Garden Soirée

Wishing everyone a safe and prosperous new year!
I’ve been absent from this page for sometime now but i haven’t taken it down because bigger and better things are to come later 2019!
I’ve shared an insight into what has happened in 2018 on Instagram and my Chantal Tenace - Garden Soirée page.
Cheers to a green 2019!

As another year draws to a close many of us find us reflecting on the year that was and making resolutions for the year to come. This time of the year can bring mixed emotions, after all sometimes our year has been far from what we had planned. The past year has challenged me in many ways and I certainly didn’t achieve what I had planned, or have the year I had hoped for.
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My year started with an operation and complications post surgery which saw me re admitted into hospital. Recovery took time however in April, I commenced working on a new concept for Garden Soirée with a planned launch late in the year. I was adamant that my timeline was achievable, and by June I had already started taking on new clients. My timeline had accounted for my lifestyle but what I hadn’t factored was a downturn in my health.
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Although I generally don’t share this on my social media, many people know I have suffered from endometriosis for many years. Reoccurring hospital emergency admissions for pain management began in May but my pain levels and frequency of admissions continued to increase later in the year. It was in Italy that I had a reality check. I was trying to manage my pain while working and attending meetings.... it was somewhat impossible. I decided to postpone launching the new website and new business concept as I knew I wasn’t ready to take on any additional work.
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In November after returning to Australia I realised how much of my year I had lost to doctors appointments, hospital admissions and managing chronic pain. It was then I knew I had to prioritise my health. I hope to get on top of this in the early months of 2019 when I am booked into hospital, however I am realistic that recovery will take time.
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So after a challenging year, I’m reflecting not on what I didn’t accomplish but the things that I did achieve (even if not all planned). I am human and not every year will go as planned. After all there are things in life we can’t plan for and things we don’t plan for yet achieve with great success. I must reflect on what I have achieved no matter how small it seems and recognise how my unplanned achievements are going to benefit me in the future.

Vegetable and herb (and flower seeds) are very popular with Italians. Each region has its own produce that it is renowned for and which the regional dishes are based on. Food is life in Italy and growing and sharing food is a way of life.

This little store in Centro Storico Sorrento had lot of inspiration for the home gardener. Woven baskets filled with assorted herbs or succulents. Perfect to fill that empty sunny spot on you windowsill

Travelling through Italy I have discovered so many beautiful courtyard gardens. These little treasures can be found in most cities, hidden behind big ornate gates.

The beauty of marble and onyx.

the of 💜💜💜

.... Many and @ RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Breast Cancer Now Garden: Through the Microscope. One of the Fresh gardens on show at Chelsea. This garden draws inspiration from breast cancer researchers working in the lab. The three vertical circles represent microscope lenses, the slide at the back of the garden magnified healthy cells.

Going on a bear hunt 🐻 #2017

The Welcome to Yorkshire celebrates the . Designed with a natural, wild feel this garden is filled with , and .