Image and text by Gabrielle.

Hello, Friends. How’s it going? As you can tell by the photo above, the plants at La Cressonnière have really come to life this week. This is our 3rd time seeing the wisteria make its appearance and I can’t imagine ever tiring of watching Spring unfold with this stunning backdrop.

That said, it is actually quite chilly and wet today in Normandy. Our heaters our turned up, and I wore a full coat and scarf on my errands this morning. I had to keep reminding myself this is late May! Hah! I’m craving a long walk in the countryside this weekend, accompanied by my camera. (I hope the weather cooperates!) How about you? Any fun plans? Is this the first weekend of summer for you? Will you be warming up the grill?

While I pull on a sweater (and shake my head in wonder), here are a few things I thought you might like:

- Pet pillows for people.

- Is cranky contagious at your house? Thanks, Heather.

- Another sister + brother bedroom — Scandinavian style.

- Some people might say “This is the most important app ever made. Ever.”

- Ben Blair and Ralph are in London this weekend. We’ve been watching Ralph’s videos when we miss them (here’s the latest episode of Zombie Smash, and his most recent mini-movie — less than a minute long).

- I’ve been thinking about this essay on celebrities and inequality. Have you read it?

- How to create a focal wall.

- Let’s have a tea party!

- Morgan is getting rid of 5 items in her home every day for 90 days. That is some epic Spring Cleaning.

- Party mini buttons.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Memorial Day! We don’t have a 3-day weekend here in France, so I plan to share a post or two. I’ll meet you back here on Monday. I miss you already.

kisses,
Gabrielle

@designmom: What should be the prize for my first Instagram contest? KitchenAid Mixer (you pick the color!), Kindle Fire 32 GB, Dyson Vacuum DC 33, or iPad Mini 16 GB?

By Gabrielle.

Quick question: Next week I’m going to launch my first Instagram contest, but I can’t decide on a prize. What do you think would be best: A Kitchen Aid Mixer (you pick the color!), a Kindle Fire HD 32 GB, a Dyson Vacuum model DC 33, or an Ipad Mini 16 GB?

Just click your favorite above to vote. And watch for the contest on my Instagram stream next week!

By Koseli. Images by Treebettydesign.

I’m excited to share another educational animal app that I just love. It’s called Peek-A-Zoo. There’s also Peek-A-Zoo UnderWater app, which my son loves just as much. And the creators just announced a new version, Peek-A-Zoo Train, that will be available on June 14th.

First, I love the sense of humor and quirkiness behind the illustrations in this app. I also really like the app’s melody upon opening and the children’s voices that announce the name of each animal when you tap on them. I’ve been surprised at how quickly my one and half year old has picked up on the names and sounds of the new animals he’s encountered in the app. It’s really fun to watch! It’s easy for him to navigate all by himself, too. This would be especially fun to download before a big trip to the zoo or aquarium.

You can buy the app here. It’s available for iPhone and iPad only. Recommended for ages 6 months-3 years.

P.S. — More childrens app recommendations here.

I’ve got a wonderful giveaway for you today! Artist and pattern maker, Judy Kaufmann, is offering a set of 3 gorgeous prints. Fantastic!

The winner will receive the large  Map and Birds Poster  plus two 13 x 19″ prints of their choice! Isn’t that fantastic? The Map and Birds poster is really big — 23.5 × 33 inches. Definitely go check out the detail shots — it’s a beautiful poster! I would hang it in a family room, playroom or child’s bedroom. I think the colors could make a great starting point for putting together an entire space.

Plus, the winner gets to pick 2 additional prints! If I won I would be tempted by identical twins (my favorite), Frida Kahlo and Neighborhood II. Use them to redecorate, or use them as gifts. Judy’s prints bring such a freshness to any room, they are sure to be beloved.

I’m a big fan and have been writing about her work for ages. So I’m over the moon that I get to host this giveaway featuring her colorful designs.

Visit Judy Kaufmann’s shop and leave a comment below to enter — I’d love to hear what design catches your eye first. The winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!

By Gabrielle.

In February, I wrote about Le Parcel, a service that discreetly mails you a monthly package with everything you need for your period. Well, a related service launched about the same time. It’s called The Period Store. And instead of going for subtle, discreet and behind-the-scenes, they have a different approach. They are encouraging women to talk about their periods openly, and without embarrassment. One of the founders wrote to me saying, “We believe we are in a new age of feminism and that it is time for periods to be a more included part of our womanhood as much as our hair, skincare and cosmetic regimes currently are.”

To demonstrate their openness they make videos about women talking about their periods, they have a blog called The Periodical that covers a wide range of period topics — some funny, some more serious — and includes stories from real women, and they host events, like this Menstruation Celebration, throughout the year. Maybe my favorite thing: they brand their products with patterns made from silhouettes of tampons and maxi-pads. Hah!

I definitely grew up in the not-talking-about-it-camp. I remember blushing furiously if a tampon commercial came on the TV when I was watching a show with my brothers, or really, even my sisters! So I’m certainly someone who could learn to be more comfortable about my period. In fact, I was sort of amazed when I watched the video at how open the featured women were.

What’s your take on this idea? Are you already comfortable talking about your period freely? Or do you feel this is a subject you’d rather keep behind the scenes? Do you dread your period? If yes, would a site like The Period Store help you think about and experience your period differently? And can you imagine getting to a place where periods are talked about as openly as hair care or makeup?

P.S. — Yes, you can also subscribe to The Period Store’s monthly package. They offer brands like Kotex and Always as well as sea sponges, menstrual cups and international products from around the world — plus goodies like hand-crafted sweets, packets of tea, and a 5×7 art print.

By Raleigh-Elizabeth. Image via The Renshaw.

It’s a rare day that I get to taste the food I read about in restaurant reviews. From America’s most dazzling hot spots to small hole-in-the-walls where dinner for two costs my monthly diaper budget, I’m relegated to drooling over the words, not the plates.

And maybe that’s half the idea. Maybe restaurant critics write not just to sell us on the merit of a dish, chef, or fancy restaurant, but to let us have a taste of something they know we probably couldn’t enjoy without them.

That’s the truth Ruth Reichl discovered when she first started out as a restaurant critic for the New York Times. Newly returned to New York after a stint in California, she headed first to Le Cirque (among Manhattan’s fanciest fancy places) dressed not as herself, New York Times restaurant critic, but as the invented Molly Hollis, a Michiganer who wore pantyhose when it was hot out, got no special treatment, and was sat in the frozen tundra of the restaurant on a banquette she was forced to share with the menus and wine lists. When she started to peruse those wine lists (because her waiter had failed to give her one), it was unceremoniously demanded back because someone else – clearly, someone important – needed it. By contrast, when she appeared as herself, Ruth Reichl, Restaurant Critic, she was told — quite honestly — that the King of Spain would have to wait in the bar, but her table was ready.

I’ve been to Le Cirque. Once. My experience and Molly’s weren’t too terribly far apart, although Molly could afford far more of the menu than I could.

Ruth Reichl holds a special place in my heart. Not just for her Molly Hollis routine, or the many restaurants she gave voice to that were regularly overlooked by more highfalutin critics, but because she writes about food in her reviews like we talk about food to our friends. She writes about food that’s real, that sustains us, that makes us happy to be alive and be eating. She writes about real food that matters to real people. Also, in her memoir about “growing up at the table,” Tender at the Bone, she remembers the hands-down best recipe for homemade fried oysters you’ll ever try. The book’s also pretty great, too. You’ll love her forever for both.

Because I actually like our little life and was none-too-impressed with Le Cirque, I don’t hold out hope for getting to salivate over the plates of food described in the Times, Post, or the New Yorker‘s Tables for Two. I liked Ruth Reichl’s reality: she experienced one of those restaurants as the rest of us. All in all, it was nothing to write home about.

But out in here the real world, don’t we have plenty of restaurants we’d like to tell them about?

Like Daddy Mac’s, my favorite local restaurant. We live on the coast in North Carolina, directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from Topsail Island. Daddy Mac’s is a Topsail restaurant, right on the ocean, and it has a fantastic little patio overlooking the surf. It’s mostly a fish restaurant, and because I’m allergic I can’t tell you much about that, but they have a taco salad that’s what taco salads are meant to be, and their cajun fried oysters are fresh, local, and addictive. We only ever go at lunch, because we can’t really afford the price hike on the dinner menu, but it’s a perfect way to spend a Sunday after church. And chances are, if it’s between April and Halloween and you’re sitting outside, you’ll watch someone get married on the beach right in front of you. It’s like they know you’re going to want to stay so much longer than your meal – to watch the sea, smell the surf, maybe even wish your blessings upon the newlyweds – that they have a few Carolina wooden rocking chairs right there on the porch, facing the Atlantic, in case you can’t bring yourself to leave just yet.

Or Awash Ethiopian on Manhattan’s Morningside Heights (up by Columbia) where you’ll taste the origins of Southern soul food in the spicy chicken, tomatoes, and collard greens as you wrap your fingers around them with a piece of injira, the sourdough-like flatbread you use as your only utensil. I am enamored of Ethiopian cuisine on the whole, but Awash is my favorite. It tastes like comfort food, an exciting adventure, and an international journey all in one. Also, you can leave with your wallet still in tact. A good meal can come in under fifteen dollars.

And there are the old standbys. My favorite Ohio restaurant: Hunan Coventry, which is nothing short of a Cleveland institution and may be the only reason my brother Alex ever ate growing up. Or my go-to takeout place here in Baltimore: Asian Kitchen. It will never be featured in the Baltimore Sun, and it shares its stripmall home with a Quiznos and a Dunkin Donuts. Still, they make the best, most unadulterated pad thai I have ever had.

When you walk into these restaurants, the places where we really eat, you’ll never see the King of Spain. Or a restaurant critic. You’ll never be any less important than any other patron, and you can count on the waiter letting you keep your menu as long as you need it. You will see dads with kids after school, graduate students half-focusing on their meal while studying, young people on dates, and families just enjoying a special meal they didn’t have to make. These are real people with real jobs eating real food at real, really good restaurants. These are the unsung heroes of the restaurant world.

Food may be there for the wealthy and well-to-do who can frequent the Le Cirques of the world, sure, but it’s also there for the rest of us. It’s one of the few things in this world that can turn a regular day into the sublime.

And for most of us, that means an amazing grilled cheese from our local diner or a pagoda box picnic from our favorite chinese place. Nobody needs to tell Le Cirque, but it’s these every day foods and every day restaurants that make us feel as rich and fabulous as we know we actually are. No reservations required.

By Gabrielle.

Every time I hit publish on a Living With Kids home tour, I sigh with gratitude at the hard work and love that the contributors clearly put into them. And then I wish I could send them all two dozen French pastries to match their sweetness.

Well. Joanna Gaines got something even better than lemon tarts and pots de crème. After seeing the Gaines’ home here on Design Mom, a production company contacted Joanna. Fast forward a year and a lot of filming later, and HGTV is airing a pilot called Fixer Upper on May 23, at 7pm CST, starring Joanna and her husband, Chip! Isn’t that exciting?

I always end my tours with ”If you’d like to share your own home with us, just send me a note! It’s a lot of fun…I promise!” See? I’m telling the truth! You just never know how much fun! Hooray, Gaines family!

P.S. – It’s never easy to see yourself on television (Do I really sound like that?!), but I am glad our French house hunting adventure  and brand new French accents were recorded.

Images and text by Lindsey Johnson for Design Mom.

Do you remember the first time you had the perfect hamburger? I certainly do. It wasn’t too thick or too thin, it was juicy and flavorful, and I enjoyed every single bite.

Trying to recreate the perfect hamburger at home is actually easier and simpler than you might think. It’s just a matter of understanding a few basics and getting the timing down, and then you’ll be well on your way to a summer filled with juicy grilled burgers.

Are you ready to get grilling?

CHOOSING THE BEEF

Let’s start with the meat. For this post I’ll be talking about ground beef, but most of tips will apply to turkey burgers as well. (I actually don’t eat much meat — here are my vegan recipe files — but we’ll save veggie burgers for another day. : )

When you go to the grocery store or butcher shop, you’ll see several kinds of hamburger in the case. The labels contain information about the cut of meat used and percentage of fat to meat.

Typically the label will say ground round, sirloin, or chuck. It might only say hamburger. Chuck is the best for hamburgers because it has more flavor. Ground chuck usually comes from the trimmings of chuck roasts, though you can buy a chuck roast and ask your butcher to grind it fresh for you. Chuck roasts are the cut of beef that starts at the base of the neck, includes the shoulders, and ends where the ribs begin. It contains more fat which means a juicier burger. But we’ll get to that part in a second. Round and sirloin come from the back of the cow and are better for steaks, in my opinion. (They also cost a little bit more.)

If you’re feeling really ambitious and have a meat grinder or food processor at home, you can also grind it yourself. A lot of burger aficionados swear by grinding your own meat, but I like the ease of purchasing ground meat.

The next thing you’ll notice on the label relate to the fat-to-ratio. Ground beef that is 80/20 means that it is 80% lean (meat) and 20% fat. Sometimes you’ll see 70/30 meat, but not very often. And it’s too fatty for burgers anyway.

In order to be labeled “lean” the ground beef must contain less than 22 percent fat. Extra-lean ground beef may not contain more than 15 percent fat. There is a little leeway here by a percentage point in either direction. Note: These percentages are According to US regulations, so it may be slightly different if you live outside of the U.S.

Ground chuck will contain 80 to 85 percent lean (meat) and 15 to 20 percent fat. Ground round is 85 to 90 percent lean and 10 to 15 percent fat. Ground sirloin is the leanest at 90 to 92 percent lean and 8 to 10 percent fat. The leaner the ground beef, the less flavor and drier the cooked burger will be.

So, Secret #1 is: Look for ground chuck with an 80% meat 20% fat ratio.

SEASONING AND FORMING THE PATTIES

Salt is a hamburger’s best friend. If you’ve selected a good ground beef with plenty of fat in it, salt will really enhance the flavor. I also like to add freshly ground black pepper and a little garlic salt. (My husband and father both really like giving the patties a good dousing of Worcestershire too.)

Secret #2: Seasoning the meat before forming into the patties is important. You don’t want necessarily mix the salt, pepper, and garlic powder into the meat. Just an even sprinkle will do nicely.

Hamburger patty size is a personal preference. I don’t like super thick patties as they are difficult to cook through all the way. (We can address medium-rare burgers in a minute.) Too-thin patties are just, well, too thin for my taste. My version of the perfect patty is somewhere in between.

As for the amount of meat, four to six ounces is about right. This is a good number to keep in mind when planning how much meat you’ll need to buy. This number will also depend on the size of the hamburger buns. If the buns are larger, err on the side of six ounces. Pro-tip: A large ice cream scoop or measuring cup can help with even portions.

Secret #3: Remember to be extra gentle when forming the patties. Lightly forming the hamburger together into a ball with cupped hands and pressing it gently into patties is all you need to do. Overworking the meat will result in a tougher cooked hamburger.

Secret #4: Don’t forget, the patties will shrink as they cook. So you want to be sure to make them large enough that they don’t turn out the size of silver dollars. A six ounce portion will form a burger that is a good 4 1/2-inches in diameter and about 3/4-inch thick before cooking.

Another tendency is for the burgers to puff up in the middle as they cook. The edges and sides are done, but the center is undercooked. Combatting this problem is very easy — Secret #5: make a 1/2-inch indentation in the center of each burger.

COOKING

We’ve seasoned the ground meat. We’ve taken care not to overwork the meat as we’ve formed it into correctly-size patties. And now it’s time to cook these burgers and not undo what we’ve just done.

The grilling platform used is up to you. Our family prefers charcoal grilling. True, it is more difficult to regulate the temperature than gas grills or on the stove top, but we like the flavor it lends. Gas is good for when you’re in a hurry. And the stove is great if you don’t have access to a grill or want to cook inside.

In these pictures I’m demonstrating on a charcoal grill, but the same principles will apply to the gas grill.

Secret #6: You’ll want to make sure to preheat the grill. It should be hot, but not too hot. Depending on the grill you are using and how it’s set up, there will be hotter and cooler spots.

Use a grill brush to clean the grate if you didn’t clean it after the last time you grilled. (By you, I mean me, of course. : ) Dip a wad of paper towels into oil and use tongs to wipe the oil on the grate. This will help the burgers not stick as they cook.

Be aware, it’s really easy to overcook hamburgers because they are thin. You don’t want to put the burgers on the grill and walk away or go for a swim. Stay close by. It only takes a few minutes, about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 minutes per side, for the burgers to cook through.

You’ll know it’s time to turn them over when that indentation you made is full of juices and the edges have developed a nice crust. Only flip the burgers once. And please, if you don’t take anything else away from this post, remember Secret #7: don’t press down on the burgers as they are cooking. It’s completely unnecessary and all it does is make sure the burgers lose all of their juices to the charcoal below.

Some burger lovers would totally balk at cooking to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. But that’s the recommendation to prevent food borne illness. If you grind your own meat, there is less of a chance of E.coli poisoning, but I never chance it. Be sure to cook the burgers completely, especially when serving to children.

About a minute before removing from the grill, top with cheese and let it melt.

Secret #8: You already know this, but burgers are the very best hot off the grill.

TROUBLESHOOTING & OTHER TIPS

- Keep raw meat separate from everything else, especially the lettuce and tomatoes. Use a clean plate for cooked burgers, not the same one that had the raw patties on it.

- Remember when I mentioned the hotter and cooler spots of the grill? If the burger is cooking too quickly on the outside and you can tell the inside is still raw (the juices won’t be clear), then you can move the burgers to a cooler spot on the grill and let them cook for a bit longer.

- If there are flare-ups from dripping fat, don’t panic. Shut the lid of the grill to cut off the oxygen supply and/or move the burgers to a cooler part of the grill to finish cooking.

BUNS & TOPPINGS

I confess, I don’t have a preference in regards to hamburger buns. I like them all equally, except that some artisan rolls are a little tougher to bite into. (We won’t talk about the gluten-free buns I now use. Sigh.) I do like a grilled bun. Spread a little butter on it and put it on the grill, cut-side down for a minute or two, until it’s toasty.

Personally, I can’t imagine a burger without a thick slice of tomato, crispy Romaine lettuce, and a smattering of ketchup and mustard. Hold the mayo and cheese, and load on the onions. :)

Your turn! What do you like on your burgers? Sky high with a slice of everything under the sun? Plain? What’s your favorite kind of cheese? And do you have any favorite grilling tips you want to share?

P.S. — Love secrets? Find all the posts in this series here.

This post is brought to you by Playful Learning. Amazing Online Classes for Life’s Big Lessons.

By Gabrielle.

I was watching the Alt For Everyone tweets at the end of last week (did any of you attend?), and it reminded me how enjoyable taking a good online course can be. It got me thinking that it would be really fun to sign my kids up for a few internet-based classes this summer. It’s like a new, better version of Summer School. Let’s call it Summer School 2.0!

Just think, you can pick out something different for each child — no chauffering involved. Even better, no having to choose between two different classes because of overlapping schedules. And since location doesn’t matter, we could start a class while living in France, and finish it when we’re back in the States. I’m kind of psyched about the whole idea!

In case you’re feeling as enthusiastic about the idea as I am, here are 8 Online Classes that I think would be great for  kids:

- A Photo Prompt class. I love the simple idea of having a new photo goal to take every day. This one would be an especially good fit for Olive. She’s taken quite a liking to Instagram and seems to really have a knack for taking beautiful photos. This would be a nice way to help her keep developing that talent.

- A Kids Kindness class. This course teaches children about the power of their words and the affects that put-ups and put-downs have on how people feel. No doubt my kids will be getting on each others’ nerves this summer, so this would be a great fit. And it’s a bargain at $17! This course about stress-management for kids looks good too.

- A Programming Class. Your kids can learn to create their own app or video game. Cool, right? Who knows, you may be raising the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. It would be fun to give this a try and find out if your kids have a natural passion for programming.

- A Cooking Class. I gasped when I learned our very own passionate foodie, Raleigh-Elizabeth, learned to cook via video courses! Sign me up, please. You could try the beginner courses here. Or this whole family course. Or, the Spatulatta videos are specifically geared toward kids.

- Have you heard of Khan Academy? It was originally based on math and science concepts explained simply and clearly in online video classes. My kids love these videos when they need help with homework. This would be a great way to help your little science expert advance at their own pace, or to help your soon-to-be-math expert if they’re feeling behind.

- A Knitting Class. I have this post bookmarked because it has tons of helpful sources, videos and links — and a section specifically for kids learning to knit. And it’s not just for girls! Tell your kids that all fishermen know how to knit their nets. : ) It’s another form of knot-tying!

- A Writing Class. Do you have a budding novelist or journalist in your home? How about an online writing course. Tell them if they finish their novel/screenplay by the end of summer vacation, they’ll get double allowance. : ) Maude has a passion for writing, so I’ve earmarked this one for her.

- A Chess Class. Last summer at Cousins Week, Oscar learned how the chess pieces move and playing chess is now one of his very favorite things. I think it would be neat to have him follow along with a course and learn some strategy. Chess is one of those activities that can provide life-long fulfillment.

How about you? Have you or your kids ever taken an online course? Will they be taking any classes this summer? Yay for Summer School 2.0!

P.S. — I think it would be especially cool if the kids signed up for online courses with a friend (or maybe several friends!) so that they have a buddy to discuss the class content with. And they could work on assignments together, too. Summer School 2.0 could be like a new form of book club. I love that sort of thing!

By Koseli. Image here.

For the past several years(!), I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect lipstick. Not a gloss, a stain, a fruity chapstick, an all-in-one blush cheek and lip balm. (Though I love and have all of those.) I wanted the original. A simple tube of lipstick that glides-on smooth, smelled beautiful, and was finally, finally the perfect shade for my complexion. But if you’ve been on the official Lipstick Hunt too, you know how hard it is to find something that fits all of your criteria.

A couple of weeks ago on a solo adventure in Manhattan, I found myself seated at a Sephora counter at the Columbus Circle mall, anxiously eyeing the shopgirl as she picked out various pink and berry lipstick shades from around the store. I’d already tried ten or fifteen myself with no happy results (too orange! too runny! this tastes like watermelon sour candy!). But on only her second try, this make-up saint planted the smoothest, prettiest lipstick on my lips and I knew I had finally found the perfect shade.

I don’t consider myself a super girly-girl but I do love make-up. But I had never ventured into “real lipstick” territory until now. It almost felt too mature for me. Has anyone else felt that way? Also, do you wear lipstick ? If so, what is your absolute favorite color and brand? I’m also curious if you wear it everyday!

P.S. — Our Tiny Treasures series features small, inexpensive things that give a big boost to quality of life. Find all the Tiny Treasures here.

By Gabrielle.

Meg Zaletel and her husband Zach were this close to not being able to participate in a Living With Kids tour: they didn’t want kids! Luckily for them both, they changed their minds and Zelda came into their lives. Theirs is a lovely, lovely story, and I found myself re-reading sections of this interview more than once. There’s a lot to take in, from wild paint colors and Alaskan decor to an incredibly generous look at open adoptions and a wonderful philosophy on decorating with Zelda in mind from the very beginning. It’s just nice, all of it. I know it will make your day better. My dear Readers, I’m pleased to introduce to you my new Anchorage friends! Enjoy the tour.

Q: Tell us how you turned this house into your home.

A: My husband, Zach, and I were comfortably renting and not really looking to buy, but he went to an estate sale at this house and later we learned it was for sale. We stomped through many feet of snow to peek in all of the windows to get a closer look, and learned that the house was really perfect for us.

Our home purchase was quick; only about two months after we made an inquiry. This was my first home purchase and it was a very smooth and easy experience. By the end of our first night in our home I had the living room, bedroom, and kitchen all set up. Of course, the purchase of a home together often leads to other things. Within six months my husband and I were getting married after many years together and having our wedding reception in the backyard. Really, there’s no better house warming than that!

It is pre-earthquake (the big 1964 Alaska earthquake) which is old for Anchorage. Alaska is a young state that had to rebuild after that catastrophic event. Coming from the midwest where we were used to older homes and buildings, having a home with some history was important to us. The house also backs up to a lovely creek and our street dead ends into the trail system, which we learned attracts quite the variety of wildlife. We’ve seen bald eagles flying overhead, have moose munching the bushes in our yard, and bears checking out what’s in our backyard along the creek.

As we started to remodel the house and make it our home, we found lots of memories of the prior family, like old height charts and notes on the walls under the wallpaper once we removed it. At the time we weren’t planning on a family, but now that we have a daughter, Zelda, it’s great to know that a family was raised here and we’re doing that again in the same home.

When we pull up to this house, we know we are home.

Q: What makes you love where you live?

A: We love Alaska. The natural beauty is indescribable. Also we’ve both been very fortunate to get to travel around the state to see places that a lot of people never get to visit. Anchorage is a nice city that values the outdoors. There is an extensive trail system and lots of green space within the city. As professionals – Zach’s a chemical engineer and I’m an attorney – Alaska has provided us both with great opportunities to advance our careers and make impacts in our respective fields.

Raising our daughter in Anchorage is also wonderful. Anchorage is a very diverse town with lots of different types of families, and has been very accepting and welcoming to our family. We have been very fortunate to build a family of friends in Anchorage that have been supportive and welcoming of our daughter. Since our families are still in the lower 48, it’s nice that our Alaska family has lots of kids! We have had lots of support locally as we started our family.

Q: Can you tell us the story of how Zelda came to be yours?

A: Zelda is adopted. When I met my husband, the plan was not to have children. After watching our friends have kids and seeing my husband around their children, it’s fair to say he was baby crazy! Once our close friends completed a successful adoption, we talked it over again. I never had a desire to be pregnant, so adoption made sense for us.

In all, our adoption process took about nine months. It was a pretty smooth process. We had some disappointments when we asked to be considered for a baby and weren’t chosen, but as soon as we made other plans and bought tickets for a holiday in France, we were matched with our birth family!

I can’t speak highly enough of our family situation. We have an open adoption where we met our birth family a little over a month before Zelda was born. Our birth mom summed it up wonderfully during that very first meeting: we are all just an extended family. We were fortunate to get to go to some of the last prenatal doctor’s appointments with our birth mom, and we were in the delivery room when Zelda was born. As time has passed we continue to keep in contact with our birth family, including using Skype to video chat, and in-person visits. Zelda will never have a shortage of family between Zach’s family and mine, our Alaska family, and our birth family.

I love that Zelda will grow up knowing not only that she’s well loved, but that families can be constructed in all sorts of ways by any group of people that love each other.

Q: How would you describe your aesthetic? In what ways did it change when you added your daughter to the mix?

A: Ideally, I always think I’d love an ultra modern and sleek house. But in reality, I’m glad I don’t have that. As I look around our home it’s certainly eclectic and versatile, but meaningful. I like to rearrange, and most of our decor works in any room. Often my husband will go to work with the furniture in one location and come home to a completely different arrangement, or go to find something only to learn it now lives somewhere else in the house. If he goes out of town for work, there’s a 50/50 chance the wall colors in a room may have changed!

My husband and I both like mid-century furnishings, and we’ve been lucky to find a few pieces here in Anchorage. Since we moved up with only a few pieces of furniture – my husband’s grandparents’ dressers, a bookcase he built, and a small hutch – we mainly get what we can find secondhand. So far Craigslist, thrift stores, and estate sales have been good to us. We have been able to maintain a fairly open and light environment through secondhand acquisitions. Also we’ve inherited some items from both our grandparents, which we feel should be out and used as they would want. We also try to incorporate some Alaskan art as well; we have a few pieces which we cherish as living here in Alaska has comprised most of our life together.

Q: Do you consciously decorate a room with Zelda in mind?

A: When Zelda first joined our family, the only space that truly reflected her addition to our family was her room. But quickly that didn’t feel right even when she was only tiny baby. I quickly added baskets of books, a bouncy chair, and pictures went up within the first month. Since then we haven’t looked back. I consciously decorate with her in mind. I want to create an accessible, fun, and colorful home for her.

When she’s older, she’ll either think she had a really fun house or that I had terrible taste…or a little of both!

We have items for her to play with in every room of the house, except our bedroom which I try to keep for us. We keep items within Zelda’s reach and make sure we have items that are sized just for her, like a chair in the living room or her crib-turned-desk in our family room. We’ve found that by making each room accessible to her she unexpectedly does things – like set the table or help pick up books or toys – imitating what we do without any explicit instruction.

The same goes for plants. With Alaska’s long winters, we have a lot of plants in the house to help make it bearable. Zelda has her own plant in her kitchen that she takes care of. Giving her a plant of her own has taught her to be gentle with the rest of the house plants.

Since we live some distance from her relatives, we also keep a picture wall of family and friends so that Zelda can see her family all the time. Before a family member comes to visit or we go to visit, I try to make sure that their picture is there and up to date to help her be comfortable as it may have been months since she last saw them.

Q: You seem to travel a lot! 

A: I never travelled much outside of seeing family when I was a kid. Zach travelled more. Once we were in Alaska and it takes as much time to get back to the midwest as it does to Europe or Taiwan…well, it just doesn’t seem like an onerous process anymore. If you have to fly ten hours to get some place and it costs hundreds of dollars, that’s just the way it is! We might as well make the most of it.

We travelled a lot before Zelda was born and that hasn’t stopped since. We had to fly with her when she was only two weeks old to bring her home to Alaska. Those were her first two flights. By now I think she’s had about 40 different flights under her belt. She went to France for her first birthday to have that trip we cancelled when she was born, Hawaii this past fall, and recently we went to Belize. Of course there’s been many trips to the lower 48 as well.

Our family is conspicuous when we are out and about and it’s been interesting to see how people react to us in different locations and in different cultures. So far, I think our experiences have been positive. I am learning that other cultures are certainly more blunt than others on personal matters. While I am always taken aback at first, I appreciate the honesty and sincerity of people’s interest in how our family came to be.

Q: What is your favorite room in the house to spend time with your family?

A: Our favorite room to hang as a family is probably Zelda’s room. It’s so much fun. It’s colorful, full of toys, which I find we enjoying playing with as much as she does, and gets the best light in the house.  Zelda switched from a crib to a bed fairly early, just after turning one, and that’s really opened her space up to more play. Also having her in a bed is cozy, whether it’s tickle attacks or snuggling in and reading books with her.

Q: What do you hope your decor choices and the items that surround your family are teaching your daughter about you and her someday ideas about family and about herself?

A: What we fill our home with should have meaning, but nothing in our home is more sacred than the people we share it with. While we’d be disappointed if Grandma’s cookie jar broke, it’s ok. We used it and appreciated it until it broke. And while it can’t be replaced per se, we can find something else to hold the chocolate bars (which is what we use our cookie jar for!). Mom or dad or daughter or guest who broke it can’t be replaced and are much more important.

Also that home should be fun. It’s ok to paint the walls or kitchen cabinets crazy colors, or keep repainting them until we find what works for us. The process of building our home and finding items to put in it should be fun and reflect who we are as a family.

Q: What has been your favorite part about living with your daughter? What surprised you the most about kids and about being a mother? What do you already miss?

A: My absolute favorite part about being Zelda’s mom is getting to see her grow into a little person. It’s amazing. I was never around kids much before becoming a mom, so I find everything she does absolutely amazing and astonishing. I never knew you could ask this little person to pick something up and she’d actually listen and do it. Also, it’s incredible how much she can communicate and she barely talks! Or that she went from her first steps to running in what seems like a matter of seconds. Wow!

What I already miss is the baby stage. Those first 12 months. Everyone said it would go by so quickly, but at the time I felt like the days were long and sometimes unending. I didn’t realize that adjusting from working full time and being so career centered to becoming a mom would be so abrupt. That coupled with feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out how to be a mom…I don’t think I took enough time to enjoy what was happening. Knowing that, I’m savoring all of it now.

Q: Please finish the sentence: I wish I had known…

That being a mom would be so fulfilling. I was happy before becoming a mom and I thought my life was complete with a wonderful husband and successful career, but now I can easily say I was wrong. Actually, others might have picked up on my need to nurture when we got a third dog and chickens, but I was so adverse to the idea of having kids that I’m glad we reconsidered and found what worked for us to have a family.

Someone told me while we were waiting to be matched with a birth family that when it happens, it will happen for a reason and be the right match. At the time I thought it was just another way of saying be patient, but it’s absolutely true. Our family is exactly as it’s supposed to be.

–-

Oh, Meg. You’ve inspired me today. And I hope what I really want to tell you reads the way I mean to say it in my head and heart: Even though you didn’t know it, you were born to be a mother. And I, for one, am pleased that Zelda found her way to you.

Friends, I had to laugh at how Meg described her family as “conspicuous” when they are out and about, with strangers reacting bluntly sometimes. It has happened to us, too! How do you explain families that may not look like your own to your kids? They always seem to spot something new-to-them first and point it out, often loudly, before you can handle it, right? I’d love to hear your own methods of handling diversity on the fly!

P.S. — Take a peek at all the homes in my Living With Kids series here. And if you’d like to share your own home with us, just send me a note! It’s a lot of fun…I promise!

By Gabrielle.

France is 6 hours ahead of the East Coast. Nine hours ahead of  California. Seven hours ahead of Oklahoma City. Most of the time, I love the time difference. It feels good to get up and get my work done while my inbox is quiet and the U.S. is still sleeping. But sometimes, the time change means waking up to heartbreak. The devastation in Oklahoma City happened after I’d shut down my laptop for the night and tucked all the kids in bed.

So I’ve spent the morning reading the news, scrolling through Twitter, and trying to grasp the devastation. Which is impossible, of course. If you’re feeling as helpless as I am, this post by Sarah of Whoorl (she’s an OKC native), is a good place to start.

A few months back, I wrote about a poster series by Kevin Cantrell called Seven Days, referencing the 7 days of creation in the Bible. The first poster was about Light. The second poster just became available, it’s called Águas. The text is taken from the first few verses in Genesis, suggesting the infinite possibilities to create.

That idea — the infinite possibilities to create — was soothing to me today, implying fresh starts and rebuilding. And I hope the idea will be soothing to you too.

By Carter.

I love board books. Literacy for the littlest. Sturdy pages for stubby fingers. Visually spectacular to developing brains. I adore them so much that I have a growing collection, despite having zero kids in my house. But I obsess over my portable art, and these books are stunners. For this particular roundup, Gabrielle and I gathered some of the very coolest-looking board books out there — selections with a design or art angle. Think of them as board books for hipster babies. : ) I hope you’ll find some new treasures in this list for your tiny reader — or the perfect baby gift for your graphic-designer-best-friend.

1) Since board books are designed to be tactile (also chewed up and drooled on, dropped and kicked and loved hard), one inspired by a textiles designer makes perfect sense. Alexander Girard’s simple sophistication and playful patterns are a perfect match for this bright board book, Color. I love that the hues are not your usual primary colors – cyans and fuchsias, pale pinks and muted golds leap off the page, too.

2) A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na. The story here is just as soothing as the pictures. Both are lush and sweeping, but quiet — which sets the perfect tone for a nighttime (or nap time!) read. An alert owl details how other animals sleep – some are noisy, and some sleep standing up! They all snooze at night, but when the day rises, it’s the owl’s turn.

3) Picture This… by Alison Jay pairs singular words with paintings inspired by the American primitive style. But if you spend a little more time in the illustrations, it becomes much more than a simple language primer. Images featured on one page become hidden details on others, and their recurring cameos make this an extra engaging read. Also, note the subtle shift of the seasons as the book progresses. Really smart stuff packed into a really short read! Find more of Alison Jay’s beautiful board books here.

4) Another tip of the hat to the large world of tints and hues is Orla Kiely’s Colors. The concept of color is a popular one in these formative books, (and rightly so!) but this one especially dazzles. Perhaps it’s the fashion designer sensibilities at work, but the tones are especially striking. And it’s cloth bound, so it’s lovely to the touch.

5) Do you know the Babylit series? You will love this! Literary classics, ultra condensed — and also in an appropriate delivery for their audience. They are also magically addicting to look at, with their sharp design and clever words. Moby Dick is transformed from something weighty and allegorical to a charming primer of ocean life — including stars, sailors, and anchors. Don’t miss the clever exploration of color in Alice in Wonderland, or the loose nod to Jane Eyre through counting. This is a special series and a true delight – and maybe even a fun gift for an artist or literature buff, regardless of age?

6) Board books are fantastic for concept, but they also are proving to be rich sources of content. Take Susan Goldman Rubin’s art series as a genre-busting example – Jacob Lawrence in the City is my favorite. Its syncopated beats and rhythm pulse against acclaimed painter Jacob Lawrence’s vibrant cityscapes, and the whole thing is a sensory romp smushed right into a board book. Other unusual titles in her series are also visual introductions to icons – Counting with Wayne Thiebaud and Matisse Dance with Joy are particularly lovely.

7) I Like Toys by Lorena Siminovich. An obvious novelty to board books is how tactile they are! Chunky fingers that want to grab everything will adore this series, because they can touch and feel textures as they read and play. Can they touch (or smack!) their way to the shiny rectangle on the robot? Or find the sailboat’s triangle? The collaged illustrations are a dynamic way to present texture and shape. Also in the Petit Collage collection, check out I Like Peas and I Like Fruit. So darling!

8) I am in love with Charley Harper’s Colors. You probably are, too! I’m not sure I’ve met another soul who isn’t taken by his work. Breathtaking and bright are the first words that come to mind. Swoonworthy, even? I’m just entirely smitten with his art. And your baby will gaze at it with just as much awe! His pictures are splashed with vibrant color and stylized, but still engineered from recognizable shapes — perfect content for a board book. For a well-rounded collection, be sure to also check out Charley Harper’s 123s and ABCs.

9) This book is unlike any other obvious book on opposites — Hippoposites by Janik Coat takes a look at some intelligent duos. Some spreads explore rough and smooth, thick and thin, but some abstract concepts show up, too – like opaque and transparent, clear and blurry, positive and negative space. And all of the pairs are illustrated by hippos! Any designer you know will fall head over heels for this one.

10) Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews. What can you do with ten black dots? One is a sun or a moon, three can make a snowman’s face, five can make buttons on a coat. At its heart, Ten Black Dots is a counting book, but Crews’ stark illustrations are perfect for shape and color hunting as well. And his use of contrasting colors in his pictures will delight little eyes.

11) Counting is an obvious choice for a board book theme, given the intended audience. But this collaboration between author Puck and illustrator Kevin Sommers is a little more lively than most. In 123 New York, the numbered items are city favorites – taxi cabs, apples, and subway cars. If New York isn’t your city of choice, check out 123 Seattle, 123 California, or 123 Washington, D.C., or lots of others. Whichever location sings to you, prepare to take colorful and bold field trip. Maybe a fun collection for the well-traveled tot?

Now your turn, Dear Readers. What are the super-cool board books you would add to the list? Any favorite titles here? I’d love to hear!

P.S. — Bonus pick: Don’t forget the very design-y Pantone book.

By Amy Hackworth. Image by Justin Hackworth.

There are moments when I see a friend in need and I can rush to her side with the perfect offering of support and care. I feel useful and deeply satisfied when I know I’ve been just the friend someone needed me to be.

More often, though, I’m unsure of how to help a friend who’s hurting. I wish I had a delicious dinner to take her, or the perfect bit of encouragement to offer. My insistence on “just the right thing” sometimes, sadly, means I do nothing (still working on my tendency toward overthinking).

I’m slow to remember that what helps me most when I’m hurting is usually simple — just feeling loved, listened to, cared about. I’m slow to remember that’s what my friends need most from me. My friend Melody recently shared this short piece from the L.A. Times and it’s been such a great reminder that our listening ears (ok, and maybe our pot roasts) have such power to help our hurting friends.

The overall concept is to support our sick, sad, or hurting friends by addressing their needs, and not ours, in the middle of their crises. If we are shaken or shocked by a friend’s condition, it’s not helpful to tell her about it. Instead, authors Susan Silk and Barry Goldman suggest finding someone else to tell about it, someone further from the trauma. They also suggest keeping our advice to ourselves, and especially our stories of the almost-as-bad thing that happened to us that one time. (This part can be particularly hard, especially when you have a really good story.)

“Listening is often more helpful than talking,” they write. But talking is often so much easier than listening! We might feel obligated to offer advice, or share something we have learned, or maybe we just want to feel validated. Consider this instruction: “If you’re going to open your mouth, ask yourself if what you are about to say is likely to provide comfort and support. If it isn’t, don’t say it.”

Easier said than done? What do you think? If you’re the comforting friend, how do you decide when to offer advice and when to offer a listening ear? Have you ever tried to say the right thing, but somehow added stress instead of comfort (I’m sure we all have!)? Or, have you ever been offered comforting words that stayed with you? Please share!

Image and text by Gabrielle.

Hello, Friends. How are you? I hope you’ve had a wonderful week! My family was so delighted to be back to a normal schedule. Housework isn’t always on my thumbs up list, but this week I found such contentment doing the everyday normal stuff — getting the laundry and ironing done, making beds, staying on top of the dishes… Sometimes regular old life is my favorite.

We’ll be doing some Olive Us shooting in Paris tomorrow, so I’ve got some prepping to do (I’m sure we’ll be instagram-ing if you’d like a sneak peek). While I get things ready, here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you:

- Homemade fruit leather. Yum.

- Back online after a year without the internet.

-  Negative Space Animals. Thanks, Sara.

- We see what we look for.

- Brother & Sister bedroom done right.

- Remember the Strategic Plan poster we all loved? Well, good news, use the coupon code “DOINGTHINGS” for 20% off any prints in Baltimore Print Studio’s online store. The code is good till May 24th at midnight.

- This may be the most relaxing commercial I’ve ever seen.

- Olive Us just turned one! A year ago yesterday, we shared the first Olive Us episode. It’s called Garden Day.

- Are you a graphic designer? Get super fast feedback on your design here.

- It’s the end of the school year, so I’ve gathered up lots of Teacher Gift Ideas.

I hope you have a terrific weekend. I’ll meet you back here on Monday. I miss you already!

kisses,
Gabrielle

P.S. — I snapped the photo at top when I was in Paris yesterday. I was there visiting the US Consulate because we had a tax question. Sigh. Not the most fun reason to visit Paris, but the city was lovely all the same!

By Gabrielle. Faux taxidermy available at Tillie & Tweedle.

After I posted a Living With Kids Home Tour that showed taxidermy in several of the photos, I received feedback that some readers were upset. One wrote: How can you teach kids to be free, respectful and caring when half your walls have cadavers? And: There is no style in cruelty. Another said: Once I see dead animals/animal parts used for decor, fake or real, the house no longer looks cool.

Those are strong reactions!

My take: I’ve never hunted, I’ve never owned a gun, I’ve never purchased taxidermy (fake or real) for my home. But. I grew up with hunters — in fact, one of my very best friends in high school, Jandi Jones, had her own gun cabinet. And my town had a school vacation built around the annual deer hunt. So I’m familiar with how taxidermy fits in to certain cultures. And when I encounter taxidermy, words like “cruel” and “cadavers” don’t come to mind for me, but obviously they do for others.

The topic brings up all sorts of questions for me, as I seek for a more nuanced understanding about how people feel. Are you someone that believes taxidermy is automatically cruel no matter what, even if the animal died of natural causes? Does it make a difference if the taxidermy was found at a thrift shop or garage sale? If you’re a meat eater (I am), can you even be against taxidermy? Or is that hypocritical? What about Natural History Museums that are full of examples of taxidermy — if you have strong feelings against taxidermy, do you feel that even in museums, taxidermy should be removed? And related, we posted about conflicted feelings overs fake fur last winter, and the comments were pretty mild. Does seeing fur trim on a sweater give you the same reaction as seeing a mounted set of antlers?

What’s your take? Do you have strong reactions to taxidermy when you encounter it in photos or in real life? Would you ever use taxidermy in your own decorating? Would you boycott a store that uses taxidermy in its displays? Do you feel fake (think cardboard or plastic) taxidermy is a fun alternative to the real thing? Or is it still a reference of cruelty for you? Any other thoughts on the subject? I’m so curious. Let’s discuss!

P.S. — For the Clue Party at January’s Alt Summit, the parlor was filled with taxidermy. I thought it was a bold entrance!

By Gabrielle.

Oh man. You will LOVE today’s giveaway. One of my very favorite shops, Clementine, is offering a $150 gift certificate so you can pick out something lovely — for yourself, for a friend, or both!

Clementine offers a tightly edited collection of goods. Really beautiful, unusual items that will make your heart go pitty-pat with desire. It’s an ideal spot for finding exceptional gifts. In fact, with the arrival of Spring, I’m betting you have a baby shower or two on your schedule, so here are some excellent gift ideas for Moms and Babies from among Clementine’s wares. Each of these items is handmade by small businesses — mostly women!

Linen ‘Bon Appetite’ tea towels to add some elegance to the kitchen, polka dot gold dish — a perfect spot for your rings at the end of the day, blueberry bud earrings just because they’re so pretty, and a hand drawn alder branch decal that would look sweet over a crib. Plus 4 more picks below.

Watermelon stars tote — a perfect summer bag, cheerful You Are My Sunshine print for the nursery, Baby Booties in aqua and citron that are pretty much irresistible, and the Bears Bow Tie  — designed for little guys with vintage and new fabric. So many cute things! How will you ever choose? : )

Extra fun: Here’s a discount especially for Design Mom Readers. Use code “DMLOVE” to receive $5 off all purchases over $25! Good through the end of May.

Visit Clementine and leave a comment below to enter — I’d love to hear if anything special catches your eye. The winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!

——

Lesley is the lucky winner. Thanks for playing!

By Raleigh-Elizabeth. Image by K. Blueice. 

“Never eat anything for breakfast you wouldn’t eat for dinner.” 

This great advice was served to Jeffrey Ozawa, or Gorumando, along with a traditional Japanese breakfast one morning in the Japanese countryside. One by one, a little old woman in a little pink kimono dished up the traditional Japanese dishes of rice, pickles, green tea, miso soup, and broiled fish. A perfect, traditional morning routine.

Breakfasts in other cultures have long intrigued me (partly because I’m so resistant to our own Lucky Charms and pancakes variety) but the Japanese breakfast holds a peculiar fascination: it’s like they skipped breakfast and went straight on to lunch.

Not too long ago, a friend took her little girls to Japan. Even when they weren’t enjoying all the beautiful pastries Japan offers today, the traditional miso soup and rice breakfasts went over pretty well with her daughters. The sometimes-raw fish… not so much, but the bento-box like offerings of a traditional Japanese breakfast are just as delicious in the morning as they are at lunch or, according to the little old lady in the little pink kimono, dinner.

When it comes to traditional offerings, this is a far cry from the Italian cornetto dipped in espresso or the French croissant and cafe au lait. These dainty little forays into the devilishly good dessert-like breakfasts stand in stark contrast to the health-conscious, arguably good-for-you version native to Japan.

German breakfast is another anomaly. For a savory-fanatic like me, it’s the stuff of legend. Cheeses, jams, smoked fish, cured meats, fruits, every seeded bread you can imagine… breakfast just doesn’t get much better than that. Neither does lunch or dinner, for that matter. (If you tell me a man cannot live on bread and cheese alone, I might concur. But add in some cured salami, and I could live happily for a lifetime.)

But for all that’s different, the German breakfast and the Japanese breakfast have one thing in common: they are both a taste of the rest of the day. And if you’re anything like me, a taste of what’s to come is the best way to get happy about a new day. Especially if it’s served with salami.

After all, salami really is just as delicious at dinner.

Tell me: What’s your favorite breakfast? Are you an oatmeal nut, or can you be appeased by a piece of leftover pizza from last night? Would you enjoy the traditional Japanese breakfast or German breakfast more?

By Koseli. Illustration by Lim Heng Swee.

I recently came across a commencement address given by David Foster Wallace in 2005 that hit me squarely in the forehead. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, sad, annoyed, or bored by “the average adult life” this just might be the best nine minutes of your day. It’s some of the most sound life advice I’ve ever heard, not to mention a simple, clear argument for education. Absolutely beautiful.

It is about simple awareness — awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, that we have to keep reminding ourselves, over and over: “This is water, this is water.” It is unimaginably hard to do this, to stay conscious and alive, day in and day out.

How do you “stay conscious and alive, day in and day out“? Do you find yourself choosing love and fellowship in difficult situations? If so, how do you do it?

Text and images by Lindsey Johnson for Design Mom.

Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies and has become such a source of happiness over the last six years. That’s right, it’s been six years since I planted my first container garden on the balcony of my second floor apartment. I was determined to make it work even if it was only a few herbs, lettuce, peas, chiles, and a cherry tomato plant.

Alas, it was almost a complete failure. I planted too many herbs in the same pot. The lettuce was horribly bitter. The chiles and cherry tomatoes both had blossom end rot (more on that later). Only the peas were a success that year. I was tempted to feel defeated, but I turned my failures into lessons and have continued to be more successful each year.

I can’t say I’m a Master Gardener, but I’m working hard to become one. I’ve talked with seasoned gardeners. I’ve read forums and researched articles online. I’ve chatted with the horticulturists at my local nursery. And I keep trying and keep planting. I wouldn’t call myself an expert yet, but I am on my way there. I hope you find my advice helpful and chime in with your own knowledge. Sometimes I think gardening is a team sport!

Now, back to the particular topic of this post: Container Gardening. I no longer live in a second floor apartment, but I still rely on containers to expand my growing area — and I like the way they look lining the back of my driveway.

It’s amazing what you can grow in pots! Containers can add a lot of interest in a landscaped yard, make apartment landings more beautiful, and make things cheery indoors.

As I’m sure you can guess, comprehensive information about container gardening is more than I can fit into this single post. So consider this an overview. We’ll cover prep, planting essentials, and miscellaneous tips to get you started.

Bonus: the information in this post applies to both vegetable container gardens and decorative ones (sometimes gardens can be both!). And it applies to indoor gardens as well.

GETTING READY

The first step is to plan. This might be the first time you’ve ever thought about a container garden, or you may have been planning since last October. But either way, it’s not too late to start!

Secret #1: Ask yourself a few questions about your container garden.

- What do you want to plant? What kind of pot or container will you need?

- When should you, or when are you going to plant it? (If you’re me, then the answer is: at the last possible minute!)

- Where will your container garden be — indoors, outdoors, patio, deck, porch? Where do you live? Does your climate affect what you can plant? Is it arid and dry? Is it humid?

- Why do you want to plant this garden? Will you cook with the herbs and veggies you grow? Is it part of your outdoor decor?

- How often will it need to be watered? (Again, think about your climate. And think about your busy lifestyle — how much watering do you have time for?) How will your garden work into your summer vacation schedule?

I always start with deciding what to plant. This year I decided to plant three kind of cucumbers, Serrano chiles, several kinds of small tomatoes (yellow pear, grape, and cherry), rosemary, thyme, two kinds of mint, four varieties of basil, chamomile, lettuce, and potatoes.

And there are loads of other plants that do well in container gardens, like carrots, strawberries, edible flowers, onions, eggplant, and bell peppers. In fact, if the pot is deep enough you could theoretically plant almost anything in a container.

Make a list, do some research, ask questions and plan out your space. Remember that seedlings are much smaller than full-grown plants, so you’ll need more space (meaning: a larger container) than you might think. I know this from experience and overzealous planting!

CONTAINERS

The beauty of container gardens is that practically anything can turn into a pot for a plant. Secret #2: I say pot, but almost any kind of container will work. I’ve seen old metal washtubs, plastic laundry baskets, wood crates, tires, wine barrels, and other snazzy boxes and colorful containers — all used successfully as planters. Choose what you like best and suits your taste.

There are a few other considerations to think about when choosing a container. If you live somewhere windy, you might want to purchase a pot that is heavy and sturdy with a base that is wider than the top so it doesn’t tip over.

Terracotta is a long-time favorite, but sometimes I turn to plastic because it’s (almost) indestructible and lighter to lift. If you don’t have a space with full sun, and the plants need to be moved around, smaller containers (or larger ones on casters) will be your best best.

Also keep in mind that vegetables need deeper pots in order to develop a really strong root system. Deeper pots = more soil.  Bring a calculator along with you when shopping for supplies so you can easily calculate how many quarts to buy or how many cubic feet that equals.

Some herbs will have long roots as well, but can usually tolerate shallower pots usually. Lettuces and cabbages are often pretty as well as edible, and can tolerate shallower planters as well.

Frankly, you just kind of have to ask and look around a bit for advice on specific plants.

Also, now is a good time to start mentioning drainage. Most pots come with good drainage systems built in. If not, you can easily drill or punch holes in the bottom to allow for that — we’ll talk more about the importance of drainage in a minute. Also, the holes allow enough oxygen to reach the roots, which is another essential for optimal root health.

Okay. You’ve selected your plants and containers, now it’s time to talk about the essentials that all plants need.

SOIL

First up, soil. Secret #3: Don’t be tempted to transfer dirt from your yard into the pots you’ll be using for your container garden. It might include unwanted organisms and insects, weeds, or other materials that could harm potted plants or impede proper growth and plant health.

Instead, plan on buying a good potting mix from a local greenhouse or home improvement store. It removes all the guesswork for you and includes nutrients and proper pH levels plants need.

Let’s take a look at what typical bagged potting soil contains.

Potting mixes include a combination of several soil amendments, different materials such as peat moss, mulch, vermiculite, perlite, and sometimes sand. Potting mixes are formulated to aid in aeration and proper drainage.

- Dried Sphagnum (Peat) Moss —  increases the soil’s capacity for storing water and nutrients

- Mulch — pieces of bark or wood chips that conserve moisture and help keep soil healthy

- Vermiculite — a mined, naturally occurring phyllosilicate that absorbs water and improves aeration in soil. It can be difficult to find and has received bad press over the years because it was contaminated with asbestos from a mine in the US in 1990.  Some gardeners don’t use it because over time it tends to break down, though it never dissolves. (This is the same stuff you’ll see in the bottom of fireplaces with gas logs.)

-Perlite — naturally occurring, looks like little styrofoam balls, holds water very well, prevents soil compaction. If using by itself, use extreme caution and even wear a mask to prevent inhaling it. (See why a premixed soil is so handy?)

Some gardeners like to have more control over their soil, so they mix their own from various amendments. Worm casings, compost, coffee grounds, and other organic materials are commonly used.

Here I’ve mixed high-quality top soil (too heavy on it’s own) with perlite and vermiculite.

If you want to buy vermiculite or perlite (or both) check first at some of the big box and home improvement stores. I had a trickier time finding perlite. I found it at a farm supply store. If you’re an urban dweller, you might find it more difficult.

WATER

I’ve heard it said that it’s difficult to over-water container gardens. I think that’s right for the most part. Secret #4: Typically, watering container gardens once a day is enough, and water will drain off when there is too much. (Read further on for more about that.) The only real problem with over-watering a container garden is the chance that vital nutrients will be washed away with the excess water.

It goes without saying that you want to guard against under-watering. If you forget for a few days, the plant might not suffer too much, but it’s better to make sure watering becomes a daily habit.

Make it as easy on yourself as you can. For example, if you’re a city apartment dweller with a rooftop garden, consider a barrel to collect rain water so you don’t have to lug gallons of water up and down stairs every day. Or, if your container garden is part of your landscaping and you have a sprinkling system, place the containers near the sprinklers and let them do the watering.

This is the perfect time to cover the subject of drainage. Sounds like fun, right?

First I’m going to dispel a well-known garden myth that I used to believe. That is the practice of filling the bottom of your pots with gravel. Secret #5: While it seems like this would be a great idea to help with drainage, the opposite is actually true. Good, aerated soil will drain just fine on its own. And there’s more of a chance the pots will become waterlogged with the gravel than without.

The same goes for adding pot shards to the bottom of your pot. In effect, the pot’s depth is shortened and drainage impeded.  Contrary to what you might think, the soil won’t wash out of the holes in the bottom of the pot either. Proper soil ends up acting like a sponge that will release water when there is too much and retain it as needed.

SUN

Secret #6: Not much needs to be said about sunlight except that A) it’s very necessary, and B) part of your planning process should include which plants need how much sun.

I choose mostly full sun plants because of where I place my garden containers. If you have a small area that receives sunlight for most of the day, that’s going to be fine. If you have a shaded patio or balcony, find shade-friendly plants.

FERTILIZER

Different plants have different nutrient requirements. This is a part of gardening that is as fun as it is infuriating. Secret #7: I choose a potting mix that has fertilizer mixed right in. That makes things easy for me. Some people don’t like that and want more control, and that’s fine too. Research online or ask someone at the nursery to help. (I find they often really enjoy talking shop.)

There are so many different kinds of fertilizers and nutrients you can purchase or add yourself. You can buy liquids that are mixed in when watering or powders that are mixed in with the soil when planting. There are stakes or pellets that release fertilizer slowly into the soil with each watering. And there’s your very own kitchen compost. It just depends on what you like and can keep track of, because you don’t want to fertilize too much either.

For containers, I tend to use epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) and bone meal. This is because it’s the same stuff I use in my big vegetable garden, and I typically have some on hand.

MORE TIPS & INFO

Okay, we’ve covered basics, and hopefully you’re making plans to head to the garden shop. Moving along… In this section, I’m including miscellaneous bits and pieces I’ve learned over the years.

- When growing tomatoes and peppers in a container garden, even with a really good potting mix it’s possible that there isn’t enough calcium or other nutrients in the soil. These have to be replaced often or a plant disease called blossom end rot will occur. The fruit looks just fine until you turn it over and the bottom is darkened and rotten.

This happened to me my first year of container gardening. Sigh. I lost everything.

Bone meal or other fertilizers containing calcium should be added to the planting hole when you place the tomato or pepper seedling (and some other plants too) to help prevent this. Once it happens, it can’t be reversed easily.

- Save the plant tags or seed packages — they often contain information about the frequency of watering, fertilizing, light requirements, and climate zones.

- Add water and mix it into the soil before adding the seedling.

The soil will absorb quite a bit of water, and I find it helps the plants acclimate to their new home a little better and that I have less run-off when I water again immediately after planting.

- Find out which plants will do well together and which plants are container hogs. (I’m looking at you, mint!)

It’s kind of fun to plant themed pots. For example, if you have a large enough pot, you might plant a cherry tomato with some cilantro and a small chile plant, and some onions around the perimeter (salsa!). Or maybe a pot with herbs you might use in French cooking, like rosemary, thyme, sage, and garlic.

- Don’t be afraid to use cages or stakes for plants that like to climb or vine.

I’ve added large tomato cages to my cucumber pots because I know they will climb and branch out for straighter cucumbers. It also provides extra stability. In my second floor apartment, I planted peas in a long, narrow planter along the railing and allowed the peas to climb the railing. It looked pretty and my kids had fun going out every day to pick fresh peas for a snack.

- Make your garden accessible.

One reason I’m such a fan of container gardens is that it’s easy to place plants I use in my daily cooking by my back door, so I can run out quick and snip a few herbs during dinner prep.

- When planting tomatoes, remove bottom leaves and plant a little deeper to give the roots a good chance to take hold.

- When re-potting a seedling, loosen the root ball just a little bit, but don’t cut or tear roots off of the plant. If the root ball seems too large for the container you’ve chosen, swap it out for a larger one.

- Remove “suckers” from in between the branches so the plant can put energy into the main stem. I usually only do this at planting and in the first few weeks. I’ve actually heard this might be another myth, but I still do it sometimes, especially if there is a lot of greenery and very little blossoms or fruit. But if it seems too tedious, skip it and chances are your harvest will be just fine.

Okay. Basics have been covered, and you even know some of my favorite tips. Design Mom Readers, now it’s your turn. How does your garden grow?  In pots? In the ground?  What are you growing this year? And what are your favorite container gardening tips?

Happy planting!

P.S. — Want to know more secrets? You can find all of my Living Well posts here.