On the garden path: 2011

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve for Harriet

'Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the store,

Not a creature was stirring,

No one came through the door.

Harriet was safely sleeping,

On her bed on the floor,

When outside in the trees

She heard quite the roar.

She ran round the table,

And put her face to the glass.............

To see what could be causing

This loud sounding crash.

"It's just us", we exclaim,

As we open the door

We've coming bearing gifts,

Catnip, treats and toys galore!

We picked up sweet Harriet

And cuddled her well,

Filled her food and water

And pulled out her new bell.

We left with a smile

Harriet's blanket tucked tight,

Merry Christmas to all,

And to all a good night.

Merry Christmas from our family, including Harriet, to yours. May the season bring you good health and happiness.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Winter Solstice, Gardening Style

	Today, December 21, at 9:30 pm. PST is the Winter Solstice. I could tell you all about the scientific explanation ~ that the winter solstice occurs exactly when the axial tilt of a planet's polar hemisphere is farthest away from the star that it orbits. Or.... I could list some of the cultural elements of the Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal, a time to strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. No one is really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began heralding it as a turning point -- the day that marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. Many cultures the world over perform solstice ceremonies. At their root -- an ancient fear that the failing light would never return unless humans intervened with anxious vigil or antic celebration. But first and foremost, my life as a nursery owner revolves around gardening. I love the winter solstice because it means one very important thing. The days are going to start getting longer. The short days and long nights of winter are not my favorite time of year. I long for the sun on my face and the warmth that the longer days of summer bring. So when the winter solstice hits it’s comforting to know that the days will be getting longer, and Spring and Summer are on the way. Something that also can be done on the Winter Solstice.....walk outside....today or close to it....and take note of where the garden is shaded. This is the shortest day of the year and if you are lucky, as we are today in our beautiful valley of Fallon, Nevada it will be sunny enough that you can use this time to do some planning. Remember last year when you came into our nursery, or perhaps you were at a friends garden looking to try something new, and were looking for a specific plant, one that needed sun all year round. Something like lavender that really does require sun the entire year to stay warm and thrive. Either jot down in your gardening journal, you do have a journal don't you?, or place a rock where it will remind you that this area is shaded all winter, it's not the place to put certain plants. The sun in the sky today is not where it was in the summer, how quickly we forget that though when picking out plants in the gorgeous days of Spring and Summer. HAPPY SOLSTICE to all and beautiful blessings for the New Year!

Today, December 21, at 9:30 pm. PST is the Winter Solstice. I could tell you all about the scientific explanation ~ that the winter solstice occurs exactly when the axial tilt of a planet's polar hemisphere is farthest away from the star that it orbits.

Or.... I could list some of the cultural elements of the Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal, a time to strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. No one is really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began heralding it as a turning point -- the day that marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. Many cultures the world over perform solstice ceremonies. At their root -- an ancient fear that the failing light would never return unless humans intervened with anxious vigil or antic celebration.

But first and foremost, my life as a nursery owner revolves around gardening. I love the winter solstice because it means one very important thing. The days are going to start getting longer. The short days and long nights of winter are not my favorite time of year. I long for the sun on my face and the warmth that the longer days of summer bring. So when the winter solstice hits it’s comforting to know that the days will be getting longer, and Spring and Summer are on the way.

Something that also can be done on the Winter Solstice.....walk outside....today or close to it....and take note of where the garden is shaded. This is the shortest day of the year and if you are lucky, as we are today in our beautiful valley of Fallon, Nevada it will be sunny enough that you can use this time to do some planning. Remember last year when you came into our nursery, or perhaps you were at a friends garden looking to try something new, and were looking for a specific plant, one that needed sun all year round. Something like lavender that really does require sun the entire year to stay warm and thrive. Either jot down in your gardening journal, you do have a journal don't you?, or place a rock where it will remind you that this area is shaded all winter, it's not the place to put certain plants. The sun in the sky today is not where it was in the summer, how quickly we forget that though when picking out plants in the gorgeous days of Spring and Summer.

HAPPY SOLSTICE to all and beautiful blessings for the New Year!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Carson Robert turns 1

Happy 1st Birthday

Carson Robert Thompson!!!
You may be the "little" brother, but you sure are a "BIG" sparkle in our life.
Love Nana & Papa

Friday, December 16, 2011

Lucia's Winter Wonderland

Every year around the holidays we girls gather up some snacks and our creative spirits and we flow over to Lucias house. She does the holidays in a BIG way, a BIG VINTAGE way! and we all love it. We wander from room to room and marvel at the inspired way she has not only decorated her home, but her life as well. Most all of the decorations are vintage inspired, and at least half of them are handmade by Lucia herself, including this gorgeous wreath constructed from old ornaments. After touring each room we settle in either for an old movie, or a craft project. This year was a "craft" year - so with Mod podge and paper in hand we started creating an ornament. Many hours of laughter and good food later we ventured back out into the cold with a memory to hang on the tree, and a memory in our hearts. Thank you Lucia, can't wait for next year!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.............

Thursday, December 15, 2011

EVENING OF WINE Raffle WINNERS

Raffle Winners!

Evening of Wine

12/14/2011

Check the numbers below, if you are a WINNER, bring your ticket to Red Zinnia and collect your prize! Thank you for attending our Annual Event, we really appreciate your support!!! Susan

274946: Twisted Oak short sleeve T-shirt

274957: Twisted Oak long sleeve T-shirt

275210: The Glenlivet collar shirt

274955: The Glenlivet collar shirt

274924: Fireball Whiskey T-shirt

274918: Crown Royal T-shirt

275118: Crown Royal T-shirt

275078: Crown Royal T-shirt

274962: Crown Royal T-shirt

275041: Crown Royal T-shirt

274976: Crown Royal T-shirt

275056: Crown Royal T-shirt

275106: Crown Royal T-shirt

275061: Crown Royal T-shirt

275080: Crown Royal T-shirt

274927: Crown Royal T-shirt

275029: Crown Royal T-shirt

275065: Crown Royal Gloves

274967: Crown Royal Gloves

274939: Crown Royal Gloves

275128: Crown Royal Gloves

275000: Crown Royal Gloves

275096: Crown Royal Gloves

274947: Crown Royal Gloves

274982: Crown Royal Gloves

275086: Crown Royal Gloves

275084: Crown Royal Gloves

274959: Crown Royal Gloves

275089: Dewar’s Hat

274933: Dewar’s Hat

275109: Dewar’s Hat

275185: Dewar’s Hat

275122: Jagermeister Hat

275013: Cruzan Hat

275040: Cruzan Hat

274970: Cruzan Hat

274936: Cruzan Beach Hat

274978: Cruzan Beach Hat

274989: Tom, Veg, & Herb Fertilizer and Pruner Set

275072: Rose & Flower Fertilizer and Pruner Set

274965: Four Vines “Loco” Wine

275119: Trevisiol Pros Ecco Wine

274934: Salt City Fragrance Diffuser Kit

275039: Salt City Fragrance Diffuser Kit

274979: Fear Less, Hope More sign

275083 Colorado Blue Spruce Tree

274923: GRAND PRIZE CHURCHILL VINEYARDS BASKET

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Family Holidaze 2011

Pinecone Bird feeders,
Yule Logs & Centerpieces.....ahhhhhh another great Flower Tree Family Holidaze!
Thank you to one and all that stopped by and spread some cheer with us! Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Natural Wreaths (Evening Class)

Michelle's second Natural Wreath Class took place this past Wednesday evening. It was a little chilly out in the green room, but with the fire sparked and the laughter flowing, it felt pretty warm to me. Because it was going to be dark by the time the ladies got started with class, Michelle had come in earlier in the afternoon and gathered twigs and berries...pieces of mossy branches...a little bit of everything from the back gardens. She had also brought in her own dried artichoke flowers from her summer garden. They were beautiful on the wreaths. Add a little here, put a little there, and the end results were natural and creative reminders of gardens past, and the holidays ahead. Everyone had a great time, and the creative juices were flowing.......take a look for yourself.

Michelle is hiding behind the wreath she made as the demonstration. Lucky, lucky me...I got to take that one home to hang on my own door.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Natural Wreaths with Michelle

Every year a group of local teachers and friends get together for their own private natural wreath class. The first hour is spent with Michelle as she leads them around the nursery property gathering twigs and branches...bits of ivy and Oregon grape..a few dried grasses and berries...some russian olives that have turned light grey on the trees...a little bit of everything that catches their eye. Then the fun begins creating their own art piece to grace their front door.

Arranged and organized by the beautiful woman to your right, Melinda, they fill the room with laughter and joy. It feels pretty special to be part of their "Making a Memory" every year. Can't wait to see what they create next.