Holiday Home Series




The Yellow Cape Cod Holiday Home Series:


10.  How To Get Your Stockings To Hang Straight


11.  Our 2011 Christmas Mantle~How To Create A Festive Mantle On The Cheap.





13.  The Family Tree~ A Simple But Profound New Christmas Tradition


14.  Christmas Dining Room On a Dime


15.  Simple Thrift Store Centerpieces


16.  Nautical Christmas~Letting The Kids Decorate With Their Very Own Thrift Shop Finds


17.  Window Snowstorm With Dollar Store Snowflakes


18.  Christmas Menu Board {From An Old Mirror} Tutorial


19.  Safety Tips and Advice On Thrifting For Dinnerware


20.  Decorating With Grannies Vintage Jewelry



To kick off the Holiday Home Series, I would like to share the first thing I do every year to prepare for the holidays...Paperwhites.  Beginning November 1st, I start forcing Paperwhite bulbs every two weeks.  By planting them in intervals,  I have blooms throughout the entire season. 


 To me, they are the smell of Christmas.
Watching them grow is like a six week advent calendar.  


Here is what to look for:

(Bulbs-Home Depot)

(Attractive Rocks-The Dollar Tree)

 (Clear Glass Containers-The Dollar Tree)

 Here is how I do it:

Fill the glass containers with rocks until about 1/3 full.
Nestle the bulbs into the rocks with the root end pointing down and the sprout end pointing up. You can usually put more than one bulb in each container depending on the size.


Fill with water until the bottom of the bulb is touching the water (but not submerged or it will rot).

(Source)

Keep them in a cool dark place until the roots begin to grow (about 1-2 weeks)
Place them in a sunny area and wait for them to sprout.
Check the water level every few days to make sure the roots are wet.
In about six weeks they should begin to bloom.


Tips:
If they grow so tall that they begin to tip over, tie them to a wooden skewer with a pretty ribbon.
Sometimes a few of them don't make it so I usually assemble extra. 
After mine have bloomed, I like to top the rocks with moss:




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18 comments:

  1. ColleenNovember 4, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    I love that you are doing another series! I really enjoyed the last one and I am guessing this one will be just as great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Debilou ~ Mississippi MamaNovember 4, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    I have never done this although i can remember my mamaw doing this in round cookie tins and placing them in the extra bedroom that was always cool and dark. I might give this a try this year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ohiofarmgirlNovember 4, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    I have not planted paper whites before but maybe this year. I will be enjoying your series without the pressure of writing everyday for myself. Dianntha

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 4, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Yay - so glad there are going to be more of these posts - I loved checking in for what was going to come every day!

    xo Kristle

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lisa @ Shine Your LightNovember 4, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Oh I am overjoyed you are doing a holiday series! I enjoyed the October series here so much! I love the idea of planting the paperwhites every couple of weeks so they are constantly blooming during the Christmas season!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sissie's Shabby CottageNovember 4, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    This is going to be a fun series and I can't wait to see more. Forcing bulbs is always fun and adds so much to our holiday decor. Thanks for the "how to!"

    hugs
    Sissie

    ReplyDelete
  7. KarrieNovember 5, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Beautiful!!!!!! Sounds so easy too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. NoelleNovember 5, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Hi Sarah, I do paperwhites and amaryllis too!! Love them, and that lovely fragrance. I will definitely be enjoying your holiday series, your home is so lovely.....can't wait!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. LisaNovember 11, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Thanks for doing another series, I enjoy your blog! It's my little quiet time to just think and imagine! Thanks for all of the great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  10. KimMalkNovember 14, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Stopping over from A2Z. I've never tried these before. I'm going to give-it-a-go since you've made it look so easy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Just Spiff ItNovember 14, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    I love paper whites but love your idea of heading to the Dollar Tree! Think I will head out tomorrow and by more!
    You have a wonderful blog - thanks for sharing your talents with all of us.

    ReplyDelete
  12. JudyDecember 3, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Loving your Holiday Home Series. Such creative and "do-able" projects. Yours are all beautiful, I'm going on the hunt for a silk amaryllis so I can do the hurricane glass centerpiece idea for my kitchen table.

    ReplyDelete
  13. foreverdecoratingDecember 6, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    Just stunning, I am a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  14. SommerDecember 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I pinned the boys room on pinterest! Love the paint in there!! What a beautiful home.

    ReplyDelete
  15. annies homeDecember 19, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    love it all so very cool

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownDecember 28, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    You are one talented lady. I have always thought so but I am just enamored with all that you do. This year's Christmas mantel blew me away. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. All the best to you in 2012!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousNovember 22, 2012 at 4:51 AM

    You're amazing!! Thanks so much for sharing your creative ideas!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. meaningfulspacesDecember 25, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    Just found your blog through Pinterest, and love it! I'm signing up to subscribe right now. Merry Christnas!

    ReplyDelete

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