Contrasts

The first sweet blush of the promise of spring. The delicate tissue-like quality of these buds are highlighted by the dark gnarly trunk and branches, rendered almost black by a recent downpour. The contrasts within our lives are mirrored in beauty around us.

In Bloom

Violas...Johnny Jump Ups...Smile makers.

Thoughts of Spring...

Planting Whiskey Barrels

We have this wonderful carport attached to our home---wonderful I say because of the many uses it has: dumping ground for camping equipment, golf clubs, bicycles, skateboards, a place to play when it's raining, storing gardening equipment and on and on (but not for cars, of course!). Most importantly it serves as an entertaining space. We hang our outdoor awnings (painter's canvas drop cloth), clean up the mess, add some tables with pretty linens and voila---an outdoor dinning area. So... because we use this for entertaining and because EVERYONE enters our home through the carport, I wanted some big containers filled with flowers to make it more welcoming. We purchased 3 whiskey barrels-large and inexpensive. Here you see them planted with sweet potato vine, black eyed Susans, and daisies for a Golden Anniversary party.

In the fall I realized I really wanted something a little more permanent in the barrels--not wanting to change everything seasonally. Initially I thought about some type of evergreen topiary, but I needed three and they can be quite pricey. Finally I decided on an ornamental peach tree. Perfect---height, fall color, spring flowers, attractive summer foliage and peaches for a Georgia peach!

Variegated ivy, pansies, mustard and kale were arranged underneath. Next summer I could leave the trees and ivy and plant some annuals or perennials.

And hidden under it all some parrot tulips to surprise us in the spring.

Here are the barrels in January after they have filled out a bit.

Look for a profusion of pale pink buds and ruffly salmon-colored tulips in the spring.

Ten Years

Before we rang in the New Year, we celebrated the birthday of our second son. I decorated the chandelier with sparkly balls tied with satin ribbon and an inexpensive beaded tree garland. On the table lots and lots of candles, maidenhair ferns, and a few baby pics, then add in a roaring fire and we were set for a festive evening.

It was a sweet family night with a homemade pizza bar, fresh crisp salad, red wine for the adults, chocolate birthday cake and...Grandparents, Cousins, and Aunt in attendance.

2009

The bright new bud of fresh possibilities and beauty---a new year!

Memories of the Season...

Ironing my Grandmother's linens.

Preparing guest bedrooms.

Conversations.

Setting the table with care for many special mealtimes.

Real or...Imitation?

Our tree came down today. It was a lovely Clemson Greenspire from a local tree farm. It stood in the center of our living room - the center of our celebration. Not for the gifts underneath (although those are nice) but because of the Life it symbolizes.




We bring Him into our homes when we bring His creation in. Why do we settle for imitations of the real thing?

American Holly: Ilex opaca

Joy to the World!

In Bloom

Amidst the curled up and crackly shades of chestnut and chocolate a green spire stood straight and tall, ending in a burst of pure milky-white blooms. The eponymous Christmas flower...beautiful Narcissus tazetta in an outdoor setting. Found while "birding" (STOP!--start--STOP!--start) our way to the Canal this morning.

A Gift

Thank you.

Adornments of the Season

Freshness...provided daily...for celebrations both clamorous and quiescent.

Chocolate Cake

Four different chocolate layer cakes---all delicious, but which one was THE BEST? I baked all four and after a small dinner we taste tested.

The winner--Barefoot Contessa Chocolate Mocha Cake and for those who don't care for a coffee flavor in their chocolate---Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake.
I am now prepared for all “special” events where chocolate is needed: family dinners, having friends over, afternoon snacks, babies being born, comfort times, Sunday dinners, funerals, celebration times...LIFE.

The Storm

Two nights ago a huge storm blew up the creek and the little dancer's jewels tumbled away---her lithe form and smooth trunk are exposed. She will wait through the winter anticipating her spring adornment. Many other things were laid bare...

Black-eyed Susans (from "Welcome" post).


There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Indoor Blooms

These were definitely investment pieces. I purchased these two Christmas cacti in December last year, babies..one in pink and one in white. They summered on our patio, basking contentedly in the Gerogia heat and humidity. Waiting quietly in the background through Easter brunch, Birthday dinners, the Fourth's low country boil, and many family get-togethers. Finally in late November I noticed tiny buds at the end of many of the branches. It was their time to shine. I brought them indoors, fertilized, and placed them to their best advantage in the living room. Up to this point they have been our only Christmas decoration this year---and, really?...what more could you ask for?

Adagio

For the past week and a half, I have been mesmerized by the daily performance in my neighbor's front yard. The dancer's trunk is upright, then suddenly her back yields and gracefully her limbs arch and droop. Her form is partially obscured by color---deeply faceted citrine stones, rubies, and emeralds sparkle about her---in fact, the colors seem to emanate from her. The same colors fall in gentle drifts surrounding her, reminiscent of The Nutcracker's snow scene, yet it is not 16 dancers on stage, but one. She pirouettes, sways, flutters to and fro, then becomes still. Another breeze sweeps across the lawn, kisses her lifted arms, and the Japanese Maple begins her dance all over again.

In Bloom

Here in the South, our world is adorned with magnificent flowers...

waiting to be plucked up and arranged.
All to celebrate the birth of the Christ child.

Camellia sasanqua. Incredible.

Early morning walk on the Canal

Have you ever seen a beautifully painted landscape, so charming and alluring that you longed to step right in and experience it fully? Kind of like Mary, Jane, Michael, and Bert in Mary Poppins when they clasped hands and leapt into one of Bert's sidewalk landscapes. Well...my boys and I did it this morning. We opened our back door and jumped right in. The thermometer read 30, a thick frost with low hanging fog lay across the land.




Our soul longs to connect with our Creator. "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Psalm 42:1

Savoring Fall

Please excuse the hiatus. We have been like the squirrels, busily nesting and gathering for the coming winter. Although local merchants would have us believe that CHRISTMAS IS HERE, bold brushstrokes of cadmium yellow, vermilion, and burnt umber highlighted against an azure Georgia sky tells us otherwise.