Each year before Christmas, my husband and I host an annual smorgasbord, a tradition I took over from my mother years ago. The food selections have become less traditional over time - even my mother never served
lutefisk and I've abandoned the stewed prune dessert she insisted on serving. (
Warning: the lutefisk video may not be suitable for all audiences.) My husband, who isn't Scandinavian, made Swedish meatballs. Other than salads, I picked up everything else from a local deli and bakery.
Our family is smaller than it once was but now includes friends who feel like family. As our current home is a slog for most of our guests, we held this year's celebration on Saturday so everyone could avoid long commutes and the worst of the holiday freeway traffic. I prepared floral decorations for the dining area on Friday evening, although as the light was terrible, my photos were taken on Sunday.
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| The Grevilleas were meant to be the stars of this arrangement but I think the Phylica pubescens (aka featherhead) steals the show |
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| Back view, showing off the large flowers of Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream' |
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| Top view |
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The vase contains, top row: Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', and noID Cotoneaster
Bottom row: Grevillea 'Peaches & Cream', G. 'Superb', and Phylica pubescens |
I reused the stems of
Westringia 'Morning Light' (aka Australian rosemary) I cut last week in my second arrangement, along with a stem from the poinsettia I bought a few weeks ago.
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| The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) occupies my outdoor shade house but I also wanted to enjoy it inside the house |
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| The back view is boring but it faces a stone wall |
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| Left to right: Leucadendron salignum 'Chief', Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Ice Punch', and Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light' |
For more IAVOM arrangements,
visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
Best wishes for a
Merry Christmas to those of you who are celebrating!
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| I skipped the succulents I usually add to my store-bought wreath this year, just adding stems from my recently trimmed Magnolia grandiflora, Heteromeles arbutifolia berries, a bow, and a tiny gnome |
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| It took awhile but I finally finished decorating the Christmas tree |
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| Can you tell that Pipig is in a snit? Presents have overtaken most of the area under the tree she'd claimed as hers. I've explained to her that the tree will be hers again after Christmas morning but she's not mollified. Oh well, I'm not sure it's ever possible to please a cat. |
All material © 2012-2018 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
