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A French-Inspired Garden and Home by Judith Stringham

Pink Crepe Myrtle | Why Southern Gardeners Love Them

Saturday, August 29, 2020

A stunning pink crepe myrtle tree grows on a small farmholding down a country road near me. The tree is an example of why crepe myrtles have been staples in Deep South gardens and yards for generations.  



Pink crepe myrtle tree in full bloom is a favorite of southern gardeners
For over twenty years I have admired the beautiful tree covered in fluffy pink blossoms as I travel from my home to the closest town for shopping. 

Eiffel Tower Telescopes | Elegant French Style

Wednesday, August 26, 2020


A Moment In France


Remembering Paris in the rain with gold and silver telescopes on the Eiffel Tower offers mental relief from the oppressive August temperatures in Texas and the oppressive confines of no travel during the pandemic in 2020. 

With no physical way to beat the heat by traveling in person, I am beating the heat by leisurely browsing through my photos of my last visit to Paris during a cool month in September. 

As I came upon a group of rainy-day photos, I paused to stare off into the heat-searing whitened blue skies and remembered a visit to the Eiffel Tower with my sister, just the two of us.  


Eiffel Tower gold and silver telescopes are beautiful even when dripping with rain under misty Paris skies
The Eiffel Tower telescopes, dripping with rain under misty, overcast gray skies remind me of our travel schedules developed over the years. Whatever the weather, no outing was canceled. We dressed for the weather and proceeded with our day optimistically, promising ourselves, and any companions, we would have a good time. 

French Prints Shadowbox | Tips for Creating Your Own

Sunday, August 2, 2020

 A Paper Series Post 

Create a shadowbox with reproduction watercolor French prints to add an inexpensive French country look to any room in your house. By using prints collected during a trip with family or friends, your shadowbox will also remind you of special memories. 

Read about how I created a blue and white shadowbox to hang in my bedroom and get ideas for your own shadowbox. I have a few tips for finding small prints to use, for how to arrange the prints, and for using special items to add a little pizzazz! 


French Prints Shadowbox with Tips for Creating your own
Reproduction watercolor prints in soft blues, greens, and neutrals go well with most French country decor.