Thursday, February 10, 2011

Amaryllis in February

The sky is cloudy. Snow piles have crusted dirty-white. The trees are bare and scraggly and brown. Color is found in mere glimpses: a yellow scarf around someone's neck, the pink stripe on a boot, the flash of bright green as a child swings her backpack over her shoulder.

At Christmas, my mother-in-law gave me a flower bulb. I didn't think at the time much more than, "It's very nice. Thank you." But now? In the deepest, bleakest part of winter I realize how thoughtful her gift really was. I planted that bulb in a flower pot and set it on my kitchen sill. I waited. And watered. And waited some more.

That dirty, brown nothing of a bulb has grown 3' tall and is blooming gorgeous red . . .



just when I need it most.



Dinner last night: sauteed veggies over baked potato

Exactly two years ago:



13 comments:

LisaDay said...

You are right. That is the perfect view during winter. Happy belated SITS day.

LisaDay

Gaspegirl said...

What a beautiful post! Well written and the photo... brilliant.

Make it a great day!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! I could use some color right now. But I mean on my lilly white legs. They are scaring me.

Heather~sheaaa6 said...

Oh so pretty! =] Perfect spot for it too! =]
Enjoy! =]

vivi b. said...

wow how beautiful! =)

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Making It Work Mom said...

What a great gift. I will keep that in mind for next year. Beautiful picture.

Kelly said...

I also got one of those as 'a gift from my 4 year old daughter' at christmas. we must have planted it a bit late as it's only just started growing, or it could be the lack of sunlight here in grey London!. can't wait 'till it looks as lovely as yours.

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

Such a sweet gift. I'm constantly amazed by the gorgeous stuff that comes out of just a dead looking little root.

Unknown said...

How beautiful! I love having flowers around during winter. It always brightens my day when I look outside and see nothing but grey skies and snow.

Deidre said...

Wow! Beautiful!

Look at that red.

Karen M. Peterson said...

That color is so stunningly beautiful.

What a thoughtful gift!

glitzen said...

Yes!! I love those things. Heavens knows we need bright and cheery colorful FLOWERS right now, huh? My hubby brought home some of my favorites today, Daffodils! I love those happy things.

Kristi said...

Beautiful! We need every bit of help we can get to make it through a long winter. I'm from Michigan and we generally don't see spring until April. Winter wasteland abounds...