Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day ~ January, 2014

Geraniums enjoying the sunny window.

Endless summer indoors, pesky winter outdoors... Putzing around in what I call the Oxygen Garden (humans muddy up the indoor air; plants help purify it) keeps me sane during the long winters.

Amaryllis

 This one has felt like a particularly long winter because I've spent half the month in bed. 

Hey! Here's a hot tip for anyone who does not want to die (or, feel like you're going to...) If you haven't gotten your flu shot, get thee to the doctor lickety split.

A long dangle of Orchid buds preparing to flower.

 I did not get a flu shot (because, you see, I'm invincible and I never get sick and I don't have the time, and is it really necessary...) and those were just a few of the lame excuses that kept running through my pea-size brain ~ during the two solid weeks I was lying in bed, recovering from that nasty bug.

Plentiful blooms on the Christmas Cactus (who started flowering for Halloween.)

So, here it is, January bloom day and naturally there is nothing to be seen outdoors. 

However! This is a fine time for the indoor gals to shine.

Forced Hyacinth bulbs

These are candle holders I re-purposed for the forced Hyacinth bulbs. Love, love, love that fragrance. Is there anything more delightful when cabin fever sets in? Hyacinth = a sure cure for the winter blues.

Hydrangea

 Speaking of blues, these Hydrangeas are showing off a hint of my favorite color, though they are turning white rather quickly. They're not meant to be indoor plants and they can be quite fussy. Last year, on impulse, I bought a Hydrangea on sale. It was too late to plant it so I kept it indoors for the winter. And, she bloomed! So, I thought I'd try my luck again this year...

I dearly love blue Hydrangea but it is just not possible to grow blues in my high alkaline soil. (They require acid soil for the blues to flourish.) So, we'll enjoy her indoors, while we can. And, pretend that we don't mind when she turns bright pink the moment we transplant her.

Loads of bud action in the sunny window ~ including this cute little Cyclamen. I actually prefer their buds over the flowers, so pretty to watch those petals unfurl.

The first baby sprout of 2014!

Orchids everywhere, blessing me with bright color.

Plus a sweet full moon, greeting me in the wee hours this a.m. 

And, there you have it! This joint is jumpin' with indoor blooms. 

Pay a visit to Carol at May Dreams Gardens to meet other gardeners participating in this monthly meme. Happy Bloom Day!

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True Blue

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Window Gardens: Geranium Joy

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Heirloom Hyacinths

Six weeks of hibernation in the 'frig and they are good to go! I absolutely love their fragrance, indoors, on a cold winter's day.




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The Sweet 15

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New Year Doggie

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Cowgirl Christmas

Wishing all the best to you and yours...



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Winter Walks

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Wine Charms

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Pretzels for Alex

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Santa Baby

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Done and done.

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It's Beginning to Look...

Ice Ages and the new Frostbite Falls

The sun is shining... no birds are singing. But, honestly? Any bird in her right mind would have flapped those mighty wings down to Florida long before now.

A fine, fine reason to complain about those Florida folks.. :)

I know I would have flown south ~ iffen I had free wings to do so. Every day I check flights to a kinder climate.

'Cause I'll take this view:

Over this view, any day.

Geez Louise it's been bitterly cold around these parts. Which I can wholeheartedly attest to. Seeing as how I waited until it was 5 below zero to decorate my big boy spruce tree. (I didn't know it was that cold out there until my hands went numb.)

The wee baby spruce was the first tree I planted when we bought this house... he's finally reached a size where I felt he should strut his Christmas-y stuff.

But, like I said... the sun is shining. The weather IS warming.

The fragrance of delicate Paperwhites adds to the lightness of the air. Feels as if we're all thawing out after a long winter's rest.

So whaddya do when you're housebound? Why you bake, of course.

Dozens upon dozens of delectable goodies.

I survived this marathon bread and cookie baking. Barely. How do chefs do that? Focusing on the fact that these are gifts and therefore we should not be taking a nibble out of each and every one of them.

I personally think taste tasting is a critical component of this chore.

Stay warm, my friends. 




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Orchid Bouquet

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