Maggie’s wreath

When I recently wrote about gathering natural materials for a wreath from what one would find in the garden I fully expected to shortly be posting a pic of the wreath I’d made from that bevy of beautiful gatherings. However I did not anticipate that only two days later all I’d brought together, and oh so thoughtfully, I’d believed, stored in water in a big water tub would be stuck under an inch of ice! Haha! So I waited for an opportune time and warmer temps. Meanwhile I learned the holiday gods were conspiring to make my wreath-making a much more lively and social affair than I’ve envisioned when dear longtime friend Maloah called one morning and invited me to a Greens Party, held annually at her sister’s house. I could bring whatever I wanted for wreath-making, and her sister would be providing a wide range of creative options from which I was welcome to choose whatever I fancied! How fun and how lovely!

So yesterday I found myself walking out onto Maggie’s deck where Christmas carols were playing, and where a number of tables had been set up, each bearing numerous choices, and each surrounded by longtime friends of Maggie, all making their holiday wreaths! What a fantastic way to officially enter the holiday season!

choices

dried fruits

wreath in making

I am one of those folks who meets the animals at gatherings usually before I meet the people. This was Maggie’s orange kitty who was very responsive. He recognized a kitty lover immediately. So cute. His name is Flapjack! I just called him Kitty and he liked that. 😉

Flapjack

guest making lovely wreath

As we worked on our wreaths Maloah and Maggie explained to me that the Greens Party had been initiated many decades ago by their mother, who has since gone to heaven, and they are carrying on the tradition! This piece of information touched my heart deeply, that I was partaking in an old family tradition. What a wonderful thing for adult children to do. I felt her mom’s presence at this gathering. It was palpable.

This was the wreath I worked on. I found myself wanting to keep it very simple, gravitating to primarily rosemary and true myrtle, to which I have an affinity, with a bit of willow added for more texture. Also I finally made use of the quinces that grow in my garden!

Here was the final result!

I am sharing this in plenty of time for you to consider a Greens Party at your home, with those you love. What a nurturing memory for your family.

Meanwhile, if you email me pics of the wreaths you’ve made at plantjoyblog [@] gmail.com I will add to this post! I would love to see what you’ve created!

Enjoy the spirit of the season.

Love and holiday blessings,
Kathryn xoxox

Book News: I am hearing from friends they are buying copies of Plant Whatever Brings You Joy as Christmas presents for their loved ones. I invite you to consider whether a copy would bring joy to someone on your list. Thank you!

Here’s Maloah’s wreath, which she kindly sent along! Beautiful!

Posted on December 6th, 2015 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Play | 14 Comments »

One of the more interesting and unexpected Christmas presents I received last year was a little silver pot with a leafy sprig of what my neighbor told me was Zulu Wonder. Intriguing! She said it would have flowers later. So I watched over it throughout the winter, leaving it on the porch thinking that would suffice, and it did. And then surprisingly it started getting quite leafy and broad in spring and it was obvious I needed to transplant. By then I’d googled and learned its proper name was Plectranthus ciliatus, part of the extended mint family. It’s also known as blue spur flower and Swedish ivy. I was promised a plant that would expand to 2′-3′ wide and 12″-18″ high. I also learned the Plectranthus has needs that are similar to clematis–shady, some sun, not too hot. So I opted to place it in a tall burgundy pot that was needing something new, next to my two clematis plants in pots, that get morning sun and shade the balance of the day. I’m very glad I did, as it kept growing and growing way beyond my expectations. I must forewarn, however, that on the hottest mornings I would go out and the poor Plectranthus would essentially be saying, ow, ow, ow, with its leaves contracted, not unlike an unhappy hydrangea which missed its daily watering. You know, right? Yeah, that. But it bounced back quickly with water and shade, so I left it where I’d planned.

I kept watching for the promised blooms and at last near summer’s end I saw what would undoubtedly be some kind of blossom. Here’s what unfolded!

And don’t you love it when a plant you put in makes friends with an adjacent already placed plant or statuary? I find my Zulu Wonder so pretty!

Now, a word on reproduction. My neighbor said, “Oh, you just do a leaf cutting! Put it in water. That’s what I did!” And I’ve just begun to try that. However, and this remains a mystery to me, which I love, but if someone more savvy might venture a guess, please explain to me how this happened. For a sprig of Plectranthus is now growing in my strawberry pot. Granted, when it was still in the silver pot, they might have been cavorting, but, still…

Love and fall blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Book News: Latest great things are that a story from Plant Whatever Brings You Joy was excerpted in Western North Carolina Woman in their fall issue!

Also I’m delighted that Barnes and Noble has restocked copies in stores around the country! Yay! Thank you for purchasing copies. It means so much to know my stories and lessons are being well received and shared with new readers! xoxo

Posted on October 11th, 2015 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 18 Comments »