Frosty

We don't have much snow left, which is unusual for us this time of year. But with some slightly-above-freezing temps we managed a thick fog last night that left everything covered in hoar frost. In fact, the trees were still frosted this afternoon because the sun never burned the fog off.

I took these pictures after dropping my daughter off at school, and coming home again before heading off to work myself.

This is the street where one end of our driveway exits (we live on a corner lot):

And this was the street as I was driving back home, with our driveway on the left.

Before I went into the house, I wandered around near the driveway with my iPhone camera. I love the way the frost outlines the squiggly, dried up leaves on last summer's brown-eyed Susan.

This is a picture of the heather. It's been covered in snow until this recent thaw, but it always comes out looking exactly as it went in. It's a hardy little bugger. An old stalk is sticking up and coated in crystals.

This frosted grass is backed by the pebbles of an old cement foundation on our property. The pebbles themselves look pretty cool.

Pretty In White

I've given in, and taken some pictures of the winter garden. We got another 6 inches yesterday, and it's still pristine. Well, it was. Now my footprints are everywhere :-)

Two views from afar:

And some close-ups:

I should really try to learn more about my camera settings so my snow pictures don't come out so gray.

Winter Now

We finally got snow, and I'm not at all motivated to take any photos. Of course, the temps in the teens are part of the reason :-)

Late December Blooms

No snow yet, but the only thing blooming around here is inside.  My Christmas Cactus has been blooming since Thanksgiving, and is looking very pretty now.

December blooms

I was filling the bird feeders yesterday, and came across my flowering quince, which apparently thinks it's spring.

The heather is heading into summer, I think --blooming more than before! 

We woke up this morning to a light dusting of snow, and temps in the low 20's. Maybe that will send these two plants into dormancy!

November 15th GBBD

Emma officially turned 11 years old today. I think it was a bit anti-climatic, since her party was Saturday and she got her gift from us on Sunday (an iPod Touch). So, about nine more years, and I'm free, huh?  :-)

I did get the final bulbs in today. We've actually had awfully nice weather for mid-November, but I expect winter will kick in any day.

The only blossoms I have in my garden right now are this heather plant. I have four heather plants, and three of them bloomed this spring. I'm pretty sure this was one that bloomed already, so I guess it's just enjoying the rather warm fall weather.

The annuals have all succumbed to the frost, and the garden is ready for winter and the seeds of the perennials are just waiting for the black-eyed juncos and chickadees.

Bulbs

Well, I've been planting bulbs. In addition to the heirloom bulbs, I've planted most of these:

The only ones I haven't gotten in the ground are the large allium christophii. The weather is getting colder and wetter, and my next two weekends are booked and busy. I sure hope I can find a decent day to dig a hole and throw them in it. Honestly, I'm not even sure where I want to put them. Life is too busy this year.