Sunday Bits #58 (Christmassy baking, decor, pets and poinsettias, seed sales)

We have had quite the week over here, busy, busy, busy. My brother brought over my mom's hibiscus tree in October but we just got around to repotting it the other day. This tree is about 50 years old and is from a clipping of my grandmother's hibiscus tree. In other words, it has been in the family for a very long time. It is not one of the new fancy hybrids, is one of the original varieties, with single red flowers that are about 4 inches wide. Very pretty, but mostly the pressure is on to keep this 'family heirloom' thriving, hah!

This is what she looks like now. She is standing straight and tall, has fresh new soil, and a good haircut. Looking forward to seeing her blooms again in the new year.

This is what she looked like when he dropped it off.... yikes!

There was little to no soil in the pot, it was all root ball. You can see the on the sides that there is like an inch of air space... no wonder the poor thing is leaning like the Tower of Pisa.

I removed the dead branches, anything growing from the bottom part of the trunk, pruned the branches back, gave it as good a root prune as I could, and as much fresh new potting soil as we could fit in that pot. The root ball is so big that we absolutely need a bigger pot, but finding a nice one at this time of year is a challenge. We decided to do what we can for it right now and find something pretty in spring instead.

Little Lulu wants to reassure you that poinsettias are just fine to have in the house with kitties.

GardeningBits

Tis the season, so you are probably worrying about poinsettias and your pets. I remember Jim Hole (of Hole's Greenhouses) at one of our short informational meetings, telling us about eating many, many poinsettia leaves during the holiday season in order to show folks that they are, indeed, not toxic to people, or pets.

These beautiful flower seeds are available as stocking stuffers from Floret Flower Farm right now.

Winter gardens and 7 reasons not to clean up your garden in fall. I think most of us already leave things be, but I thought I would share for the pretty pictures, as well as the good read.

Seed shopping with Lia Babitch and biodynamic growing/seeds. That conversation then led me to looking into what is biodynamic gardening?

Homey Bits

I am a huge fan of Mint Cleaning, as you probably already know! It is mild, smells fresh and clean, is eco-friendly, and best of all... is a Canadian small business. They have an amazing promo going on right now, check out their Instagram account for the giveaways! Plus, you are thoroughly going to enjoy their fun videos ; ) Check out that summer beach one!

These 12 design features that the pros say homeowners are looking for now... Check out the list and see if you agree with any of them. For me, #4 is a must, though never in my kitchen. The kitchen is a busy enough place! We did #5 so I highly agree with that one. I will be posting more about all that after the holidays. Yes to #7. Am gutted that we do not have the room for it at this house. Everything happens in the kitchen, which is why #4 would never fly. Need a bigger house for that ; )

This is just about the most elegant, pretty kitchen I have ever seen, and that kitchen island/table is to die for. I would probably just live in this kitchen, never leave!

Check out this bathroom with a sauna in it!

Hidden doors and secret spaces.... what do you think of hidden rooms? Is it on your wish list?

This pickled cabbage salad that keeps for about a week in your fridge. As you all know, I am a big fan of all sorts of quickles, love pickled foods, especially a vinegar coleslaw. I will be making this, for sure.

These cranberry sweet rolls! Wow! You might have read that I made my own version of these buns, just because I already have a tried and true sweet roll recipe.... that does not need to sit for 6 hours ; ) Either recipe is great though, you gotta try them, they are so delish!

And along the same theme, these cranberry orange breakfast rolls that you make the night before and pop in the oven for breakfast or brunch. Yum!

Check out this herb and cheese focaccia bread!

Christmassy Baking and Decor Bits...

With Christmas Day just 21 days away, here are some more recipes, decor, and stuff...

24 really nice DIY decor ideas you can make for the holidays.

This house tour with simple decor for the holidays is right up my alley. Check out the lovely ideas.

I absolutely love all things starry for the holidays, especially these Moravian stars (and this super pretty porch). These stars work in a wintery scene, or a coastal one, just about anywhere. Simple, elegant yuletide decor : )

Here is a Moravian star being used indoors, in a Swedish home (from close to my old stomping grounds). So pretty.

To buy your own Moravian star, or two, try this 18"star with a timer, or this 23" one! Or maybe this 12"one without a timer? You would not want to put these in a windy spot though, they are light and so would be tossed around. I have the perfect spot on my front stoop ; )

Disclaimer - As an Amazon affiliate, if you purchase an item(s) from one of the Amazon links in the post, I get a wee small amount of money to help support my blog. It does not cost you any more to purchase through my link than if you went to that link on your own ~ happy shopping!

This gift wrapping idea. Love, love, love the ribbons. I am all about pretty ribbons this year !

Cream Horn cookies.

Holiday Recipes...

26 of the best Christmas cookie recipes! I have saved a few of these to make for our holiday guests, like the salted caramel crumb bars, the cream horns, and the kitchen sink cookies.

Apparently, I am on a big cranberry kick. Last week I made those cranberry buns, and now I have put these cranberry chocolate chunk cookies on my cookie list as a must bake.

Gingerbread is also a holiday must, right? These chewy chocolate chunk gingerbread cookies are soft and chewy, look so yummy!

Here is another gingerbread cookie recipe that looks so good - soft gingerbread latte cookies, that can be rolled and done as cutouts, or as drop cookies. Mmm!

This hot apple cider recipe!

You may have noticed over the years, that I usually say Happy Yuletide or Seasons Greetings... but you may be wondering.. What is yule? and the yule log? Whether the edible one, or the one for the fire... I like both ; )

My DIY anti flu brew.

Oh, and one last thing. I updated my homemade 'Cough and Cold Remedy' yesterday. With it being flu, cold, and Covid season, this anti-flu brew will boost your immune system, soothe your sore throat, and it tastes great, too.

Happy Sunday ~ Tanja