Caring for my geraniums

The geraniums were taking inside before the first frost arrived and after all your sweet comments on my previous Geranium post, including tips and tricks on how to overwinter this plant in a successful way, I am now preparing them all for their winter sleep. It is getting colder by the day and every morning I am wishing for a white landscape, but so far no snow... Maybe this upcoming week?

I decided to pinch all the flowers and browned leaves off, tidy up the plants a bit by nipping off branches coming from close to the root of the plants. I don't want to cut them down really, because I want them to grow tall and beautiful, so I will experiment and keep them the way they are.

I picked some cuttings too off the plants, and put them all in small water jars to develop a root system. Here is a great You Tube video showing you how to take cuttings from your plant. They say you can plant the cuttings directly into soil but I prefer doing it this way,  I can remember my Mama doing it this way... And I kind of like the look of all those different glass jars with cuttings in.

I will store my plants in the back hallway, under the stair case in the dark. It is probably about 10-15C˙/50-59 F˙ degrees out there in winter so I thought it will be a good temperature. Come February, I will take them out and place them on my window sills in the house. If I'm lucky I will have some pretty flowers blooming by Easter 2015.

Cross fingers I am doing it correctly this time. That would make me so proud to actually succeed in over wintering my geraniums. Great Grandma points right there. :)

Kärlek
Annette

Christmas Gift Fair in Lausanne

Today my crochet hook is on fire, working hard to finish some Nordic Wrist Warmers, Maybelle Flower Garlands, a Nordic Shawl, crochet brooches and much more. I am packing Tilda Yarn Kits and printing My Rose Valley patterns for sale. I am sewing Christmas buntings and table runners and I hope to make a couple of baby quilts too. I think I am working just as hard as the Santa's workshop for the moment. Only taking breaks for a sip of tea in between.

Because on Monday the 8th of December I will take part of the big Christmas Gift Fair held by the International Womens' Club in Lausanne. Please come and say hi if you can, spread the word to friends and colleagues. I am looking forward to meet you there.

Kärlek
Annette

The Christmas tree tradition

Last night we gathered at the little square outside the local Auberge (a simple Inn/restaurant-hotel, often found in the center of a village) to listen to the school choir sing French Christmas Carols and to dress the big village Christmas tree.

The tradition is that the youngest students from school (from age 4) make Christmas decorations in school which this evening get hung on the big tree to spread joy and Christmas spirit. It is a nice and rather quick event. People show up with their children at 5.30 pm and ten minutes later the singing starts. The tree is lighting up the dark evening and the sweet voices from the children makes it all magical. 

After the singing everyone mingles while having Gluhwein and farmer's bread which is offered for free from the commune outside the library. And a row of Swiss chocolate is served for the kids to their delight.

It is a nice and simple event and another 30 minutes later we returned home for the lasagna waiting for us in the oven. It has taken a few years to settle in and learn the traditions they have here in the Canton Vaud of Switzerland. And this one is one of my favorites.

Kärlek
Annette