The Duchess and the Garden

The Duchess and the Garden - N Y Times Slide Show

A project that started at the whim of Jane Percy, the Duchess of Northumberland, has become one of the most ambitious public gardens created in Europe since World War II.

One of the features is a Rose Garden containing 3,000 roses in 180 varieties.

Alnwick Castle, her husband's ancestral home, played the role of Hogwarts School in the first two Harry Potter movies. Tourism to the castle, and to the gardens, has increased because of the popularity of the films.

The project has amassed plenty of admirers, but more than a few critics as well, who have challenged the populist bent of the design and the money required to build it. Its overall budget now stands at £70 million ($140 million). Don't fail to click on the link at the beginning of the post to see all of the photos.

Have a great weekend and do some gardening if you can.

Accessories Fashioned from Food

Blackberry Bag

Watermelon Helmet

Eggplant Shoes

Broccoli Purse

These stunning pictures of accessories made ​​with food are the work of photographer Fulvio Bonavis. See more food-fashion creations.

William Morris Stamp Set | Royal Mail

I've said it once and I'll say it again---The best stamps in the world are issued by the Royal Mail in the UK. This William Morris Stamp Set that was issued on May 5, 2011 is especially wonderful.

Note card sets are available too.
Read about The Million Dollar Stamp.

Yale Opens Online Digital Library with 250,000 Free Images

Zebra oil on canvas painted by George Stubbs in 1763. View a wonderful slideshow showing the great diversity now available from Yale with delightful background music here.

Read complete article.

The Garden Path

This garden path caught my eye this morning and I thought it would be the perfect first image of the day. It's finally Friday after a long rainy week. I don't have much color yet...just some buttercups and forget me nots and of course a few lily of the valley that are in full bloom. I found a friend who is going to let me dig up more from her patch...so happy about that. See you later.

Now if I just had a beautiful breakfast like this. Instead I'll just have to stare at this photo as I eat my oatmeal.

20+ Popcorn Seasoning Ideas and Recipes

Here are a few homemade popcorn seasoning recipes.

Parmesan Dill

1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

1 1/2 TBS Dill weed

1 tsp Garlic salt

*refrigerate excess

Parmesan Nacho

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Chili powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp pepper

*refrigerate excess

Cheesy BBQ

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

2 TBS Butter (melted)

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic salt

Popcorn Mania: {20+ Seasoning Ideas and Recipes} 
image source

Lady's Mantle after The Rain

Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is one of my favorite perennials because of the way rain and dew drops collect on the leaves. The flowers are rather insignificant but they really do look very nice in arrangements. [photo by Rosemary Beck]

This picture from The Herb Companion shows lady's mantle in bloom around the edge of a rock garden and pond. There is a lot more information about this prolific herb here. Now is a good time to buy a clump or two for your garden since June is the month for perennials. You'll be so glad you did.

Must Shield My Eyes. Is that the sun?

I simply couldn't resist using this graphic Piero Fornasetti plate to illustrate how unaccustomed my eyes have become to seeing the sun. It is in and out of the clouds today and the rain has stopped. Hope you can say the same.