Cottage Garden Still Life

The other day, I sat with Agnes, marveling at the splendid array of Beads of Mercy, when our eyes settled upon one pair of rosaries in particular. The moment we saw the "From Garden and Woodland" beads, with their glowing tints of green and amber, she exclaimed, "That looks like the Cottage Garden Rosary!" I knew exactly what she meant. The beads mirrored the precise colors outside our windows, and the title "From Garden and Woodland" showed that the artist was inspired by the very same hymn remembered in our byline. ["Cottage Garden--and woodland, and seaside, and pond" (above) is a subtle reference to the hymn, "Bring flow'rs of the fairest, bring flow'rs of the rarest, from garden and woodland and hillside and vale," but adapted to the natural settings found here on Long Island.] Needless to say, within a moment we had ordered our beads, and within a day they were in our mailbox, gleaming more brilliantly in person than ever I would have imagined.

Our glorious new beads seemed to beg to be photographed, and I kept imagining them nestled on my brown shawl, the symbol of all we love about the garden in Autumn--warmth, color, light, love, prayer . . . .

Soon an idea formed to create a still life, gathering many of the things we hold dear for a photograph of all our garden means to us this time of year. The result is perhaps too busy to be artistic, but each piece was carefully chosen and arranged by Margaret and me and photographed in the warmest hour of the afternoon, the shadows stretching far behind like the shades of a watercolorist's brush.

The Parts of Our Still Life

We began with my red Irish Walking Cape, a wrap I almost always wear in the Autumn garden, but rarely anywhere else. Margaret draped it over our small children's garden bench. Purchased with birthday money from my mother about eight years ago, that bench helped to transform our first suburban yard into a Children's Garden and has been the setting for hundreds of adorable photographs of happy children over the years.
Margaret insisted upon adding our beaten metal Celtic Cross, fetched from the tree in the back of the yard.

Of course, our winsome beads and cozy shawl were added, the brilliant sun obscuring the subtle greens separating the Aves.
Red rosehips, one of the only splashes of color left in the bare November garden, make an appearance atop my blue journal, a favorite place for jotting ideas.
This lovingly wrought knit baby set, handmade by my friend Rebecca, along with a birch branch (so deeply associated with her and the promise of Advent), and a perfect garden read aloud were included to represent the children and the blessing of beautiful friends.

My brown bell hat, a spray of oak leaves, and there you have it--a collection of all we love about the crisp Autumn days outdoors.

The only thing missing now would be a good cup of tea, but, as romantic as that would be, I rarely drink tea outdoors this time of year. The tea cup will need to wait for the Cottage Still Life I am already dreaming about.

How lovely it would be to see the Still Lifes that represent you and your homes and families. Perhaps some of you might consider sharing your own collections in the coming days and weeks.

Comments

[Cay G.]

Alice,
You and your girls are so creative.

Thank you for the "flow'rs of the fairest, bring flow'rs of the rarest," you bring to us from your "garden and woodland and hillside and vale and seaside and pond."

[Cheryl]

Very beatiful and interesting.

[Cheryl]

I love the still life. It makes me want to visit your garden.

[Kimberlee]

Oh Alice, your sweetness and kindness continue to marvel me! What beautiful photos! You need to add a picture of the loveliest November blessing sitting next to the collection - YOU!

[Alice Gunther]

Thank you so very much Cay, Cheryl, Cheryl, and Kimberlee! Kimberlee, when I read, "You need to add a picture of the loveliest November blessing sitting next to the collection," I thought you meant Eileen! LOL! Thank you so much for the compliment! : )

Agnes just reminded me of a glaring omission from the still life--the children's nature journals and watercolors! And what about Anna Comstock's book?! The collection could go on forever, I suppose!

[Meredith]

This is so cool, you never cease to amaze me you and that beautiful family!! Thanks for sharing this, it totally made my day today!

[Rebecca]

What a gorgeous still life, Alice! I love the color scheme and all the meaningful items you have included! Thank you so much for including the woolens for little Eileen. I am honored! :)

[Dawn]

Absolutely beautiful and inspiring, Alice! You and the girls have captured so much of autumn's loveliness in one spot - colors, textures, ideas!

[Jennifer]

Absolutely lovely!
I was pleased to hear you re-recommend the Beads of Mercy, I keep scrolling through that fabulous collection of rosaries. The offerings make decision making difficult!

[Krisann]

I can only echo everyone else. It is beautiful, inspiring, and lovely. I don't think it is too busy at all.

Thanks for sharing!