Forgive the cryptic title. Between the tulip blossoms all skirty flirty and the upside down pots, I find myself thinking about how much I look forward to new knickers in the Spring. I went out one night last week after Syd had gone to bed (Daddy was on duty) and bought a few pair. When it’s time to set out my pots, it’s also time to pitch the old panties and secure some lovely new ones. What does this little confession have to do with gardening? …Be honest. How many times have you awakened well before the neighbors — or maybe you’re lucky enough to have a private backyard — and gone outside with a cup of tea, pulled a few weeds and wandered around the garden in your underwear? I can’t be the only one.

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Today is the anniversary of my brother, Ian Robert Burcroff’s, untimely death. Nine years ago, at the age of 23, he gave way to his four-year fight with cancer. My mother and I have taken to calling today his Rebirthday. It wouldn’t be right to let the day pass without honoring him out loud. …Something about the pulmonaria blossoms made me think of birthday candles and life alight, regenerating through the muck and dirt.

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I am up to my neck in life with my beautiful baby. And in my “downtime,” I’m doing a bit of freelance to earn my keep. So, Invisible Bees has dropped down to the bottom of my list of priorities. Well behind dog walks; mealtime; hugging my husband; and sleep, precious, divine and illusive sleep. Thank you for hanging in there with me. I miss working in this space, and look forward to the days when I can give it — and you — more of my love.

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photo by Ryan

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photo by Ryan

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Oh, bother. Let’s think happy thoughts, shall we?

Dahlia, photo by Ryan

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You’ll need these items:

• Soap molds from a craft store OR old, cheap metal tartlett pans from the thrift store
• Vegetable oil (spray would be easiest)
• Mortar mix (be ready to make a bunch of feet for hostess gifts, Mother’s Day gifts, etc. Or use your leftover mix to make stepping stones or hypertufa troughs. I don’t think mortar mix comes in very small bags…)
• A bit of water
• An old bucket or plastic bowl for mixing
• A sturdy stir stick
• Concrete dye (optional)

Then, dive in:

1. Spray the molds with your veg oil (or wipe them down with oil).
2. Guesstimate how much mortar mix you’ll need for the number of feet you want to make.
3. “Add water to the mortar mix slowly, until it’s the consistency of thick cake batter.” So sayeth Garden Gate.
4. (Stir in the concrete dye if you’re making colored feet.)
5. Pour the mix into the mold(s).
6. Tap the mold(s) gently to get rid of air bubbles.
7. Let the mold(s) dry for 24 hours, and if the mortar is dry to the touch, pop out your feet.
8. Let them cure another 48 hours before you insert them under your favorite containers.

If you don’t want to make your own concrete pot feet, here’s an interesting discussion on different materials and options for pot feet. I can’t speak for the efficacy of any of them, but some of the ideas are really simple and kind of cool — like using checkers or dominos.

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Lily Pond, Chicago

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clockwise from top left: Wraparound, Garden Beauty, Olympia, Organic Sterling, Lotus in Bloom

The Wraparound ring reminds me of floral tape. Garden Beauty, of course, looks like a butterfly. Olympia reminds me of a big tropical houseplant leaf. Organic Sterling has peat pot written all over it. And, hello, Lotus in Bloom–you are gorgeous, darling. Come to mama.

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