Blue Eyed Brooke

Friday, May 2, 2014

Forced Bulbs

I forced some spring bulbs this year for the first time. It was a total experiment and I was so shocked and thrilled when it actually worked! If you're flower obsessed, like I am, you must try this!!!

With inspiration from BHG, this is what I did. Back in November I scored some tulip and daffodil bulbs for a steal. Less than $2 a package! :)

In early January I finally got around to planting them. First I planted the bulbs in shallow pots in damp soil, covering them but leaving the tips of the bulbs showing. Then I put each pot in a plastic shopping bag and tied the bag handles loosely shut, leaving them open just a bit so the pot could 'breathe'. I then took the pots and tucked them all safely in my fridge on the bottom shelf out of the way.

Then I waited. . .

01.08.2014

. . .I waited and waited.

10 weeks later, in mid March, I pulled a couple of the pots out of the fridge and to my surprise, they were already growing, with stems peeking through the soil. It was so exciting! I marveled at the green stems in the midst of the polar vortex burdened winter. What a way to lift your spirits!

The daffodils grew and bloomed so fast. They were already budding within a week and blooming soon after, brightening things up with their soft frilly yellow blossoms. The tulips took a little longer to bloom but once they did they were stunning!

03.20.2014

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I planted a mixed variety of daffodils and they all did well. The tulips were a little more finicky. I planted three varieties of tulips; Van Eijk, Holland Beauty and Apledoorn. The one pictuered above, Van Eijk, did wonderful! Holland Beauty did ok, some of them bloomed, some of them didn't. They weren't nearly as vibrant or hardy as the Van Eijk. And the Appledorn variety didn't do well at all. Maybe they needed more chill time in the fridge or maybe just more sunlight to grow? All in all, I was so happy with the outcome.

Once I brought the pots out of the fridge I moved and rotated the pots every few days or so from places like my dining room table, window sills, a sunny spot in front of the patio door. This helped them get plenty of varied sunlight from day to day.

Also, I planted several pots of bulbs and took a couple of pots out of the fridge at a time, about a week apart. That way I had blooms for many weeks all the way through Easter. It was perfect!

Maybe I just got lucky but I thought this was so worth the chance. I will definitely do this again next year. I'm already excited to try hyacinth and maybe even plant them sooner so I have flowers blooming in mid winter too. I'm imagining a pretty little pot of white hyacinth blooming around Christmastime, doesn't that sound lovely?!

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Welcome May

Welcome May!

Spring is, without a doubt, a sight for sore eyes.

Winter was long and harsh.

Spring has been slow to start.

It's been downright dreary the last few days.

There's no shortage of moss, puddles and blue moods.

But there's always hope for better weather around the corner.

Grey skies are bound to clear up soon. Right?

The poor lilacs seem a bit behind, just beginning to peek out.

But even on a drippy, rainy day it's essential to walk outside and breathe in the fresh spring air.

I always love spotting the gems that spring boasts best.

And if you blink you might miss it because all of these spring buds change daily.

I'm so happy that May is here and spring is showing signs of life!

Happy May Day!!!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Warming Up With The Memory Of 2013

I sit here huddled up, wearing polar fleece and covered by a cozy blanket.

It's January 3rd and I still haven't packed our Christmas decor away.

The holiday season has come and gone.

The New Year has been celebrated.

It's been bitter cold and we're breaking record low temps here in MN.

In fact, our Governor just announced this morning that all public schools in MN

will be closed next Monday due to dangerously cold temps. With a high of about -14 predicted.

And here I am remembering the warmth of 2013.

Gripping onto the spark of summer and the vivid, breathtaking color that comes with it.

Remembering the kind of color that lacks this time of year in the deep of winter.

I find myself dreaming of green leaves, raindrops and the buzzing of delicate wings.

It's hard to believe that all this bright beauty is buried beneath feet of snow, wrapped in the harsh hands of winter.

But it's a comfort to know that in a few months, after a long rest, the cycle will start all over again.

Winter will lose it's hold on us. Bits of brightness will emerge and the warmth of a new season will drape over us.

Until then, stay warm my friends! :)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

When Fall Meets Winter

A couple of weeks ago we had some frost filled mornings.

Then it snowed.

At the time, a lot of the trees and shrubs hadn't lost their leaves yet.

Now, two weeks later, most tress have since lost their leaves and the snow has long ago melted.

But this is what things looked like when fall met winter.

Within days after Halloween the snow fell.

Covering our poor little jack-o-lanterns.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Welcome November

Welcome November!

The door is closing on autumn and opening soon to winter.

Cool colors are fading.

Tones of rust, copper, gold and brick are enveloping the season.

Single leaves hang on with all their might.

Jewels of miniature Indian corn from my garden boast intense fall hues.

I can't say I'm happy about winter being within reach.

But I do love the shades and scents of fall.

Hope you have a wonderful and warm November!

I'm On Fine Art America!

I'm bursting with excitement and thrilled to announce that I have opened an online photo gallery on Fine Art America! A place where prints of my fine art photographs, from greeting cards to canvas wall hangings, can be purchased. It's been a dream of mine for way too long and now it's finally official! When you have a chance be sure to check it out. Also, if there has ever been a photo that I've featured on my blog that has caught your eye, that you'd be interested in purchasing, and is not on my gallery yet, please let me know and I'll be sure to add it.