Blue Moons and Winter Whites

Indoor Azaleas are ready for the party.

Was planning to participate in Wordless Wednesday as I've been in quite the curmudgeon mood these past days. Seemed like a fine idea ~ blog without words and nobody knows I'm cranky!

Plum Bonsai is hoping to steal the show

But, then I woke to the muffled sounds of everything. Which could only mean one thing. The snows I've been hoping for have finally arrived!

A soft blanket of white covers the garden, muffling the sounds of passers by. I smile out the window at fat flakes gently falling and my mood is exponentially brighter.

You see... I needed snow and lots of it. 

This New Year's Eve is a full moon AND a blue moon.

In honor of this very Blue Moon, I was planning a moonlight snowshoe party ~ even though we had no fluffy powder to play in!

KC's Garden Bumble Bee shivers beneath the freshly fallen snow.

I should have known grand things would happen when I met up with KC yesterday. Seems the weather delights in foiling our plans and this day was no exception.

Karma? Kismet? Call it what you will. All we had to do was schedule a good weather day lunch in order for Mother Nature to send me the snowstorm we so despereately needed!

I white knuckled it down that icy canyon anyway because this mission could be delayed no longer. I was intent on delivering her over-achieving and nearly done blooming because now it's after Christmas Amaryllis. Which she seemed to like, in spite of the fact it was half dead. :(

In exchange, Ms. Photographer Extraordinaire gifted me with this photo of Bad Dog and I, snowshoeing Iron Canyon:

Me and Bad Dog!

Wishing you 

A Happy New Gardening Year!

Christmas Flower Exchange

Phaleanopsis Orchid

(Love these polka dots :)

When people draw my name at Christmas, they're generally pretty happy. You'll find no expensive electronics on my gotta have it wish list. If it's blooming, and you give me one... rest assured I'll be ecstatic!

Lava Rock Schefflera

Nifty things in my stocking this year. Like this Uko Bonsai ~ happily growing, with roots exposed, inside a lava rock!

Luscious Alstroemeria

A cut flower who cannot be grown as a plant in my home. Do you know the story of the Alstros? A Dutch flower company hybridized these lovelies many years ago. They own the patents. The flowers are sterile. Seems the prettiest colors are only sold as cut flowers though some colors are available for private growing in the nurseries.

I've heard they're loosening up these restrictions and I sincerely hope so. Alstroemerias are so gorgeous ~ easy-growing indoor bloomers!

New pink AND white Azaleas! 

Karen's 5-Blossom Over-Achieving Amaryllis

These pretty new bloomers are all lounging in the sunny window, becoming great friends with Karen's Amaryllis. I call it Karen's because I grew this for her ~ started it as a bulb back in October.

But, we could not get our schedules figured out to meet up for a pre-Christmas lunch. So, now I'm not sure what to do. Because she'll be done blooming in just a few days.

I suppose I could give her a dead Amaryllis. After all, it's the thought that counts... right? :D

Wordless Wednesday: Flowers in my Sunny Window

To meet more Wordless Wednesday participants, click here.

Catching Up to... Me

African Violets brighten my kitchen window.
[A fab way to divert attention from dirty dishes that need washing!]

When in the mood to eavesdrop, I hear this question all the time: Where did the week go?

Into the history books, I suppose, with very little to show for it. Been so wrapped up in this, that, and the other thing I forgot all about my itty bitty blog.

How does she do it?
A trio of micro mini roses, different colors?
In one pot?*

Seedlings are percolating nicely in the big, bay window. The warmth of the sun inspired all my favorites to bloom: Jane's Azaleas, an experimental Day Lily, forced Hyacinth and tiny Narcissus bulbs, bright red Kalanchoe...

Outdoors?
1 unmistakable sign of spring:

* How does she do it? 3 colors of micro mini roses in one pot??? Oh, that one's easy. Snip the roses, hide them amidst the leaves in 1 pot, shoot the picture. Presto! You're a gardening rock star. :)