Sunday, March 1, 2009

"The Life and Times of a Christmas Amaryllis"

Full blossom


Amaryllis-One of a Kind
Of all flowering bulbs, amaryllis are the easiest to bring to bloom. This can be accomplished indoors or out, and over an extended period of time. The amaryllis originated in South America's tropical regions and has the botanical name Hippeastrum. The large flowers and ease with which they can be brought to bloom make amaryllis popular and in demand worldwide. The amaryllis comes in many beautiful varieties including various shades of red, white, pink, salmon and orange. There are also many striped and multicolored varieties, usually combining shades of pink or red with white.
-- from http://www.amaryllis.com.pac.htm/#oneofakind
Last Christmas we bought an Amaryllis bulb for each of our children (one to a family), and one for us. Having documented the growth and development of ours, we here present pictures at various stages (in our kitchen) for your enjoyment.



Just starting its cycle.



Taller, with two leaves/fronds.



Growing up more.
Up, up, and away!



Against the dark of night....
Beginning to open!





Tall and handsome.



And the pink expands!
Additional blooms on a single stem





Reminds one of the Geico gecko, eh?



And they're opening here....

Oh, my -- looking into her mouth!

A little wider, if you please!



In full bloom.

The beauty of this rich color!



Pass "Go" and collect $200.00


Now past their prime.


Almost done.

Fresh out of gas!




...soon cut off and we'll fly away!
Here's what is left now....

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

To each of you readers of the "in the shade of the old apple tree" blog,
Merry Christmas!
--and now-- a poem for you:

BLESSED CHRISTMAS

A blessed Christmas wish to you,
To all who celebrate His birth;
Christ the Savior born that night
When Heaven’s glory came to earth.

Now Shepherds quake while angels sing
Of Him Who comes from Heaven on high;
Eternal Son of God appears,
His grace to all makes known thereby.

From heights above to depths below,
So rich, yet poor He then became,
Born man, still God, God-Man is He,
And Jesus, Savior, is His Name.

Oh virgin-born! such mystery,
Always God, yet man now, too;
Suitable to die our death,
A taint of sin He never knew!

What is His plan for life on earth?
To give His life on Calvary’s tree;
Sweet purpose of that Christmas night,
As Substitute, would die for me!

That’s why we say that Christmas time
Is blessed, for in this world of blame,
Each person needs to know the One
Whose Name at Christmas we proclaim!

-- Poet Les

Grandchildren on the Western Front



Chloe and Jed with Grandma....

Picture this concentration.

GrandPapa and Jed do this together!


Methinks this young fellow is a Quick Study....

These 4 are having a great time together!