Thursday, November 03, 2011

My fall & winter gift....

I can practically set my seasonal clock by this Lovely.  Every year since I've had her, she has bloomed for me continuously from Halloween through Easter.  I think of her as a gift from God to sustain me through the cold, bleak months when there is nothing blooming outside my window.

This *Christmas Cactus* started out in a very tiny pot.  I picked it out at my local Pamida store when the seasonal plants were on clearance.  Since then many years have passed, and Lovely has grown to an enormous size and never fails to shower me with the most vibrant, complex blossoms I have ever seen,  and all she requires from me is a little water now and then and a shot of fertilizer a couple times a year (if I remember).  I keep thinking I ought to transplant her into a larger pot or perhaps prune her a little.  She's totally taking over a large spot in my laundry room.  Yes, this Lovely lives away from the eyes of those who might behold her beauty and lavish praise upon her.  That is why I think of her as an especial gift, for I am the only one who really sees her.  I do,  on occasion, when the washing is all done-up, bring a visitor in to see and admire her, but for the most part, I am her only beholder.

I feel blessed.  I am blessed.  She isn't on display in a fancy greenhouse window.  She isn't in a dentist's office for every paying customer to behold.  (Our dentist has a lovely Christmas Cactus too, but not nearly so pretty as mine.)  She is in a homely laundry room amidst the dirty rags,  filthy jeans, and dusty lint awaiting the praise and admiration of the humble homemaker.  Isn't she such a gift?  I'm glad you came by to see her.

By the way, My Big Fat Geranium that lived by the front door this summer is now in hiding.  She has been trimmed back and has the dirt removed from her roots.  I put her in a paper sack tucked in with newspapers for a winter sleep.  In the spring I will re-pot her and see what she does.  Thanks to those of you who had good tips on overwintering geraniums!

11 comments:

  1. She is lovely. I can see why you find joy in gazing upon her!
    I have repoted my geraniums inside this winter and I just love looking at their beutiful red petals. There is just something about a blooming plant!

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  2. A spectacular plant. What an incentive to visit the laundry room!

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  3. I can see you have a green thumb! Beautiful Christmas Cactus!

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  4. That's wonderful indeed! I have an elderly friend with an ancient Christmas cactus in his living room. It is so huge, it is in a large pot on wheels, because no one could possibly lift it, and its branches spread out to 4+ feet in diameter. It's the kind of houseplant that inspires me to get one of my own!

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  5. Ohhhh - her blooms are gorgeous! You know, my mom had a Christmas cactus when I was a girl, and I really hated it. I was terrified of cockroaches (in Mississippi, we had lots of them. Everyone did.) And I thought the greenery on the Christmas cactus looked like a string of roaches, end to end. Isn't that awful? Sorry! But Miss Lovely's blossoms make up for ALL of that!

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  6. G'day. Your Lovely sure does live up to her name. It must be a pleasure just to go into your laundry to see her. Take care. Liz...

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  7. So pretty Jody! I remember your Christmas cactus but I am not sure for how long now. I am glad God has blessed you with this red beauty (and the ability to keep it alive)!

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  8. Oh, I love Lovely, too. I love her because she is her sweet and beautiful self and MUCH appreciated by you!

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  9. I have never been good with houseplants, but your beautiful cactus is quite inspiring. I like the idea of it tucked back in your laundry room, out of the limelight. It's nice to have a few hidden pleasures in our lives!

    xofrances

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  10. That is so lovely, you know I have felt that same way about flowers, they do make my soul sing and while I never have snow, I do have the gray foggy days that are wet and cold and we don't see the sun, but If I find one blooming flower, it makes me so happy. I bet you do love that plant. It is very pretty.

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  11. She's beautiful!! What a special treat for in the laundry!

    Blessings!
    Deborah

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