Wednesday, December 30, 2009

We'll take a cup of kindness yet

Santa’s visit left our little toddler filled with wonder and delight. Always thoughtful, Santa also left this gardener a few pretty things.



These little gems, some new books, some music, and Vicar of Dibley, Series III, are sustaining me during the holidays. Along with maple fudge and red wine – ahem, all in the name of getting rid of my cold, you understand.



I am currently reading a book of Scottish folktales and watching my new Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) grow. (They have roots already!!). I was going to save this little prezzie for my office but I just couldn’t wait. Santa is a smart one all right – and much handsomer in person! :-)



These are lazy days. Our big adventure has been to sneak away during the day, after handing the wee toddler over for safekeeping, and go to an afternoon matinee. I highly recommend the new Sherlock Holmes movie if you are a Robert Downey Jr. fan, as I am.



It has been so nice to visit with family, sing my wee guy’s new favourite song, “Jingle Bells” at each meal, have guests over, and go for dinner with a dear friend from out of province.



This is surely the season of hugs and promises of a bright new year - one that will offer us all new delights.



Wishing each of you a Very Happy New Year.

17 comments:

Deborah at Kilbourne Grove said...

What great gifts, (I love the Vicar of Dibley). I noticed you using potting soil with your paperwhites. Since you have a clear glass vase with them, next year you could use rocks or coloured glass stones instead, for a different look.
All the best in 2010.

Anna said...

We have had the same cold but we do not have maple fudge over here :( I am sure it would have aided my recovery. Hope that you are over the worse of it. It sounds as if you were still able to enjoy this special time of year. Wishing you peace, happiness and happy gardening as we enter a new decade.

Anna said...

P.S. Being nosey - what's the book we can't see the title of ? :)

miss m said...

The soil looks like a delicious piece of chocolate cake. (I'm a little gardening-hungry, I am, I am). Lovely post. Lovely gifts ! :)

I catch The Vicar of Dibley on BBCCanada. What a laugh ! I love Dawn French.

Best wishes for the coming year, Ms. S ! I see a great gardening season to come. :)

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

Lovely, lovely!!! I'm crazy for your new watering utensil (the word "can") is just too common for such beauty. Your holiday was heartfelt and joyous - I can "hear" it in your "voice." Keep us updated on the paperwhite's progress and thanks for the movie recommendation - it's on my list! Get Well Soon! (a little red wine always helps)

Rebecca @ In The Garden said...

Great post! Our little ones are also busy singing Jingle Bells, and are still wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas". Enjoy the wine & your watering can is stunning. Happy New Year! :)

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Deborah: I love the Vicar of Dibley! Methinks I must get the other series now. Your idea of using glass stones sounds gorgeous! The potting medium that came with the bulbs is called “coir” and puffed like a soufflé when I added water. While it seems to be working well, I will definitely experiment with mediums now that I know I can. All the best to you in the New Year!

Anna: The fudge is helping, I swear. The book with no name actually has no name. It is a journal to keep my gardening notes in. I thought Santa did a magnificent job in finding one that looked “garden-ey”. Wishing you a joyous New Year as well.

Miss m: It does look like cake, doesn’t it! And chocolate, to boot! Isn’t Dawn French brilliant? I had seen this series on late evenings occasionally and knew I liked it, but now I love it. Best wishes to you for the coming gardening season – I can’t wait to see what blooms in your garden in the spring!

TGHT: I love this watering “utensil” as well! It is quite small really so I shall have to start using it in the house immediately for my houseplants. I expect they will perk right up when the see what they are being watered by. I have great expectations for these little paperwhites, my first ever forced bulbs, so I will certainly post their progress. And yes, the red wine does seem to be medicinal. :-) I wish you a very happy New Year filled with peace and joy and something surprisingly wonderful!

Rebecca: Isn’t it great how the little ones carry the season on? I love it! Enjoy this wonderful time and all the best in the New Year!

Clayton said...

Too awesome. "Nutrition" is always important!
And a Haws waterer - you "can"'t go wrong.

Happy NEw Year. We finally have some snow which we needed to get things covered for the cold which we did and do have.

Clayton

Anonymous said...

I thought the soil looked like a little chocolate cake also! What goes better with paperwhites than chocolate after all...Wishing YOU a happy New Year!

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Clayton: I am so glad we have snow when it is this cold. I am hoping to overwinter a tender rose (hope I am not crazy!) so the snow will really help. A very Happy New Years to you!

AAG: Chocolate and flowers are the perfect mix for a new year! All the best to you!

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Santa was very good to you! Books, the watering can is beautiful! And paperwhites, I love them. Mine are in full bloom right now, I have another bunch started. I did mine a bit different this year, I put them in a 12 inch glass jar with pebbles in the bottom and water of course. The jar keeps them standing up better.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

IGW: Hello! This is my first time with forced bulbs and I cannot believe how fast they are growing! Now that I realize how easy they are I will be experimenting with different containers and mediums. All the best to you in the the new year!

Gardenista said...

That Haws watering can is a thing of beauty. I need to put this on my list for Santa next year. I tried to explain why this can is so great to my husband and told him that this is a watering can you leave out purposefully so that other people can see it too. I don't know if he understands, but you have a nice tool there!

OF SPRING AND SUMMER said...

Sounds like lots of fun!! Lovely presents and good things to eat and drink!
Happy 2010! Ingrid

Ricky Luz said...

You seem to have a lot of fun here! Keep it up, and have a great 2010!

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Gardenista: You revealed my heart - yes, I want to leave this watering can out so people can see it! (hmmmm...I wonder if I can just casually hop up and water a dry plant when company is visiting *hee hee*)

OS&S: Thank you! Christmas holidays were great fun this year. Happy 2010 to you!

Rick: Welcome! We are looking forward to the spring here for some real gardening fun. I can't wait!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Oh my ! Ms. S : )
Were we twins separated at birth girl ?? LOL .. Maple fudge .. chocolate .. red wine (Merlot perhaps ?) all of my favorites along with the Vicar of D ? LOL PERFECT !!! .. Maybe a little "Absolutely Fabulous" thrown in ? .. You have been truly enjoying yourself and it is wonderful to read .. I am sure it spreads the warm fuzzies when we read about it : )
I really got a kick out of this .. thank you !
Joy