BareRoot.

Roundup Ready, a rant.

2011-04-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Lately it has come to my abrupt attention how many of my generation (and even more, our children) are coming down with chronic autoimmune conditions. Be it celiac disease, hypothyroidism, systemic Candida infections, IBS, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Autism or Fibromyalgia (and yes, I know not all of these are classified as 'autoimmune' diseases, but if you search, they could cause them, or be caused by them).

I wonder to myself why this is happening, to us, in our generation.

Many people blame our diet, our stress, our society; or just advances in medicine that didn't recognize these problems earlier.

Maybe it is my background studying horticulture, my hippy tendencies, or just my experience that has led me to believe it is because of 3 main things.

1. Pesticides.

2. Antibiotics.

3. Chemical Toxins (pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals) in us, our water and food.

The first is maybe the one I know the most about. What got me thinking about it was an article by Jeffery Smith for the Huffington Post. It studied genetically modified soy, and the effects of feeding it to hamsters. What they found scared them. In each generation the death rate of the babies (pups) rose significantly, and more than half the babies from GM fed mothers died by 2 weeks. By the third generation, the hamsters eating the GM soy had lost the ability to reproduce, among other strange genetic effects (like growing hair in the mouth).

Now, this article and others they quote would make everyone raise up their arms and shout "NO MORE GMO, NO MORE GMO". But wait.

Why is it that GMO's are causing this? GM corn and soy (and other crops) are modified so that when they grow they can be treated with Roundup, which 'kills anything green'. Roundup is a mixture of glyphosate and a surfactant (which helps the chemical enter plant (animal and human) cells. Roundup has been used since the 1970's and in 1985 started a double-digit climb as it was positioned as a cheap weed killer agriculturally and for residential consumers. With the introduction of GMO corn and soybeans in 1998, it's usage has tripled again.

Do we remember Vietnam? Does Agent Orange ring a bell? 2,4,5-T? Okay maybe not, but this chemical seems to be the only one blamed with any misdeeds. It was introduced in the 1940's and it wasn't until the 1970's that the public figured out how deadly it could be. (Eventhough the government was informed on this in 1952) Do we realize that 50% of that deadly chemical (2,4-D) is still used today as a broadleaf weed killer on corn, wheat, and rice crops? Not to mention added to home fertilizers to kill things like dandelions in our own backyards?

How much corn, wheat, rice and soy do you eat? Does it make up a bulk of your diet?

What is frustrating is how so many people believe that organic food is a hoax. That using pesticides is fine, because 'wouldn't the government stop them if it wasn't?'. The truth is, the government may or may not know if they are genetically harmful to humans. The chemical companies that produce the herbicides and pesticides may or may not know. If it takes 3 generations to see the devastating results of too much herbicide usage, they wouldn't be finding any significant human reactions... until... now?

But how could they trace it back to one or two things? They can't. Not in our world of chemical additives, preservatives, herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, petrochemicals, radiation, etc. The chemical companies are pretty much off the hook because no one can prove it is their doing.

2. The second issue is antibiotics, and, yes, I know. Antibiotics are a medical marvel, and save millions of lives each year.

My issue with antibiotics is the over-use, unnecessary use and the unconscious use of antibiotics (think beef, pork, poultry, all grown in confined spaces with disease), and their negative affect on our gut.

You know, your gut.

That friendly place between your mouth and your rectum also known as your digestive tract. People don't realize how important it is, how it functions, and what it affects.

In anatomy you learn the different organs and where they are and basically what they do, so I won't go into that.

What most people don't realize is how important the health of your gut is to your immune system, your hormonal system, and your metabolism (okay, maybe you kind of know how it affects your metabolism).

Antibiotics kill bad bacteria... and they kill good bacteria. It drastically can affect the balance of your gut flora (I highly recommend reading that Wikipedia link), which affects your digestion (duh), nutrient absorption, lymphatic system, immune system, thyroid, allergies, and metabolism (may be the real main cause of obesity in our country).

What we need to do is stop messing with the bacteria (flora, 'biotics') in our gut. When we need to use anti-biotics, make sure it is really what is needed. None of this giving antibiotics for a viral ear infection crap. (0ops, a little to passionate. Try not to get too personal here). When we do have to take them, we need to do our best to repopulate our intestines with good bacteria, using prebiotics (a good source is fermented foods), probiotics (a good source is fermented dairy) and nutritionally dense foods to help the body recover.

Number 3 might just be my category that covers everything else. Everyday toxins that accumulate in our livers, daily introduce estrogen-mimicking compounds into our systems that tax our health and manipulate our hormone balance by blocking our estrogen receptors, causing our bodies to produce more than we actually need, a vicious cycle.

I think I am too tired now. If I can formulate more words on this I will update my #3 at a later date.

What are your thoughts on why our generation is so sick?

I think I should start updating my blog like I do facebook posts.

2011-04-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

Right now:

Raspberry Hershey kisses baked into mini gluten-free cupcakes. VERY good idea. Mmmmm.

Grocery Shopping

2011-01-15T18:11:00.000-08:00

My friend Kami posted yesterday on how she grocery shops. When and where. I find it interesting to see how another person buys food and what they buy (since she has such a good diet, I have yet to find a good purpose for dates...).

I thought I would try it out.

There are 3 stores I shop at in Las Cruces, and 3 'other' places.

Albertsons

Almond milk (I like Silks PureAlmond unsweetened, it has less sodium than Almond Dream)
Milk
Sausage (Johnsonvilles Bistro Nitrate/Nitrite free hotdogs)
Pasta sauce (not organic, but in glass bottles)
Oatmeal (the sweetened stuff- but at least we don't have cereal in the house anymore)
organic bananas (I tend to pick these up where ever, whenever they are needed)
Newman's Own sandwich cookies (my husband's treat)

Mountain View Market or Tucan Market ( I trade off between these two)

Ancient Harvest Quinoa/corn pasta
bulk grains/ beans
Organic veggies
Udi's gluten-free bread
Any other gluten-free treats

Las Cruces Farmers Market

Fresh ground spelt or rye bread
In season organic veggies
Local free range Eggs (if not sold out)
Raw honey

Dixie Chickens

Free range eggs
Free range frozen chicken

Los Poblanos Organics (Las Cruces Organics)

Organic Veggies market box
Organic Bananas
Organic apples

I think the problem living in a small(er) town is that organic and free range things are more expensive. For example, the free-range chicken is $4 a pound (not in the store, it is more expensive in stores), eggs are between $3.50 and $4 a doz..

2011

2010-12-30T11:47:00.000-08:00

In reflecting on 2010 I can't believe it has gone by so fast. Sure, there were times that dragged (usually due to a bad mood, or sleep deprivation) but I have been so blessed. Mainly because of these two adorable people.

My little man, who is now a professional walker/runner ,

very interested in learning how to talk and

getting his wants expressed through picture books.

The little girl who is in full princess mode.

Everything princess, all the time.

Fully potty trained, and a veracious reader.

Also, a special thanks to my photo-shy husband

who works so hard to feed and shelter and love us.

I love him.

I love him a lot.

This year is going to be monumental!

2010-12-15T16:51:00.001-08:00

Today I was able to go in the backyard and lay in the sun for 20 min or so while the babies napped.

Next week is Christmas.

This is not normal.

No wonder why I am having a hard time feeling like it is Christmas. Intellectually I know that it is here, but it doesn't feel like it.

i want, I want, I want... to learn

2010-12-01T18:14:00.000-08:00

Things I want to learn to do (in no particular order):

quilt
knit
embroidery
can tomatoes
lacto-ferment stuff
spin yarn
raise chickens
milk cows
no-till agriculture
build stuff with wood
enjoy everyday
make time to really meditate
pluck chickens... or do I?
teach classes
keep my kitchen clean
use herbs
have a root cellar
water harvesting (grey water and rain water)

The Wasatch

2010-10-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

This day trip from

Provo Canyon

through Sundance,

to Cascade Springs and

down American Fork Canyon really got me in the mood for fall.

The colors were spectacular, and the weather was sunny and perfect.

Perfect weather for a pair of pants and a light jacket.

Sigh...

Dinosaur Tracks

2010-10-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

After our stay in Utah Valley, we went south. On our second day we found ourselves in Moab.

What do you do in Moab with toddlers?

Obviously most canyon hikes are out, no rafting, no climbing, no mountain biking.

Why, then you just have to take them to see the dinosaur tracks.

It is practically the only safe thing for them to do!

A 500 yard uphill hike, rocks, enormous footprints, sunshine and dirt to dig in.

They loved it.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

2010-10-05T12:54:00.001-07:00

This morning I woke up to this,

a rainbow in a seemingly rainless sky.

It was a beautiful morning.

We had thunder, rain and a wonderful light show last night.

Even though our vacation is officially over,

I am refreshed and ready to dig in!

Monsoon

2010-07-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

This year we have had a great monsoon season. We have been hearing about this season since we moved here a year and a half ago. At first we thought everyone was fibbing since we didn't get a single drop of rain for over 6 months. This season has proved them all right.

A couple days ago we went up to Hatch, NM to go to Sparky's for (AMAZING) Green Chili Cheeseburgers, and we decided to take the scenic route home.

We got to drive through some crazy river arroyo's and then we saw these beauties, a herd of horses. We had to stop and look. I think it is the first time Maja remembers seeing horses up close. She was a little weary, but she loved them and didn't want to leave.

I sure do love horses myself.

Burklie likes them too.

Vaccinations {gasp}

2010-06-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

I know this is a sensitive subject. I know even better today, thanks to Facebook. Sigh.

When we were pregnant with little M we researched, but came to no real conclusions. The battle between mandatory vaccinations and vaccinations causing autism and immune disorders was rampant. It still is. Luckily for us we had an amazing pediatrician who wanted US to decide. He provided information, but left it up to us to choose what we wanted to do (I still think he is secretly anti-vaccinations, but I don't have any evidence).

I decided that I was VERY strongly against doing vaccinations at 2 months. Or even in the first year. It doesn't seem right to be pumping such a little body full of foreign toxins. Especially when you can't be sure that they are safe.

I understand why people want vaccinations. It has saved numerous amounts of lives. BUT. If you research the diseases that you are vaccinating for you will find that they are deadly among populations that do not have access to proper nutrition- do to war, post war, famine, poverty circumstances. I understand my MIL's fear of polio, she saw such devastating effects from it in post-war Germany. She also remembers hunger. Real hunger.

I chose to give vaccines, but to take extra precautions. We waited until she was over a year old. We gave her one at a time, and would not give her any if she wasn't in perfect health. For the next one, I may wait even longer.

It frustrates me that people don't research things for themselves. When they believe that non-vaccinated children get vaccinated children sick(????). And when they believe that the link between autism and neurological disorders and tainted vaccines have no connection. I blame the propaganda fed by corporate news organizations who are in cohoots with the big pharmaceuticals.

All of the links here are to vaccine related articles. Also read here, and here.

What do YOU think?

Funny Faces

2010-06-26T11:12:00.001-07:00

After my last post, let me tell you that

I really do love being a mommy,

and my babies are wonderful,

and loving,

and hilarious!

One of Maja's favorite games is making faces with Daddy

(especially when she doesn't want to eat her dinner).

2010-06-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

If any of you have been wondering what is up with me,

No blog posts!

Mysterious quotations?

Cutting your hair off!?

No, I'm not going through a Brittney Spears post baby phase. (or am I? She had two babies too, right?).

At least I didn't shave my head.

Sometimes I get into a grove, but lately the grove has been a funk.
I go about motherhood the only way I know how. I get lost in it.

Wake up to babies, pray, change diapers, feed babies, nap babies, change diapers, play with babies, feed babies, change diapers, play with babies, change diapers, nap babies, feed babies, play with babies, change diapers, bathe babies, try to convince babies to go to bed, read scriptures, pray, sleep

Somewhere in there I see husband, feed husband, talk to husband, etc., the real placement of such events depend on the month and his work schedule at the time.

For a while my schedule really works. Especially when I am too tired to care about the dishes, the floor, the laundry, my bed (which, depending on the month may be used for sleeping for over 20 hours a day.) I do get to work out, sometimes. Now that it is too hot to go running (after 6 am, and I can't usually go at that time anyway, due to schedules), I depend on my friends at Curves.

Needless to say, lately I have had a hard time with my role as a mother. Thoughts come to mind like, 'Did I really sign up for this?', or 'Can't I just run away for a while?'. I get caught up in pleasing babies, pleasing husband, pleasing everybody but myself. It isn't that I don't love being a mother, but there is a distinct lack of personal time, and adult social time that I have been missing.

I realize now how, when you are surrounded by family, especially your children's grandparents, how much more joy you have in motherhood. Grandparents are the inspiration, and the example. They give you joy in your calling by their expressions of joy for your calling. They give you the breaks that you so desperately require. The renewal of spirit and mind.

Since we have no family down here in Novo Mexico, I had to take matters into my own and slightly emotional hands. I took a half day to myself and worked out and cut my hair. I decided I wanted to donate it again, so it all came off. It is short. Real short.

It has renewed my sense of who I am. That I am still me inside all this motherhoodyness. No, I am not my haircut, it too, will grow out.

But I can cut it any way I want.

I guess, because I am getting more sleep, I have started noticing the world around me again.

Me.

2010-06-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

“And what I must learn is to love with all of me, giving all of me, and yet remaining whole in myself. Any other kind of love is too demanding of the other; it takes, rather than gives. … To love wholly, generously, and yet retain the core that makes you you. ” ~ L’Engle

I am still learning how to do this. I believe it is truly important. I need me. I need me so that I can give my love.

Stories

2010-05-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Little M and I are on our second round of reading "Wind in the Willows". People are amazed that she knows what moles, badgers, toads and hedgehogs are.

Design Mom is posting beautiful birth stories, since she is pregnant with her... 5th? I love birth stories. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth has great birth stories too. So empowering. No, I am not pregnant.

breath

2010-03-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

"...understand that to nurture and love others with the grace you desire means taking care of yourself and cultivating your own inner harmony. Inner harmony grows not by finding ways to get away from your child, but by giving yourself the gift of a hot bath at the end of a long day, reading a book of poetry, talking to a friend on the phone, taking a nap, crying, getting a massage, having a day off from cleaning and cooking, staying in your pajamas all day, swimming, going out to eat, or attending a conference. Do something for yourself as you give. Learn to laugh at yourself and not take yourself so seriously."
~ Peggy O'Mara, The Way Back Home

Love One Another

2010-02-14T18:53:00.000-08:00

I think we all should.

Love One Another

don't you?

My Sugar-coated Valentine

2010-02-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

Toddler Approved Sauce

2010-01-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

This winter little M has been going through a horrible teething/being sick/teething episode that has left her not liking variety in her food, or at times, food at all. It has been difficult to get her to try foods again, even foods that she once loved get spit out once they enter.

Pasta sauce is one thing that she has never liked. It is either too spicy, too acidic, or too chunky for her taste. Last week, Smitten Kitchen posted this recipe. The tomato sauce has 3 ingredients, 3! Canned whole tomatoes, butter and an onion cut in half. I decided for simplicities sake to try it. Little M devoured it. For 3 meals she devoured it. Unanimously approved.

Picture via Smitten Kitchen

So sad Agave.

2010-01-22T20:08:00.000-08:00

I just read this article. It makes me sad. I was so excited for agave nectar. But I do respect Weston Price and his methods and research. I guess I will have to stock up on my raw honey storage instead!

Handmade Revisited

2010-01-19T18:47:00.000-08:00

Here is a sample of some of the gifts that were made by your truely this Christmas. I made about 4 of these cute little shirts for some adorable kids I know. (This one is for you Lex, I need to send it still) And, I have finally taken some pictures of little M's kitchen. Though not as fancy as these. I think it is great. Now all we need to do is fill her little fridge with play goodies!

2009-12-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

Ahh, I love permaculture. Making the desert blossom like a rose. This is a great inspirational clip about how they made 10 acres of Jordan desert produce like agriculture cannot, reduce soil salinity and, gasp, grow mushrooms!?!

The Blessing of Little Children

2009-12-25T11:15:00.001-08:00

For years I have struggled with myself at Christmas time. I want to give the most perfect, meaningful gifts to those I love... but then when it is time to exchange gifts, I find myself extreemly self-centered and selfish, wanting the most perfect and meaningful gifts to be given to ME. I know in my heart that this ruins Christmas for me. Last year it made me feel horrible. With a new little one, a new job, a new city and a new house, we almost didn't have a real Christmas!

Skip forward a year. TWO little ones. Now used to being away from family in this city and in this job. I decided that little M needed a play kitchen. It is a little old for her, but she will be growing into it very soon. I wanted to get C the perfect, most meaningful gift, and I found a couple. BUT, this year, I found in our excitement of watching little M open all her gifts (thank you Grandma, Grandpa, Omi and Opi!) it was so much more meaningful than the gifts I recieved. For the first time, probably in my life, I wasn't concerned with what I recieved, because I was so absorbed in the joy of watching the little ones recieve. Even little E enjoyed his gifts (either that, or he was just enjoying being in the middle of the Christmas joy, as was I)!

Little M playing with the child-friendly Playmobile nativity set while Daddy reads the Christmas story.
Ahhh, the spirit of Christmas.

Handmade Christmas.

2009-12-18T14:18:00.001-08:00

I think from now on I want to have handmade Christmases. It makes me so festive to make things for other people. Right now, I want to learn to make these.

[Photo by birdfarm]

They are straw ornaments. I love the snowflakes and the angels. Oh, the angels are beautiful.

[Photo by bzmch]

My in-laws sent us a DVD of the Christmas Markets in Germany. It highlights about 6 different cities, telling the history and interesting things about the city, then it shows the Christmas market. It makes me want to go there... live there.

2009-12-16T09:03:00.001-08:00

I found this file on Apartment Therapy a while back. ..

Filing it away for future tiny home use.

I love the idea of having the dishes put away after drying, makes one less step for me!

2009-12-07T17:35:00.001-08:00

This has taken me a while to figure out, but after my pregnancies, it has been confirmed that I don't like perfume.

All my life (teen to adult- since I am an adult now!) I have tried to find fragrances that I like, that don't change and become musky nasty potions on my skin after an hour. I searched high and low, and there have only been 2 that I have liked, and you can't really call them perfume. Usually sticky sweet light smells. One was in high school and the other I found in Brazil.

When I was pregnant with little M I discovered I couldn't handle the smell of any sweet lotion (i.e. bath and body works about drove me to the toilet). When I had to go in to exchange something, all I could come out with was a naturally scented lemon body wash and a peppermint lotion. I couldn't even use my Brazilian Nut Butter lotion. So sad... I haven't been able to use it since.

I still LOVE essential oils, and pregnancy has expanded my repertoire. Clary Sage is now a grounding favorite of mine.

I have a really hard time with perfume and fragrance in anything now. It is kind of sad, but kind of refreshing to finally admit. I don't like perfume.

the holidays keep ringing, happy holidays to you

2009-11-30T18:13:00.000-08:00

Here in our ward in Las Cruces we had an ornament exchange. I have been SO excited to start posting Christmas stuff, but wanted to wait until after Thanksgiving. I do love Thanksgiving, but I tend to be giving thanks for Christmas...

For the ornament exchange I knew I wanted to do birds. I had red felt left over from little E's halloween costume and wanted to use some of it up. I found a great pattern for birds on The Purl Bee and decided to modify it a little. Add a little folk and a little drama and voila!

Create

2009-11-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for a God who teaches us by example. Who loves us and gives us inspiration.
This video inspired me. It is short and sweet.

Create

Maternity Leave

2009-11-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the delay in posts. Sleep deprivation kept me from accessing my creative side. I am on the mend now! Here are some pretty pictures.

Sorry, I forgot where I got the flower picture.

Isn't this bedding scrumptious?

Marriage Tips

2009-09-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

Naomi, from Rockstar Diaries has always been a promoter of a happy marriage. Today she wrote of another blogger, Joanna, who is sharing tips that people have sent her on "The Secret to a Happy Marriage".

I love the advice, especially Anne's, and Sujatha's.

In fact, I love all of them.

Read them and cherish one another.

My own style

2009-09-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

Since my last post I have been thinking of my own style... Because I really can't conform to what other people wear. I may adore their style, but it isn't necessarily me. In looking at clothes, specifically for a next summer family reunion in Spain. I wanted to find things that I could pull off. That I could pull off internationally ;)

Adorable shirt from Anthropologie (I would have to replicate with a floral shirt and sash- Still can't afford Anthro...)

Roll up Capris from Ruche. $24

Adorable asymetrical button jacket from Ruche. (You all know I love buttons that don't go down the center) $119

Amazing yellow Ranger jacket from Athleta. $168

Pretty blue skirt from Ruche $24

AMAZING velcro boots from Tom's Shoes. $98

Now, many of you will say, "but you don't spend money on clothes!", and that is true. That is why I am planning ahead. So I can find affordable knockoffs for what I can't afford, or convince my loving husband that the boots are subversive and different enough to splurge on!

because, honestly

2009-08-29T14:55:00.001-07:00

I need all the help I can get.

Maybe it is just that I am in the late stages of pregnancy, and my body, being the strange shape it is right now, doesn't seem to want to fit or look good in anything. Maybe because being a stay-at-home-mom has its downsides- of not hanging out with the cool kids and their latest fashions.

Anywho, this is a favorite site for me right now as I look into the future of fitting into clothes again.... sigh.

They focus on hip, modest fashion and put outfits together from various sites and vendors. Love it.

Fall Gardening

2009-08-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

After watching my garden struggle through the hot hot New Mexico summer sun, I had almost given up hope. Luckily in the latest issue of Mother Earth News there is an article about fall gardening. I am wondering, if I plant a fall garden if it will last all the way through spring. I mean, it does get cold here at night, but I might just have enough of a micro climate to keep frost off. It has me excited.

Here are some highlights on what to do.

Start seeds- broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale (essentially all your Brassicas). There is a great website called Skippy's Vegetable Garden that will tell you when to start seeds or when to direct seed. They also have a spring guide. Transplant these seedlings after 3 weeks, during cloudy weather (good luck here in Las Cruces, there never seems to be cloudy weather- or in other words, invest in a shade cloth- more info to follow).

Direct seed fast growing varieties of broccoli, kale, kohlrabi in shallow furrows, covered with a 1/2 " of potting soil. Keep seeds moist until germination. Soaker hoses or soaker drip tubing is great for this.

Keep transplants moist and shadded for a few days, this should keep successful transplant rates up to around 75%- we ALL know that in Las Cruces your seedlings will keel over the very day you set them out if they don't have shade. Some ideas for shade are old sheets, shade cloth (available at nurserys, or big box stores in the spring), old flower pots, or kill 2 birds with one stone and make a shade cloth/ bug netting out of tulle.

Even short periods of drought stress can stunt or kill fall crops.

Mulch between plants using newspaper (at least) and ideally a mulch on top. This is after you have your irrigation set out. This will keep the killer sun from being so... killer.

If your yard is like my yard, I can see the cabbage worms propagating- literally- the little white butterflys nest in my rosemary that sits in the middle of the garden. They have already eaten most of my brussels sprouts from earlier this season- because I didn't protect them. Prevent this by covering seedlings with a summer weight insect barrier (or tulle on stakes. You will have to raise it as the seedlings grow, but it will keep most of the buggers off.

There are MANY vegetables you can grow in the fall. Skippy's garden fall calender has almost all of them, it is a great resource.

Now, here was my plan. I was going to go to the city and get a great load of compost to put down in my garden beds, tweek my irrigation then cover it with newspaper and mulch for the winter. Part 1 has failed. The cities mulch is a complete joke. The 2" screened compost is a bunch of 4-6" sticks that need another couple seasons to actually compost, nothing smaller (that stuff they must sell, not give away to poor residence like me). So, I am going to try to hit up some fall landscaping sales and get some bags of compost, then lay out my new dripper soaker hose and see if the winter will be kind to us and not freeze anything.

Composter

2009-08-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

I could really use one of these right now.

pic via compostumbler.com

Palo Verde

2009-07-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Common names: Yellow or Little Leaf Palo Verde, and another variety called Blue Palo Verde, the name means green stick in Spanish.Scientific Name: Parkinsonia (formerly Cercidium) microphyllum and Parkinonia (Cercidium) floridum (respectively) Geographic range:native to southeastern California, southern Arizona, and northwestern Mexico.Habit: Generally found in desert washes, they grow from 20-40 feet tall. The blue palo verde has a taller habit, requires more water, but also has more spectacular blossoms.

The tree can photosynthesize through its green bark, which is important since it drops its leaves during the warm season in response to fall cooling. It is a staple in the Sonoran desert, where it provides cover for sanguaro cactus, which greatly outlives it.

Desert Willow

2009-07-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Common English Names: Desert Willow, Flowering Willow, Willowleaf Catalpa, Desert Catalpa, Bow Willow

Common Spanish Names: Mimbre, Flor de Mimbre, Acuahuitl
Scientific Name: Chilopsis linearis (kaiee-LOP-sis lyn-ee-AIR-iss)

Family: Bignoniaceae (Catalpa Family)

Geographic Range: Southwestern and Trans-Pecos Texas west to extreme southwestern Utah, southern Nevada, and southern California; northern Mexico.

Plant Form: Small deciduous tree up to 25', occasionally more.

Remarks: Excellent xeric tree; orchid-like flowers with shades of of pink, purple, and white appear throughout the warm season. Light water, full sun, good drainage. Attracts hummingbirds. Hardy. You can prune them to one trunk or leave them alone as a multi-trunk large shrub. They do produce seen pods, but there is a variety by Monrovia that is seedless.

Sun: Full Sun - USDA Zone 7 - 9

Embracing the Now

2009-07-13T19:04:00.001-07:00

Nesting has hit me. A nagging feeling of needed permanence has led me to searching for homes here and abroad. I want my own place, desperately. Painting, organizing and gardening are high priorities that I can't do very much of where we are. Don't ask me if it is being pregnant or just not knowing what the future will bring. It is probably both.

I found a cute cabin in Provo Canyon that we even looked into buying, but without down payment assistance (we can't get it because we don't live in Utah...) we can't afford it. We found a cute home here in Las Cruces, but we just applied to jobs in Utah...

Since I can do nothing about these feelings right now I have decided to embrace where I am. I am ordering business cards that can serve me wherever I live, and I am going to learn as much about this climate and plants as I can. I am working on a Landscape Design for my friend Jenny, who, with her husband is closing on a new house this month.

Each week I am going to highlight a beautiful plant that grows here in Las Cruces. Las Cruces is in the Chihuahuan Desert, it is high altitude (about 4400 ft) and a zone 7. It is extremely dry, but has beautiful Rio Grand River Valley's.

This Morning

2009-07-11T08:56:00.001-07:00

At the Las Cruces Farmers Market it must have been at least 85 degrees at 8:00 am. It was hot, but it was the busiest I have seen it. I haven't felt much creative inspiration lately, so I went out in search of things that make me happy. Here are a couple of them.

Dried chile peppers and watermelon. A stark reminder of where we are in the world!

A beautiful glass dragonfly. It must be 5-6" from tip to tail.

The Sprouts man. He is one of the busiest people here. Locals love him.

Fresh sunflowers.

By far my favorite booth. An old man who comes with his knee brace and oxygen tank and sells handmade wooden toys. These are some of the painted ones most are not painted, on my other blog you can see his amazing wooden trains.

enchanting

2009-06-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

These mobiles are made by naturechild in Ruderting, Germany. I first spotted them last week when a guest blogger posted them on DesignMom. I looked up her etsy shop and saw this adorable little bee mobile. OH, how I would love it!

Father's Day Goodies

2009-06-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

For Father's Day I made Clemens some treats. The first two are wall treats. I made him a print of his favorite quote, poster sized and framed it. (Though I did break the glass on the frame as soon as I got it home! Sad day.)

The second treat was a cookie jar. My husband is lovingly refered to as the cookie monster. He LOVES treats. With the weather getting humid, in addition to the swamp cooler, he needed a place to store his treats. I love these old cracker jars, this is a new one, but was just about as expensive as the ones at the antique store.

The third treat, another wall treat is in our bedroom. I found this print at vintageprints.com, there you can download a number of amazing, high quality antique posters to print off yourself. This one reminded me of our marriage trip.

This is just a cute picture of another project. I made these pillows from a fabulous vintage sheet I found at goodwill. The sheet was also made into a wall hanging and will be soon made into a cribskirt. Maja had just gotten out of the bath and wanted to cuddle with the pillows.

Garden Update- June 12th

2009-06-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

I think the cockroach/spider season is slowing down, we haven't had any to kill for a while. I successfully got rid of the fire ants that were nesting in my garden pathway, and I believe my nematodes are working great! The week after I last posted about the garden my watermelon grew about a foot!
My green beans started producing. It is one of my favorite things to go out and pick fresh green beans and pop them into my mouth.

I have seeded some more lettuce in a shady spot, more beets and carrots to fill in where I was missing a plant or four or five.

I am hoping my little seeded tomatoes will ramp up the competition for producing fruit soon. They need to catch up to my cheater yellow tomato.

Darrol Shillingburg

2009-06-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

I found this great new website today when I was looking for information about gardening durring Las Cruces' monsoon season (July- October). Though I didn't find any definitive information about monsoon related problems, I found a great resource!

Darrol Shillingburg is an avid Art enthusiast (he worked as a museum curator for many years) and Master Gardener here in Las Cruces. On his site he has his own "Art Web" depicting his own artwork, and also a "Garden Web" which has articles he has written for the Master Gardener monthly newsletter, my personal favorite being the annual planting chart for Las Cruces- If only I had found this in January!!!

He has compiled excelent resources, including a local food guide (though it looks as though it hasn't been updated in a while.) That highlights "knowing it", "finding it", "growing it" and "handling it".

I am glad that someone is able to compile information about local slow food.

Patio and Inspiration

2009-06-05T07:04:00.001-07:00

I love outdoor spaces. The fact that our little southwestern house has an enclosed front patio and a back patio makes me very happy. I just wish I had furniture to fill them with. Right now our back patio has a turtle baby pool, a makeshift wood and PVC pipe shelf (that I am actually very grateful for) and an old bench that needs its screws tightened. Last week I threw our old futon mattress out there for me to hang out on while Maja swims. I would love to cover it with some fun bright outdoor fabric so I don't have to worry about it so much. Another thing I would love would be a canvas awning, like this one, to shade our west facing patio in the afternoon, plus it would add so much fun color!

The rest of these pictures are some inspiration for myself. I have been looking at small house/ cottage house plans by Ross Chapin, and many of his homes have built in eating areas. Honestly, I have a love-hate relationship with built in's. I love how they save space, but I don't know if a brood of children would try to kill eachother. I guess they would get used to it. These pictures from Apartment Therapy show that this space can be beautiful and happy, not cranky and miserable!

May 26th Garden update

2009-05-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

I realized on Saturday after digging around my onions, that I may not have ruined many of my seedlings after all. I found these big honkin' larve. I had seen one once before when I planted my cheater tomato, but after seeing a couple more, I thought that maybe I shouldn't overlook this seeming baby that rolls up when I dig it out of the soil. So I googled it. They are either white grub, japanese beatle, or cockroach larve. Fun huh? Not really, the most likely candidate is white grub. Any of them are bad, especially since they EAT the roots of SEEDLINGS. Yeah, it isn't all my fault. I promptly went online and ordered some organic nematodes (Milky Spore) that seek out and kill these little larve buggers. Watermelon ( I LOVE those leaves), and green beans. They are doing so well, we should be having beans in a couple weeks!

My little seedling tomotoes (that hopefully arn't being eaten at the roots) and my big cheater tomato that I bought at Lowes. Along with some carrots and swiss chard.

The far corner with brussels sprouts, squash, beets (doing great), spinich onions and shallots. What you don't see are the cucumbers (in the shadow) and peppers (peppers got eaten by something and don't exist anymore).

Mesilla Photoblog

2009-05-22T08:10:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we took advantage of the rain in the morning and cooler temperatures and went back to Mesilla to look at cute shops and architecture. I've decided I want to move here, it borders Las Cruces on the south and is really cute, old and adobe surrounded by pecan orchards and agriculture. Mesilla is famous for being the death place (and hang out) for wild west bandits like Billy the kid.

LOVE the colors.

My man and lady.

The Red Chair. I want to paint a door way like that.

I was charmed by this little house (or by the wall around the house) the next couple pictures are dedicated to it. The orangy walls with the blue washed doors, with tile work and actual perennial plantings. So cute.

The entryway.

Very expensive wholesale outlet. Nambe.

From the historic square.

The Potteries. A little off the beaten path, a little potters studio. They know our friends the Bennions of Spring City. I figure everyone who has made their living throwing pottery probably know eachother.

Doorway.

Josefine's Cafe. I just wanted to go sit and hang out.

Josefine's Gate

Red adobe house.

And adobe courtyard.

Nursery Decor

2009-05-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to post this for a while, but I thought MAYBE I would wait until I actually have the nursery finished. I am hopeless. The nursery isn't finished. Still waiting on a crib, twin bed and comfy chair. They will be there soon, don't you worry. Until then, here are some pictures of things I have made that are up in the nursery. This is my second attempt at a watercolor. Based on the pretty trees by Jellybeans. I am too cheap to actually buy a print, and this got be out of my element and painting!

I found this great bird mobile tutorial at Spool.

They have a great blog and an online store to buy fun fabric. The mobile was the hardest part. I couldn't get little eye screws into the hard honeylocust twigs, and tying the string to the branches caused the birdies to flip upside down.... so I had to hang the birds by the cuff of the neck. IT WORKED! Maja loves the birdies, she even says 'tweet' in her own little way.

The owl in the background was a trial in pastels for another watercolor. Maja liked the pastel one better, even with the scribbles over the birds head.

This green dresser came as-is from Clemens house. I love the green color. I have no intention of repainting it.

Happy Birthday Maja!

2009-05-15T08:38:00.001-07:00

She stuck her finger in the frosting and tasted it, just to see if it was right.

For her first birthday I made Lemon Poppyseed Zuchinni Cupcakes with Best Bite's frosting. Now, my sister already asked me for the recipe to the cupcakes, but the sad truth is I cheated. I bought a box of lemon poppyseed muffins and added 2 grated zuchinni. That's it.

We thought they were great.

Forgery

2009-05-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid I failed my heirloom tomatoes.

When I left for Utah two weeks ago the weather was in the high 70's. When I returned it was in the 90's. I'm afraid the little tiny tomato starts just couldn't handle the change without me there to ensure they got the proper hydration. Now we may only have stripped cherry tomatoes and a red 'Atkinson' tomato. I'm sorry.

I did have some seeds starting on top of my fridge when I left. To my surprise they were super long and leggy when I returned. I've tried transplanting, but transplanting super long, leggy seedlings into 96 degree days with scorching sun just doesn't work sometimes. I've lost two already. Sadly we might not get to try 'Great White' tomatoes this year. I may even have to cheat and pick up a little tomato from the nursery when I am out this week.

Part of me feels like a complete failure. A horticultural phony.

But then again, I will have lots of beans (soon to flower), beets, carrots, lettuce (if the heat doesn't kill it), spinich (ditto) and HOPEFULLY squash, cucumber and watermelon.

I think I should have foregone the frost date and planted in February...

here's to happiness

2009-05-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

Naomi over at Rockstar Diaries asked everyone a week ago to write down 10 things that make them terribly happy and send them to her. I didn't send in a list- I was REALLY busy a week ago. But here is a list from me to you.

suzanna's 10 things which make her terribly happy:

The smell of fresh cut grass
coloring
rain in the desert
being held
handmade peppermint soap
white bread with butter
eating beans right from the garden
hearing portuguese
my daughter saying 'Da-da' and shreiking with delight
feeling loved

here's to happiness.
and the little things.

Beehive Bazaar

2009-05-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, we are almost back to normal after our trip to Utah. Maja is feeling much better, I am currently eating raw red pepper to ward off the tickle in my throat (3 x as much vitamin C as an orange, in case you wanted to know).

The Beehive Bazaar was held the April 30th to May 2nd in Provo. I hadn't known it was in town, but for Stacy's posting on it while I was there. The last day of the show I went as soon as Maja went down for a nap at Omi's house. I hadn't known it started at 10, so with the rain that morning I was the first one there. (p.s. I LOVED the rain, I miss it so) Here are some of my favorite things.

Adorable childrens artwork, I loved the elephant and bunny. BY Sara Jane Studios

Collage paintings by the Winborg Sisters' Design.

Felt mobiles. Fragile, but GREAT idea. By liesle

I want one of these giant crocheted stuffed animal frogs.

This display made me laugh out loud! I love the hand painted 80's television icons. (Yes, alf is an icon). This and the amazing green crocheted frogs by Emily Sparks

These belts reminded me of my Brother-In-Law Chris, and his brother Steve.

I could see them both wearing one. By fullgive.

I adored Isabels Umbrella, her drawings (made into prints, pins, AND pillows) were adorable. My favorite was the little felt sparrow in the shadow box (below).

Maja loves things that hang, that sparkle and that are colorful, so the stained glass flowers and birds, I know, would be a big hit with her. By Crimson Digit

I thought my Sister-In-Law Julia would like these art belts. They are original artwork made into enamel belts. By Sleepictures

This was probably my favorite thing of the show, I have a thing for quality bags. These were adorable printed canvas that looked tea-dyed. Big, roomy and oh-so-fun. By Elsa Bags

The next Beehive Bazaar should be around the first week in December, so if you are in Utah Valley, you should DEFINITLY stop by.

Travelin' Man

2009-05-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

New posts to come soon of our trip to Utah. I went to the Beehive Bazaar (Thanks Stacy for reminding me! Crazy inspirational) , spent time with family (that I don't get to see usually more than twice a year!), and ate a lot of food. I will post pictures as soon as I get back to New Mexico.

Face Foreward

2009-04-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Since my mission to Brazil, I haven't been that much on the makeup bandwagon. (Something about walking around in the hot Brazillian sun with makeup streaming down my face really turned me off.) Luckily, when I got home my wonderful Grandmother made sure I had her new (at the time) favorite product. BareMinerals. I have to tell you, that it quickly became my favorite too. I like natural things. I like being able to wear as much or as little makeup as I want and not feel like it is out of place.

For Christmas 2007 my wonderful Grandmother gave us girls an adendum to our lines. It was a four pack of powder, "well rested", eyeliner, and shadow. Since I already had a new powder, I traded it in at Nordstroms for a new blush "Trudy" (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!). Since Maja was born, I have come to greatly appreciate the yellow powder of "well rested". At first I was skeptical, it was a little too yellow for me. BUT NOW! I use it on my eyelids, under my eyes, and sometimes when I'm on a makeup with no makeup look days, I use it on the malasma stripes on my face. It is a wonder. I love it.

Another plug. Emani eyeshadows. Fabulous, natural, amazing.

Quote

2009-04-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

My friend Suzanne is a head gardener at the Timpanogas Temple. The other day she overheard a quote from one of the volunteer gardeners.

"A gardener's work is never done--and therein lies the pleasure. Happiness stems from always having something to do, something to love, and something to look forward to."

Dreams and Dirt

2009-04-23T17:43:00.001-07:00

Ooo, there are a great many things I want to do! A lot of this was spurred by a trip to Barnes and Noble yesterday. Clemens wanted to celebrate finishing the editing on his book. (Can you tell we don't get out much?) I found a great magazine called Mary Jane's Farm, it is all about becoming a farmgirl. Really cute magazine. In it I read about some other things that I had to research.

The major one is a book called "Food not Lawns", I love the idea of having a backyard homestead. Since it may be quite a while for me to aquire acrage to have livestock, I want to have chickens and a huge vegetable garden. Fresh eggs sound delicious. I want to grow enough food for my family and to give (or sell eventually) to all of my neighbors.

Mother Earth News Magazine is by far my favorite magazine right now. So much so, that Clemens got me a subscriptions for my birthday. It talks all about growing food, raising food, natural energy, and sustainable home building/living. Did I mention it talks about raising animals- like chickens, oh yes.

Until then, here is an update on my little garden. I think that my garden has loved that the night time temperatures have jumped from the mid 30's to the mid 50's. It is doing wonders for my germination rates.

This little snap bean grew from just germinating and above the ground this morning, to THIS this evening!
The shady area of my garden, until summer is in full swing, it has onions, little spinich that are getting their true leaves, and the lettuces. Not pictured are the brussels sprouts, bell peppers and beets.

This is a scallop squash, it sprouted this week too!

My onions are going CRAZY!

THERE IS HOPE YET! That I may get tomatoes this year! My two striped cherry tomatoes have sprouted, along with the yellow brandywines and a great white! I am so excited!

Earth Day

2009-04-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Earth day yesterday, we went to an antique store. Here on Picacho Ave in Las Cruces there are a gazillion antique stores. We, however, just went to one of them. S.O.B.'s Antiques (if you don't know what an S.O.B. is, go ask your mother). It had such an awesome southwestern feel. I love going to antique stores like this, it reminds me of scavenging through my grandparents basement as a kid.

In case you didn't know I have a love of metal lunchboxes, I even had a Strawberry Shortcake one in High School.

AND, I offically started my blue glass jar collection. I only had enough cash to buy one of these beauties, but I did!

April showers? Not here.

2009-04-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

I think it may be the time of the year, but I'm getting all nesty.

What I mean is that I want a place of my own, so that I can paint and decorate and garden to my hearts content and not worry that my landlord is going to sue me. If anyone knows of a landlord that will let me go crazy (in a totally controled, organized way) let me know. Until then I will dream.
This is a house that is for sale in Springville, we have been looking at, since they are only asking $124,ooo for it. We might even go look at it next week when we are in town. The crazy side- it is only 714 square feet. We don't even think our car will fit into the garage, but we also think that is perfect. I did think it needed some sprucing up in the front yard, so I designed it. Sorry for the sad quality, the drawing was larger than my scanner, so I had to scan it 5 times and piece it together (without photoshop). Alot of the color didn't show up, and it is a little uneven in places.

I am essentially getting rid of all but a 4-5' strip of lawn in front (to blend in with neighbors) and filling in with a few native shrubs like snowberry (Ceanothus velutinus) or little leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus intricatus), fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) that you can treat like a perennial and cut back every year, mormon tea (Ephedra viridis) or scotch broom, a few ornamental shrubs like dwarf mugo pine (Pinus mugo pumilla), magic carpet spirea (Spiraea japonica hybrid) and maybe even a rose of sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). Fill in with beautiful perennials, a few annuals and groundcovers, and it is good. OH, and I moved the tree, it needs to be nearer to the driveway to balance the space.

What this drawing doesn't show is that this property has practically a 12' park strip. Perfect, I say, for raised garden beds, I mean, what else are you going to do with a 12' hell strip? And since there are large trees all around the property, it probably gets the most sun of anywhere on the property.

In my design I was totally inspired by this garden in Better Homes and Gardens shown here and at the beginning of the post, it is a garden in Alaska (which I totally respect- high altitude gardening is SO hard). I love the use of lawn edging then another edge of river rock embeded into the edge, it makes such a great impact.

Country Living

2009-04-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

I just visited Country Living Magazine's site, a link from a link from a link that was showing an idylic vegetable garden. In perusing their site, I noticed that they cater to women (surprise, suprise), but that they have Women Entrepreneur seminars and contests. To my surprise I have heard of some of them.

In 2006 two of their winners were Amy Butler (whose design talent and fabrics I adore) and the lady who makes Cowgirl Chocolates (made in Moscow, Idaho- and have gorgeous packaging).

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-04-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

As a birthday present to myself, I cut my hair. I am now the proud owner of bangs.

I don't think I have had bangs since I was 9, or maybe earlier, I don't remember. But I certainly haven't had them since I have been aware of hairstyles or styling hair. I needed something a little funky and fun, and I want to keep the rest of my hair growing out so I can donate it again when it is long enough to Lock of Love.

2009-04-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

"If there is a heaven I hope is smells of basil and dirt."

Of course, I would have some professors say soil.

I have an urge to teach. I'm writing lesson plans for teaching landscape design. Not that I know how to write lesson plans, but I am full of ideas.

Buying that orange essential oil was a good thing. I love the smell of fresh cut orange, and now I can smell it all day long if I want to, with none of the juicy mess. It is also supposed to enhance your creativity.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

and happy chocolate hunting!

2009-04-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

I read this scripture last night and it made me think. In conference we heard about not coveting what we see our neighbors have, what we see in stores, and on the internet. I think I might try to live this one better.

2009-04-11T09:37:00.001-07:00

My step-brother and sister-in-law just moved from Hawaii to Utah to Washington (in the short space of 4 months) and along the way they have drastically downsized. You kind of have to downsize moving off the island, then they downsized even more on their move to Washington. They fit their entire life into a sedan. Granted it was packed... to the brim, still deserves kudos. They then moved into a studio apartment that they are dressing up so cute! Their move to the Pacific Northwest made me want to get rid of all of our possessions and move into a tiny apartment too. Then I began thinking, well, with 2 babies, we might just want to get a one bedroom, because you DO need somewhere quite to put the babies down to sleep, if you ever want to get anything done during nap time, or after 7 pm. So the bedroom becomes a baby room and the rest of the apartment becomes like a studio apartment, then I could get a cute room divider and make us a bed area separate from the living area.... mmmm.

I like the idea so much!

Growing!

2009-04-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

This year I ordered heirloom tomato seeds from Baker Creek, I had them all started and they looked great. I was going to plant them in the garden next week, so I started hardening them off, by letting them be outdoors for a couple hours a day. Sadly, I forgot about them one day and they got sunburnt.... a few are recovering, but I think I lost most of them. Hopefully our summer will be long enough for me to start some more and have them actually produce! The peppers, on the other hand, didn't burn, they loved the sun. Purple bell peppers

We had to do some minor work on the garden at the house we are renting here in Las Cruces. It had good bones- even a drip system, but it needed better soil, and a major rehaul on the drip system, half the drippers were non-functional.

Before

After

We had some 2 x 8's cut to fit and doubled up on the nasty round wood edgers that were there. Instead of buying a drill, we staked them in place. I put in new drip line and drippers, then we made square foot soil using compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. We already have some onions, lettuce and spinich peaking their little noggins out! Next week is our last frost free day, but I have already seeded everything I am going to seed, I just have to wait until next week to plant my peppers, and see if any of my tomatoes will make it!

Onions!

2008-12-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

We are moving. Sorry for the delay in posts, we have been transients for the past few months. We are relocating to Las Cruces New Mexico. Hardiness Zone 7 here we come!!!

Urban Chic Landscape Design

2008-01-30T18:19:00.000-08:00

Landscape Design Services and Fees

Landscape Design specializing in:
v Expanding intimate spaces from the house to the Grounds
v Creating appealing entryways for home and business
v Seasonal planning for special events

Landscape Design Services Include:

1. Site and Customer Visit. To ensure we know who you are, your style and what you want out of your space, we will meet with you for an hour. A great preparation would be to collect picture cut outs from magazines or tabbed books that show the style of garden that most appeals to you. Also, if you have a plot plan (map of how your house sits on the property) from your contractor or original homeowner, that will greatly help as we design your yard. We will then measure out the dimensions of your property for a scale drawing. Down payment, or consultation fee (if other design services will not be required) is due at this time.

2. Preliminary Plan. With all the ideas we gather during the first visit, our designer will then create a design plan that we believe incorporates your desires for your yard with plants and materials that suit the heat zone and climate. We will meet again with you to present this plan and make changes so that it fits exactly what you want. Questions will be answered.

3. Nursery Consultation. Either the day we present the preliminary plan, or before the master plan is complete we will meet with you at your local nursery to show you examples of some of the plants that we picked out, and you can have the opportunity to find more plants that you might like to add to your design!

4. Master Plan Review. After our consultations, we will draft the master plan to your landscape; this will include a planting plan and any other supporting documentation that is deemed necessary for the project. Final payment is due before master plan is left.

Fresh Horticultural Consultations

2008-01-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

1. Home Consultation. Our home consultations are catered to you. To ensure we know who you are, your style, what you want out of your space, and your problems with your site; We will meet with you at the site for an hour or more. A great preparation would be to collect picture cut outs from magazines or tabbed books that show the style of garden that most appeals to you. Also, if you have a plot plan (map of how your house sits on the property) from your contractor or original homeowner, that will greatly help as we create a rough sketch of what to do with your landscape (not to scale). A list of plants suitable to your area and where to put them will be included.

2. Nursery Consultation. We will meet with you at your local nursery to show you examples of some of the plants, and you can have the opportunity to find more plants that you might like to add to your landscape! We will discuss how to best prepare your property and plants for planting.

Consultations run at $75 /hr. Can be combined with design or party packages!

Bummer

2008-01-24T10:15:00.000-08:00

I found out today that a man in Indiana has rights to my desired website www.bareroot.com. He has had it for years. We will see what we can do.