The strange week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, where time seems to turn into pudding. The days seem to stretch oddly, whether you’re at work or on break. It’s almost like we’re all holding our breath, thinking, “Okay, just one more holiday and then we’re done!” I often wonder how many people look forward to New Year’s Eve more because it signifies a return to normalcy rather than a fresh start to a new year. (Raises hand.)
What do you usually do during the week in between, dear reader? Since I’m off the hook and enjoying the annual RS winter break, our family has a tendency to spend entirely too much time in our pajamas this week. Gallons of tea are made and sipped, and several batches of scones are made. Between our Bonne Maman
Advent calendar and our propensity to make and give jam as gifts, we have an abundance of jam in the kitchen this time of year. It seems as though the TV is always on, but more so as background. We tend to gather in the living room around the lone person watching a documentary or holiday movie. Books are read, card games are played, and Christmas stockings are rummaged through for
chocolate. There is a lot of nibbling, with very little industrious cooking happening in the kitchen. Eventually, I will muster the troops for a walk outside, which refreshes us and puts a spring in our step. We start making evening plans. How about a movie at the old theater downtown tonight? Do you want to try that new sushi place? I think that
brewery we all like has live music later. We’re filled with fresh air and good intentions. Then we walk into the warm house, and suddenly everyone needs a nap. Ah, well, I can think of worse ways to spend a few days off with family other than doing quite a lot of puttering about. It’s kind of nice to be tucked into this little fold of time, where the earth seems to spin slower. The world has a way of catching
back up with all of us. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to make another pot of tea. It's also the perfect time of year to read up on your indoor plant occupants.
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I won't ask you What are you doing New Year's Eve? as the song goes. But I am curious if you're doing anything in the garden the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve. In
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Here are ten thoughtful tips that are actually useful to help you save money and your sanity next Christmas.
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You can create your own custom potting mixes by keeping these five common, inexpensive ingredients on hand.
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Why isn't my peace lily blooming? It's the most commonly asked question about this popular beginner's houseplant. And while Google will throw numerous articles at you with numbered lists suggesting why your plant won't bloom,
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Brown leaf tips on your houseplants are unsightly and can cause concern. But how do you fix it and keep it from happening in the future?
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Yellow leaves on your houseplant are aggravating. Why are you yellow? Are you dying? Have I killed you? Is something else killing you? What's going on? And have you ever noticed that it's never your
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If you grow houseplants, especially these days, it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the gadgets, potions and gizmos that you're told you need. I've been keeping houseplants for three decades, and I can tell
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When the dark nights draw in and the winter months begin in earnest, my favorite thing to do is get cozy on the couch and take a well-deserved break. It's the perfect time for your
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Perhaps the main reason why I love houseplants is because they can make any house feel like a home. Bring a houseplant into a room and it will instantly create a cheerful, cozy and welcoming
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When you think of blooming houseplants, I'll bet you don't think of snake plants. Yet, the recently reclassified Sansevieria trifasciata does, in fact, flower. They can bloom, usually once a year in the spring. But
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What the heck is on my plant? Scale is weird. The first time you encounter it, you probably won't even notice it. You'll be watering your plant and see this funny brown bump on a
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Did you miss a newsletter or want to read a few for inspiration? Find past newsletters here. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page for daily updates. That's all for this week, Rural Sprout Readers. |
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