FORCING SPRING BLOOMS...

My Dad always used to force buds to bloom in the spring so that he could draw them.  He was very successful with Forsythia branches and Maple leaves.  I have had more fun watching an unidentified tree twig from my neighbor's yard with blooms emerging.  It may be a Japanese Magnolia but I could not find the furry hulls covering the blossom on line or in any of the books I have. 

This is what it looked like when I first picked it and put it in water on my kitchen counter.  The buds are huge!

Who knew that the furry 3 petaled hull was hiding a beautiful pink blossom!

It has been such a thrill to see the blossom emerging at last.  In searching for the species I learned that they may be propagated by rooting the branch.  I hope mine will root.  My daughter told me to dip it in Cinnamon as that is an ingredient in root toning products.  I will try it.

Thanks for coming today, please leave a comment, I love them!  And if you have time, please visit my other blogs in the sidebar. 

February already?

My Paperwhite flowers grown from bulbs inside, are so prolific now that I had to tie the heads up with a piece of yarn!  So much fun to have fresh flowers as these when there is snow outside!  I cannot believe we are into February already!  The winter here has been harsh but moving right along!

These are buds from my neighbors tree.  I have not identified the tree as yet but these furry buds are huge, perhaps an inch in length and look like an overgrown Pussy Willow!  I am going to see if I can force it to open in the house.  My Dad used to do this each Spring with Maple branches.  He would draw the sprig in India Ink and pen and then again when leaves came out.  I still have one of these drawings and need to get it out for viewing...

Lilly is my constant welcome companion whenever I am at the computer.  If she is not bringing me her toys to throw for her and fetch, she is sleeping on my lap.

She Likes being under any little bit of my sweater-ha!

My beautiful Great Granddaughter Sofiah turned one on January 28th.  It does not seem possible that a whole year has gone by and two years since my beloved Bill passed.  He is in my heart and mind every day and I miss him terribly.  

I hope the beginning of February is a happy time for you all and thank you for visiting today.  I would love for you to leave a comment.  It is easy and I treasure them.

My heart to yours...