Christmas Is

There is a long laundry list about what this holiday season means to different folks but Eric Sevareid sums it up best. “As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.”

P.S. I’ll be returning with gardening blog posts, thoughts and ideas to keep us going through the winter months. But a little holiday break is in store to just enjoy what Christmas is. Stay safe, healthy and enjoy the beauty of the winter landscape. See you in 2011. Annie

Images from the Internet

The Flurry before Xmas

It’s finally upon us. The flurry of last minute mania has arrived on our doorstep. So let’s stay focused on what is really important about this holiday season - service to others. Pay attention to the folks ringing the bell and those who might need a little extra help in your local community. Let’s take an example - if you are a garden center with a surplus of extra poinsettias or wreaths, don’t see it as a loss. Consider it a way to brighten up a senior housing complex or a local homeless shelter. You can even drop one or two off to your town’s police, fire station or overbooked emergency room. These folks work round the clock on holidays when most of us are opening gifts and sharing cheer.

And as I wrote on my personal Facebook page today, may there always be enough light in our hearts to protect our service men and women. Extra blessings and prayers for your families that endure what others never see.

So for those lucky enough to have snow flurries this Xmas, enjoy them and share your extras, even if they may seem sparse. There is always, always, always someone with less. I hope everyone will use the next two days to find a small way to ‘pay it forward’ to someone that needs a little bit of your flurry before Christmas.

The inspirational quote for today is a German Proverb. “Charity sees the need, not the cause.” That is truly the spirit of the holidays.

Images from the Internet.

Perk Up Your Morning

An unknown author captures our AM jet fuel best. “A morning without coffee is like sleep.” For the coffee connoisseurs out there, some may think it’s all in the bean you use to grind and brew your ideal pot of morning Joe. But one cannot overlook the equipment. Most of us have used the typical Mr. Coffee pot and some have even taken the money nose dive and purchased those fancy rigs that do everything with the exception of blowing your nose. Although these types of gizmos make awesome coffee, some take an enormous amount of valuable kitchen countertop space and others are just plain overpriced for the same end result you can achieve with inexpensive equipment. The two best options out there for those coffee lovers who want the best cup of perked Java without the $1,000 + price tag is the French Press or the good old-fashioned percolator. The French press is a tad too strong for everyday use. It takes a bit to figure out how to get that brew just right but it’s perfect for special weekend sipping. It also comes in handy when the electricity goes out given you can still boil water.

For everyday use, the best option on the market is the good old-fashion percolator. This contraption takes up no counter space, gives an unbelievable cup of coffee and you use less beans then most drip coffee makers. It also looks retro. A big plus for the style oriented coffee drinker. The one drawback: it can be a challenging exercise in morning dexterity. It’s advised you prep the pot the night before (i.e., clean all its parts) so as not to create a sunrise disaster. There is nothing like the sound of percolating coffee gurgling in the background in the early morning hours. It’s a bit nostalgic; kind of Ward and June Cleaverisque.

So if you are really into coffee, remember that it’s all in the beans but the wrong equipment or technique can ruin even the best cup of Joe. Speaking of beans – take it one step further to get direct shipped coffee from the grower at a fairly reasonable cost. You leave out that middle man (or men) plus support the farmer growing it. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, which means there can be a lot of dividends being cut from the same pound of coffee with very little going into the farmer’s pocket. We found a great coffee grower in Hilo, Hawaii that ships our stash on a regular basis at a very reasonable price. When you think local, it doesn’t always have to be in your backdoor. Supporting local farmers wherever they may be is a great way to keep the agricultural industry what it should be – a little less industrialized.

So if you are looking for that last minute present for under the tree, get perking. You only have three more shopping days left!

Image from the Internet

What Heals You

Doug Larson reminds us that “the aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get the urge to throw a snowball.” As we approach a yearly milestone this evening, the winter solstice, we should consider how to keep ourselves active and healthy. Don’t overlook the use of herbal remedies. A great book to peruse for those who are seeking a little relief from the common bugs and sniffles to nerve and circulatory problems is the ‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies’ by Norman Shealy, M.D. Ph.D. I picked up my copy in the sale section of Borders and found it to be a useful reference book. The simple herbs we grow in our own gardens or those that flourish and surround us in the native landscape often possess medicinal properties. Many of us overlook the obvious, especially when we experience common ailments. We run to the doctors or grab an over the counter remedy rather than seek out the old-fashion treatments, few of which have any side effects. Often times, the cure is in our own pantry.

If you are one of the lucky ones with a foot of snow, get outside and throw a snowball. Keep yourself healthy and don’t forget that your garden is always with you, even in the depths of winter.

Images from the Internet

A True Stocking Stuffer

An unknown author once said that “true love is like a pair of socks: you gotta have two and they've gotta match.” How many mismatched and worn out socks do you find in your sock drawer even when you purchase those really nice designer brands?

For gardeners and those that love the great outdoors, when it comes to socks, one must dress for the occasion. Every sock is not created equal even though most of us have tried quite a few on the market. But by George, I believe I’ve found a keeper for the garden or outdoor nature lover - the Dahlgren sock. This is designed for the connoisseur of hardcore hosiery. Why if this was a fine wine, Parker would give it a 98.

It’s not too late to find a retail store to purchase this last minute gift http://www.dahlgrenfootwear.com/ under the menu key, BUY. So if you are looking for a truly awesome stocking stuffer, why not do it with socks. Dahlgren’s website says, “They take socks seriously.” So if you love your gardener, give them a serious pair of toasty socks.

P.S. Are you one of those folks with an unkempt sock drawer? Then you may appreciate Steven Wright’s dry wit. “I got up one morning and couldn’t find my socks, so I called Information. She said, “Hello, Information.” I said, “I can’t find my socks.” She said, “They’re behind the couch.” And they were!”

Images from the Internet

The Creative Meltdown

Unfortunately, my creative juices can start off like an old diesel but this gal has nothing to crank out today. I’ve got nothing in the garden and landscape design category worthy of your time. Not even a decent recipe to share. I am in a complete panic. My Christmas shopping, baking, you name it – none of it is done. The work piled high on my desk – well, let’s just say I can’t find the bottom. That’s what a two plus week flu can do to you right around the holidays as you trudge through without getting much accomplished. Then panic sets in and boof – it’s the Italian snap! The timing belt breaks – the engine won’t start.

So here’s a surefire remedy for getting through a creative meltdown and the best shot I can give this blog post today - a boost of levity. So to you and me, with the holiday countdown ticking, here are two great jokes I found out there in Cyberspace to keep everyone’s Friday hopping. Enjoy the jokes – I’d say they’re ‘classics.'

"Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit." ~ Unknown

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a new job the next day." ~ Phyllis Diller

Have a happy, jolly Friday and I’ll give it my best shot to get the diesel running for at least another week of creative garden design factoids and inspiration. After that, Annie’s going on a productive holiday hiatus. Time for an engine rebuild! Maybe I’ll come back as a hybrid!

Image from the Internet

Imagine This

Unfortunately, as the days get shorter and colder, most of the color that surrounds us is from the sky rather than the ground. Our gardens have shed its once picturesque and eye-catching foliage. Whittled down to its winter outfit, the austerity of our gardens can be stark or dramatic. It always depends on your imagination and point of view. So speaking of views, make sure you capture those special winter moments of illumination in your landscape.

When the sun is just starting to breech the horizon or set in the winter sky, silhouettes of trees and shrubs can offer spectacular effects. What create the matrix of a winter garden’s atmosphere are the many twists and turns and various patterns of the trunks, branches, stems, and remaining seed heads of the landscape. Let’s not forget any hardscape or other sculptural elements that embellish and accent the winter composition. Terri Guillemets imagines it best. “The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.” There is no hibernation for a creative minded gardener.

Images from the Internet

Nature – Always Open for Business

The holidays often keep our eyes closed to everything except the hustle and bustle. Don’t shut the door to what is still growing and thriving around you. As Lao Tzu’s infinite wisdom reminds us, ““Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. “

Above photo of a wild mushroom captured during Monday’s walk in the woods

Photo taken by Annie (Bilowz)

Knowing What Went Before

Winston Churchill once stated, “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” This profound statement is the foundation of any creative discipline, including landscape architecture. Even those that may not be attracted to classical style and composition can learn from its theory.

Take for instance the recent recipient of the 2011 Richard H. Driehaus Prize for Classical Architecture, New York architect Robert A.M. Stern. This award is given annually to a living architect "whose work embodies the principles of traditional and classical architecture and urbanism in contemporary society, and creates a positive cultural, environmental, and artistic impact."

This may be hard to get your noodle around but the premise of this prize is simple – do not ignore the classical theory that has shaped the multidisciplinary field of architecture. Stern himself captures this best. "I believe you cannot innovate without knowing what went before," he said. "This would not be a discussion if we were talking about music or art. I do feel it is a fragile and threatened tradition in the education and practice of architects."

This winter, understand the history. Delve into the classical theory; approach buildings and landscapes from a different point of view. Understand what Churchill really meant when he said, “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”

Some information used for this blog were excerpts from the attached Wall Street Journal article. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703727804576017910338826014.html
Images of New York architect Robert A.M. Stern’s work from the Internet.
Congratulations to Mr. Stern.

Prune the Unnecessary

It’s amazing when you are flattened with the flu that half of December can blow right by but you are still required to complete the remainder of the 2010 to-do list. Yikes! So not to panic, it helps to stay focused and take care of the priorities.

Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us in a horticultural way the importance of trimming the unnecessary. “As the gardener, by severe pruning, forces the sap of the tree into one or two vigorous limbs, so should you stop off your miscellaneous activity and concentrate your force on one or a few points.”

Speaking of pruning, this is a good time to take care of any dead branches or split crotches on a tree before any heavy snow or ice. This isn’t the season for major pruning, which is typically performed in late winter to early spring. This is the time for obvious pruning; to remove the dead or weakened limbs and attend to any apparent structural issues.

When the ground is frozen and there is little to no snow, it is ideal to remove any large hazard trees or trees earmarked for removal. But like anything, don’t undertake tasks that should be done by a professional. It’s not the season for emergency room visits so use common sense.

If you prune now, you have less catch-up work when the weather starts to break. In short, make good use of your time before snow flies. Rid yourself of the unnecessary activities and focus on those that are a priority. Before you know it, the clock will strike midnight and 2011 and all its resolutions will be upon you. Pick one or two tasks and focus. You can achieve great things when you keep your compass set on a clear direction.

P.S. You want to make sure you aren’t removing any residents.
All images from the Internet.

If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/serving Massachusetts and New England.)

The Gold Star

This is the season when we often see gold stars adorning our holiday cards or Christmas trees. Many may see this glittery star as a symbol of hope while too often, as we have seen this week in Massachusetts, it signals for a military family that their star, once blue is transformed to gold. It is important during this holiday season that we do not overlook those who have served, continue to serve and those families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. While November is the month to be thankful, we should never forget that December is the time of giving. For those that gave all.

To my readers, even though most of you follow because you love to garden, I’d like to share a poem I wrote in January 2007.

Helen’s Hill

By Ann St. Jean-Bilowz

The trail of motherhood
Leads her past
Its jagged rocks
Brushing against her skin

Its rough edges
Cutting her
Yet she trudges on

His spirit guides her
On the summit’s desolate route

Helen’s Hill
Her trail of motherhood
Afraid if she does not reach its top
It will take his last breath from her memory

He is her guide
Her star
Placed in her hands
A memento of his valor
Once blue
Transformed to gold

Through her star
She speaks his lost words

Through her gestures
She lives his forgotten love

He is her guide
Her star

At the top
She sees him

His first steps
His last hello
The wave goodbye
His last salute

Her son
Country first
Until death
We do part

Only a memento of his valor
Placed in her hands

He is her guide
Her star
Once blue
Transformed to gold

She lives to tell his story
His life
His honor
Her passion to make him whole

Her climb is his memory
In Grace’s footsteps
She follows

His spirit guides her
On the summit’s desolate route
Helen’s Hill
Her trail of motherhood
Once blue
Transformed to gold

Afraid if she does not reach its top
It will take his last breath from her memory

Her climb is his memory
In Grace’s footsteps
She follows.

Helen Hill is a Gold Star mother. She lost her son, David in Vietnam. This poem was written to honor Helen and all of our nation’s gold star families.

Grace Darling Seibold founded the Gold Star Mothers after losing her son, George in World War I. Twenty-five mothers met on June 4, 1928 and formed the national organization, American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

For more information on today’s Gold Star organization:
http://www.goldstarmoms.com/index.htm

TAPS is another organization offering “immediate and long-term emotional help, hope, and healing to anyone grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America, regardless of their relationship to the deceased or the circumstances of the death.”
http://www.taps.org/
24 hours a day
7 days a week (800-959-TAPS)

As always, there must be an inspirational thought for the day. An unknown author’s words seem most fitting. “Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”

All Images from the Internet

The Season to Be Jolly

This cat has it right. Put your holiday cap on and smile. As the retail mania and festivities swirl around us, take Victor Hugo’s words to heart. “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”

Images from the Internet

Where’s My Pudding?

I’m not much of a pudding fan but it all depends on how you define it. Here’s a quick and easy European recipe that can turn a rather frigid December day into a cozy evening by whipping up this warm homemade dessert. This recipe is a crossover between a bread pudding and a cake. You use flour rather than crusty stale bits of bread for your base and the sweetness of this dessert is just right.

So here it is. For my banana lovers, you’ll get the perfect balance of butterscotch and banana. The only must do is to serve it warm and accompany with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy.

Banana Butterscotch Pudding

Ingredients

1 cup of flour
1 pinch of salt
1/2 cup of sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 ripe banana mashed
1 cup of milk
1 lightly beaten egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

For the topping

1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons maple syrup (substitutes golden syrup which can be found in specialty shops)
1 cup water

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Sift the flour, salt, sugar and baking powder into a bowl.

Add the banana, milk, butter, egg and vanilla extract - whisk together until mixed well. Fold into your dry mix. Pour into a greased baking dish.

Making the topping:

Place the brown sugar, syrup and water in a small pot and bring to a boil.

Pour the boiling mixture carefully over the pudding and bake the pudding for 30 to 40 minutes until firm to the touch.

Unfortunately, this flu is shutting down everything with the exception of my taste buds. So for anyone seeking a surefire remedy for the flu just get a pot of tea brewing and the oven cranking. W. Edwards Deming stated the pudding process best. “It does not happen all at once. There is no instant pudding.” Although being a famous statistician, he probably wasn’t referring to food!

Image of Banana butterscotch pudding from the Internet

A Place to Hang Your Hat

This chilling wind and a flattening cold got me thinking about the importance of my wooly winter caps. Hats don’t flatter me but I continue to pick out some corkers from the jester fleece cap to a stylish cashmere fedora. I’m constantly seeking purpose versus personality; much like fences in a landscape.

Think about it? How often have we seen a fence or a hat that makes us think - it either works or it doesn’t. We all embellish the image of a white picket fence and what it symbolizes but why on earth do we install fences? There are functional and aesthetical reasons. Fences may establish barriers, delineate boundaries, enclose a space, create privacy, protect and secure or simply reduce sound or wind exposure. Sometimes a fence is merely an aesthetical folly; it supports a choice flowering vine or it embellishes an entrance or gateway.

There is a certain language in fences that speak of character, personality and intent ranging from utilitarian to a statement of status and style. So what to do when selecting a fence? Choosing a fence for your property should be done as carefully as picking out your choice of hats. It can have a strong imposing presence. Ask yourself, what I am trying to say with a fence. Welcome. Keep out. This is mine. Dig me. Function or fashion or the right balance of both.

Understand what a fence is made out of and its durability to the conditions, specifically if it is meant to be one of function. Bringing in a fence specialist is a good idea but don’t let anyone sell you on the wrong look. Do your homework because sometimes the best fence is no fence at all. You may use screen plantings, stone walls – the list is endless.

If you goal is functionality, much like a winter hat on a cold day, you may want a fashionable look but you don’t want to forgo its purpose, much like a good, durable fence. If it is mainly for aesthetics, ask yourself if your property wears it well. Most people don’t wear hats well so this same rule may apply for white picket fences. In the meantime, post your favorite hat or fence photo. Here’s my pick.

You have to look close to see what’s on her hat!

Let’s end with an inspirational hat quote by William Jerome. “Any old place I can hang my hat is home sweet home to me.”

Image of Hat from the Internet

Our Aging Gardens

With the temps dropping well into the teens, it’s hard to believe that we are still in the fall season of our gardens. Although winter doesn’t officially start until December 21st, most of us have succumbed to our wooly pajamas and flannel sheets. We may not even ponder our outside world as we wrap ourselves in our own protective winter guard. But I still see so much beauty in the garden. One of the few things that remains uncut in our perennial borders - the ornamental grasses. This should be a staple in the New England winter landscape. With so many choices, one can find an ornamental that suits their fancy. The wispy, curling tips of this Miscanthus sinensis Maiden Grass in my own garden displays a meadow-like beauty only found on the open prairie.

There is always something captivating in our maturing gardens, gracefully appearing in the midst of the morning sun. If we look at our landscape much like the way Brigitte Bardot saw aging beauty, our gardens can enchant us, even on the coldest of fall mornings. "What could be more beautiful than a dear old lady growing wise with age? Every age can be enchanting, provided you live within it." Enjoy the remnants of your aging gardens and live within its seasons. Annie – Now it’s time to get this aging gal some more Theraflu!

Images of Miscanthus sinensis Maiden Grass taken by Greg Bilowz

Guarding Your Garden

Today’s blog may be a tad short and to the point. Unfortunately, I’m going down for the flu count. A quick tip that went unmentioned in the December 1st annual checkup blog for your garden http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2010/12/yards-annual-checkup.html is to protect your tree trunks, especially your fruit trees with tree guards. The attached PDF flyer from Ontario http://www.lrconline.com/Extension_Notes_English/pdf/vole.pdf gives you some additional ideas on controlling the vole population and talks specifically about tree guards. Some of the data may not be relevant to your particular area but it is an extremely informative article regarding these pesky creatures.

Oesco, https://www.oescoinc.com/ a supplier in Western Massachusetts can head you in the right direction with your tree guard options. You will find the staff friendly and extremely knowledgeable and their extensive catalog works well for any online shoppers. You also want to protect your trees from the deer population as Bambi can be equally devastating in the winter months.

To end this short post and plunge forth into the weekend, the inspirational quote comes from Marcus Aurelius. “Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall live.” For everything else, there are tree guards. Have a great weekend. Annie

Image of winter rodent damage from the Internet.

Showcase Your Winter Landscape

Although some die hard gardeners have one foot near the potting shed door and one foot by the fire, we can still embellish our gardens’ features and highlights, even in the midst of the dreary winter months. One of the simplest ways to capture the outer entrance to your home and highlights in your garden can be done with landscape lighting.

Think about the ambiance of outside holiday lights. The illumination of each twinkly bulb triggers a glow within us all. Now picture carefully placed fixtures radiating a stone path or a beautifully sculptured tree. Your garden becomes like a museum, where each piece of art within your garden is lit in such a way that every visitor may see it in a different light.

Well executed landscape lighting integrates the architecture of your home with the outside living space. It draws you in and guides you through the exterior spaces, even if you only view an outdoor terrace from an indoor window. It highlights features that are otherwise lost.

To showcase the beauty of your winter landscape, stretch beyond the holiday bulbs and consider options for outdoor lighting. You can pick some exquisite yet small fixtures that do not detract from your ultimate goal – illuminating the features in your outdoor spaces.

To encapsulate why light is so important to us, you only need reflect on the amazing survival of the 33 Chilean miners. Imitating day and night saved them so as not to lose their sanity while stuck miles below the earth. We are creatures of habit and extremely photosensitive. Light is an important aspect to our routines and our moods. It’s a known fact as the days get shorter so does our spirit.

Katherine S. White broadens this thought with her inspirational quote. “From December to March, there are for many of us three gardens – the garden outdoors, the garden of pots and bowls in the house, and the garden of the mind’s eye.”

The Yard’s Annual Checkup

Think of this first day of December as you would the first day of spring. This is a good time to schedule an annual checkup for your landscape and garden. Whether it is the vole or rabbit perpetrator hideouts or the ailing branches on a shrub, bush or tree, now is a good time to run a final assessment of your property. As with our own health, early detection can be a matter of preventive measures rather than an underlying problem becoming a bigger issue.

So here’s the annual pre-winter inspection that should keep your garden in check for spring bloom.

- Run a soil analysis before the ground freezes. This is one of those things that often slip through the cracks but understanding your soil condition is critical to why everything survives and thrives in the garden.
- Check all trees and shrubs for damage or diseased limbs. This is a good time to assess what should be pruned i.e., crossed branches or branches with poor structural integrity.
- For big trees, this is a good time to contact a reputable arborist regarding major pruning, guying, cabling or removal of potential hazard trees prior to winter storms.
- If you haven’t removed the fallen leaves, debris, and the dead tops of your perennials, finish this before snow flies. Many diseases and insects overwinter in last year’s growth. If not removed, it can infect next season’s flush. Many diseases that hit a garden can be easily prevented if you keep your plant beds clean. Cleanliness is particularly critical with fruit bearing trees or vines.
- Mound your roses and mulch any newly planted material. Perennials in particular can be vulnerable to being heaved from the ground when exposed to periodic freeze and thaw conditions.
- If you have strawberries or garlic planted, mulch them with straw. This layer of insulation protects the crowns from severe cold.
- Winter inhabitants can raise havoc in your garden. Evict them before the season closes in. You can always rent ‘Caddyshack’ for some quick humorous tips. I did get some moth balls to place in the shed. The putrid smell is enough to knock over the best of us. We’ve yet to try the sonic buzzers. I get mixed reviews on them so if your success rate is high with these gadgets, post the name and price.

Hope that covers your garden’s annual check-up. And don’t forget to put a winter compost bin in close proximity to a pathway sure to be cleared of snow. Keep it accessible for handy kitchen scrap deposits. It’s one of those dreaded winter chores but you shan’t waste these valuable odds and ends. We’ll take a wrap with a funny inspirational quote from Joan Welsh. “A man's health can be judged by which he takes two at a time - pills or stairs.” Move on your annual garden checkup. One step now saves three steps later. Have a great 1st of December. Annie

Images from the Internet