Barbara Elvy Strate is a dancer, a wife, an artist, and an author.

Her creativity is apparent in all phases of her life - as a seamstress, painter, sculptor, illustrator, and author. Raised near London, England, Barbara brought to America a love of gardening and flowers, especially lavender.

This collection of columns follows Barbara through her childhood in England, her move to Montana, and adventures raising four children far from civilization.

She and her husband Sherm finally settled in Bigfork, Montana where Barbara cultivated a beautiful perennial garden, with raspberries for homemade jam and beds of lilacs and sweet peas for springtime bouquets. It was there she discovered her 'vocation' and began writing a column for the local newspaper, the Bigfork Eagle.

Though she recently retired from writing, her legacy lives on.