One of my favorite Bay Area landscape designers is Keeyla Meadows. I first met Keeyla when I was scouting gardens for a major garden tour that served as a fundraiser for our children’s grade school. That was twenty-some years ago and over that time I’ve watched her garden evolve from a colorful but simple field [...]
Long before I started writing for shelter magazines I read them. And the one I read the most was Metropolitan Home. When it folded in 2009 it really left a void in my design inspiration library. Though I loved Dominique Browning’s editor’s note in House & Garden (another print publication casualty of the time), the [...]
For years now I’ve thought about buying a cross necklace. But though I’m a Christian, wearing crosses is not part of my faith tradition. In fact, growing up—back when Mormons were feuding with Catholics—I was told that Mormons did not wear crosses. That we emphasized Christ’s resurrection not his crucifixion and that wearing one would [...]
What a wonderful spring we’re having here in Northern California. I’ve been working on my garden removing the things that didn’t survive the deer or early frosts and then shopping for and planting more of what seems to thrive. The temperature is just warm enough to feel rejuvenating as I work outside and the light [...]
True confession? I didn’t know the Super Bowl was happening here in the Bay Area until last Saturday when my gay Mormon activist friend Mitch mentioned how early festivities had impacted the traffic coming from the city to a conference in Berkeley that we were both attending. Now how in the world did I miss [...]
Last week I noticed a sign in the nursery near a market I frequent advertising bulbs half off. I intended to pick up a few to force in the house and ended up with dozens of daffodils and a few tulips to plant around the garden. During a pause between rainstorms I tucked the [...]
Are you enjoying this first week of the year as much as I am? It’s cold and rainy here in the Bay Area. Perfect weather for packing up the holidays and unpacking plans for the year to come. I’ve spent the last few days moving things from one floor to another trying to restore order [...]
This Thanksgiving, like every Thanksgiving, will be a little different. Over the past year our regular gathering place–my friend Pauline’s house–suffered a catastrophic fire. So we’ll gather in a new place. A rental nearby. Surely one of the weekend activities will be touring what’s left of the old place. The photos were sobering. I expect [...]
Now that we’ve returned to whatever we call Not Daylight Savings Time and the days are growing short, I’m reflecting on what we’ve done around here over the past year. Counting my blessings, I’m grateful for the beautiful garden that greets me every time I come home. Some of you may be dreaming up some [...]
Tonight we’re having friends over for a (somewhat) formal dinner party. Something I’d like to do more often but after a week of planning, shopping, prepping and cooking I remember why this is a rare occasion. It’s a whole lot of work! I know, I know. It doesn’t need to be this way. I could [...]
