I completely missed snowpocalypse two weeks ago.  I was in Florida instead, visiting family and enjoying warm temperatures and sunny skies. One of my favorite places to visit when I’m there is Robinson Preserve, an almost 500 acre nature preserve in Manatee County (near whe

It’s Valentine’s Day, and no better time to tell someone you love them. The history of Valentine’s day has roots in ancient Rome with the legend of Saint Valentine, a priest who performed secret marriages for young couples against the decree of Emperor Claudius II. &

On average, heating and cooling together account for over half of a typical home’s energy use.  The E Source Advisor website offers some great information on both residential and commercial energy consumption.   One of the most common recommendations made, in terms of

I just finished reading Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeper, by C. Marina Marchese.  It is a beautifully written and illustrated book about the author’s journey from a corporate career in NYC to building a company (Red Bee) and lifestyle around beekeepin

I love getting outside in winter.  As long as you bundle up, it’s a beautiful time of year to explore the outdoors.  This past weekend I went to the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain for a long walk.  The Arboretum is a fantastic natural resources, right in Boston

Though winter is a quiet time in the garden, it can still be interesting.  It’s a time when we’re not distracted by the ephemeral beauty of spring, the riotous color of summer, or the fiery fall foliage.  You may have to look a bit closer in winter to find plants

It’s cold out there!  And, sunlight is at a premium during these short winter days.  It’s a perfect time of year to tuck in by a warm fire;  but as heating bills climb, it’s also a good time to consider how your landscape can help you stay warm. Yep, t

It seems like, this time of year, everyone is doing some best of, or worst or, or year in review type of list.  So, I thought I would follow suit and think about my top 5 inspirations/ accomplishments for 2012. 1. From a design perspective, I was fortunate to work with some great

I recently discovered that Somerville (the town next to where I live) is home to Taza, an amazing chocolate factory.  I went there last weekend for a tour of their facility and to sample some of their wonderful, stone ground, organic chocolate. I’ve had a number of people a

When the weather gets cold, it can take a bit more motivation to go outside and explore nature.  Fortunately, Wellesley College offers a warm and interesting excursion for plant lovers!  I trekked out to the campus last week and had a great time wandering through their expan