Serenity in the Garden

I am thrilled to say that I was invited to be one of the 30 book authors signing books this evening in Sharon, CT for the benefit of the Hotchkiss Library there.  Please join us !

the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons Tomorrow, Sunday Dec 10 at 2 pm I will be speaking about Serenity by Design to the avid gardeners  in the Hamptons on Long Island, NY. I am excited to speak to this wonderful group at their annual holiday gathering.  Please join us! It will be at the Bridgehampton Community House,    2368 Montauk Hwy, Bridgehampton, NY 11932 Serenity by Design - goes  with my book, Heaven is a Garden

Its Halloween!...and you plan to carve the Jack O'Lantern TONIGHT...triangle eyes, triangle nose.....yawn..... What you need is some inspiration! You can find it at the Van Cortlandt Manor located in  my little village of Croton-on-Hudson because we have what must be the world's largest display of carved Jack O'Lanterns...it is called the  Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze . Why do we have such a thing?  Well, Croton is in 'Sleepy Hollow Country' and Sleepy Hollow is the home of the Headless Horseman. It is right down the road from us.  (And he rides through the countryside every Halloween)....thus, we are a natural for Jack O'Lanterns..... That is my opinion as to the reason why we hold it although the website  Things You Should Do  says this: "Blaze’s creative director, Michael Natiello, said the true inspiration for Blaze is the landscape of Van Cortlandt Manor itself.  The event is really a land art instal...

ALERT!   Only 7 more days until the  fabulous Dale Chihuly exhibit at NY Botanical Garden closes : Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.  CHIHULY Nights: Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through October 2017, plus Wednesday, October 25,  and  Sunday, October 29; 6:30–10:30 p.m.  RESERVE NOW:   https://www.nybg.org/visit/admission/ in the day, as you walk around, you might find this.... This is your last chance to see the immensely popular show - by day or night. I suggest you start in early evening and watch as the darkness brings out the glass sculptures in a way nothing else can. It features 20 installations! In the spotlights, the plants seem to dance along with the art.... That is what I did with my family visiting from Florida. We entered, visited the phenomenal bookstore ( another must for garden lovers) and then walked  the grounds  in the late afternoon light. The sweeping vistas and art co...

Serenity by Design   Simplicity, Sanctuary & Delight In this engaging  powerpoint, I offer intriguing design ideas for enhancing any garden.   Learn why East is considered the ‘auspicious’ direction, how to use a ‘Golden Rectangle’ to create harmony outdoors, and which colors uplift our spirits in a garden. A very popular talk enjoyed by all - accompanies the book, ‘Heaven is a Garden” (St Lynn’s Press, 2014)    Plant Handout comes with the talk. The Spirit of Stone – Ways to Use Natural Stone in the Landscape  An illuminating and beautiful look at creative ways to incorporate natural stone in a landscape. The ‘spirit of stone’ offers tips for using sustainable stone in garden design, how to design a stepping stone path and ends with secrets of ‘reading’ a Japanese rock garden. An inspiring and popular talk - accompanies the new book, ‘The Spirit of Stone” ...

On June 20, 2016 there will be a very rare Honey Moon at the  same time of the summer solstice - the longest day of the year.   June's full moon is  known as a "Honey Moon" because it can have a slightly golden tint,  according to EarthSky.org .   That's because it appears low in the sky, meaning we are viewing it through the lens of more of the Earth's atmosphere. This is the lowest moon of the year, the moon's path across the sky this month actually mimics the sun's low arc across the sky in December, according to EarthSky. The June Full Moon rising appears to loom impossibly large  near the horizon.  That effect has long been recognized as  the Moon Illusion .  The cause of the  giant Moon illusion is poorly understood and not explained  by atmospheric  optical effects, such as scattering and refraction...they cannot fully explain this !   Btw, is this why they call the sojourn after a wedding a H...

I will be speaking on Wednesday Oct 28 at 4 pm to the Department of Landscape Architecture...about creating serenity, what else? thrilled!

Join us this coming Friday! Montclair Garden Club Watchung Booksellers 54 Fairfield Street, Watchung Plaza, Montclair, NJ 07042 Friday, May 8, 2105     6pm- 7pm 

In less than a month - on March 28 -  Earth Hour will take place around the world.  Earth Hour started in 2007 as a lights-off event to raise awareness about the imperiled earth. It has grown to engage more than 162 countries and territories worldwide.  Earth Hour is on Saturday, 28 March 2015 at 8:30 pm local time. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the parent organization of Earth Hour. At the core of any Earth Hour celebration is switching off or turning down the lights.  Organize an event around the act of switching off or dimming down the lights. "Cocktails by Candlelight" or entirely turning off any exterior signage.  Some towns have used Earth Hour as the kickoff for an entire week or month of Earth-inspired activities that include the celebration of Earth Day. Its a small step but it is the right step toward  environmental  global consciousness...watch this short official Earth Hour video:

I have ways been fascinated by the relationship between outdoor space and its effect upon our peace of mind.  This was the impetus for my book,  ‘ Heaven is a Garden   -  Designing Serene Outdoor Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection ’ (2014, St. Lynn’s Press). I will be presenting a great PowerPoint based on the book, tomorrow -  Feb. 13, 2015 You can register for the webinar by going here  (click on the word 'here'). The good thing is you don't have to be at your computer for this -  if you cannot attend the live event they will send you a link and then you can download it and watch it anytime you want! FREE. If you want to see their line up go here: http://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening-workshops Heaven is a Garden -  Designing Serene Outdoor Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection   taps ancient traditions and modern ideas to show you a new way to  create a  place of peace and contentment outdoors...