Hi guys! Brrr, The polar vortex has come to the beach! Wind from the north at 36 mph, wind chill is 1*. [-17*C]
AccuWeather Alert: Arctic blast may be followed 
I found wonderful soft brushed thermal tops at Old Navy. Very oversized so lots of room for layering even if it makes me look like a polar bear.
click HERE
Despite the cold, the weather is sunny and beautiful and it's time to have a little boost of springtime.
Soo...did you stock up on prechilled spring bulbs last October?
No? Amazon can fix that, as can a visit to your local grocery store. Today my store had pussy willow branches 4.oo, cut tulips , 5.99 a dozen, 2" and 4" forced hyacinths and daffodils at 2.99 and 4.99---and yes! boxes of paperwhite bulbs on sale. Amazon selection: click here
A couple years ago I switched from forcing in interesting containers, using seaglass and beach pebbles--
to reusing this very modern but perfectly shaped for function glass cylinder from Costco. You can use whatever you have on hand.
The glass cylinder came with this scary pointy vicious looking ''frog'' or bulb anchor.
I carefully store it each year after use, protected in a takeout box, firmly taped shut. Imagine stepping on that if it went astray on the kitchen floor.
This year I bought my bulbs at the garden center when we visited for Christmas.
Instead of paperwhite Ziva bulbs, the fragrant all white classic narcissus for forcing, I chose a new variety, called Winter Sun.
They look so sweet and happy and cheerful with their pretty yellow trumpets. I hope they live up top their pics.
Only four bulbs but they look crisp and healthy, with nice green sprouts already.
Nestle the bulbs in their base supports, add water. Easy peasy.
I was planning on starting the bulbs in this crock but it was too hard to monitor the water level. It's important, especially until roots form, to top up the water daily. The water should just touch the rounded base of the bulb without covering the bulb.
I moved the jar to the pine bench where they've sat all week doing nothing, lol. But they should get going soon and bloom in about four weeks.
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And here is my little indoor nursery garden by the back door where it's cold but gets warm morning sun.
My amaryllis is doing great!
What a thrill. It's red by the way, for those who asked. And this is its third year.
And here is my white orchid, a birthday gift last year. [Or is it pink? I forget...]. It too is doing really well. I let it hibernate all fall then gave it Miracle Grow when I fertilized the amaryllis. Its leaves and now glossy and strong, they stand up all perky. Nice green air roots, too. No hint of buds yet. Later when it's warmer I'll move it to a warmer more humid location. Or maybe it can go in the narcissus's glass cylinder when they're done blooming? Like a little terrarium?
Both plants need more Miracle-Gro, but I'm out. Amazon?
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Mel sent me a link for my new to me Croc Pot, it was something like 75 Best Slow cooker recipes. I plan to make a pot-roast, just like Mrs Plum, hahaha. It was odd because it called for a bone in cut of roast beef, something I have never seen. And the other recipes seemed quite odd, [sorry, Mel] heavy on spicy chicken, where are my Rolaids, and oddities such as warm creamy crab dip. Ptomaine waiting to happen. HERE
Yes I know I am way way behind on slow cooker usage; I only used mine to make pulled pork, then it went to the ski house in Vermont and was never seen again. One big drawback for me is they mostly require one to cook before noon, the earlier the better. I just can't, no I cannot cook at 6 AM.
"We are having roast beef, mommy?"//
"Not tonight, little man!"
Mo is proud his warm plaid coat still fits!
PS, in regard to my previous post--I should have called it a Wish List, not a To Do List. Obviously I cannot do most of the things on my list, I was just, like, day dreaming, I suppose? And I always feel it's better to have lots of ideas, better than having no ideas at all. 😍🙄
Have a warm and cozy weekend!
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