Amaryllis and Paperwhites

 I sent JB into town for a new amaryllis bulb, as well as paperwhites. I'd seen a sale advertised online (from a reliable nursery), but I thought they'd be the same price with shipping and handling. I was right. He found some in the grocery store. Exactly 4 boxes, two of each type. He took one of each, and the woman behind him took the other two. There was only a white amaryllis. 

Half the fun is in planting them. The paperwhites were interesting, as there were only three in the box. Shrinkflation, methinks. Usually there are 6 or so. 

We had to go to Rona in Carleton Place to return the sink drain. An adventure ensued. As we walked in, I spotted a whole lot of decorative planters outside the store. They were on sale: $30, $15, $7.50. What the heck!

I usually cut pine tree branches and shove them in the planters. They all froze before I got my butt in gear! Problem solved. Prepotted decor.

It was simple returning the drain. The cash elf was so cute. 

We drove to Smiths Falls, and had lunch. It was yummy. We arrived about 11:30, which was good timing. It began to get noisy towards the end of our meal. We had a nice booth for two. We haven't eaten inside a restaurant for months.

Stopping at the market in Smiths Falls, I bought me a new reindeer!

I snagged myself a red amaryllis, although it was prepotted. It is nice having light and colour indoors!

Clean up on aisle two!

If a bowl falls on the counter...

So, I was careless. I was removing three mixing bowls from the cupboard, to put the big yellow one back in, and nest the smaller ones. My fingers slipped. I just wasn't paying attention.

Two were smashed, in many pieces. Some of them were like glass shards. I cut my baby finger!

We inherited my late mother's bowls, so we weren't short bowls, but these were ones I use frequently. This is all I have left!



I had two more disasters yesterday. I dropped a piece of firewood on my instep. You know how you see it falling, in slow motion, and you just can't move quickly enough. Then, after dinner, I snapped my lap blanket up and out, and totally smashed my wine glass on the table. Fortunately, it was white wine! I didn't cut myself this time.

Outside, I've kept the Christmas lights on the water fountain going. In the dark of a winter night they are heart-warming.
Do you notice anything? The red ones, on the long string, are all out. The green and blue are fine... ❓



Morning revealed itself. Lots of turkeys, and one doe out the front window. More out the kitchen window. This was from Saturday morning.



The little boy is getting bigger. He was on the old quilt, bird watching, when he looked back at me,  slipped head first right off and onto the couch seat. "I meant to do that!"



I noticed my bulbs in the basement had begun sprouting, so I brought them upstairs and watered them. Yellow tulips and paperwhites. As I recall, the paperwhites didn't bloom last year. Here they were: Paperwhites and a rabbit. We'll see what happens. I've had them since 2017: Paperwhites, perhaps I ought to start fresh?



Another storm arrived last night! I'm not complaining, as Newfoundland has had 175 cm of snow since Christmas Eve! I just saw the plow go by. It's a good sight!

storm from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Sunday morning

I've a bit of shoveling to do, I'll wait until it warms up a tad.

Our buck has a bit of snow on his face! These are zooms with the videocamera. The turkeys are almost up to their breasts.

Paperwhites and a rabbit

We get a bit antsy in the depths of winter. The cardinals are a bit of colour...


 Things are turning over, with more sun, longer, warmer days, but the nights are still cold.

One year, I painted the snow.


Hubby bought me this planted rabbit last year. Eventually, the plants died. It's tricky for planters without a drainage hole. I either overwatered or forgot to water it.


I have a new project. Every year I plant paperwhites.

Last year I had helpers. (I planted them in the tub!) Hooper has grown. 

I was thinking it was getting too late for them to flower by Easter.

March 4th

I found my rabbit, cleaned her out, and put some marbles in the bottom for drainage. Down to the basement to fetch said bulbs. Hooper was keen, at first. He hopped up on the table, but grew bored.


Happily, they had begun to grow, in the cold and dark.


There... now we wait, patiently. Just enough water, not too much, she said to herself, hopefully.



March 5 – 4cm
March 6 – 5cm
March 8 – 6 cm
March 11 – 11 cm

March 16

Paperwhites

Many, across the continent, are welcoming spring, some are harvesting winter kale, I'm creating some beauty indoors!

This is an amaryllis bulb and paperwhites around it. One paperwhite must have been given a booster, as it is much taller than the others.

 79 CM TALL! (31")

I don't know why the tall one grew like this! 

 

I had to tie them up, they were falling over.
The smaller ones have begun to bloom. I've been playing around with the camera settings. I really should read up on this, as it is a bit of a battle. But then, I read up and forget the dratted settings!