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Linda Brazill
I'm an artist by training, a journalist by trade and a gardener by choice.
Interests: art, books, antiques, food and entertaining, design and decorative arts, interiors and gardens, textiles.
Recent Activity
Thanks for these long comments. It is nice to feel that we are doing our bit without having to rip out our gardens and start over.
Good news for gardeners from Great Dixter
Readers of this blog likely know that many of the elements of our garden design were influenced by Japanese gardens. Thus, for the last twenty years, I've planted many treasures from Asia. But climate change and habitat loss have all gardeners looking at their garden with new eyes. I'm happy t...
JESSICA — Luckily these last snows have been light enough to not be a big danger to tree and shrub branches. Though who knows what I may find when I can actually get out and walk around in the garden.
Is winter over yet"
The temperature yesterday hit 39°F. That is the first time our temps have been above freezing since Jan. 21st. The photo below was taken on Dec.30th after a big storm. This is the view after Sunday's snowfall (2/21/2021). Compare the hoops marking the edge of the path and the wooden bridge to ...
LOREE — Spring snow melt is when we are most likely to get water in our basement and garage. The ground is still frozen at that point and so the water can't sink into the ground.
Is winter over yet"
The temperature yesterday hit 39°F. That is the first time our temps have been above freezing since Jan. 21st. The photo below was taken on Dec.30th after a big storm. This is the view after Sunday's snowfall (2/21/2021). Compare the hoops marking the edge of the path and the wooden bridge to ...
BARBARA — The good news is that the streets are clear for walking and it's warm enough to do so fairly comfortably.
Is winter over yet"
The temperature yesterday hit 39°F. That is the first time our temps have been above freezing since Jan. 21st. The photo below was taken on Dec.30th after a big storm. This is the view after Sunday's snowfall (2/21/2021). Compare the hoops marking the edge of the path and the wooden bridge to ...
BARBARA — The thinking about how to garden in general has changed so much. But don't want to throw my baby out with the bathwater.
Native sedges
When I began gardening, it seemed as though native plants were mainly grown by prairie enthusiasts. Not having prairie conditions meant that native plants were not anything that I paid much attention to or intentionally added to my garden. These days my attitude towards native plants has complet...
LOREE — I am probably growing at least a dozen different Carexes, not all native. I have trouble with Banana Boat because it seems to burn easily even in a fair amount of shade. No slug problems with it that I have noticed. Much better luck with C. Lemon Zest if you can find it and C. siderosticha variegata which is green and white and resolutely trouble free.
I've spent my whole life in snowy regions. The nice thing about being retired is I don't have to drive in bad weather. I can sit by the fire. We designed the garden to look good in winter, but our snow is currently so deep that most shrubs and rocks and winter features are buried.
Native sedges
When I began gardening, it seemed as though native plants were mainly grown by prairie enthusiasts. Not having prairie conditions meant that native plants were not anything that I paid much attention to or intentionally added to my garden. These days my attitude towards native plants has complet...
LISA — I've bought a number of bulbs from Old House Gardens because I like the historic associations (and names!).
Pandemic plants
I have a number of plants, shrubs and trees that were all planted to memorialize a friend or family member or mark a special event. It's a common response among gardeners; which made me wonder if I should plant something to note COVID-19, the 2020 Presidential election, the insurrection at the U...
LISA — We look like we are finally coming out of our major cold spell. Luckily we have a lot of snow on the ground so the plants should be OK.
One down, one to go
Last Wednesday morning Mark and I were nervously wandering around the house waiting for the crew who were scheduled to take down two old trees and do high pruning on a few others. Nothing was happening and then suddenly there were about six guys, all in neon safety vests and bright coral hoodies...
CHRISTINE - I am often cranky about daylily names. I don't want to grow a Lucille Ball or Elvis, which I've seen. But these names were incredible. You are right about the backstory.
Pandemic plants
I have a number of plants, shrubs and trees that were all planted to memorialize a friend or family member or mark a special event. It's a common response among gardeners; which made me wonder if I should plant something to note COVID-19, the 2020 Presidential election, the insurrection at the U...
I couldn’t believe those names. Just had to share.
Pandemic plants
I have a number of plants, shrubs and trees that were all planted to memorialize a friend or family member or mark a special event. It's a common response among gardeners; which made me wonder if I should plant something to note COVID-19, the 2020 Presidential election, the insurrection at the U...
LOREE — Hoping my system worked. We had snow again last weekend and next week is supposed to be very cold, so I am hoping all my babies make it through the winter.
One down, one to go
Last Wednesday morning Mark and I were nervously wandering around the house waiting for the crew who were scheduled to take down two old trees and do high pruning on a few others. Nothing was happening and then suddenly there were about six guys, all in neon safety vests and bright coral hoodies...
BARBARA — Yes, definitely hoping for the best and some actual movement forward in our government. I read the Gilbert book and loved all the natural history info but was less enthused over the characters and relationships.
In a vase any day
Just to remind you of my holiday treatment of the fireplace mantle: A beaded Christmas tree and a pair of votive lights and i called it done. The flowers that were on the dining table during the holidays took a long time to fade. I decided to enjoy their slow demise by moving them to the man...
KRISTIN — I am trying to accept that the "new normal" seems to be endless chaos. Just bought a couple of beautiful design books to give me some eye candy instead of snow. I just read Mayor Pete's autobiography "Shortest Way Home'' and "Hidden Valley Road" about a family with 12 childrens; the two youngest were girls and 6 of the 10 brothers developed schizophrenia. Pete's was a quick and interesting read and the other was fascinating in terms of medicine and research if distressing in terms of one family's dysfunction. Next is "The Rise" about Black food culture, chefs, writers, growers etc. by Marcus Samuelson.
In a vase any day
Just to remind you of my holiday treatment of the fireplace mantle: A beaded Christmas tree and a pair of votive lights and i called it done. The flowers that were on the dining table during the holidays took a long time to fade. I decided to enjoy their slow demise by moving them to the man...
SUSIE — The Carex in the photo is newly planted but I think once the area fills in it will keep most weeds out. I also use a lot of Carex plantagenea and that does act a good weed suppressor. I am sure you could easily plant among the more delicate Carexes. I am reading a lot about using it as a "green mulch."
Looking back at the garden year
I usually do a January post about the highs and lows of the prior year in my garden. I started to write one weeks ago, but could not really bear to think that much about the last year. But Kris Peterson, who gardens in southern California and blogs at Late to the Garden Party, inspired me with h...
BARBARA — You are so right about "normal." I just want to be able to hug my friends when I see them and all sit around a table and eat and talk. A friend said at Christmas that he never realized how much coffee and conversation meant.
I have read just enough about the events at the Capitol in DC to be informed but have not watched any videos. The mere fact that this happened is enough to send my blood pressure through the roof. I am terrified about the inauguration and am fearful about the safety of Joe and Kamala and their families. I am so naive for someone in the 70s; it never occured to me that police and military would join groups like the MAGA folks.
Ordered plants over the weekend and have been concentrating on garden thoughts.
Best to you and thanks for commenting.
Looking back at the garden year
I usually do a January post about the highs and lows of the prior year in my garden. I started to write one weeks ago, but could not really bear to think that much about the last year. But Kris Peterson, who gardens in southern California and blogs at Late to the Garden Party, inspired me with h...
Thanks to all of you for the positive response. Now I just have to do it!
A resolution for 2021
During the holidays Mark and I attempted to reduce the amount of artwork we have stored in the basement in flat files. As we pulled out artwork to examine, Mark gave me a hard time for not continuing with my drawing, which he highly praised. That conversation — and the sight of my last drawings ...
LINDA — Nice to hear from you. Hope you are doing well. Love those NYTimes reviews. Always interesting to go to the library site and see how many people have ordered a hold before I got there!
2020: The year in books
Every Monday at 1:30 p.m. a group of my women friends and I used to meet for coffee, pre-pandemic. Our conversation for the next couple of hours ranged far and wide. Though there was always a lot of art and politics under discussion, book talk dominated. We are all readers who reviewed, loaned a...
LISA — It sounds like our reactions were very similar. Loree's book was so much more interesting and useful that I imagined it would be. Very Loree.
I ordered the book mentioned by Jennifer Jewel called "Farming While Black."
Gardening by the book in 2020
I read more books this past year than in any other period in my life. I read books digitally on my iPhone and iPad. I read physical books via curbside pickup from the library and my favorite local independent bookstores. I ordered online from the great Timber Press and from Princeton University ...
Sent from my iPad
2020: The year in books
Every Monday at 1:30 p.m. a group of my women friends and I used to meet for coffee, pre-pandemic. Our conversation for the next couple of hours ranged far and wide. Though there was always a lot of art and politics under discussion, book talk dominated. We are all readers who reviewed, loaned a...
LISA — we get just enough big snows to make it worth our while to have a blower. Our driveway is about 65 ft. long and two cars wide. Because of the slope on the one side, Mark got a really powerful model to blow the snow high enough out of the way. Nothing I know how to operate or want to learn.
Snow again
A number of months ago, I saw a headline saying the Old Farmer's Almanac was predicting a long, snowy winter. That was an article and a subject I did not want to pursue. But another big storm this month has me worried that perhaps that weather report was correct. I took these two photos out t...
LISA — I always buy an extra glass if I get drinking or cocktail glasses, so I have one to break because I know it will happen. Luckily these won't need much washing or dangerous use!
IVOM: The un-Christmas display
A number of pre-COVID months ago, one of my favorite local artists, Richard Jones of Studio Paran, closed up his glass studio to my great disappointment. Thus I was thrilled when he sent out an email saying that his website was still up and was featuring all of the treasures he'd found as he cle...
LOREE — We have so many potter friends, that it is always fun to get glass as a change of pace.
IVOM: The un-Christmas display
A number of pre-COVID months ago, one of my favorite local artists, Richard Jones of Studio Paran, closed up his glass studio to my great disappointment. Thus I was thrilled when he sent out an email saying that his website was still up and was featuring all of the treasures he'd found as he cle...
LISA — I am enjoying this quiet time together. Today's weather is freezing and snow on and off, so I am happy not to be driving anywhere.
Christmas pleasures
Bursts of sunshine A new painting: "Arkansas Blacks" by Jonathan Wilde. I bought that apple variety at the farmers market this summer. I baked two kinds of cookies, candied orange peel with an 1801 recipe and dipped them, apricots and walnut-stuffed dates in chocolate. It was deliciously en...
I just used semi sweet baking chocolate melted in a bowl over simmering water. Fruit never tasted so good.
Christmas pleasures
Bursts of sunshine A new painting: "Arkansas Blacks" by Jonathan Wilde. I bought that apple variety at the farmers market this summer. I baked two kinds of cookies, candied orange peel with an 1801 recipe and dipped them, apricots and walnut-stuffed dates in chocolate. It was deliciously en...
BARBARA — Really enjoyed my baking this year and trying new treats. Enjoy your holidays and stay safe.
Christmas pleasures
Bursts of sunshine A new painting: "Arkansas Blacks" by Jonathan Wilde. I bought that apple variety at the farmers market this summer. I baked two kinds of cookies, candied orange peel with an 1801 recipe and dipped them, apricots and walnut-stuffed dates in chocolate. It was deliciously en...
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