Kaseys Korner

candy land express

If you should happen to be in the neighborhood, please drop by for a Christmas treat.  Please.  I'm begging.  Someone needs to save me from all this sugar.  Oh and wear some pants with elastic too!  That's my quirky way of saying I've been whipping up a storm in the kitchen and all of it's bad for the waistline.  Calling my name from the "frig" are:

(my new favorite) Cappuccino Truffles.  I won't even dare describe what little bites of heaven these are to a coffee lover like myself.  They are so seriously "dangerous" I could eat the whole batch!   Then there's White Chocolate Apricot Fudge:

For the apricot lovers of the world and for those of you who prefer your chocolate in a color other than brown.  I am not picky ~ I like it in any form ~ it's a food group, right?  Dipped in peanut butter is another all-time favorite (as on the tower of Buckeyes seen below):

I (honestly) never had any intention of eating all these myself.  They were my contribution to the Christmas cookie exchange I hosted last night.  They went like hot cakes.  That's good.  One less thing to tempt me.  I'm also busy packing up tins to send to friends & relatives (avert your eyes if you want to be surprised when yours arrives):

One thing I do know is I'm going to have to do some major gardening after the holidays....  It's either that or the treadmill and I think you can guess which one I prefer.  :-)  Anyone else been indulging their sweet tooth lately?  If so, what's your guilty pleasure??

Back to 'Elvas' (at last)

It was the 6th of December when I shared the first half-open bud of double-flowered Amaryllis 'Elvas' with you all.  In a unanimous consensus, we decided she was most worthy of watching and we all fully expected to see a magnificent bloom just a day or two later.  Unfortunately, that first bud did something that's never happened to me before ~ wilted and died before ever completing its bloom cycle.  I haven't had time to research why such a thing happens but if any of you fellow amaryllis-lovers know the answer, I'm dying to know so I can avoid a repetition.  Meanwhile, the other three buds on the stalk continued to develop normally and finally, I have a fully open bloom to share with you.  Whew.  I do hope you'll agree that our patience has paid off.

Oh my, oh my, oh my.  That's one gorgeous flower.  And just wait, if you think that's incredible, check out the stalk with several blooms displayed together:

Beauty of this caliber is always worth repeating and never grows weary, so here's another angle:

WOW-Whee.  Between 'Elvas' and 'Charisma' (yesterdays post), my guests at the cookie exchange tonight are sure to be bowled over.  Even non-gardeners have to be impressed with floral displays like this, right?  It would be a flat out crime to not photograph 'Elvas' from every angle so here's a side-to shot that really shows off her double flowers:

 

If it gets better than this, I haven't experienced it.  I wish I had a bulb to share with every reader.  That would be one great Christmas gift, wouldn't it?

'Charisma' wants a turn

in the spotlight too!   So if you don't mind, let's acquiesce.  After all, she is pretty easy on the eyes.  When the buds start to open, you sense something exciting about the blooms.  The speckling, the vibrant red-rimmed edges in stark contrast to white petals all hint at something spectacular:

Side-to, there's not nearly the color that you see when you take a "head-on" peek inside:

Now we're talking.  Surprising how richly colored the blooms are after seeing the more subtle buds, right?  So vibrant. 

 

No wonder she's one of my favorites.  I think I read a description of 'Charisma' someplace that described her petals as being stained by cherry juice.  I could get on board with that, couldn't you?

 

She's so photogenic, it's hard to quit snapping pics.  The one below is my favorite with all the "orbs" in the background (the proper photography term for those circles escapes me at the moment ~ anyone know it?):

Capturing the circles was one of those happy accidents ~ reflections from the glass shower behind the blossom.  'Charisma' has been moved to the great room since these photos were taken, so she can be properly admired tomorrow night at my annual cookie exchange.  I couldn't ask for more perfect timing and I have a feeling she will eat up all the attention! 

holiday card marathon

That pretty much sums up the bulk of my day!

I will NOT, however, be making & sending the above card 100 times!  Too labor intensive.  I just thought I'd share it since it's my favorite of the ones I had the good fortune to have published by DRG this year.  You can find it (and several others by me) in a book titled "CardMaker's Sketch Book: Christmas Celebration.

 

The book is filled with sketch ideas to jump start your holiday card making although I can't believe I waited until now to post about it.  I don't know anybody who starts their handmade cards in the middle of December.  I guess that tells you how focused I've been on the holidays!  My apologies.  Maybe it will be helpful for next year, if any of you have an inclination to paper craft??!!  It seriously makes the process a cinch.  Just plug the papers & embellishments of your choice onto a predesigned sketch and bam, you're done.  Piece of cake, right?

On a side note, I am happy to report (before I'm sentenced to spending the entire day at the dining room table) that our temperatures are moderating.  We still have quite a bit of snow, as you can see:

 

but at least we're expected to hit freezing today.  It will be the first time since last Saturday!  That will feel positively balmy.  Too bad I'm going to be too busy to make it outdoors to bask in all that heat....

Amaryllis 'Green Goddess'

I've been all aflutter today ~ it suddenly dawned on me this morning that there are exactly two weeks until Christmas Day.  Enough messing around.  Blooms or no blooms, I HAVE to start leaving my indoor plants alone and get some holiday stuff done.  Before I go "MIA" (hopefully that won't happen but you never know) I have photos of 'Green Goddess' to share with you.  I've actually sort of been holding out on you ~ she's been blooming for several days, as you can tell by all the open buds on her bloom stalk ~ and I'm just now posting photos.  It's a great problem to have in December ~ not being able to keep up with everything in bloom! 

As I look at these pictures (and at her flowers in person) I'm not sure what convinced me to buy this bulb?  Not that she isn't pretty (I've never met an ugly Amaryllis) ~ I just usually go for something a little more "showy."  'Green Goddess' is white, except for her throat, which doesn't exactly fit that definition.  What do you think?

Should she stay or should she go??  Maybe I should bequeath her to someone?  We'll see.  For now, she is bringing a natural element to my fireplace mantel:

and there she will stay until her blooms are spent.  or at least till the cards are mailed.  and the cookie exchange is over.  and the presents are wrapped.  You get the picture.  :-)

ps.  I thought we would discuss Amaryllis 'Elvas' today (and what happened to one of her blossoms) but I got swept up with all things Christmas so maybe tomorrow??? 

'Apple Blossom'

I have some catching up to do with you on the non-stop progression of Amaryllis blooms in my house.  This morning, since 'Elvas' STILL isn't open (I think there's something wrong with that first bloom ~ but that's a subject for tomorrow) I thought we'd give 'Apple Blossom' her moment in the spotlight.  Rescued from the trash in December 2008, a holiday discard, she's come a long way since teetering perilously close to death.  The last time I showed you a photo, she was at this stage of bloom:

True to my prediction, she popped fully open the following day and of course, your trusted photographer was right there to capture it happening.  :-)  Where else would I be??  Not wrapping presents or decorating or mailing cards.  Oh no.  This is much more important.  I think you'll agree when you see the images I was able to capture:

 

Nothing "common" about a bloom like that, is there?  By common, I mean 'Apple Blossom' is one of the most readily found Amaryllis on the market.  She's sold locally in all the big box stores along with another favorite stand-by 'Red Lion.'   You see her so often, you almost become immune to her charms.  At least to a wannabe 'Amaryllis Connoisseur" such as myself.  Then she blooms.  The immunity is dispelled.  She's everywhere because she's so softly striking.  

 

A beautiful pairing of soft pink & white.  I'm captivated by the enormity of her blossoms too.  These measure 8" from tip to tip ~ one of the larger blooming Amaryllis in my collection.  Absolutely impossible to miss, as if that would ever happen.  Gazing on her, as I frequently do, I can hardly believe anyone thought she was "trash."  I think we're "bonded" now, a special connection has formed ~ a feeling that occurs with any rescued living thing.   Even Amaryllis bulbs (so I've discovered).... 

Li'l Miss 'Powder Puff'

Is oblivious to the 9 below zero temperature that greeted us this morning.  Maybe it was the sunlight streaming in the glass block window (first time it's shone in three days) that encouraged the first bud to open?  I'm not sure but it doesn't matter.  I just know I did a double take as I walked by bleary eyed on the way to the bathroom.  Nothing like a tropical bloom to instantly banish the sleep from your eyes. 

No icy fingers of winter evident here.  It was like stumbling into my own mini paradise. Back-lit by sunlight, you can see the faint peachy/pink coloring of the double blossom.  Delicately tinged for sure but nonetheless there.  Sadly, Hibiscus blooms generally only last one day so this one is likely to be gone by tomorrow.  Don't feel too bad for me tho ~ there are many more buds on the plant ~ can you see some in the photo below?

 

Hooray.  This little beauty is going to ease the sting of the brutal winter temperatures gripping us outside.  How come I didn't think of keeping one in the house before now?  A definite oversight!  I'll leave you with a couple more views.  To take these photos, I momentarily moved the plant out of the sunlight (making the bloom appear decidedly more white than apricot):

There's still a little color evident but lighting has certainly affected how much.

 

I can't think of any better way to start the day!  Our temperatures are supposed to start moderating (we'll reach freezing by Friday if the forecast is correct) and that will be a welcome relief.  Meanwhile, I think I'll just sit in my "makeshift greenhouse" and enjoy the view. 

pink snow leopard

Not really ~ I'm sure you guessed as much.  All the title words are relevant tho, I promise. Maybe we should back up and start with "have I told you how cold it's been lately?"  Frigid, actually.  The highest I ever saw the mercury rise yesterday was 5 degrees Fahrenheit.  That's just a touch below my comfort level.  ha.  When it's this cold, I'm actually glad there's snow covering my flower beds to protect them from the brutal temperatures.  Something else I've wanted protected too (here's where the words "pink" and "leopard" come into play):

Awww.  Even if you're the kind of person who hates owners that dress up their pets, you have to concede that he (yes, I said "he" ~ let's don't even go down that road) is just the teeniest bit cute.  Com' on now.  I see you wavering.  It's okay, if you don't hold it against me, I won't hold it against you.  Back to our Butterball ~ if you don't mind a well clothed dog, like me, then he's WAY more than a teeny bit cute.  But then again, I'm just a smidge biased. 

I assure you, he doesn't mind a bit.  In fact I think he rather likes his new outerwear.  (or else he was doing all that zipping around the yard in an effort to dislodge the it.)  Either way, I got a few photos so I'm happy. 

 

When I'm happy, he's happy.  I've absolutely no worries about him getting cold when he's sporting fake pink leopard too.  I wonder if the neighbor dog is jealous or feeling sorry for him?  Maybe we shouldn't go there?!!  Or we could just say "some peoples dogs...."

***Signed, Butterballs owner, who is wishing for warmer weather then coats won't be an issue.

merry Christmas baking elf

that's me!  Yesterday there was a flurry of activity in the kitchen ~ including all sorts of whipping, scraping, rolling, sugaring, baking, etc.

One of the end results are the yummy gingersnap cookies (pictured below) all packaged up for my neighbor (who very kindly snowblew ~ is that a word? ~ my driveway yesterday).  I felt like kissing him, I was so grateful (but didn't). 

Don't you just love the little bird tag?  I found a sweet tin of 36 vintage tags (6 different images) at one of my favorite stores.  They are made by Cavallini & Co. in case you're interested in tracking a tin down for yourself.

If you're a relative or friend, no need to worry.  One of them will most likely find it's way to your house via a package.  :-) 

Edited to add:  I decided to photograph the other five bird images in the Gift tag tin ~ they were too cute not to share:

On a whole other subject, 'Elvas' continues to very slowly unfurl.  Here's how she appeared this morning:

Wouldn't it be great to be that attractive first thing in the morning?  No fuss, no muss, just pure natural beauty. 

Oh guess what?  Coming out of nowhere, Amaryllis 'Apple Blossom' has kicked into high gear and is giving 'Elvas' a run for her money on who opens first.  I'm betting on 'Apple Blossom:'

 

She's so much less complicated.  I think she'll be 100% open by the end of the day ~ very unlikely we'll be able to say the same about 'Elvas.'  Oh well, great beauty takes time to develop.  We all know that.  We'll give her all the time she needs....

Amaryllis double delight 'Elvas'

That's my new nickname for the double-flowered Amaryllis 'Elvas' and I haven't even seen the whole blossom yet.  It's another first for me ~ I've never grown/bought a double flowered variety before and I can already tell how sensational it's going to be from the freshly "cracked" bud.

See how many petals are packed inside?  Sometimes I think double flowered plants are a bit over the top but I have a feeling this Amaryllis will be an exception.   It's taken a looonnnnggg time (okay, full week) from the first color on the buds to now.  Can you tell I'm just a little bit eager to see it open???   Counting the days like kids countdown to Christmas!  I do understand how it would take longer to develop tho so I'm trying my best to be patient.

Bloom-time is SO close, I bet I'll be checking the buds every few hours!  What do you think ~ tomorrow??  Maybe Tuesday at the latest?   'Elvas' and her full reveal are not to be missed, and I'll make sure you're right there with me when it happens.  So to speak.   One other thing.  After you've gone to all the trouble of potting the bulbs, babying them along, etc., etc. you don't want to lose out on the show by having them topple over at the height of glory (you know, when the bloom heads get so heavy, the stalks bend with the weight).  That is so not cool.  I had that happen last year and it totally bummed me out.  This year, I've been staking the taller growing varieties using my shish kabob skewers and a little garden twine.

 

It's very unobtrusive so don't worry about it taking away from the show.  And you know what they say, "an ounce of prevention..."

By the way, 'Razzle Dazzle' is still dazzling.  Here's an updated photo from this morning:

Now I'm going to get busy in the kitchen whipping up some Christmas goodies.  It's snowing like crazy outside so it's a perfect day to bake!