Brr....and Cracker Barrel White Rooster

Yep we got hit with a lot of snow day after Halloween.  Thankfully it's all melted and though we are experiencing weather in the mid 30º's it's been mostly rain since then.

Today..the Japanese Maples are still hanging on.

I shot these pics through my window.

This is my Thanksgiving Cactus in full bloom.  It was outside all summer in the shade and I brought it in and soon it was budding out. 

I planted my Amaryllis today.  There are three Alfresco and two Elvas bulbs planted.  Hoping they'll bloom at a similar time but either way it will be fun to see them bloom!

Alfresco

                                                                  Elvas

Now the White Rooster

 Lastly Cracker Barrel has the white rooster back in stock.  I've posted my rooster several times which frequently is followed by inquiries of where I got it or if I'd sell mine.  So here ya go!  It's nearly identical.  It has a more modern white glazing and the head is straighter than mine but basically it's the same.

So that's a wrap! 

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

Amaryllis For The Holidays

This is the time of the year you can get the Amaryllis bulbs and starting growing them for the holidays.

It's dark and overcast outside so I used my manual settings to get lighten things up.  As you can also see in the background my "Thanksgiving" cactus is in full bloom!

We were at Home Depot and I spotted these wax coated Amaryllis that you don't have to water. A couple of years ago I ran across this idea of growing them in a tall glass cylinder at a garden center.  I shared a post of my visit to Terrain in Pennsylvania which you can see "here".  Lots of inspiration for the holidays there!

I thought I'd share the basic info for growing these which as you can see is going to be very easy!

I had two glass cylinder vases that I knew would work.  I decided to dress it up a bit to  so I picked up some gold painted glass chips and reindeer moss (Michael's).

I had some wired ribbon that I figured would give it a bit more of a festive look.  The larger check is new from JoAnn's.  The also have it in a much larger 4" size.   

I used the whole container of gold pieces and made a little indent in the center for the bulb to rest.

The bulb comes with a wire stand so you can set it on any surface to grow.

The bulb is heavy so I layered a bunch of the moss knowing that the bulb would crush it down a bit.

And here they are!  I hope they don't grow too fast!  One thing I never liked about growing Amaryllis is how long the leaves are plus the stem of the flower can get a bit tippy so I hope this will work out well and cure those issues.  If you try this just make sure your cylinder is large enough to place these in.  For reference the inside measurement of my cylinders is 4 1/4" across.  

I love what the ribbon added!

I hope you liked this and find some inspiration from it!

I will be joining:

Dishing It & Digging It
Inspire Me Tuesday
Celebrate Your Story

Centerpiece for Thanksgiving Dining (T)

                   

Last week when I did a little decorating for Thanksgiving I created a centerpiece arrangement and set out some dishes.

                    

The Tom Turkey is a new piece.  It came complete with the little pumpkins and greens at the base.  The top edge seems to be covered in foil that has some brown stain on it to mellow it’s color.

                         

I found a multi-colored table runner made of leaves at Bed Bath and Beyond (comes in two lengths- good value) and set it on the Williams Sonoma tablecloth I bought a few years ago.  I re-used the gold antlers that have been on the table more than once along with a candle ring at the base of a glass candle holder that I turned upside down for a fuller look.  The pumpkins have been with me a couple of years.

                    

The chargers came from Pier 1 a while back and some of you have already seen the dinner plate that is adorned with wheat.  The Heritage Turkey plates are from from Pottery Barn last year.  I had to shoot on an angle because of the lights.  I don’t like taking pictures with inside lighting but that’s how it worked out the day I took the pics.

                         

I didn’t do a full tablescape- just wanted to enjoy looking at the turkey plates with the centerpiece.  I’ll finish it up and take pictures next week!  

We are getting our first winter storm today.  It’s always pretty to see but the weatherman also thinks this snow will stick around a while since the temps are going to stay pretty cold.  I hope this is just a brief start towards winter because I’m not ready!

I’m joining:
Tablescape Thursday 
Between Naps On The porch

Dishing It & Digging It 

Spring Sprang Swiftly!

Yes, spring sprang upon us swiftly! 

 We went from snow melting to full speed ahead spring! 

Things are popping out of the ground at 

such a fast pace I'm amazed.

A little while back our neighbor Tom had some trees cut 

down because they are diseased as a result of that 

Emerald Ash Borer. 

Tom my husband Dan have been cutting up the trees.  Some of it will be used for our little fire pit.

Tom has been creating a brush pile (very neatly)

They only heated with wood at their home as he grew up, so he learned all about cutting wood early on.

The woods are alive with all sorts of wildflowers

I believe these are called Yellow Trout Lily 

or American Trout Lily 

  Dutchman's Breeches

A type of Cranesbill called 

Cranesbill Carolinianum (Carolina)

I don't have far to walk to walk in the woods, but it's riddled with lots of fallen branches and rotting pieces of old wood so you really have to watch your step!   There is a strong odor of onion in the air.  I didn't spot the plants but it's some kind of Wild Onion, or Wild Garlic.

Viewing the corner of my house and my front island. 

I do nothing with this side of the house because it's so shady and rarely seen.

Out back of our property (a bit messy right now) you can see there is a service road.  There was an active Christmas Tree plantation for many years but they've left the rest of them to grow on their own.  

Once the trees are leafed out the view will be obscured.

Along my footpath to the patio the Brunnera, Jack Frost is growing rapidly.  The Coral Bells are popping out too!

I'm still picking leaves out.  I don't think I'll ever get them all!

The Weeping Larch is always fun to watch come back to life.  

Back inside my Thanksgiving Cactus is blooming again!

I have been so surprised with this plant.  

My tulips and daffodils are growing rapidly I 

expect flowers soon. The magnolia is full of blooms

and I pray we don't get any killing frosts again

that ruin them!

  

How are your gardens coming along?

I'm joining 
Rose Vignettes for
Fresh-Cut Friday
and
Fishtail Cottage
Garden Party