Garden Blogger's Bloom Day: December 2012

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day for December 2012 finds plenty of blooms in the garden even with two freezes this past week.

Bougainvillea, light and deep pink mixed in the same container look great considering they are not too hardy and I forgot to cover them.

Wordless Wednesday: Agave 'Blue Aglow'

Walking the Walk: The New Old Lights

The San Antonio River Walk is ready for the holidays and what's old is new again.

Remembering Pearl Harbor Day

Today marks the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  In 2004 my husband and I had the privilege of being at Pearl Harbor on December 7th for the National Park Service ceremonies.  Nine survivors were on hand to be honored.

The flags behind them represent the ships sunk that day and the states for which they were named (L-R) California, West Virginia, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, and Arizona.

The USS Arizona Memorial (white structure) is in the harbor and sits above the sunken ship where 1177 perished, and many remain entombed as a national cemetery.

I wonder how many survivors will be there today.  We will always remember them.

Walking the Walk: The Pearl and River of Lights

I love holiday lights, the more the merrier and San Antonio has a lot of lights like these at The Pearl just north of downtown.

The Pearl Brewery buildings have been an iconic presence along the San Antonio river for more than a century.  Now known simply as "The Pearl" the brewery closed in 2001 and the buildings have been redeveloped into spaces for restaurants, shops, and special events.  It's one of my favorite places in town because it also provides easy  access the north end of the River Walk.  Last night we went down to take a look at The Pearl and the nearby "River of Lights" display.

The former brewing building is outlined in lights.  The smokestack is one of several in town which have been preserved.

Wordless Wednesday: Camouflage

Christmas Cactus Memories

The Christmas cactus in bloom always reminds me of my grandmother who grew these and other winter blooming plants like kalanchoe in her large, sunny front window.   I spotted some on sale after the holidays last year and decided to give one a try for the first time in years.  Living in a warmer climate makes it easier to find a place for these.

My grandmother's Christmas cactus bloomed in soft pinks.  When I purchased this plant the blooms were long gone so it was a surprise when gorgeous bright red blooms appeared this year.  Like a winning raffle ticket.

They look like pretty red holiday ornaments.

Perfect for the season.