Twelve Days of Foxes and a Happy New Year!

While considering what I might post for Twelve Days of Christmas my attention turned to the tree in the living room.  It is 12 feet tall but that probably doesn't count.

Blogging Memories of 2012

At the beginning of 2012 this blog was just three months old and I mused about the future of my garden and where blogging would take me.  Now I have an entire year to review with 155 posts to choose from and it's time to look back on 2012 and share a few of my favorites.

My first garden blogger meet-up in Austin was fun as I met four fellow bloggers in early November and toured six great gardens on the Garden Conservancy's Open Days tour.  Pam Penick of  Digging corralled us for a group photo to mark the occasion. Our group included (L-R) Jean of Dig, Grow, Compost, me, Diana of Sharing Nature's Garden, Pam Penick of  Digging, and Catherine of The Whimsical Gardener.  I had so much fun meeting them for the first time and spending the day touring six special gardens in Austin.

Christmas Eve in Texas!

Merry Christmas from Texas

Holiday Scene

Starry reflections seen in the glass

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Around the Block: ¡Feliz Navidad!

Like most of San Antonio our neighborhood lights up for the holidays.  The mild weather makes it easy to get out and decorate.

This house is a favorite

The luminarias ringing the lawn and across the wall of the courtyard are simple and inviting.  These are reusable and durable luminarias which are easier and safer than the traditional paper and candles.

Moonlit Path Beside the Alamo

After strolling under the lights on the River Walk we headed over to the Mission San Antonio de Valero known as the Alamo.   No matter how many times I've seen the Alamo, I rarely miss the opportunity to walk by once again.  The song "Rose of San Antone" often comes to mind.

"Deep within my heart lies a melody"

Tillandsia for Foliage Follow-up

For Foliage Follow-up today I'd love to show you my halls decked out in evergreens for the holidays, but they are all fake. Yes, I use artificial greenery because it's impossible to keep evergreen wreaths and roping green in our warm winter climate.  I've tried making my own wreaths of juniper, rosemary, and boxwood from the garden but a few days in our 80+ December weather renders them droopy and brown.

While searching for ideas using native greenery I found photos of interesting tillandsia arrangements and wreaths.  That is one plant we have plenty of in South Texas.  Tillandsia recurvata grows all over our live oak trees.