Hello all,

I have two clumps of strelitzia reginae, which behave rather differently. The one growing in full sun produces masses of flowers of a normal size. The other is growing in part shade and has only ever produced about 10 flowers every November-December but they are really big. The stems can reach two metres and the 'beak' of the flowers has been known to reach 30 cm.

The flowers in the arrangement, above, are of the latter ones. Comparing their size to the hydrangeas in the arrangement, one can get an idea of just how big they are.

During this crazy time of year, having fallen behind on many of my chores, I've been running around like a hairy goat trying to catch up. Particularly in the garden. I even had to employ some help but I still have heaps to do. 

Below is the photo of our natural Christmas tree measuring 8 feet.

This is a close up of some of my hand made, crocheted decorations. I have more than 60 of them all together, which I made over 30 years ago. Having used them every Christmas since then, they became soiled from the resin of the pines and were in desperate need of washing and re-starching. This is a very time consuming job and I'd put it off year after year but no more. This Christmas they look pristine.

I made a few Christmas arrangements around the house, some of which I have already shared with you. In the wall arrangement, below, I used Cashmere cypress, Cupressus cashmeriana, white agapanthus and red roses. I finished it off with strands of silver mizuhiki.

Unfortunately, the photograph can't capture the sweeping form of the cypress, which 'hugs' the vase. So, I'm including a side view of the arrangement to give you an idea.

Every Christmas I like to bake a whole lot of traditional, Greek cookies to give to my friends and, for some, I also make floral arrangements. I made four such ones so far and here they are.

Gold sprayed cycad leaves, hydrangeas, hypericum berries and crucifix orchids

Blue coloured conifer that I can't identify, hydrangeas, hypericum
berries, fine silver threads and Christmas baubles.

Dried strelitzia reginae leaves, sprayed gold, agapanthus (Queen Mum)
and hypericum berries. Also, very fine, scrunched up red wire.

Close up of Queen Mum agapanthus showing the
purple colour on the 'neck' of each flower.

Cream calla lilies, pinellia pedatisecta leaves and Christmas baubles

All that remains is for me to wish you all a very happy and safe festive season and, for those celebrating Christmas, may it be as merry as can be!

Bye for now,

Emily