Well, we finally got busy around here. Since I've been sick we got our tree a little late and spent the morning decorating. Using the trimmings from the tree, some Toyon branches with berries, and other odds and ends, we created this "wild and woolly" wreath. We had lots of fun.
What's happening at your house? We really need J.D.!
Awesome wreath, KaperC! Not bad for a sickee who spent the day catchin' up, for sure. It'd take me a week to pull together such lovely stuff to do that.
Linda
Thanks, Linda! There were four of us doing various bits, so it was fun.
This is the only thing I've decorated so far this year. Santa's Sleigh needed to be refurbished, so I added some embellishments! Took more than a day and several burnt fingers (hot glue gun), but it was magical for the kids!
WIB,
SW
What a great photo setting...nice job!
Thanks, we aim to please!
Seriously, the kids and Santa helped decorate the tree. I can only take credit for the sleigh. Mother Nature created the setting, we just used it for the visit with Santa. It's right in the middle of the action, but out of the way from the foot traffic. I just love the way the branches curve right there too!
DH told me that at the malls they charge $25/photo with Santa. WoW! What a rip off, I can't believe it. Some of our new customers were surprised that we don't charge for the photos. We encourage people to bring their own cameras, and to take their own photos.
This is what the poor sleigh looked like after being in storage for two years. It sure is amazing what you can do with some ribbon, wood beads and hot glue.
The sleigh is back in storage now, only this time she is wrapped up good in plastic.
So what about your holiday decorations? WC, Twincol? The rest of you lurking out there?
Truth to be told, we only brought in our tree yesterday, and while I have the lights on it, I still have to trim the top to place the star, and the ornaments are still in boxes up in the cupboards (no one will get them down for me). So I guess this year, I'm just having a light tree. : )
I'll take photos when I get the star up.
WIB!
SW
KC:
I was looking at your wreath, did you use Douglas fir trimmings? I like the Toyon branches and the berries. Did you use anything for the backing? You know, to attach the greens to? I like your wreath. It makes me think of the days when I still made them. I really like the idea that you all collaborated to make it. It is beautiful!
WIB!
SW
SW, it's on a grapevine form. I really like it because you don't have to tie or wire everything on - just stick the branches through the weaving. Yes, they are Douglas fir trimmings. We wanted to come to your farm so bad, but I've been horribly sick with a cold - finally starting to feel human today - and we went down the road to a lot. Our tree is actually outside in out screened room.
Here's one of my favorite ornaments.
Kathleen:
I'm sorry to hear you were sick. It is a long way for you to come for a tree, no worries, just hope you're feeling better. You probably caught cold the day you helped at the car accident. I hope your son's visit is going well.
Now I wonder why that is one of your favorite Christmas Ornaments? Could it be because you are a die hard gardener?
Mother Nature did some decorating for the Holidays in front of my house. It's known to me as a Strawberry Bush (gone a bit crazy). I bought these bushes several years ago from the Soil Conservation people in my county. They said it would handle our weather, and was drought resistant and provided natural forage for the wild ones. It flowers and fruits at the same time. I don't know it's latin name but I think it's a cool plant.
Great Christmas Color!
WIB!
SW
Bah Humbug!
I somehow lost the photo!
One more time!
WIB!
SW
Beautiful, SW. Could it be this one? http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53834/ I've wanted one for a while, so I'm glad to hear from someone who has one.
The cold had been coming on for several days before DSS arrived - I kept hoping it was just allergies of some sort. I finally turned the corner yesterday and am feeling better, though still croaky.
By the way, I have posted the Apple Puffed Pancake recipe on the Recipe Forum if anyone wants it!
Today we went to Julian just to show the visitors some more scenery. Forgot to check the forecast and it was in the 30s with snow on the ground. Beautiful, though. Lots of people, though we saw few people on the highway going there. Then stopped in Warner Springs to visit some friends we hadn't seen for a year or so. Wonderful day and we're home warm and cozy now.
That photo's definitely a strawberry tree. I have the "Marina" variety as a perimeter tree around my fenceline. The hummers love the blooms, the mockingbirds and bluejays love the berries, and the prunings make awesome aviary branches because the wood is really hard. They're related to manzanita. The bark is interesting, they're evergreen, drought-tolerant, and I just love them! When they started building a new development in the old cornfield behind our house, I wanted a screen. We were fortunate to pick up a bunch of these from a grower, and they've done really well for us.
It sure appears that you nailed it Kathleen. I am so glad to know what they are called. Mine are at least 15 years old, and I did get them from Riverside County Soil Conservation. They did call them Strawberry Bushes. I guess I'd better collect some seed, I'd like to see if I can get some started. I'll save some for you Kathleen, now that I know that you want some. I know just where I want to plant them here.
I'll go check out the recipe Kathleen, and thanks for sharing it. I bet Julian was a Christmas PostCard today!
I read through the hyperlink imapigeon, and they didn't have as much information as you do about the Strawberry Bush/Tree. You should give them an update. Did you see that last photo? Wow, that is a huge tree! Mine are over the roof line and I guess I should whack them back, but hate to do it while they are blooming and fruiting. Do you know the best time to prune them? They do love full sun, and they get a lot right there in front of the house. I've seen house finches feasting and nesting in them too. (Though not lately because the dogs and cats like to enjoy their shade and shelter.) I haven't tried them as aviary branches but will. My parakeets love to chew through their branches. : )
WIB,
SW
Wish we were closer---I'd give you some of my branches! I have 12 budgies in a flight cage, and they have all sizes of prunings for perches. I also share them with my friend who has an aviary with doves on one side and finches on the other. I cut the nubbin branches as close as I can, dry my prunings and then sand them. They sand nice and smooth and last for years.
I prune mine as soon as the fruit's dropped/eaten-----usually around February. I have one tree that's grown much more vigorously than the others (ours have been in about 10 years) and I keep saying I'm going to try to root some cuttings of it. Maybe this year.
I know there are several different varieties of arbutus. I have two----Marina has the prettier bark, which is orange an peels (almost like a paperbark maple). The other tree I have has just boring gray-brown bark.
imapigeon:
I'll share with the folks down south, I know Kathleen has birds too. : )
Thanks for the info on when to prune. I wish I could get cuttings of the other kind. I have the boring gray-brown bark on mine, which are about 20' tall now. I need to trim back to the roof line. Am sending a photo.
I wish you were closer too!
WIB!
SW
Now I have a REASON to try to start cuttings, so maybe that will get me started! They are such pretty trees----yours should be about maxed out in height, I think.
I think so too! My DH doesn't like them touching the house, and we had to do some trimming just to paint the trim on the house. My what a tongue twister!
They do look real pretty this time of year. One of my friends ate a berry, he liked it?! No accounting for taste.
LOL! : )
Then again he is an Indian, and if it doesn't kill you, it's probably edible! LOL! : )
He just had to try it.
WIB!
SW
Sunset says they're edible, but not very tasty. I find them mealy and not very flavorful, so I'm quite happy to leave them to the birds!
You two have me really wanting one now.
Intended to do some pie baking today and just relax, but had to take the visitors shopping. We ended up buying their presents while we were at the mall (instead of just giving them $$), so it was a successful trip, and we got everything we need for dinner tomorrow, too. However, I'm so tired I'll have to drag myself into the kitchen to make the ShooFly pies for tomorrow!
Here's Julian yesterday. No fresh snow, but lots of people were driving in with snow on their cars, so it couldn't have been far away. And it was only JUST above freezing. I had on a t-shirt under a cashmere sweater, a fleece jacket on top, a kind of wind/rain coat on top of that, a scarf and my 'wristies' (mittens w/o fingers) and was still cold. Took all those layers just to be prepared for what happened. Don't know why we didn't check the temperature before we left - would have just worn my ski jacket and been cozy! LOL
Happy Holidays everyone!
Kathleen
That's true..we always take about 5 layers of our heaviest stuff when we go up in winter, and it never fails that we'll see people there in shorts and t's. I would expect there'll be fresh snow tomorrow a.m., but it's always a bit tricky to get there when it's snowing and yet not having snowed heavily enough to need chains. You have our permission to not have to make pies.....
Made them! DSS fixed dinner. :-)
I half expected to see you in Julian, Sherry. Have a great Christmas.
I've had no luck with the seeds from Marina- have you tried doing a cutting? I'd really love to start some if anyone can give me some clues .
:) Tracy
K, we went to Julian yesterday..gridlock. We sneaked in the back way, picked up our birdseed and got out another back road. The main interesection was totally bad. Everyone in San Diego tries to squeeze into this little 2-3 block town, one of the worst days of the year to choose to go there, but we needed bird seed and prefer to get it there.
Our visitors are on their way to Disneyland - I can only imagine the crowds there. We're going to enjoy the peace and quiet (not that they are noisy, but extra people in the house... you know). We'll be sad to see them go tomorrow, but glad to have our routine back, too. :-}
you are so right, it's great fun to have guests, but it is alot of extra work, too.
