Here we are again with another year behind us. So quickly time flies when we give it wings . . . Speaking of wings are you wondering just what to do with that special Thanksgiving wishbone? If you’re a cornball like me and it holds a special memory you're gonna glitter the tips, apply a small bow and adorn your Christmas tree with it. Among other “thangs”, Hunter and Harlie's first thanksgiving wishbones hang on my tree each year. With a Sharpie, I have marked each with the name and date they represent. Just another alternative from filing it down and using it to pick yer teeth!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now we gear up for Christmas. Christmas for me represents my best friend, Jesus Christ. It also is the best time my family speaks nicely to one another, gets fat, goes broke and saves the best presents to be from Santa Clause. Santa Clause represents Christmas for many of us, as well. While both hold or share special meanings in our hearts, one lone soldier remains the same no matter which belief or reason we celebrate.

Yes, you guessed it: the old faithful Christmas tree In the end, he is the guardian and icon of Christmas Day. Adorned with treasures and shimmery lights, branches surrounding and protecting our wishes, surprises and gifts; we gather to dreams coming true and memories to cherish forever. This is why choosing that perfect tree is so important. Good news whether you will be investing in a “look alike”, fresh cut or a living Christmas tree, you can come see me at your Antelope Home Depot for all of your Christmas needs. We will also feature a live tree lot for those of us who choose to plan our loved me afterwards. This year we will be selling the freshest cut trees from Holiday Tree Farms shipped within 24 hours of harvest.

I’m doubly excited about color spots Ice Punch Poinsettias that are a Home Depot exclusive. These points stand above the rest with their spotted and splattered variation. You definitely want to be the first kid on the block with them. Poinsettias can be kept alive all year, and mean skill can be acquired to do so. Email or come see me! I can help.

As I mentioned last year, disposal of your cut Christmas trees has come a long way. Not only do they get collected for chipping, they are also used as fish habitat when sunk along levees, or for erosion control when tied together and tethered to embankments Contact your local resource to decide how you want to do your part on the green team.

This time of year as we all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, let’s keep in mind that our little wildlife friends we feed around our yards etc. still need to eat during the winter. The squirrels and birds that have become accustomed to being fed may starve or migrate elsewhere. Stan wanted me to remind everybody that even when it’s cold and yucky outside, please don’t forget to feed the little hummingbirds. Their natural food source goes dormant, and you can see them better without the leaves on the trees, too. So sweet, so caring, so Stan.

Most of our trees have now lost or began to lose their leaves. This does expose some ugly gnarled branches. As bad as you may want to cut them off, wait until the sap production is halted in January so it does not damage or worse, kill the tree.

The planting window will be closing soon, and I still have cool season winter color in the nursery, i.e. Cyclamen, primrose, snapdragons, chrysanthemums, pansies and stock. Today the Christmas cactus arrived in red, pink and white. Camellias are blooming and rhododendrons are in bud.

Don’t forget to save for your compost pile the eggshells and veggie peels from our holiday meals. Now is the essential time to get a good start for our summer veggie garden. If the economy doesn’t improve a lot of us are going to be planting larger garden or gardening for the first time. Imagine the money we’ll save having the ultimate soil compost to give our gardens that head start and extra kick.

I heard form a few of y’all that your gardens didn’t do so good. If you are reading this now start working on your compost pile. Well friends, it’s been fun spending the year with y’all and I look forward to next.

So Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Your Plant Lady.

PS. Bloom where you’re planted!