Chasing a Beam of Light

When we miss the summer light.

So many people dread the coming of winter because of light deprivation. More than the sound of the surf, summer breezes and being outdoors, lack of light drags us down. So on this Thursday, here are a few quick light bulbs to turn on when you’re feeling light-deprived. Despite if these suggestions may seem common sense, try just one and see if you light up or if it helps you out of a pre or post-holiday slump.

Look for the natural light in the sky – on this chilly December morning, the stars were absolutely stunning. Also look for the moon and watch it change from half to whole. There’s nothing more amazing than a full  moon on a crystal clear winter night.

Take a nature break when the sun is out. Rather than stuff oneself inside a gym, find a quiet path or park and bask in the winter sunlight. This is a must for anyone who does not work in an office with a lot of natural light.

Decorate a tree in your landscape that you can see from a window or drape an indoor plant with light. Turn it on and watch that living tree or plant becoming more alive. Then do a quick self-test and see if that decorative light brought a helpful lift to you.

One quick point if you are choosing and/or considering outdoor lighting for your landscape - remember ambiance and functionality may not be found all in one light. Use this coming winter season to fine-tune or address your outdoor landscape lighting plan. Determine what might be lacking or what you could have too much of - is it ambiance you need or functionality and safety lighting or both?  Then you can start your light shopping or in some cases, you might need to weed a few things out. Speaking of outdoor lighting, take in one of the many holiday tree festivities; free and fun.

That’s it in a light beam. Share your favorite places where light exists for you during these light-sensitive months.  As this Irish proverb reminds us, “A light heart lives long.” Now that winter is soon upon us, start chasing your beam of light.

© All Images – Property of Bilowz Associates Inc.© Copyright note: the above image & design have been developed by and is the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and should not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc. 

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.)

Straight from the Vine

Noiret Grapes in our vineyard covered with snow

With the holiday parties and cold weather activities taking charge, one might be looking for an easy party punch that smells yummy while brewing yet tasty like warm cider.  Well, here’s one simple recipe to test drive this holiday season. We already whipped up this 'Better Homes and Gardens' punch on Thanksgiving Day in our own test kitchen. You guessed it - this punch was a hit. 

What made it a tad more special was using wine produced from our own vines. But any dry white should do for this warm, sweet concoction. This Hot Scarlet Wine Punch comes straight from a book laden with great decorating ideas, ‘Better Homes and Gardens – Celebrate the Season 2014’. This recipe is a definite must-try if you love to hit the easy button. Isn't that the idea during the busy holiday season?

Hot Scarlet Wine Punch:
What you need:

2 inches stick cinnamon
4 whole cloves
1 32-ounce bottle cranberry juice (4 cups)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 750 –milliliter bottle white Zinfandel or dry white wine
Whole fresh cranberries (optional)

What you do: Three easy steps:

1) For spice bag, cut a double thickness of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth into a 6-inch square. Place cinnamon and cloves in the center of the cloth.  Bring the corners together and tie closed with clean kitchen string. In a 3 ½ or 4-quart slow cooker, combine spice bag, cranberry juice, and brown sugar.
2) Cover and heat on low-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours or on high-heat setting for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Remove and discard the spice bag.
3) Remove and discard the spice bag. If using low-heat setting, turn slow cooker to high-heat setting. Stir wine into the punch. Cover and heat for 30 minutes more. Serve immediately or keep warm, covered, on low –heat setting up to 2 hours. Ladle punch into heatproof cups. If desired, garnish with cranberries on skewers. Makes 14 (4-ounce) servings.

When it comes to making holiday cheer easy, this Hot Scarlet Wine Punch should do the trick. 

Grapes ripening in our vineyard

Harvesting the grapes

Taking a skip past the recipe and grapevine talk, here's an image shared yesterday on our FB page. It's a Ben perspective regarding #GivingTuesday. So when you hit those rough spots of light deprivation, keep looking for the positive. Tune into nature and surround yourself with what you love.

And for those that love a daily quote, it's the words of M. Scott Peck that resonate how to celebrate and make the most of the holiday moment. "Share our similarities, celebrate our differences." Until the next post, the next thought, the next photo...look here for garden, design and inspiration overall. The blog train should keep chugging through the winter months. 

© All Images – Property of Bilowz Associates Inc.

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 Hallmark of December

Find the right tree for winter interest

The hallmark of December is finding the right tree – not for your living room but for your landscape. Let December be the season to reassess your property. Look for that structure that adds the winter interest.  Sorry for the short and sweet... 'tis the hallmark of December. It’s time to enjoy this beautiful season.

© Image by Ann Bilowz (Acer griseum Paper Bark Maple)

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.)