Winter Gardens
This morning I’m appreciating how my garden gently and steadily slides into winter. I’ve often joked that when gardeners speak of “winter interest” I assume that they’re talking about a cup of hot tea and a good book. Or seed catalog. But the truth is that one of the secrets of a happy life is to look for the small pleasures as often as possible…to appreciate and celebrate individual moments as they happen, as totally and completely as we can.
In the landscape this isn’t difficult as the natural world is filled with wonders, large and small. This morning I’m grateful that the Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Gold’ is in my landscape, catching the light of the rising sun.
The berries of ‘Winter Gold’ are actually peach in color. Love it…
I Love Arugula
Name: Eruca sativa aka arugula Type of Plant: Salad green with a slightly spicy flavor that’s in the Brassicaceae family (aka mustards or crucifers) so you know it’s nutritious. Arugula is best grown in full sun. Why I love this: How can you not love a salad green...
Backyard Greens and Supermarket Flowers
One of the pleasures of any winter holiday is making table arrangements using backyard greens and flowers from the supermarket. Here is the basic process for creating a centerpiece or other floral arrangement using an assortment of containers.
Wishing You a Peaceful Christmas
Mushroom Loaf
This recipe can be used as a vegetarian main dish, a side vegetable, first course or appetizer. Ingredients: About 20 mid-sized “baby bella” (aka cremini) mushrooms About 12 large shitake mushrooms (chopped cremini mushrooms and shitake total 6 cups after chopping) 1...
Benefits of Gardening #1
I didn't intend to write a post about the benefits of gardening today, but life/circumstances took me by the hand and keyboard and positively pulled me in that direction. This happened because I took a scoop of birdseed out to the feeder around noon on Sunday, and...
I Love Cymbidiums
Name: Cymbidiums Type of Plant: Orchids for indoor blooming in the winter months. Why I love this: My favorite orchids are Cymbidiums. I love their colors, their long lasting, showy sprays of flowers, and the fact that they bloom in the coldest, darkest months of the...
Use What You Have
Whether you are doing some last-minute decorating for Christmas or New Years, making gifts, decorating your home, or just gearing up for winter creative projects, this post is a toast to using what you have. I saw this burlap pillow/art in a store window in San...
Sage Leaves Fried in Butter or Olive Oil
This is a simple way to make just about any dish more classy. You can prepare this with fresh sage leaves throughout the summer, but it's especially satisfying to pick fresh sage leaves in the early winter while they're still good, and use them to dress up a variety...
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