Saturday, January 30, 2010

Sping's a'comin

First iris of the year has opened - about a month early.


I love this black hellebore. It's in a very sheltered spot near the house so is a week or so ahead of the rest in the garden. But they are close!


I cheated with the daffs - they are from the grocery store. The ones in the garden are heading upward tho.


And look how bright this cyclamen is! Wow, does it put out the color.


Looks like we're in for an early spring, as is typical with an el Nino winter. I'm not complaining, even tho the weeds are getting a head start too.

Monday, January 04, 2010

More xmas...

I know xmas is over but there's still a few pics I wanted to share. First, here's a better shot of the tree. Those posted before were just too blurry to see clearly.


Daniels parents leave their plants with us every winter as they snow bird it to warmer climes so we always get to enjoy their xmas cactus blooming. It has been going non-stop for two months now.


And last are the button trees Daniel and I made using the buttons he inherited from his granmother after she passed away several years ago. A much better use than having them stashed away in a box somewhere. Joey did the first one for us (center) and we did the rest. The black velvet one with the mother of pear buttons still needs to be completed, but that can wait until next year.


So easy to do. We used old fabric we'd been carting around for years, cut it to fit the styrofoam cones we picked up at thrift stores and then used a spray adhesive to make it stick well all over. The seams are finished with a fabric glue. Then we added buttons (after a good washing and scrubbing - they were dirty!) using straight pins. Some are plain silver pins with a small glass bead added first, others have the large headed pins in gold, silver, pearl or other metallic colors. I think they turned out fabulously. Can't wait to do more next year - we've plenty of buttons left!

That's it for xmas this year. Promise.

Friday, January 01, 2010

Happy New Year!

Goodbye and good riddance to 2009. May the new year and the new decade bring better days for us all. Omens bode auspicious with the pleasant holiday season distraction of cat sitting for friends while they vacation in Europe. The outdoor kitty is Nancy, sister to our late Tuck, and very much like him. They had the same white markings but she is calico where he was black. She is sweet as can be.


The indoor kitty is an orphan we are calling Lola. She is just the most affectionate girl, and very talkative. Beautiful smoky gray coat with flashing green eyes, shes very roly-poly too. I am totally in love with her.


While I am sorry to see my caretaking coming to an end this weekend I'll be happy to have have my friends back safe and sound from their journey.

Toast the new decade with Cheers!