Holding My Breath!

Well, here we are - almost midway into the month of November. The time of year when the Christmas commercials have started to appear on the television (whilst Halloween candy is still present - though reduced remarkably - on grocery store shelves). This is also the time of year when I start to hold my breath in hopes that my Christmas Cactus will bloom successfully.

Caring for the Christmas Cactus, in the general, is relatively easy, the hard part is getting the thing to bloom in time for Christmas...or to bloom anytime of the year for that matter. I have had my plant for over 10 years now. I scored it when I moved out of my parent's house into my first apartment (only because they were moving to a new house as well and were trying to get rid of as much as they could). It is a healthy plant and has given me much joy over the years with it's beautiful fuchsia blooms every November like clockwork.

The sad part of my story is that it hasn't bloomed since HH and I moved into our new house. This is probably due to the fact that I initially had a hard time finding a good location for it. I believe I have now found the ideal spot for it and it has been residing there since last January, so I'm hoping that it will bloom fully this year.

Here are some Christmas Cactus Care tips:

• Light: Bright
• Water: Evenly Moist (spring, summer); Drench, Let Dry (fall, winter)
• Humidity: Average Home
• Temperature: Average House temperature to Cool
• Fertilizer: High Phosphorus
• Potting Mix: All-Purpose

It seems many people go to great lengths to get their cactus to bloom (i.e placing the plant a closet from 6pm-6am for a period of 6-8 weeks). I have no doubt that this would work, but I think that is too much work! I say let nature take it's course. If your plant doesn't bloom, it is likely not in the right location. Also - don't panic if your plant doesn't bloom in November or December - I would think the blooming time varies depending on where you are in the world.

One more tip - once the buds form on your cactus DO NOT move the plant. If you do, the buds will gradually fall off before they get a chance to bloom.

Would love to hear any tips that you have so drop me a note if your feel the urge.

Upcoming Shows!

I'm still alive! Just been very busy these days preparing for the Christmas holiday season. I have two craft shows coming up that I thought my Toronto area readers might be interested in. I will be at both of these shows, but there will be many, MANY other amazing crafters! Come on out and support your local artisans. It's a great way to kick off your holiday shopping with some fantastic one of a kind gifts!:

1) Craft Off the Lot

November 12th - 15th, 2009 (see link below for hours)

1030 King Street West, Toronto

CRAFT off the Lot is an artisan represented exhibition bringing Canada's best and brightest talents for everyone to experience. Join us for a weekend of amazing one of a kind & hand crafted works. Whether you are shopping for yourself or a friend or just wish to see what Canadian design has to offer, CRAFT off the Lot is a great way to spend an afternoon.

2) McCarthy Tétrault Craft Fair

November 13th 12pm-2pm

Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, 66 Wellington Street West, 29th floor

The Last Harvest

Like I said before - no farmer here! Let me introduce you to my carrot harvest:

A sad, sad site. I didn't pay much attention to my carrots this year so my harvest reflected the effort I guess. I looked up some carrot growing tips to keep in mind for next year:

1) Plant your seeds about 3/8 of an inch into the soil

2) Cover seeds lightly with mulch. Once seedlings emerge, add more mulch around the plants. A layer of mulch about 3-4 inches deep is recommended after the seedlings emerge.

3) Once the carrot seedlings begin to appear, thin them out to approx ¾” between plants. As the carrots mature, thin them out to about 3-4 inches between plants.

4) If you want to have carrots throughout the growing season, you can grow a new batch after the first carrots have grown for about 3-4 weeks

5) Want a fall crop of carrots? Give yourself at least 2-3 months before the first fall frost. This will ensure that the carrots will be ready to harvest before a hard frost hits.

6) When to pick your carrots? This can be hard to judge. The tops of the carrot will show at the soil line and you can gage when the diameter looks right for your variety. If the diameter looks good, chances are the length is fine too. But you will need to pull one to be certain. Carrots can be left in the ground once mature. A light frost is said to improve and sweeten the carrot’s flavor.

A Handmade Wedding

I had the pleasure of attending my friend Ethel’s beautiful & intimate wedding a few weeks ago and I wanted to share some of the ways she pulled it all together. She is one clever girl that Ethel - she did the majority of the wedding decor herself, by hand, along with the help of family and friends!

Ethel’s Dad made the ceremony arbor in his lil'workshop and Ethel decorated it with white sheets purchased at IKEA and dollar store flowers.

She did all of the flower arrangements herself (centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres, etc!) by ordering bulk from a local flower market and using recycled jam jars as vases.

The invitations, seating chart, table numbers and seating cards were all done by – you guessed it – Ethel!

And who needs to hire a DJ in this day and age? Ethel and Dave (the groom) created a play list and used Dave’s Mac book at the ceremony and the reception (and may I say – the music was the best – no cheesy typical reception music allowed.)

Ethel had a local dressmaker make her gorgeous wedding dress which echoed her dream $6000-ish designer dress. You like the veil right – well guess what? She made it herself! I’m not kidding you. Ethel also made her garter, which I am sure the groom enjoyed. She didn't make her earrings, but they were handmade and purchased from Etsy.

The mini pie favors were made by Ethel and her maid of honor and then sent off to the Ethel’s mother and aunt for baking and packaging. Ethel designed & printed the box labels and ordered the boxes and bakers twine online.

So there you have it. A gorgeous wedding can be had - by hand. All the best to you Ethel and Dave - you crazy kids!

Red is Her Colour

Bonnie is now available in red! See in store for more info.

A Little Recycling

I don't know about all of you, but I like to keep my favorite recipes in one of those little recipe organizer boxes. I find them very handy. When I find a good recipe online or in a magazine I rip it or print out the page, fold it up and stuff it in my recipe box until I have time to sit down and write it out on a recipe card or cut and paste it to a card at least.

I sat down to do that yesterday and realized I was out of the little recipe cards. Urgh! Just when I had the motivation to do it! While I was sitting at the dinning room table contemplating going out and buying more cards, I looked over at my Martha Stewart magazine (I know what you are thinking, but i can't help liking that Martha - she is so wise in the world of homemaking.....~sigh~). Sticking out of the magazine was one of those subscription cards that we all find in multiples in our magazines. Ding-ding-ding! I had an idea.

Those subscription cards are the same size as recipe cards! What a great way to reuse them. I gathered them all up and started cutting and pasting. Voila! recycled recipe cards and free!

Wow - I just re-read that...I sound like an old granny. Whatever.

Friday Finds - Zombie Dishes by soule

I was so excited when I found these dishes perfect for the weeks that ramp up to Halloween and of course for Halloween itself.

These Zombie Dishes are the work of 'soule' based in Seattle. Each dish is hand painted with a gloss black Zombie and each Zombie is unique. How cool is that?

These dishes will be a hit with your kids and also the talk of your adult friends at your Halloween soiree.

Not into the zombies? No worries, Soule has lots of other good stuff in store that have nothing to do with monsters. You can find these goodies at soule's Etsy store here.