Let’s get our hands dirty in the white Minnesota snow with natural winter beauty and blooming bulbs (and I’m not talking about the burned out bathroom bulbs). As winter interest has a place in my home so in my home has it been an interesting winter. Read on to see just a slice of my recent life through the eyes of an apple seed (or two) – it may just be what the doctor ordered.
Bring Outdoors In
On one of my last posts I showed a pic of fun cuttings from my yard (and my cute boots). I arranged the winter cuttings in a large, heavy vase and placed on my dining room table. The height is stately and I love adding natural beauty to my home. The vibrant red berries hang so delicately against my rustic table. The red-twigged dogwoods are a treat to have because I finally gave myself permission to cut off a few twigs. The crowning moment is the forsythia twigs. They express their soft yellow blossoms 2-3 weeks after being placed in water, literally overnight, as if it’s mid-March. Beautiful. I’d show you a photo but they’re already spent and life’s moving on for me and Miss Forsythia.
No Changing these Bulbs
As the snow flies in southern Minnesota, I am ever so thankful that I took the time to force my daffodil bulbs indoors last fall. Without a doubt this is a yearly desire of mine, but it was the persistence of a daughter that really got the job done. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE WINTER and everything it has to offer, but something about the winter months can be really d.u.l.l.
As an impatient person the quiet anticipation of blooming bulbs in winter is soulfully nurturing. The thought of the late October task seems daunting especially after all the summer gardens have been put to bed. Preparing the dirt, positioning bulbs in pots, watering and then sending them to a cold, dark, desolate place (a.k.a. fruit cellar) seems harsh and also cruel. To top it off they’re not be exposed for another three months. Not worth it, heh? Yes – totally worth it. When early January hits, I hike to the fruit cellar with a couple of kids and we bring out the pots as if we’re magicians about to play card tricks. Winter can be colorless and drab and brightening up our home in the midst of snow storms and foggy days brings a peppy mood to the house, at least for me. I actually prefer hyacinth bulbs for their color and fragrance but sadly they dried out and didn’t have a prayer to be forced indoors (or out). I settled for the daffodil bulbs my husband lovingly brought home from the store. (He must have remembered they were our wedding flowers 19 years ago…hmmm, nope).
Why Not Plants?
Easy answer, I totally stink at growing house plants. Also, I have an ingrained formula from childhood that goes something like this: Hard work + More hard work = Enjoyment only after you do the hard work harder than before.
Thanks mom and dad…I think.
Not Seedless to Say
Growth through apple seeds.
An attempt was made about eight years ago to grow apples seeds from home-eaten apples, sadly they didn’t make it (maybe the kiddos forgot to bring them inside for winter, I dunno.) Well, last spring my determined oldest daughter ate some apples and planted her seeds in many pots. Over the summer the rain, hail and sun pummeled the pots on the south side of the house. With anxiety, hope and doubt she turned the pots making sure they soaked in equal sunlight, she watered and watched them. Approprietly, the seedlings finally emerged last fall. Again, with hope, anxiety and doubt the seedlings were nurtured closer to the front door. As the cold November snapped, the fragile apple trees came inside with more hope for their growth than ever before. They took their place in the dining room in a sunny south window. A couple of leaves fell off and looked like they didn’t stand a chance – but they were nurtured once again. Four months later and separated from home, my daughter now nurtures her life. As the apple trees strengthen their roots and stems, she is strengthening hers with tools of hope. I long for her to come home, but much like the apple seeds it takes patience. Last night, via phone, she mentioned the apple trees with doubt of them even living – I smiled and said, “They are alive – we are watering, rotating and loving them as they grow.”
Patiently Persistance
Humbly I share with you that I wrote this blog last night and I thought maybe my daffodils were teasing me with their oh-so-close open buds. As it turns out they debuted overnight. Word spread throughout the house that they opened, seriously, it was the best. Once again, I am grateful for planting them and more importantly trusting in the nurturing process of life than ever before.
For those that just joined – WELCOME! Until next time, are there any bulbs or seeds in your life that need nurturing? Hit reply to this email and let’s chat.
P.S. – REMEMBER to post your hat photos with #mycuteboundhat and enter into the GIVEAWAY at the end of January!!
Bound to be….patient pal,
Shelly
