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The Second Sunday of Advent 2022

Sunday, December 4, 2022

 




Happy Second Sunday of Advent, My Lovelies!

For each of the four Sundays of Advent 2022 I will be sharing my favorite tips to help YOU make your holiday prep easier.  These days it takes me about three times longer to accomplish a task, so I need all the help I can get this season! 

But first, today we light the candle that represents peace:


Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
~Luke 2:14



For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6



This week's tip:  How to care for Poinsettias.



Y'all know how much I love flowers, and how I enjoy arranging them.  Flowers take a lot of time to care for, with changing the water, snipping the stems, and then rearranging them in containers.  As much joy as I find in having fresh flowers in our home, it can be a bit much during the Christmas season with all the activities and commitments.  Poinsettias are a nice alternative to flowers because although they do require watering, they will last throughout the season unlike floral arrangements.

Here are a few of the poinsettias we're enjoying in our home this season:



This pair is part of my Christmas tablescape that will be posted here on the blog Tuesday.



In our foyer



This is the arrangement for our breakfast room table.  If you want to cover the dirt in the pot (if the poinsettias are too leggy), then add preserved reindeer moss.  You can find it at most nurseries, and it's usually sold in bags.  I like the bright green shade.


If you don't like poinsettias, there are other alternatives:


A mixture of flowering plants, ferns, moss, and even a painted pinecone with glitter can make a pretty arrangement for your table.



Some people prefer cyclamen over poinsettias.  They tend to be a bit more temperamental, so I have this one by my kitchen sink so I can keep an eye on it!




My art studio
On the corner of my work table I have a 4" cyclamen, 8" poinsettia, and a 4" white African violet.  The white violet is my sorority's flower.  African violets are very easy to take care of, and they are also pretty during the holiday season on tables and in arrangements.


We are blessed to have several wonderful nurseries in my area, and one of my favorites is Collier's.  I read their newsletter, and they shared a few tips for keeping poinsettias beautiful throughout the season:

  • Poinsettias prefer bright, indirect light but will tolerate low light for short periods. Avoid placing them in extremely sunny windows. 
  • Soil should be kept damp but not soggy. Check daily and add water when the soil surface feels dry. Empty excess water from trays and foil wrappings (don't let the plant sit in water).  NOTE: I can usually pick them up from their containers (I leave the in their nursery pots) and can tell by the weight whether or not they need watering.)
  • Poinsettias are not cold tolerant so protect them from temperatures below 50 degrees. 
  • Shield poinsettias from hot and cold drafts: avoid placing them near heat vents, fireplaces or cold windows and doorways.
  • My tips: add preserved reindeer moss to finish the arrangement(s). 
  • Red poinsettias tend to cost much less than some of the other colors.

Below are a few of the poinsettias in stock at Colliers right now:


I love them all, especially the ruffled ones.
Do you have a favorite?










Do you decorate for Christmas using poinsettias?


Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill




5 comments

  1. I always buy poinsettias from the ballet. They are an annual fundraiser for them. This year I chose ivory for myself and read for a sister. All of yours are very pretty, including the cyclamen and the African violet. I bought a cyclamen for my Valentine table last year, and then planted it outside. It's coming up again already. Our weather has tricked plants into thinking it's time to wake up instead of going to sleep!

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  2. I'd love to get some poinsettias for my kitchen table. They add so much color. Your home always looks so lovely. And thank you for stopping by with a sweet comment. It's been a difficult week and I appreciate the kind words. Hugs, Diane

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  3. This is timely! I have two new poinsettias!

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  4. Beautiful!! I love poinsettias, haven't bought one yet, I've got to remedy that asap! I love the traditional red ones, but also love the pink, white, ruffly ones, they're all so pretty!!
    Jenna

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  5. I actually just got a gifted poinsettia. It is very different from any I have seen. It looks like open roses or carnations in the shape of the flower. I do have it by the window and it gets sunlight most of the day. I do water only when it feels dry and so far so good. I loved outdoor flowers but never did well with indoor plants. I hope I can keep this one going it is really different and pretty. So much going on I am trying tonight to catch up on blog posts. Have a good week.

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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