I get asked a lot of questions about decorating with live evergreens, how I keep them fresh, etc., so I thought I would share all of the details in a post. In previous years, I have just used the put-it-in-place-and-don’t-touch-it-method.  With most greenery, that works pretty well.  Really, just put it where you want and leave it alone.  It will dry out and be a crispy mess when you take it down after Christmas, but it will look nice (in most cases) through the holidays. Okay, I guess I did do a little more than that… Make sure to buy greenery that feels hydrated.  (Or clip from bushes/trees that are healthy and well-watered.)  This will extend their life. Store them in a cool place until you’re ready to use them.  I’ve lived in a cool climate, so I would just leave them out on my deck. Give the clippings some

Last year, I forced paperwhite bulbs for the first time and I loved watching them grow. It was a lot like the gingerbread houses…it was something I wanted to do for a long time and finally made it happen.  Here are a few things I learned about forcing paperwhites…. So, I decided to do it again this year.  I purchased the , but I also saw them at Home Depot. There are several methods for forcing the bulbs, but this is the one I used… Forcing Paperwhites | ONE Fill the bottom a shallow bowl with small rocks.   Forcing Paperwhites | TWO Nestle bulbs into the rocks and fill bowl with enough water, so it just touches the bottom of the bulbs.  Don’t put too much water in or it could rot the bulbs.   Forcing Paperwhites | THREE Tuck moss in around the bulbs and spray the moss

I am always drawn to things that are European, specifically if they are German or Scandinavian.  I am sure that is heavily influenced by my childhood years spent in Germany.  I still remember the wonder I felt when we took field trips to the Christkindlmarkt and that has always stuck with me. So, over the years, I have found my Christmas decor going more in that direction.  Fresh greenery, handmade gingerbread decorations, white candles clipped to the tree, advent wreaths, etc.  I know those aren’t specific to Germany or Europe, but that’s where I first experienced them. When I first saw the back staircase in our new house, I immediately pictured a small Christmas tree in front of it.  I was planning on selecting a small live table-top tree, but I came across an artificial one at Target that had just the look I wanted… is the 35″ tree I