Blistered Padrons

It’s padron pepper season again and there’s nothing better than blistered padrons early in the growing season. This simple appetizer can be made in 15 minutes – my kind of appetizer! Simply put a generous tablespoon of ghee in a skillet and melt. (For more information about the  health benefits of ghee, see my separate post). Once […]

Bernard Trainor

Recently, the Garden Conservancy partnered with executive director Joan Luchese of The Gardens at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek for a fabulous 1.5 hour program by local landscape designer Bernard Trainor. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect with the backdrop of the beautiful gardens of this local jewel. The program was very well-received by […]

Bunny Williams Luncheon

Please join the West Coast Council of the Garden Conservancy for an exclusive luncheon at the Fall Show (formerly the San Francisco Fall Arts & Antiques Show) at Ft. Mason in San Francisco, benefiting the Garden Conservancy and honoring Bunny Williams – while tickets last! The event is being organized by west coast Society of […]

From Garden to Glass

I just discovered a delicious and beautifully illustrated new book called From Garden to Glass by David Hurst. I am growing more and more herbs and was researching how I could use them in beverages. And since I don’t drink alcohol, I’m always searching for something special during the cocktail hour when everyone else is […]

Saiho-ji Moss Garden

I continue my documentation of gardens we visited during our recent trip to Japan… Saiho-ji Moss Temple and Garden (also called Koke-Dera or Moss Temple) was one of two Kyoto properties we visited that required advanced reservations. It was our first garden visit and ended up being a real highlight of our trip. Located in […]

Hori-hori garden knife

My friend Stephen gave me a wonderful gift last week – a hori-hori knife to use with my vegetable beds. I’ve never heard of one of these before and it’s awesome! The knife comes in a beautiful eco friendly compostable kraft paper box – an attractive brown box with the 7″ knife housed in a […]

The Hudson Valley

A couple of weeks ago, I participated in the Garden Conservancy Hudson Valley tour. It was my first time to the region and I was so excited to see the area, having heard of its beauty for years. These trips are always a fun way to reconnect with the great GC Fellows from around the […]

My Spring Veg Garden

I’m so excited about my vegetable garden this year. I am now partnering with someone who specializes in vegetable gardens to create the best garden I’ve ever had. Bed #1 – Lettuces I realized that I’m not able to tend to my garden every single day, which I think is required to have a great […]

Tenryu-ji Temple & Garden

I continue with my documentation of Japanese gardens we saw during our April trip to Japan, as I want to remember each and every one. Tenryu-ji Temple and Garden, which means Temple of the Celestial Dragon, was on my list of must-see gardens in Kyoto. It is located at the foot of the Arashiyama Mountains […]

The Healing Power of Gardens

My friend Bea just sent me the most fabulous article by Maria Popova. Below is her article exactly as it appeared in brainpickings, her ad-free but donation possible blog. Check it out. Thanks Maria for sharing the following with all of us. Be sure to see all of her recommended reading throughout this article. “I […]

Corydalis

I have a new favorite flower in my garden – corydalis ‘Porcelain Blue’! Roger added this blue flowering beauty to our garden in February and in May it’s still blooming, although some of the original flowers appear to be fading. The information online says that the flowers should continue to bloom all summer long until […]

The Golden Pavilion Garden

One of the must-see sites we visited in Kyoto was the Golden Pavilion in its beautiful setting and garden. It is designated as a National Special Historic Site, a National Special Landscape and is one of the 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, which are World Heritage Sites. It is the […]

Quarryhill Botanical Garden

A couple of weeks ago, my great friend Mary organized a small group of us for a fabulous tour of Quarryhill Botanical Garden located northeast of Glen Ellen in Sonoma County, which was led by President and Executive Director Bill McNamara. Mary’s husband was this garden’s legal counsel for many years, formed the initial board […]

Katsura Imperial Villa and Garden

One of the highlights of our time in Kyoto was our visit to Katsura Imperial Villa and its very special garden. It was my favorite of all of the gardens we visited because it had everything – a beautiful pond, exquisite bridges, unparalleled architecture of the buildings, it was perfectly maintained, and we visited this […]

Elements of a Japanese Garden

Alex and I had the privilege of visiting Japan this spring to take in gardens and important historical sites in several of this beautiful country’s cities and towns. We visited Kyoto, Nara, Kanazawa, Tokyo, Kamakura and Mito and were seduced by the spectacular gardens we saw – unlike any we have seen anywhere else in […]