It's Officially Winter

Well the longest night of the year came and went on the 21st launching us officially into calendar winter.  I say this because I feel that Dec 1 was the start of winter here in southern middle Tennessee.  We have had below average temperatures for most of this month except a few unseasonably balmy days on Monday and Tuesday this week (60F).  I got out and took a few pictures since the weather was nice.  Hard to believe snow is forecast for Saturday morning!

I like this climbing euonymous, it keeps my spring house from looking so bare.  It is incredibly easy to root too.  Usually it's color is more variegated when new spring growth appears.

I searched high and low for a bud on my white hellebore (my sister already has one on hers) but alas I came up empty.  I am constantly looking for plants with winter interest and these never disappoint.

Carex (sweet flag) is looking fresh edging my goldfish pond.

Surprise!  I actually found some fat buds on my winter honeysuckle and winter jasmine.

We are blessed with native cedar trees...ahh green in winter! 

What's this?  A touch of purple still lingers!  Thank you heuchera.

Euonymous shrub (Blondy)- I like the yellow stems and crazy variegation don't you?

My woodland garden spot..sleeping now but in spring I hope to see a crop of spanish bluebell bulbs waving hello among many other things I planted last summer.

Pixie, I don't think there is a Christmas present in there for you!  Merry Christmas to everyone.  I hope you get lots of great gardening stuff in your stocking and under your tree..and maybe even a tree!

Fake Snow, Gingerbread, and other Christmas Chaos!

Well Christmas decorating was at a standstill until Saturday.  I was having the girls over for our yearly party-- which started out as a cookie swap 4 years ago.  I had a few more ideas that I needed to bring to life so I spent the day creating Christmas magic --my style.

I found this milk glass urn planter at a local thrift store.  I took this idea from a magazine.  Proof that not every tree in the house has to be decorated to say "Christmas."

Do I have Prince Albert in a can??  Nope, I was thinking more like a snowman in a jar.  I think he has enough air to last till Christmas is over.  I endured much harassment by Barbara and Donna to put something in my large glass jar...are y'all happy now??

I have become quite fond of vintage looking Christmas decor.  I found this little planter at this year's yard sales.  Add a little natural greenery from the yard = priceless.

This is the "windowscape" in my kitchen greenhouse window.  More vintage finds from yard sales.  I love these kitschy trees..this one even had all the lights.  Check out the poodle pulling the wagon full of Christmas balls.  I love old poodle figurines too.

Now it's time to party!  Here's the gang beginning in the back row L to R:

Melissa (Ash's buddy), sis (Barbara), Me, sis in law (Donna)

Front row:  niece (Ashley), Olivia, best bud Melissa (Olivia's granny) oh and Ashley is holding Pixie who is tired of posing for this pic!  Pic was taken in my sunroom.

Each year we have tortured Ashley with various craft projects...one year was wreaths with real greenery, then ornament painting, last year was scrapbooking.  To end her pain we let her pick this year's project..gingerbread houses.  She is our little Korean Paula Deen so naturally it was her year to shine! Here is a pic of our ginger-village!

I struggled along with mine.  All I can say is that powdered sugar and icing hide a multitude of sins!  Somehow it came out looking like a gingerbread version of the Amityville house...LOL!

They say art imitates life..'tis true here.  I was more interested in landscaping my ginger-yard!  Check out my rustic fence, shrubs, marshmallow tree, stepping stones leading to my m&m koi pond (the orange m&m's are the koi!!)  oh and my pretzel park bench adds the final touch don't you think?

Glen wandered about in girl land not quite sure what to do but enjoying the snacks all the same!  I caught him in mid chew here!  Hope you have a merry (and tasty) Christmas!

Help Me Welcome a New Blogger

THE DIVA HERSELF

Hello all!  We are all in the Christmas spirit and decorating is underway full swing right?  I finally talked my sister in law (Donna) into putting all her decorating adventures on her own blog.  She loves to decorate with cheap things from yard sales, clearance racks, etc.  She has such a good eye for the items she buys and I'm always impressed with how it turns out when her visions come alive.  I'd like to invite you over to her blog to take a peek.  It's always encouraging to get some comments on a new blog.  Enjoy!  http://discountdecoratingdiva.blogspot.com/