There were a total of 33 entries for our first ever comment contest….small for now….but I have more coming and I hope you are all prepared to keep commenting for goodies.

Today’s winners (using random.org to pick #’s) are Jim/ArtofGardening.org  at  artofgardeningbuffalo.blogspot.com   and Amanda at kissmyaster.blogspot.com .  If you guys email me directly (rochelle@greayer.com) with your address, I will send these right out.

I am working on a couple more surprise giveaways for later this week and next so check back soon.

Winter garden displays just got a whole lot more interesting.  Nettelton Hollow is so inspiring.  Look what they did for some light fixtures.

My head is spinning with ideas for their beautiful twigs and sticks, grasses, flowers and pods.  I find all sorts of satisfaction from just looking at their website.

I teach my  own children to garden.  The thought that so many kids don’t know this joy makes me a little sad not just for them as individuals who are missing out on the the true joy and wonder of growing something, but for our whole society who doesn’t quite understand what they are eating and consuming.   I figure if you are interested in this site, you might share my sentiment.  So here are some great sites to inspire you to help a local school create a Schoolyard garden.   Take inspiration from Alice Waters and The Edible Schoolyard she helped create. It is awe inspiring.   Make sure you see the “values in place” slide show.   Kids Gardening is a terrific site full of information about making schoolyard gardens really work.  They have links to grant applications.  There is also a great movement to help local farmers feed our kids.  Farm to school helps match farmers with schools across the country.

Image from Port City Studios Blog…(a great site).

I am doing a Happy Thanksgiving Giveaway! This is Studio g’s inaugural contest, with many more to follow. For the first, I am giving away 2 copies of “The Garden Makers Manual” – a great book for seasoned designers and new gardeners alike. (and it is near and dear to my heart because I had a little hand in editing it). All you have to do is comment on any ‘Studio g’ posting (yes, any post you feel compelled to comment on—so check out the archives—each comment increases your chances) between now and Monday Nov. 24th. I will announce the winners on Tuesday Nov. 25th. I have goodies for a couple more giveaways coming up from great companies like Le Prince Jardiniere and others so come back and check often.

If you don’t win, The Garden Maker’s Manual can be purchased at amazon.com.

I have been thinking about how to make my house more welcoming this time of year for my holiday guests. Plants are obviously not going to be a big factor (though pots filled with greenery is always so much nicer than bare dirt). I came up with a couple novel ideas.

The little birdie mat chirps when you wipe your feet.

I think a little surprise by the front door would be nice….I love these grey, concrete cast garden gnomes. Nothing cheesy about them. So long as there is no snow, they would be very eye catching in a winter landscape. The blue version of the classic egg birdhouse is very festive to me and captures the essence of of a cold but sparkly cool winter garden.

How would I do these?…I wouldn’t do just one, I would at least 5 of each (birdhouses and gnomes) you can even play a game of find the gnomes with kids after a nice meal.

It’s the season to prepare for winter and here in New England, wood stacking can be an art.
I am so inspired by Alastair Heseltine’s Fallen tree:

Here is a great wood stacking tool available through Poaa.com

I love that it can be loaded up, brought inside, and it will still look great.