Its Santa season once again

After much debate on whether to decorate this year or not, I decorated. We had to put "presents" on the endangered species list, but being festive is free. After all, I love the Christmas season, not to mention, that I have a Santa collection that needs to be shown.

I got this little tree at a yard sale a hundred years ago, to hang my Santa ornaments. I either need to get a bigger Santa tree next year, or stop getting Santa ornaments. I vote for a bigger tree, and how about some new curtains. I am over these funeral home curtains, that's what they look like anyway.

I wanted to capture the ambiance of the Santa tree lit up. This year, I combined a white feather Christmas tree with the artificial tree. I think it sings.

Sorry about the following photo, but I was once again trying to capture the lights on our Christmas tree.

Here is the same tree with a flash used on the camera. And BTW, not one Santa on this tree, thank you.

Not quite a flock

Looking at this plant, takes me right back to Hawaii. I know, people grow them all over warmer regions, but it takes me right back to our condo in Hawaii. OK, so it was not technically "our" condo, but it was for a week back in 2007, and they had them growing all over the complex. Having never grown the Bird of Paradise myself, this year has been full of surprises with this plant. Almost December, and having tropical blooms, I can get use to that. Maybe next year, the White Bird of Paradise will bloom. Fingers crossed.

Not quite a bloom

I have been watching this Bird of Paradise everyday, as you might have guessed. I am happy when I can keep my plants alive over the fall and winter months, but to have them actually bloom, that is amazing. The following photos were taken to continue with the evolution of this Bird of Paradise bud. I first noticed that she was sending up bloom stalks back in either late August/early September. Clearly it takes some time.

This photo was taken on November 8, 2010.


This photo was taken November 14, 2010


I know, not the best picture. I will try again tomorrow in better light.