A Storm and a Project

Hi, guys! It's a stormy night here at the beach.

I think I should get my beginning of the week post up in case the power goes. The weather dithered all day but come nightfall, things have gotten more intense. Just wind and rain though. This is the kind of day when the local folks go around saying, At least it's not snow..."  Nope, warm-ish, high 40's.

Yesterday I planted my narcissus bulbs. Yes, I know, I do this every year, bear with me! It's such a  fun tradition for January.

My mom usually did hyacinths. She had some interesting dark jewel colored glass hyacinth jars, and with my dad's green thumb colding off  the  bulbs she had good result. I stick to Paperwhites usually.

Gather the containers. They just need to be water tight and not something you plan to later use for food . I had set out an old mixing bowl, an aluminum Jello mold, a large Mason jar, and one of my recycled grocery store delft bowls.

Last Fall I had trouble finding the paperwhite narcissus bulbs. (As I'm sure you know, paperwhite narcuissus are bred for indoor forcing, with no colding-off period needed.) I was so home-bound I missed them in the local shops and finally ordered them online via Amazon.

These are what I found. They're classic ''Ziva'' variety, and are highly scented, so everyone will whine about the awful smell, too bad.

They look really pretty and healthy, don't they? Paperwhites are sold for Christmas display, but I prefer them now, so I store the bulbs in a paper bag in a closet in a chilly entry hall. They sprouted but not too much.

These went into the blue stripe bowl.

Then when we went to the pumpkin patch in late October I found a different type of paperwhites at the garden center. Much more expensive so I only bought five. They are supposedly unscented. I put them into the the smaller containers. Nothing for the aluminum pan this year, too bad.

Fill the bowls with faux sea glass [or beach pebbles or marbles or gravel]. Nestle in the bulbs. Add a few pieces of glass to secure. Fill with water to bottoms of the bulbs...and...wait...a week or two.

 By Groundhog Day I should have lots of lovely blooms.

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The storm has kept the house very dark all day, so no finished project photos. Mo was a big help in the sewing room, trying out my quilt backing for Summertime.

Wind and big waves...

No ships at all.

The forecast was scary enough to keep them further out at sea, I guess.

Tomorrow perhaps more of the same.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

This blog shows paperwhites in beautiful faux birds nest baskets.  Take a look: Here
I must look for something like this, wonderfully woodland and magical.  Other gardeners show the bulbs planted, with brilliant green moss. and here

pinterest

Funny, I remember to buy bulbs but never remember moss.

Blue

Hello! Have you put away the Christmas stuff yet? By the second or third week in January I am always so happy to have my house return to its natural blue and white condition.

inspiration outside my windows

I love the holidays--- the glitter, the red and green, all the abundance of that special season. But now the red and white quilts and linens are laundered, ironed, carefully tucked away. Gifts are used or stowed---forgotten? The Tree is gone. Blue---serene, quiet, calm blue--- is back.

This year I am especially happy to see how beautiful  my new ''distressed'' blue rug looks in my living room in its normal state. The room looks light and beachy but not summery, perfect for winter. (Not sure how this will work in July though.)

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I've never had a colorful rug there, only white, ivory, sand.

I like to keep a few winter-y things, some pine and pine cones; berries in a jug, cinnamon sticks.

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I put out a few blue and white  quilts, 

a blue quilt fragment pillow on the Swedish pine bride's bench.

I found this luscious throw at Pier One after Christmas. It's hand knit chenille with faux fur. So soft and snuggly.

I keep out my mercury glass jars all winter.

And the mercury glass spheres are the last ornaments to be  put away.

For a few days I just had  seashells here...

 then I remembered my collection of Victorian carpet bowls [balls. A game like indoor bocce.] and filled my favorite wooden bowl.

 These are like giant marbles, solid pottery.

If Mo knocks them down they'll survive. I hope.

This year I discovery I have enough black and white  Staffordshire transferware to almost fill my plate rack.

I can't find my favorite black / polychrome  plate with the sailing ship. So sad. But I also enjoy the touches of classic blue. In late spring I'll change out the black to  entirely blue china.

I love these doll dishes pitchers, below 19th century Blue Willow; second below Mid 20th century? Japan.

A very old cup, c. 1810; repro bowl behind it.

Little odds and ends/ gatherings, something I enjoy.

The grocery store has cut tulips and little pots of bulbs already. I'm always tempted and never seem to be able to stick to a white palette as planned.

Here is Mo in my blue cashmere headband. [from Mel, she is so talented!] Cozy. Color coordinating is sooo important when one owns a pug,lol. This shade of blue was traditionally used for pug collars and bows in the 1800s, often with bells. Mo would hate bells!

Have a good weekend! We may get a nor'easter [storm]! Rain and wind, no snow. Maybe. Exciting.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

PS We had weird weather all day yesterday. This bank of black clouds circled the horizon all day. Never moved, never rained. See the map below.  I'm the red dot in the tiny blue skies spot.

 

PS Here is a link to a winter redo , white sofas with Home Goods tartan plaid finds from Home Goods. My original idea for this winter! I even have a Tartan Pinterest board. Maybe next year? here