Mom would like you to help others

Mother's Day is May 11, so it's time to start planning.

Mom might appreciate something from the fair trade movement.

Volunteers around the world work to help people in developing countries sell their handiwork, have good working conditions and make enough money to support their families and educate their children.

An easy way to buy fair trade is to visit a Ten Thousand Villages shop.

You can find them in Grayslake at Station Square in Prairie Crossing, north of Buckley Road (Route 137) and west of U.S. Route 45, and in Glen Ellyn at 499 Pennsylvania Ave.

The Evanston store is holding a special celebration Saturday at 719 Main St. with drawings for prizes. There also is a store at 121 N. Marion St. in Oak Park.

Visit www.tenthousandvillages.com.

She might enjoy taking the plunge

Here's a way to treat your mother that was not available last year.

Kohler Waters Spa in Burr Ridge opens Monday, and gift certificates are available.

The spa in the Burr Ridge Village Center is only the third in the world. The other two are in Kohler, Wis., and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Kohler is all about water.

The water experiential area offers a 25-foot whirlpool, waterfall and three different types of showers.

Water therapies start at $30, massages at $75 and manicures at $50.

The Mother's Day package -- good May 1 through June 30 -- features a facial and pedicure. It is $223.

Check it out at www.kohlerwatersspa.com.

Size is not the rule for cottage charm

We suspect Cottage Living magazine defines a cottage as any home they like -- regardless of size or style.

And maybe that's OK. I remember living in small, not-very-nice houses and striving for that cozy, sun-dappled cottage feel.

April's issue features green living and talks about Prairie Crossing in Grayslake.

Environmentally friendly touches at the suburban neighborhood include energy-efficient homes, trains to Chicago, native landscaping and an organic farm.

Just outside Seattle is a small collection of real cottages. These homes built 10 years ago are all less than 900 square feet.

They are very cute, use less energy and encourage folks to get together.

And how about a cottage garden? See a gorgeous one on Long Island.

Here are the gardener's green tips:

Leave a patch of garden uncultivated so beneficial insects can nest in the weeds.

Attract bees by planting large blocks of flowering plants in one color. Check out www.helpthehoneybees.com.

Be sure to work organic material into your topsoil.