Kiss My Aster, by Amanda Thomsen

Last fall, I came across Amanda Thomsen, while I was researching (read: stalking) Jessi Bloom. I was drawn to both Jessi and Amanda because they are my generation, having kids, digging in the dirt and just doing their thing. 

Amanda caught my attention with her Ryan Gosling/ Gardening memes and I died, DIED, people, when I saw this one in particular.

I pre-ordered Amanda's (Ryan Gosling-free) book, Kiss My Aster, as a consolation to myself for making it through Christmas. To my delight, it shipped early and I received it in late December. 

Amanda Thomsen's blog: http://www.kissmyaster.co/

The Book

Kiss My Aster is a graphic novel, drawn and written in bubble letters. It's tongue-in-cheek, but also points to itself, saying "I'm funny!" which defeats the purpose. At the moment, I'm too lazy to dissect the book, so I'll just say that it is funny. It is informative. There are coloring pages and cross-word puzzles. Don't buy it as a "how to" plant the perfect plants for your yard. Buy it to see if you're on the right track with your design, to introduce others to landscaping and have a good read in the bath tub.

Amanda writes for www.FineGardening.com. Her bio there states:

Big, loud and fun- Amanda Thomsen landscapes by day and blogs at night. Her blog, Kiss My Aster, has alienated/enraptured dozens for at least 6 years.
She is the less popular half of the podcasting team, Good Enough Gardening, which makes her feel like the "Roy" of of Siegfried and Roy, but without the mauling. She lives in Chicago and does not EVER put ketchup on hot dogs.

Amanda Thomsen's blog 
Kiss My Aster on Amazon