Dashing Thru the Snow

 Each person experiences the Christmas holiday season differently. Right now, in the middle of Illinois and elsewhere, it could be said we are all dashing thru the snow! It's cold and white. Small, young mittened hands clap together to stay warm as youngsters join in the excitement of coming to our store and tree corner to get the tree that will liven up anyone who dare humbug the spirit and meaning of this time of the year. In places all over our country older, unstable hands, rest in laps, perhaps prayerfully, perhaps lonely, perhaps with a warm cup and cooky. Memories are created and recalled across the generations.

For many, the focus is on what cannot be bought. Words spoken ring truer. Hugs last longer. Hands shaken or held are done so tightly. Even a chortle and a friendly slap-on-the-back greeting holds great affection. Faith arrives and settles in souls. Pockets are emptied; kettles and donation vests are filled for humans and critter friends alike. It's a time for going all out.

Do it. Go all out for all the right reasons. Create lasting memories. Certainly, indulge in material gifts when and if you are able. Be the invisible Santa for people or animals you'll never know. Share those opportunities as gifts to your family and friends. Do something to make the world a better place and a better cared for planet.

Yes, we encourage you to visit us at the store. We have lush greenery which will serve as dwelling and feeding locations for birds and small creatures long after being removed from your home. There are treats and homemade goodies ready for consumption and gifting. Packaging is not very fancy and it doesn't need to be, not really! You're likely to find a pleasing selection. But, even if you've finished shopping, stop in to say hello and help us spread Christmas cheer!

We remember why we are here on Earth. We understand the meaning of Christmas. We believe our country is blessed with good fortune, even in troubling times. We know each one of you is important and has a purpose. Spread your arms and welcome life and greet the new year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Gearing up for Holiday Bliss!



Ever notice how you are drawn back to a place time and again, just because it feels good to be there? Well, such is the feeling reached by the "blogger" who headed to Virden to check out the gifts, goodies, greenery, and good vibes at the Holiday Shoppe on Route 4, run by none other than (Little Drummer Boy, "Drum roll, please.") DESIGNER LANDSCAPES ! Arriving before most shoppers provided a perfect opportunity to do a photo essay. Naturally that leads to two things: posting the temptations for your viewing and leaving the camera case somewhere in the building. Don't worry, it doesn't show up in any of the photos so you aren't going to "find the camera case and win a yard makeover" - nope.

Just enjoy the pics then make your list and head on over to kick off the holidays!

D'LIsno

Greeting you inside, the DLI Wooden Snowman!

Kettle Corn

Kettle corn for good boys and girls is available immediately. The elves have already reported that it is a great snack at breaktime if you're the working type.



Bling!



Gifts for one and all



Tweet Retreats - for those who can't go south

Here you have it, a SMALL overview of what is available so you can do your shopping for oh-so-many people without going far, without fighting crowds, without worrying about returns. Where else would you start the giving season?

Stocking Stuffers

Once you've loaded up on items to excite all your friends and family members step outside to view all the decorative items from which to choose. As you select your wreath and tree think about how quickly a smile will show on each person's face as they approach and enter your home during this time of the year. Enhance that smile by greeting them personally and warmly, within your home's beautiful winter wonderland.

Pergola Display

Fresh Trees Await You!

A touch more of the magenta, please

This is Ellen's version of The Thinker by Rodin. True, she's not seated pensively but the intensity is there. No doubt she is reviewing her notes from a recent client meeting. As she does she will reflect upon the design elements which best suit the home, yard, people, and lifestyle so when she shows the final drawing/plan the people can say it's exactly what they told her and more!  Ellen is the creative owner, according to Patty. She gets the highlighters and camera for Christmas and birthdays whereas Patty gets a new flatbed or shovel. You get the idea.

Working as our "foot in the door" person, Ellen's participation in your project doesn't finish when you sign your agreement for the work to be done. She's involved in plant selection, tweaking, creating challenges, and making dreams come true!

Ellen ponders.

Terry colors our world!

We keep meaning to put T's photo in the newsletter

or a Constant Contact message and then those

items get loaded up with other articles, none nearly so exciting as hearing about Terry's days in the office. She is our Girl Friday, aka Office Manager. But that hardly describes all that she does for DLI.

Terry's days include chief dog parent, and she's a cat person but beyond that she does all the phone calls in/out, handles the mail in/out, works to assure that the drawings Ellen produces are colored appropriately so no one is looking at a purple spruce when it should be a blue spruce. She directs people traffic, keeps order, and makes certain the day closes down when its time and the next day is planned.

Without her we wouldn't be at your place on time. We wouldn't laugh or enjoy our work nearly as much either. She brightens the place up. When you come by, bring some salt water taffy - you'll see!

Goodbye July!

The routine of July gardening carries over to August. The good news is that the weeds should be less of a problem at this time. Maybe it's time to enjoy the garden a bit while also getting ready to take up the next set of chores. Head for the beach but remember to have someone check on your plants and yard.

What is August going to demand of you? Well, for starters it may be time to do some light pruning on the evergreen hedges if you have some. Nothing major after the first couple of days in August or you risk excessive young growth which won't last thru the winter. But a little shaping up is fine.

One of the most important routines now is to get out and deadhead the perennials and annuals. The plants really yearn to set seed before the end of the season and you can't let them do this if you want the garden to remain nice looking and to have a prolonged flowering season. As you enjoy strolling and admiring what you've accomplished tidy up!

You won't need to, and should not, fertilize as this "forcing" growth so late will be tough on plants later on in the year. Spend your time gurning over your compost piles, making sure they are watered in the hot dry weather to insure rapid decomposing.

If you're insisting on getting your hands in the dirt the end of August is a good time to move evergreens if you get a couple of days which are not too dry and hot. Irises, daylilies, and poppies are ready to be divided and transplanted now.

Of course, it's time to schedule your yard for fall treatment. Bet you know just the people to apply that for you.

Clare Leighton's FOUR HEDGES

At the bottom of the pile of old books appeared a couple of old gardening books, one British, one mid-40's American. Clare Leighton, British wood engraver (among other media), illustrated and wrote the first. To say it is a delight is mild. Titled FOUR HEDGES (printed in 1935), the recounting of the four seasons and associated 88 engravings reflect work or its results during each time period.

How about a look at her chronicle entry for June? Here in the middle of the country, the middle of our state, rain has blessed us rather steadily which makes it practically impossible to take up the tasks of mowing and weeding. The enjoyment of a good book pacifies, does it not? Here we go.

A little preparation - she gardens BIG. And, words and images are being used these w/o permission so beg forgiveness. (They appear all over the Internet - who's there to ask?)

The quote begins:

Darville brings us young cabbages and sprouts, savoys and broccolis. He plants them out between the lines of potatoes. He sells them to us by the quarter hundred. As I count them I see thirty of each variety and question him. He sems amazed at my ignorance.

"Why, didn't you know that we always sell plants in a long hundred? that's a hundred and twenty. So of course a quarter hundred is thirty."

I feel rebuked.

The large perennial bed is a blaze of colour; delphinium, lupin, anchusa, veronica, bloom with unusal intensity. The red and yellow gaillardias, a gift from Darville, flower madly, in Noel's eyes ruining the colour scheme of the entire bed. .. He wants to uproot the wretched gaillardias, but I tell him that it would be too unkind to Darville. So he picks off the flowers and gives them to Annie; but the more he does so, the stronger grows the plant and the more it blooms.

We have other undesirable creatures in this big bed. Unsown poppies are sprouting up everywhere. One is lenient towards flowering weeds in the first year or two of a new garden, glad of the colour of anything that blooms. One even declares that one is striking out against snobbishness in gardens and will find room for such beautiful things as scarlet poppies. And so, for a year or two, they do bloom. But, also, they seed. And we are paying for our soft-heartedness. From now on the wild scarlet poppy in our garden is doomed...We defended its beauty to people who condoled with us on the appearance of such a lusy weed in the middle of our best bed. We laughed...We have learned better."

Later she reports that the loveliest creature in the garden is the mullein caterpillar and includes a delicate carving. Leighton's curiosity leads her to take one inside, something she probably does to study not only for its habits but also for its beauty. It takes less than a week for the caterpillar to more than double in size and then engulf itself in a provided mullein leave which becomes the cocoon framework.

There. Are you tempted to enjoy what nature provides or to find some of the flowers mentioned herein? If it's raining where you are and you cannot go play outside in the dirt, escape with a great book by someone who did do just that and then took the time to re-tell the experiences. Just in these few paragraphs clarity reveals we face the same concerns and share the same joys, whether this side of the ocean or the other, whether this century or the last. If we can have such simple things in common is there any doubt we have many more likenesses?

Energy, You, and Landscaping

It is possible to improve the looks of your landscaping, get exercise and save on energy costs - all with a single decision to just do it. Start now with plans, selections, and then act while the weather is good. For years to come you will reap the benefits!

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a household's energy consumption for heating and cooling.  The US Dept of Energy created computer models which suggest that 3 trees, placed properly will save $100 to $250 in annual energy costs. That pays for the trees and you're adding beauty and value to your homescape and surrounding area.

According to one newsletter, evergreen trees, with low growing branches, shield against cold winter winds. Plant them on the north or northwest. Deciduous (leaf-shedders) trees belong on the south and/or west as they offer shade in the summer and let the winter sunlight in to warm a home.

Don't take our word for it alone. Your best proof will be found at a park or wooded area on a hot day. The temperature under the trees can be as much as 25 degrees F/ 14 degrees C LOWER than being on blacktop. The shading and evapotranspiration (kids: that is the process by which a plant actively moves and releases water vapor) keeps park areas as much as 9 degrees F cooler. Neighborhoods with tree-shading may reach as much as 6 degrees F relief, while pre-treed (yes, we made that up) areas are scorchers.

So much for the heat of the day. Check out the winter impact.

There's this thing we all hear about called wind chill. For an outside temp of 10 F, with a wind speed of 20 mph, we will be subjected to a wind chill of -24 degrees F. Note the MINUS sign! Burrrrr. Hello! We have wind chill here in Central Illinois. Oh, it's not like South Dakota where as much as 40% of the heating bill can be reduced by windbreaks on three sides. But we are in a windy climate. A well-planned landscape can make a noticeable difference inside, outside, and what's in your wallet!

The federal government considers Illinois to have a Temperate climate. Here's more of their input.

The United States can be divided into four approximate climatic regions: temperate,
hot-arid, hot-humid, and cool. The energy-conserving landscape strategies you use should depend on which region you live in. 
Temperate

• Maximize warming effects of the sun in the winter.
• Maximize shade during the summer,
• Deflect winter winds away from buildings.
• Funnel summer breezes toward the home.

Sounds pretty easy, doesn't it? Well, that might be their job. If you want to read more, click the article title above. Or better yet, this one - our catalog! http://www.designer-landscapes.com/catalog.php Ready to start? We're ready for you to call. Our job is to really make it easy for you - we'll meet with you, talk with you, walk with you, work FOR you and get your property as efficient as you desire. You will have a "microclimate" that continues to improve over time.

MORE TO THE STORY

If you're on the list to receive the email Constant Contact news then you know we included a blurb about weeds, even mentioning that some are edible. In fact, dandelions got significant recognition. It seems fitting to post a recipe to acknowledge, or substantiate, what we wrote. You should be adventurous and try new things. Grown locally, your dandelions (or spinach, if you must) will gain your appreciation.

GINGERED DANDELION GREENS

You may substitute wild spinach for the dandelion greens; if you do, there is no need to trim and blanch the spinach. You may begin with step 3. However, we encourage you to at least try the dandelion greens.

1 bunch, about a pound, dandelion greens

1 big T olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

3 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced

1 little t. chopped fresh ginger

1 big T tamari or dark soy sauce

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

1. Wash dandelion greens and cut off tough stems.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Immerse greens for one minute; remove to a colander and run under cold water. Set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and saute over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 4 minutes.
4. Add garlic and mushrooms; cook 4 minutes more.
5. Stir in reserved greens, ginger, and tamari. Cook 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
6. Add lemon juice; serve.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

NOTE: Look for baby greens. They tend to be more tender, less bitter.

 

Other weeds of worth: Wild Spinach is also known as Lamb's Quarters. (R top) Chickweed's tiny delicately flavored leaves can be used as sprout substitutes. (R lower)

Purslane (L top), it has a purple flower, has a crunchy texture and hint of lemon flavor. It makes a delicous garnish for salads. Wild mustard is very pungent (L lower)

You can soften intense flavors by cooking carrots or beets with the greens. Try adding soy sauce or even ham.

Wild greens are a superfood.

Huh?

They are nutritious! Purslane is rich in omega-3 fatty acides. Dandelion greens are loaded with iron and vitamin E, just to mention a couple.

Where do you go to get the edible wild greens? The back yard? Well, could be. Make certain you recognize what you have identified. If you aren't clear on what it is, buy fresh greens at your local Farmers' Market.