Moon Gardening

You know, from here it doesn't look like that much work.

`

Oi! I have been busy lately! The garden is half planted, the other vegetables are root vegetables and need to be planted at a different point in the moon's cycle. Gardening by the moon is an ancient technique that has been used by different civilizations for almost as long as agriculture has been around. People used to believe the best times to plant seeds were during full moons because the light helped the seed germinate faster.

Nowadays, it's a little more complicated, and different vegetables do better during the different phases of the moon. Directly after the new moon is the best time to plant leafy vegetables that produce seeds outside of their fruit (ie spinach, swiss chard, lettuce). Cucumbers are one exception to this rule, they benefit from being planted during this time instead. The first quarter to full moon is the best time to plant vegetables that produce seeds inside their fruit (ie tomatoes, squash, melons, pumpkins). The full moon to the last quarter is the best time for root vegetables like carrots, turnips and radishes. I've got some great links if you want to know a little more about this practice.

PlantTea.com This is a link for a specific article about moon gardening, but you should check out their other links too - very informative, helpful, and straight forward. In fact, they have another great article about growing seedlings and germinating seeds here that you should check out as well.

Dave's Garden - A great scientific explanation of the benefits of gardening by the moon.

Gardening by the Moon - Very nice, straightforward pictorial guide.

I have to admit that one of the best things about this technique is that you may apply it to other aspects of gardening and simple lawn maintenance. For instance, if you mow your lawn on the day of the new moon or near it, you'll find that you have to mow less often. If you have a lawn in Georgia during the summer you know how fast that grass can grow! Blink, and it's an inch taller. This also applies to weeding and pruning bushes. The more you pay attention to the subtle effect the moon has on plants during the different phases, the more you'll begin to notice how significant it can be.

My Organic Garden

You know, from here it doesn't look like that much work.

Pink Petals and Pearls

Pink Petals and Pearls Necklace for sale at Gold Phoenix on Etsy

I just finished this pink and white pearl necklace. It's super girly, what can I say? The explosion of spring flowers has addled my poor summer starved brain.

Braves Country

Atlanta Braves 2010 season home opening game.

Yeah! Go Braves! Alright, I got that out of my system. I love baseball, and I'm a rabid Braves fan. We've got a solid team this year and an exciting new rookie, Jason Heyward. I was so delighted to see his first major league at bat and he hit a three-run home run. The crowd went nuts! Solid performance under a lot of pressure. When people found out he was signed, tickets to the home opener rapidly sold out. It was an awesome game.

Leather and Chains!

Leather and chain bracelets at Gold Phoenix Jewelry

This is my latest design. I really love the contrast of chestnut brown leather and distressed silver. There's three pictured above, two of my leather and chain cuffs, and one leather and chain triple wrap bracelet. They look great layered together!

More Signs of Spring

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this time of year.

This Morning

It's Now Officially Spring

It's officially spring! I don't care what the calender says, it's not spring until there are flowers blooming and it's not freezing cold outside. Simpler that way, and more authentic. The dogwood trees have begun to bloom, and my front yard is a literal carpet of wild flowers. I suppose some people on this street would call them weeds, but they are prettier than grass by far. The peach tree is just starting to blossom, as well.

I will be spending the next week working the soil in my garden plot. I can't wait to see my flowering vegetable plants from the window of my studio! I'm excited to put in the hard work of hand tilling the soil and preparing it for seedlings, I could use a little physical labor to work off the love handles winter left behind. Plus, having lots of fresh vegetables around makes it easy to eat healthy. This year I'm thinking about gardening with the moon cycle. I know it makes me sound like a total nut job, but I've heard it works wonderfully, and helps to keep maintenance on a regular schedule. I'll be sure to take pictures of my progress and pitfalls.

Newest Member of the Family

Stella

This is the newest member of the family. She's a handful, as you can probably tell from the picture. Most mixed breeds are a combination of several breeds, but Stella has full bred Pit Bull and Rottweiler parents. She's going to be a stout dog! We are working on crate training and potty training right now, and teaching her not to nibble or bite. If you can imagine, there's a lot of "NO!" and "STELLA!" being shouted when she's not busy snoozing or getting baths.

Digital Clutch

A model walks the runway at the Digital Clutch Design reveal by HP and Vivienne Tam at Bryant Park on September 12, 2009 in New York City.

Found this while researching spring/summer 2010 jewelry trends; "Vivienne Tam teamed up with HP to create an uber-portable laptop computer housed in the body of a colorful clutch. There's no word on computer specs or pricing yet."
Shut. Up.
I want one of these so badly that it makes me think, "ipad who?"

Hartley Soap ~ Handmade Bath & Body Products

Cold processed hand made soap by Hartley Soap

One of my favorite ways of pampering myself on the cheap is with luxurious soap from Hartley Soap. Made by a fellow Atlantan and about the same price as a grocery store brand body wash, these soaps are hand made with only the finest ingredients and essential oils. I love how it's not drying like most soap, and the rich scent lingers long after you've stepped out of the shower. Fresh Bamboo Zen and invigorating Bergamot Grapefruit are my favorites.

Squash Blossoms

One of the joys of gardening is enjoying the fruits of your labor. I love zucchini, and you want to know the best part about growing your own? The lovely squash blossoms! Beautiful as well as edible, they are perfect for stuffing with things like herbed goat cheese. Make sure you rinse them gently in cold water before using.

My New Adorable Spring Purse

"Pleasantly Peasant Purse - Red Flower Retro" by Lena Lime Studio

Gorgeous print, nice design, big and roomy. Best of all? Washable! Perfect for all my springtime shenaningans. And at $19 this purse is an absolute freaking steal. Love, love, love.

The Peachtree - Spring Buds

Yummy! Well, they're not edible yet, but it is a joyous thing to realize these tiny, pink buds will turn into beautiful blossoms, which will then turn into ripe, juicy peaches. And these aren't anything like those ol' hard grocery store peaches. These peaches are smaller, and what they lack in size they more than make up for in flavor and juiciness. You literally have to eat them over a sink.

The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips aren't coming anywhere near Atlanta for awhile, so I'm contemplating a trip to Gulf Shores to see them play. I can't think of anything better than watching the Flaming Lips play a beach music festival. If I get a chance, I'm going to grab a beer and a grouper sandwich at the Pink Pony while I'm there, and work on my tan.

Peacock Earrings

One of my favorites, these shoulder dusting earrings are made with Swarovski crystals in a variety of peacock colors. For sale in my Etsy shop Gold Phoenix.

Anthony Goicolea - Search Party, 2007

Anthony Goicolea | Search Party | 2007 | Graphite, Ink, Acrylic on Mylar

I spent a few weeks last spring in Louisville, Kentucky, the cloudiest place on Earth. It's a gray state, every time I've ever visited Kentucky it's been cloudy and dreary. When the sun did come out, it seemed like everything was taking a sunbath to clean the gray off, and things looked a little less dismal. I think that happened once, while I was driving through the countryside with a joint.
One day during my stay I decided to take a walk through downtown to kill some time. I was with my fiance, and predictably, it began to rain, so we ducked into the 21c Museum Hotel. We spent a few hours wandering around and this piece really caught my eye. There's so much going on; at first it looks whimsical and lighthearted, then after your eye begins to process the image do you realize the sinister scene that is being presented. It's been stuck in my head ever since.

MCKIBILLO, Bits of Whimsy From Japan

MCKIBILLO, bits of whimsy from Japan

I found this etsy shop, MCKIBILLO, via Twitter last night and instantly swooned. These whimsical paper NaniBirds are printed on archival quality card stock. I love how adorable they are! I ordered some this morning, along with a colorful set of postcards. I can't wait to cut mine out and fold 'em up, I've already picked out the perfect spot for them to hang out together.

Rosy Pink Fairy Tale Ring

This is my latest creation. For sale in my etsy shop Gold Phoenix.

The Northern Lights

I love the mystery and beauty of the Northern Lights. I've read that in some cultures it's a common belief that a honeymoon trip to see the aurora borealis ensures a lifetime of good fortune and luck together. Then there's the Hollow Earth theory, which theorizes these emissions are gases released by a secret advanced civilization that lives deep in the center of the Earth. Yes, seriously.

Broken Bells

The much anticipated self-titled album Broken Bells debuts tomorrow. You can listen to it now at Spinner.com. If you haven't heard the hype yet, this album is a collaboration between the Shin's frontman James Mercer and legendary producer Danger Mouse. I love the album so far, and I've read that this isn't the first and only album we can expect from the duo. The first single "The High Road" has been in regular rotation here at the Waldorf bungalow for a few weeks now. For $39.99 you can purchase the box set, which comes with a music box that plays "The Overture", an exclusive soundtrack created by the twosome. I want.

Spring Engagement

Spring Vow
by Larissa Shmailo

We will love like dogwood.

Kiss like cranes.
Die like moths.
I promise.