A plateful of pretty blossoms
In the past three years, spending on vegetable gardening has risen 20 percent, while flower sales have dropped. But why choose one over the other? Add color to your garden-and plate-by planting these bright, edible bloomers. -Gillian Barth, This Old House magazine

See all 10 flowers to grow for a plateful of blossoms!


1. Violets
Violets
Plant these springtime annuals in a spot that gets full sun but isn't too hot, and skip commercial fertilizer; bed them with compost material instead. Then, cool off plucked buds by dropping them in ice trays and freezing them into cubes for a festive look in a drink glass. They'll add a perfumed flavor to cocktails and seltzers alike.

RELATED: Easy Upgrades for Weekend DIYers

2. Pansies
Pansies
Add color to an herb garden with these annuals, which are closely related to violets and enjoy similar growing conditions. Harvest their large flowers for pretty desserts. Brush delicate buds with egg white and dip them in sugar for a candied effect that will enhance their

With the weather warming up, everyone here at TOH is dreaming about relaxing out on the lawn, deck, or patio. Hosting a cook-out or barbecue is probably the most fun (and tasty!) way to enjoy your backyard. (For more on the outdoor space shown above, see Cook Up a Great Outdoor Kitchen). -Karen Ziga for thisoldhouse.com

Dining outdoors requires the right set of tools (think ultimate grill station, not hammer) and practical accessories. Here are a few new items from Prepara that will help keep your guests happy.

Prepara Oil Mister

Salads are a fresh, cool, and healthful addition to warm weather menus. If you aren't a fan of gloppy dressing and wilted greens, try using the Prepara Tabletop Oil Mister (about $20). Create your own flavored oils and mist a thin layer of flavor on salad or veggies off the grill. Everyone will want to know where you nabbed these tabletop accessories, available in bright, contemporary colors that'll jazz up any picnic table.

Prepara Chef's Baster Set

Brushing on your

By Holly Lefevre for GalTime.com

DIY Corsage Mother's Day is a simple day for my family. Rather than racing off for a day at the spa to "escape" them, this is a day I choose to embrace them. After all they have made me a mother. We celebrate together, enjoy each others company and maybe best of all.

I do get to sleep in while the family prepares a special breakfast. I don't even ask for a gift... sleeping in is a gift in itself.

I was feeling nostalgic and like I needed a few more mementos to commemorate and celebrate my own motherhood and hopefully I have created a little something that you to can make to show your mom (or any mom) how much you love her. I know my mom is getting one!

Related: 5 Creative Ways to Surprise Mom on Mother's Day

Supplies
Canvas Corp Fabric Flower
Photo (printed to the appropriate size) - I used a left over holiday card photo.
Button/chipboard/wood disc
Pin or clip
Scrap of felt or fabric
Glue (hot glue or fabric glue)

Don't have a green thumb-or the time-for exotic flower beds and perfectly tended gardens. See how this landscape architect incorporates the surrounding into his designs.

1. A grassy ramp connects different areas of the garden at a 26-acre Hamptons estate.


How do you make a landscape look natural?
You can usually make a few bold changes to a garden that are actually very subtle to the eye but help to tie a landscape together. Also, I think it's a mistake to fight the natural plant palette-or the regulations that might exist at a site-so you should never do anything that's too radical.

2. Wisteria clambers up a pergola in Water Mill, creating a shady retreat. The rough stone walls contrast with a series of bluestone slabs set simply into the grass.

How do you create a low maintenance garden?
By first explaining that "low maintenance" is a relative term, and that most any garden will require some degree of maintenance. One helpful solution is to limit the plant palette to several key

It's easy to elevate your next picnic or barbecue

Outdoor entertaining season is here again, and with it comes the opportunity to invest in the following fashionable and functional pieces that will make your next alfresco party easier and more elegant than ever!

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My week long stay and continued connection to the Golden Door has been an amazing experience. I feel like I landed in a dream and that I have finally truly connected to myself. Please enjoy these pictures of my experience. Remember the limitations of cameras and technology. These images are my attempt to bottle up my experience in a modest package to share with you. If you want to experience this Eden of peace you need to go in person because nothing else will bring it justice. Peace and love. Shannon

Golden DoorI had another lovely visit at the Golden Door this week. Ellen (my personal trainer) continues to inspire and ground me in my journey. I lost 2 lbs. this week and I'm down one inch! Pretty neat huh?! I'm feeling great except as I write this I am sore from the workout. My abs, arms, and legs ache. It feels GREAT to feel a body within this shell of existence saying, "HELLO - remember me?!" One bummer is that I pinched my sciatic nerve over the weekend and continue to struggle with sleep and pain. I have faith that it will release from me soon. I also returned to water aerobics this week which was great! I love those women! After not seeing me for almost a month they welcomed me back with warmth.

Other highlights this week:
- I made my first drum. It was a beautiful metaphor for the process that I've been going through. The instructor is a Native American Studies teacher and walked us through the "birthing" process of the drum making. I laughed and cried - got frustrated