I'm going to be on the ABC News Now program Exclusiva this Thursday, December 6th at 1:00 in the afternoon talking about Mexican wine. You can read an article that I wrote about it on their website here: Exclusiva

I reported some of this from the Yucatan Peninsula last year when I was on vacation with my family. We rented three condos on the beach--they were run by hippies whose 4 large dogs ran wild and pooped all over the place. But it was perfect for my nieces and nephews who ran from the ocean to the pool-- the pool to the ocean, leaving streams of water and sand on the condo floor.

I broke away from the herd and visited the Maroma Resort and Spa for a night to learn about Mexican wines from the chef, Guillermo Gomez and food and beverage manager Rodrigo Rodrigo Ofner. (That's where I took these pictures.)

I fell in love with Maroma Resort and Spa. Originally a coconut plantation, Jose Luis Moreno, an architect from Mexico City purchased the property in 1976. Moreno designed the resort in accordance with Mayan astronomy, so the setting would have a natural flow. He hired Mayan masons to build the first resort out of local quarried stone; it took 20 years. Located on 500 acres of jungle that border a white sand beach, this resort is situated only 100 yards from the second largest barrier reef in the world. Only one-tenth of the Maroma's property will be developed in order to preserve the ecological balance.

Garden lovers. Beach lovers. This is really where you want to go this winter.

The Cultural Landscape Foundation now has an online photography exhibition titled: Heroes of Horticulture (2007) . They describe it as "Highlighting significant horticultural features that have stood steadfast in the face of almost insurmountable natural and cultural odds; having born witness to the heritage of our nation."
Or, more simply put: plant porn.

While Christmas shopping in the ever shrinking flower district, on 28th St., I came across these terribly cute Christmas topiaries.

Erin Combs, principal at Jardinière ~ Garden Services is decorating Brooklyn Heights for the holidays. She clipped bunches of balsam, blue spruce, white pine & scotch pine. These she has mixed with have natural birch branches and red twig dogwood - along with a lot of pine cones and other "whosies and whatsits for color".

The windowboxes will last throughout most of the winter.

Have a hard time remembering when to water your plants? The the Thirsty Light blinks when plants are parched.

The Sagaform herb pot is a Scandinavian designed ceramic pot for keeping fresh herbs, well, fresh. (It's not for growing them, as I thought at first glance.) Rather, there's a hole in the base for adding water to keep the roots wet, and, as they claim, "air circulating."

If you got an urge for indoor gardening, check out this cute black olive bonsai at Red Envelope.

Unfortunately, it doesn't make olives, but this species is originally from the Florida Keys, so in this tiny tree southern tropical meets Chinese style. (do bonsai's seem fetishitic to anyone else?) Regardless, I love them.

Williams-Sonoma had a charming little Cabernet Sauvignon grape bonsai, that does grow fruit. They seem to be out of them right now. These would make great window box plants in California.

You know who you are...

Image by Katherine Durham Oldmixon

The November/December issue of online literary journal qarrtsiluni is featuring a bug issue. Visit it for great poems, prose and photos featuring Yucca Moths, Beekeepers, and the Nymph Prowl...

The Architectural Review Awards for Emerging Architects were recently announced and two of the winners had designed ideas based on urban green space.

Ecoboulevard by ECOSISTEMA URBANO ARQUITECTOS

These are "easily dismantled and energetically self-sufficient" mini-forests that provide temporary respite. The ideas is that these temporary installations are set up in suburban Madrid to create a cooling climate and meeting place for people. This attempts to counter-balance the effects of air conditioning, which heats the environment and tends to isolate people.

TAKETO SHIMOHIGOSHI/AAE

"Mid-air nature is as unexpected as it is effective."

This sky garden of moss covered beams is in Tokyo, very densely populated city. Here is what the judges had to say about it. "Vegetation handling in mid-air, where nature is not in its natural place, stirs up imagination and sensuality. This vegetation becomes a buffer where ground is connected to the sky."

Outside New York
is having a Spring Cleaning event of outdoor furniture & site furnishings at their shop through December 24th.

They have pottery and plants as well. Everything in the shop is 50-70% off.

During the past 19 years the number of wintering bald eagles on the lower Hudson River has steadily increased. These birds are sometimes viewable in impressive numbers, and are often to be seen fishing, feeding and interacting. No guarantees for sightings, but we can guide you to the best viewing areas in the lower Hudson and discuss eagle life in New York during all seasons. High-powered spotting scopes and running commentary made available. No charge.

These programs all meet at the lower parking lot in Georges Island Park in Montrose. The entrance is off the Old Post Road (Route 9A), just to the north of the FDR Veterans Hospital. Turn at the County Park sign and proceed 1 mile to the park and waterfront.

At Georges Island Park, Montrose, NY

January 1, 2008 2:00 PM
January 13, 2008 2:00 PM
January 19, 2008 2:00 PM
February 10, 2008 3:00 PM

As an extra treat, on New Years' Day Chris will serve his special spiced hot cider, guaranteed to warm your heart!