Living
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The Wisdom of Letting Things Be
On Sunday morning, a flash at the window caught my attention, and I spotted a goldfinch arriving at the garden. Perched atop a coneflower, previously purple, it pecked at the dried center to find its seeds. The flowers appear bronze casts of what they were. This late in the growing season, dark florets invite the birds to feed. If I let them complete their full cycle, they will do so until the snow arrives. As I watched, more birds landed atop the sculptural shapes mostly disregarding the newer, vibrant blooms. I thought about the wisdom of letting things be. For the goldfinch, dried cones feed a growing nest. Had I…
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Grow a Salad Garden for Plentiful Greens All Season Long
If you love salads as much as I do, lettuce and other salad greens are some of the best (and easiest) spring vegetables to grow at home. Leaves develop quickly, and you can clip as many as needed at a time. New ones will continue to grow from clipped plants, meaning you will definitely be able to cross at least one ingredient off your shopping list once the plants are in full swing. With warmer night temperatures here to stay, I’ll be filling the raised lettuce beds this weekend, but you can also plant seeds in deep hanging baskets and portable planters. Consider this encouragement to visit your favorite garden…
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Make Your Own Ornament Garland for the Holidays
Handmade touches make the holidays so cozy and festive. Many of us have plenty of ornaments that never make their way to the tree but are still loved. I like to find new ways to showcase them such as on this garland. The best part about this project is that no glue gun is required, and you can pick so many beautiful ribbons. This year I went for a spruce green velvet main ribbon and a cheerful plaid for the accent, but you can customize all the colors and patterns to match your holiday style. With the champagne glass balls, this one glows during dinnertime – especially in candlelight. Gather…
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Mindful Living: The Allure of the Present
The blue of a delphinium is the most extraordinary you will find anywhere. This morning a few were just right for welcoming indoors along with some ultra-fluffy peonies. I have been watching their spikes for weeks. Proud lithe stems emerged from a cluster of dense but delicate leaves. As they strengthened, tiny buds stayed for quite a while before popping into the color for which I wait all year. In my meditation classes, I guide others on how to live vibrantly in the present, where beauty and inner wisdom often are found. My love affair with the delphiniums had me focused on more than the gorgeous blues. I felt respect…
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The Beauty of Putting Things Away
On Easter Monday, after flowing conversations and plenty of overflowing plates, I set about the task of putting things away – my favorite blue faceted glasses, drink pitchers, serving plates, and other pieces. It struck me just how much I love the day after a celebration when I have time to feel the spirit of the gathering again. I’ll recall witty comments, sweet little moments, and the love poured into each other as we enjoyed so many delicious dishes. There is a joy in putting things away. When I host holidays, so much care goes into each choice. From the menu to the flowers, I love offering the foundation for…
