded pansies and would be a welcoming sight on any door.

Easy planters

("Petit Pansies" by Cottagelightstudio on Etsy)

When we were in grade school we always used to come home with pansies (or "Johnny-Jump-Ups" as we called them) in all sorts of containers such ad paper bags, dixie cups, or milk cartons. If I could grow this flower as an eight-year-old, then you know it's an easy flower! Here is a great little guide to get you started: http://www.gardenguides.com/125446-tips-growing-pansies-seed.html

Pressed flowers

The flat shape of pansies make them an incredibly popular flower for pressing. You can either use a ready-made flower press, or make your own press by putting the pansies between two sheets of wax paper and placing them in the middle of a dictionary or other heavy book. Or you can buy them already pressed to use for decorating or craft projects! Here are some lovely ones from Lizbethsgarden on Etsy

Edible Treats
This tip came from DomesticAesthetics on my Facebook page! She reminds us that in addition to being beautiful, pansies are also tasty! They can be used as a garnish on salads, or candied and added to cakes as an unexpected and fresh edible decoration!

Living with Flowers: Lavender

("Bunch of Lavender" by Dearmachine on Etsy)

Lavender has got to be one of the most popular flowers for its delicate and soothing scent, its hardiness, and its simple beauty. In Victorian times many meanings were attached to lavender such as loyalty, devotion, and love.
They are such a versatile flower, are so many ways you can add a little bit of rustic, Victorian charm to your home with them. Here are some of my favorites!

Lavender Tea
Whether its in a loose-leaf blend or a brand name favorite, lavender adds a relaxing element to any tea. It's often paired with chamomile for an incredibly soothing, delicate flavor!

("Quite Afternoon" by Heyclouds on Etsy)

Lavender Soap
Lavender can be soothing for your skin too! Lavender soap smells great and is a pretty accent for any bathroom. Check out these beautiful examples from SatinAndBirch on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61708379/silver-and-lavender-soap-hearts-mini-set

Lavender Sachets
Freshen your linens, drawers, or closets with fragrant lavender sachets. Gardenmis offers sets of three organic lavender sachets which can be used also in place of drier sheets. Clever!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66997811/organic-lavender-sachets-set-of-3

Lavender Baked Goods
Lavender adds a touch of refinement with its sweet, floral flavor to a variety of baked goods. Lavender tea cookies are an elegant and tasty addition to a tea party or just to have as a snack. And how about these delicious (and vegan!) vanilla spice and lavender frosted cupcakes from CrazyMaes on Etsy?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67024638/mini-cupcakes-vanilla-spice-with

Dried Lavender
Drying lavender is easy, and makes a beautiful home accent in a vase or hanging from the wall. Here is an easy how-to: http://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Your-Home-Grown-Lavender

("Lavender" Fine Art blank card by TimeFlys on Etsy)

Forget-Me-Not

In the Victorian era flowers all held very particular meanings, and there was even considered to be a "language of flowers". Lovers could exchange bouquets of flowers and be able to convey meaning to each other without having to say a word. Forget-me-nots were a particular favorite, with their true blue color and obvious meaning: think of me, memories, nostalgia, or "forget me not"! They continue to be a popular flower today, and here are some lovely examples from Etsy.


This stunning porcelain cameo is painted with a burst of forget-me-nots and wrapped in gold wire by SpiralTrinkets. So graceful and classically Victorian with a twist!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/5486684/forget-me-not-porcelain-gold-wire


Note cards are the perfect way to stay in touch with someone and forget them not! These beautiful cards by Vintagebella feature reproductions of a 1905 postcard design with sweet little forget-me-nots.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/48915829/4-reproduction-c1905-forget-me-not-blank


I almost did a double-take when I saw this gorgeous biscuit jar. That is real hand-painting done by BlueRibbonChina! Incredibly detailed and delicate forget-me-not motif on porcelain trimmed with gold enamel, a perfect place to keep your cookies and biscuits!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/29049583/235-biscuit-jar-painted-with-forget-me


Did you know that forget-me-nots are incredibly easy to grow in almost any condition? And did you know that these wonderful organic forget-me-not seeds from SevenAcreWoods only cost $2? What are you waiting for!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51994331/organic-blue-forget-me-not-flower-seeds

Roses are Red....(and Pink, and Cream, and Orange....)

There is so much great stuff inspired by Victorian roses on Etsy, here is a sampling of a few I found particularly unique and charming!

These little rose soaps from FairyBubbles ooze sweetness and romance (and also shea butter and essential oil!). Perfect for a gift, wedding favor, or just a little indulgence for yourself. I love that she lists all the ingredients used for the soaps right in the listing, take a look!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/36149562/gypsy-rose-silk-and-shea-butter-soaps


I love this pendant from PrairieStarJewels because the rose is real porcelain and is set off so nicely by the little Swarovski crystals. I think this would look absolutely stunning layered with long strands of pearls.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/48471725/swarovski-and-porcelain-rose-pendant


Have you ever seen anything like this beautiful journal by BrittniKayne? A blank journal with a cover hand made out of clay featuring little rosettes, this would make a wonderful one-of-a-kind gift.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/23203470/anne-clay-cover-blank-book



The hand was a very popular motif in Victorian times, with different positions suggesting different meanings. Here is a lovely charm necklace by Lilruby which features a graceful hand, a dainty rosette, and cute little baubles.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39755972/victorian-style-rose-and-brass-charm

I can't even fathom how much time and patience goes into something like this. Beaded rose bouquet by ArtisticLane features trimming in 24K gold beads and will last forever. It even comes with a vase, what more could you ask for!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/40976624/clarity-rose-bouquet