Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Happiness Secret, Oriental Lilies


Star Gazer Lily Close Up
Originally uploaded by photoartist3

What is your secret to finding happiness for a few moments?
Please share it here.
One of mine is to visit a local plant store, and buy a few seeds or bulbs. Seeds and bulbs are so full of HOPE for the near future. They promise a lot.
Today I bought a pack of 3 Star Gazer Lily bulbs and planted them in a big blue ceramic pot.
In zones 8-10 Oriental hybrid lilies like Star Gazer lilies can be planted January to March. Star Gazers are 40 inches tall, thrive in part to full sun, have huge sensational bright rose flowers, and are scented.
Is this not a package that has everything?
Let me know your secret tip for finding some moments of joy in this month of January which is rather dark in the Northern Hemisphere.
Cheers to my friends in India and Australia too!

32 comments:

Jen (emsun.org) said...

My secrets to happiness -

Do something kind for someone else.
Look at my houseplants and smile.
Give a hug to one of my kids and receive it back twofold.
Chop fresh herbs.
Cook a delicious meal for my family and friends.
Remember all these things that I've done dozens and hundreds of times and smile.

Blessed Serendipity said...

Those blooms are gorgeous! Yes they make me smile too.

hugs,
Danielle

Joyful Noise for a Joyful Life said...

We are blessed to live with a neighborhood park right behind our home. I love listening to all the happy sounds that come in my windows. Soccer practice, ultimate frisbee, or just a family enjoying the day provide a sweet entertainment that I can't enjoy anywhere else.

Unknown said...

Waking up!
Have a great day~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

PS Anxious to see how the lilies come along.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

OK, this is probably really crazy, but I save all of the "Americas Funniest Home Video's" TV show, and if I am really down It makes me laugh and makes me happy

Carol

the wild magnolia said...

I love lilies.

highheeledlife said...

Gorgeous blooms... awww a warm cup of tea or sipping chocolate on cold wintry afternoon peaceful, bliss... can't wait for spring in our area... xo HHL

farmlady said...

Starting bulbs in Winter is a way of saying that life is good and something wonderful will happen.
I also like to practice "lovingkindness" as much as possible. This is just thinking to myself, "How can I make this situation better." Then trying to do something that will.
Flowers bulbs and kindness. They spread a lot of goodness that comes back later.

Anonymous said...

Those bulbs will be very pretty in the blue pot! They smell good too, as I remember.

I love watching and listening to the birds, especially in early a.m.

Teresa said...

So many things (sounds, smells etc) and moments (dawn, that hour when the house goes to sleep and I sit alone in the couch with no tv or radio - just me and the silence) and people (family, friends, the unexpected visit and comment in my blog) hold that Secret - give instant happiness.

And you're right, one can feel the same when in contact with the Earth and I seem to relax - a lot - when I'm puttering around my garden.

I'm like a small girl in a candy store when I visit a garden center - I want all those flowers, plants, trees in my garden. I enjoy the proccess of planting and then living with them.

If for no other reason Nature taught me to be patient and when we overcome some characteristic we like less, this brings happiness and fullfilement into our hearts.

Anonymous said...

My Secret is this for January Doldrums.... As I collect books all I have to do is putter with my book shelves. I love to dust the books & especially "remember" my childhood when I peruse the childrens books I have collected.
....also.... a shopping trip to a couple of craft stores help!! LOL!!
Have a Great Day!
Marilyn

Tanna said...

Sitting wrapped up in a blanket with the sun shining on me (NO WIND) on a cool day!! ;) blessings ~ Tanna

Stacie said...

I also LOVE Stargazers. I can't wait for them to open in my front garden. The scent instantly takes my back to summer days at my Great Aunt Emily's. She had a slew of them all around her house.

I love bookstores and can spend an entire day perusing the shelves. As soon as I walk in to one, I feel a calm drape over me.

happyone said...

I get outside each morning and walk. That makes for happiness for the rest of the day. I see the sunrise over a lake, wildlife, other people walking. I get to walk around the lake or along paths through woods and neighborhoods. It never fails to make me happy. : )

Red Rose Alley said...

This lily flower is so pretty. I decided to buy myself more flowers this year, so I just bought myself some colorful carnations. Flowers always make me happy and spending time with my loved ones. Have a nice weekend.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Lady Jane said...

Getting kisses from my family. Digging in the dirt planting a new flower or bush. Sitting in the sun reading a book. Looking at a sunset, the ocean the stars. Just too many to count. Hugs. LJ

Patty said...

A few minutes alone is always a nice bit of happiness. Being able to read several chapters without someone in the family interrupting wanting something. To me the best happiness, is being able to do something I really enjoy all day and not having to worry about a schedule, getting someone someplace on time, or picking them up, having meals ready at a certain time and cleaning up afterwards. Just one day that I could spend alone, doing what I want. I guess after five children and 57 years of marriage, that isn't asking too much. LOL

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I like to write in my journal when I have a few minutes to relax. I write some every day and it makes me happy! ♥

Sunny Simple Life said...

Oh I head out to the garden. It is my happy place and work out there just never seems like work but instead such a pleasure. Those lilies will look spectacular against a blue pot.

June said...

Ooo I love stargazers so much Terra.
My January secret to happiness would have to be rearranging almost every room in my house and do the deep cleaning while I am at it. It just makes me feel good. Another thing I do to keep my spirits up by doing some garden planning too.
hugs from here...

Neesie said...

I thought it only polite to pop by and visit after you came to visit me this morning. Thanks again for stopping by...

I adore plants, blooms and nature as a whole...often to the extent that I hyperventilate!
Never mind handbags and shoe shopping, give me a beautiful garden centre, nursery or a blooming garden anyday :D

I'm away to read more of your posts...have a good day (sorry I'm already into Wednesday here in the land of Oz).

Joanne said...

I love to get lost for a bit in my painting. and a good book store. Bliss! Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. It made my day!
Blessings, Joanne

Ginny Hartzler said...

I have taken pictures of and posted the Stargazers, they are spectacular and beautiful!! Yes, it gets dark here way too early!! I like to go out when the sun is out, and look around for photos to take.

koralee said...

Oh how pretty! Happy February my friend....xoxox

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Hi Terra! That pot will be so beautiful!
I worked in the garden yesterday. It was wet and cold, but I felt very good after finishing some garden cleaning!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

My favorite part of each and every day is coming home, putting on pajamas and just being. Every day is a rush to get out the door to school so the quiet time is much needed. Our weather is pretty yucky right now but I have some seeds from a friend in Colorado for coneflowers that I should see about planting very soon. I've not planted from seed before so will be new for me. Wishing you all the best, and thanks for stopping by my corner of the world. Tammy

GRACE PETERSON said...

I love oriental lilies. They are so blissfully fragrant. It's the simple things that bring the most delight. Great post!

Thank you for visiting my blog. It seems Indie can be ascribed to a lot of independent endeavors. :) Have a great weekend.

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, I love Star lillies-they are so fragrant! I love going on adventures; a drive on back roads to a new area always makes me smile. I do try to find contentment and happiness in the daily living; especially time spent with dogs.
Have a great weekend.
Noreen

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Now it that don't brighten up this otherwise dull winters day!!!

I love to garden in the summertime. It soothes my soul but I really can't get started 'till the middle of May.

I adore lockin' myself in the bathroom with a lit candle and a little Kenny G to dive into my Jacuzzi tub for myself and only me!

God bless ya and have a beautiful weekend sweetie!!! :o)

All About People said...

Little reminders of the rich blessings of life are usually sufficient for me. It snowed overnight here in the UK. It is crisp and cold outside; so taking the dog out for a walk is a treat because:
1.) he lives in the present moment and just watching his relish for life makes me feel thankful and
2.) The scene outside is seriously beautiful.

Being alive and having the health to experience every day's 'adventures' serves as reminders to me of the rich blessings there are to be had!

George Savva

I Wonder Wye said...

I am grateful for each day. Reading in bed. Watching and interacting with the kitties. Puttering around the house. Caring for the plants. Walking outside. Watching classic movies. Cooking. Laughing...LIFE...

Annesphamily said...

I like reading a good book! I like to help patients where I work get their referrals and sch in order for their visits. The health care system is so tragic here in the USA. I like helping the elderly in particular!
I take care of the plants at the office where I work! Otherwise they would be dead and drooping on the floor! We have some huge plants!