Christmas Notebook

We had a lot of rian on Saturday, but Sunday was sunny with a very blue sky. So pretty. DH and I toured the yard and noted all the FFO (First Flower Out) daylilies. This one is ‘Purple Bicolor.’

It’s always exciting to see the daylily season begin! There are a lot of flower buds this year. It looks like it could be a spectacular sight in a few weeks. Here’s the “before” picture. It won’t be long till I can take an “after” picture!

The hydrangeas look the best they have ever been. Loaded with blossoms! In shades of purple, pink, green, ivory and blue. SO beautiful!

We took advantage of them for the Sunday bouquet this week.

This is a lacecap hydrangea called ‘Twist-n-Shout.’ We just planted this bush two years ago and it has taken off with great gusto.

Here’s the bush on the west side of the front porch. Beautiful! We brought these bushes from our previous home twenty years ago. I don’t know the name of them, but they have a lot of purple in the blossoms. Can you see Clark in the window? He longs to come outside, but has to enjoy the beauty and the luscious smells from the windowsill.

The Southern Magnolia is blooming. These flowers are twelve inches across. Such a wonderful scent drifting on the breeze. I planted this tree so I could use the leaves at Christmas time. But the blossoms are worth the effort, even if I never decorated with the foliage during the holidays. Pure white with a lightly sweet, lemony scent.

We had the twins visiting with us last week. They were here Wednesday evening through Saturday and we had rain every day so they weren’t able to play outside. Instead, they spent a lot of time in the library, building an arcade from cardboard boxes. They devised their own games, decided on the rules, made the tickets, chose prizes, etc. They can have more fun with cardboard, duct tape and colored paper than anyone I know.

Snow White’s contribution was the game “Urky the Turkey.” To play the game, you put your hand in the hole at the top of the box and pull out a piece of paper. You get three tries. If the paper reads “turkey” you try again. If it reads “farmer” you win. I asked why you were supposed to get the farmer to win. She said, “Because if you don’t get the farmer he will KILL the turkeys and they will NOT have a very happy Thanksgiving!” Makes sense.

Here’s the menu for the week. No turkey.

Monday
Napa Cabbage and Veggie Stir Fry with Chicken
Wild Rice

Tuesday
Chicken and Noodle Soup
Sourdough Toast

Wednesday
Hamburgers
Homemade Buns
Cole Slaw

Thursday
Spaghetti / Meatballs
Homemade Sauce
Steamed Peapods
Corn

Friday
Tacos

Saturday
Eggs and Rice

Sunday
Roasted Chicken
Garden Salad
Corn on the Cob
Green Beans

You can find more menus and ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda