Friday, January 14, 2011

The Violets are Blooming!

It may still be snow covered OUTSIDE my window today,
but look what I have on the INSIDE!

This morning our local weatherman said,
"The snow is over."
(From his mouth to God's ears.)
Although it's still quite cold,
the sun is shining and we're
supposed to reach the 40s tomorrow.



I have always had violets in my house

and they reward me well.
My grandmother grew violets and I like
to think, my ability to grow them
comes from her.


This is one I started from a single leaf.
It's coming along nicely, but hasn't yet
shown it's true colors.
Violets need to be "pot-bound"
to bloom.
They also like to be watered
from the bottom.





Here's my newest violet,

still in it's early stages.


I've got to run.
I've got a big pot of chili simmering
and bread baking.
Some very nice neighbors have kept my front
sidewalk shoveled and cleared of snow
this week, and I'm delivering
dinner to them as a surprise!

Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.

This week you can find me linking at
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Spotlight Sunday at Not So Homemade
All Things Inspired at All Things Heart and Home
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts





15 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love your violets! I can't grow them for anything! How nice to take a thank you dinner to your neighbors!

Karen said...

Your violets are beautiful. Wish you could give me some advice. My violet is beautiful has been for a year +. But, no blooms! It is a pot that sits over in a pot of water (is one that seeps through the pottery).
Maybe not enough water? It stays right beside a east window (lots of light) and even a lamp on the table. Shouldn't have gotten into all the particulars, but just might be someone else out there in the same boat.

Unknown said...

Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE the vibrant blue on your blog today! Those blooms made me smile and for that - I thank you! We have had a horrendous week of shoveling due to the major snowstorm on Wednesday and our snowblower broke about 1/4th of the way into the job. Though my arm is still killing me, I had to shovel out my mailbox this morning (all morning) just so that I can finally get mail! What you are doing for your generous neighbor is so kind of you! I did not know that violets like to be watered from underneath and that they need to be pot bound to bloom. I always leave them in the plastic container they come in - maybe that's why they end up being 'disposable' and dry up and die on me. I guess I should re-pot them into a nice small container... I might just pick one or two up today - they are so beautiful on your blog and I need the pick-me-up right about now! I followed your blog and can't wait to read more. Maybe you can stop by my blog sometime and consider following me too! I have my own custom sewing business too- though I do custom window treatments, cushions, slipcovers and pillows :)
Michelle
www.newengland-style.com

Unknown said...

...me again, actually I enjoyed your blog so much that I added you to my sidebar with my favorites and top referrers :) Have a great weekend! Hope to see you around the blog world!

Michelle
www.newengland-style.com

*Maristella* said...

Hi...bellissime le violette, sono il mio fiore preferito!! Un caro saluto, *Maristella*.

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Hi, I sure enjoyed your , I have one that grew from a little leag, it never bloomed until I had a comment once, she said to talk to it...so I did, a couple days later it started to bloom:) It's still blooming so it must work!

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

How pretty! You are blessed to have inherited that green thumb. Sweet neighbors too. Chili and bread sounds delish!

Unknown said...

Just beautiful - I love violets and I used to grow them, too. That is until the cats discovered biting the leaves. Now my only violets are the fake - but amazingly real-looking - ones in my vintage McCoy flower pots.

Stitchfork said...

So pretty! My grandmother grew beautiful violets too. But unlike you, I did not inherit that ability!
xo Cathy

Brenda Pruitt said...

Your blooms are such a lovely sight! I use to have these. I didn't know they had to be pot-bound to bloom.
Brenda

Melanie said...

I have never tried growing African violets. My grandmother had THE most beautiful, gigantic pots of violets I had ever seen. One time I asked her her secret and - I kid you not - she told me she put birth control pills in the soil!!

Tanna said...

So glad you stopped by so that I could find my way here. Your violets are beautiful. I have had violets since my early twenties... they are one of the most amazing spots of beauty in the world! Love them. And, it is wonderful to meet another knitter in an old, old house. We share similar loves. I'll be back. =)

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

How wonderful to have blooms inside in the middle of winter. I tried to grow these several years without any success. I think I may have overwatered them.
Hugs,
Sherry

Unknown said...

Well, you so inspired me by this article, that I had to go out and buy some African Violets. Of course the only ones they had at Lowes were a little shabby and on the clearance rack but... with your advice, I figured how could I go wrong! So I don't have any pretty blooms. But I've watered them from the bottom (what a new concept to me) and even bought the cutest little vintage wooden cream cheese box that two of these little containers fit right into! It looks adorable even if they don't have any blooms yet! Just watering them from the bottom when I got home has already perked them up and the fuzzy textured green leaves are making me happy right now despite the fact that we are getting MORE SNOW right now and our snow blower still isn't fixed :(

Michelle
www.newengland-style.com

Sue said...

Is there a trick to maintaining the blooms on the plant? I have two that were holiday gifts. Their blooms are now spent. Will they re-bloom any time in the future? Should I be feeding them w/fertilizer and how often? I am definitely not a gardener- I have a brown thumb and often send my plants and flowers to an early grave! Any help would be appreciated. ~ Sue

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