Thanks to all of you for viewing, following and sharing my fledgling little blog.
I have gotten great joy from this in these past six months.
You are my kind of people.
Happy Holidays.
from the Flower.
Peace Plant People.
Sharing my Joy
Uncategorized
Orchid Ornaments
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree,
How lovely are your orchids?
Here are the living ornaments.
Here is the marvelous tree.
It is not just a white Christmas here at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.
Pastel pink and purple made a lovely combination.
Here, we have a “tropical tree” with bromeliads and Schlumbergeras.
I felt the urge to sing my “Song of Schlumbergera” in front of this one.
This tree with burgundy, red and yellow mixed with different textures is as magical as the nearby fairy houses.
This is only a fraction of the beautiful sights at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont , NC.
It is one of my “heavens” on Earth, along with Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina.
Follow the Flower.
Bloom Day December: Blooms & Bees
I did not expect to have blooms to share in December.
I am not the only garden blogger with surprises.
Visit maydreamsgardens.com to see late blooms from around the globe.
Follow the Flower
Paper Gardens
When all my real plants go dormant, I play with paper plants, flowers and birds.
First I take the back two layers off of the napkin and cut it into pieces.
I paint spots on the object with Mod Podge glue using a sponge brush.
Once the whole object is covered with napkin pieces, I let it dry.
Then, I check for bald spots and paint the whole thing again with diluted glue.
This is when you can sprinkle it with glitter.
If you don’t add glitter, you may want to spray the balls with a clear acrylic spray to seal them.
It’s addictive this decaupage.
I actually have a napkin collection.
In the late fall, I decorate Christmas ornaments.
In the early spring, I switch over to Easter eggs.
I invite friends over to play with my napkins, glue and glitter.
It’s like being in kindergarten again.
Fun and messy.
Follow the Flower
In a Tiny Vase on Monday
My family gave me this vase/pin years ago. I have always been a flower, you see.
The long pin has a capped end.
Water must be shot into the vase with a syringe.
Go see more vases at ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com
Cathy, Is there a prize for the smallest vase?
Follow the Flower.
Grow Where You Are Planted
I must be surrounded by plants to be at home.
I am fortunate that I have a yard that I can fill up with green friends.
I saw a young lady through a window in Italy, that was a kindred spirit in an urban setting.
This is a photo of her kitchen window. I took it from the window of our apartment elevator.
These are planters hanging on her window shutters.
We would see her through this window in the evenings. She would be cooking in her kitchen. Probably using herbs from her window boxes.
I never met her, but I love this little Italian cook.
FOLLOW the FLOWER.
Fresh 2 Frozen
I love to grow herbs. I love to cook with them, make herbal vinegar and add them to teas.
The best way to keep their flavor is to freeze them while they are fresh.
I will show you how I take some basil from fresh to frozen, so that it tastes fresh whenever you choose to use it.
Cut the ends of the stems off of the plant. These pieces should be about the top third of the whole branch.
If it is blooming, I keep a few blooms when I process the leaves.
Cutting the leaves is not a random act. If you follow the pattern of the leaves on the stem, you will get the best leaves and the most leaves.
Lay out a twig and figure out the growth of leaves and leaflets.
I call the big leaf attached to the stem the “mama leaf” and the set of leaflets above it the “baby leaflets.”
I usually pull down the mama and cut off the babies for preserving.
Then I take my collection of young leaflets to the chopper. I add a little distilled water and give them a whirl.
Then I pack 2 tablespoons of the crushed concoction into small containers to freeze.
I would have used an ice cube tray, but I couldn’t find one. Don’t get me started….
Now, I have frozen blocks of basil in 2 tablespoon amounts to add to spagettis, pastas and soups.
I NEED my Flowers
I do not like oxygen.
I need oxygen.
I do not like flowers.
I need flowers.
They lift me up when I am down.
Their colors are like a party to liven up the loneliness.
They shine on the dreary, rainy days.
They add warmth to the coldness.
They add light to the darkness.
They grow on sunshine and water,
then turn into something that feeds my soul.
Beauty that blooms and grows forever.
Cut flowers make me sad, because they are done. All dressed up to die.
Give me a flower with roots and I see a beautiful future ahead.
I NEED my FLOWERS!
Wet Wednesday
floweralley 