nesting

Sore Little Hands

Most gardeners by this time of year are feeling the aches and pains through their hands. O's hands, despite the many types of gloves and waxes he puts on prior to work, are hurting bad! Some days they are so rough and cracked that he can barely stroke our cat, Jasmine without taking off a layer of her fur.

These are a few of my favourite creams to sooth after a long days work. Unfortunately most of them are pretty girlie smelling and not up to O's stamp of approval. Any ideas out there from fellow gardeners and workman alike for a good, heavy duty hand cream made for a manly man would be appreciated.

This is my bed time cream, the smell is sweet and soothing and I love the name: 'The Charmer'. I picked this up Anthropologie.                                                                                                                                                             

This is my purse cream, a small tub that goes a long way. I love the healing power of olive oil. Now if only I stocked up more when we were in Italy.

I always associated Crabtree & Evelyn with older ladies, like moms, but this cream is super rich and fresh, and is the perfect cream after a long day in the dirt.

Mothers Day

My Mom is a pretty special person. She is one of those true gardeners. She taught herself, and over years created a garden that has always been a place to come home. It has gone through phases, aches and pains, good years and bad, but it has always remained constant. My mom's work was rooted at home- primarily in the garden. My most fond memories with her was spent in the back yard plotting away in the large vegetable patch. When I was young my dad traveled a lot in summer months, so my mom and I would take refuge in the garden, trying new heirloom varieties, making jams from our raspberries (the same sweet raspberries today that must be at least 20 years old now), and learning the ropes of growing your own greens.

I guess you could say, my mom was the major influence in my pursuit to become a garden design consultant. She raised me on the principals that, if you have land- GROW. In this day in age with the cost of fuel and the scarcity of local food production, this a value I hold very dear. My mom instilled in me the importance of organic growing, and the infinite satisfaction in knowing that you can do this from your own back yard.

My parents still live in the same house I grew up in, and the garden is still very much an important part of my mom's daily life. Busy helping out as a FOG at UBC Botanical Gardens and a very nagging arthritis, we now help tend my mom's garden. I know some days this is hard for her to watch us plot away, with different techniques and theories on how things should be done, or designed or planted, but overall I think it brings her pleasure to know it is in good hands. My mom and her garden have always put things into perspective for me. Her ground is fertile because of the love that she gives it, much like the love she gives to everyone she meets.

So, mom, thank you for all your positive feedback as we plot through life figuring out all that stuff you have to figure out when you become an adult (eek!). Thank you for the values you instilled in me about being kind to the earth and to the people around you. And thanks most of all for making me understand the importance of growing. I love you.

Epic EPIC

Last weekend Aloe Designs participated in the EPIC sustainable living show. And what a show it was. We met so many great people with great stories doing seriously great things. With Earth day past and Spring just around the bend, we are feeling very eco-friendly inspired to share with you the news from the show!

First off we would like to send out a ginormous thanks to all our friends, family and clients who came to support the cause! Without your smiling faces and words of encouragement we could not have made it through the 4 long days, or rather, 4 long weeks leading up to the event. We also want to say wurd to Tanya at Mango Design Co for helping share the booth and ideas in creating such an innovative showpiece. Future collaborative projects to come! Late nights designing sustainable concepts, mid week days of cruisin around town meeting suppliers and 2 very long weekends to build and construct- it all came together!

Some of the highlights and oos and ahhs of our booth were:

1.0 The 'Harvest Table'. Our first furniture piece designed and manufactured by us! Made of recyclable aluminum framing and reclaimed cedar planks, this table works for both indoors and out. The center piece trough can be used for herbs and edibles, candles and rocks, or simply as a holding chiller for that nice bottle of wine. Furniture design and further production for this limited edition piece are in the works!

2.0 Edible Planters. The smooth, modern concrete containers were provided by a local company Souls and were filled with lots of yummy edible herbs that sparked a lot of gardening conversations.

3.0 Accessories. The Bird Feeder provided by Room 6, designed by J Schatz attracts those beneficial birdies to come and hang out among the landscape. Many juicy colors available. The dining table's settings from Provide (the coolest new store in town) worked flawlessly. We especially fell in love with the dish set from Heath Ceramics and may be taking a private visit this June, to their factory in Sausalito, CA. Lucky Us!

4.0 River rock and Slate Entrance. With all the rain we get in Vancouver we wanted to showcase a way in which a small space can look contemporary, and also be good for the environment too. By using river rock throughout a slate walkway you can minimize the water run off that would normally not get absorbed by flat hardscaping.

5.0 Concept Rain Chain System. Our sleek and innovative rain chain plays a larger role in distributing rain water. The chain feeds into a waterbarrel, which then gets pumped into an underground low flow irrigation system, to in turn feed container plants the required water needed.

Due to a dated digital and some bad indoor lighting the images can only shine so well. One of those- should have been there in person experiences, but nevertheless, for those of you who couldn't make it out, some visuals for you to see.  O and I both agreed, EPIC was an amazing experience to be a part of, but no more show installations in the near future. What lies ahead- some seriously cool design projects on the horizon...

Hard Working Dude

                                              

For those of you who don't know us- this is my man, Owen aka O! Husband, Business Partner, Best Friend and Dude of all Dudes. He has been working especially hard lately, so I just wanted to say, a big thanks to him for all that he does. With spring in full swing our gardening business has gone from 0-100 in about a month. While all the bright bulbs with their cheery faces say, "spring is here" the weather sure would make us think differently. And while rain and gardening don't go hand in hand for me, O, well, he never complains.   

Sometimes we get so powered by work and staying on track and working late days and way too many early mornings in a row; we forget to say those special words of encouragement. So while I type away busy with a piled desk and way too many designs to plug through, I thought I would take a minute to say, I couldn't do all this without the hardworking hands and creative mind behind Owen Black. As far as the Vancouver garden scene goes- this guy is the man about town, and I feel pretty honored to share that. Even if you eat your lunch at 6:00, in the hall, with grubby hands... in your skimpies!

   

A clean- up on a sunny brisk sunday in march at the Aloe Test Gardens.

Climbing heights on a rainy weekend building the mock up booth for the upcoming EPIC Show.

Turn it OFF!

Just a reminder to turn off your lights tomorrow night from 8-9 for  Earth Hour. Come and join millions around the earth in a fight against climate change and by showing that you care about our planet. Landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Sears Tower and the Sydney Opera House will also be taking part- very cool!

This will promote awareness to the world about the amount of energy we consume. Plus being stuck in the dark for an hour can be fun- think candles, a blanket, and old fashion transistor radio! If you feel further inspired, change those old light bulbs to energy efficient ones. The big Canadian Tire store on Cambie street has the biggest selection. You will save so much time and energy in the long run.

Fact: if 10,000 households turn off lights tomorrow night for just one hour, we’ll avert the CO2 created by an average apartment in a whole year.- Ideal Bite.

Spring Has Sprung

The other day I was reaching into our big corner cupboard, in the kitchen, where we seem to store a lot of those items that don't get enough use or are just simply too large for any other space, and out popped this crazy tentacle.  At first I thought I had come across a dead mouse, or worse a rat. This long tale- like thing looked very much like a rat! Then I looked closer and remembered- Potatoes! Check out these guys.

Back in the winter I had stored some fingerling potatoes hoping that the depths and darkness of this cupboard may produce some 'offspring' and... sure enough! I was so excited, as I often buy my seedling potatoes from a supplier and had never tried from scratch.

So with Spring upon us, we planted them up, in our back lane raised beds, where root veggies and corn grow tall and lush all summer long. Raised beds against a south facing fence, 1' deep and 2' tall, are a great space saver for those with not a lot of 'garden bed' in their own back yard. Plus these veggies are all grown underground or in husks so the yucky lane dust doesn't effect them. So far no veggie thieves either!  This is our tribute to using every inch of our land. Because, well lets face it the garden doesn't have to stop inside the gate!

Ready. Set. Grow. Happy Easter everyone.

Summer Dreaming

Most of you who know me, know my minor obsession with Jack Johnson. I have been to his concerts in California, I own every album and surf dvd, I've book marked his site, and I have claimed that if he were to meet me, well we would just become best buds. So you can only imagine my excitement when I found out a month back that he had a new cd release out. Busy with meetings, I even subjected my mom to an hour long wait on ticket master for his upcoming summer show at UBC. Thanks mom!

After a long read of his updated site I am proud to learn, like other celebs, he has gone seriously eco conscious, recently recording his new album with 100% solar energy. So very cool! For further info check out his recently launched initiative to create a local and interactive network for change, at All at Once.

The yummy, soothing tunes and laid back surfer vibe that is, Jack, is about all I need right now to get me to warmer sunny days. So while the weather continues to remain bleak and winter-like (Is Spring really around the corner?) I will dream blissfully while listening to my ipod, about summer!

Seattle Garden Show 2008

With all this yucky rain, we have really been itching for spring and some garden inspiration. So, O and I headed down south to the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle. We took a break from it last year, so we were pretty excited to see what was in store for 08'. Lots of great goodies. We managed to complete it in a day and were definitely inspired by some great ideas. Some of the highlights:

1.0 Going Native:

It seemed a few years back the overall theme was bulb mania, this year it was replaced by lots of exhibits featuring indigenous plantings and mild mulches, which as we all know requires little maintenance and drought tolerance- an easy recipe for any urban gardener. One we loved: A Weekend Adventure- by New Leaf Creations.

2.0 Eat Your Greens:

Thanks to the Northwest Horticulture Society we were so thrilled to see that a large amount of the show was dedicated to kitchen gardens. From small container arrangements to large potagers this was definitely my favorite part of the show.

I was just as ecstatic when I saw the live chicken coop at the Seattle Urban Farm Co display. This was way to cool for its own good, with a vegetable garden lined brick pathway, edible green roof, mini orchard, farm kitchen and the beloved livestock. Way to go guys!

3.0 Contemporary Arrangements:

We always seem to gravitate to the modern, but there were so many great container arrangements this year. Check out these sleek planters.

 4.0 Think Green:

Sunset sponsors this event, so I felt like a kid in a candy shop trying to make sure we made enough time to hear some of the speaker series. The most memorable was, by one of their editors Lauren Bonar Swzey who spoke on the design savy sustainable gardens she has visited over the years. Can we say job envy!

5.0 Designer Spotting... And A Little Bit Of Crush Really:

To say that I didn't go bright red and a bit sweaty would be completely lying, when I got to meet one of my favorite international designers Jamie Durie. He was just as gorgeous and lovely in person. I talked with him for a bit about his books and even scored an autograph. O was thoroughly embarrassed for me.

6.0 Monrovia Plants:

Monrovia is in my opinion one of the best plant suppliers out there. If my long desired job at Sunset doesn't pan out, I think these guys would be my second choice. It was great to see some of the new species they have developed. Two that intrigued us were: Baby Bliss Flax Lilly and Wates Golden Pine. Now if only our nurseries carried more of their stock.

7.0 Farmers Rock:

We talked with some great suppliers in the 'Marketplace' but our favorite couple were from Half Moon Bay, CA. Farmer John Muller and his wife Eda run a pumpkin farm and and distribute Franchi old world heirloom seeds from Italy. We bought up some gems and successfully managed to smuggle them back home, yippee!

8.0 Classic Designs:

I have been on a serious search for some girlie- as- girlie- can- be- rain- boots. I finally found them at the Smith and Hawkins booth. As much as I am ready to see the rain disappear, maybe a few more days wouldn't hurt, so I can sport these cutsies.

9.0 Eco Friendly Products:

Two real interesting products caught our eyes. One is a non toxic organic pesticide spray that has packaging reminiscent of Method, called Pharm Solutions made locally in Washington State.

The other was a  5 gallon compost tea brewer made from a company called Keep It Simple.

10.0 A Resting Place:

After being on our feet all day we were ready for a seat and a tall one. We found the perfect answer in Ballard at Kings Hardware- a local watering hole that serves cold local brews and mini little burgers. A nice end to a great day.

 

Get Crackin'

It seems that I have come across a new idea for the 'Aloe Test Garden'. Call me crazy but I would love to house our very own Chicken Coupe. O thinks I'm nutz, and says that If I think the sound of an alarm clock is bad, then imagine chicken calls before sunrise. Crazy as it may be, how fun to have our own flock in the backyard, daily hunting for eggs and fresh home cooked omelette's all within a 50' radius. I would name my hens absurd names that your children would later thank you for saving them the humiliation. Names like: Lucinda-May, Carlita, Ruth and Matilda.

The other night over a family dinner we got onto the topic of chickens, the debate about brown eggs versus white, and if one was nutritiously better for you then the other- by the way the answer is, no. It seems that hens with white feathers and white earlobes lay white eggs, whereas hens with red feathers and matching-colored earlobes lay brown eggs. It got me pondering a somewhat, potentially city-dwelling question, that some farm bloggers out there may in fact laugh in my face.

If the hens know there is no rooster in site why do they continue to lay eggs? Could it be that these feathery ladies are not much different than their counter part female humans.

I will continue to plot out a spot in our back garden for my little girls and their ever so stylish house, nestled in between the unfinished shed and the tomato patch, quietly sitting where no city official or strata council member would ever  hear or see them. And in the meantime I will have to settle with my favorite brand from Capers: Rabbit RIver Farms where I can be assured the animals are treated fairly and get their daily run abouts, not too mention taste so very fresh! And I will continue to vicariously live through the postings from Sunset's blog, where in Menlow Park, California they are doing this very same thing.

Hotties

With all this cold weather and the daunting price of hydro these days, we have been trying to heat our home and office with alternative solutions. Aside from adding on more layers of clothing, buying woolly insulated socks, weatherstripping all the windows and doors, making soup for lunch, lighting fires at night, and dipping in a hot tub at the end of the day- what else can one do?

My favorite quick warm-me-up-its-so-cold trick, is a Hot Water Bottle. I swear this is the best method for super instant warmth. I have to admit this idea originated when I was visiting some family friends in England. They live on a beautiful country estate in a cottage house with very old heating. Their daily ritual when they get home is to put on the kettle, enough water for tea (of course!) and their individual hot water bottles- which they jokingly refer to as their "Hotties".

For a great weekend project find some soft vintage fabric or an old cashmere sweater and sew or knit a cover. It did however take me a while to find one- apparently other people in the city had the same idea, but now that I have it, the snowy cold days aren't feeling so bad after all.