Here is a sad little yellow rose, trying its best before pruning, which in Houston, is traditionally done on Valentine's Day, when the risk of frost is over.
And my cyclamen are doing well...they remind me of little Valetine hearts.
I am working on a new quilting project, but can't show you just yet as it is for someone who might read my blog, though that is doubtful. I will share it with you after I give it to that person. My, aren't I sounding vague and mysterious?
Of course I couldn't ignore my favorite flamingos.
But I had been wanting to put in some cyclamen since before Christmas, which seems to be their season here. I finally got around to it today. It is nice and cool, so hopefully they will last for a few months.
4. Knitting socks.
...and the way it knits up into these stripes, so it looks like I have used 5 or 6 different yarns instead of just one.
And here is the new Mary Engelbreit fabric from Moda as seen in the Hancock's of Paducah catalog...tempting!
And even in Houston, this is a sure harbinger of spring, even though we're only 2 1/2 weeks into winter.
And remember when I planted these a month ago? I guess the 10% alcohol solution really did work. I didn't use it on these and they are certainly more tall and leggy. Guess Martha was right after all.
But the cookie scoop works great!
And I'm with Martha...I LOVE Silpat. I don't know if everyone has this problem, but my oven seems to bake unevenly, so halfway through I switch the trays from top to bottom.
And the results were delicious...
Although Purrkins was bored with the lot of it...maybe I should be baking catnip brownies?
Here are some of my Mary Engelbreit Christmas figurines, adhered to the shelf with museum gel to protect them from Graycie the cat. She is quite the climber and has broken a few things in the past.
And my "feather" tree with Waterford ornaments, also secured but with a wire coat hanger and clear duct tape (I never knew there was such a thing.)
One of my favorites...You'd Better Not Pout nutcracker.
And here is our fireplace. Yes that is a picture of the Buena Vista over the mantle. Mike is a native of San Francisco and we always go there for an Irish coffee when we visit.
Well, Kate, I know these aren't what you had in mind...maybe I'll take some pictures of the cats today :-)
And here are the paperwhites. I'm afraid Martha's tip about the 10% alcohol solution didn't work...they are still quite long and leggy...
...but still quite beautiful, and they have a wonderful fragrance.
I had three bulbs left over that I had stashed in the refrigerator, so they should bloom for New Year's and prolong our enjoyment of them.
I must have been very good (or very naughty in a good way :-) The man at the camera store asked me what I wanted to use it for. I was too embarrassed to say "To take pictures for my blog" so I mumbled something about food photography. We looked at a couple of Canons, but I've always been a Nikon girl. Pictures to follow...
My mom has subsequently lost about 90 pounds, so it obviously doesn't fit her any more. My plan this year was to make a new, smaller, replacement shirt. I had forgotten that each of these motifs are in the 28,000 to 31,000 stitch count range. I started embroidering yesterday afternoon after my cookie exchange guests left...I got 2 done then and one today after getting home from work. That leaves 4 plus the checkered trim for tomorrow before the last mail pickup at 4:30pm...wish me luck!
A good thing about having the cookie exchange this early is that I was motivated to do some Christmas decorating. I put the Spode Christmas Tree china on display in the china cabinet (and served lunch on it :-)
This cute little cup and saucer is from my childhood.
And I just found four of these last week at the thrift store for $1.00 each!
We have five of these fabulous retro glasses from the 50s. Mike thinks they belonged to his aunt. Don't they just make you want to have a hi-ball?
The amaryllis is doing beautifully. I can't believe how quickly it has grown...maybe it is the warm weather. Yes, it was 80º yesterday. We had a holiday open house to go to which requested "festive attire." Right. I ended up wearing a short black sleeveless Chico's Travelers dress with a red silk jacket...no black velvet or red plaid taffeta in that weather. Anyway, this is what the amaryllis looked like yesterday.
And this is what it looks like today!
I'm sure it will open up in no time. And look how tall it is, with the second shoot poised take over when the first one is done. Yes, I do have the back door open. It is down into the 60s today, and I'm loving it!
