Polka Dot Ranunculus

I found these stunning images today by Kari Herer and just had to share them.  I love the blue and bright orange together, but especially like the polka dot back ground.  They have such a vintage feel that makes them so fun.

The Vegetable Stand

My daughter and her friend have been dreaming about selling vegetables all winter.  Now the summer is here and when they sell together it's a blast, but when my daughter is stuck selling vegetables alone (or, worse, with her little brother) it's just ho hum.  Here she is trying (well, not really) to put on a good face.  At least her little brother is having fun.

Snapping Green Beans

I want to tell you I love everything about the garden, but alas, it's not true.  I dread green bean snapping time (as do my kids).  I like green beans, but I wish my husband wouldn't plant so many.  Two or three plants would suffice, not twenty.  Ugh.

Image courtesy of Honeytree Photography

The snapping is actually my favorite part.  What I dread is picking the beans in blazing heat, then having to blanch them.  If I put it off long enough my husband will pick them, my kids snap and I only have to blanch.

Dinner in the Garden

I saw this photo today and just starting daydreaming about a lovely dinner in the garden...minus the heat and mosquitoes.

Image via Tumblr

Chaos vs. Control

Why is the garden such a dynamic place?  Because there is a constant tugging between chaos and control.  The garden pulls towards the chaotic, while we strive to gain control.  This challenge somehow drives us to dive in deeper and deeper.

Photo courtesy of Jonas Peterson Photography

Darn it, we want to badly overpower it...pulling unwanted plants, shearing shrubs into balls, sweeping lawnmowers over grass.  The garden just keeps pushing back.  Maybe we all just love a good fight.

Photo courtesy of made by katrina

Checkerboard Gardens

A great way to design a garden is picking a shape or style for inspiration.  I found these fun gardens inspired by the checkerboard.

Image via The New York Times

Image via This is Glamorous

Image source unknown

Image via Studio g

Image via Studio g

Woodsy Wares

I came across this lovely artist today and just had to share her woodsy wares. Woodland Belle creates dainty succulent and itsy bitsy terrarium jewelry.  My favorite...her "twig" bobby pins.  Earthy and elegant all at the same time.  {A secret: these plants are not real, but you can keep that to yourself}