Monday, December 2, 2013

December Started

             December started. Snow fell finally. No frost, but the pond and the water in barrels have frozen. When the nights are clear many stars are visible in the sky. Sometimes it's a snowstorm with wind, it covers the ground with white carpet. But this carpet quickly melts in the city, and it lies in my suburban garden, glitters in the sun.
Preparation for Christmas and the New Year has begun in the city. The snowflakes, garlands, Christmas decorations, Santa Claus' and his granddaughter Snow Maiden's figures, masks, flappers and fireworks appeared in different supermarkets and street fairs. 
I succumbed to the temptation :)) and decided to buy a few Christmas decorations. I remembered that the garland for the small Christmas tree had burnt out last year and bought a new one. I like gleaming snowflakes and ornaments that can be hung on a door, a window or just on a wall in the living room or the kitchen. Of course I want to hang these decorations in the garden on my spruce as well, I grow it for 10 years.

 


I recently purchased potted amaryllis bulb, which had only just began to sprout its flower stalk. Gradually flower stalk grew, a bud has begun to open. On the first Sunday in December the first bud fully opened and 3 others about to open.




I had a gift the branch of a blossoming white lily. Lily appeared extremely resistant to the dark and short day conditions, its numerous buds open one by one. The lily smells great, and its pollen from the stamens may be on your nose if you smell very close! I am pleased that the amaryllis and the lily create joyous and festive mood.




 























 How do you prepare for the Season holiday, are you planning something new to celebrate?

I wish you the joyful expectation of Christmas!


46 comments:

  1. Nadezda, your lily and amaryllis are perfect for the season! I can almost smell the gorgeous lily fragrance through the internet! Your new decorations are sure to make your celebration even more festive!

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    1. Thank you, Peter! This amaryllis blooms indoors at first time, I'm glad too!

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  2. We love Amaryllis and usually grow one or two in the winter. Those are some really nice ornaments. The Christmas lights and glass ornaments really help to brighten the long nights this time of year.

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    1. Jason, you have experience growing amaryllis! My previous amaryllis bulbs didn't bloom at all and this December I have this beauty indoors. Thank you!

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  3. I love these photos. I am really in the Christmas spirit!! I have been since August :)
    As far as how I prepare, I listen to Christmas music and decorate my house top to bottom!

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    1. I'm sure your home, Keith, is lovely at Christmas time. Thank you!

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  4. Lovely new decorations and especially the red amaryllis is a beautiful treasure for these dark December days before Christmas. I have not yet started decorating the house, we wait till Santa Claus has gone back to Spain after December 5th.

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    1. I didn't know Santa lives in Spain after December 5th, are you sure Janneke? Our Santa (Grandpa Frost) is still living in North. Thank you!

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  5. Dear Nadezda,
    Lovely picture of flowers and a little hint of the inside of your house as a bonus. I do like the white lily. Here in Germany, Christmas is well under way although there is no snow in our part and it is not too cold at the moment. In Melbourne my Mother tells me that some days are warm and other quite cool. We intend to spend Christmas in a small cottage in Burgundy. I am looking forward to it!
    Bye for now
    Kirk

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    1. The winter comes, we have snow and rain some days, as well. I can imagine the Christmas in snowy mountains in a small cottage with good Burgundian wine. Great choice, Kirk!

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  6. I love Christmas decorations. Your pictures are lovely.
    Greetings !

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  7. Amarylis are monsters aren't they? I haven't heard of Santa Claus' grand daughter.

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    1. Sue, I haven't heard of Amaryllis as well. The Russian Grandpa Frost (Santa Claus) is very old, has grand daughter Snow maiden that plays and dances with children. At Christmas many students work as "Santas" and "Snow maiden" and is funny to see them as "Grandpa" and " grand daughter"!

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  8. I have several amaryllis I will be starting...a few decorations especially candles in the window...I love celebrating the season in other ways. Love your decorations!

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    1. I'm sure your amaryllis will bloom nicely, Donna! Thank you!

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  9. Dear Nadezda,how beautfly you have decorated you house for Christmas!!!
    Wonderful pictures!!!I like the lily and amaryllis!!!They look so preety!!
    Wish you a warm and happy new month!!!
    Dimi...

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    1. I'd love warm December, Dimi! But our Earth turns and winter comes....:(( So I try to decorate my home and garden for New Year and Christmas.Thank you!

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  10. I love that deep red amaryllis -- that is a beauty! Now I'm thinking I need a red amaryllis for my Christmas decorations too : )

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    1. Of course you need, Laurrie! It beautifully decorates the home. Thank you!

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  11. Nice pictures of beautiful amaryllis, also called the four corners of the world. Wish you a good night :)

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    1. I didn't know that amaryllis is called so, and when I've seen its 4 opened big buds understood: it's true.Thank you, Hanne Bente!

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  12. I love amaryllis, I used to have 5 which I kept for many years, I put them outside in the garden as soon as there is no risk of frost and leave them there and in the autumn I take them out of the pot and clean off all soil and cut off half of the roots. Then leave outside in a cold, dark, dry place for 8-10 weeks and take inside to pot up. But one year I was not careful with where I placed them, the bulbs got too wet with all the rain and when I was going to pot them up, all had rotted. Since then I haven’t bought new, I miss having amaryllis, have been thinking of getting some new one!

    Your lilies and amaryllis photos are lovely, I can’t think of a better smell in the house than lilies! I have started to decorate a bit for Christmas but I keep to the Norwegian traditions so I wait with most of the decorations to closer to Christmas. So far I have an advent light in my window and a Christmas wreath on my front door. And I have decorated a bush in my front garden with battery lights, it looks a bit like a small Christmas tree :-)

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    1. It's so pity you lost all amaryllis you had! I will remember (and bookmarked) your experience storing them after blooming, it's very important if I want to see new blooming. I think your home will be lovely decorated for Christmas. And you have the pretty Santa-cat! Thank you!

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  13. Your lovely flowers make beautiful decor for the Christmas season.
    It's nice to have a few new decorations each year to add to the collection. I have taken out my box of decorations but will not commence arranging them until tomorrow, when the grand-children will be here.
    It was very hot here yesterday max.32C, but nice and cool today, around 20C.
    Hope you are well.
    Betty

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    1. Oh, Betty, such hot wonderful weather in December... You will have good helpers grand-children to decorate your home, sure they love it! Thank you!

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  14. Hi Nadezda
    It sounds as if winter is slowly creeping into your part of the world. Here it's hovering around 0C - we've had a bit of snow but it's melted. I need to decorate the house this weekend. I love your lily and amaryllis! They are beautiful.

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    1. Astrid I remember your beautiful Christmas decoration and the Nutcracker near the tree. Thank you!

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  15. The amaryllis is lovely, and what a treat to have a blooming lily this time of year! You've reminded me that I need to find some amaryllis bulbs soon to have something blooming this winter. I'm not one to rush the season, so I decorate a little each day--many Americans have had their Christmas trees up for a week or more already! Enjoy this happy season!

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    1. You're right, Rose, it's great to have something blooming in winter. I have not yet Christmas tree up, I usually do it later.
      Thank you!

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  16. Lindas comparas has hecho. Que preciosas tienes esas flores. Dan alegría Nadezda.
    Pasaremos la navidad en Salamanca con mis hijos en familia.
    Buen miércoles amiga:))
    Un beso.

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    1. Espero Laura que tengas buen y feliz Navidad junto con tu familia. Gracias!

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  17. It’s indoor gardening for now. I have finished putting the garden to bed but I will bring in some flowering Viburnum branches soon. And some of the evergreens too.

    I like Christmas and celebrate in the old-fashioned German way with wooden figures and lights.

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    1. The blooming Viburnum is wonderful, Friko. I'm sure your home in German style is very decorative.Have a nice Advent!

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  18. It's lovely to see all the festive things everywhere. I'm appreciating Christmas this year. I am always astonished at how quickly amaryllis grow. I have bought one and planted it yesterday. I expect to see it shooting up more quickly than I expect.....

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    1. Yes, it does, Jenny. My amaryllis has grown in some days from potted bulb till well flowering one.It needs more water and sun only.
      Happy week!

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  19. I looked at your posts showing paintings of still life with pleasure – you showed us a great selection. Your amaryllis looks superb. I had one a few years ago, but I don’t think they come out year after year? Maybe I did not store it the right way.

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    1. Oh, right bulb storing is very important. I store it in cool dry place, after all its leaves get yellow. Thank you, Vagabonde!

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  20. Welcome Nadezda!
    I like flowers Amaryllis. Unfortunately, in my house is not growing.
    I like to prepare for Christmas. Decorating an apartment, garden.
    For me, the snow was for one day.
    I hope it falls on Christmas. Then it will be lovely.
    Greetings.
    Lucia

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    1. When snow falls in Christmas the holiday looks lovely, you're right Lucia. Thank you!

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  21. Your amaryllis and lilies are just gorgeous Nadezda! Not everyone does but, I love the fragrance of lily flowers. Our plans for Christmas are very low key. Good food and family are all you really need.

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    1. You're right, Jennifer: good food and good family we all need in Christmas. Thank you!

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  22. So nice to get ready for the holiday season when we can't get out in the garden. A Christmas tree is kind of like an indoor winter garden! I'm jealous of that lily - can just imagine that fragrance. Flowers like that are very hard to find here in winter.

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    1. Rebecca, glad you are here with us bloggers! This lily blooms till today, has many buds. A Christmas tree isn't indoors I will do it later. Thank you for dropping by and hope you will continue blogging!

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  23. It must be nice to breathe in the fragrance of lilies this time of year!

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    1. Yes it is, sweetbay. I imagine summer when breath in the fragrance.Thank you!

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