Last weekend we ventured out (after what seemed like an eternity of being sick and house-bound) to visit my friend Angela’s Christmas Barn Sale  (which you may have also heard about here and here).

Knowing Angela, I knew we would be in for a wonderful and magical sale, and she definitely didn’t disappoint. The barn was decked out for Christmas in vintage style, with handmade ornaments, wrapping, decorations, stockings and more. And did I mention all made by Angela herself? One of the most creative and talented people I know! I wish I could have stayed all afternoon browsing, but alas I had my two little monkey’s with me, and we all know how much almost three-year old boys enjoy shopping, right? Anyhow, while Ben amused himself behind the barn with various “farm tools” as he called them, I loaded up on paperwhite bulbs and selected a stocking for little Carys, who didn’t yet have one. (lovely nubbly burlap edged in black linen and embellished with a sparkly vintage button – gorgeous!)

Once back home with Carys napping,  I told Ben that we were going to be farmers and do some planting. Having pots of paperwhites scattered around the house at Christmas is one of my favorite (and simplest) decorations, and its something even a black thumb like me can do! If you’ve never tried it before, let me (and my helper Ben) give you the rundown.

Step 1. Purchase paperwhite bulbs from your local nursery (or from your friend Angela!). Plan on about three for a small bowl, or more for a large hurricane.

 Step 2. Select some favorite pots/bowls for your paperwhites. We used a few footed glass hurricane vases (these are great because they keep the stems supported when they grow tall), a favorite vintage silver bowl, and a large white porcelain shell bowl.

Step 3. Fill each vessel with a couple inches of gravel or decorative rocks. While Ben asked repeatedly ”what you doing mama?” from the back porch, I pilfered some gravel from the side of our house, but you can purchase it at any garden centre

Step 4. Nestle bulbs into the gravel or pebbles, just deep enough to keep them in place, leaving space between the bulbs. That’s farmer Ben planting bulbs in my shell bowl below.

Step 5. Pour water into each vessel, just enough to touch the bottom of the bulbs. Remember to check the water level every few days to ensure the bulbs can still drink. This is the part I usually forget, but luckily my assistant daily has been asking if the flowers need another drink of water

Step 6. Wake up each morning, run downstairs, and exclaim at the inches of lovely green growth that sprouts continually.

Here’s a few pictures of our paperwhites after a week…can’t wait until the blooms come!

I told Ben to pretend to smell them so I could take a picture, but he thought he should pretend to eat them instead! Ah well!