May 2024

May is here! And even if you live in the most northern climates, there’s reason to celebrate. Mother Nature has delivered the most glorious spectacle of the year, as plants flower, tree buds burst open, and our gardens are a little slice of Heaven on Earth.  READ MORE

As I strolled along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness mixed with excitement. The cherry blossoms, those delicate pink and white blooms that have enchanted visitors for over a century, were in full display, but looming over the celebration was the impending renovation project that would bid farewell to some of these iconic trees, including the beloved Stumpy.  READ MORE

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive elbow-deep into the soil, because we're about to embark on a veggie adventure like no other! Picture this: your garden, a thriving utopia where tomatoes tower like skyscrapers and carrots sparkle like buried treasure.  READ MORE

I love Downton Abbey. I’m willing to put up with all its foibles—the lackluster Lady Edith; the snippy Lady Mary; the continual arrests of one or the other of the Bateses; Thomas, the conniving footman—just so I can get a glimpse of aristocratic British country life in the early 20th century.  READ MORE

Two Springs ago (not counting the most recent one, which was lovely in early January but ran away on the [theoretical] “first day of Spring” and has not been seen since) I ordered a “Snow Joe” rechargeable ‘electric snow shovel,’ which, as Popeye the Sailor Man would say “it is what it is."  READ MORE

The phrase "like giving strawberries to a donkey" is a curious expression that captures the essence of futility and wasted effort, highlighting an act so pointless and absurd that it makes me laugh! But where did this peculiar saying originate, and what is its significance?  READ MORE

Trowel out a hole … grab a root ball … set the plant in … tamp the dirt back in … water it all in … One. It’s a wet, cloudy evening. A soft mist condenses in the air. Perfect weather for transplanting—if I can beat traffic, rain, and darkness. Cramming the car in the garage, I rush past the house—dodging chores and children—and go straight to the garden.  READ MORE

As a young child, I remember celebrating May Day in school. We would create May baskets, woven out of construction paper, and fill them with flowers and small treats. We would dance around a maypole and celebrate the warm weather of Spring.  READ MORE

I have a confession to make: I'm utterly smitten with sunflowers. It's not just their towering height or their intricate biology that captures my heart—it's their unabashed cheerfulness and the fact that they're basically the multitaskers of the plant world. I mean, come on, they produce sunflower seeds and sunflower oil! How can you not be impressed?  READ MORE

Greetings, fellow green thumbs and zucchini aficionados! As I sit here pondering the perplexities of life, I can't help but reflect on the abundant, ever-present, and slightly overwhelming presence of zucchinis in my life. Yes, you heard it right—zucchinis! Those verdant, squashy delights that seem to multiply faster than rabbits in a vegetable patch.  READ MORE

Ah, the joys of discovering something new in the world of food! As someone who's often found solace in the comforting embrace of tried-and-true culinary classics, stumbling upon the wonders of quinoa felt akin to unearthing a treasure trove in my own backyard.  READ MORE

A sensible woman might raise an eyebrow when her husband shadows her with a chainsaw on Mother's Day. Not our fearless gardener. Last Sunday morning, amidst child-manufactured bacon and eggs, I specifically requested this unusual celebration.  READ MORE

Once upon a time in my little gardening world, there was a tale of woe. An epic struggle that left me feeling like the only person in the world who couldn't grow zucchini. Yes, you heard right—zucchini, the supposed easy-to-grow vegetable that baffled my green thumbs year after year.  READ MORE

Every time he stepped into the studio for his private Pilates session, Liam beamed, handing over a bag of luscious, garden-fresh produce that seemed to carry a secret message. "Oooh, Liam likes you," Matt, my cheeky elderly co-worker, teased.  READ MORE

In the warm embrace of Spring, amidst the dance of tulip petals and the mischievous antics of squirrels, I stood pondering life's quirks and intricacies. Little did I know that this seemingly ordinary day would mark the beginning of a transformative journey toward joy, self-discovery, and the celebration of authenticity.  READ MORE

Growing up in a family where even spinach got star billing thanks to Popeye, gardening was practically in my genes. My siblings and I, forming a motley crew of garden enthusiasts, each cultivated our own green havens.  READ MORE

Ah, the magic of a May morning! The sun is shining, the air is warm, and my garden is bursting with the delightful fragrance of lilacs. This mid-May has graced us with an early bloom, thanks to the generous rains of April.  READ MORE

In the quaint tapestry of family memories, one thread stands out vividly — Mom's gift of gardening. Although she may not have possessed the greenest thumb, the love she cultivated among her three children blossomed into a legacy of vibrant blooms and flourishing gardens.  READ MORE

Sherry and I crossed paths during our Master Gardener Course, both of us thinking we knew the botanical universe like the backs of our hands after two decades of gardening in zone 6. Our green-thumbed hubris was about to meet its match.  READ MORE

In the tranquil hours between dusk and dawn, where the veil between reality and the mystical grows thin, lies a sanctuary of tranquility and wonder—the Garden.  READ MORE

Sunflowers hold a special place in the hearts of many, and it's no wonder why. These vibrant blooms with their towering stalks have a universal charm that's hard to resist.  READ MORE

As we all know, tending to our gardens isn't just about nurturing plants; it's about cultivating a vibrant ecosystem where every creature, big or small, plays a part in the grand tale of our green spaces.  READ MORE

Guten Tag, fellow food enthusiasts and culinary adventurers! Allow me to whisk you away on a delightful journey through the enchanting world of German cuisine. As an avid lover of all things German, I've had the pleasure of indulging in delectable dishes, exploring charming villages, and uncovering the rich tapestry of flavors that define this vibrant culinary landscape.  READ MORE

Nestled in the heart of Bonn, Germany, my culinary journey took an unexpected turn as I discovered the enchanting world of white asparagus.  READ MORE

All aboard the schnitzel express! My journey through the delightful world of crispy, golden-brown goodness began on a train from Bonn to Cologne. A colleague, with an enthusiasm for schnitzel that could rival a toddler's for ice cream, assured me that Germany had the best pork schnitzel on the planet.  READ MORE

Once upon a time, in the heart of Germany, a humble side dish was born. We all know it as German potato salad, but its journey from a simple spud ensemble to a tangy, mustard-infused masterpiece is a tale worth savoring.  READ MORE

Ah, the melodious ring of the surnames Holt and Kissel! My whole life, I believed these names bestowed upon me a rich tapestry of German heritage. Picture me, a proud member of the Teutonic tribe, marching boldly into the world armed with bratwurst and lederhosen.  READ MORE

Once upon a time in the bustling town of Sacramento, there stood a charming little restaurant named the Minuteman. This culinary haven was known far and wide for its delectable treats, especially the heavenly pastries that graced its display cases.  READ MORE