Introducing Painter Photographer, Fleur-Ange Lamothe

"Dansons" by Fleur-Ange Lamothe © 2007

"Every time I meet a tree, if I am truly awake, I stand in awe before it. I listen to its voice, a silent sermon moving me to the depths, touching my heart, and stirring up within my soul a yearning to give my all." - Mary Webb, 1917

The above quote comes to me through Fleur-Ange Lamothe, a Canadian artist who blends photography and painting to create visionary art. Lamothe used Mary Webb's words as the sole description for one of her elegant photos of trees. Yet the quote could as well describe Fleur-Ange's entire approach to life and to communicating her vision of Nature into powerful, transformative art.

Fleur-Ange's art is part performance, part canvas or film and part installation; she is all about communication and connection; counterpoint and balance; birth, death and rebirth. She translates her fertile psyche's impulses and emotions into works of tangible beauty that challenge her viewers to look (and feel) under the surface of things.


All photos © Fleur-Ange Lamothe 2007

I have been a "follower" of Fleur-Ange Lamothe on Flickr for the last couple of years. Recently she pulled all of the photos of hers that I had "faved" into one collection called MR's Favorites. It is an understatement to say I was captivated by the slideshow of that set ... watching a fluid river of incredible beauty float and dissolve on my computer monitor. The slideshow is so worth watching -- with 66 photos playing 4 seconds each it takes only four and a half minutes to watch (unless, like me, you keep pausing the show to drink in the beauty every frame or so.)

Whenever I spend enough time to really look deeply at a piece by Fleur-Ange, I get the sense that I am on a journey with an old soul, with someone who has an inborn sense of connection to all of life, who sees even the stones as living beings. I get the sense that I am walking with a kindred soul, someone who has seen into the very heart of the Earth and who is striving with sincerity and courage to help others touch that place of healing as well.

Someday I really have to see her paintings in person. Actually, it would be wonderful to meet Fleur-Ange in person! In the meantime, since I can't just hop on a plane and fly to Ontario, I satisfy myself by cruising through her flickr sets -- on slideshow mode -- at least once a week. And I have many of her images on my computer as a screen saver. I'm fortunate she is so generous with her photography.

I am honored to be able to introduce my friend, Fleur-Ange Lamothe, who is also an accomplished artist, to the folks who read my blogs. I hope you enjoy her photography and paintings as much as I do.

All photos © Fleur-Ange Lamothe 2007

to see the individual photos enlarged, click the titles below:

• A Moment of Solitude, Italy
  
• Meadow in Late Afternoon, Italy
• Where Have All the Plastic Water Bottles Gone?
• Tree Habitant, England

Find more of Fleur-Ange's photos at Wildflower Watch, or on her (Eglantine) Flickr stream

what the heck is a meme?

Okay, this is my first ever meme ... didn't even know what a meme was until a few minutes ago when I read this same list on Liz's blog.... hmmm I, too, have to wonder at this strange list. You're supposed to answer just Yes or No without any explanation. I found myself really wanting to explain my answers. Hedging maybe. Or just wanting to justify. Like #1 & #2: "yes, but only when I was totally alone" ... or #34 -- "yes, but only once. Once was enough!" that kind of answer. The kind of answer that says, well - yes I did that, but it was a long, looonnnnggg time ago, so it really wasn't all that bad ... lol ... so I am cheating by adding a few qualifiers...


Copyright Maureen Shaughnessy 2006

Am I a good girl or a bad girl? Does it matter?
Nahhhhh... I'm just who I am and I kinda like who I am.
So here goes with this silliness:

Have you ever
1. Taken a picture completely naked? yes. wasn't easy, believe me
2. Danced in front of a mirror naked? yes. latin music really does it for me. you ought to try it sometime.
3. Told a lie? yes. didn't like that i did, though
4. Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back? yes
5. Been arrested? nope - knock on wood ...
6. Seen someone die? yes. my grandmother. it was one of the most transforming experiences of my life.
7. Kissed a picture? yes - i'm embarassed to say. and when i was a toddler, i did something metaphorically like kissing a picture. while my mom was napping i got into her purse and drew with her red lipstick on the photos she carried in her wallet. she forgave me. a few years ago, mom sent me one of the photos she had saved that had lipstick smeared all over it. it was the one of my dad holding me.
8. Slept in until 5pm? yes when i was really really depressed i did that often
9. Had sex at work (on the clock)? yes a long long long time ago
10. Fallen asleep at work/school? yes -- i used to fall asleep in Suzallo Libray at UW ... i'd wake up with my cheek in a puddle of drool, hoping nobody had noticed. lol
11. Held a snake? yes ... lots of times. the feeling is like nothing else. they are so smooth and surprisingly warm.
12. Ran a red light? yes at 4:00 am when nobody else was on the road
13. Been suspended from school? no, though i was sent home once for refusing to wear shoes in highschool, and for wearing my skirt too long (huh?)
14. Pole danced? no - what the heck is that?
15. Been fired from a job? nope - i quit one job right before they were going to fire me, though. i'd been trying to quit that one for two years. it was about time!
16. Sang karaoke? no
17. Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? yes. unfortunately too many times
18. Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? yes - not fun!
19. Laughed until you peed? yes - wait til you hit the ripe age of 50 ... ;-)
20. Caught a snowflake on your tongue? yes ... many times -- once after not having anything to drink for three days - that was the most delicious snowflake ever!
21. Kissed in the rain? yes - i hope i'm still kissing my soulmate in the rain when we're in our 90s
22. Had sex in the rain? yes -- same as above. heheh
23. Sang in the shower? yes and the bath tub and the hot tub and ...
24. Gave your private parts a nickname? no, why would I want to do that?
25. Ever gone to school/work without underwear? yes. i went through a phase ...
26. Sat on a roof top? yes -- we used to sneak up on the rooftops of campus buildings at UW. They lock the doors to the roofs now. I've had meals on rooftops, too - the most memorable was a formal dinner with some friends on a "highrise" office building in my town.
27. Played chicken? no
28. Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? no
29. Broken a bone? nope - i must have strong bones because i've done lots of stupid things that should have ended up with a broken bone.
30. Flashed someone? no
31. Mooned someone? no
32. Shaved your head? no, but i have considered doing it in solidarity with friends who have had breast cancer...
33. Slept naked? yes all the time! pjs just get bunched up - besides it feels so good to have at least 8 hours when i don't have to wear anything!
34. Blacked out from drinking? yes - a long long long time ago and i'm not proud of it.
35. Played a prank on someone? yes ... our kids. heheh. some of the pranks they still don't know about. this one is good for a couple of blog posts. ;-)
36. Had a gym membership? yes - you know how the clubs make you sign away your life for a whole year or more? i lasted for two months but had to keep paying for a year. bleh! never again.
37. Felt like killing someone? no. really. i'm 98% pacifist. the other 2% the closest i've felt to killing someone was my ex -- i wanted to buy him a one-way ticket off-planet.
38. Cried over someone you were in love with? yes. i've had my heart broken too many times.
39. Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? yes. i didn't really bond with them, though. i lost them in some corner of the house after a couple of days.
40. Been in a band? yes. had to quit because being a single mom was interferring with practice and touring. loved it while it lasted, though.
41. Shot a gun? no. see #37
42. Shot a bow and arrow? no. #37
43. Played strip poker? no. i can't keep a straight face. i didn't want to impose the consequences of that on my friends.
44. Donated blood? yes -- it does not hurt. it's a good thing to do.
45. Ever jump out of an airplane? nope - not something that appeals to me at all!
46. Been to more than 10 countries? no - only 8. sigh.

I guess one good thing that could come of posting/thinking-about a list of questions like these is that it looks like pretty good fodder for a bunch of short stories. For every question above that I answered "yes" to ... there is a story inside me waiting to jump out. Maybe even for a few of the "no" answers. I have my work cut out for me I can see.

Poetry Thursday: Spontaneity of Childhood

I remember being 7 or 8 years old ... not wanting to come in from playing outside (except for dinner, which was always welcome because we'd worked off so many calories playing hard that we'd be "starving" by the time 6 o'clock rolled around)

Even after we ate, we'd pile outside in the humid dusk, calling to our friends "all-ie all-ie --- in-come-free ...." to pick up the kickball game where we'd left off. In mid-summer, when the sun set as late as 9 or 10 o'clock, when lightning bugs floated and glowed in the growing dark, when just throwing yourself down next to your best friend on the cool, damp grass was the very best thing you could think of in a million years ... I hate to sound like one of those old people who talk about the good old days (gasp - am I one of those now???) but I'm just gonna say it: those were really good times.

We'd come straight home from school and run out to play outside until it got too dark to see and our mothers would have to insist on bath and bedtimes. We played -- physically -- all afternoon during the school year, or all day in summer.

We rode bikes, roller-skated (before inline skates -- we used the kind of skates you attached to your sneakers and they had a little "key" to tighten them) played freeze tag, kick-the-can, or dodgeball, twisted each other round and round on a tire/rope swing until the swinger was begging for mercy from dizziness. Romped in the blackberry patch, playing "fort" or waged neighborhood "wars." Picked wild strawberries or blackberries until our hands and clothes were vermillion -stained and our stomachs ached from the sweetness. We told each other ghost stories, or related word-for-word, the plots of Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits. Traded comic books back and forth and read them lying on blankets in the shade of a spirea bush by the back door ... munched on popsicles or licked powdered jello mix out of our palms.



One of the best feelings was walking with my best friends towards "stickerland," "the haunted forest" or the big creek where we had a pretend pirate ship in the roots of huge old oak tree ... We'd be heading towards one of our favorite hangouts when somebody in the group would spontaneously shout, "Race Ya!"

Race ya!
someone shouts and
there's this instant spurt,
a pure joyful hilarious
burst
of energy, our
inner accelerators
jammed
on
high.

we hurtle and charge
in a rush of
flailing limbs and
adrenaline, scrambling across
the vacant lot, bare
legs scratched
by weeds -- oh,
we don't care ...

Race 'ya!
that shouted magic
word-potion
launches our giggling
and
we fall
piled on top of each other
gasping
for breath and
laughing

I am amazed, remembering my growing-up summers, at the incredible amount of energy I had as a child. All of us were bursting with life-force and energy and fun. We'd run and play tag and kick balls and zoom around until we dropped from exhaustion. Playing was what life was all about at that age.

I don't play enough anymore. I used to play with my kids when they were little -- I mean physical play and "pretend" play. Hanging around the playground (that's where I shot this latest series of photos) reminds me to stop the mind-stuff and the work sometimes -- to get out and play more often.

This blog post was written for Poetry Thursday. Check out other poetry posts for this week by clicking this button:

Goodbye for now ... we're off to the desert

Goodbye for now ... we're off to the desert
Originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

I made the acquaintance of these two warriors last spring just outside of Zion National Park. I hope to meet up with them again and bring them greetings in the next day or so, from all my family and friends.

Also hope to aim my camera around at the awesomeness that is the desert-in-spring. Please check back about the 17th or so to see what's new. I won't have a computer while I'm gone so I'll be sorta quiet around here.

Cowgirl Dreaming

Cowgirl Dreaming Originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

This digital painting for Beautiful Sunday, is dedicated to one of my flickr friends, Christine, whose photo-imagery I truly enjoy. She has a keen interest in and love of horses and all things-horse ... and she is consistently generous with her comments not only on my photos, but on many others as well. Christine, may all your dreams come true.

check out this idea, if you're into blogging on Sundays:

Self Portrait Tuesday

My Accidental Self:


For Jean, inspired by the many facets of her inner self she shares so courageously.

I was shooting some interior photos of Tim's woodworking, in a house that had lots of mirrors. It was a challenge to stay out of the photos, with all the mirrors and reflections. I noticed one photo where I didn't get out of the room fast enough after pressing the timed shutter. This is a very small section of a larger photo ... my accidental self-portrait.

Okay, so Self Portrait Tuesday is obviously supposed to be about our selves, so it may seem weird I'm sharing just one SP of my own, while sending you off to see someone else's photos. But to me it fits even the idea that I am writing about and sharing my own photo today and that is because my friend, Jean Albus, is the one who has given me so much inspiration to accept myself just the way I am. I have learned so much from her in a short time and look forward to a long, long time of being friends. Jean reminded me today that "There are no accidents." The comments on my photo make up a stimulating conversation about self-portraits.

If you have even just one free minute and you want to see some awesome self portraits, please check out Jean's album of strong self-portraits, My Aging Beauty. There are only 6 photos, so it doesn't have to take long to see all of them. Here's another album of hers I admire, Love Myself.

Please check out the Self Portrait Tuesday blog by clicking on this icon:

We send our love to family and friends

Happy Valentine's Day, originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

A special wish for all our family and friends: may we have peace in a loving world ... and stay warm by the fires in our hearts, not just on this Valentine's Day, but everyday.
Love from Montana, Maureen and Tim

Barbie, Jill and those weird Trolls ...

Join us, originally uploaded by fd.

I have never been a Barbie person; the closest thing I ever owned was a Jill Doll in the 50s/early 60s. Barbie was too thin and deformed (those feet!) Jill had a little more meat on her bones, and her feet were proportionately normal. Jill wasn't top-heavy. Translate that: Triple-C boobs on Barbie ... probably A or B on Jill ...)



I was tempted to ask for a Barbie when my best friend in 4th grade got a Ken doll with a convertible sportscar ... she also had Barbie, complete with closet and a traveling trunk full of fabulous clothes. Maybe I did ask for Barbie and I have my parents to thank that I never actually had one, because they refused to cave in. But then I figured since I wasn't into fashion, or boobs, it was okay. Besides, my Jill seduced her Ken away from his Barbie (I suppose it was an affair, but I'm really not sure if her Ken was actually married to her Barbie. Or not. In any case, I had no guilt feelings about the Jill/Ken affair.)

My Jill and my best friend's Ken regularly made out under the Bridal Veil Spirea bush growing next to our basement door. The bush formed a perfect little cave where they could hang out on summer days with blankets and snacks and of course, me and my friend, Tess.

Spirea, originally uploaded by Something To See.

Eventually, troll dolls moved into the neighborhood and Jill, Barbie and Ken were forgotten in favor of these short, chubby creatures with silly facial expressions.


We built an entire troll-village in the branches of our front yard oak tree. By that time I had realized I was not a seamstress and I did not want to grow up to be like Jill, much less like Barbie (and I did not want a Ken-like boyfriend, either, thank you very much!) Besides, troll dolls' outfits were immesurably easier to "sew" than Jill's high couture (to make troll-clothes, I just had to cut out little rectangles with scissors and poke a couple of armholes. If I wanted to get fancy, I sewed or glued-on some snaps. ) I wrote about what soured me on sewing in this blog post.

Okay, now I get to the point of this post -- what inspired me to think about Barbie and Jill and that little hideaway under the spirea bush? Pam at Blue Between shared this link to Margaux Lange's wonderful, humorous jewelry made from Barbie doll parts. When I saw these brooches, I thought, "Now, there's something I would wear - just to make a statement. Hmph." These are so cool! I agree with Pam that the jewelry is a little disturbing, but that's never stopped me from doing/wearing something that can start conversations.

On her Barbie-jewelry site, Margaux Lange writes in her bio,

Whether you love her or hate her, there are few who feel neutral about the plastic princess. I am fascinated with who she is as a cultural icon, her distinguidhed celebrity status, and the enormous impact she has had on our society. Specifically, I am intrigued with her influence in defining gender roles of women in contemporary American culture.

Friends

Timo with Baggins
Originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

Here's Baggins taking advantage of one of Tim's more generous-with-his-lap moods. Sometimes he's totally under tim's best or outer shirt and Tim just looks pregnant. heheh.

Summer Jam Session around the Fire

Summer Jam Session around the Fire
Originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

Anika, Damon, Gabe, Kyle, Andy and someone's foot ...

I know, by professional standards these photos of our kids and their friends ... are just the worst ... but I'm keepin' 'em because they remind me of some of the best times we've had as a family sitting around our backyard fires, playing music, debating politics and philosophy, laughing & joking together.

Hurricane Katrina - a few thoughts

The devastation of Hurricane Katrina is heavy on my mind and heart. If you haven't seen some of the unbelievable photos and video footage from the disaster, The Sun Herald has many photos listed by city and neighborhood there.

Some dear friends of ours lost both of their elderly parents as well as several houses in their family. Two others in their family are missing and we pray they will be found. At least the rest of their family members managed to get out - but not before they had to float out on pieces of their houses. I am so sad and worried, thinking about the huge, indescribably awful task it will be to clean up, to bury the dead (people as well as all the animals, pets ...) and to mourn the incredible losses of lives, homes, jobs, beauty, everyday-ness. It will be a long, long time before life in Louisiana and Mississippi gets back to normal if it ever can.

It makes me angry that the mainstream news in other parts of the US are focusing almost more on the effects of Katrina on things like gas prices, rather than reminding everyone of the loss of life, home and jobs. And that our federal government (and the state governments as well) were so ill-prepared for this disaster. That they sat on their asses while the hurricane was blowing through and immediately afterwards -- without sending help in right away. I watched 60-minutes interview with Ray Nagin, the mayor of New Orleans, last night and was stupefied! Listen to Ray Nagin's angry and frustrated stance on a radio talk show broadcast from his darkened city offices -- and try to remain unmoved!

Here's a quote from Mr Nagin's broadcast:

"We authorised $8 billion to go to Iraq, lickety split. After 9/11 we gave the president unprecedented powers, lickety split, to take care of New York and other places," he said.

"Now you mean to tell me that a place where most of your oil is coming through, a place that is so unique... that you can't figure out a way to authorise the resources that we need?"

He went on: "I'm not some drug addict. I'm thinking and talking clearly here now. I don't know whose problem it is, I don't know whether it's the governor's problem, I don't know whether it's the president's problem, but somebody needs to get their asses on the plane and sit down the two of them and figure this out, right now."

"This is ridiculous. I don't want to see anyone doing any more goddamn press conferences. Put a moratorium on press conferences. Don't do another press conference until the resources are in this city and they come down to this city and stand with us when there are military trucks and troops which we can't even count." -- Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans.

Before the interview was over Mr. Nagin and the radio show host broke down in tears and were unable to continue talking.

Now we all must help with the work at hand -- not just rebuilding homes -- but providing schools, hospitals, jobs, mental health services and other basic needs ... can there ever be normalcy in these places again?

We are keeping everyone who has been affected by the hurricanes, in our prayers and trying to help with donations as much as we can.

Falling in Love Some More

Falling in Love some More
Originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

August 23, 2005: Clancy and Amanda were married today in a wonderful ceremony on their land. They planted a sugar maple in the middle of their young orchard. The pathway splits around the new tree, forming a beautiful tear-drop or diamond shape around the tree. The path and tree seem to symbolize the joining of their hearts under the shelter of this tree; the blending and sharing of their families; the way their life's journeys have come together in sweetness. Even though they each will maintain their individualtiy, throughout their married life they will be connected by their love for each other and the earth.

Their land in Blue Cloud is very special to them -- a gentle, peaceful and bountiful place outside of Helena, Montana. They have transformed what was once a junkyard and neglected piece of land into a paradise for themselves, their family and their friends. I am amazed at what Clancy and Amanda have done with the land.

Aspen groves, a pond with willow wattle terracing, a small creek, verdant wetlands, high open meadows, beckoning pathways lined with river stones .... freely roaming chickens and a colorful vegetable garden. They are almost finished building themselves a tiny, two story studio tucked away in the aspens -- you get to it by a boardwalk over the fragile the wetlands. Clancy and Amanda love each other and they obviously love this land. I wish them many more years of growing together, growing a family, feeding their hearts and feeding their friends with their many talents.



I took a little stroll around this lovely place and tried to capture a few photos so I could give them to the new couple ---photos of this special day in their lives. This is just one. I made a photo set of Amanda and Clancy on my flickr page -- I will add to it as I can.

Hands Crafted This Wedding Gift

Old Quilt
Originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

My Aunt Tootsie collects old quilts. Even before Tim and I were married, she sent us a wedding gift -- a wonderful old purple quilt (not this one in the photo.) Tootsie finds quilts at garage sales and flea markets for unbelievable bargain prices. I wish I lived near her, so I could go with her and maybe find my own deals. In the meantime, I have the one she gave us, which I really love and use alot.

That quilt (a mostly-lavendar color) has traveled with us for years. We use it, rather than keep it wrapped up in the linen closet, or as some folks do, only bringing it out for special guests ...

Our purple-tootsie-quilt has seen better days (one of those better days was the day she sent it to us) but it sure has been loved! Almost loved to death. It's been on picnics all over the state of Montana ... served as extra warmth on camping trips; wrapped me up after a brisk swim in the river; cushioned us both as we lay on hard, rocky ground watching the stars ... kept friends warm around our back yard spring, winter and autumn fires (summer fires, we usually don't need that extra layer of warmth) and even adorned our big comfy bed when I'm in the mood for a splash of wild color in our bedroom.

Thank you Auntie Tootsie and Unca Hohnny for that wonderful wedding gift years ago. What a great gift to give someone - a handmade quilt to be used not hidden away! Everytime we use it, snuggle under it or share a picnic on it -- I think of you both.

Gabe & His Friends at Work

Montana Friends at Work
Originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

Just got back from checking on these guys. Gabe, Jack and Kyle are working on the gardens of some of my clients this month while they're "home in Montana" from Eugene.

Gabe is the one on the right, with his dreads tucked up into his homemade hat ... Kyle is hatless and Jack has the camouflage hat (lower left photo)

I'm so glad to have them helping my customers, and they're glad to have good paying work, since they -- like most college students and recent grads -- really need the $$.

So, this was day one. They demolished a section of fence, removed a decrepit cedar deck, pulled up and stockpiled stepping stones, bricks, landscape timbers, etc in the front garden ... ripped out a bunch of mangey shrubs, a raspberry patch (after eating all the ripe ones), ran into a couple of yellowjacket nests, raked out the soil to grade it and got it ready for tilling and more demolition tomorrow.

They're all hard workers. I have a certain pride, being -- ahem! -- Gabe's mom, but I have to say even if I weren't related to one of these handsome guys, I'd still think they were hard working, great guys.

I'll post more photos on my flickr site as the job progresses.

Its Summer Time & Shasta Time

Sun Dried Sheets
Originally uploaded by MontanaRaven.

Just wanted to post a note that we're leaving this weekend for our annual pilgrimage to Mount Shasta in California. We'll be gone for the rest of July.

We have someone taking care of the garden and kitty and Sam and house ... we are both running around like NUTS trying to get ready to leave our work behind, but boy is it gonna be great to be with our study group, to be back at SHASTA and, to leave our everyday cares and worries behind. I don't like leaving the garden, though ...

Well, I won't be posting on my blog for at least two weeks, probably more like 16 days or so. Don't give up on me. Come back and check in August for lots of great photos and reports of our adventures.

Later, friends!

MakiSushi Rolling & Sushi Rice Recipe - Illustrated

I drew these weird little illustrations in my sketchbook for Gabe's Harbingerous Happening in Eugene. I had tons of fun demonstrating making sushi rolls with lots of different ingredients, to all Gabe's friends (along with some strangers who dropped in from the ArtWalk I think) .... plus eating a delicious maki-sushi once in awhile. Quite an experience.


Illustration © by Maureen Shaughnessy. All rights reserved.
Please do not reproduce these illustrations without permission.
I'm easy - I'm sure I would give you permission, but please ask first.
Thank you!

If you click on these photos, it will take you to a Flickr page where you can view the larger sizes by clicking on "All Sizes." You might have to be one of my contacts at Flickr, though, to make the "All Sizes" thing work. That's easy. Just sign up for a flickr account, then make me a contact. simple as pie -- oops I mean sushi...


Illustration © by Maureen Shaughnessy. All rights reserved.
Please do not reproduce these illustrations without permission.
I'm easy - I'm sure I would give you permission, but please ask first.
Thank you!

Gallatin River on April 16th

Spring is trying to assert itself over winter's stubborn grip

Companions in the Garden - it's Spring!

Thinking about planting the garden, and what likes to grow next to what ... companions ... maybe because I'm a little blue on this cold March day, and a little lonely, my mind wanders to companion plants. My houseplants are my companions. Sam and Baggins are my companions. Tim is too, but he's not here at the moment. Sam is snoring. Baggins is out stalking insects or defending the alley against intruder cats. So many family and friends live in places where they are already enjoying the warmth of real spring while we are still in the thick of winter here. Oh well, so I plan and plot and scheme how to grow the garden even better this year in the short growing season we do have.

Cabin fever; plant and seed catalog fever; garden design fever.
These are from our garden last summer:



Here is a useful chart for companion plants,from the Montreal Botanical Garden.

Robyn Parry designed this Permaculture Companion Planting (left) for her No Dig Garden

Please check out her website - it's full of interesting and personal information on permaculture and sustainable gardening.