Woodland Wonders

Even if on your woodland walk you don't find the elusive morel there are many other wonderful things to see if you look closely.









Photos: S. Plasch

Making Up for a Lack of Morels

Our initial search for the delectable fungus known as the common morel or morchella esculenta was fruitless so we went to our secret, fall-back location and had great success. Then, in a mushroom glamour shoot of sorts, in our kitchen studio, our artful, guest photographer captured perfectly the grotesque beauty that is the wild morel.







Unfortunately, the most alluring photo was not taken. Once the morels were sizzling in butter and had turned a beautiful golden brown the camera was forgotten. A fork was the only thing we were reaching for.


Photos: S. Plasch

Hackberry

25 years ago we suggested during an over-the-backfence chat with the neighbor man that this, then scrawny tree, with a rather ugly name be cut down. Tom moved to the other hill long ago, but whenever he comes around he never fails to say facetiously, as we stand under the graceful tree in the lovely shade, "Yeah, we should have cut that tree down."



Photo: S. Plasch

West Side Story

The backyard theme of spring in bloom segues to the sideyard perennial bed. For your enjoyment may we present more images of lush new growth captured by a quick-clicking and quite clever young camerawoman of our acquaintance.












Allium, Hardy Geranium or Cranesbill, Grape Hyacinth (Muscari), Iris, and Allium again.


Photos: S. Plasch

Northern Exposure

The backyard is bursting with blooms of spring flowers. Here are some images recently taken by a talented young guest photographer of the color show that is going on this merry month of May. Delightful.












Typically we encourage people to enjoy the long, and usually more forgiving view of our humble garden but, with this capable artist behind the lens the simple closeup view becomes simply stunning.

Pigsqueak (Bergenia Cordifolia), Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla Vulgaris), Bleeding Heart (dicentra spectabilis), Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia Virginica)


Photos: S. Plasch

When Moms Shop at Closeout Stores

They find remaindered books with mixed-messages for children.

The titles are weirdly wonderful. The content is completely confounding.




Here's what we learned from this story: when everybody is mean to you because you are a homely fish, and you are just about to give up and hate yourself too, you might become a pretty fish and get to swim with all the other pretty, mean fish.




And from this messed-up morality tale: If you try to get your supersized nut to the top of the tree and can't do it, just give up and get someone to do half the work. Changing the title to "When Squirrels Cooperate" would still be ludicrous, but would at least begin to make the moral fit the story.




Sigh.

May Days

If you found something like this on your doorstep in the month of May it means you have been a very faithful blog commentor. If you do not live in a ten mile radius of NDL HQ, yet have been a blog presence, we owe ya.




Once again the Target Dollar Spot comes through. This time with colorful, delightful, albeit quirky, May basket fillers.






With hope that a little incentive would help shy readers to find their voices...we will let slip (don't alert the media yet) that we will be reviewing future blog comments for the first ever Nextie awards. Date to be announced. Can you stand the suspense?

Watch Closely

One of our favorite artists, Amy Rice, now has a line of cards available at Artists to Watch. Aren't they great?




You can find loads of other amazing artists' cards there too. This definitely is a company to keep our eyes on.

We often complain about bunny trouble, but have to tell you that A.C. Barton portrays rabbits in a manner that almost makes us sympathetic to their garden munching.

Holy Asparagusmole!

This week our favorite grocery store, has some nice looking asparagus at a good price.



And it comes with a great idea.




Wouldn't this be even more satisfying if the asparagus was home grown or local? (Not an option in zone 3 with avocados.) Let us know if you know of an opportunity like that. Please?

Oh that Martha!

One of her recent great finds was the work of Joe Wirthman at Victory Garden of Tomorrow in Portland Oregon. Through the way-too-simple power of ordering from etsy these great prints are now our new summer kitchen decor.








Great finding Martha! It's a good thing Joe!

A Fair (and Foul) Weather Friend

If you just can't wait another minute to put some color in your landscape choose a cheery member of the Violaceae family. They are no pansies when it comes to chilly nights. In fact they prefer cool weather and actually become "shrinking violas" when the sweltering temps arrive.








Go on, do it, but don't give in to the lure of the garden yet when it comes to setting out tender annuals and vegetables. Our typical last frost date is still weeks away.

Superior Breeding

A nearly 70 degree day called for a trip to the greenhouse to search out this year's hot new annuals.




Here are a few of the more dramatic finds.








Check out results from the Penn State Trial Gardens to see how 157 single petunias and 31 coleus did in competition.

When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best

Buttons of course, say it all.

Our April button club program presenter needed to postpone. So instead, we did arts and crafts with a card template of leaves and stems, and buttons from a Pennsylvania shirt factory that we have been saving for just such an occasion as this.






The creations turned out to be quite charming, the conversation was as educational as a proper program would have been, and a good time was had by all.

You Know Her, You Love Her...

Denyse Schmidt style now at Jo-ann fabric and craft stores.










Fun and bright patterns at reasonable prices. Going fast.

Royal Folderol Uninterrupted

Do you suppose commercials for the Royal Wedding are amazing and costly like those shown during the Superbowl?

What? Commercial-free viewing on the BBC? Isn't it the ads everyone wants to talk about at work the next day? Well, there is the gown we suppose, and the hats, and it is the weekend, so we'll get by. But...

...here's one Brit advert to ease your (our) disappointment.

Spring Beauty

Don't wait too long to go on a wildflower walk. Most of these early Spring delights are ephemeral by nature.




1940



Jack-in-the-Pulpit or Indian Turnip




Dandelion




Violet




Dutchman's breeches and Squirrel Corn




Mayapple




Bloodroot




Wild Ginger




Trillium or Wake Robin