A Quiet Monday

Monday, January 11, 2016

I love these kind of Mondays... quiet ones!  After the busy-ness of the weekends, it is nice to spend Monday doing laundry, dusting, and just putterin' around the house doing the little things that need to be done.  We have had gray overcast skies here today... so not much inspiration outside to see, and so Annie, Roger, Mr. Simba and I stayed inside for most of the day.

But there is a bit of a bright spot to the day... my cactus plant is blooming again, for the second time this winter!  It bloomed at Thanksgiving, and now, it is blooming again!


It has bloomed the last several years faithfully right around Thanksgiving... but this year it is blooming at Thanksgiving, and after Christmas!


I've never heard of a cactus to do this before... but I'm enjoying it nonetheless!


The bright beautiful red of the cactus was a welcome bit of color to an otherwise gray day...





What better job to do on a Monday than catch a few winks of sleep.  These two are pros at it!


Another bright spot of color in our tiny home is this beautiful basil plant!


This basil plant is a Genovese basil... it is one of the most prolific basil plants that can be grown.


You may wonder how I have such a beautiful looking basil plant in the dead of winter.  I'll let you in on a marvelous little secret... this is an aquaponics mini indoor garden made by AeroGarden.  A friend of mine gifted me with the 3-pod growing system, plus 3 pods that included 3 different kinds of basil.  The Genovese basil took over, and basically overtshadowed the other two basil plants.  One died, and the other is still struggling off to the corner.  I've really enjoyed having this AeroGarden in my kitchen, with all the fresh basil readily available.


Mr. Simba hasn't got a clue why I love my fresh basil so much.  After all, he wishes it grew catnip instead...


Please, Momma, please... a treat? Oh those pleading eyes, they get me every time! 

A little peek into our quiet Monday... how was your Monday? 



34 comments

  1. Hi,
    I love Mr. Simba ~ a very handsome fella!
    I also love your cactus. I only have two blooms on mine this year. ;-(
    You enjoy that lovely plant...perfect for grey days.
    Carla

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    1. Thanks Carla for your visit, I am enjoying the crazy amount of blooms on my cactus, it is unreal! Mr. Simba thanks you for your kind words.. he tends to agree with you ;) Have a blessed and wonderful day!

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  2. My MIL has a Christmas cactus that she's has taken shoots off of for more than 20 years. They bloom and bloom, grow and grow, they are always so pretty. Your is gorgeous. My brother and his family live in the Boise/Meridian area so I've been to that area a few time. Such beautiful country. Thank you for stopping by my blog, it's nice to meet you. Cindy

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    1. I've never taken shoots off this cactus... that would be wonderful if I could start another plant from this one. This one has bloomed so faithfully every year! We live a looong way from Boise, eight hours by car, and I've never been there... but I have heard it is a beautiful place to live surrounded by the mountains! It has been so nice getting to know you as well, and I appreciate your visit here! Hope you are having a blessed and wonderful day :)

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  3. Oh they are just so darling to see Mr Simba and the others sleeping :) I have a cactus also that bloomed during Christmas, what a delight it will be if it would bloom once again :-).

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    1. Yes, I loved seeing it bloom at Thanksgiving, and thought it was done, but lo and behold, here it came again after Christmas in the New Year blooming! I've never heard of one to do that. Regardless.. I love it! Thank you for your visit, and I pray that the Lord is blessing you today in a special way! :)

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  4. Well, isn't Mr. Simba quite the little cutie :)

    Your blog is such a delightful place to visit, dear friend, and as I sit here by the warm fire I couldn't imagine a lovelier place to be.

    Your Christmas Cactus is stunning! I had one...once :) I don't exactly have a green thumb and after blooming once for me it died. So sad, I know. I have decided it's best to enjoy God's beautiful flowers outdoors where sunshine and rain take care of everything.

    I am not sure if I have told you, but I love the new look of your blog! Simple, elegant, refreshing.

    Have a wonderful week, sweet friend. Love and hugs!

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    1. Oh, Mr. Simba is quite entertaining,I guess all our fur balls are, lol! Sitting by the fire sounds so marvelous... I do miss our wood stove so much. Here in our tiny home, we do not have room for one... yet anyway! We keep talking about possibilities of somehow installing one, we shall see.

      Yes, this cactus has really stunned me this year with its beautiful production, twice blooming, I don't know that I've heard of one doing that. I chuckled at your "lack" of a green thumb, somehow I doubt that ... you have such talent dripping from your hands, my dear! Although, it is so much easier to let the sun and rain take care of things outside indeed :)

      Thanks for your compliments regarding my blog, it was a bit of a challenge trying to figure out how to change my header, but I persevered, and I am happy with it. :)

      Hope you are having a wonderful week my friend, I do appreciate you so much... and hope your day is blessed of the Lord!

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  5. Oh, your plants are beautiful! And, it sounds like you had a very peaceful, serene day...the very best kind! :) So thankful for you and your dear posts...they always, always, always brighten my day when I see them in my inbox. Much love to you, sweet friend. :)

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    1. Oh I am really enjoying the continued blooming beauty of my cactus! Yes, it was a nice quiet day, of getting things done around the house that needed to be done! I like productive days like that :) Your posts always bring such joy to my heart and I look forward to each and every one! They always bless me! Praying that you are having a blessed and wonderful day dear friend, hugs and love sent to you! :)

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  6. It's been relatively quiet here as well and quite enjoyable. Your cactus is beautiful and how nice that it has had two blooming for you. It would be nice to have fresh basil all winter long. Enjoy the rest of the week!

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    1. How are you doing today Pamela? I wonder if you are getting the snow you anticipated? Sadly, today we are getting RAIN! Oh so sad about that! I will look forward to your snow pictures! It has been really nice having the Aerogarden to grow such amazing basil, it has been such a blessing to have it! Take care, stay warm and dry, and take some snow pictures for me :)

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  7. I have a cactus plant but it didn't bloom at all this year! :( Yours looks beautiful!

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    1. Oh how sad! I wonder what in earth it is about these plants and blooming. Yours didn't bloom at all, and mine bloomed twice, so strange! Oh well, I guess I'll just enjoy the blooms... and try not to figure out what in the world caused it to do this! Appreciate your visit, and hope you are having a blessed day! :)

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  8. Your Christmas Cactus is gorgeous!! I have three - two upstairs, one downstairs - the one downstairs never blooms, I think I need to move it into a sunnier spot. The two upstairs keep getting buds and they fall off - they never did this in my previous home, where they were in a very cool room. Perhaps that's the difference?

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    1. I have not quite figured out what it is makes the cactus plants so happy, but I do know that sunshine is good, and not too much moisture too. Also, I think they do like cooler temps, especially in the fall and winter, which may help them to know it is time to bloom? I don't know. I wish you luck with trying to figure it out! Have a blessed and wonderful day :)

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  9. How nice to meet you! Thank you for visiting.I have enjoyed reading your post and seeing your sweet cat!

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    1. It is nice to meet you too, and I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures of Mr. Simba... he is quite a sweet fellow indeed! Appreciate your return visit, and hope you are having a blessed and wonderful day :)

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  10. How nice to meet you! Thank you for visiting.I have enjoyed reading your post and seeing your sweet cat!

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  11. Hello "Spice"! I made it...now I can say I've been to Idaho :) Your blog is lovely and it looks like you have a few fur babies...which are absolutely adorable! I have about three of those cactus that are of the pink variety. I keep them in my window of my office at work and it must be a great place for them. They bloom starting around Halloween and are usually quite lovely through the month of November. I understand there are different varieties which bloom at different times of the year. Your red one is absolutely stunning! My sorry little basil plant in my kitchen window is almost ready to the trash. Yours looks AMAZING...love the aroma and yumminess in food. So glad we got acquainted! Enjoy the rest of your week!

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    1. LOL... congratulations on your "visit" to Idaho, I'm most pleased to have you here! Thank you for your kind words, always appreciated!

      Yes, I know that different cacti bloom at different times of the year. This one has always bloomed at Thanksgiving, and so I thought it was a Thanksgiving cactus... but this year... I don't know what happened, lol! Well, I am just going to enjoy the blooms, and not try to overthink it, lol!

      Yes, I have bought live basil at the store, and they don't survive very long in my north kitchen window. The Aerogarden is pretty amazing, you should look them up. It is completely organic, and the grow light really makes a difference. I love having the fresh basil both for eating, and just pure enjoyment... the smell is lovely!

      Appreciate your return visit, and look forward to getting to know you better! Have a wonderful day! :)

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  12. Your Christmas cactus is spectacular, full of blooms and I can see the secret to growing basil inside is a grow light.

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    1. A grow light has made all the difference indeed! The Aerogarden is aquaponics with a grow light, two great growing mediums combined in one... so awesome. I love the fresh basil, it is lovely to have in the winter! Appreciate your return visit, and hope you are having a blessed and wonderful day!

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  13. Happy Tuesday to you! I bet your cactus is a Christmas Cactus; we gave some friends one once for Christmas and it continues to bloom in Dec. each year. Three out of four of my orchids are sprouting new shoots and blossoms. I'll admit I'm addicted to these plants now, but won't buy anymore. I also have a Coleus that stays indoors and this is the second winter I've had it. I love basil and always plant a bunch at my daughter's house(her garden is amazing), then we harvest and makes tons of Pesto. Love it! Thanks for sharing, lot your dogs too!
    Hugs, Noreen

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    1. I always thought I had a Thanksgiving cactus, because it has always bloomed at Thanksgiving, but now that it has bloomed twice, once at Thanksgiving, and now after Christmas... I just don't know! It is so strange, but I'm just going to enjoy the blooms regardless... it is a beauty this year! I have always wanted orchids, but don't think I get enough sunshine here to keep them happy. How awesome that you can have basil grown at your daughter's garden! That is so awesome, and it is wonderful to have all that amazing pesto or fresh basil for cooking and seasoning. I am thrilled with the Aerogarden, it is organic aquaponics, and so nice to enjoy in the dark winter months.

      Hope you are having a blessed and wonderful day!

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  14. Dear Spice:
    You must have green thumbs! You also have darling dogs and a sweet Kitty!

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    1. I do love my plants, although with our tiny home here, I don't have as many inside as I have in the past. I am enjoying the Aerogarden though, it has really been a blessing to have the fresh basil to use.

      Our fur balls thank you for the kind compliments... much appreciated! Thanks so much for your visit today, and hope you are having a blessed and wonderful day :)

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  15. Your beautiful cactus plant is a bright spot in the winter and doing so well. Love your basil and it is growing so beautifully. I love Monday's too. The day to start fresh from a busy weekend. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos and wishing you a great week.
    Blessings, xo

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    1. It is always nice on Monday to clean up after the busy weekend, agreed! I am enjoying the blooming cactus, although it is rather puzzling to me how it has bloomed twice this winter, but I'm enjoying it anyway! Thanks for your visit, and hope you are having a blessed and wonderful Wednesday :)

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  16. Your Christmas cactus is gorgeous and the basil looks lush and healthy, too. I am in nearby NE Washington and can hardly wait for spring, but until then I am glad to have my indoor gardening this winter, too.

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    1. Hi Vickie! So happy to meet you, and I will be stopping by your space to say hello! I am of the mind to enjoy winter while we can, but when it is time for spring, I will be glad to see it arrive, for sure! Today the weather is a bit sad for me, as I hate to lose our snow because of the rain, lol! Appreciate your visit, and I do look forward to getting to know you better :)

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  17. Hi MM! How do you get your Christmas cactus to bloom so well? I got one of those plants at Christmas last year, and it hasn't bloomed at all. One friend told me to give it darkness for most of the day, so I put it in a closet. It has grown, but no blooms!
    I'd love to know your secret.
    Great looking basil too! My husband loves to make pesto with fresh basil. Yum :)
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  18. Our furry friends always need treats! I just love the picture of the puppies all cozy together. No worries at all. That's how life should be!

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  19. Your Christmas Cactus is gorgeous, and I'm in love with the little red transferware pot. We bought a Christmas Cactus the first week in December. It was in bloom when we bought it and kept it for quite awhile. It's doing great, though no more blooms. I just hope I can keep it alive to see what happens next year. Do you do anything special to keep it thriving. I love Genovese Basil. Mine were huge this year in the herb garden. So easy to grow. I just used some of the dried Basil today when I made vegetable stew. Fresh is better, though. :) Hugs, Nancy

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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