🎵 Humming to the tune of “Silver Bells” 🎶… and then suddenly barking in verse at the top of her lungs, “it’s Christmas time in the city…fa la la la la, la la la la! Elsa here…
The Mom: Umm, you know you’re combining songs, right?
Elsa: Yeah, what of it? Christmas is the time to get your Irving Berlin on, I say.
The Mom: Still, you’re mixing your tunes together. Singing Christmas songs isn’t like mixing up a cup of hot chocolate.
Elsa: {Gasp} Mom…you know perfectly well I can’t have chocolate!
The Mom: {Shaking her head} Dear, dear, Elsa…I was just making a metaphor.
Elsa: Well whatever, doesn’t matter, I was just loosening up my vocal chords anyway. Come on…we’re over 100 hundred words and we haven’t even started our post. Move, it, Mom!
The Mom: {Speaking softly under her breath} Oy…why do I feel like I’m losing a battle of wits?
Elsa: What’s that you say? Seriously, you actually think you’re going to win an argument with me? Bwahahaha. Silly Mom…I love you, but {bwahahahaha} I. can’t. even. begin. to. respond, it’s so absurd. You crack me up, Mom, you seriously crack me up.
The Mom: {trying desperately to change the subject and get back on track} um, er…let’s focus on this week’s latest episode of Nature Friday. We can split hairs later.
Elsa: Split hairs? Don’t even begin to think about trimming any of my hairs, thank you very much!
The Mom: I was just…oh never mind.
Elsa: See…you can’t begin to win a discussion with me. My blog, my rules. {puffing out her chest} Lo-di-do-do. Or as they say in the big leagues…Spoo for the win!
The Mom: {eyes rolling} Fine…let’s just get on with it.
Elsa: Yeah, if only you’d taken some pictures. But for the record because I’m such a rule follower, we’re joining our New Mexico friends Rosy and Sunny from LLB in Our Backyard to check out Nature around the ‘Hood. As I noted earlier, you didn’t take any new pics, what’s up with that?
The Mom: {flush with embarrassment} Umm, it was a busy week. And I kinda got wrapped up enjoying the absolute springtime temperatures and trying to mail out Christmas cards and December birthday gifts. And truth be told, there hasn’t been a lot to photograph on outings that we haven’t photographed before.
Elsa: That’s never stopped you before. I mean, why did you dash back into the house early yesterday morning raving about the incredible sunrise? I mean, gawd knows you take a jillion sunrise pics all the time.
The Mom: For the exact reason that you’ll complain about “yet another sunrise” picture.
Elsa: Mom, hate to break it to you but the blogging world doesn’t need yet another sunrise photo. Just saying.
The Mom: See, I kinda rest my case. Anyway yesterday’s was exceptionally vivid….by the time I ran back into the house to grab my phone, it had faded out to ‘merely pretty.’ Not sensational like it was when I took you outside.
Elsa: Ahh, I get it, blame the dog. Fine. So you got anything to share, anything at all? Buehler?
The Mom: Ahem…one of the Christmas cactuses has been blooming…does that count?
Elsa: I’ve been wondering when you’d get around to highlighting them. This one is pretty in pink as the saying goes but didn’t you say there’s a good chance that it’s actually a Thanksgiving cactus since it’s been blooming for the past couple of weeks.
The Mom: You’re right, I think that one is from the genus Schlumbergera, and is one of the two groups within the cultivar Truncata which displays stem segments with pointed teeth. Their flowers are held more or less horizontally, and their upper side is shaped differently from the lower side. This one has been a part of my indoor garden for well over 20 years and is actually considered a tropical plant rather than what we normally think of as cactuses and comes from Brazil. These plants typically require more water and humidity than traditional cactuses, but they’re easy to maintain. Just water deeply whenever the top inch or so of soil is dry, and repot if the soil gets compacted (note to self, since this one has never been repotted, it’s likely more than time to do that). They should only be fertilized when actively growing or blooming. Just make sure to use a well-draining potting soil mix. It likes bright but indirect light for the best blooming conditions and avoid cold, drafty spots or locations close to a heat source like a radiator. Pinching back stem ends aftering blooming helps make for a bushier plant.
Elsa: Don’t you have another one in a different color?
The Mom: Yes, it’s orangey and far less impressive. It’s always been much less prolific than the pink one.
Elsa: You were kind of pleasantly surprised it bloomed since it was a starter from a segment you had knocked off.
The Mom: I was. That plant has had a long history of less than stellar blooming. My son left it with me when he moved to Hawaii over 10 years ago. He told me it rarely bloomed for him, at most 1 or 2 blossoms when he had it, which is likely why he didn’t want it back when he moved back to Denver three years ago.
Elsa: I find that hard to believe. Kevin KNOWS how to grow plants. Maybe that genus is a bit like us Standard Poodles, you know…needing to have a certain agenda that maybe, just perhaps doesn’t coincide with you uprights’ idea of how things should be? {snicker}
The Mom: Thanks for the reminder, as if I needed an acknowledgement about poodle agendas.
Elsa: Just trying to keep you grounded, Mom, that’s all. Well that’s it as far as I’m concerned. I hope we have more photos to share next time. I’ll try to persuade you when we’re out on our walks this next week. So what’s on tap for your weekend? I think it’s time to get out Norman’s chef’s hat-I’ve hear that we may be starting our holiday baking. Sure hope that means there will be some fresh, home baked pup treats over the next couple of days. {paws crossed}
Whatever you do, make sure you stop to enjoy Nature’s gifts, however small they may be. Stay warm.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
What a lovely cactus!
Thank you! We love those colorful plants at a time of year when it’s most needed.
Beautiful Christmas cactus and a lovely shot of Elsa.
Many thanks! I really love those Christmas (or Thanksgiving) cactuses. They add such a pop of color to the indoor winter landscape.
Chaplin: “All the lovely flowers! Are you SURE I can’t come and eat them?”
LOL…you’d probably have more fun trying to knock them off their windowsills than eating them. 😆
You two are a great team. Those cacti are gorgeous! I’m way late, weekend all over and done with but I didn’t want to miss this 🙂
Have a great week, you too!
You’re too kind, especially given this is such a busy time of year. Thank you!
It really is!! We do what we can, eh?
We sure try!
It’s all we can do 🙂
Elsa, I must say I am quite taken by your long discussions (and apparently wide ranging knowledge on a variety of topics) with your dear Mom. Though at times you can be a bit argumentative, you can also be quite witty, with a bit of charm around the edges. I wouldn’t suggest you try to out-do, out-smart or out-talk her though … she is considerably accomplished in many ways, so it may be best to “hold your tongue” at times, especially at this time of year. After all, you wouldn’t want any boxes checked on that Big Guy’s (the red suited one) naughty list now would you?
Au contraire, mon cheri, I am merely offering a poodle’s perspective. Besides, I know Mom enjoys our little talks even when she fakes being aggrieved. I’m her beloved girl-we both know that.’Santa’ thinks I’m the bee’s knees. 😆
My Christmas cactus is blooming too, but it’s not very full, because the lights go on in that room when the plant needs a lot of long DARK nights to do a good job of making buds. When I lived alone in a two bedroom apt, I had one in the spare bedroom, and keep that room cool, and it bloomed profulesly! Right now I haven’t got any rooms that stay dark.I could put it in the cellar…but NO!
Yours is very beautiful!
Thank you, Ingrid Meezers and Terriers. That bright pink one receives a lot of bright but indirect light. The peach one has been in the same spot, a darker spot, it still performs the same. Mom thinks it could probably use a fresh batch of potting soil. It just likes to vex her.
THE 2 Cactuss plantss are gorgeeuss!! Miss Monika you sure nose alot about them…furry scientifick!
An Elsa wee nsoe you ae THE Queen an Boss there; no doubt about it, mew mew mew….
***nose bopss*** BellaDharma an (((hugss))) BellaSita Mum
Thanks BellaDharma and BellaSita Mum. Mom really enjoys those cactuses but she doesn’t know that much about them since she can’t seem to make the other one bloom like the pink one. I think k she’s just lucky. 😉
Mew mew mew understood Elsa!!! 😉
Your Christmas cactuses are pretty, but not as pretty as you, Elsa!
Aww, aren’t you sweet? Thank you. Hope you weren’t impacted by the storms that hit Tennessee.
This discussion is great, Elsa knows everything better, what a dog!
Our Christmas cactus is in blossom now. Really old, about 50 years, was really big until a cat jumped on it.
Have a nice weekend.
Thank you! Wow, 50 years old? That’s incredible. On days where there’s little sun, I’m sure it’s pop of color helps get through the dark days. Have a snuggly weekend. We received snow yesterday and now it’s cold, but pretty when you don’t have to shovel it. 😉
That cactus was my mother-in-law’s and it really was huge befote that cat accident. Shoveling here every day.
Luckily they’re pretty resilient and broken pieces can rooting. Sorry you’re shoveling every day. It makes for a long winter. Stay safe.
Your such a funny girl, Elsa. The Christmas cactusses are so beautiful. Ours is blooming too now. Actually they bloom the whole year through, with intervals, so maybe they were just in interval when they were not blooming at your twofeet brother’s house😸Double Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend to you and your mommy too🐾😽💞
They only bloomed once for my bestie, Kevin. He tried everything to get it to rebloom but was unsuccessful. Mom has managed to get it rebloom but only one or two blooms. We think it’s just a bit of a dude but it’s pretty when that single bloom is coaxed out. We hope you are staying warm and dry this weekend.
Oh Elsa, let mom be! Those cacti are beautiful! Elsa just looks so smart and happy, queen of the castle!
Thanks. Mom knows exactly who is the queen here so I’ll give her a break. This time. BOL 🤣
Sometimes, photos can be hard, humans get into a funk and can’t think of things. The Christmas cacti reminded Mom of the huge beautiful one we had that bloomed every Christmas. Our late cat bro Bert chewed it to death so after many, many years, it died. Yours are beautiful! Have a Grand weekend!
Thanks GBGV’s. It occured to Mom that it’s been blooming for well over 20 years. We hadn’t realized that Bert crossed the Rainbow Bridge-but knew he was as older cat. Sending oodles of poodles thoughts of comfort on his loss.
“Tis the season to be naughty….fa la la la…..etc.” At least that’s the song I sing every year Elsa so if you wanna sing ANY song for the holiday I say go for it. Anyway, we love the photos – Mom has one budding “Christmas cactus” but we don’t know for sure what color the blooms are gonna be – looks like a white bud – she doesn’t know what color it is because she found a broken off chunk of a plant at the garden center and took it home with her and planted it. It’s a SURPRISE ! Anyway, happy weekend.
Hugs, Teddy
Oooh, I like that tune! We could do it in two part harmony. 😆
WOW-how lucky you are on the freebie branchette, we love mystery plants like that. If I had to guess, I’d say a pale peachy color, but who knows for sure. You’ll have to let us know once it fully blooms.
I will!!
Beautiful cactus plants. Mine have been blooming since Thanksgiving too. 🙂 Have a nice weekend. XO
Thanks. They provide such lovely color in Wintertime. Stay warm this weekend-it’s gonna be cold herer after last night’s snowfall. ☃️❄️☃️
Oh ,Elsa, you crack me up! Keep singing, Silver Bells. 😉
Who says we don’t need another sunrise photo?? I Love sunrise photos, being that I don’t need to get up at sunrise to see them. 😊
The Christmas cactus is pretty! Happy Weekend! Have a Paw-some One 💗
Thanks. ‘Tis the season for Christmas songs, am I right?! you have a wagnificant weekend yourself. From the looks of it, I think Mom will only be shoveling snow. 😧
You guys are the dream team. You provide the witty banter, the amazing captures and even a couple of ’80’s movies references to boot.
What’s not to love?!
Aren’t you kind? Really appreciate your comment, Marc. Life with Elsa is always interesting. She makes things quite fun. Have a super weekend.
You guys are the dynamic duo.
Enjoy the weekend peeps
Elsa – thanks for maintaining your sanity during Mom’s declining years. I’m sure it’s tough to watch …. but at least she hasn’t killed the Christmas Cactus!
It’s a tough job, but someone has got to do it. Have a good weekend, Mr. Frank.
Love the Christmas cactus photos. I wonder if keeping Mom on her toes and Puppy treats are mutually exclusive, Elsa?
Thank you John. I’m keeping my paws crossed nothing gets in the way of fresh tasty treats. I’m lobbying for some sweet potato chews, but we’ll see what Mom has time for this weekend. We hope you have a swell weekend.
Thank you, Elsa. Happy weekend to you and Mom as well.
Awww, Elsa is so sweet! Hope she doesn’t help you with the cookies. I know how that goes. My pink Christmas cactus is blooming too. I don’t know how it knows it’s Christmastime.
I keep asking myself that same question! Where did this year go? I’m thinking maybe some sweet potato jerky may be in the offing while I can bake some biscotti for the neighbors. 🤞🏼
What a beautiful Christmas Cactus!
Thanks. They really are pretty. Have a great weekend.
I think Elsa is on the right track initiating the Holiday baking. The last couple of years, we got a “late” start. The good part in being tardy was we then stretched out the homemade Holiday dessert season a bit. Maybe we’ll just make MORE this year. Yeah, that works.🍪 Have a great weekend!
December is shaping up to be a very, very busy month and traveling to Mom’s Dad will jam it up even more. She just needs to learn to be more efficient and stop wasting time. Heh, heh, easy for me to say…I don’t have thumbs. 🤣 Enjoy your weekend!
Your fur-iend,
Elsa 🐾
IMO, one can never see too many sunset or flower photos! 😉
Stop encouraging Mom. That’s all she’d post if I let her. 😆 Have a great weekend, Eliza.
🙂
oh elsa!
I’ve never been successful at Christmas cactus
Kevin had problems which surprised me-he’s normally an amazing gardening, especially with house plants. When he moved, he rehomed a 10 ft. tall cactus that was really impressive. Have a great weekend.
Somehow dogs always win the argument…not that they argue…they just maintain their point of view…
Elsa knows she’s the Queen Bee over her realm, whether anyone agrees with her is a whole other issue. 🤣 Enjoy your weekend, Helen!