Enjoy winter color indoors and...

I never get tired of watching birds out my kitchen window. At times, there's a large flutter of blue jays, yet other times, I catch a glimpse of red from Mr. Cardinal. Equally as pretty is Mrs. Cardinal perched on the edge of the bird bath. If you like watching birds you need to feed and water them just like any pet.

Keeping a bird bath open in our Nebraska winters calls for a bird bath heater. In our case, as in probably most, you also will need an outdoor extension cord. The few extra cents a month heating the bird bath is well worth the show.

Watching birds isn't my only winter garden activity. I'm counting days until I repot and bring amaryllis bulbs into the house. They, too, add color to what can be a gray winter.

Also on my radar is spring garden catalogs. If they haven't started arriving in mailboxes, they will soon. It will be exciting to see what is new in the garden world for 2022.

Earlier, I moved succulents and geraniums into the garage, also asparagus ferns. Our garage is insulated but not heated and, if temperatures don't Zoom too far south, plants usually survive. Unless cold icy winds swoop into the garage when doors are lifted. Wind seems to reach out with icy fingers and strangle my dear plants. That is devastating to not only plants, but also to me as I wait for them to green up in March.

Those same cold winds are outside, but most of our zone five perennials seem to handle temperatures and wind. You never know until spring arrives what Mother Nature has done in the garden through the cold months.

I can't talk too much about spring as we have quite a few months to go.

Until then, we can enjoy colors of our indoor plants, including poinsettias, amaryllis and other forced bulbs, along with African violets. Don't forget to look at those houseplants that don't bloom.

Lucky, oxalis, or shamrock plant, growing at my home has become an easy companion as long as I remember to water it. Joining the indoor plant world is a new-to-me Long Island pine. It's name is Marilyn. I've been told to watch that Marilyn doesn't dry out. I'm excited to have her in the small plant collection that adds interest to the days I'm forced to stay inside and not wandering out in the garden.

Long Island pines don't need winter fertilizer but they do like humidity. Marilyn is small enough to enjoy a Royal spot on the kitchen widow sill where she does get more humidity and is currently adding a bit of Christmas/winter decor to the kitchen.

Here's hoping you are gifted with something as simply and sweet as a Long Island Pine through the holidays. If not, look out your window and just maybe, one of Mother Nature's feathered friends will send you a greeting.

Happy holidays from my kitchen window to your home.