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

2011 Button Display

A perennial favorite.




Just a few days left to see it.

Best if Used By

Sugar flowers purchased 19 years ago on a 10th anniversary trip to London were too pretty to eat. Now, while still lovely in their faded-to-ecru way, they are too antique to consume, so may become varnished components for collage or other crafts.






For fresh and fun baking supplies and decorations visit Lovely Little Parties or Bake it Pretty.

Johnny Jump Up

First to pop up in the spring garden, Johnny Jump Up is a cheerful little fellow.

Happy Easter

Enjoy the day.

Bags in the Wild

Earth Day is upon us. Be on the lookout for these wild creatures and, please, for their own protection, reduce, reuse or recyle them when found.




Releasing them into the wild is not a good idea. They really can't fend for themselves after leading protected lives in the safety of the checkout lane.

A Good Browse

And perhaps some inspiration for a weekend project. Enjoy.

Open publication - Free publishing - More accessories

Bejeweled with Buttons

A gift string of green buttons restrung with jewelry elastic made for a really quick St. Patrick's Day bracelet.




Kellie Christie takes much more care to create her fun and funky button jewelry even crafting some of the buttons herself.

Check it out here.

Pretty in Pink Pinwheels

Lavender, green, and yellow too.




Over at Missouri Star Quilt Company we discovered a pinwheel block method that is nothing short of genius. If you don't already know the secret watch the tutorial here.




Sweet is not usually our style. Ask anybody. But there is sweet and then there is sweet. Dandelion puffs, violets, and clover? Sorry. Irresistible.

Free Antiques

Just had a (25 years or so) belated little "aha" moment.

Taking photos of antiques is lots cheaper than buying them.












Takes up less space and no dusting either.