Designing a Perennial Garden

Returning home after a weekend north, our “zone five” garden isn’t showing much additional green. What has appeared is the bright sunlight that hastens a winter-weary perennial along. Yay! Related Images:
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The Wonder of Fairy Tales

Historically, fairy tales have provided an important building block in literature and also in peoples lives. Also called “wonder” tales, fairy tales are stories about living that share universal themes across culture and history. Good over evil, a reverence for aging, beauty, magic, kings, queens, life and death. Related Images:
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Eleanor and the Promise of Warm Weather in the Garden

Eleanor is a small terracotta planter we bought at Campo de’ Fiori in Sheffield MA. The pot was modeled after a friend of shop owner Robin, who grew up in Rome. The store takes its name from a small piazza where his mother used to buy flowers and vegetables. My Eleanor is outside in the garden on the stone wall- waiting for warmer weather so we can decide what kind of plant hairdo she’ll wear. However. April is the cruelest month. Are your buds covered with ice again? Related Images:
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Beauty Begins in the Garden

Just want to take a moment to remind you that for many artists (I’m no exception, the passion for art begins in nature and reflective time spent outside at the service of plant care. Obviously, the morning glories and roses aren’t out yet, but isn’t it great to have flowers with us all year on home décor fabrics and papers? Related Images:
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Is It Time For Mulch Yet?

Do you sometimes feel like nothing changes? How many weeks have you been ready for a new season? One thing I do know is we have no control over some things and one of those is the weather.  Related Images:
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Rushing To Sun

This time of year, I’m generally trying to shake off the old and get into the new side of life. Some of that just requires taking a pause- opening your eyes and allowing new things in. I’d suggest that people suffer tremendously from a lack of time, difficulty in focusing and generally giving themselves the things they need as opposed to things that need doing. Take time, give time and when it’s needed- listen. Related Images:
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Spring into Easter

I’m crazy about Spring. Growing up, Spring was aligned with preparing for Easter. Predictable warmth was agonizingly slow. How many years did you freeze in your new summer dress and sandals because the weather wasn’t quite ready for that attire? Related Images:
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Picture Perfect Gardens

I’ve been working on a new design for print testing. The star is my hens and chicks plant, shot outside earlier this month, before the snow started again. It’s been blanketed with the white stuff several times since then. Gardens are a passion of mine. They are the inspiration for my artwork. Related Images:
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Spring 2018- TODAY!!

Spring Equinox 2018 begins Tuesday, March 20, at 12:15 pm. Just a reminder in case it’s still snowy over your way. Still, I’m always drawn into daffodil and tulip anticipation. Sort of the opposite of weather worry- and why not? Spring comes every year, regardless of what else is happening at the moment. The predictability is a big comfort this time of year. Related Images:
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I was thinking about St. Patrick’s Day and the poem “Sea Fever” popped into my head: “I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” John Masefield was actually an English poet, born in 1878, attended King’s School and later trained as a merchant seaman. He deserted his ship in New York and worked in a carpet factory, returning home to write poetry about the sea. He was appointed British poet laureate in 1930. Related Images:
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