Design

All the rain last week (hooray for that) meant lots less time outdoors (since it was pouring) and in the garden (actually being back at work is the main reason). But shifting from home garden thinking to work garden ideas isn't too much of a contrast -- it all blends together in how I think about plants, gardening, ecology, environmentally-friendly approaches to gardening, and observing and learning more about nature. I've been thinking quite a bit this week about sustainable gardening, and what waterwise gardening in our climate really means. Talking this week with my colleagues about updates for our xeriscape garden has me mulling over my approach to sustainable gardening. I guess because my first interest in plants was those living in 'wild' landscapes that were native to the Texas Hill Country where I grew up, followed by a fascination with weedy species from a summer spent with my family in upstate NY (and visiting frequently in NYC) as a young teenager, and for...

Yesterday, Linas set off for his new life at Plymouth University. He and Pete loaded all of life's essentials; computer, guitars, amplifier, server, more computer stuff, more guitars, oh and some clothes, into the car. Actually it didn't all fit and Pete will drop some off next week when his work takes him down south. A bit of a mix-up with the letting agents and we had a long wait out in the street. The house is 5 minutes from the university and the whole area has a campus feel with students wandering around and live Irish music floating up from one of the several nearby pubs. Ideal ..... if you're a student. This is the house and LOOK, blue skies! It was actually really hot and my sources tell me it was the same in North Devon. Shame it's raining again today. An easy 2 hour drive home, unlike the 4 hour slog home from Leicester to drop Vytas off at uni. Driving back down the Link road, Devon was bathed in a golden light. Coming down from the high rolling hill...

The rain has finally stopped, (for now), so I was able to get out to do some gardening. Flipping weeds growing all over the place again. But first I took some pictures of raindrops captured by plants. Even with the ever present grey skies the drops glistened like crystals. Once I'm out in the garden it's so peaceful. Just the ever present sounds of the wind in the trees and the stream rushing downhill in the next field. Punctuated by the cooing of a wood pigeon, twitterings of small birds and for some reason the very loud munching of a pony in the field above the garden. Maybe wet grass is noisier than dry grass? Or perhaps Coral is just a noisy eater? Now and again I hear my neighbour teaching a riding lesson in the indoor school and the enthusiastic "1,2, 1,2, .... well done!", makes me smile and reminds me of the days when I taught disabled children to ride in London.

Oh how I would love to have this colorful dining room in my home. Molly Luetkemeyer of M. Design Interiors perfectly combined the delightful elements that I've fallen for....the fabulous mirror, those gorgeous chairs, the chandelier, the vibrant curtains and obviously the wall color. What is not to love?!

I found this little newt under a stone yeterday. The buddlia bushes are covered with butterflies. This bird feeder is suspended by nylon fishing line over a stream but the squirrel still manages to steal the peanuts. The Houdini hen is out again. We've seen lots of woodpeckers this year. I took this picture out in the garden at 10.00 at night on the 21st of June. The light was amazing.

I don't have any clue how Desire to Inspire always finds such talented designers, but Fiona Newell Weeks now tops my list of favorites. Best known for her use of color, Fiona likes her rooms to be creative and entertaining to the eye. I'd easily say my eyes are LOVING these images!

It's fun to try new things. All it takes is some seeds and prepared soil. I've had a number of spots ready, and now, after 4 days of rain (thankfully due to Tropical Storm Fay), the soil is well-hydrated for now, at least. I thought I'd try shelling peas this fall -- 'Maestro' and 'Wando' look like good varieties to try for our climate. So I pre-germinated this first batch, and have just finished tucking them into the soil. I think that I'll try succession plantings over the next month, just to see what timing might be best. It's supposed to be back up to 90°F on Friday; young peas won't like that heat, but hopefully it will cool down before the seedlings emerge above ground!

You know the weather is miserable when the cats ( here Squeeky and Smudge) start jamming themselves along the rayburn in the kitchen. ( Last year Zulu the dog would be there with cats sprawled on top of him.) The rayburn is on all year round, keeps the kitchen warm, provides hot water, dries my washing and is my (temperamental) cooker. Oh and the oil costs are a fortune and it is best to stay out of the kitchen when Pete has to dismantle and clean it and replace the wicks. Rant no1 over, now for rant no2. The weather. For most of August we have had grey skies and 'frequent showers'. Everything outside is wet and as soon as you get ready to go out to do something .... it's raining again.This is the last week of the school holidays and having done a major houseclean and tidy, had a houseful of family and friends, I had hoped to get some painting and tidying done outside. Oh well. I'll just have to sit on the pc instead. I got Linas (middle son) to help set up this blog ye...

Although we've lived here for 15 years and can even see the high plateau of Dartmoor from the top of our drive, we've never actually been there. The call of the sea only 5-10 miles away has always been too strong. So last Saturday for a birthday treat Pete drove us down to Haytor. Well, I had thought Dartmoor was only about 30 miles away, after 69 miles of twisty roads I was feeling so .... green. I love it  when the earth's bones are showing through and Haytor and all the other tors were certainly dramatic. But like most'wild' areas you are so quickly back in farmland and civilisation. 

How cute is Sonny's little nursery? Lucky for him, his mom Trina is an interior designer and they have some very crafty friends and family. Pretty much everything in this room was crafted by hand! - Oh Dee Doh

I've enjoyed trying to figure out cricket, cicada, and katydid calls. I'm not sure I've made a lot of headway, but I was delighted with several new books I acquired recently (and accompanying CD's) by Lang Elliot and friends. They were A Guide to Night Sounds , The Calls of Frogs and Toads , and the best -- The Songs of Insects. I'm looking forward to listening to all of them.

I am loving this look from Domino . The bold turquoise walls, the awesome green fabric on the tufted sofa, and the royal-blue slipper chair, a little orange thrown in. Its all so yummy.

Gardeners and naturalists are almost as keen as farmers following the weather. Where I live, garden, and pay attention to the natural world, we're in the center of quite a severe drought. We normally get fairly even rain throughout the year, but not for the past ten years or so, except for one year (the year the front meadow looked especially fabulous, with moisture-loving Joe-Pye weed and huge Blazing Stars ( Liatris spp.) And the last two summers have been truly exceptional (note the current rating for the dark red area- ugh). I've marked where I live with the arrow! But Tropical Storm Fay is bringing some decent rain, even to us in Upstate South Carolina. I'm sorry for the flooding in Florida, but we'll be thankful for the downpours that are predicted for the next few days.

Is this light-filled Norwegian summer retreat not amazing?! Those Scandinavians sure know how to use white. The summerhouse is teeny-tiny, but just perfect for escaping. I love all the little built-ins, especially where the space for the bed. For lots more images, including great exterior shots, go here . - Apartment Therapy

Some of the sassafras leaves are turning red, signaling the waning of summer. All of the fruits have been eaten, and are fueling the activities of birds getting ready for winter, whether they're migrating or staying put. The usually dry days, providing cool mornings and evenings, have given way to stickier air, with a promise of rain, perhaps. Squash, bean, and tomato harvesting is continuing, but I planted garden peas and spinach this afternoon, hopeful of cooler weather to come.

Last year, a nursing squirrel found the radicchio irresistable , but I was still surprised to come out the kitchen door this afternoon and see a squirrel scampering off with a radicchio leaf in her (presumably) mouth. She left clear evidence behind. And, I had thought that clump was a bit bigger, but had absentmindedly thought perhaps I'd harvested some of it, and forgot? ( the trio of greens )? Hmm, not exactly. But I don't really mind. The beautiful red coloration in radicchio develops in cool weather, so hopefully the fall growth stimulated by the 'pruning' will be nice.

My gardening companion reports that the Argiope spider (AKA garden spider and writing spider) is happily ensconced to the right of the door to the garden shed. I hadn't noticed her in the last couple of days, but had taken a picture a couple of days ago. Late summer and early fall is prime time for these lovely garden spiders!

I am loving everything about this image, especially the blue floral fabric on that lovely chair. Such a nice place to unwind when you need a break from work! - HousetoHome

As a nature observer, I love watching the changing of seasons. The days are definitely getting shorter, the nocturnal symphony is getting quieter, and early signs of fall are signaled by changes in leaf color in tulip poplars, sassafras, and sourwood. From a vegetable-gardening perspective, though, I'm a bit greedy (even though I'm planting fall crops in earnest now). Not content with the long (three seasons) that I have, I'm figuring that I need to put together the sturdy cedar cold frame that I ordered to replace a flimsy aluminum one I bought a few years ago. If I was handy with tools, or my gardening companion was (and alas, he's not), I know I could make one myself. But I don't have power saws or fancy drills. My new cold frame, I'm sure, won't look like these high-end English made ones, but the pieces look very sturdy! My idea is to carry over spinach, lettuce, and tenderer salad greens that might otherwise be frosted in our Zone 7b (working on Z...

Desire to Inspire recently featured Twig Hutchinson of London who styled these absolutely gorgeous photographs. I love the colors and unique shabby appeal. You have to check out the online portfolio ...its beautiful!

I hadn't tried growing broccoli rabe before, but this experimental patch is flourishing. I'm waiting for a few flower buds before harvesting, but it looks delicious right now. Maybe because the woodchuck ate all the brassica relatives last summer, the populations of cabbage whites didn't build up -- I've only seen one so far this summer. That's good news as far as the brassica leaf chomping goes -- a large spring red bor kale still looks lovely, and has been spared from being harvested for a stir-fry because of it. I've already pulled out quite a bit of unproductive squash (the yellow squash/zucchini C. pepo sort), making room for kohlrabi, turnips, beets, lettuces, arugula, kale, mustard, and spinach (yet to be planted). Happily, I harvested some nice yellow, patty pan, and eight-ball (Ronde de Nice) squashes, actually my most successful squash foray to date, not counting my stalwart, delicious, and squash vine borer-resistant tromboncino squash. It's ...

How cool is this bathroom that Jamie from Remnants sent over to me?! I've never even seen a double sided sink like that. What a efficient use of space for a small bath. And I absolutely love the mirror hanging down, and the lights...so cool. The real winner here is obviously the turquoise tile running onto the floor though! Fabulous!! Thanks again Jamie!

This big one was hiding near a old tree stump. (I normally harvest them at the size of the one next to it). Notice its size relative to the cutting board. Yikes! Oops, one that got away! Amazingly, it was still quite edible, roasted in slices with garlic and olive oil. The yard-long bean vines in the satellite garden are starting to produce -- need to knock off some aphids (their one pest) with some water. And, all of our tomatoes love the heat and dry weather that we've had, as long as we water. It's hard to imagine all the rain that folks up in the northeastern U.S. and Midwest have experienced this summer.