Winter in Small Doses

The sun is out today, after days of dreary, cold weather. I am glad, as I can only take the gloom for so long before I start getting grumpy. I like winter in small doses. When I look at the overall landscape here, there is not much about it that appeals to me. There is no beautiful snow, just grays and browns for the eye to see, with some evergreens that provide relief. 

Nevertheless, when I look closely there is plenty out in the garden that is interesting to me:

There are still leaves that cling:Acer palmatum 'Orangeola'

Clockwise from top: Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'; Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium'; Cornus florida

And leaves that are evergreen:Clockwise from top left: Acuba japonica 'Variegata'; Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Variegatus'; Epimedium; Autumn fern with spores.

Here are some pot shots:

A frog on a log:

And wood that rots:

A stone stairway and a rabbit:

Nutshells:

Bright red berries:Clockwise from left: Yaupon holly(Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula'); Nandina domestica; Acuba japonica.

Dueling twigs:

And chimes that sound merry:

May you take time in this busy season to appreciate the little blessings that are so easy to overlook.  Deb

Winter Begins

I always think of December 1 as the first day of winter, although the official start date is not until December 21. Today is a fitting beginning to the season. It is not particularly cold, but the mood feels somber, with all but a few of the colorful autumn leaves gone. The sky is low, filled with dreary clouds. Yesterday was a big football day. I was rooting for three teams: Alabama, Georgia Tech, and Michigan. They all lost, in the last moment of the game. Sigh. 

This what the garden looked like only 10 days ago:

And this is today:

It is time to draw inward, to the warmth and coziness of family and hearth. And Christmas is coming! It is time to bring out the old Christmas decorations, some fancy crystal and china and glass ones, others made from wood, cotton, and silk. The most precious are the sweet paper ornaments with smiling pre-school children's faces glued to the middle, carefully preserved through the years. It is time to bring out the nativity that will take its important place upon the mantel, the carousel with its glittering horses, and the snowman cookie jar. 

Outside may be gloomy, but a glow shines from within the home. May the most important things in life fill your heart with gladness....Deb