'Tis the Season

One of the benefits of getting older is how quickly time seems to fly by. Here it is, the week of Christmas, 2015 already! This means January is right round the corner and spring is in the not too distant future. Anyone who knows me is aware that in my world, July is the most wonderful time of the year, not December. But, because I understand and continue my efforts to embrace the live-in-the-moment concept, here are a few December moments in my garden. 

Melianthus major, typically with a glaucus-blue look is totally green next to Eucalyptus nicholli.
Go figure.

And speaking of green, the moss growing on this leaky birdbath looks painted on but it's for real.

And speaking of "painted on" um, yeah. Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web.'

This creeping Rosemary plant was an impulse-purchase last summer.
And skirted with the little yellow Sedum, in a vintage chicken feeder, it works! 

Lookie, a little blue blosssom!

Check out the color variability on this Hypericum androsaemum 'Glacier' 

This is the "After" photo, revealing the Semps after being liberated from a mushy
blanket of Star Magnolia foliage.

And here is the "Before" photo of this trough-ful of Sedums and Semps
waiting to breathe again.

In winter, it's the small things.

Sedum makinoi 'Ogon' looks fantastic (so far) this winter.

My hope is that growing Ice Plant (Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Rose Quartz')
in a container will improve its chances of surviving our wet winters.

Here is a wheel barrow full of succulents. The black thing in the center is an old shoe
one of my daughters found for me.

This succulent container gets to live under the patio roof.

I love how Bergenia leaves blush in response to the chill in the air.
(A lot like us, right?)

For reasons that elude me, Golden Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium aureum)
pops up all over my garden. Very odd since I don't remember ever planting it.

Lamium peeking out from under the mess.

Parahebe perfoliata foliage always makes me smile.

Cyclamen hederifolium

And more Cyclamen

The first blossoms on my Wintersweet (Chimonathus praecox) are popping open.
Ooh the fragrance!
Unfortunately all my attempts at capturing it came out blurry so...

Here is a photo of last year's flowers to give you an idea of what's in store.

On Saturday, between episodes of pelting rain, I was able to get my patio pond cleaned out. Here is a glimpse at one of the Japanese Maple leaf piles waiting for a trip to the compost.

Zip the cat navigates his way around the mess

Now, when I look out the dining room, I see this. So much better. 

Scenes like this help me endure the dreariness of winter.

Finally, in the spirit of the season, I have two photos, taken when my daughter Beth and I

entered a thrift store a few days ago. 

For years, I've had a fascination with vintage pedal cars. When I saw this

reproduction, I had to get a photo.

Seconds later, this toddler ran over to it and knew exactly what to do.

His excitement for this shiny toy was so delightful to watch.

When I showed this photo to my daughters they told me that because I didn't get permission from the parents
to publish it, I needed to obscure the child's face or risk going to jail
for a minimum of twenty years to life.
What killjoys! 

Wishing you a safe, warm and joyful holiday.

Love to you all!