Kaseys Korner

January bloom assortment

I know, I know ~ I'm still MIA because of Pinterest.  I swear it's going to stop SOON so I can visit everyone whose been kind enough to continue dropping by during my addiction.  (sounds like I need to check myself in or something, doesn't it?!!)

I'm forcing myself here today or my own Mother will probably stage an intervention.  It's not like there's nothing going on to blog about ~ I just can't seem to get past Pinterest when I sit down at the computer.  Who knew?  It has taken even me by surprise.

Normally I'd be running straight to the blog to share the BIG news about finding my first outdoor bloom  ~ a snowdrop!

Instead, you're getting it a day late.  There's no other explanation (then my new obsession) as a January bloom ~ in this part of the country ~ is definitely cause for proclamation!

Incidentally, I've sailed almost right thru January with no sign of the winter blues that normally affect me.  I have to credit Pinterest & the weather with that.  We've had quite a few unseasonably warm days (60 degree+) and very little snowfall ~ I was even out watering yesterday!  Those kind of breaks really buoy a spirit.

I could also attribute the plethora of indoor blooms to being upbeat.  The greenhouse/bathroom is brimming with them.  There's the pink phal orchid (given to me several years ago by a neighbor):

I re-potted all my orchids this past fall using an Orchid potting mix (not just bark) and they've all responded exceptionally well.  The three Phalaenopsis orchids have at least two bloom stalks each where I've usually only gotten one from them in the past.

Needless to say, I'm going to purchase more of that potting mix!

The last batch of paperwhites are also blooming:

This is the second round ~ the first round bloomed in time for Christmas but I never photographed them because of you know what.

There's also a 'Cajun' Hibiscus blooming.

It was purchased on a greenhouse expedition about two weeks ago.  I thought I was buying a replacement for the one shown below (that I lost overwintering last year):

Alas, as you can see, they are not AT ALL the same.  I will definitely keep looking as that one was superb. 

Blooms extend beyond the bathroom "greenhouse" too ~ the forced hyacinths on the kitchen window ledge opened and smell quite divine:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

For some reason, I focused only on the white ones? 

If you'd like to see a little pink tho ~ there are tulips in the watering can vase on my table:

and Amaryllis 'Purple Rain' is on the sofa table.  The photo below was shot at night:

I would ordinarily regale you with photos from all angles of a new Amaryllis but this one has been a big disappointment.  I had great expectations but the best I can say about its bloom is "ho hum."  Maybe I am getting jaded because I've been spoiled by so many outstanding varieties? 

Something I'm sure we're in agreement about ~ there is plenty of beauty all around me ~ too much to keep my face buried in a website!  Now that I've "come up for air" maybe I can turn myself around??  Fingers crossed...

 

there's a chicken in the garden

unfortunately, just not a real one! 

Instead a most comely iron "girl." 

Isn't she cute? 

I wish there'd been two but I think I was lucky to find one (since the store owner where I bought it said she was so over chickens, there would be no more!)  Bummer.

Oh well, I think she looks good guarding the topiary and she'll do until I can someday try the live version!

p.s.  I think she needs a name, don't you??  Any suggestions?

gardening on paper

Another way to get your hands dirty!! 

Although I can't even remember the last time I posted a paper project on my blog??  I'm not sure how those fell by the wayside or even when or why it happened?  I still (most definitely) enjoy time spent "playing with paper" especially when it comes to something garden related.  Today was one of those days when I had the opportunity to pull out some old (but well loved) products and just have a little fun. 

The watering can stamp (Wordsworth) hadn't seen daylight in a very long time.  I blew off the dust and used it on top of a stamped french script to create these simple garden tags:

You never know when a tag will come in handy so it's good to have a stack prepared!

That's my motto anyway and I'm sticking to it!  ;-)

Same applies to cards ~ it's never good to be caught off guard.

On the two below, I used an identical strip of a favorite craft product ~ Domestic Bliss Decor Trim ~ this one is called "Mariposa Butterfly."  It's self adhesive, removable and totally gorgeous!

As you can see, I also used the same French script background stamp plus a gold foil butterfly sticker & brown velvet ribbon. 

Below, the same trim but a completely different look:

Isn't it great how versatile craft products are?  Not to mention "FUN!" 

Must.make.more.time.for.fun!

Which means I'll have to pry myself away from Pinterest ~ I'm still completely and utterly addicted.  One of these days I'm going to force myself to go "cold turkey" then I'll free up time to get back to blogland!  Hope you can hang in there with me until that happens!

 

 

 

a slow transition

to the New Year is going on around here.  I don't know why I'm feeling so reluctant about giving up the holidays??  I've never dragged my feet this bad before.  I have three out of five trees down but there is where all efforts toward finishing has ceased.  Hopefully with my daughter now back in school, I'll get in gear. 

Some years I "relish" the clean, uncluttered feeling that comes from removing decorations, but this year I've been dreading the "bareness" left behind that those twinkling, brightly-colored adornments add. 

I can't help thinking how sad the side gate will look without its simple pinecone wreath.

So it's still hanging too...

Same with the holiday ribbons & garland:

Still hanging around... 

Usually I'm looking forward to spring by now and I (really) am this year too.  I just can't seem to help lingering over Christmas even tho I found bulbs (!!) up outside the other day:

Could blooms be possible in the very near future??  That thought should spur me forward!

I also removed hyacinth bulbs from the "frig" and set them on the windowsill:

They quickly grew close to blooming ~ that should hasten me along too.  One would think. 

or perhaps, just perhaps, it's okay to allow Christmas to hang on a bit longer??  (that's what I've been telling myself)  Has everyone else totally packed away the holidays?  Tell me I'm not alone!!! 

 

It's a colorful orchid world

I have the good fortune to live in!  Uncertain what percent my contribution is ~ I'm only in charge of acquisitions & care ~ the "magic" is all on them which is absolutely out of my league.

Starting the 2012 parade of blooms is old favorite, Cattleya 'Alvin Beggman Poem:'

Paphiopedilum 'Robert McCabe' followed:

The combination of stripes & dots (worn so beautifully) never fails to enthrall me. 

If I tried to do anything similar with my wardrobe, I'm absolutely certain I would commit a grievous fashion faux pas!  Perfection in the natural world most definitely cannot be rivaled.

That last sentence = the perfect opening for the latest acquisition & bloom ~ Cattleya 'Carolina Sunrise:'

omg ~ is that not to die for or what?!

The tag said "fragrant sunset colors" ~ are we disappointed??

I think not!

The colors should deepen as the bloom matures.  I'll be sure & share the developments...

Hope your New Year is off to just as terrific a start.  My daughter doesn't go back to school until the 9th of January so we are still "holidaying."  (that's my excuse for not being around ~ that and Pinterest ~ I've become way too obsessed!)

Happy New Year all!!!

Amaryllis 'Exotic Star'

and a Christmas wrap up.

First things first tho because we always have our priorities in order around here! ;-)

Amaryllis 'Exotic Star:'

Another holiday bloomer. 

Purchased as a fill-in for 'Papillio' which hasn't re-bloomed in over three years (squashing any notions of an "Amaryllis Whisperer" in this house...)

At least 'Exotic Star' is prolific ~ below you can see two of the three bloom stalks she generously produced:

No reason for discontent tho.  Besides 'Exotic Star' and 'Cherry Nymph' (which continues to be sensational), a serious talk was had with the Clivia. 

It (or rather the bloom stalk) was told to "get up out of the foliage and grow!"  ha

Who says plants can't listen? 

There is a believer in this house because look what happened:

A bit of a stalk!  Woo hoo.  More talks are planned!

Outdoors a chinook (or snow eater) wind blew throughout the day yesterday and uncovered a bit of the frozen tundra also known as our garden.   Who knew what excitement a few visible blades of grass could create??  All things are relative, right? 

I'm sure we'll see more of this before winter is over:

but for now a twinge of spring fever is stirring...

It's a safe bet that twinge will switch to full on "spring fever mode" after the holidays are completely over. 

Meanwhile there is Peppermint Cheesecake cake to finish (recipe from the December 2011 issue of Southern Living:)

A real hardship....  :-) 

And a Christmas Day mishap (everyone needs one, right?) involving the Lantana topiary I was carefully cultivating. 

Completely decimated by a green-seeking puppers:

We can now testify with 100% certainty that Lantana is NOT toxic to dogs! 

Hopefully it will make a comeback (in its new elevated position, safe from the reach of a certain small, four-legged friend!)

 

 

Amaryllis 'Cherry Nymph'

opened on Christmas Day:

A more perfect holiday bloom could not be imagined.

An exquisite combo of red, green & a touch of white. 

Compounded by two bloom scapes opening simultaneously.

Double flowering blooms = double deliciousness.

What a wondrous Christmas treat....

Thank you 'Cherry Nymph' for beautifying our holiday.   You're another "keeper" Amaryllis with exceptionally impeccable timing! 

Would you mind repeating the performance next year???!!

Christmas in sight

The jolly red-suited man could be here any minute.  We're as ready as we're gonna be. 

FIVE trees twinkle across the house ~ four in the great room & one in my office. 

Two of the five are table top trees ~ just so you know I'm not crazy!

A black & white one (which came out of "retirement" this year but has been featured here before)

plus a newly designed one ~ the grapevine "nature" tree:

Conceived in an effort to bring the garden indoors.  Also where the moss spheres come in:

Anything (and almost everything nature related) found its way onto the buffet top.  The base of the birdhouse was removed in order to have it sit properly on top of the tree:

I think it's my favorite this season. 

A close second, the snowflake & joy tree, shown below during the day:

then again at night:

A sliver of the black (and pink) tree in my office can be glimpsed just to the left of the snowflake tree.  For some reason, I haven't photographed it??

Maybe because I've been too busy baking and packaging biscotti (along with hand stamping tags):

not to mention wrapping presents:

It's been a whirlwind of activity but we're down to the finish line now. 

Nothing left but to relax and enjoy the moment. 

I think a Cranberry Lime Margarita can help with that! 

Merry Christmas everyone ~ hope it's a wonderful holiday for all.

Turning up the heat

with some indoor blooms ~ enough of the frost already!

Temperatures soared immediately when buds were discovered on the Clivia.

Forgiveness was granted for its perplexing habit of blooming way down in the foliage (instead of up on a proper stalk) because who's kidding who ~ the color is AMAZING:

Bloom on ~ the perfect balm for a winter weary soul.

Attempts to cultivate a lantana topiary caused the thermostat to inch upward even more when it became loaded with buds/blooms. 

Okay, maybe not so much in the above photo but look below:

If that isn't an instant tropical escape I don't know what is!

The value of a winter bloom can never be overrated ~ my northern gardener friends know this all too well.

One more thing bound to blow the mercury:

Paph Orchid 'Robert McCabe' ~ on track to be open for Christmas!

Could be the warmest holiday ever.....

(we'll just skip over the part where staying indoors is necessary to achieve that!)

 

Frosted! Part II

I can't remember a winter fall with so many frosty, foggy days?  Yesterday was yet another but this time, the frost stayed on some plants the entire day!  Now THAT rarely happens.  Usually, by noon, the sun is out and the frost has melted off. 

One thing these circumstances produce are "postcard perfect" compositions almost anywhere the camera is pointed. Persevering that late into the day also gives this "not so early bird" photographer the ample opportunity needed to capture the scenery!

Frosted branches from the yew pathway:

Frosted evergreens at the entrance to our subdivision:

Frosted berries:

A neighbors decorated light post:

and most exciting of all ~ the frosty mornings have brought in two red tail hawks:

For several days now, they have been perching (??) just around the corner from my house! 

Their forms are so large & impressive, they're almost impossible to miss (although I'd bet some of my neighbors haven't noticed them yet.)

The first day I only saw one and had to ask my dad what it was ~ I couldn't see any red on the tail so I wasn't sure it was a red tail:

He identified it as a juvenile which could explain why I was confused. 

Yesterday, the red was a lot more evident or maybe these are both different birds??

Either way, their presence has been a very different addition (not to mention the element of excitement they bring) to the neighborhood.  It will be interesting to see how long they stay. 

As far as the frost, I'm ready for a break!  I bet you couldn't guess that was coming...  ;-)