December 2006

Happy Holidays!

I’m sure that all of you are as surprised as I am with how quickly the holidays have come thundering down on us. The house is decorated, thanks to the fact that I volunteered to host my writers group party early in the month. I am now in the midst of wrapping packages for mailing to family who are scattered all over the East Coast. Christmas card and Christmas baking are still on my list — as they probably are on yours.

I will tell you that the Christmas cactuses at my house are all in bloom. The plant I received from my friend Cindy while I was writing A SIMPLE GIFT is an early cactus which bloomed impressively a couple of weeks ago. Nana’s plant — in this old photo — is amazing right now. I counted more than thirty blossoms this morning when I misted it.

I also added two new members to my little Christmas cactus family when I signed books and sold cactuses at the Hoerr Nursery in Peoria a couple of weeks ago. The first is a small pure white plant with blossoms so fragile and delicate that you don’t dare touch them for fear they will wither. The second plant is the most gorgeous shade of salmon. I had never seen one this color, so I had to have it. It is now happily ensconced on the deep window ledge behind my sink. (Don’t we all need something pretty to look at while we are cooking and washing dishes?)

Several weeks ago I posted a request for Christmas cactus stories and this truly wonderful and inspiring one came my way.

It’s from Pamala H. and it touched my heart:

"I do have a lot of fond memories with Christmas cacti. I've had them for years and I think everyone I know has one now from cuttings over the years. Last year I babied them and got them in when Katrina came thru our area. We all made it thru that storm with just a little house damage, but everyone in our family alive. Thank God! The largest of my plants had blooms at the beginning of Christmas but they didn’t get very large or open and I was afraid I might had left it out in the cold too long. But I let it go and when it started warming up again I put it back out. The week before Easter I notice its blooms were larger. By Easter Sunday it was blooming and beautiful. I have never heard of one doing this and it still amazes me. But I believe God gives us our messages thru all things, from Katrina to a Christmas/Easter Cactus. Look to Him and Family Love and all comes up Blooming!"

Hope the holiday season comes up Blooming for all or you.

Warm wishes,

October 2006 Archive

Early Summer 2006/Farm Visit Archive

Early August 2006 Archive