The Pick Of The Bunch

V IS FOR?



VINE!

Earlier this year I was able to pick grapes from the vine on my allotment plot. Not a brilliant vintage harvest in 2009 but enough to feel that my vine is a valuable asset.

View more Vs over at ABC Wednesday!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - December 2009

Not much to report in the way of flowers from this neck of the woods. I have been out for a good part of the day so confess to cheating and taking one or two photos at the weekend when the sun was out. Just as well as it was too dull and damp to take any this morning. The star of the show at the moment is prunus subhirtella autumnalis - the autumn flowering cherry. This seems to go in suspended animation when there very cold weather but then comes good again in the spring. I sometimes cut branches to bring inside and enjoy the dainty blossoms at close quarters. I believe that this can also be grown as a shrub and intend at some point to try striking some hardwood cuttings.

Also not pictured but in flower are jasminum nudiflorum (this has crept round the corner of the house when I have not been looking), viburnum tinus and pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart'. I have not told the virburnum that it is in for the chop early next year. There are also still one or two annuals desperately hanging on but looking sadder by the day. Meanwhile there's evidence of the forthcoming spring with hellebores already showing colour and some bulbs already coming through the ground. Hopefully the cold snap that's due to arrive this week will slow the rate of growth down.



Galanthus plicatus'Three Ships' which I posted about in November is now fully out. Hopefully this will live up to its name and will hold on until Christmas Day.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is kindly hosted by Carol over at May Dreams Gardens.

Ok....Does it count as Christmas…

If one were to plunk some candy canes hand made

in an old pitcher

add a few balls and sprigs

...and call it a day?

Not so much... you say?

oh.

Ok…a little wee Santa too?

Maybe add a teensy wreath...

Or two?

Now...can it count as Christmas?

Not enough yet?

Ok.

How about I take said handmade candy canes…

and offer you this

Aha!

Thought so.

Imbibe.

It’s The Holiday season.

right?

A Cautionary Tale

Like long ago essay deadlines Christmas shopping usually sees me living on the edge. This year, despite having all the time in the world, has been no exception. I realised last week how near on the horizon Christmas is and decided that I must be proactive. So on Friday I switched the reluctant shopper button on and headed by bus into Chester. I would like to say it was a successful mission but elementary mistakes were made. The first of these was forgetting to write a list so I fell at the first hurdle.

One or two little gifts were purchased though as well as some festive fare. The latter including a stollen has been secreted away in case himself eats it - the man is a serious serial stollen addict and I do not want to put temptation in his way. Before leaving town I wondered into that bastion of the British high street M&S to pick up one or two bits and bobs from their food department. Before I could do that I was mesmerised by the most colourful display of orchids that were 'This Week's Bargain Buy' and indeed they were at half price, all of £4.99p. Now could I resist - of course not! After what seemed like half an hour of uming and aaaahing I finally selected one and placed in my shopping trolley. By the time I left the store I was laden down and creatively or so I thought, rearranged my shopping so the orchid slid into a long bag, which already held a roll of wrapping paper. This left me with just two bags to carry - no sweat. Back onto the bus and I merrily daydreamed away the journey home. Stepping off the bus and walking along I soon felt that something was missing. I looked down and it dawned upon me that I was minus a bag - the one containing my new plant. A rather unladylike four lettered word involuntarily slipped from my lips. So I returned home to relate my loss to himself. Later after finally tracking down the phone number of the local bus depot (this required the sleuthing ability of Miss Marple) and a four hour wait before the bus finally returned there, I was delighted to hear that my bag with its contents still intact had been handed in to the driver. It was yesterday though before the two of us were reunited. The moral of this story is not to be tempted by horticultural goodies when out on the important business of Christmas shopping. Keep to the matter in hand!

Winter Simplicity….

About as far removed from tropical climes as ever

but oh so beautiful…

all the same.

… Uncontrived …

Remember to take

long, deep cool winter breaths

this season…

Be.

Photos: Skona hem

HEY! Who stole my side bars---------------->

A real estate diversion…

As we get our Christmas decorating act together…

Another beautiful Anglo-Caribbean Vero Beach home

for your viewing pleasure….

Love the ceiling in the family room!

The electronics and tv are hidden behind the wood grates…

A coral dining room

…that seats 12

The kitchen…veering away from white.

lovely range nook detail…

Enjoy your days!!

Le Sapin De Noel

U IS FOR?



UNDERNEATH THE CHRISTMAS TREE!

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!

Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur
zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!"

- Christmas Carol, O Tannenbaum.


Last week we were standing underneath this mighty Christmas tree in the centre of Strasbourg, France. At some ninety feet it is the tallest Christmas tree that I have ever looked up at. Underneath its branches a little wooden village glowed out.



You will find more unique utterances on the letter U over at ABC Wednesday !