You’re a rotter, Mr. Grinch / You’re the king of sinful sots / Your heart’s a dead tomato splotched with moldy purple spots / Mr. Gri-inch! / You’re a three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce! 

But then and idea hit me.  Like a vision appearing before me it was suddenly clear as day: a Grinch Tree.  A tree design that celebrates not just the joy and wonder of the season, but celebrates the difficulties and challenges as well.

If those little Who’s could sing their hearts out in tough times, then so can I.  I bought a potted cedar and rigged it up by pruning and re-attaching some branches so that the ball on the top would hang over just right.  The perfect green ball and ribbon were easy to find.

The decorations are a combination of simple white lights, wooden ornaments, felted acorns, and kitchy silver disco balls.  And the base is wrapped simply in burlap with a big green bow.

Then the darnedest thing happened.  As I designed and decorated the Grinch Tree, I felt a little more festive.  I got to work on my Christmas presents, decorated the front entryway, made wreaths with the neighbourhood gals, and whipped up some festive holiday planters.  Heck, we even put up some lights outside for the first time EVER.

Humph.  Who knew that just one little cedar shrub, rigged to mimic the iconic cartoon, would bring such holiday cheer?

Perhaps the dog knew.  He seems to embody Mr. Grinch, at least in appearance.  Maybe I should ask him.

I’m linking to these parties this week.  Thanks for visiting!

Ready for your weekend project?  It’s holiday-themed planters this week and a quick tour of our front door, decorated for the season in non-traditional but natural tones of deep green, eucalyptus blue, and golden yellow.

It just didn’t feel like a red and green year for the holiday planters and wreath.  Somewhat inspired by the golden berries and seeded eucalyptus stems that were found at the garden centre but also a unique contrast to the Bloodgood Japanese Maple-coloured front door, the pale green of the house, and the rustic tones of burlap which the planters are wrapped in.

The glossy deep green tones that create the base notes for the planters and wreath come mostly from pine, yew, cedar, and sarcococca branches.  Adding some blue spruce and eucalyptus adds that calming grey-green-blue colour that lifts the green and adds amazing texture.  Aucuba, stems of yellow berries, and dried hops (from the Halloween Hop Wreath) add the accents.

Of course no holiday display is complete without lighting.  Cool white LED branch lights were added to the planters and champagne-coloured pinecone lights were wrapped around the banister, tangled with a blackberry branch for fun.

Ready to make your own?  Here are the instructions.  PS: If you still need to make a wreath check out the instructions here. 

Materials:

• evergreen foliage
• plant pot with soil
• pruners
• gloves
• twine
• burlap
• branch lights
• berries, twigs, pinecones, ribbons (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Start with a planter filled with soil.  We used one of the self-watering pots that previously held a tomato plant that had yet to be discarded.  Begin to build your base by tucking in cedar or an evergreen that will gently hang over the edge of the planter around the perimeter of the pot.

Step 2: Gather a variety of foliage, berries, twigs, pinecones, ribbons, and anything else you want to add to your wreath.  Prune the stems into a point for easier inserting into the soil.  Continue to build the foliage up, by working from the outside towards the centre of the pot.  Here pine boughs and sarcococca make up the base structure of the planter.

Step 3: Continue to add colour and textured foliage to the planter until you get the look you were hoping for.  Adding interesting branches and twigs like the curly willow shown here can create height and more interest to the planter.

Step 4: Cut a square of burlap large enough to be folded up and around the planter.  Set the planter in the centre of the burlap square, lift the edges up and tuck into the edge of the planter, just under the cedar you added first.  Tie securely with a length of twine or a ribbon if you choose.

Step 5: Add lighting and c’est tout!  Head on inside for a rum and eggnog because the front entryway is now ready for the holidays!

I’m linking to these parties this week.  Thanks for visiting!

Every year we like to hang a different wreath on our front door during the holidays.  We’ve amassed a collection of wreaths to match the holiday season trends of sparkly red berries, Christmas ornaments, peacock feathers, and square-shaped boxwood but my favorites are most certainly natural, fresh wreaths.

A fresh wreath makes for an individual work of art that smells as good as it looks.  Florists and garden centers are wonderful places to find one to suit any style but if you are feeling adventurous, a homemade wreath made with garden clippings or purchased greens, can be most gratifying.

Given the current popularity of lateral space gardening, there are supplies available for all sorts of wreath plantings. Evergreen, succulent, moss, and flower wreaths are beautiful micro gardens that will suit most any style or climate.  Care will vary depending on what type of planting you decide on, but many will last for months, if not years, with a couple weekly squirts of a spray bottle.

Here’s how to make one:

Materials:

• evergreen foliage
• grapevine wreath
• pruners
• gloves
• twine
• berries, twigs, pinecones, ribbons (optional)

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A special thanks to the wonderful neighbourhood gals who provided all the foliage, wine, and treats that go along with the annual wreath-making afternoon.