Not my kitchen window, but instead, one from a home in Tucson. So peaceful isn't it? That's what I want for you this holiday season. Peace. Hum along with me . . . and, so this is Thanksgiving . . . . My apologies to John Lennon for putting my own words in his famous song, but every year, this is what I think about our most American holiday. While other people's excitement builds, I'm trying to figure out the best way not to get sick. It's not easy to coast through the holidays with food intolerances and allergies. However, I have good news. You have more options than ever to eat this starch and dairy-filled meal and remain healthy. I've written about the challenges before in 2008, 2009, 2011. In 2010, I simply wrote about gratitude which probably shows a change in my feelings about my disease. In 2009, my mom's dressing...

Ajania pacifica (Pacifica Mum), one of the last blooming plants in the garden. I'm working on a talk I'm giving to my local daylily group this weekend. When they asked me earlier this summer, they said I could talk on any subject I wanted--a dangerous proposition for someone so talkative to be sure--but I appreciate their confidence. Talks take a lot of time and thought before coming to fruition. Echinacea purpurea, which now reseeds throughout the garden with Hemerocallis 'Thunder and Lightning' You see, I'm not all about daylilies at my house. I love so many plants, and the sweet genus Hemerocallis only blooms so long. We need other plants to fill our days and garden beds when daylilies don't bloom. You can insert any other group of plants for which you have a passion. I've come to realize, after indulging in way too many love affairs with various genera, it's...

Leaves are falling outside my kitchen window, and the wind is blowing them across the lawn these last warm days. Last week, I talked about plants that inspire passion in my garden. The post was too long--even for me--so I broke it into two parts. The green chairs in our front lawn surrounded by leaves. We're supposed to have a cold front come through tomorrow. In autumn and later winter, cold fronts push out of Canada or across the Pacific and eventually confront the plains. Some of the Canadian Express types are very strong. Because of Hurricane Sandy stirring up the jet stream on the eastern side of the U.S., Oklahoma has had wonderful weather, and every blue sky reminds me of the devastation. As someone who has watched her state deal with the aftermath of wildfire and tornadoes, my heart is heavy. If you want to help, consult your...

Coreopsis integrifolia, Chipola River Daisy. Like a lot of my other unique plants, I bought this from Bustani Plant Farm. Although they no longer ship, I've linked to other nurseries that do. My excitement over this new-to-my-garden wildflower knows no bounds. Coreopsis integrifolia, Chipola River daisy, a/k/a fringe leaf tickseed and Chipola dyeflower, is very rare, but it has been found from southern South Carolina to north Florida. Its common name hails from the Chipola River that runs through three counties in Florida. Can you see the tiny ant on Coreopsis integrifolia, Chipola River daisy? I bought my plant from Bustani Plant Farm, but I also found it sold by High Country Gardens and Woodlanders. As Lazy S Farm says, this plant is the "equivalent of the little black dress." It goes with everything, and it is a hardy perennial that has stolons (horizontal above-ground shoots), but I'm assured by plant...