Thursday, December 14, 2017

Zinnias in the Snow

Zinnias Winter 2017

This story begins with a conversation that took place in early September of this year, when I called the El Paso County Extension office.

I needed to talk to a master gardener.

You see I was in a bit of a panic.

I couldn’t imagine making my gardening way through 2017 without having zinnias.

It may seem hard to understand, but it was the last bridge too far in a year of monumental changes.

Here is what happened when I made that phone call.

Me:  “Hi- we’re new to El Paso, and I wanted to plant zinnia seeds in raised beds this week, and I need to get some information.”

Him: “Oh dear- I am afraid it is too late in the year. “

Me:  “But I need to do this…I haven’t gone a year without planting zinnias in years.”

Him:  “It is really about the growing and blooming season. Plus the nights and mornings are too cool. I just don’t think it will work.”

Me:   “I just have to…”

Him:  “Oh dear. “

And so I did.

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 I walked outside, took the wooden mirror crate the movers had used, and I ripped off the cardboard backing.

There were still wooden slats across the bottom of the crate, but there were about 6 inch gaps in between.

I am a slinger, so I left them in place.

I worked up the soil a bit, dropped the box in place, and filled it with gardening soil.

I then poked a hole in the bed to find the rows that would clear the boards, and I planted my beloved zinnia seeds.

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And then they came through.

And of course, the gentleman at the extension office was right.

The nights and mornings were too cool.

But I was right too.

And were they the healthiest zinnias I have ever planted? No.

But what they lacked in perfection, they made up for in perseverance and that kind of ‘vamanos’ spirit I love.

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And earlier this month when it snowed, I walked outside to check on them, and I found this.

Zinnias in the Snow 2017 (2)

Aren’t they beautiful?

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Christmas at Casa Golondrina


It's beginning to look like Christmas at Casa Golondrina- 
our new home in El Paso.

Earlier this month, as I emptied crates of Christmas treasures from their home in the garage, I rediscovered old and new friends , as I do each year.

They each have a history and tell a story of sorts creating their own Christmas tour.
Here are their stories:)

Sagrado de Corazon
Each of the three gold tin hearts is a Sagrado de Corazon- or Sacred Heart. My dear friend Anna said they represent Jesus's love for humanity.Isn't that a beautiful message this time of the year? I bought them on our last trip across the border before we moved. Somehow I knew I would find a home for them.
Christmas Angel
The tall gold angel is exactly like the gold angel I gave another dear friend- Lupita- many years ago.
Three Wise Men
The three wise men belonged to my mother.
As a child, I thought they were so beautiful, and I still do.
Christmas and Blue and White
This buffet has displayed so many of our Christmas favorites- all nestled in with my blue and white.

I bought the red velvet and glittered poinsettia stems years ago on a trip to Laredo with my friends, Anna, Mary Jo, and Fran. Mary Jo pulled an enormous trailer with her husband's truck that day to hold all of our finds, and I have never laughed so hard in my life.

Christmas Tree 2017
And when we moved in, I didn't have a Christmas tree that would look right in a room with high ceilings. I found this one at a warehouse sale with my daughters which always means lots of laughter and comments of  "Oh, Mom." 

Christmas Tureen Collection
My collection of tureens survived the move, and I feel comforted seeing them in their traditional location.

I want to thank Katie of Let's Add Sprinkles for organizing this wonderful Cozy at Christmas Holiday Blog Tour.
All of these ladies have stunning homes and amazing Christmas decor.
Make sure you visit all of them!
*****



 

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