Days of unseasonal frost have left my garden looking desolate. I raced past the dying tomato plant on my way to dump kitchen scraps. I upended them into the compost bin, then raced back inside for warmth.
Tomatoes last stand
Still no rain in sight, other than one brief storm last month. The days are cold and dry.
The leaves have been off the Pistache since mid-November, but the maple is just now turning color. It’s nice that they set color at different times. It gives us a chance to enjoy each one.
View from my living room window
Japanese Maple
Somewhat comically, I won’t need to refrigerate my bulbs this year. Generally speaking, California isn’t cold enough so we have to tease the bulbs with a six-week chill. They’re getting plenty of cold in the garage and should be ready to go soon. I’m not ready, but they are.
The hyacinth bulbs are popping up, happy with the autumn chill. When they finally bloom, the smell is potent and intoxicating. I can’t wait. It evokes a happy childhood memory, so I look forward to breathing that in each year.
hyacinth
I’m off to the craft store to buy some ribbon for the finishing touches on a gift. One last seasonal trip to the post office tomorrow.
What’s happening in your corner of the world? I’m behind on my reading, but look forward to catching up with all your lovely comments, and blogs, soon.
Gardening Nirvana 
Well, I have yet to listen to one bit of Christmas music, not baked one goodie, not shopped at all … this is not a scrooge thing, believe me! I am hosting an annual cocktail party (women, donating anonymously to local charities while eating and drinking) this Sunday, and since it was rescheduled due to ice, I am way behind. I do hope to go to a Messiah singalong next Tuesday and plan to bake soon!
Guess I better get it in gear!! 🙂
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Hi Laurie! I’m so glad to hear your are feeling better, and well enough to host your friends. I love the idea of a charitable cocktail party. Nicely done. I hope to hear more about it after Sunday.
Enjoy all your baking and decorating. If you are a fan of Pandora, you can tune into the Christmas station at your computer, an easy way to get in a few tunes will you work.
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I love the scent of Hyacinth and have forced them a few times. I favour the pink and white and light lavender together….yum! I should look for some at the market.
I’m sorry your weather is so un-seasonal, makes me wonder why it seems weird everywhere. As Laurie mentioned above, I’m very behind too. This car thing really threw a wrench into the activities. I still need to shop. I just got the tree decorated and I’m sure it’s the latest ever. I just woke up from a nap. I think I fell asleep at 7pm, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. It’s these short days, it’s dark until 8:30 am and then dark again at 4:30 pm, my body just feels sleepy I guess. Coming to the solstice and it’ll soon turn around 😀 Not a moment too too soon.
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I should force a few indoors as well. I haven’t done that in years. The whole house smells wonderful when they’re in bloom. There is nothing like it.
Our fall weather is crazy. Days of unseasonable warm temps, followed by seven days of frost. Now we’re expecting one warm day that may break a record for this time of year (69 degrees F). Can you believe it?
You’ve had crazy weather too, with all that snow at once. I haven’t read Laurie’s comment yet, but will be there next.
The holidays are so hectic…then the car thing takes hours of your time when you are already adding in shopping, decorating, parties and the weather that naturally slow things down. You poor thing. I’m glad you found a good shop and that the worst of is probably behind you. And…you met Alice!
Wow…dark from 4:30 to 8:30…I forget sometimes how far north you are. We’re getting dark at 5:15 but light by 7:00 or so. And yes, the winter solstice (on our side of the planet) is just around the corner.
Hugs
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It’s been an odd year all the way around. Weather has been unusual everywhere. Glad you at least have something surviving the dry conditions. I am NEVER ready for Christmas no matter how hard I try. Needed to get some things made and company threw a wrench in my plans. I won’t mention my daughters current unemployment, AGAIN. We’ve been busy trying to put out her brush fires. It will end well, I just know it. 🙂
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You are so right, Marlene. I don’t think we know what “typical” or “normal” weather is anymore.
No one is ever really ready for Christmas I suppose, yet somehow it comes and goes and we all manage. I worked with a woman years ago who did all of her shopping on Christmas eve…every year. I’m too much of a planner to do that, and I’ve also gotten so much better at letting things go.
So sorry to hear about your daughter’s unemployment. That is stressful and trying for both of you. Please wish her the best of luck. xox
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Everything is so topsy turvy at the moment, you’ve had frosts and we’ve had no snow! The maple photos are lovely, such great colour.
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Thank you! Yes, the weather has been strange, strange, strange, Early, protracted frosts, little to no rain, high temps. None of it bodes well.
I hope you are keeping warm.
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