Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Wreath Season

I love the festive decorations that appear in December.  A pretty evergreen wreath on the front door is a classic welcome during the holiday season.  In preparation for our wreath classes last week, Gail and … Read more.

Pretty Leaves to Christmas Trees

The past couple of weeks Gail and I have had our attention divided between fall garden cleanup and Christmas decorating.  Despite the drought this past summer, the trees have still managed to show a good … Read more.

A year in the gardens

I can’t quite believe we’ve come to the cusp of 2015 already. This year went by in such a flash! But always, by the time I put the brakes on after Christmas it feels like … Read more.

Break in routine

I have felt at sixes and sevens ever since the garden volunteers started taking their winter break. I miss their company, no doubt about it, but I also miss the structure they bring to my … Read more.

Holiday houseplants

Given how many wonderful winter-blooming houseplants there are in the world, I find it sort of astonishing that poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is listed as the best selling houseplant in the US and Canada. But I suppose … Read more.

Greenhouse thanksgiving

No doubt about it, I have a lot to be thankful for. It might seem trivial compared to how grateful I am for things like my health and the amazing friends I’ve made here at … Read more.

Warm wishes…

…on a rather raw and gray day before… May your Christmas be extra cozy, merry and bright!

Understanding amaryllis

I have had a mental block about proper amaryllis care. I have read all of the advice I could find and remained deeply confused. For years. And I think I just figured out why. No … Read more.

Finding other outlets for gardening energy

I’m not sure what I would do without a real break from gardening. As much as I dream all winter of hightailing it to the tropics, I depend on this dark, cold season for the … Read more.

Practicing the art of coziness

According to the recently released World Happiness Report, Denmark ranks as the happiest country on Earth and one of the reasons listed for that is the Danes’ collective regular practice of something called hygge (pronounced hyooga. … Read more.