If you know anything about politics and public relations, you know that the backdrop for candidate photos is NEVER an accident. And if you know anything about fashion and decor, you know that it's often influenced by celebrities, including charismatic politicians.

So ... In what will likely be my only blog post related to the upcoming election, I'll give you this link, via Home by Sunset: Our first glimpse of Sarah Palin's decorating style.

I'm dying to know what FNP readers think. Do you like it? Dislike it? Would you want it in your own home or office? Win or lose in November, do you think this will become a trend? Post a comment below or shoot me an email.

Remember last week, when I warned about not eating plants you can't positively identify? Ok, I didn't think it was also necessary to warn against eating plants coated with poison ... But apparently, I was wrong.

Check out this story, about a family in Gaithersburg who unknowingly poisoned themselves -- Quite possibly with mint leaves covered in pesticides. So please, pretty please, refrain from using pesticides on anything you're going to eat. And wash your food! Even organically-grown veggies can have bird droppings and who knows what else all over them.

That's all I'm going to say, before I completely ruin your appetite. Besides, I've already ranted about this scary story elsewhere.

	Photo by Jessica Hibbard When the weather gets sweaty, the sweaty crank up the A/C and haul out the sewing machine. The pillows on this chair got a facelift with some leftover curtain fabric. (The "after" version is on the right.)

You've probably noticed that my blog posts in June were pretty scant. That's because it's summer, and my desire to sit at my computer is at an all-time low.

Not everyone suffers from this affliction, so I thought I'd summarize my recent activities ... Lest you think I'm just sitting on the couch, eating bon-bons, and just generally avoiding my blogging responsibilities for no good reason. Here's a brief list of things I've been doing instead of blogging:

• Taking photos -- I love to snap photos in the garden, and I've also joined a women's photography group that meets monthly for excursions in and around Frederick.
• Gardening -- The weeds and the lawn just keep growing and growing. Luckily, our other plants are doing well, too. If we could just get rid of the hordes of mosquitos, I'd probably never spend any time indoors.
• Visiting friends -- My husband and I went to see my college friends in Madison, Wisconsin. If you've never been there, I'd highly recommend the Madison area for a summer vacation.
• Sewing & reupholstery -- I made new pillow covers for a living room chair, and I'm almost finished reupholstering a set of retro 1970s chairs with a more modern fabric.
• Playing guitar -- At least a little bit here and there. I'll be playing tonight at Studio 11 during this month's First Saturday Gallery Walk. Feel free to stop by if you're out and about!
• Planning our summer vacation -- We're headed to Oregon later this summer, which will be my first visit to the Pacific Northwest. We'll be checking out some great gardens and other attractions, which I'll be sure to share when we return.

See? I haven't been ignoring you on purpose. Stay tuned for an updated "In bloom this week" list and more new posts in the days and weeks ahead.

	Photo by homedepot.com

This just in from Charles & Hudson (via an article in the NY Times):

Home Depot is now allowing its employees to engage in haggling. Yep, you heard me right. Apparently the weak housing market is making times tough enough that even the big box stores are willing to negotiate if it means winning a sale.

So that light fixture may not be $100 after all! If you want to get the best price, better brush up on your haggling skills. Of course, there's an entire how-to web site devoted to the topic: howtohaggle.com.

(P.S. -- According to the NYT, Circuit City and Best Buy are open to price negotiations, too. Maybe it's time for a big screen TV?)

	Photo by Barb Campbell - Studio 11 One of the cozy stone alcoves in the lower level at Studio 11. More photos at studio11photos.com/studio.
	IF YOU GO "Around the World" at Studio 11 Saturday, March 1, 2008 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. 109 N. Court St., Frederick MORE INFO Studio 11's web site Studio 11's blog on Vox

Studio 11, a photography & framing business at 109 N. Court St., has recently become my favorite First Saturday hangout. Their gallery exhibit changes each month, and usually provides an opportunity for a lesser-known photographer to show their work. The art is always top-notch ... And of course, there's wine, refreshments, and fabulous conversation with owners Barb and Mike Campbell.

This month should be fantastic as always. The mixed-media show will include art by Vince Coates, Mary Ann Sadue, Natalie Duggan, Allen Wyrick, Chris Kolobow, and Michael Matthews.

If the art and wine aren't enough to tempt you, you should go just to check out their amazing location. The upstairs gallery space has vintage wood floors, and the gigantic black leather couch contributes to a welcoming living room atmosphere. A trip down a set of wide plank steps reveals the lower level studio, with exposed stone walls and intriguing nooks for seating and storage. I dream of having an office as inspiring as this ... No wonder Barb's photography is so creative!

To view a slideshow of photos of the gallery and studio, click here. But trust me, it's worth it to walk an extra block or two off the beaten path to visit in person on First Saturday. You might just end up coming back month after month like the rest of us.

	Photo by VTscapes, via Flickr.com http://flickr.com/photos/vtscapes/305840970/

Attention history buffs: Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday, a perfect time to introduce yourself to Hildene.

What the heck is Hildene? I'm so glad you asked.

Hildene is Robert Todd Lincoln's summer home, located in the beautiful town of Manchester, Vermont. (Robert Todd was Abraham and Mary Todd's oldest son.) When the last Lincoln family descendant died in 1975, the estate was taken over by the Friends of Hildene.

Today, the property has been restored, and is open for tours and events. Make a plan to visit in warmer weather, when you can enjoy the huge (1000+) collection of peonies in estate's gardens, which have also been restored.

Of course, if you don't want to make the trip to Vermont, there's a selection of photos on the official web site, and even more images on Flickr.

	Photo by Shannon Lee Zirkle 'Tis I, in front of my dining room window.

Loyal blog readers will recognize the bathroom doors (and the face) on the cover of the FNP's Next 72 Hours. Yes, it's me, and those are the faux stained glass doors ("Life in a small bathroom") that I posted way back in December. Lauren LaRocca interviewed me at my home, and talented writer that she is, she uses the physical setting to help describe my music. Click here to read the story online.

Some of the things that didn't make it into the story:

• The framed "art" you can see in the print edition photo is actually a Yoda t-shirt. My husband is a Star Wars fan, and he has a penchant for framing strange stuff.
• We love music-related art, too. Over the past few years, we've accumulated a small collection of vinyl records with artwork (and music) that we really like ... Including Carole King, Massive Attack, Chemical Brothers, and The Beastie Boys. We've framed the album covers with these exceptionally affordable record album frames from Target. It's a great way to get some art on the walls without breaking the bank.
• I have three cats, and the onslaught of cat hair drifting around my house almost killed Lauren, who is allergic. Oops.

Disclaimer: No, the FNP didn't write a story about me because I write this blog. Actually, because of the whole stage name thing, Lauren didn't even know I was a citizen blogger.