Color for Winter

If you live in a cold, snowy climate like I do and long for a splash of color in your landscape, try interesting conifers.Most gardeners are familiar with blue spruce, which shows off lovely silvery-blue needles all year long. Its cool hue is a wonderful subtle accent to the landscape.

Look around and you can find varieties that show off other shades, as well. For example, the golden mugo pine shown here offers rich green needles in spring, summer, and fall; in winter they turn a bright shade of gold. There’s another full-size pine, ‘Taylor’s Gold’, that does the same thing. You can find gold versions of many others, as well — from junipers to false cedars.

It’s easy to add an evergreen or two to your yard for year round beauty.

Pet-Friendly Presents

OK, I'll admit it. Howie, my Golden Retriever, is spoiled. Still, I'm always on the lookout for cool products to make his life even sweeter. Kakadu Pets helped me out by letting me (him, really) try out one of their dog beds and leashes. If you like what you see on their site, visit petshed.com to order, or check out the nearest boutique pet store. After all, Christmas is only 8 days away!

Howie uses the Urban Pillow Bed for eating his night-night treats. He likes the bed because it's firmly stuffed. He can drape his front legs over the edge and use his big paws to hold the treat in place while he eats. I like it because it's easy to clean. The bed comes in multiple colors; prices range from about $27 to $65 based on size (S, M, L, XL). 

The Galaxy Plain Padded Lead  makes it easier to take my 95-pound spoiled-rotten dog on a walk. Unfortunately, Howie likes to pull -- especially when he sees squirrels, rabbits, and half-eaten hamburgers on the sidewalk. So I appreciate padding that keeps his nylon leash from rubbing my hand raw. And that means he gets longer walks. Prices range from $6.95 to $10.95.

You might also want to get your favorite dog a toy for Christmas.Check out these tips from the Humane Society on buying toys for dogs. And don't forget ... the best gift you can gift your dog is your time and attention.

Garden Inspiration

As a garden editor, I get to see pictures of amazing gardens every day at work. Interestingly, one of my favorites has never been published in one of our magazines. Instead, it comes from reader Sue Sikorski in Thunder Bay, Canada.


What’s especially impressive about it is that Sue has a real-world garden… She  designed it herself, and did most of the heavy lifting — from tearing down a dilapidated garage where her future outdoor fireplace would go to planting a wonderfully diverse selection of annuals and perennials in her Zone 3 country-style garden.

Sue has also shared some great lessons about how she’s saved money while creating her garden. For example, a variety of salvaged objects, which she procured from garage sales and even her city’s landfill, act as garden ornaments.

Want to see more? Check out this slideshow – the world premier of her garden and features some “before” photos so you can see what she started with.

You can also chat with Sue on our garden discussion boards (she’s an active member).

Holidays at the Blair House

As you’re untangling lights and hanging stockings with care, have you ever wondered how those gorgeous homes on Pennsylvania Avenue get decked out for the Holidays? Well this year, the elves at Better Homes and Gardens traveled to Washington D.C. to help decorate the Blair House (The President’s guesthouse where dignitaries stay when in the city.) as part of the State Department’s Magazine Holiday Design Showcase.Together with interior designer Elaine Griffin and garden designer John Carloftis, we made the Blair House’s two parlors and courtyard holiday-ready.

Whether you’re just starting your holiday decorating or looking for tips to improve your decorating next year, here are a few expert tips taken straight from the Blair House:

1.   No More Red and Green. Instead, let your room inspire your holiday color scheme. We chose a coral, pomegranate, and yellow-green color scheme to compliment the coral-colored upholstery in the front parlor.

2.   Mix and Match. Modern elements really pop in the historic parlors. Interior designer Elaine Griffin recommends using modern elements – such as graphic throw pillows—in classic rooms and classic elements in modern homes for visual interest.

3. Bring the Outdoors In. Mini conifers were sprinkled throughout the back parlor to tie in the lush Christmas tree and elements of the courtyard. Better Homes and Gardens’ interior designer Joe Boehm designed a 3-step mini-conifer centerpiece that will look good in any room.

4.   Don’t Forget the Garden. Connect your indoor holiday decorating to your exteriors by repeating elements. Garden designer John Carloftis used stainless-steel orbs that mimic the mercury glass ball ornaments used inside.

 

Angling for a Cool Gift?

OK, that was a really bad pun about Christmas gifts. But these hand-painted Christmas ornaments shaped like fishing lures make the perfect gift for an angler (like my Dad) or anyone who has to share a house with an angler (like my sister-in-law Christina).

How does a non-fisherwoman such as me know about these beauties? The Heddon Company sent me a box of Collectible Punkinseed Decorative Ornaments (only 5,000 sets will be made) so I could see the similarities for myself. The faux lures look especially good when they're dangling from the branches of a Christmas tree. Each holiday package comes with 12 replica lures, model number X9630 ($19.99). And for a limited time, they come with a free Heddon Rattlin' Spook valued at more than $7.

A Three-Day Guide to Tulsa

Nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks, this Oklahoma city has a special energy during its International Mayfest celebration

Dress Up a Summer Table

Use Tobi Fairley's tips to create a Southern summer table setting, and get the products here!

Sit a Spell with Jimmy Buffett

The coastal crooner chats with us about gumbo, Southern beaches, and his new Margaritaville casino and restaurant in Biloxi, Mississippi.

9 Fresh Fruit Salad Recipes

Cool down with a rainbow of ideas for refreshing summertime fruit salads.

90 Living Room Ideas

Mix and match patterns, embrace bold colors, layer rugs, and so much more! Try these tips to create a pretty space to enjoy conversations with friends and family.