Back in New York, I continued to plant the porch — this container is my favorite to date. I also rescued the white geraniums that were just not getting enough water and transplanted the basil, lemon verbena and sage into organic soil (which I finally was able to purchase in VT) so that we’ll be able to make pesto in the late summer. This container is planted with: Hawaii Sky Blue Ageratum, Pineapple Mint (with lovely white veragated leaves), thrift armeria, white pansies, Johnny Jump Ups, bachelor’s buttons.

I purchased the plants at Chelsea Gardens (expensive but easy to get to), DIMITRIS Garden Center (still expensive, less easy to get to), Walker’s Farm in Putney VT (cheaper, great selection, well established plants) and Home Depot in Brattleboro, VT (cheaper, selection of “staples”, less well established than Walker’s).

What are your favorite container garden plants? Favorite container? Send me pics! Abbey

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I love this photo!! I’m particularly proud to have taken both of these. My husband and I were in Vermont this weekend for a friend’s bridal shower (and marathon Gocco wedding invitation session). My father has been working on this moss garden for years. He first planted a privet hedge to the right to provide enough shade for the moss garden. Then, he and my mom have collected moss on their walks and put it between the bench and the privet — the garden is a green, mossy delight. I find garden design inspiring, at least good garden design — that is, making a garden look natural or even wild.

This vermont girl is still in awe of the splendor of early spring and maple trees.

Our weekend trip to Vermont yielded the armchair (my father dislikes it, so, I inherited it!) and check out the mod magazine rack from the Tampa flea market. I’m in love.

This weekend found us in Tampa FL celebrating T.’s grandmother’s 90th birthday. My first trip since school started when I wasn’t doing reading or school work every free moment which made coming across the Oldsmar Flea Market all the more delicious (photos courtesy of Tour of America). We spent this morning scouting it out and it didn’t disappoint. We scored a funky magazine rack (JUST like one in grandma’s house) and some small picture frames that I have grand plans for. There was a great fresh produce market that looked and smelled wonderful. Not pictured but worthy of note were the salt and pepper shakers “makin’ bacon” which featured mating pigs. Needless to say a good time was had by all.

The Tampa area is full of flea markets and I can’t wait to go back:

http://www.bigtopfleamarket.com/

Wagonwheel Flea Market
7801 Park Blvd.
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
727-544-5319
49′ER Flea Market
10525 49th St. N.
Clearwater, FL 33762
727-573-3367

If you’re looking for good food in the Tampa/ St. Petersburg area you won’t be disappointed by Chattaway — an authentic burger joint with a beautiful garden (10 or so container gardens in old bathtubs!!) that was a nice respite from the big box strip malls that seem to be slowly removing any sort of authenticity from FL.
Chattaway
358 22nd Ave. S
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 823-1594

I’ve MIA as I’m studying studying studying for finals and working on various projects (like my garden)! Posts to come on Thursday.

In the meantime, a taste of what I’m cramming into my brain, Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye, built in the 1920s. He considered it his “machine for living.” I find the whole concept of the house as machine or the chair as machine creepy — I like to believe in soul — the importance of comfort and the reality that a house can be “alive” vs. “machine”. I think Corbu and I would have gotten into it had we ever shared a meal together. Still, there is something special about this house, even in its machine-ness.