Last week we caught up on our holiday tasks. Cards were mailed – Happy Holidays cards in case they did not make it in time for Christmas. Holiday baking is almost complete, treats for Fiona the greyhound, Christmas nuts and cheese cookies for snacks have been baked and my husband smoked two kinds of pork. A wreath was made and hung on the front door, a Christmas tree found and decorated – the one remaining holiday tradition has now been attended to…the bus.
This is the seventh appearance of the IAVOM holiday shortbread bus. A client of my husband’s brought a tin of shortbread from the UK, we ate every cookie and then it was filled with flowers for the holidays. Again and again.
This years bus details:
Varigated foliage is from ‘Java White’ Copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana); grey “rose” is Graptosedum succulent; red berries are from the evil invasive, Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifilia); small bell shaped flowers are Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetum); red flowers are Nodding Hibiscus (Malvaviscus arboreum).
White spikes are Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea); white banded foliage is from ‘Bossa Nova’ Bromeliad (Neoregelia ‘Bossa Nova’)
Whew! I am ready to relax, have a snack and enjoy some peace on earth and good will towards men. I hope the world finds both.
Happy Holidays to all and thank you to Cathy at http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com for hosting this weekly meme. Follow the link to see more vases.
The Shrub Queen 
Very creative.
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Perfect holiday cheer! That is a cool tin to use this time of year. Pepperberry may be a noxious invasive, but one does have to love that pop of red.
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Thanks, Eliza. The tin is a holiday favorite. I do love the pop of red, don’t tell.
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I love seeing the display you make with the bus. This is exquisite….such tropical delights making it so merry!
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Thank you. I would love some real northern evergreens.
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Very seasonal – lovely
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Thank you.
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Well, at least your invasive berries have majorly contributed to your annual Christmas bus display – it’s such an effective arrangement, highlighting (as usual) those plants that us lot over here cannot grow!
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Every time I see the berries I understand why people like these, unfortunately, I think every berry must grow a new tree!
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Yes, possibly, but it’s the way it suckers that speeds up the invasion…
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There is nothing like finding the perfect Christmas flowers in your backyard in December. It is good to have everything done. Merry Christmas to y’all!
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Indeed. I am still baking! Merry Christmas to y’all!
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It is great to see your bus again this year and to hear about your Christmas traditions. I looked up details of the Brazilian Pepper Tree and found the medicinal and culinary details fascinating. Once on holiday in the Mediterranean I recognised the tree, and admired both the form, foliage and the berries. It make a striking addition to the red bus. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas Amelia.
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I adore that bus, Amelia. It has a Christmas feel too it even though the container makes to reference to the holiday. I’m surprised someone hasn’t sold a ceramic version – you’d have thousands of of copycats.
Good for you in getting all those holiday tasks taken care of! The tree’s up and decorated and I sent several dozen e-cards yesterday – it’s not as personal as hand-written cards but it’s the best I can do.
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Is Brazilian pepper naturalized? It was still being planted in Southern California during the 1980s, but has become unpopular, perhaps because it self sows so much, or because, in some areas, there are so many already. It might still be one of the more common trees in Disneyland, because it survives the abuse of being stripped of most of its foliage, and wrapped in lights.
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It is.. has taken over hundreds of acres. Reviled here. We got rid of all of it four or five years ago and suddenly there are 10 footers back from the dead. Bah.
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Love your holiday bus and its stellar arrangement of tropicals. Such good array of colors and textures. Sit back and enjoy yourself. I hope the world receives your message. Peace to you.
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Thanks Susie.. still baking ☺️
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Oh, I think the bus looks fantastic! Love it.
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Thank you! Happy Holidays!
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Oh I’m most partial to shortbread Amelia and used to travel in a double decker bus regularly when I was young 😀 We rarely see double deckers now. Your bus is a perfect container for such an attractive seasonal display. I wonder if the passengers on the bus know that there is a glorious riot of colour just above their heads 😂
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Thank you, Anna. I love shortbread, too and think the passengers are probably enjoying some as they ride.
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Your shortbread bus is really the most fabulous thing ever. Just seeing that first photo feels like you’ve given me a gift – Thank You!
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What a great compliment, thank you, Chris.
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Lovely to see your bus again Amelia. 😃 Happy Christmas to you and your husband – and Fiona of course! 🎄
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Thanks Cathy… Happy Christmas to you.
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You certainly have had your days filled but if your home looks anything like your arrangement is, it has to be quite lovely. Merry Christmas.
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