secret: i never take medicine.

Well, sometimes I do. But not usually. I don't know why, really. Stubbornness, probably. An overblown belief in willpower, definitely. But even if I can be reluctant to pop Tylenol for a headache, I'm a big proponent of embracing natural remedies. Medicine of my own making.

Last week, I brewed a big batch of elderberry syrup to get me through flu season. I've sworn by the immunity-boosting concoction for the past three winters and this year, I made more than ever. Germs, you don't stand a chance. I've got spoonfuls of sweet, elderberry goodness to keep the doctor away all season long. Not to knock my own Fire Cider recipe, but elderberry syrup laps that spicy concoction in the flavor department. No need to hold your nose while downing this stuff. If you're like me, you'll have to stop yourself from drizzling the whole bottle onto a sundae. Mmmm.

If you'd like to make your own, the full recipe is on Gardenista.

And as always, I'm curious. What are you favorite immunity-boosters during flu season? Any fellow elderberry devotees out there?

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a sneak peek.

Photographs by Matthew Williams

There's a new book coming to bookstores on November 5th and while I can't claim to have been a part of any of its creation, I'm not above bragging that I've gotten to rub shoulders with the women who did bring the masterpiece to light.

The blog-to-book model is not always a successful one, but in the case of Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home, it's pure gold. 400 pages of gorgeous photographs that manage to inspire, without catapulting readers over the edge of lusty despair. And this from a woman who makes her home in a wee 240. Kitchen cutlery in an old filing cabinet? Why yes, I can do that. Keeping things simple and spare while still managing to be warm and personal? Well, that's just the Remodelista way. Head here to see the chapter-by-chapter guide to what you'll find inside.

The book is available for pre-order on Amazon, and if you place your order soon, I have a sneaking suspicion that you'll be rewarded with an early delivery. This just might be the best $22.50 you'll spend all month.

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wilderness gardening.

For your viewing pleasure, my sister Laura's wilderness garden.

Part magic-maker, part badass gardening guru, I'm bursting with all sorts of big sister pride over this one.

Head over to Gardenista to read Laura's tips for planting a garden in the middle of nowhere.

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midsummer magic.

It's a good time of year, this one we're in right now. It's not the midsummer of the summer equinox, but the midsummer that means it's the beginning of August and fully half the summer is still before us. The best half, if you ask me. The one with peaches and tomatoes and late afternoon thunderstorms. Let's agree to not wish it away.

I had drinks with two new friends last night. I learned what Mezcal tastes like. I vowed never to drink it again. There were string lights and love stories. Life is good off the internet.

When I was home a few weeks ago, I styled this tabletop for Gardenista. Queen Anne's lace and still green apples and all the pretty things I could round up from my mom and dad's house. I'd love if you took a look at the full story.

I'd love it more if you created a little midsummer tabletop of your own and raised a toast to the idea that summer's not over. Not nearly. Prost!, etc.

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summer buggies.

I'm paranoid about my woollies.

There have been too many winters where I've pulled a wool something-or-other out of a closet only to find that it'd been eaten alive in the off-season. Truth is: I'm still sans wool coat after an incident a few years ago when a particularly aggressive moth got its jaws on my go-to winter jacket. I can't even talk about my grandfather's beret.

Determined to rest easy about stowing my winter wools this summer (and knowing that mothballs are simply a non-option for reasons of toxins and odor combined), I embarked on something of a craft project.  And here they are, pint-sized sachets to keep the moths away and keep my closet smelling fresh, too.

The full how-to is on Gardenista. Along with another story about a bug I'm actually quite fond of. Coming soon: finding relief from mosquitos.

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evening walk, west coast edition.

I'm spending a few days out in San Francisco getting better acquainted with my new team at Gardenista and Remodelista. So far that's meant feasting on fava bean risotto and a fruit tart so dainty and delicious that I woke up this morning trying to figure a way to have another slice for breakfast.

Yesterday evening, a walk around Mill Valley as the sun was setting. It's good to be here.

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flowers and other things.

This week has been all about lessons in flower arranging and in biting off more than I can chew. Here's a very late afternoon that proves both things.

PS. Thanks to everyone who shared their after dinner rambles with the #afterdinnerwalk hashtag. You made my week and then some.

PPS: To read more about my adventures in floral arranging, head to Gardenista.

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adventures in urban gardening.

Okay, I did ask for permission. But taking over my building's gardens still feels just a little bit like going rogue. They don't belong to me, after all.  I've been fussing with these two crumbling window boxes for the past month or two and I finally have a combination of goodies in there that seems good enough to share:

There's breathless white euphorbia and Mexican heather for filling things out, tall spikes of hardy angelonia in white and pink for adding height and even taller spikes of salvia because I have a soft spot for it, and sweet alyssum that I'm hoping will cascade over the planters and hide the fact that they're on the verge of collapse. If you look hard enough, you'll see there are still a few zinnias that I planted when I was feeling nostalgic for my wedding bouquet. They're struggling, but I'm not ready to admit defeat.

If you have a little space you've been cultivating, you can enter a few photos to the Gardenista Considered Design Awards. The process is incredibly simple and the categories are broad enough that I'm pretty sure you can all find something eligible for entry: floral arrangements, window boxes, herb gardens, city gardens, country gardens, almost anything goes. Head here for the details.

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