We were walking along my favorite industrial area in our neighborhood yesterday and passed this tree in bloom. It gave me a little surge of excitement about spring approaching. I have been missing the lush greens and flowers from our San Fransisco visit. Upon closer inspection I realized that silk blossoms had been tied on to the naked branch by a neighbor with a sense of humor. Quite possibly the best use for fake flowers.
Happy Weekend!
Domesticspace 
lilyzichy3 said:
Oh my gosh…April fools one month early. Before I read your comment, I thought to myself what a gorgeous photo. What camera did you use? So funny. Happy Spring may it be real or not.
jeannerondeau said:
Thanks!
I use a Canon EOS 20D and that shot was with a 28 mm lens. There is some Photoshopping as well to fix the light on that one. Happy Spring!
Sara Tiffany said:
What a lovely website. It reminds me(age 80) of when my sister and I,she is Jeanne and 18 months younger, often had matching dresses when we were little girls. We had a beautiful pair called “Gone With the Wind ” dresses. We really were pleased with ourselves!!
Our mother usually made matching ones for us but those were store-bought.
Enjoy your lovely home.
Sara Tiffany
jeannerondeau said:
Thanks so much Sara,
I don’t suppose you still have those dresses? I would love to see them!
Take care, Jeanne
Mel said:
Jeanne & Chris-
Read about your adventure in the Times. About 33 years ago we bought a house in an old urban neighborhood in Dallas that’s now 97 years old. It too was in sad shape (an outbuilding in the yard turned out to be the dormitory for local drunks and junkies), but full of character, lots of original detail. We’ve been restoring and renovating (we’re not purists) ever since. It turns out to be a lifetime project full of rewards and frustrations, like raising kids. Of course we raised our kids here too, and as a result they have childhood memories that cannot be duplicated in suburbia. It’s a wonderful adventure.
jeannerondeau said:
Hooray for saving the old houses! The details are so much more interesting than new, and built to last throughout generations. I love the care and pride that was taken, even in a modest home. I love that our kids will learn the importance of history and saving instead of tearing down.
maven said:
We have the real thing down here in Virginia – about 2 weeks early.
julie said:
it is mother’s day this weekend in the uk and the shops are full of tulips and daffodils …spring is definately on the way here…love the light mornings and it staying lighter in the early evening….
jeannerondeau said:
Happy Mother’s Day!
julie said:
thank you…..
R.J. said:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn–I couldn’t resist. Our flowering trees are blooming in PA and I hope they don’t get ruined by an unexpected snow storm. I love the early springtime. I read about your home project on NYTimes, and wish you luck. Hubby and I have been working on our digs since 1983–it never ends. The photo of the little one climbing the stairs is so cute. I have a grandson that age. Great blog!
jeannerondeau said:
Very funny. That is such a beautiful book. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn really made me fall in love with living here. There is so much history in this place. Good luck with the house and the grandson. Such a fun age!
Karen Anne said:
Great New York Times article. I cover my face when I see what’s been done to the insides of some old houses.
CarolGK said:
About the fake blooms: Years ago my two children worked as extras on the movie, “You’ve Got Mail” and the trees for the outdoor shots were not in bloom. We watched the production people tie little blossoms on the bare brances to make it look like spring.
Elaine said:
I enjoyed reading your story in “The Hunt.” I’ve got a Vintage Chambers Stove that came with my 1941 home. It has been sitting in my garage waiting for the right owners to adopt it! What are you looking for?
George said:
Downtown Staten Island has some beautifully preserved victorians with views of the harbor and on large lots!!!. We fell in love with the hilly San Fran feeling. Cindy and I bought a 7 bedroom 1880 Queen Anne in the Stapleton Heights historic district a few years ago. It has original plaster molding, chestnut wood trim around the doorways, original marble fireplaces and original stove and more!!! Incredible!!! We never thought of leaving Brooklyn until we were hypnotized by a beauty we saw on a house listing site located here. We visited Stapleton and St. George and were amazed to discover how intact the entire historic village was, with a preserved town square. Lush tree lined streets, although 30 min to Manhattan by mass transit it’s still worth it. It’s just like Fort Greene but with larger homes/lots/driveways/parking and a tad smaller population. I am now meeting new neighbors arriving from Ft. Greene/Carol Gardens/Park Slope who too had the same draw-dropping experience.