Name that Theme! (....and win a prize!)

Can you guess the name of the person that my vegetable garden pays tribute to this year?   Having a theme helps me narrow down the overwhelming selection of seeds that we're bombarded with this time of year. While I was seed shopping last week, I realized how much I love growing mixes. I love variety, color and the challenge of identifying the produce. I like the suspense and mystery. I wanted a more literary theme for the garden this year, since last year's was musical, and I wanted to honor a woman this time. Contenders included Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor and Laura Ingalls Wilder. When I thought about the array of plants that I want to grow this year, though, one little book came to mind, and one illustration in particular that is very close to my heart. Now I'm going to show you the drawing and a bit of text from this very special little book.

"In a garden, all the flowers are different colors....

but they live happily together side by side"

Ringing any bells?  Think Good Housekeeping magazine circa 1979....

Now I'm going to show you my seed order which might help you with a few clues. (I never got around to requesting catalogs from all those who took the Safe Seed Pledge like I intended. I didn't do all the research I promised myself I would. I ended up going with my two old favorites: Baker Creek and John Scheepers. Then I got the Abundant Life catalog, read up on their mission, and decided to spread the love.)

From Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Red meat radish, Sweet Dumpling winter squash, Five Color Chard, Sungold Select II Tomato; Big Rainbow Tomato, Stevia, Japanese Long Cucumber; Cimmaron Lettuce, Drumhead Savoy Cabbage

From John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds
Rainbow Cauliflower, Rainbow Radish, Lovely Lettuce Mesclun blend; Tuscan Kale blend, Super Snap Pea; Sweet 100 Tomato, Alpine Strawberry, Bob's Pumpkin Mix, Arugula

From Abudant Life
Red Okra, Cippolini Onion, Red Ruffles Pepper, DiCicco Broccoli, Wild Mix Ornamental Kale; Goldy Summer Squash, Brush Delicata; Butternut Squash; Black Beauty Squash

Can you tell me the name of this illustrator? Or any illustrator that this might remind you of?  One of my kids will draw a name at random from those who commented on Sunday.  The winner will win a signed copy of Gretchen Rubin's book "The Happiness Project,"  which has just hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.   If you can tell me the name of the illustrator, I'll throw in a packet of "rainbow" seeds, too. If you know the name of the book, you'll just have my undying admiration!

I know what you're thinking...."just place the dang seed order already!"

Have you placed your seed order yet?  If you're in my area and you're not into starting plants from seed, you'll be happy to know that Hook Mountain Growers is now taking orders for their organic seedlings.  Go over there and have a look - some unusual as well as tried-and-true goodies!