Sunny day medicine.

There is a saying that "Laughter is the best medicine" and while I agree completely with it, I also think feeling the warmth of the sun can be great medicine too. I thought it was nice a few days ago not having rain, but today is an absolute perfect fall day. Cold and clear with the bluest skies I've seen in a long time. December outside is starting off in a most beautiful way. Unfortunately inside the house both of my girls had to stay home sick today with the stomach flu. Between getting them drinks, cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry and just general Mom stuff I managed to sneak outside for a short while to soak in some much needed sun while they rested on the couch watching cartoons. As I looked around the backyard I thought everything looked so much better with the sun shining on it, maybe the sun is the best medicine for my garden right now too.

I used to think that this shady backyard area along our deck was the most boring, plain part of our yard. Because it's quite shady and the plants have to compete with Cedar tree roots I've had a hard time finding plants that will grow here. Now on a cold and sunny late fall day I must say it really cheers me up. There is so much just starting to happen here now. The Sarcococca ruscifolia or Sweet Box along the deck are full of flower buds which will open in another month or so with the most fragrant white flowers. The Camellia japonica 'Marie Bracey' on the right is also loaded with buds that will open to pink flowers in a few months.

Not too much further down the path there are Hellebore (H. orientalis) buds quickly popping up from the ground. These are all seedling from plants in my front yard. I've found this type of Hellebore able to grow almost anywhere in the dry shady parts of my yard.

At the end of the path is my new favorite view through the arbor of the pond. The sun was brightening up this whole area in a way it hasn't for many weeks around here.

I love how bright the Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus' still is in this little water filled container by the pond.

Ever since removing our deck railings and changing the stain color this summer the deck is another part of the yard I like so much more. I never had so many planted containers at this time of year as I do now. The small Meyer Lemon tree in the front pot has small flower buds on it now.

Geranium 'Rozanne' surprised me with another flower. The Littlest Gardener had picked most of the flowers left in the backyard over the weekend.

A few remaining apples at the top of the tree. We cracked up laughing as we watched a squirrel with an apple in his mouth climb up the Pine tree.

Whenever I look up at this tree and see the blue skies behind it, it reminds me of going camping. This Ponderosa Pine is a favorite of apple stealing squirrels, woodpeckers, Nuthatches and the Crows.

That little bit of sun was rejuvenating and even though it was cold outside it's amazing how warm the sun feels if you take the time to stand still and spend a couple of minutes soaking it in and enjoy the beauty around you. Since it's too cold for sick kids outside I've got the curtains open and the sun is shining in on them, they seem to be feeling better already.