Midwinter Shrubbery!

[anteros_lmc]

We always put a tree up at this time of year but what really makes Christmas / solstice / midwinter for me is bringing in a shrubbery! And here is this year's shrubbery; holly, ivy, pine and larch cones collected from a much neglected local park and festooned precariously around the house.

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

So pretty. We used to do that when I was small, collect plants and bring them in to hang around the fireplace.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Funnily enough we didn't do this when I was little. I only started this when I came to Glasgow. There are so many parks and green spaces here that it's easy to collect greenery like this without committing wanton acts of vandalism!

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

Lovely--I can almost smell the pine. :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It does smell nice :)

[azdak.livejournal.com]

Those decorations look gorgeous - I bet they smell wonderful, too. How do you weave them together to make the garland? Is there a lot of string involved?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Is there a lot of string involved?
Less than you would expect! The greenery on the garland is fastened to a string with little bits of florists wire. The stuff on the mantel piece is mostly just balanced there though the pieces at the ends are hooked onto a couple of tacks. This method is not recommended if you have cats :}

[esteven]

How I love your shrubbery! The fireplace looks gorgeous. :D The photo would make a lovely Christmas card.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Sadly I am waaaay too disorganised to make my own Christmas cards ;)

[esteven]

If you started early with the cards? Also, next year your daughter would surely like to help. :D

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Sadly you credit us with a degree of forward planning that both daughter and I sorely lack! XD

[esteven]

Who knows, maybe next year your daughter has developed some foreward planning abilities?
*g*

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Ha! That would be something!

[esteven]

Never say never! *G*

Merry Christmas

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

Oh, how lovely!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I should also add that the shrubbery hosts its own thriving ecosystem. The garland on the roof hangs right above the sofa and it's not unheard of for the wildlife to abseil down on to our heads!

[joyful-molly.livejournal.com]

Wow, that looks absolutely amazing! Love it! :-D It gives a nice "ancient" touch. I wish I had a neglected park nearby...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Love it! :-D It gives a nice "ancient" touch.
Yes, I have age appropriate decorations XD

I wish I had a neglected park nearby...
Riverbanks and canal paths are another good source of unkempt greenery!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you :) The golden Buddha belongs to partner and I think he may have come from Dresden!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Very wise. I nearly fell on my arse the day I went out to collect this! I did a splendid Bambi impersonation with legs skiting off in different directions!

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

I am enchanted by that little chair by your fireplace! It would be perfect for me Bartholomew!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

That little chair is a family heirloom. Mother liberated it from an old school in about 1972 and sister, niece, daughter and I have all had a shot of it! It's definitely the right size for you Bartholomew.

[katriona-s.livejournal.com]

Wow, it's beautiful! You do this every year? How clever!!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I do indeed do this every year but it doesn't look quite so clever close up ;)