Amaryllis in Full Bloom

 

 What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

January, 2013 Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day

It's a chilly, rainy day here in northern Virginia, and there isn't much blooming in the garden on this January 15th. But since it is, after all, Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, I made a short trek around the garden with my camera to see what's in bloom. Although none of my native plants are in bloom just yet, there are a few lovely blooms, nonetheless.

Snowdrops (Galanthus) are in bloom.  They are so very tiny and delicate, I had to bend way down to get these shots.  If I didn't make a special effort to look for them, I would almost certainly miss them.

Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger) has been in bloom since November. If you look at the photos, you can see the blooms that are faded and look more tattered than the newer, whiter ones.

 A few other Hellebores have buds that are pretty far along and will be in full bloom soon.

Sweet Allysum has been flowering since I put it in a container arrangement last summer. It isn't something I plant often, but I was happy to see it continuing to bloom. For an annual, that's pretty cool, I think.

While not blooms, per se, the bright red berries on the Dwarf Nandina add a cheeriness to the garden.

Indoors, the Amaryllis (below) is holding on to the last stalk of 3, each stalk having had 3 blooms each.

 

To view more photos of blooms around the world on this day in January, visit Carol's blog, May Dreams Gardens.



What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Two Feet of the White Stuff...AGAIN!

Two feet or more of snow is currently dumping itself on the gardens in my Virginia neighborhood and much of the mid-Atlantic.

It's good insulation and protection for the garden, particularly since our temperatures have been colder than usual.  Jean (Jean's Garden) addressed this issue in one of her recent posts, Snow In The Garden.  My only regret in that regard is not being able to check to see if my hellebore plants are beginning to bloom yet. The snow has covered them up for quite some time and with more coming-well, let's just say it won't be next week when I find out!

Wanting to participate in Nancy's 'First Snowfall Project', I've hesitated because our 'very first' snow was nothing but a bunch of flurries. But with this being our third snowstorm since December, it's time to connect with her. Nancy, I'll be sending you my snowy post this weekend!

December's snowstorm was in the two foot range. January saw another small storm. And just two days ago our county schools were closed because of snow we had Tuesday night. This next one promises to wreak havoc around town, but it's coming near the weekend, so I'm hopeful that many problems will be reduced. The Governor of Virginia declared a 'state of emergency' yesterday, so preparations were underway in advance. Announcements of our school closings were made last night, as well.

I'm sitting here watching it come down, waiting for some photo ops!  Prepare for bluebird action, and hopefully cardinals and many other 'backyard birds' in my next snowy post! At least, that's what I'm hoping to see. We have a heated birdbath and provide black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower nuts, safflower seeds and suet. You could offer much less and still have birds visit your yard, if you're interested. The main draw, I'm convinced, is the fresh water.  Lower down on my left sidebar I've listed the type of heated birdbath and feeders I have. They are outstanding (and I'm not being paid to say that!).

I hope you enjoyed watching my amaryllis unfold!

Lastly, I'm really looking forward to your participation in the Garden Bloggers Sustainable Living project and give away in recognition of Earth Day! Your posts may be linked here through March 1, 2010 to be eligible. Let's share how we all contribute to giving Thanks to Mother Earth!

--Today I am thankful for being able to view the snow from inside a warm house with a bright red amaryllis on my windowsill;-)

 Words and photos by Jan Huston DobleThanks For 2 Day.

Garden Blessings

Do you all know Kylee--gracious hostess of Our Little Acre? If you don't, perhaps you should make a visit to her blog. She is just one more reason for the joy I've been finding every day on the wonderful garden website known as Blotanical. I've been a member for about two weeks, and I already feel like I've made a bouquet of friends from the most interesting and diverse blogs around the world, not to mention the most interesting and diverse gardens!

(Amaryllis) Photo by Jan Doble

To know how a simple thing that I did one morning before Thanksgiving--writing a poem--would prompt another to ask my permission to post it on her blog, is--well, humbling. Not because I am the person who wrote the poem, and not because I wanted 15 minutes of fame (although all bloggers know, 15 minutes can't hurt!). Mostly because it is a sign that our words have consequences--and we bloggers are in a position where we can do a lot of positive things with them!

With our words, we can turn a muddy plot into a blooming, living garden of color and much-needed nourishment for the soul. I'm trying to turn mud into color every day, even when I don't feel like it. Believe me, when I wrote that post (with the poem) I wasn't feeling all that great. I certainly didn't feel grateful. But I wanted to feel that way! And soon after writing it, I started to get in touch with all that I'm grateful for. Saying something positive is sometimes a challenge, especially when we don't 'feel' like it. But like many things in life, if we make the effort to do things, we often start to feel better afterwards.

(Amaryllis ) Photo by Jan Doble

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, though...because virtually every one of you passionate garden bloggers already knows this! I became a garden blogger because I love gardens, gardening, flowers, digging, dirt, growing things, planting seeds (you all can relate, I'm sure). What I've found is a big blogging garden filled with gentle, kind souls. Each and every soul, a petal. Our petals, all connected together, form one gorgeous flower...with inexplicable beauty--both outside--and within!

The Spirit of the Season is upon us. I can feel it when I read your words and when I see your photos. Let's try to remember this feeling, and act on it, all year long!