Perfect gardening weather.

Yesterday felt warm in the 40's compared to the 20's we had been in most of the week.  The coldest it got down to one night was 12 degrees!  Sadly the cold weather killed off any last blooms or buds that may have been trying to flower.  So rather than be too disappointed about the state of the garden I convinced my family to come outside while it wasn't raining and help clean up a bit.  I loved every minute of being outside even if it was spent pulling up slimy dead annuals and raking up wet leaves.

 Believe me these Hydrangeas look 100 percent better than they did before the pruning.  Sadly I realize that there is no way the Japanese Maple will be coming back to life.  I pushed against the trunk only to see that the ground all around it moves as if the roots have all rotted.  My husband offered to take it out for me, but I secretly want to do it myself, so I told him we'd wait to do it.  It's not that large of a tree that it would cause damage or injury if it decides to fall over on its own.  Besides knowing me I'll be taking it out before Christmas is here, maybe even before the end of the week.  As I mentioned in previous posts this is our second maple to die here, the clay ground is just too wet here during the winter and spring and the roots just don't have a chance.  The other plants seem to thrive in the soil, so once this tree is out no more trees will go in its place.

I think this garden will be the first place to get worked on in the spring since it's the garden that is right in front the front door. The window that is seen in this picture is where the computer is so I look out at this area often.  I'm already excited to get out there and start digging but for now I'll keep working on the plan.  And lets see how long it takes before I'm showing pictures of the area after I take the tree down.

I know that if I don't get out and work in the garden on days that it's not too cold and not raining that this winter will feel very long.  I enjoy having an excuse to get outside and see what's happening up close and personal. 

Giving thanks.

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."  
  -- Thornton Wilder

The path in November

The path in June

Waking up to the kids telling us to look outside it was snowing on Thanksgiving morning was definitely a reminder of all I have to be thankful for.  A healthy family, great friends, a warm house, food to eat and the surprises nature gives us.  Winter is still a month away and yet we are on our fifth day of snow.  Luckily the weather is warming a bit and the roads should be safe for traveling.  We will be going to my sister's home for dinner where we'll see an uncle and cousins and their families that we don't get to see that often.

I'm also thankful for all the friends I've made through blogging.  I'm thankful for all I've learned both on your blogs or comments or emails that have been left for me.  So many days I've read a blog that had a quote or poem or picture on it that changed my perspective on how I was feeling that day.  Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving today or not I hope you have a great day and find something extra to be thankful for.

Thank you!

Be a faithful friend and you'll have one in return.

It ended up snowing most of yesterday and now we are having an "arctic freeze".  Record breaking weather again here.  It seems to be the year of records.  Our high today will be colder than the record low for this day, and the nights dropping into the teens.  We were fortunate to not also have to deal with the winds that others nearby had and then lost their power.  Traffic in and around Seattle was terrible last night because no matter how much this area tries to prepare for snow, it's the freezing and ice that seems to bring everything to a halt.  Most of this area is very hilly and it seems that no matter where you want to go there is at least one hill to deal with.  I don't mind it if we have nowhere to go and today we're all home since everything has been canceled.
First I embarrassed my oldest daughter by sledding on our street, but I had fun and she finally loosened up.  Then the girls had fun sledding and making snow angels.  The snow was too dry for making snowmen today.  As we walked we saw evidence of all sorts of wildlife including bird tracks and fresh mole hills.
When we returned home I looked out at the pond to discover our neighbor cat sitting on the frozen pond.  I went in to get the camera but he had left, instead I found that one of our new friends was perched on the same trellis that the hummingbird used last year.  The little Anna's hummingbirds that stay here all winter appreciate the fresh sugar water that isn't frozen.
Several times she chased away other hummingbirds while I was out in my bare feet and Crocs taking pictures.  I didn't even notice that it was only 20F while I was getting up close.

She was busy keeping an eye out for other hummingbirds and wasn't bothered by me.

 When the sun hits the dark patch under her chin you can see the beautiful red feathers shimmering, although it's not visible in these pictures.

 After chasing away another hummingbird she replenishes her energy.

 I honestly think her allowing me to get up close is one of the most wonderful things I have ever experienced.  It just does something to me to have the honor of getting this close to nature.

 I tried this one on macro just to see if it made a difference.  That green is gorgeous!

 After returning from another chase she rests on the Daphne 'Summer Ice' which is still blooming.

This corner of the pond is where the cat had been sitting, the warmth of his body melted the ice through.  I also see that I forgot to bring in my Salvia 'Golden Delicious'.  Everything else looks pretty good, just a bit wilty from the cold.

I think around this area if you are faithful about filling your hummingbird feeders and bringing them in so they don't freeze you can make a beautiful friend like I did.  Once I can get out again I plan to buy at least one more feeder so that they can all have something to drink on these especially cold days.