Tuesday Flowers

There is a flower industry campaign that talks about using flowers to help cut down on clutter.  Their advice is to put some flowers in a place that usually collects clutter--like my nightstand here--and see if it helps to prevent further build up.  Well,  I do have to say that I haven't added anything else to the nightstand since I put the vase there, so it really works!  But please don't look on the floor below . . . 

Winter Monday

It's beautiful out there.  I read something somewhere that all this white makes every little bit of green seem so much greener.  So true. 

Wednesday Vase

Roses and alstro--one of my favorite combos . . .  So far keeping my resolution to keep flowers in the house--at least til spring when the garden starts blooming again.  

Sent off a couple of  seed orders.  Still need to order some sweet pea seeds.  I've been ordering from this company for years, but I just realized they have a flower shop too!   

Unfortunately my sweet pea harvest hasn't been so great the last couple of years.  This time I'm going to try winter sowing  on the back porch to get them going sooner.  I still remember PJ's September sweet peas.  How did she do that? 

And if this year's crop doesn't make, thank goodness I can call up one of my florist friends and order enough sweet peas to give me my annual fix :)

Is It Spring Yet?

I've been here before.  And swore I wouldn't do it again.  But here, I am--overwintering coleus that I just couldn't bear to lose when the frosts came.  Especially the Alabama Sunset in the back.  And if I was going to keep it, might as well throw a few more in there-- the maidenhair fern, the cyclamen, and  the orchid.   Why the orchid?  I don't know.  There's no way it will eVeR bloom again.   But here it is, being babied through the winter in a dark cold basement with only a few hours of artificial light a day.  So far, they don't look too bad, but it is such a mess!

and look at those scissors!  I call them my santa scissors cause they were under the Christmas tree.  And they cut through the toughest stems like butter :)  Okay, wish all these little plants luck.  Hope they make it through the winter.

Long Time No See

I have thought about you every single day, but yet haven't posted here since Monday!  Partly because  it's January, it's brrr c-c-cold outside and it's just so blah winter, and partly because I was trying to recover from my big flower weekend.  Check out the Petals & Co bridal show post to see what I mean.   It was a wonderful show and I loved being with Michelle and her crew at Petals.  Still, I'm really looking forward to this three-day weekend :)

Finding the Tropics at Schnuck's

If you're a regular reader here, you know that I'm a true blue florist fan.  But when you find tropicals like this at the local grocery store, there's just no way I can resist rescuing at least a few of them.   They fell right in with my January resolution to keep the house filled with flowers. 

And I can't wait to tell you all about my weekend with  Petals & Co at the bridal show.  I think I may have enough flowers in the house and in my office to make it through the week.  Have a great Monday!

Happy Day, Happy Year, Happy Life

Happy Birthday to our beautiful Rachel!  We love you!  What a difference you have made in our lives. 

Food and Flowers for Life

It hasn't been flowers only here at Canada Garden.  I've been reading Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman.  At first I was buying into the idea that I should eat all beans, all salads, all fruit, everyday.  But then a few minutes went by and I realized that I'm not ready to give up dairy, not ready to give up meat (entirely),  not ready to give up dessert, not ready to give up. . . Well, you get the idea.    So, now I'm just trying to eat more beans,  salad, and fruit everyday.

We cooked a turkey breast in the crock pot with bouquet garni from The Farm.  That turned out really good.  Saved the seasoned stock to make vegetable soup.    Had black-eyed peas for New Year's Day 'cause in my family that's what you did to bring good luck for the coming year. 

I was talking to a friend yesterday who told me her aunt walked five miles on her 80th birthday. I hope I get to do that!  Maybe I should start a new tradition of a long walk on every birthday.  Right after a bowl of beans and a salad with a big bouquet of flowers on the table :)

Sunday Flowers

 

These Christmas roses are still hanging on through the New Year.  Most of the time, I'm preaching the don't-keep-your-flowers-too-long sermon.  But if you use flower food and keep the water clean, roses like these can last a couple weeks!

Book Reviews of 2010

Mama's kitty, Walker. . . as in Texas Ranger. . .

Mama loaned me Little Bee to read when I was there last summer.  I kept meaning to get around to it, but my kindle has me so spoiled that I put it off for all these months.  I can't believe that it took me so long to read this wonderful story.  I LoVeD it!   So much sadness and awfulness going on in the world around us right now even as I sit here in a safe warm house with a full refrigerator and good health and a job to go to on Monday and people who love me in this life.  I don't understand it, but I'm grateful.

Rescue by Anita Shreve:  Another great book from one of my favorite authors.  The main character is an EMT.  Really quick, easy to read, and interesting story.

Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas:  Loved this one too, about a broke and miserable writer who gets to experience success and freedom.  Quirky characters, set in England.

Happy New Year.  May this year bring continued blessings and lots of good reading!

Gray Day

It was gray and misty today and WaRM!  Tomorrow even warmer--59 degrees predicted for New Year's Eve,  then cold again for New Year's Day.  In the meantime, my plan  for the after-Christmas let-down and these gray days is to keep the house filled with flowers!

Wednesday Flowers

Our little house was full of  people we love this Christmas season.  It sure is quiet around here now.

Glorious Mess

Thanks to one of my flower shop friends (Trigs Floral & Home)  for posting this quote on their facebook wall this morning:  
"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day.  Don't clean it up too quickly.--Andy Rooney". 

Judson & Rachel, Betsy & Kyle

We are thankful thankful for the mess
in our living room this morning :)

Warren & V, Mark's parents

Thursday Vase

Ike

 

It was GrEaT having Isaac home for a few days!  We miss him, but we're glad he's happy.  Can't wait to visit him in Colorado.

Biscotti for Santa

 

Giada from the Food Network shared this recipe.  We made them while mama and PJ were here, with a few little changes,  and they turned out really good!

2 cups flour and 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder:  mix together in a bowl (Why do they always say to use another bowl?  I just use the measuring cup.)

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature

1 tsp lemon zest

(and I added a little almond flavoring too)

1/4 tsp salt

2 large eggs
3/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup dried cranberries (I didn't have enough cranberries the first time, so I added some dried blueberries.  PJ says she's going to use cherries)
12 oz good quality white chocolate (The chocolate was a mess.  Almond bark worked/tasted much better.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix together the sugar, butter, lemon zest, almond flavoring, salt.  Beat in the eggs one at a time.  Add flour mixture and beat just til blended.  Stir in the nuts & berries.

Form the dough into a 13 inch long, 3 inch wide log on the baking sheet.  Bake til light golden, about 40 minutes.  Cool for 30 minutes.

Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices.  Arrange slices on the baking sheet, and bake til pale golden, about 15 minutes.  I turned mine and baked a few more minutes on the other side.

Melt the chocolate (good luck)  or almond bark as directed.  Giada says to dip one end of the biscotti  and shake off any excess.  I dipped just the bottom side.  Mark likes them plain.  Let cool and store in airtight container for up to 4 days.  She says you can freeze for up to 3 weeks.  I'm going to try that. 

Okay, hope Santa likes biscotti & coffee!

Life Changes. . . but Love is Forever

Sitting on Santa's Lap--1960?

Mama and PJ and Jeff's visit was such a nice surprise for Christmas!  When mama saw this collage sitting on the bookshelf, she said "who made this?"  Made me laugh, cause she made it for me in 1974.  Thirty-six years ago!  

Tommy and I were just married and it was my first Christmas away from mama and the kids.  I was so homesick for them and she sent me a box of Christmas ornaments for the tree and this collage.  I have treasured it all these years.  

Back then, we didn't have the money to go to Wal-Mart and buy a bunch of decorations.  I'm glad we didn't, because I wouldn't have this one.  

The sequined wreath is a little pin that mama used to make to give away.  We always had one on our coats.

The saying "Life Changes Season to Season, Year to Year, but Love is Forever" is from a Christmas card that Tommy gave me.  So ironic and so true.  He was with me for only a few years, but he changed my life.

And the bottom picture is of all us kids, on the back steps of the house on highway 60, all dressed up on our way to church.

Okay, what's your favorite Christmas decoration?  

Peonies in December

Aren't these miraculous?  Six gorgeous stems and every one of them opened perfectly.  All the way from South America.  Thank you floral industry :)

Merry Merry

Candlescape

It's been a great Friday night, sitting around visiting with my mom and PJ and Jeff :)

My Friend Grace

Those of you who have been reading here all these years may have heard me mention my friend Grace.  She was the inspiration for this blog and when she asked me to help her with her wedding flowers, she inspired me to go to flower school too.    We don't get together very often, but it's always so nice to see her and catch up.  Recently she visited The Farm for the first time, and guess what?  She loves The Farm too!  Well, that's really not such a surprise.  Most everybody who visits falls in love with it too.  Here's Grace's take on The Farm over on her  blog Grace Uncensored.  Thanks Grace!

Walking Stick

Yesterday  while I was going through my daily blog tour, I found this new (to me) blog called From The Soil, by a gardener in Champaign.  Great garden inspiration from a neighbor just a hundred miles or so to the east of this garden.  Gardening is taking a back seat to Christmas decorating right now, but I am already feeling a case of spring fever coming on. . .

Mark helped me put lights on this shrub back when we had a weekend of near-70 degree temps.  We're missing that weather now!  Lori gave me this walking stick a few years ago and I love it.  During the summer,  the leaves are nothing special and totally cover the interesting lines. But it's a star during the winter months, especially when it's covered with snow.

I woke up with a crappy cold this morning.   Mark, my own personal weatherman, tells me it might get down to ZeRo tonight.  This early?  That's not right!?!  But we're hoping for warmer temps this weekend, cause my mom & my sis are coming!  Yay!  Okay, going to make some hot lemonade now.  Gotta get well  so we can enjoy our visit. . .

Under the Tree

Doesn't Betsy look cute in her ponytail?  

Can't wait to see her under our tree :)

PJ's Door

I'm feeling sister-envy.  I want a new door!

A Note to My Sister PJ

 

This one's for you, sis, and you don't even have to bake for it :)   The guy at the shipping place wasn't happy.  He said it's too big and too light and might get crushed by all the other big HeAvY packages that will get piled on top of it.   I hope it gets there safe and sound and that you have a happy happy thanksgiving!   I love you.

Tuesday Red & Green

These days, getting ready for Thanksgiving means getting ready for Christmas.  Glitter, glitter everywhere!    Even the treadmill is glittered :)  Maybe I will put a garland on it too . . .  This piece went to a fundraiser.   Hope it makes someone happy. 

Good-bye Fall, Hello Christmas

This is the piece that's been on my door at work for the last couple of weeks.  It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away!  I'm more than ready for pumpkin pie :)   And actually,  I'm ready to let the fall colors go and  start decorating for Christmas.  .  .

This will be our first time in seven or eight years to have an "official" Christmas tree.   Once the boys got older, I just quit on traditional trees.  A couple of years ago, I did make something fancy, but pretty much it's been tiny little trees or a dozen roses with evergreens in a vase.

This year,  Betsy & Kyle are coming to see us, and that means a real tree again : )     We went today to look around and an old forgotten, but familiar discussion began--artificial or real? white lights or colors? floor-to-ceiling or tabletop-to-ceiling?  So many decisions, no wonder we have to start before Thanksgiving!

More on Pumpkins + Paint

 

I love it when the dining room table is all cleaned off and there's something pretty in the middle.  Right now you can't see the pumpkin because the table is serving as the official catch-all for everything that I've brought into the house this week.  'Course I won't bother to show that to you, but here's a glimpse at that painting party I was telling you about:

I haven't given up on fall yet, even though I'm really looking forward to decorating for Christmas this year.  Betsy & Kyle are coming!

Jewelry Trees

We were talking about decorating Christmas trees with jewelry over on The Farm's blog, and this is what happened at my house :)