Kaseys Korner

beginning with promise

or ending that way, however you prefer to view it.  Either way, it's a nice note as 2009 was a somewhat challenging year in many aspects.   Because it was, I plan to embrace 2010 with open arms when it arrives tonight.  The gardener in me, says it's promising due to the array of buds & blooms currently gracing my home.   They speak of beauty and happy days, of new life and anticipation also of success (by my definition which means victory merely by getting to the blooming stage).  I would venture to say, there are perhaps more buds than I've ever had on a January 1st.  Hopefully that bodes well for the New Year?  The amaryllis are going crazy in the "greenhouse" ~ just look at them lined up ready to bloom:

That's another 'Elvas' bud in the foreground, with a second 'Razzle Dazzle' bud behind her and in the background, just opening, Amaryllis 'Fairy Tale.'  'Fairy Tale' is looking a lot like 'Razzle Dazzle' ~ maybe just a bit more refined???

When I was ordering bulbs, I had a fixation on red and white striping.  It's very apparent now that they're all blooming!  Also very nearly ready to open is the unknown "paph" orchid:

It's been a slow but fascinating process (as a newly inducted orchid owner) to watch the bud develop and evolve.  Hibiscus 'Powder Puff' continues to delight me with blooms as well:

 

The blooms bring a bit of the tropics to our anything-but-warm climate.  Lastly, there are the Paperwhites I posted about yesterday ~ they can hardly refrain from blooming much longer:

So many beauties.  Even more I didn't picture ~ like the paph orchid 'Raisin Pie' I showed you earlier in December and Amaryllis 'Charisma,' 'Siren,' 'Green Goddess' and 'Exotica' who all continue their impressive show.  If you judge a year by blooms, 2009 is finishing up with a bang.  Judging by what's to come tho, I'd say 2010 is going to top it!  Let's hope that's right.  Happy New Year to you all. 

decorating with paperwhites

At my house, it's not Christmas until we've integrated the garden into our decorating ~ I think you've already noticed (with the smorgasbord of amaryllis scattered about).  Another bulb that's perfect to include during the holidays is the Paper White.  Even tho I'm not a fan of the fragrance, I start the bulbs anyway ~ for pleasure, for greenery and for the plain satisfaction of planting & growing something.  Especially meaningful this time of year, right?  They can't be beat for almost instant gratification either.  Case in point, two weeks ago (the Friday before Christmas) I started these bulbs:

It took minimal effort to stick them into a thin layer of aquarium gravel, poured in the bottom of a tall, narrow, cylindrical vase.  I added water (to the top of the gravel level) and the bulbs were set:

The addition of a black & white striped ribbon made them the perfect coordinate for our black & white tree:

The pop of color from Amaryllis 'Siren' doesn't hurt the whole assemblage either! 

Two days short of two weeks and they're already about to bloom:

 

How great is that?  The only thing that would make me happier is if someone would hybridize a fragrance-free variety.   I'll let these bloom long enough to take a few photos then rip, they'll be pulled and a few new bulbs will start the process all over again. Bringing the garden indoors, adds a touch of life to the house and I definitely think that only enhances the cheer. 

a new year

a new mantra: 

I know I'm jumping the gun a little but "mental overhauls" take preparation.  Think I can convince/convert myself into being a winter lover??  What does that quote mean, anyway ~ "Winter is the spring of genius??"  I keep mulling the possibilities over.  All I know is we have to have one to get the other.  I definitely want the "other."  That which we can't change, we must embrace, right?

Right.  Oh happy day.  I "now" love winter.  choke, choke.

You might have to remind me from time to time....

Exotic 'Exotica'

I thought I would give you all a "break" from the (seemingly endless) parade of amaryllis blooms going on in my house but finally, I can't stand it anymore.  I have to share 'Exotica' with you. 

Whoa.  She's like a shot of sunshine in the house, don't you think?  The catalog description said "pale apricot....with a dark apricot starburst throat."  Sometimes, I agree and sometimes not.  Depends (like a lot of things) on the lighting ~ at times she looks rather more orange than apricot but I suppose apricot is a shade of orange so maybe I'm getting a little too nit picky?

When I moved her into the dining area, and sat her next to the picture window, she transformed yet again.  This time into a translucent (decidedly apricot) color:

I've really been blessed this holiday season with an abundance of blooms.  They've kept me going thru the blizzard like conditions we've experienced from time to time and the frigid cold temperatures.  We've been below freezing again for the last week.  The blooms have done the job I purchase them for tho ~ when I'm feeling a little down, I just look at them and poof, instant happiness.  That is priceless.  I think I may need to purchase a few more to keep the feeling going over the next two months....

welcome color

in a sea of white is what the flock of American Robins were that descended on my yard Christmas Eve afternoon.  They came, they ate (juniper and viburnum berries):

they drank:

Thank goodness for bird bath heaters.  Fresh, open water in the most frigid of temperatures. 

Much as I hate to see you go, you better leave as quick as you arrived ~ guess who's lurking????

He almost looks cute, with his feathers ruffled, doesn't he?  ha  For a few moments, it was a happy sight to see a dozen or so Robins flitting about the back yard.  But I'm happier they all flew off without becoming someones supper.

PS  The feeders have been pulled ~ hopefully the birds will disperse and the Sharp-shinned Hawk and Kestrel (thanks Sweet Bay) will move on. I'll keep you posted.

long distance Christmas

It's Christmas afternoon.  The presents have been exchanged and opened, the dinner is cooking and things have calmed down nicely in our house.  Like many other families these days, ours is spread across the country, straggled from East Coast to West Coast and states in-between. 

It's difficult to get together so we often have to make the holiday merry and bright within our individual families.  I think we succeeded this year, although, my daughter is not happy that this arrived yesterday (just in time to distract me):

Dang.  Look at that double black hellebore.  Wowsers.  At the risk of sounding greedy, why didn't I get this earlier so it could go on my list?!!!  ;-)

wary with reason

Birdwatching on a cold winters day is a definite lesson in counting blessings.   

Basic blessings such as being protected from the elements ~ sheltered, warm and dry.

Blessings of food in our bellies without the worry of where the next meal will be found.

A tremendous blessing, the feeling of security.  The luxury of being able to relax and not have to constantly look over our shoulders to ensure our very survival.

Christmas blessings to all of you on this holiday and throughout the next year. 

Fresh coat of white

just in time for Christmas.  If there was any doubt about having a white holiday, this snowstorm cinches it.  Not that I was dreaming of one or anything.  :-) 
But even I (a confirmed non-snow lover) had to admit it was pretty.   Soooooo, thinking along those lines, I thought you might appreciate seeing some wintry scenes around my yard too.  If you have some beach photos, maybe we could swap?? 
First photo is of our neighborhood gazebo.  My house sits "kitty corner" to the green space area where this is located.  I simply raised my garage door, pointed my camera across the street and snapped:

Next I poked my head around the corner of the garage and clicked again:

We won't be sitting in these chairs today!  But lime green and white go together pretty well, don't they?  As you can see we have at least 5 inches so far and it's supposed to snow all day today and into tomorrow.  A bit to the right of the chairs is the vintage wheelbarrow that I showed you light photos of the other day:

It will be pretty tonight with the lights glowing from under the snow, won't it?  

I put away my camera (just for a moment) to fill the bird feeders and make sure there was plenty of water in the bird bath.  My trusty sidekick (sans coat) accompanied me, like he always does.   He doesn't mind the snow at all, in fact, he rather enjoys the winter landscape.  Lhasa Apsos originated in Tibet so that makes complete sense.  Maybe I have tropical roots to explain my opposing feelings about the cold?  ha.  Awww, come here little teddy bear, let's go back indoors and dry off.

Before stepping inside, I turned around and snapped a shot of the arbor draped in its Christmas finery:

No sooner had I shut the door, removed my boots and coat, a commotion started up in the backyard.  Grabbing my camera (an instinct now) I headed to the kitchen window to see what was the matter.  Yep, that's what I thought.  The little Sharp-shinned hawk was doing some snow hunting too but this time he came up empty handed:

So much for filling the feeders.  There won't be a bird in sight while he's around.  What's it like where you are?  Will you have a white Christmas this year?  I'm wondering why I didn't accept that invitation to join my brother in the Dominican Republic?  Seems crazy now....

Amaryllis 'Siren'

Could be the flashier twin of 'Charisma.'  You can't really say 'Siren' got all the "looks" because 'Charisma' has those in her own right.  If you overlook the major detail of 'Siren' being another double flowered Amaryllis, they sure remind me of each other???  Maybe I should let you decide for yourself:

Notice they both have speckling on their petals and red rimmed edges.  The double flowers make 'Siren' an absolute "stand-out" tho.  I guess it's good I'm the only girl in my family, I don't know how it would feel to be known as the plainer sister.  ;-)  Not that either Amaryllis could be considered "plain."

It's just that you can see as well as me, how impossible it would be to compete with beauty like this. 

I've separated the two so they aren't stationed side-by-side.  That way, they each have a spot to shine among the Christmas decor.  Funny how a week or two ago, I thought 'Elvas' couldn't be beat!  Each Amaryllis is bowling me over with their own unique style and coloring.  Since they aren't all blooming at once, I am getting the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate each one without comparing (too much).  'Siren' will be good thru Christmas and that feels like another gift to me!  I couldn't have planned it to work out any better....

Christmas lights in the garden

I'm pretty sure I could be called a "minimalist" when it comes to stringing Christmas lights outdoors (inside is entirely a different matter).  The funny thing is, I really enjoy riding around viewing other peoples displays, the more elaborate, the better ~ figure that one out?  My usual approach is to only decorate the arbor and front entry but this year, of course, I had to add the vintage wheelbarrow to that list.   Since I've shown you the latter in summer and fall, it's only right that you see it decorated for the current season:

The above picture was taken at dusk ~ if you look closely you can see the reflection of the Bur Oak in my front window (upper right corner of photo).  A little later, I went back outside in total darkness and re-shot the same scene:

Can you tell a gardener lives here?  :-)

I hope so.  I just realized I forgot to put lights on the other handle.  Oops.  I'll go out this afternoon and fix that!  Maybe it could use a few on the legs too?  Things to learn the first time decorating something, right? 

Maybe we should view the arbor instead ~ that I have down to a science:

 

A garland with white lights and two large red bells.  Simple but enough.

Also a little peek inside my home, standing on the front sidewalk, looking toward the front door:

 

Oh look, there's Amaryllis 'Charisma' and my dog Butterball waiting to greet you!  What a nice welcome.  Now I wonder what my other gardening friends do ~ lots of lights, just a few or none at all?