A Dickens of A Christmas - Season 8 Premiere #814
It’s a “Dickens of a Christmas” Special in Season 8… themed around my favorite “Christmas Carol” memories- Watch NOW!
J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom Season 8 - Episode 814- A Dickens of a Christmas - Watch Here NOW!
A Dickens of a Christmas
It’s a Dickens of a Christmas special, with inspired ideas for flowers and entertaining that will carry you through the past, present, and future of the holiday season. - Watch this Episode NOW here!
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.”― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
A couple of years ago I was in London town in early December. As a fan of “A Christmas Carol,” a classic and truly inspired work by Charles Dickens, I was compelled to visit the Charles Dickens Museum. It was fascinating to learn more about the author and the times in which the tale was composed. Highly recommended.
While I have seen many – although perhaps not all – film versions of this tale of Christmas, several times and some with annual appointments, I had never read the book upon which they are based. I purchased a copy at the museum and read it through, on the plane ride home from London. It was a surprisingly cozy experience, that nicely enhanced the mystical and profound aspects of Mr. Dickens’ written words. Another highly recommended investment.
As an enthusiast of the story, I have also enjoyed the biographical movie “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” with Christopher Plummer as Scrooge and Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens as Charles Dickens himself. Well worth a watch, in my humble opinion, and it’s been added to my list of annual traditions to enjoy.
Which brings us to here and now, and an unapologetic inspiration for the theme of this humble Christmas episode of Life in Bloom. There are many aspects of A Christmas Carol, first published on December 19, 1843, that speak to me - its historical context, its universal appeal, its mystical properties, and it unwavering message of the potential for change and a positive outcome. I hope you enjoy our offering and the holiday season.
“He was consious of a thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares, long, long, forgotten.” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
I love making cloved oranges- and I love the tip I share for making it easy on your thumbs- Watch this Show Here NOW!
Christmas Past - Clove Orange Craft
The smells of the holiday season enhance and evoke memories with amazing acuity. Here’s a fragrant project that many of you have enjoyed in a Christmas Past - a cloved orange. I have shared photos and they always seem to bring on the memories - and reports of the results. I’ll show you how to make one and I’ll show you how it can be included in a flower arrangement as well.
Today I’ll share this time honored craft so you can do it yourself- for your holidays to come!
This is a Christmas Recipe - that makes Christmas special and brings back Memories of my Wonderful Aunt Alyce- Here’s a link to the Recipe in my Blog!
Aunt Alyce’s Christmas Sugar Cookies #RecipeinBloom
Treats of all sorts are inherent in Christmas for most - and many are traditional recipes passed down over generations. I am no exception – My Aunt Alyce, Carnation Joe’s middle daughter, made these cookies every year - not only for family but also for customers at Greens Greenhouse, our family flower shop. Special thanks to my cousin Sue for locating and sharing this edible memory – a classic type of sugar cookie!
“Come in, -- come in! and know me better, man! I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. Look upon me! You have never seen the like of me before!” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
I love a Flower Crown- and what would Christmas Present be without a HOLLY BERRY Christmas Crown- Watch Now!
Christmas Present - A Christmas Flower Crown
Don’t you LOVE the ghost of Christmas Present? As a flower person, my antenna is always positioned to notice flower references in anything and everything. Which, of course, includes A Christmas Carol. I was always intrigued to see the ghost of Christmas Present with a crown of Holly in the book and in so many treatments. Holly is a classic Christmas green and I love to include it in Christmas flowers. I’m also intrigued by a rather dark reference in the book as follows:
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with a 'Merry Christmas' on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
So dramatic and unkind, but “a stake of Holly” is such a wonderful turn of the phrase! Anyway let’s get back to the jolly and fun, ghost, Christmas Present! A Christmas flower crown will be great fun at any gathering…
Glühwein is a Christmas Tradition in our House- and I love to make it … it’s simple and the Recipe is at this link in my Blog!
Glühwein with Cloved Orange #FlowerCocktailHour
The joy of the feast is such an appealing part of the ghost of Christmas Present, I am inspired to share a recipe for Hot Glühwein. Glühwein is simply wine that is mulled with spices and served hot. While its origins date back to Roman times, it gained prominence in Germany, particularly at Christmas markets, from the 15th century onwards. It is found at Christmas markets throughout Europe and many in the U.S. as well. Red wine is often the the base, however I really enjoy this white wine version. And you can also make use of the cloved Orange!”
Here’s a Link to this Classic Holiday Beverage Recipe- that’s perfect for #FlowerCocktailHour!
Peppermint Carnations are the Perfect Featured Flower to create a “Dickens of a Christmas”… Watch this show NOW Here!
Featured Flower: Peppermint Carnation
Today I show off the Peppermint Carnation and speak to how it is a favorite at Christmas - I don’t remember a Christmas without Peppermint (and Red) Carnation that were arranged with classic evergreen- it’s a Christmas Tradition- that I keep alive to this day!
“Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,’ said Scrooge. ‘But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change.’” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
I wrap up this whole Christmas Carol- with an Incredible FLOWER Filled Christmas Tree… Watch this Christmas Show NOW!
Christmas Future - A Flower ChristmasTree
The Ghost of Christmas Future is perhaps the spirit that evokes fear - although Marley’s visit at the beginning of the story is also a bit of a fright - especially when watching adaptations as a child. Spooky Christmas, as it were, may have originated with Mr. Dickens over 180 years ago. As Scrooge’s possible future finally comes into focus for him at the story’s apex, do we start to think about our own relationship with our fellow man?
Here’s the thing, the story highlights that it’s never too late to change. It’s easy to relate to - who hasn’t need a fresh start at some point - even if it’s just trying something one more time. Maybe your celebrations have not succeeded as you would hope. However you may still re-focus and make your next celebration, the best one ever. And perhaps, do whatever you can for another - even a kind compliment to a stranger can make all the difference in the world.
So, let’s lighten the mood with a fun and festive decoration for the Christmas season…
“and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Let’s Celebrate Christmas together- with a Charles Dickens Adaptation and Theme… Watch a Dickens of a Christmas NOW!
Thank you for indulging my fascination with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. One of the beautiful things about Christmas it that it can be a time of reflection, recalling comforting moments with those no longer with us, nesting in traditions, or creating new traditions to enjoy year after year. For Life in Bloom, I’m J Schwanke.” Watch this Season 8 Christmas Show NOW!