Christmas day was fairly quiet around here. DH and I got up and opened a few gifts from the kids who couldn't be here. We would wait till evening to open the ones from youngest son and his family who would arrive around 6pm. Grandson had to work Christmas Day (but works from home on his computer), so we had another gift opening around 10am when he had a break and came downstairs. I also made waffles and coffee!
Kids called and texted throughout the day and laughed at some of the gifts given both ways (pics below).
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| silly t-shirts, cat warmer, possum throw, silly plagues |
When evening came, DH had smoked a turkey breast and cooked a small ham... and I had made home-made potato salad. So, the meal was turkey and ham (sandwiches or alone), potato salad, chips and dip... and rum cake for dessert. Then we opened gifts again (a little more for everyone, but most for youngest granddaughter).
One of the gifts she got was this adorable stuffed 'hairy coo'! So adorable! (pic)
And that was it... we did watch a strange movie (I can't recommend it but it was definitely weird). My oldest son said "you watched an Asian Apocalypse movie on Christmas!" Yes, well...we didn't know what we were getting into... and had to watch to see how it turned out. Strange.
Now the day after Christmas we don't usually do much... just rest. But my daughter and oldest granddaughter had been down the week before and we had gone to our favorite garden center (where I bought 2 more plants! - my front room is getting overrun - but couldn't help it, they kept saying "Take me home!").
Anyway, oldest granddaughter is 'plant crazy' too and wanted to go, so we did. This garden center was wildly decorated for Christmas (where we took our Christmas card pic last year?)
and daughter bought these huge red ornaments for her house (she graduated in Interior Design and her house looks like a Christmas store during the holidays - I counted 12 Christmas trees downstairs only - on the video she sent).
OK, back to the subject... the day after Christmas. Daughter called and asked if we would go back to the garden center and pick up more of those huge red ornaments for her for next year. And of course we did.
But while there, I asked the gentleman there about one of my plants that wasn't doing well. It's my little Ginseng Ficus (that I call "Mandrake"). Apparently it seems I've overwatered it... as it possibly has root rot - "mea culpa!"
I was given explicit instructions and sold both vitamins and plant food... not necessarily to save Mandrake... but to help my other plants survive. Some seem to be doing quite well and have grown very tall. But I don't want to lose any more.
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| plants on right side of fireplace |
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| plants on left side of fireplace |
OK... I won't bore you anymore with my plant craze. Will close this with a few pics and memes I like (and may have posted before - sorry):
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| Ryder - oldest granddaughter's Bernese Mountain dog |
Oh what beautiful plants! I love meeting your very own garden! Have a very happy new year.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, if I could build a conservatory/greenhouse, I would. Meanwhile my front room is fast becoming one.
DeleteRian, this was a fun read! Loved the shirts at the top and your holiday dinner sounded perfect--but I'm dying to know, what was the name of the movie you watched?? Wow about your daughter's cmas decorating, and as always I enjoyed your memes at the end (I'm a sucker for possums). I hope Mandrake continues to pull through! Happy New Year my dear friend :^)
ReplyDeleteMy kids tease us about the crows... and the "bite me" T-shirt is for DH as he says this a lot (and one of the grandkids got in trouble in school for repeating this ). The movie is on Netflix and I think the title is "The Great Flood" (not recommending it, but if you like strange and like trying to figure out what is going on...). Thanks for the good thoughts for Mandrake. I'm not sure he's going to make it... but he's in ICU, getting his vitamins, and I talk to him a lot. We'll see.
DeleteYou just made me laugh again! But you have a good heart Rian :^)
DeleteI bet her house is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas! And I love all your plants, it is a breath of fresh air in your home.
My daughter's house is a 2 story log house on 8 acres that the previous owner built. She has remodeled each room over time and added new windows, doors, etc. It has a wrap around porch that I love!
DeleteSounds like a very nice Christmas and I had to Smile about you watching an Asian Apocalypse Movie at Christmas, we tend to gravitate to unusual NetFlix Movies too. *Smiles* Is that Photo of you in front of that Fireplace and Wonderfully Decorated Christmas Room your Home or The Daughter's who is an Interior Designer, it's fabulous!!! I Love your Plants, I adore Live Plants and would have more of them inside if they did well here, which, sadly they don't. I used to want a Greenhouse or Conservatory at our Forever Home and I'm not totally giving up on the idea of having one some day so I can grow more things, both to eat and just to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNo, that picture was taken at the Garden Center last year. I was going to post a video that my daughter sent of her house decorated for Christmas, but I couldn't get it to post (may be too long). Dawn, the plants are my new love since we lost the last of our inside cats a few years ago. I never could have plants in the house before as our cats loved to chew on them... and our fur babies did take priority over plants.
Deletei have enjoyed reading the lovely details of your sweet christmas!! i think there is an app you can download on your phone, where you photograph the plant and afterward the app will tell you what the plant needs or what you are doing wrong!! your plants are wonderful and the picture of yourself and your husband is a beauty!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, there are several apps that do that, but my google app will do that also - and for free. As for the pic of DH and I, we don't take many pics but daughter took that one last year when we were at the garden center.
DeleteYou had such a lovely Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love all your plants! My townhouse, mostly facing north and with little space, is not conducive to many plants. Or so I tell myself. The reality is that I tend to kill them because I overwater, so I feel for you with Mandrake.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday time and I wish you all the very best for 2026, most especially good health in body, mind, and spirit!
Kim, my house faces East so the windows on the side of fireplace help... but I do use grow lights (not expensive through Amazon). My intention is to fill up the front room with plants (like a conservatory/greenhouse) so I may have to buy more grow lights. And knowing how much and when to water is a problem... but I'm learning.
DeleteLove all the greenery in your home. I've no space for plants indoors but think they add life to a home.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice Christmas, relaxed and fun with family.
Thanks, Mae. We can't do much with plants outdoors here... too much shade except for front (East) and drive-way (South)... and with lawn in front and not much space in driveway, indoors is my only option.
DeleteI had not seen any of these before, Rian. And thank you for htis lovely and uplifting post. I feel lighter and happier, thanks to you. Happy Holidays to all....
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays DJan! Love hearing from you. Hoping 2026 will be better for all of us!
Deletei can't remember if i sent this.......i got the advent calendar on amazon from a small business which i liked. Evas Gift Universe...Assorted Chocolate Advent Calendar (Countdown to Christmas Calendar), Selection of 24 Delightful Chocolates, Christmas Gift Idea for Men, Women, Friends, Family, it was filled with very good, name brand chocolates!!
ReplyDeleteThis holiday season has really kept me busy with so many things happening. My daughter and family are coming from Chicago tomorrow so we've been madly preparing. I'm so happy that you had your family with you for Christmas and had such a lovely time together. Have a wonderful New Year celebration tomorrow. I'd like to wish you a very happy and healthy 2026!
ReplyDelete