Watching Them Grow. . .

Hello, it is such a busy time.  Thank you for stopping by to visit.

Yesterday I glanced over at the paper whites in my kitchen window.  I plant them every year, but somehow it always seems to amaze me how quickly they grow.  They are grouped together in my old strawberry cart.

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It seems they grow inches over night.  If you plant them you will know exactly what I am talking about.

I couldn’t help but stop and think of Christmas’s past.  Those when my children were younger.  How it seems that it was just yesterday and they grew up over night.

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I like planting my paper whites in different containers each year.  This year I used my white milk glass and a vintage Sno-Kreem shortening can.  Cranberries are my favorite topper.  I love the pop of red!

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This old tin is faded with age, but still sweet.  Just like my Christmas memories of when my children were young.  I don’t remember every little thing, but the hi-lites will forever be embedded in my memory.

Like how they loved unwrapping the little gifts in their stockings.  So much so that often they did that first.  and how they would come into our bedroom and ask, “Has Santa came yet?”  and how their face would light up when I would say, “I don’t know, let’s go see”.  Then as a family we would all go down to that magical place where Santa had so graciously left more gifts than any of them had ever dreamed of.

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Christmas today isn’t quite the same as when my children were growing up.  Oh, don’t get me wrong.  I still love Christmas.  Now I get to see that magic in the eyes of my grandchildren.  But the memories of Christmas past, of my children growing up and my own childhood are what make Christmas present so sweet!

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Enjoy Christmas present because before you know it those little ones will grow up right before your eyes!

I’d like to thank Kim from Made in a Day for featuring my Crafting Christmas post.  I so appreciate it!

Hugs,

Jann

I will be partying with:

Sunny Simple Life for Sunny Simple Sunday

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Cowgirl Up Party

Timewashed for Blissful White Wednesday

A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday

Common Ground for Vintage Christmas Inspiration

30 comments

Old Time Cindy said...

I so enjoy seeing everyone's paper whites. I have yet to plant any. Some day.
Farmhouse hugs,
Cindy

Susie said...

Jann, You are the third person who had pie for breakfast...I read yesterday's post too:):) Love those paperwhites. I have never tried those before..but you make me want some.xo,Susie

Kris said...

I love to use fresh cranberries like that in floral arrangements this time of year. Never have planted paper whites. I should. They are so pretty.
xo Kris

Dana@Mid2Mod said...

I love the smell of paperwhites! I need to run out and get mine (and some amaryllis) soon. Yours look great in the milkglass.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I really like the idea of adding the cranberries - very pretty!
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Winnie said...

I like you paperwhites with the cranberries...
We don't celebrate Christmas but I totally understand what you mean..
I miss my parents during the holidays although I have my own little family now (we don't have kids yet).
Celebrating the holidays with my parents while growing up are the sweetest memories...

Pamela Gordon said...

Jann, I love your little arrangement of paper whites in the various containers. I have some to plant and was wondering what to use when I saw your milk glass bowl identical to mine! I might just use it or an old commode pot. :) Christmas sure is different now that the kids are grown and gone and our two grands are thousands of mile away. It's definitely quieter but I'm thankful I have great memories of the 'good old days' gone by. Blessings, Pamela

Unknown said...

I love how you've arranged your paperwhites! The cranberries really give them a great look! Great idea.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

I love paperwhites! What a beautiful display!!

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

I've never grown paper whites, but now I'd like to try some, especially with the cranberries. It looks so pretty. I enjoyed your post and stopped by from Sunny Simple.

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Well, tell me, can I still plant paper whites? I should go buy some somewhere. I have a beautiful bunch of pretty milk glass. I love cranberries, too! So maybe I can copycat you!
My memories are a little faded, too. But that really doesn't make them less sweet, does it?
Bless you,
Susie

allisamazing said...

Your paper whites look so pretty in the white :)

Bonnie said...

I love your paperwhites with the cranberries. What a great idea. Your containers are lovely too.

MIne get so leggy. I read somewhere rubbing alcohol slows down their growth. Wonder if it works?

Very nice post.

Gina said...

This is a sweet post!

I'm growing paperwhites for the first time. I love that you added cranberries to yours!

The Tablescaper said...

Beautiful memories. Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

I'm curious as to how long the cranberries last. They look great against the milk glass.

- The Tablescaper

Thoroughly Modern Me said...

We always do paperwhites. I hadn't thought to use cranberries and it looks so beautiful in the milk glass. I collect milk glass so will have to toss some paperwhites in my vases this year. Thanks for the great idea.

Sarah said...

I don't grow paper whites, but I always like to plant amaryllis for the holidays. I like your different containers..

NanaDiana said...

I have never grown paper whites but I think they are beautiful. I have, however, grown children and experienced that same wonder and awe as I watched them grow up way too fast. Are there any sweeter memories than those of your children climbing into your lap after a long day and snuggling their head into the hollow of your neck? And now I get to do it all over again with grandkids-kinda the same-but different, too. Blessings- Wonderful post- xo Diana

Elena said...

I love the cranberries in the paper white pots. I do paper whites too, so I will have to try that. I know what you mean by Christmas past. I am building a lot of memories with my daughter now. Unpacking the decorations bring back so many wonderful memories of Christmas past :)

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

That is the cutest way to grow them! I was going to start some and never did. I told the girl at the garden center that mine got too tall last year and she said to put them in a dark place like a closet for 2 weeks and they will still grow but it will slow down how big they get.
I hear you on the memories and how things aren't the same anymore. I have to call on the past to rekindle my treasured memories too. Once the kids grew up and planted their feet in new locations that were farther and farther away it's a lot harder to get together! I'm grateful for those memories, new and old though!

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

So pretty! Love these.

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Looking so good. Love that IGA tin, that is the store I grew up with at home.

Cynthia said...

So very pretty I love the touch of cranberries. I hope you show them when they bloom. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

Cynthia

Unknown said...

I've never done paper whites either, I may have to try that. They look wonderful with the cranberry pop in the white holders!

Lynn said...

I love the addition of cranberries, it adds such a pretty pop of color-enjoy:@)

Leslie said...

Dang...I forgot to plant my paperwhites. I will do it today.. maybe I can force them to bloom by the new year. Your look stunning ... the cranberries are a great idea.

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Oh Jann, what a lovely analogy between the paperwhites and children. You brought tears to my eyes...it truly IS about children ....starting with Baby Jesus.

Christmas is so much about the anticipation and the doing of things with the children leading up to that day....it's about the entire season! I was reading Facebook the other day...one of my sons friends has been having ELF visits at her house. She has a 3 year old and 2 year old....turns out the elves visit to check on their behavior and one night they turned the milk in the fridge green! THAT's Christmas fun :)

Chenille Cottage said...

Hello, my sweet friend.
I am playing a little catch up this evening. I have my daughter-in-love in town and we have been sewing up the cutest diaper covers. My little grandson is dues due January 8th and we are making hay before his Daddy gets home from Italy.

Oh...Jann I love your darling Christmas vignettes! Each one is so chocked full of love, home and cheery red! I love visiting your happy blog. It always warms my heart.
Blessings and a few hugzzzz,
Carolynn xoxo

Latane Barton said...

I've never grown paperwhites. I must put that on my 'to do' list for next year. Guess it's too late this year.

Unknown said...

I have never grown paperwhites, maybe I should look into it.
I love your use of the cranberries and choice of containers.
Thanks for sharing.
Michele

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