My Confused Cactus

My Christmas Cactus is confused...its blooming its silly head off even before Thanksgiving!

When I bought this plant for $5 at Home Depot about 14 years ago,

it was just a little tiny thing, in a 4 inch plastic pot.

We have transplanted it into bigger & bigger containers at least 3 times now.

First, I saw only one little bud...a tiny splash of hot pink within the green.

Is it any wonder pink & green are one of my favorite color combinations?

Within a few days, another bright pink spot appeared.


Then a few more!

All of a sudden, a RIOT of color burst forth!!

This beautiful plant seems to thrive on benign neglect.

It sits out on our porch all summer long where I throw a cup of plain,

unfertilized water on it about once a week.

It seems unfair to be rewarded with such spectacular beauty for so little effort.

I wish my roses were as easy to care for & as prolific!

My sister has a Christmas Cactus...same color...

that belonged to our Grandmother first & then our Mother.

That would make it at least 40 years old, if not more,

because Grandmother passed away in 1970.

My mother brought it to her home to care for it.

That makes 3 generations of women, watering &

transplanting & sharing cuttings with friends & family over the years.

I hope my daughter & granddaughter care for

this one just as lovingly.



If benign neglect is all it needs, it should do just fine!


We had our first snowfall of the season this weekend.

Quite a contrast between the inside & the outside, huh?



I scampered outside in my nightgown, robe & slippers

to capture these shots of the snow in the moonlight.

Reminds me of diamonds!





Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House.

I hope this brought a bright note to the start of your week.

Stop over at Mary's Dear Little Red House to see more bright

spots in her Mosaic Monday meme.

End of Autumn Colors

I've finally remembered to take my good camera with me

& have been able to capture some beautiful shots of autumn in Ohio.

Mother Nature's bountiful food for the birds

to help them get through the winter.

Burning Bushes

(aka Winged Euonymus or Spindle Tree)
Euonymus alata "Compactus"

Maple trees

I captured these leaves especially for my baby sis in AZ.

Years ago we collected them & ironed them between waxed paper

& mailed them to AZ so she could have a touch of fall.

They have had some recent health issues that

have us all worried.

If you're so inclined, I sure would appreciate it if you could

send up a *knee-mail* for them, both.

We strongly believe in the Power of Prayer!

I took some shots at a local restaurant above &

a local greenhouse below.

At my favorite grocery store, too!

Soon, the heavy rains & then the snow will arrive.

For now, I'm drinking in every drop of color &

trying to fully appreciate each day the Lord gives us!

Thanks for joining me in the Gazebo House.

fondly,
Rett

Joining Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

Sharing Summer Flowers

Americana White Splash Geranium

Glow Fluor Rose Petunia

My only surviving pansy.
I'm amazed that it lasted this long!

Telstar Dianthus

Unfortunately, I've lost the name of this beautiful yellow rose.

It has pink tinged edges & very long stems.

The Japanese beetles devoured several leaves so
it hasn't been as prolific as other years.




I've looked online & it seems similar to "Gold Medal"

I cut one rose & brought it inside.



The setting sun coming in through the dining room

window made the petals almost glow!

This older photo is of the trellis I bought back in May,

with the intention of getting Morning Glory seeds to grow up & over.

We always had Morning Glory flowers outside

my Mom's kitchen door every year.

You have to soak the seeds overnight

(I remember doing this with my Grandfather!)

to soften their hard shells so they will germinate.

Boy-O-Boy, did mine germinate!!

Look at this HUGE plant with its reaching tentacles, searching

for things to wrap themselves around.

However, NOT ONE single Morning Glory blossom.



I have been fertilizing the Knock-Out rose bush that is in front of the trellis

with Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower Care.



Obviously it doesn't not help Morning Glory blooms.

Any suggestions???

I think it looks like "Cousin IT" from the Adams family TV show.

Kinda scary, huh?

Any help from my horticulturist followers would be greatly appreciate.

I'm still very busy, cooking down tomatoes

from yesterday's post.




I hope you're having a glorious Sunday &

I thank you for visiting The Gazebo House.

I'm joining

Mosaic Monday at Mary's

Dear Little Red House

fondly,