Growing Holiday Plants

I trust you all had a great Christmas and are ready to bring in the New Year!

I always find it rewarding to have a few live plants around especially during the winter months.

I love the color red and use it a lot with my Christmas decorating but I chose a white poinsettia to break up the color scheme a bit.

 I've got it sitting on this old water-pump plant-stand my husband's father made for his mom many years ago.  Dan stripped it down last summer and I had him paint it a creamy white.

I planted three amaryllis bulbs the first of November.  By December 9 this is where they were at.  Of course in my ridiculous imagination I dreamt all of the flowers would grow at an even pace and I'd have a fantastic display!  Instead I will have a progressive display that will no doubt last a month.

We had to leave for a few days for Christmas and it was nearly open.

When we arrived back home I was greeted by this!  I think they are the prettiest Amaryllis I have ever grown.  These are called "Barbados"

 Next year I'm thinking of growing them in tall glass cylinders to the plant will be better supported.  I think I'll mix a little soil with stones for the roots to grow in.  I am told they don't like to stay wet for long periods so it will be a delicate balance.  

I was inspired by these amaryllis growing in glass cylinders that I saw at Terrain while we visited in Pennsylvania.

These bulbs were encapsulated with a vinyl like covering and didn't need to be watered.  I didn't get a close up picture of the bulb though.  I think this is smart- especially for people working in offices or who have poor luck growing things.  Just watch it grow!

My "Thanksgiving Cactus" which I always refer to as my Christmas Cactus is also blooming but it looks like the bloom time will be stretched out from one side then the other.  It's a good thing since it extends the time I can enjoy it.

 We had such a wonderful long autumn and were gliding along so happily but then winter weather came in with a bang!  It warmed up for a week after I took this picture and some of it melted down but now we're in the deep freeze again!  Tis' the season!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year full of great moments!

Stay warm!!

Holiday Fun and Slowing Down!

A while back I planted three amaryllis bulbs called Barbados.  

As Christmas drew near they were nearly open but I had to leave to go be with family so I crossed my fingers that they'd be open when I returned!

We went to my sister's on Christmas Eve and had a great dinner with plenty of food to choose from!

Our daughter Chelsea on the right and Jen's daughter in the rear being silly. 

Jen lives in a townhouse and the entry has a tall set of stairs with these graduated open stair shelves. This year she decided to do a different theme on each shelf. 

She made this manger out of cardboard.  Used markers to stain it and create a wood looking finish.  They found the nativity pieces at Kirklands. 

A woodland scene... 

Santa and his elves!  It was cute to walk up the steps and check out each level! 

After opening gifts the younger cousins and sister in-laws posed with ribbons from their packages. 

These kind of pictures will be fun to look back at when they're older! 

Our gift to our Grandson was this Labradoodle rocking toy.  It'll be a while before he can use it but it will be cute for the nursery in the meantime!

Christmas Day I prepped my mother's dining table with linens and dishes I brought.  New carpet had been laid just days before and the house was tore apart too much so there was no Christmas decorating this year.  I figured I'd bring in my own festive look! 

Our daughter in-law is Italian.  Her mother figured out how to do a three way conversation with Facebook chat and she was on the phone with her family in Pennsylvania and Italy when I took this picture.  Our grandson is 3 mos. old now and very alert!

I prepared the food throughout the day and we ate around 6 o'clock.  I snapped a quick shot before we were seated.  

Later on he was was tuckered out and sleeping in his his dad's arms.

Monday morning we met the kids at a local restaurant for breakfast and visited a good while before we had to say our goodbyes.  We live a good distance apart so we try to get in as many moments as possible!  Our grandson had just been fed and he eventually conked out!  He's such a sweet baby! 

We got home Monday evening and I was so happy to see the amaryllis flowers opened up!  I was snapping pictures as soon as we were in.  I feel lucky that it timed out so nicely.  It doesn't always go this way when you plant them! 

I have to say this is the prettiest one I've ever grown!  I have three more stems coming up so I'll be enjoying these for a while!

I'm glad to be back home and will continue to enjoy the holiday decorations until the New Year!  It feels good to slow down and just enjoy everything.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and I want to wish everyone a 

Very Happy New Year!

Joining
Between Naps On The Porch
For
Tablescape Thursday 

My Christmas Wrapped Up (T)

I did my own holiday blog tour in a series of multiple posts.

I'm posting pictures from each one and link in case you haven't visited them yet.

Oh Christmas Tree I Love Thee In Red

Christmas Mantel 2016

Silvery Santa and Sleigh

Wood and Table Top Vignettes

My Little Nativity

Living Room Wrapped Up

I Love Christmas Trees

Glam and Rustic at the Dining Table

Kitchen Dining Decked Out

Visions of Gingerbread 

This week I'm going to catch up on things like wrapping gifts and final preparations for  

Christmas with the family.

I'll visit more of you through the week in my down time. 

Thank you for your visits and kind comments.

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas!

Joining:

Dishing It And Digging It 

Visions Of Gingerbread (T)

Visions of Gingerbread houses landed in her head…

 Come along with me as we explore my Visions of Gingerbread tablescape.  

With this small round table I'm limited on space and wanted to include some candlelight.  On a whim I placed some tea light candles into the glasses.  I got the benefit of the warm candle glow and it also highlighted the clear glass stemware.

The centerpiece is contrived of a snow flocked tree centered in a pine needle candle ring nestled in the wood bowl. The faux berries and gold garland were added for a festive look!

Pretty Fitz and Floyd stemware called Trestle found at T.J. maxx 

 Adorable snowmen  S & P shakers found at Pier 1

 This leaf and berry tablecloth is by Lauren Ralph Lauren called Bowen red-silver tablecloth found at T.J. Maxx.  I looked for them on line and there's a bunch on Ebay but slightly higher priced than I paid.

 Thankful to be in a comfortably heated home while we're receiving an arctic blast and a snowstorm as I was preparing this table.

 Chargers are from Pier 1. Tartan plaid dinner and gingerbread salad plates from Williams Sonoma.

These napkin rings found at T.J. Maxx added just the right amount of whimsy.  They are labeled Kim Seybert Living.  I only found one package (set of 4) in this color but the other day they had a silver and gold set.  These are a bit large and bulky and I wasn't sure I wanted them for storage purposes but I'm glad I went ahead and bought them.  

Seems as though winter has settled itself in quite well in our area already!

I'm working on staying warm and happy and I hope you are too!
Thank you for exploring my Visions of Gingerbread tablescape with me!

Joining:
Between Naps on The Porch
For
Tablescape Thursday