Monday, December 21, 2009

Gingerbread Beach Body and Christmas Protea

A unique seasonal bouquet arrived at our house today. It contained some flowers I don't think I've ever seen before, other than in pictures. Dusted with gold glitter, this arrangement appears to contain several protea flowers and some purplish foliage of unknown variety. I was impressed, for sure. I wonder where the protea came from, being a flower most associated with South Africa and a few other tropical locales. Some South African friends got me a package of protea seeds some time ago , though I haven't been bold enough to try and grow them (besides their apparent need for fire to aid germination). Anyhow, these are very cool flowers and I hope they open up to look even more spectacular.


I made a large batch of gingerbread cookies this last weekend, since I enjoy eating the soft and chewy type rather than the nearly-cardboard ones from the store. I made a few cookies that are beach-ready, including this beautiful lady:

We actually have very little snow for this time of year, though temperatures have been very cold this December and the lakes are well-frozen. People are driving trucks and snowmobiles all over the lakes now. RLM will have to haul his latest accumulation of stuff out to the cabin soon. I'm hoping will be NO MORE antler chandeliers.

6 comments:

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Protea is a big fave of mine, though I always thought it was a Hawaii native.

Love your gingerbread guy...

Merry Christmas!

Melanie J Watts said...

I have never heard of Protea flowers. It will be interesting to see what they look like when they open up. You've inspired me to make some gingerbread.
Merry Christmas!

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

That's the cutest gingerbread beach babe, ever!

Somebody thinks you are very special to send you such exotic flowers. Enjoy. :)

And, Merry Christmas!!

RURAL said...

A beautiful arrangement. Maybe it will chase away the winter temperatures.

Great gingerbread cookies. Love the bikini.

Gotta make some today, and I love the chewy ones also.

Jen

Unknown said...

Happy Christmas to you, oh champion gingerbread maker! I love the flower arrangement too; a nice departure from the regular seasonal bouquets, for sure.

Chookie said...

Lovely flowers! The red foliage is a kind of Leucodendron, but there are lots of cultivars. I am sorry I can't be more precise.

Best wishes to you and your family for Christmas!