Amaryllis 'Ruby Star'

For me, it wouldn't be Christmas without an Amaryllis bulb

or two

or three

or four

or more.....

'Ruby Star' was the 2nd Amaryllis bulb this season to bloom.

It sent up two simultaneous bloom stalks which I tied together with a ribbon:

Two bloom stalks growing at the same time means a beautiful display of flowers but the stalks don't always cooperate in the process.  Tying them together is an easy way to control them plus it keeps the leaves nice & straight (and tidy) between the ribbon too.

Around Christmas, the ribbon also adds to the festive spirit.

Temperatures broke the freezing mark today for the first time since before Christmas so I took 'Ruby Star' outside for a photo shoot!

I'm already sad thinking about taking all the beautiful Christmas decorations down.

The holiday came and went soooo fast.

I decorated everything that wasn't moving this year.  I think worse than usual.

I also baked and baked and baked.

Above and below: Buckeyes

Maybe they're a bad example because you don't actually "bake" them but they still take a little time to make.  I guess it's worth it tho because they disappear FAST!

Above:  Gift wrapping ~ I added an alphabet ornament (to some packages) in the initial of the recipient.  I figured it served two purposes, a keepsake & easy way to tell whose gift was whose.

Sweet little Ivory loved the wrapping part of the holiday!!! Whenever she heard the rustle of paper, she was there!

Alphabet ornaments are fun to decorate with too:

I bought some to spell my daughter's name & the Noel ones pictured.  

Whoever came up with that idea was genius!

This year, it felt like we were one of the only parts of the country to experience a white Christmas??  There was so much talk of records being broken for warmest Christmases on record.  Not here!

I've always thought snow on the 25th was overrated ~ but right on cue, it snowed 3 more inches on Christmas night!

If you like that sort of thing, it was perfect.

Now I'm ready for some "down" time, it's been a busy season, culminating with a New Years Eve party that I made Champagne Jello shots for!!!

How fun are these??  Pretty easy too and very tasty/refreshing.

2016 started off with a bang so I hope the momentum will last.  

On a sad note, I wondered if all the "busyness" was an effort to keep thoughts of my brother at bay?  I would be driving somewhere or doing something and just burst into tears.  One night, looking at Christmas lights (which we had done together just two short years ago) I felt tears rolling down my face and I hadn't realized I was crying.  He was never far from my mind even tho I had many, many happy moments.  

Anyway, now comes the big task (as I know many of you have too) of taking everything down & packing it away.  After that, a resting period before spring.  I welcome that although I'm already tired of snow ~ what's new??!!  

Happy New Year!!!

 

 

Comments

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

Oh my goodness--that Amaryllis is just perfect. Or should I say those Amaryllises? ;-) And your Christmas decorations were lovely. We didn't have a white Christmas because we were in Chicago, but we did get a nice snowfall between Christmas and New Years, and now the landscape has been white since then. It really "cleans up" the view. Happy New Year!

[Lona]

Hi Kathleen! Oh girl I love your amaryllis. I have two still hiding in the basement. I should really bring them out into the light and see if they do anything. LOL! I do not have much luck on getting them to rebloom.
The snow is so pretty. Christmas is the only time I really want it to snow. Must be the kid in me. LOL!
I did send you a new friends request. I had to start a new Facebook page because of posting issues. So it is really me. LOL!
Hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Years. Blessings to you and yours. <3