Holiday Gifts

Happy Holidays!

I wanted to take a moment in this season of giving to discuss the art of the homemade. The creative process does not stay contained to one area of life. We enjoy working with our hands to create beautiful projects for our clients - and we also enjoy creating on a smaller scale. It is enjoyable to use the same skills of creating, problem solving and crafting on a smaller. Pictured above are some of the gifts we have made this season.

Barry enjoys woodworking and so he hand-crafted the beautiful job sign and carved Christmas tree labels (for my fathers tree farm in upstate New York). Sharon, of course, has a talent for drawing. So she drew the rendering at top for a wonderful client of ours. Sharon also makes jewelry and has a shop on Etsy (www.etsy.com/people/2cutevintage). The piece in this photo is composed of vintage and costume flower pins.

Together they made the other items pictured for friends, family and clients. Show are some handcrafted ornaments using twigs and pine cones, as well as treats for the birds; suet cakes, seed and a peanut butter filled log. All are wrapped in hand-stamped kraft paper and tied up with raffia.

We feel that unique and hand-crafted is always better, which is why every job we do, whether big or small, gets our personal attention to quality and detail. We also believe that relationships are worth cultivating, be it friends, family or clients and what better way to show how important these relationships are than to take the time make something that will last.

This season remember the simple things that are important and take time to focus on the people who you love and are grateful for. Personally, we want to thank all of our clients, suppliers, peers, friends and family for believing in us and allowing us the opportunity to pursue our creative endeavors. We wish you all a very Happy Holiday and much joy in the coming New Year!

Barry Martin and Sharon Shaw

Martin Shaw, LLC

Suburban Publishing Group - Super Women in Business

I have been nominated as a 'Super Woman in Business' for the December 2010 issue of Suburban Life Magazine (Suburban Publishing Group). Thank you to all the friends and clients who voted for me. I am honored to be featured among such a great group of accomplished women! Pick up a copy to see all the nominees and read my profile here:

Sharon A. Shaw

Sharon Shaw, president of Martin Shaw LLC, Landscape Design & Construction is a landscape designer and writer with a degree in ornamental horticulture and more than a decade of experience creating outdoor living spaces in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. “Women have a particular talent for decorating and design,” she says. “We understand how a family will use a space and know what features are important to an outdoor room.” An active member of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, Sharon serves as chairperson of the Bucks Beautiful Garden Fair Committee, which co-ordinates the organization’s largest fundraiser. Sharon has also been active in establishing volunteer-run community gardens, which donate produce to area soup kitchens and food pantries. “True success,” she says, “is having the ability to help others.”


http://www.suburbanlifemagazine.com/articles/?articleid=236

Baby It's Cold outside!

Baby it’s cold outside... so instead bring the outdoors in this season! Here is my seasonal garden advice, tips on holiday decorating, advice on selecting a Christmas tree or other greens and a few gift ideas.

The obvious place to start is the Christmas tree. To choose a fresh cut tree, look for one with a healthy color and good fragrance. Run the tip of a branch between your thumb and forefinger, if no needles fall, you are in good shape. When you get the tree home, cut about 6” off the base of the trunk to allow it to ‘drink’ and get it into the stand where it can be watered. Don’t let it dry out! Some people swear by concoctions to keep the tree fresh longer such as watering it with “Sprite” or adding a cut flower food to the water.

A live trees should be kept indoors no longer than a week. Don’t let the root ball dry out when it is inside and water well when it goes out again. Before making the big climate change to the indoor or back outside, allow the tree a few days to adjust in a cool garage. Ideally you should plan ahead and have a planting hole dug for the tree before the ground freezes. Don’t forget other live tree options such as small holly trees and Dwarf Alberta Spruce to be used indoors or out.

Other ways to display your greens include wreaths, swags and garlands. We know to use traditional material such as evergreen boughs, holly, juniper berries and boxwood, but look around in your garden for other options such as magnolia leaves, ivy, red-twig dogwoods, winterberry and rose hips. These can be tucked into store bought wreaths or fashioned into your own swags. Even dried flowers, grasses and hydrangea blooms make seasonal additions to holiday arrangements.

If you are looking to give something different consider Poinsettia, Cyclamen, Orchids, fragrant Gardenia and Rosemary trees. Amaryllis is another traditional choice, but for the “Do-It-Yourself-Gardener” consider giving the bulb in a nice pot, perhaps with a pair of garden gloves and tied up with a holiday ribbon. There are also live arrangements done with ivy or small junipers. Already planted in a basket and garnished with a bow, they are a ready to go gift. Remember the ‘rules’ with any houseplant; keep the room at a consistent temperature, give them plenty of sunlight and water properly. I have found this particularly difficult to do with rosemary and gardenia so consider saving these for the advanced gardeners on your list!

What better way to bring the outdoors in for your favorite gardener than with a garden gift? This time of year a journal can inspire thoughts of the season to come and give a place to jot ideas when going through seed catalogs in early winter. A garden ornament, such as a statue, sundial or trellis can bring interest to a drab winter garden. Tuck a garden tool and gloves into a pair of clogs or give a gift of Burt’s Bees lotions and soaps that any garden weary hands would love.

Finally take time during the holiday season to not just bring the outdoors in, but to bring yourself outdoors! Most of all…Have a Happy Holiday.
-Sharon and Barry

Holiday Newsletter - 2010

Holiday Newsletter - 2010

(You can always find the latest Newsletter on our site)

Favorite Recipe:

Tom and Jerry


I love Egg Nog but there are several problems; the calories, the quantity and the risk posed by consuming raw eggs. Let me introduce you to the Tom & Jerry! This one-mug wonder is a favorite at the Buffalo landmark restaurant Schnabbles. You can easily mix up two mugs as a special treat to share.

Beat 1 egg white until it forms soft peaks, combine this with 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar and 1 egg yolk.

Heat 2 cups of milk

Spoon one-half of the egg mixture into each mug, add a splash of rum or brandy if desired, then top each mug with the heated milk, stir and enjoy!

Bringing the Outdoor In

Baby it’s cold outside so instead bring the outdoors in this season! The obvious place to start is the Christmas tree. To choose a fresh cut tree, look for one with a healthy color and good fragrance. Run the tip of a branch between your thumb and forefinger, if no needles fall, you are in good shape. When you get the tree home, cut about 6” off the base of the trunk to allow it to ‘drink’ and get it into the stand where it can be watered. Don’t let it dry out! Some people swear by concoctions to keep the tree fresh longer such as watering it with “Sprite” or adding a cut flower food to the water. Finally, recycle your tree. Many townships offer collection and mulching, or place it outdoors to provide shelter for wildlife. (I'll try to offer some tips for bird feeding later this winter.)

A live trees should be kept indoors no longer than a week. Don’t let the root ball dry out when it is inside and water well when it goes out again. Before making the big climate change to the indoor or back outside, allow the tree a few days to adjust in a cool garage. Ideally you should plan ahead and have a planting hole dug for the tree before the ground freezes. Don’t forget other live tree options such as small holly trees and Dwarf Alberta Spruce to be used indoors or out.

Other ways to display your greens include wreaths, swags and garlands. We know to use traditional material such as evergreen boughs, holly, juniper berries and boxwood, but look around in your garden for other options such as magnolia leaves, ivy, red-twig dogwoods, winterberry and rose hips. These can be tucked into store bought wreaths or fashioned into your own swags. Even dried flowers, grasses and hydrangea blooms make seasonal additions to holiday arrangements.

If you are looking to give something other than a poinsetta consider Cyclamen, Orchids, fragrant Gardenia and Rosemary trees. Amaryllis is another traditional choice, but for the “Do-It-Yourself-Gardener” consider giving the bulb in a nice pot, perhaps with a pair of garden gloves and tied up with a holiday ribbon. There are also live arrangements done with ivy or small junipers. Already planted in a basket and garnished with a bow, they are a ready to go gift. Remember the ‘rules’ with any houseplant; keep the room at a consistent temperature, give them plenty of sunlight and water properly. I have found this particularly difficult to do with rosemary and gardenia so consider saving these for the advanced gardeners on your list!

What better way to bring the outdoors in for your favorite gardener than with a garden gift? This time of year a journal can inspire thoughts of the season to come and give a place to jot ideas when going through seed catalogs in early winter. A garden ornament, such as a statue, sundial or trellis can bring interest to a drab winter garden. Tuck a garden tool and gloves into a pair of clogs or give a gift of Burt’s Bees lotions and soaps that any garden weary hands would love.

Finally take time during the holiday season to not just bring the outdoors in, but to bring yourself outdoors! Most of all…Have a Happy Holiday.

-Sharon and Barry

Seasonal Tasks

• 
  
  Lightly trim evergreens for use as holiday decorations.

• Spray broadleaf evergreens with anti-dessicant if not already treated.



• Remove snow fall from Arborvitea and other shrubs to prevent damage.



• Snow may be piled on perennial areas but avoid accumulation on shrub.



• Avoid using salt on on or near plants to prevent damage.



• Clean and prepare tools for winter storage. Prepare snowblower.



• Provide cover, seed and suet to attract a variety of birds.



• Additional information can be found on Our Blog and weekly tips on Facebook

Selecting a Christmas Tree

(Martin Shaw Potting Shed Tree - 2009)

Frank Gouin, retired head of the department of horticulture at the University of Maryland, College Park, knows his trees and how to keep them (and you) happy. Not only did he spend three decades advising the Maryland Christmas Tree Association, but he grows Christmas trees himself, on 6 acres at his southern Anne Arundel County farm. Here are tips for keeping your tree fresh.

Safety first It's best to avoid trees that, as a breed, dry out quickly and could become fire hazards. That should be the first consideration, Gouin stresses. The safest trees, he says, are Douglas firs ("even four weeks after being cut, they would not ignite"), Scotch pines and blue spruce. The worst, he says, are Fraser firs.

Buy early The main trick, Gouin insists, is to get a tree that's been cut down as recently as possible. A tree that's been leaning up against a stand somewhere for a couple of weeks, or lying on a flatbed, might not have much life left in it — especially since it might have been cut as long ago as October. "The most important thing is, get as fresh a tree as you possibly can," he says. "If you're going to go to a corner lot to buy a tree, you should go as soon as it opens up."

Cheap tricks Once you buy the tree, cut a couple inches off the bottom, to help clear sap and other bacteria that may have settled at the base and could prevent water from flowing up. At least at first, stick it in 100-degree water, to stimulate the flow of water up into the tree. When the tree is moved inside, repeat the process. And put some Floralife crystals (the stuff florists suggest for cut flowers) into the water.

Stay cool While it's outside, shade is important. "Keep it out of the sunlight completely," he says. "If it gets to be a hot day, spray it with water. That will help cool it down." When moved inside, "keep it away from radiator vents, places where it will get intense heat. Then it won't dry out very fast."

—Chris Kaltenbach, courtesy of the Baltimore Sun

Cutting your own Of course, if you want a really fresh tree, there's no substitute for going out and cutting it down yourself. Baltimore is ringed with Christmas tree farms; here are just a few. Be sure to call ahead for directions, hours, pricing details and whether you need to bring your own saw.

Noble Fir
Sturdy branches make this Pacific Northwest native a good choice if you have a lot of weighty ornaments. The tree has thick, silvery-green needles and limbs that stick straight out from the trunk, giving this fir a full, rounded appearance.

White Pine
This large blue-green tree grows throughout the East, to Ohio and parts of the South. It's often sheared to have a more narrow silhouette, but its dense look can obscure ornaments. The springy branches aren't good with bulky garlands or lights. White pine has very little aroma but is reported to result in fewer allergic reactions than some of the more aromatic species. Needle retention is good to excellent.

Concolor Fir
Indigenous to the West, this sweet-scented tree has a tall, narrow silhouette. The loosely spaced, bluish needles are great for showcasing ornaments. It's also called a white fir.

'Carolina Sapphire' Cypress
This southern dweller is naturally broad and has a strong scent of lemon and mint. It's very similar to the 'Blue Ice' cypress (and has similar drawbacks).

Nordmann Fir
The preferred Christmas tree in Europe, this evergreen is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. It's grown primarily in the Pacific Northwest and is prized for its fat pyramid shape and lush, dark-green foliage

Leyland Cypress
Feathery, dark-green to gray foliage sets apart this Christmas tree, the most popular one in the Southeast. The silhouette varies from tree to tree and can be tall and slender or squat and rounded. The species absorbs an unusually large amount of water; its stand needs to be refilled several times per day.

Balsam Fir
This classic northeastern Christmas tree is a near twin of the Fraser fir. Its long-lasting needles are a deep green, and the tree has a pyramid shape that culminates in a slender top. Plus, it retains a pleasing fragrance.

Douglas Fir
One of the most common holiday trees in the Pacific Northwest, this species has firm branches and soft, blue-green or dark-green needles that emit a fragrance when crushed. Light in weight, it can be easier to transport than other trees.

'Blue Ice' Cypress
A cultivar of the Arizona cypress, this silvery-blue tree has a citrus aroma and a narrow steeple shape. It's found in the Gulf states, Georgia, and South Carolina. The branches support small lights, tinsel, and a few ornaments, but nothing heavy.

Fraser Fir
A pair of silvery stripes on the underside of each needle distinguishes this aromatic tree from the nearly identical balsam fir. Found in high-elevation regions of the South as well as in the Northeast and Great Lakes states, it has strong, upturned branches that are ideal for holding ornaments.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Holiday Handbook