It's another grey day in Grey County. Unlike yesterday, when the sun was out and shining bright. I don't think we've had more than one sunny day in a month. So that was nice.
What's also nice is that, getting closer to the big day, my indoor plants have decided to bloom, we have a surprise Christmas tree, and I made my door wreath - to bring some much-needed colour to the gloom.
Here's my 20+ year old hibiscus, which has decided that now is the time to push out its magnificent red blossoms. Beauty, eh?
I also bought an amaryllis - something I haven't done in donkey's years. Back in the day, when I was working at the ministry, our communications crew would have amarayllis contests to see who would get the most blooms from their plants.
Well if the competition was run this year, I think (I hope) I'd win. I was lucky enough to get a double stalker. Two plants in one bulb. Bonus. Can't wait to see the full glory of this when it completely unfurls.
I had a hard time deciding between the red ones and the white ones, so compromised on this hybrid that shows both colours.
When I went to the local co-op to see if there were any Christmas trees left, all they had were two scraggly five-footers with a price tag of $69.99 each. Yikes.
Feeling a bit down, I went inside the store, and lo and behold, they had a Grinch tree that was so cute, I couldn't resist. Especially with a price tag of $19.99.
We both love it. It's real, we don't have to worry about cats climbing in it, and it's giving so much joy, it's the opposite of its namesake. Plus, we can plant it out in the spring and, as John, the co-op owner said, we can have it next Christmas, too. Bonus.
Finally, I got off my butt and waded through the snow to clip some greenery from around the property to make a door wreath. I had kept the grape vine structure that I had from a dried flowers workshop I took a few years ago.
I also used some of the decorative gee-gaws I'd collected over the years to give it the festive look.
It's not as perfect as some of the $100 ones in the stores. But I think it'll do.
Making do with what we can is a good thing at this time of year, I think. Ma would be proud. And I'm pretty happy with my results. Until next week.
Gratuitous cat photo courtesy of now-departed Nora Charles, from quite a few years ago in Guelph. She used to love Christmas.
Comments