Ahoy there! Ye Scurvy Rat...

In an effort to avoid the cold of my kitchen window the Ivy has commandeered a nearby pineapple.  I am trying to decide if I should engage in hand to hand combat, or just find a 16er and blow her out of the water.  I will probably go with the first option, and claim the fruit for myself, but her aggressive attitude is really brining out the pirate in me.  Arrrggg.  Winter gets to us all.  

Cyclamen

On Saturday we walked into the garden center to buy an indoor watering can.  We walked out with a Cyclamen that was on sale.  There were a few of them, which I have since learned are the "green house variety".    Considering how beautiful Cyclamen is, it was hard to decide which colour to bring home.  We ended up playing paper-rock-scissors, two out of three, and brought home a beautiful plant whose colouring I believe is described as Mini Libretto Pink.  

I prefer to think of it as Ethereal Pink myself, for it really is.  I'm besotted. 

It seems that Cyclamen prefer bright, indirect light.  (?)  I have not really pinpointed all the "bright, indirect light" places in our apartment.   I am supposed to keep her watered while she is blooming, and then I can expect her to go into a dormant period where I should let her dry out.   Never fear, come September I begin watering again, and (da da da da!) she returns.  (From what I understand, she too has tubers.)    Anyway, that's what I have learned so far. 

Any of you wise Cyclamen owners have some good tips for me? 

I gave Kip the charge to name her.  Though I did forbid him from picking Trixie.  I mean, come on.  

July Flowers, Frozen World

It is dreadfully grey today, horribly grey, and though I've had some other posts in mind I have begun to crave flowers and colour.    I have also been remembering the flowers from my wedding.  I lived in Rio de Janeiro for eighteen months, and loved it!  The older part of the city (in which I lived) was built with very European architecture, yet the colouring is that of a tropical country; reds, oranges, pinks, greens!   The combination of the two is fantastic.  That is what I wanted to do for my wedding.  I wanted elegant neutrals and splashes of gorgeous colour.   So, I thought I would let you take a look at some of Red Clover's flowers and throw in a few extra pictures for fun.  Hope you enjoy!

  

My mom put together a small bouquet for my bridals because we had forgotten that we needed one.  It wasn't all the flowers I had chosen, but the right coloring and I loved it. 

The very first picture of Mr. and Mrs. Red Clover

The big picture...

Celebration of our two families. 

There's the first shot of my first bouquet.  I had chosen large pink and orange Lilies, two colours of Astermaria (which is a favorite flower!), fantastic soft pink and yellow snap dragons, small red roses...and let's see if I can remember what else.  Something green called "Irish Bells" or something like that.  

I wanted ferns for the greenery in the bouquet.  My Aunt Marjorie is a decorator, and does flowers for deserving nieces...assuming we're deserving. 

Behind the Mt. Timpanogos temple where we were married. 

We decorated with big bouquets and palm trees, as well as lying a bouquet of flowers over a shallow clay bowl on each table.  It looked really nice. 

Best Friend, Cousin, Sister, Sister, Me, Four More Sisters.   Aren't they beautiful?

The men looked sharp in their tuxes.  This is my  youngest brother, who loves posing for a camera.  I thought their boutonnieres (sp?) looked great against the black.

The cake imitated my dress; a soft ivory with slightly darker flower patterns all over.  Then it had a cascade of flowers down the side.  

One of the Flower Girls, my niece

A view of where we held the evening reception.  It was up a canyon in the mountains and just beautiful. 

My gorgeous mother and dashing father.  (She bore eleven children! They are both amazing and in excellent shape!  "From running after so many kids?"  you ask.)

The tables where refreshments were served.  I wanted whimsical and elegance.  I think both were captured.  

A close up of the boutonnieres.  I loved the thick grass my Aunt used.    

One of the corsages for the girls!  I have no idea what that drooping flower was, but it added such a fun look and texture.

We have now been married now for a year and a half, and I am so happy!  I hope you had fun looking at the flowers from my wedding!  

-Red Clover

Dismal and the Divine

As dismal as all this cold can be, it can't help but breaking into the utterly beautiful.  Like a silver winter's sunset searing its way below the horizon.  Sunday afternoon was one of those days.  Kip and I took a stroll down our road and I had the foresight to bring my camera.   It was beautiful.  This first picture is the view when we walk to the front yard where our cars are parked; This greets us across the street.  Living down here, closer to fields then to supermarkets and suburban hustle you find only minutes way has settled something in me, and I feel deeply happy.  

Here I am in my boots, turquoise skirt, and bright red corduroy jacket.  I was fairly bundled.  Which was good, because it was cold. 

I've been thinking about spring, and wishing that I could hunt a plot of land somewhere instead of doing it all in pots.  We will see what surfaces.  (I can hear my mom now telling me to feel free and weed her flower beds.  That's not quite what I had in mind.)  As much as I don't want to rush winter, I am going to be excited for the earth to begin growing again.  

But until then, I think I will enjoy the beautiful place where we live.  

These Cold Days

The view out the front door!

My ivy started creeping away from the window several days ago.  It started to head for the kitchen counter, and I watched in curiosity for a few days.  Then I noticed that all of the shoots from my spider plant were wrapping themselves around the book case away from the window.  It has been very cold and I am not sure who minds it more.  My plants or I.  

I'm giving this weather permission to do whatever it wants until February.  And then I want to see some progress.  We'll see if it listens.  

This is the little stand of Russian Olive trees by the gate that opens up into the park.  On a clear day you can see the Rocky Mountains rising above!  It's beautiful. 

EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA

EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA

(Commonly known as the Poinsettia)

(Also commonly known to cause slight twinges of guilt

when purchased in groups of four)

(Twinges of guilt are definitely worth it when 

one gets home and sets them in 

different locations)

(Kip gets home in two hours)

(Smiles)

It's true.  I was wooed.   The first is bright Red, the second White, followed by a "Cinnamon" Poinsettia, and a last but not least is a Poinsettia that's a splash of Red and White.  Beautiful!  I did find spots for all of them.   The girl at the garden center said they are getting rid of them this week.  And there are rows and rows of them!  So, I got a wonderful deal: Four Poinsettia plants for thirteen dollars.  Who can argue with that?  

Technical comments on Poinsettias welcome, and to come...wish me luck! 

DRACAENA MARGINATA

DRACAENA MARGINATA

Commonly known as the Dragon Tree.

Plants often come with a little tag stuck in their pot, telling you useful things were you to purchase such plant and desire to keep it living more then a month.  Well, I did talk Kip in to buying this fantastic plant...tree?  And am pleased to announce that her name is Vermelha.  I lived in Rio de Janeiro for a while and speak portuguese, so when this plant completely won over my affections, and I spent much time admiring her gorgeous accents of red, I decided Vermelha was the name for her.  She approves.   

Her tag informs me that "Interesting plant structure provides contrast to indoor decorating schemes."  Kip said that all plants do that and it was a marketing ploy for people like me.  He was joking, of course.  I have been so delighted with her contrast, that my indoor decorating themes have been greatly enhanced.  In fact, she was put in the place of honor, my window table.  

A match made in heaven.  Apparently Dracaena Marginata prefer medium light, moderately moist soil, and the average home temp. of about 62-60 F (16-27 C).  Or so senior tag tells me.  

  

After poking around on the internet I learned that they are really known as Madagascar Dragon Trees!  Which sounds so much more exciting.  Apparently they can grow quite tall, and their lower leaves drop off as new ones form.  They can be grown straight, or trained to curve, and get dusty.  (!)  It seems that pests, though usually not a problem, have been occasionally known to bother our dear Dracaena.  (Such as Mealy bug, scale, and spider mites.  Spider mites!)  Learned at Dracaena.com

Luckily, Vermelha appears to be healthy and happy.  I have been pleased to welcome her as the newest member to our family.  

What exactly is scale?  

"Brave New World"; Red Clover 2009

  I always thought "Brave New World" was a great title for a book and sitting from the stoop of an early January I am ready for one.  I look forward to this year with anticipation, a few plans, but mainly an eagerness to fill my mind with worthy things, my tongue with softness and my heart with light.  

I am excited for "Red Clover" to begin my first spring as a self-proclaimed amateur and really dig in to learn what I can -- mainly through experimentation and observation.  That reminds me, I need to talk to Kip about a flower budget...

I talked him into a new plant today as we were at the store because for only three dollars and fifty cents we could take home our very own Dracaena Marginata!  (Dragon Tree).   More on that soon...

I have taken this first week off, because I needed a break from all things, and am excited to begin again.  I hope your holiday season was as wonderful as mine, and that you are looking forward to spring with excitement.  (Those of you in the southern hemisphere should just post dozens of pictures of your beautiful flowers!)   On we go, January!  

I have a few projects in the works to help me be ready, but we will get to those another day.  

It's good to be back!  

Love, 

Red Clover 2009