amaryllis

A member of my book club gave me an amaryllis kit as a Christmas present. And I thought, "how sweet" but truthfully, how much beauty can come from a box?? 

And the answer is - A LOT!!

Flaring scarlet trumpets of color have burst upon my dull January days! I watched the green stalks shoot higher and higher with interest, but dear God I was not prepared for the day when the buds shook off their snug green jackets! What brazen glory!

Now I know a gift that is truly a gift in the bleak mid- winter.