l e t t e r s
BETWEEN FRIENDS
L
iving in a cold-weather climate,
I’ve taught m yself to consider
the first day of April as the real
start of spring, regardless of
what the calendar says. W hile
there may be a cold snap or two in waiting, the
moment April arrives, I start packing up the
winter clothes, pulling out patio furniture,
and eyeing the yard for the possibilities of
spring plantings.
There’s an inherent optimism about
spring, and it shines through in our feature
home this month, “Little House Near the Big
Woods,” on
page 54.
Actually, this is the
second magazine feature for this Minnesota
residence. In 1931, it was showcased in a
charming magazine of the day,
The Small
Home.
Zoom to today, and to a smart addition
that grew the house from small to medium.
W hat I love about this colorful, happy house is
that it absolutely exudes positivity—reminding
me once again that as w e shape our homes, we
also shape the mood and life within (and that a
little color can make a big difference in that).
April is Earth Month,
so this issue digs
in (literally) with our concise guide to
successfully growing fresh, healthy vegetables
to eat or share,
page 116.
When it comes to
eating local, you can’t beat growing it in
your own backyard. Also, see
page 98
for
ideas for energy-saving improvements to your
home and for tax credits that make them
more affordable.
Assist a Neighbor.
Although the headlines
may be fading, the earthquake that struck Haiti
on January 12 left hundreds of thousands of
people—perhaps more than a million—needing
shelter, food, medical care, and rebuilding.
Among the many organizations providing relief,
one of our favorites is CARE, which focuses
especially on women and children. Please visit
care.org
for information and to join me in
donating. Spring is a time of optimism. Let’s
create some for a country in desperate need.
Gayle Goodson Butler,
Editor in Chief
Author, lecturer, and mom to two teen boys,
outdoor-living expert Debra Prinzing joins us this
month as contributing garden editor. “Gardening
soothes the spirit and makes the heart content,”
says Debra. Look for her tips each month in our
Better Gardening column, and in her garden
features in months ahead. Learn more about
Debra at
debraprinzing.com .
Congratulations to Dorothy
Olsen of Provo, Utah, who took
the grand prize in our Annual
Recipe Challenge. Her winning
entry: a chocolate-blueberry
cake that tastes deceptively
decadent
(page
778
).
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IO APRIL 2010 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
M A K E U P : M A R Y -K A T E G A Y LE S
