Thursday, December 7, 2017

Three on Thursday

Joining Kat and Carole for Three on Thursday.

Aside from a few poinsettias, I haven't decorated much (yet), but I have been noticing decorations in my travels. So today,
Three Interesting Christmas Decorations.



Remember these trees at the tree farm next to my mother-in-law? I was at my mil's earlier this week, and decided to walk over for a closer look. I talked to Harry (he runs the tree farm) and he told me the trees are sprayed with a latex colorant. He further explained that Christmas trees have been sprayed green by tree farmers for many years (Harry called this green spraying "just a touch-up".) This is usually done to treat chlorosis, a natural yellowing of the needles caused by shorter day length, because it makes the trees look healthier and easier to sell (I had no idea, and feel a bit deceived and disturbed. We've always gotten a real tree, but real trees may not be completely real. Hmm ... ) A few years ago, someone got the bright idea that if they were spraying the trees green, then other colors would be good, too. Harry said this type of spraying is labor-intensive because each tree needs to be manually sprayed for even coverage, and it can only be done when the temperatures are above 40 degrees. He thought they were eye-catching, but has only sold two painted trees so far. Interesting, but not for me. 



While I was at Lowe's looking for poinsettias that were not artificially colored or sprayed with glitter, I came upon this "handmade" amaryllis with no need to water. Curious? Here's what it looks like.


It seems like the bulbs are dipped in some sort of rubbery wax, and then a circular spiked base is stuck into the bulb so it will stand on its own. This one is budded and getting ready to bloom, so I guess these "handmade" amaryllis do work. Interesting, but still not for me.


Lastly, someone has given Disgruntled Shopper a hat. She doesn't look any less disgruntled but she does look slightly more festive. Interesting, and this one I like.

Head on over here to read more Three on Thursday posts.

18 comments:

  1. That blue tree . . . just sort of stopped me in my tracks here in blogland. I've not seen a "real" blue tree yet . . . (but I did know the tree farmers spray trees green, sadly). Our grocery store floral department has bright blue poinsettia plants (covered, of course, with glitter). They don't seem to be a hot-seller, so there they are . . . taunting me with their blue-ness . . . each time I shop. But I do love the disgruntled shopper's festive hat! Anyone sporting a Santa hat just looks happier, y'know? (Even if they're disgruntled.) XO

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  2. Apparently, painted trees are the new thing this year - I saw one that was Pepto-Bismol pink, and ... no. A few years back, my husband bought some paperwhites to start at Christmastime, and they were just gorgeous! We love amaryllis and such, but they never last beyond the first bloom, even when we follow the directions for them.

    Disgruntled Shopper is my fave - her Santa hat just cracks me up!

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  3. I am unhappy to hear that green trees are sprayed! And here I thought that I was using my smarts when picking out a tree, but all along, the tree farmers were zooming me! I am not drawn to anything that is not a natural color. I think nature does it best most of the time. I hope you got all your Comcast and Amazon troubles resolved yesterday. Happy Thursday, Bonny.

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    1. I'm with you, Becky; I don't think nature can be improved upon most of the time. We're debating if we even need or want a big tree this year, but if we do get one I'm going to be looking for green paint. And definitely no blue or pink trees for me!

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  4. I'll bet the two trees were sold to folks under 30! And the disgruntled shopper looks to be saying ok...I'm festive...what about it? :-)

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  5. Love the disgruntled shopper! Maybe someone should add a package or two to her shopping bag??

    The spraying of trees is just wrong! I don't think they spray the ones that are still growing...that you would go chop down in the woods...and their needles aren't yellow, so what the heck?

    I really love paper whites, but they are too strongly scented for me. I'm thinking a nice amaryllis this year will be great.

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  6. I would totally buy that blue tree. It's my favorite color and I can see it all decorated in bright lights and ornaments. I'll call it a Hanukkah bush!! Smith likes it, too! The thoughts of a poinsettia covered in glitter is disheartening! I love Disgruntled Shopper. She's my hero as she shows her attitude instead of a fake smile.

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  7. That amaryllis is weird! I don't get the glitter on poinsettias, nor why they need to be any color other than red, pink, or white (i.e., natural). I could be persuaded on the blue tree, in the way that I don't mind an aluminum tree, but then is it really "real"? I'm not feeling quite "bah humbug," but I can definitely relate to Disgruntled Shopper this morning. Apparently. :|

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  8. We go past a garden center in Warwick (PA) that has these sprayed trees. While it was funny to see, I prefer the more natural green color (even if it IS sprayed). LOL

    Love Disgruntled Shopper. She is fabulous! (Where is she?)

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  9. Blue trees? That's just silly! And, waxed amaryllis? What will they think of next! And, I think the hat is a great addition to that vexed shopper!

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  10. I think the Disgruntled Shopper is upset over the tree being sprayed blue.

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  11. At first I was shrugging at the blue trees--but we had a silver tinsel tree for our playroom when I was a little kid.

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  12. blue trees are just not right in my mind. The disgruntled shopper is cute - and I feel like her on my inside sometimes.

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  13. I wish they could give disgruntled shopper a smile. maybe if they could take away some of her packages? and thank you for sharing the story behind the colored trees. I'm surprised he's sold two - I just cannot imagine bringing a tree into my home that was anything other than green!

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  14. The blue tree is cool but I wouldn't want one. Amaryllis is weird but at least it doesn't flop over. I think disgruntled shopper looks even more disgruntled with the hat!

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  15. The blue tree is a little too Charlie Brown tree lot for my taste, but I do appreciate the Disgruntled Shopper's festive garb!

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    1. I've made fun of Disgruntled Shopper's expression and unhappy attitude before, but I don't think any one can look too bad in a Santa hat!

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