A peak at my front porch and garden

This is what I see when I stand on my front porch and look out over my front "yard." Right now the white and purple alliums are just peaking, as are the mountain bells (blue). Emma is my constant companion. She doesn't look like her normal 84 pounds, though the summer haircut did slim her down a lot.

If you're interested in my career before baskets ...

You can go read an article I wrote: http://hubpages.com/hub/Contemporary-Basketry I will be adding pages to this in the future by adding articles and images by other contemporary basketmakers, such as Jan Hopkins and Kate Anderson.

Paeonia suffruticosa 'Kamatanishiki'

"When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden."

quote by Minnie Aumonier

Iris cristata. Dwarf Crested Iris

As these little iris bloom, so are the lilacs, wisteria, viburnam Carlesii,lily of the valley and two shades of pink dogwooks, also

the wild blue ground cover phlox, yellow celandine poppies and the money plants. The alliums are just moments away from bursting. Soon there will be a fireworks displays of lavender-purple and

clusters of star-like white pompoms.

Kerria japonica 'Variegata' hosta and scilla leaves

Trillium Graniflora

Spring tapestry

European ginger and scilla 

Hellebores

The magic of hellebores is that they bloom before the other flowers when the ground is still muted with last fall's leaves. These burst forth promising life and color, and remind us that the garden is just beginning to wake up, and to be patient.

Emma with Anemones and Ginger

The "fluff" to the left of the flowers is Emma's butt. Gardening with a dog has mixed rewards.

Smithsonian Craft Show

I will be attending a juried craft fair sponsored by the Smithsonian Women's Committee, in Washington, DC. The preview night gala is April 22nd, then the show opens to the public on Thursday, April 23rd. (This is the mailer they are sending out to invite patrons to the Preview Night Benefit. That's my basket above!) for more information and hours, please visit their website.