Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Rare & Beautiful Thing

I had learned that the number one best houseplant for improving air quality was a Sansevieria (in a NASA experiment!), nicknamed the Snake Plant and Mother-in-law's Tongue (because they're sharp).  So, when I saw one for sale I picked it up.  The poor thing was in a tiny pot and terribly root-bound, so I repotted it last summer.  Not long ago I was amazed to see a flower spike shooting up. I'd *never* seen a Sans in flower!  I did some research and found out it's pretty rare to have them flower and that they have an amazing fragrance when in bloom.
I'd been keeping an eye on the flower spike.. and last evening I saw they'd bloomed out.  They were so pretty!  A yellow green bloom. 
I must tell you, I am so very glad that I snapped these photos in the dark last night before I went to bed, because already this morning they are droopy and closing.   
And after I photographed them I scooted between our 2 chairs and bent wayyyy over into the bay window and put my nose right next to the flowers and inhaled... O.M.G.!!  The aroma is amazing and intense and exotic.. just blew me away!!   
I wanted to share this with you as for one.. you should get one of these to improve the air quality in your home and secondly.. if you repot them into a bigger pot, you might be rewarded with some amazing flowers! :-) 
And my Christmas Cactus is in bloom!!   
If you don't have one of these, you should try them.  Wonderful, hardy plants, they are. 
I'm so enjoying my 3 varieties.. the white from my Aunt, the fuchsia rimmed one from my Mom and this dark pink solid.. from the grocery store! LOL!
Santa arrived at my house a few days ago.. I had fallen in love with a Jim Shore Santa in a sleigh last year, that the lights REALLY work and there is a wind-up music box in it also that plays "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".  So, I've been looking for one ever since last year when I saw one in the Hallmark store and did not buy it.  Come to find out no one has them this year as they were only made last year!  So, I found one on eBay at a much reduced price from the store price. :-)  I love him... he's got REAL fake fur on his hat and coat.. the Jack-in-the-box is on a spring and wobbles around and the reindeer is up in the air.. magical!
Santa is smoking a pipe, too.
Hubby took the sleigh in by the tree (which will be decorated today) and turned on the lights and got this photo to show you how it looked lighted.
And today as hubby was reading the newspaper - lo and behold! there was a photo of our youngest son Travis -- who was honored as the "Employee of the Month" for The Oregonian newspaper.  He is a supervisor in the press room, in charge of a crew running a huge printing press!  We couldn't be more proud of our son.  He was also on TV recently as the local news was showing the presses which were producing huge ad sections for the Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) holiday sales.
Well, I'd better get busy around here.. the "magic" of Christmas doesn't happen by itself! :-)  My holiday love to you all.. 

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 *H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

24 comments:

  1. Lovely post, I used to have a 'Mother in laws tongue' and it flowered too, but I agree I think it is unusual to have a flower. No sign of a bloom on my Christmas cacti, I think it prefers Easter. Congratulations to Travis...what a good job you have done too :) x You are spreading that Christmas magic your bloggy make over is getting me all festive xxx

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  2. Yay for getting your santa! I love it when things like that come together! Well done to your son too for employee of the month, that's awesome!!!

    Love the plants, you obviously take good care of them :-)

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  3. I had no idea that the Snake plant flowers--wow! TY for sharing the beauty with us:)
    I LOVE your Christmas cactus--mine still hasn't bloomed but I am hoping. Our camellia is blooming outside though so I am happy! Just need some beautiful white snow to go with it and the ponds. BTW--love your new header photo!
    Congrats to your son Travis! Totally awesome!
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  4. Gosh I have never seen that plant in flower Teresa you must have such green fingers. As for your Christmas table...I am in love...what a fab sleigh you have and with the tree looks SO festive. Well done to your son,you must be very proud. Keep showing the Christmas preps Teresa, you know just how much I love this time of year.
    Jane x

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  5. Beautiful post, Teresa! I loved all of it. I want to go out and buy every one of those plants now. Love the Jim Shore's stuff, especially his dogs and cats. My mother has a very large cat that is just beautiful. I really want that cat! And my sister got me a chihuahua by him when Little Boy died a couple of years ago. I keep him sitting on L.B.'s box of ashes. Okay, I just teared-up...I have to go now. I'm such a sentimental fool.

    Love the new look here! Your house looks gorgeous in the header!

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  6. What a fun post. I think you have us covered. Looks like Thanksgiving has all gone away and out have come the Christmas colors, which by the way I like sooooo much more than that Fall Orange Stuff. Great new header. Wait on second... do I see Pammy talking about getting a cat now. Lordy, aren't four dogs enough for that girl.
    Congrats on your son newspaper award. Great picture.

    Decorate on for me will you. You know I'm not dragging everything out since we will be gone the whole week to Denver. Oh, well, I can enjoy it all here in blogland and the little I do get out.

    Great new header, by the way.

    Kate

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  7. Such lovely plants :) I'd love to get some indoor plants, but due to the placement of my house in relation to the other houses around it and the sun, I don't get much direct sun through windows that could house plants. I also fear that my cat would be gnawing on them in no time. Do those plants you mentioned require much direct light? Does you cat bother them at all? I assume they're not poisonous since you have your own pets. I'd love to know!
    ~Lacey

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  8. Teresa, Everything looks so bright and cheery and festive. In think everyone is ahead of me this year.....I need this weekend to get caught up. BUT I love your santa and sleigh and Lights! Congrats to your son! He makes you all proud. xoRobin❤

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  9. I used to have one of these plants and I need another! I didn't realize they improved air quality so well. Congrats to your son!

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  10. Hi Teresa. Where to begin! The Mother In Law Tongue...wow, I have never seen one flower either!! How exciting! Your Christmas Cacti are beautiful! LOVE Jim Shore pieces. I have a few. But not that lovely one!! WAY TO GO Travis!! How wonderful to have seen that article! You must be so proud!
    I am finally feeling well enough to think about Christmas. Think I said. Not do. But soon.
    : ) Kris

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  11. Well done to your son
    Isn't it getting exciting with all the decorations going up and every where feeling very seasonal?
    How lucky are you then..Miss Green Fingers LOL
    Wonderful, wonderful pictures
    Hugs x

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  12. Hello Teresa...I found you through lovely Helen's blog....Firstly, I have to say I have never seen a Mother-in-law's Tongue in flower..it must be a very happy place there!...I love all your festive preparations too...and congratulations to your son, Travis....you must be so proud of him,
    Susan x

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  13. Well done Travis !! Your flowers are amazing, as is the Santa & Sleigh. Christmas Cactus probably wouldn't work for me as Christmas here is very hot. Wonder what those type of plants are called in Australia?

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  14. You made me giggle - I never knew that Sanseverias were also called Mother-in-law's Tongue in English :-) My sweet great-grandmother (I was fortunate enough to know her until I was thirteen) had Sanseverias on practically each window sill in her house. I love your Santa, it's time I start with the christmassy decorations as well! And congratulations to Travis for being Employee of the Month! :-) x

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  15. I have those sanseveria outside, didn't know they were so good for air quality. Thanks for sharing! (I read somewhere, many years ago, that they are called Mother-in-law's tongue because they are slightly poisinous.)

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  16. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over here! Congratulations to Travis!

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  17. Woo-hoo! Try as I might, I've never been able to comment on your blog before today...I see it was successful and I'm so happy about that. Somehow something somewhere must've gotten fixed. (I know this has been an issue for folks on various other blogs for a very long time now.) I love the new banner, your home looks very inviting, just like a Christmas card! xo

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  19. Wow, Christmas cactuses. Mum always had these when I was growing up, I'm wondering now what happened to them all? They always give such a lovely show, yours are fab :)

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  20. I have 5 or 6 Christmas cactus that I just love. They are all starting to bloom.

    I lived in FL for years with Mother-In-Law Tongue and never saw them bloom! Didn't have a clue that they did. I saw some recently in the store, Walmart I think. Next time I see some I'll get it.

    Love the pic of your house lit up with the snow. That's beautiful!

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  21. Well done to your son Teresa. The Christmas cacti plants look beautiful. Mine bloomed a bout a month agao and has buds again- so keeping fingers crossed. My sister bought it two years ago at Christmas. Used to have one of the MIL plants - thinking I should maybe get another. Love ths Santa in his sleigh. I have started decorating for christmas but a bit of a way to go yet. Take care. Anne x

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  22. Sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And your home is looking a lot like Christmas. :) I didn't know that first plant bloomed. What a wonderful sight to see. Those Christmas cactuses are gorgeous. I've never had one -- wonder if they even sell them here? Congrats to your son on his recognition. Love the tartan Cath Kidston bag you ordered. Our store closed here which made me rather sad. :/ Have a fabulous Friday. Tammy

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  23. Lovely new header, Teresa! It's soooo Christmassy and pretty! I enjoyed all your gorgeous flower pictures today, how pretty the flowers are on the mother in law's tongue plant, and scented too...perfect! Love the colour of your Christmas cactus flowers too. Congratulations to your son on his hard work being rewarded, that's so great.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Helen x

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  24. I didn't know that mother in law's tongues flowered, that is amazing to see, mine seems to thrive on neglect poor thing. Your Santa's sleight is lovely. I'm feeling very christmassy reading your blog :-) xx

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