Home and Garden Tips

Sunday, January 3, 2010

“Wreaths with a twist - Los Angeles Times”

Wreaths with a twist - Los Angeles Times

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 07:33 PM PST

For my money, at $9.99, the best wreath deal in town is Trader Joe's basic circle of fresh-cut greenery. I like to embellish the Noble fir boughs with my own ribbons and baubles to make it look pricey and custom-made.

This year, though, several creative alternatives have captured my imagination.

Hanging the Peace on Earth wreath, above, from Gardener's Supply Co. seems like a larger holiday gesture. I love that this enduring symbol can double as a holiday wreath. It is made on a rural Vermont farm using fresh-cut balsam fir hand-tied on a metal frame, $34.95 (18-inch) or $44.95 (24-inch) plus shipping.

Southern California's not-so-wintry climate is ideal for an elegant tillandsia wreath, top right. Made-to-order by Cactus Jungle Nursery and Garden in Berkeley, the 14-inch design contains hundreds of tiny air plants (also called Tillandsia). It costs $156 plus shipping.

You can keep this living wreath outdoors year-round in Southern California. Mist the plants weekly (more often in summer) and display out of direct sunlight.

Wreaths Unlimited, from Patterson Creek Co. near Mt. Shasta, sells lots of gorgeous wreaths made from fresh-cut evergreen and dried floral ingredients. But I especially adore this green snowflake, lower right, made of fresh shore pine accented with Douglas fir cones. It measures 18 inches and costs $41.95 plus shipping.

Let there be wreaths on Earth!

-- Debra Prinzing

Photo credits: Garden Supply co., Cactus Jungle, Patterson Creek

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Friday, January 1, 2010

“Lunch is in the bag for Vt. Guard - WCAX”

Lunch is in the bag for Vt. Guard - WCAX

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 08:58 AM PST

Williston, Vermont - December 31, 2009

Hundreds of Vermont Guard members who've been home for the holidays will head back to Indiana Friday and they won't go hungry on the ride.

Employees and volunteers from the café at Gardener's Supply spent Thursday morning making 1,000 sandwiches for the Vermont Guard members to take with them. The Guard's nonprofit family support system paid for the ingredients that the soldiers will enjoy on their long trip back to Camp Atterbury, not far from Indianapolis, Ind.

"Well, we got the production line going, we've got family and friends here bagging up apples and cookies and chips and sandwiches and mayonnaise and mustard... They have, I guess, a seventeen-hour bus ride back and they need some food," said Brian Stone, of the Garden of Eatin' Café.

About 380 soldiers will board busses in Essex Junction and in Bennington Friday for the trip back to Camp Atterbury. They have several more weeks of training there before leaving for Afghanistan.

Andy Potter - WCAX News

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