Paradise Under Glass: An Amateur Creates A Conservatory Garden by Ruth Kassinger

"All my hurts my garden spade can heal." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity." -Lindley Karstens

I love gardening. For me, it's a form of relaxation, a way to get back in touch with my thoughts. And I love when I find other gardener's who share my excitement for getting their hands dirty and finding a little peace.

Ruth Kassinger, author of "Paradise Under Glass: A Amateur Creates A Conservatory Garden," seems to be one such kindred spirit. Here's my review of her fantastic book!

When desperately seeking a way to relieve stress and emotional overload after the loss of her sister, her own battle with breast cancer, and the overwhelming sadness of an empty nest, author Ruth Kassinger found solace in the dense, reviving atmosphere of the U.S. Botanical Garden’s conservatory. The lush greenery, the oxygen-rich air and the peace she found was so relaxing and appealing, Kassinger wondered if she could recreate the same magic in her own home.

Kassinger’s journey to create her own conservatory is documented in her book, “Paradise Under Glass: An Amateur Creates A Conservatory.”

This book is no ordinary memoir of one woman’s efforts, although Kassinger does give a complete accounting of her struggles to find the right plants, the right amount of sun, and even the right builder to help her reach her dream. But she also includes an in-depth and surprisingly lively look at the history of some of the most famous conservatories in the world, as well as stories about the people who set out to find the rarest plants on earth to fill these houses of glass.

From the aromatic orangeries so popular during the Renaissance to the sedate ferneries of the Victorian era, Kassinger visits all the palaces of plants that were early forerunners to her humble, yet equally loved home conservatory.

What endeared Kassinger the most to me was her honest confession of not known a thing in the world about gardening when she began this project (she admitted her husband did most of the family gardening), and how she set out to learn as much as she could from as many experts as she could contact in order to make her dream come true. This is a lady who knew what she wanted, and in spite of the many experiments that went awry (her adventures with a mass of wayward butterflies had me wiping tears of laughter from my eyes), she created the peaceful tropical setting she longed for. She turned her brown thumb into a flourishing green one.

“Paradise Under Glass” will appeal to gardeners, those who want to be gardeners, and those who just admire efforts of gardeners alike.

Be sure to check out Ruth's website at www.ruthkassinger.com for more information about her books and gardening!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my opinion.

The music playing is by Secret Garden, a duo comprised of Fionnuala Sherry of Ireland and Rolf Lovland of Norway. For more info on their beautiful music, check out their website at www.secretgarden.no

Writing a book is like planting a garden - a guest blog by Mary Carter, author of "My Sister's Voice"

Today, I'm excited to host a guest blog by Mary Carter, author of "My Sister's Voice."

WRITING A BOOK IS LIKE PLANTING A GARDEN
By Mary Carter


It’s Spring, a perfect time for gardens and books. I live in an apartment in New York City so I don’t have a garden to tend to, although I keep meaning to start a mini fire-escape garden.

Writing a book is like planting a garden. The idea starts as a little seed, but planting it is not enough. It has to be watered, weeded, and pruned before it blooms. A first draft is messy, the second draft is for weeding out the bits that don’t work. You can get your hands dirty, or you can wear gloves. It may seem daunting at first, but then you remember-- you have a number of tools at your disposal.

Some people plan out their gardens in great detail, sketching the area, plotting where each flower, or vegetable will go. Others may take a handful of seeds and sprinkle them with wild abandon. Some writers will draft meticulous outlines, others will simply throw an idea up in the air and see where it lands.

There is no right or wrong way, it’s whatever keeps you coming back. Seeing your work in print is a lot like sitting back and marveling at your beautiful flowers, or picking the vegetables you grew yourself. Both are organic, one comes from the ground, the other comes from within you.

They both come with pitfalls, just like a rabbit can sneak in and nibble on your carrots, self-doubt can creep in and eat away at your novel. Surprises are another thing they have in common. You may go out to your garden one day and see a tiny purple flower that you didn’t plant, or a patch of wild strawberries growing. Unexpected discoveries are a source of joy.

While writing a novel, little tidbits pop up that you didn’t expect. The plot suddenly thickens, or a character’s motivation comes to light because of something you learn about their background. And just like books are meant to be read, gardens are meant to be harvested. Pick some of the flowers, put them in a jar and enjoy them indoors as well. Make a salad with the tomatoes you grew yourself, add some herbs growing on your windowsill to a new recipe.

Keeping a garden is a lot of work, but the rewards are well worth it. The beauty you’ve created is not only there for you, but others can enjoy it as well. It’s a great way to spend a day, or a life. Every morning promises something new.

And it’s never too late. If your garden has been abandoned or the weeds have taken over, it’s okay, you can start again. Or, if you’d rather, stroll the neighborhood, or a bookstore, and enjoy other people’s gardens. Just don’t pick their flowers, unless they tell you it’s okay.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

MARY CARTER is a freelance writer and novelist. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which is part of the Rochester Institute of Technology.

"My Sister’s Voice" is her fourth novel with Kensington. Her other works include: "She’ll Take It," "Accidentally Engaged," "Sunnyside Blues," and "The Honeymoon House" in the best selling anthology "Almost Home."

She has just completed "A Very Maui Christmas," a new novella for Kensington that will be included in a Christmas of 2010 anthology. She is currently working on a new novel, "The Pub Across the Pond," about an American woman who swears off all Irish men only to learn she’s won a pub in Ireland. Readers are welcome to visit her at www.marycarterbooks.com


Thank you so much to Mary Carter for her lovely guest post. And thank you to Dorothy Thompson at Pump Up Your Book Promotion for this Book Blog Tour visit. Be sure to come back by on May 19th when I'll have a review of Mary's book, "My Sister's Voice."