This has nothing to do with anything I was going to post today, but I felt compelled to share this with you for a couple of reasons:

1. The colour of this orchid goes superbly with my plum and amber colour palette this week, don’t you agree?

2. There may be some of you out there who are as clueless as I am in how to look after orchids.

3. It also just happens to be a great example of how knowledgeable my current (blog)house guest is…

Zoë’s the kind of gal who knows stuff. You know, you mention your concern about something obscure in conversation (like “um, the flowers on my orchid are dropping off”) and she gives you the exact answer to your query – as well as how to fix it – in conversation. We have lots of lovely conversations like this. Although when she asks about something obscure, it’s usually followed by a long pause of silence…

So yes, my orchid flowers were dropping off and I just happened to mention it in an email to her recently. The conversation went something like this:

P: …I’m worried I’m not looking after my orchids properly – the one you gave me is suddenly losing its flowers and I don’t know why! I would hate for them to wither away, they are so beautiful.

Z: Oh don’t worry about it! Once they’re done flowering, it’s quite normal for the flowers to drop all at once. The flowers last for ages, but not forever. Plus, you don’t really know how long it’s been flowering when you buy it – they can force them to flower any time of the year in heated greenhouses, so it could have already been flowering a month prior. When it’s dropped them all, you can cut the flower stem right back to the base and then it will flower again next Spring. You will need to keep watering it the same, and it could probably get some fertiliser if you want it to really flourish (you can buy orchid fertiliser at the supermarket or hardware or flower shop sometimes, just follow the directions). If you can, keep it in the same spot too – if you don’t mind looking at it that is! Then, in winter, it will start to put out a new flower spike, and with a bit of luck, by Spring next year you’ll have a whole new flush of flowers that will last well into Summer next year. I know, it sounds complicated, but it isn’t really. Just 5 minutes of your time once or twice a week, that’s all. Some people throw them out once they’ve finished flowering – they are kinda designed to be long-lived cut flowers really, but it’s so cool if you can get them to flower again!

P: wow!!

Z: Well, I’m no expert. But just think of it as a living thing – it needs warmth and light and food and water – and it will reward you…

P: You rock!

Z: ah, no worries mate!

P: are you enjoying your stay in the (blog)house? Can I get you another champas darling?

Z: make it a mojito.

Ok I just made those last three lines up, but still, isn’t she full of wonderful advice? Thanks Zoë. I shall get you another mojito in uno momento.

xx

PS Her next post is up! And it has nothing to do with orchids. Enjoy…
PPS Dean Martin’s version of Sway is delicious. And it would go perfectly with mojitos.

I’ve never really been a good apartment-dweller. Growing up under the wide open skies of Queensland, and an avid gardener, I feel claustrophobic without a green space of my own. While the canal-houses of old Amsterdam are undeniably beautiful, and the many trees and great parks soften the edges, I sometimes find the unbroken lines of imposing brick facades a little intimidating. Which is why I snapped up the opportunity to peek behind the brick walls on Open Tuinen Dagen (Open Garden Days), an annual festival that offers a glimpse of the oases hidden in the centre of Amsterdam’s most atmospheric suburbs.

Property in the beautiful canal district is understandably incredibly expensive, and most of the larger houses now incorporate offices and museums. While some of these spaces are open to the public on a regular basis, others serve as private, restful courtyard lunchrooms for the staff within. Can you imagine Friday afternoon drinks on a warm July evening, or a mid-morning cake-break from all those pesky meetings? I can!

Oh look, someone else had the same idea!

Throughout the city, several of the grand 17th century manors have been lovingly restored to their former glory, inside and out, providing a wonderfully evocative glimpse back in history, albeit a history of wealth and indulgence!

Imagine the glamorous parties, the rustle of silk gowns, the lavish dinners in the breathtaking dining room; perhaps dancing in the ballroom, and a secretive assignation between sweet young lovers behind the rose bower? Shh, can you hear the violins from the house?

Phew, just when all that glamour might be going to my head, the reality of the more diminutive of these garden spaces hauls you back. For those Amsterdammers lucky enough to possess their own slice of canal-side living, the tiny green space at the back provides a welcome respite from the busy city just metres away on the other side of the front door. Some of these gardens are true revelations, secret and cosy, private and lush.

A space for repose, a warm sunny spot perfect for a lazy Sunday morning coffee, and an opportunity to convert Amsterdam’s ample rainfall into lush colour and delicate blooms.

It is such a pleasure to be offered a glimpse behind the solid walls of the rather imposing canal district, though my rampant case of canal-house envy shows no sign of being cured by the experience. As if I didn’t already have a serious case of houseboat envy, thanks to the lovely writer of this blog! Ah well, there is much in this beautiful city to fuel the imagination.

Coffee, anyone?

all writing and photographs by Zoë Yule.

a little sneak peek from my guest’s travel album.

For those of you who are new to my (blog)house, the guest quarters is a place where I invite friends to come and stay. While I strive to give them the most relaxing, enjoyable stay possible, we here in the (blog)house get a glimpse into their inspirational lives. It’s a place where they can post whatever they like – be it their own personal work, travel journal, craft ideas, or daily inspirations.

a little sneak peek from my guest’s incredible collection of blossom photographs.

So who is my mystery guest this time?

Well, let me tell you a little bit about her. She is a very dear friend, a fellow aussie expat living in Amsterdam, knows all sorts of things about flora, and is an avid traveler. She writes a personal blog which I have had the pleasure and opportunity to read since meeting her some months ago. Her writing and photographs are captivating, and I was delighted when she said yes to coming to stay here in the guest quarters.

It’s with the greatest of pleasure that I introduce you to her now…

Please click here to learn who my new guest is, say hello, and please be sure to give her a nice big warm welcome to the (blog)house!

xx

I came to be in Amsterdam at much the same time as Pia, though we did not know each other then. In fact, we found each other only relatively recently, but it did not take us long to relish our meetings as time to relax into “Australian” again, and to reminisce about home. Pia opened my eyes to a city I realised I knew only as an acquaintance, and her beautiful blog and more beautiful friendship is now a cherished and inspirational part of my everyday life. I am honoured to be a resident in the guest quarters, following in the footsteps of her other illustrious guests. Thank you Pia, for giving me the chance to share some of my travels and impressions with your wonderful readers, and to you, those same wonderful readers, for allowing me to share the same [cyber]space as your beloved [blog]house host.

afternoons by ash of one blue wren.

blue strawberries by riley salyards of roe.

my toscana, by jenifer altman, found via paper cameras.

liivian talossa .

morning glory by tarky, on flickr.