Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – Finding Winter Color

Winter blooms – not around here.

Winter color – that we have.

I was a bit surprised to find so much color in my yard, as I didn’t really notice the range until I looked at the pictures. Could it be that you too have more color in your garden than you realize?

Granted, the . . . → Read More: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – Finding Winter Color

Zone 5 – Favorites On The 5th – The Not-So-Insignificant Snowflake

Mike’s snowman pancake is pretty impressive. Now that’s my idea of creativity. Creativity that you can copy for breakfast tomorrow.

Ah, but the creativity that it takes to make a real snowflake; that is creativity on a whole different level. That’s creativity God-style, with a twist. I can just picture him thinking up the . . . → Read More: Zone 5 – Favorites On The 5th – The Not-So-Insignificant Snowflake

Winter Interest – The Sled

Here’s an easy idea for your yard in winter – display the sled. In our case, that meant Mike had to climb up into the deep dark recesses of the far corner of that attic, drag it down, and carry it to the yard. That’s ok. He had a few Christmas cookies to wear off, . . . → Read More: Winter Interest – The Sled

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – Planting Bulbs In December

My gosh, yesterday was December 14th and I was outside taking pictures without a jacket and it was painless. Painless until I saw this. Disclaimer: A very graphic and disturbing photograph follows. Please do not share this with overly sensitive gardeners. I take no responsibility for their nightmares at a time when sugarplums should be . . . → Read More: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – Planting Bulbs In December

Chicago’s Magnificent Mile On The Cheap, Or Not

Magnificent-Mile-Chicago, from USATravelWithUs.com

Max and Snookems have been gallivanting. They’ve been taking it easy since their appearance at the Chicagoland Flower and Garden Show last spring. It was time to get out for a Christmas shopping trip on Michigan Avenue. Neither of them drive. Of course not, they’re mannequins. So they reserved a . . . → Read More: Chicago’s Magnificent Mile On The Cheap, Or Not

How To Add Christmas Garland To A Garden Gate, Berthold’s Open House

It’s all Chris Wagner’s fault. I went to Berthold’s Garden Center yesterday for a free demonstration of winter outdoor arrangements. I came home inspired. Till now, I’d been happy to enjoy every minute of autumn. I’d put off thinking about Christmas and the requisite decorating. You might argue that Christmas decorating is not requisite. I . . . → Read More: How To Add Christmas Garland To A Garden Gate, Berthold’s Open House

Fingers Numb

I write to you with fingers numb. I think that I might lose a thumb. Chicago’s temperature is 33. Yet I was gardening – crazy me.

The sun was shining. The birds were singing. I was smiling, trimming, digging.

Digging through the shed so deep, my gardening tools buried in the heap. But out they . . . → Read More: Fingers Numb

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – Welcoming Our New Additions – Winter Aconite & Cameron

Like all expectant parents, we’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new little one. We are so proud to introduce you to our first bloom of the year, winter aconite. At no pounds and only 2 inches tall, this newborn arrived today, amidst much speculation about the arrival date.

Oh, there will be . . . → Read More: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – Welcoming Our New Additions – Winter Aconite & Cameron

Candied Camera – A Sweet Photography Contest

Photo by Kristen Taylor

Just in time for Valentines Day, Mike found something sweet on the Chicago Botanic Gardens website. It’s a seasonal photo contest . Wow – they’ve been running this for a year and we just saw it now. Well, not exactly ‘now’. Let’s say a few hours ago. Since then . . . → Read More: Candied Camera – A Sweet Photography Contest

Now Really, What Were The Odds?

I’ve heard that the longer a couple is married, the more alike they become. I’ve heard that they can practically read each others thoughts. I can understand Mike knowing what I’m thinking when we are in the same room. Even without a word being said, Mike can read my body language, and he knows me . . . → Read More: Now Really, What Were The Odds?