I found an orchid few months ago in the garden clearance section of a home improvement store. It was $1!

Having never had a healthy orchid before, let alone any orchid, I had no idea how to try to save it. So I slid online, read up a bit and repotted it. Crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. Despite losing a few leaves and not having any noticeable new growth it does look way better than it did. Believe it or not this is the “after” picture. Heh. I realize that at this point flowers are entirely too much to ask for but hope like a fart springs eternal.

Call Lilies! I’m keeping these as an indoor houseplant. So far so good and they seem to rather enjoy the antique stoneware pot they’re living in.

And my personal favorite new houseplant, the Tipu tree seedling! Tipu trees, also known as Rosewood trees, are shade trees that produce lovely yellow flowers in the spring. They’re native to Brazil but can commonly be found in the US in warm climates. I’d picked up a package of Tipu tree seeds at Butterfly World last month when the boy and I were in Florida on vacation. The seeds germinated pretty quickly! In less than a month there’s one seedling with almost two sets of true leaves. I’m hopeful that this will do well as a container plant that can ultimately be moved into the greenhouse.

Also bought some Biriba tree seeds though those haven’t germinated yet.

The $5 lemon tree seedling that I bought in the airport gift shop is thriving and growing new leaves, too.

And this week I saved some seeds from Key Limes from the supermarket. Would be neat to have a lime tree to keep the lemon tree company.

Did I mention the dwarf tomato plant?

Started this Yellow Canary Hybrid tomato plant from seed about a month ago. Transplanted it today. So cute!

Speaking of tomato seedlings they appear to have taken over the den entirely, right along with the peppers and eggplant.

Yup. It’s spring all right….

What are you growing?

A charming “Biscayne” pattern vintage creamer made by Salem. This company made several really nice patterns and what’s great about them is that aside from the vibrant, rich colors, they have an interesting, mod shape that still looks fresh and hip fifty years later.

Cost: $1.25 at Goodwill

So.

I bought a wedding dress! The very first one I tried on, in fact.

Pies and I walked into the store with a photo of the dress torn from a magazine.

“This is it”, I said to the sales lady. “This is the dress.”

Please let it fit, please, yes, yes!

She disappeared into the back and returned with the gown. It looked even nicer in person than it did in the picture.

It took forever and twenty minutes to get into the dress and that was with assistance from the sales lady.

I finally toddled out of the dressing room.

The fates must have waved their magic wands because what do you know, it fit perfectly! Pies got all teary and gave the thumbs up. A random stranger at the store said “you look beautiful!” and I stared at my reflection in the mirror and probably for the first time in my life had one of those fairy tale princess moments that most members of the hooter-enabled species over the age of five are quite accustomed to. I am vaguely horrified by the emotions I felt, though they were strange and surreal, lovely and fantastic. All that was missing were the cartoon mice from the Cinderella movie shaking their furry booties and smiling.

Anyway. The dress. Yes.

It’s an elegant strapless frock with delicate silver embroidery and a big honking train. A veil with wee swarovski crystals is involved.

And a tiara.

Yes, that’s right, a glittery, fancy pants tiara!

I am seriously considering wearing Wonderwoman underoos beneath the getup to complete the look.

No?

So.

The venue and photographer have been chosen, the bridesmaids appointed.

The sparkly ring on my paw attests to the fact that my gentleman caller has agreed to love me more than sunshine puppies, fuzzy rainbows, pink unicorns and Chihuahuas with bows skipping through the forest.

We have a hut. His Mother bought us lovely new blinds. His brother is fixing up the bathroom. There are hardwood floors and nice cabinets. Best of all, it has a wee greenhouse! It gets oodles of light and bonus, it’s heated. Homegrown produce year round? Oh boy, superior!

In the last few weeks I’ve planted four trays of tomato and pepper seedlings. Yesterday I bought them 4 foot grow lights.

Wedding presents are starting to arrive. So far they include but are not limited to everyday dishes, silverware and an ice cream maker.

Best of all my Momma gave us a Kitchen Aid Mixer (swoon!) and thus my dream of everlasting domestic bliss is nearly complete…