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Nature is a Balm

As the winter solstice approached earlier this week, I mentally composed a blog post, yet here it is, Christmas Eve and I’m just sitting down to write. December has been a time warp, bending to life’s whim and disregarding my preference for a calm and ordered season.

Nature is a balm, a lovely escape from the daily grind, a place to be in mind, body, and soul when all you have to do is step outside. Migrating birds are passing through, singing in the now-barren trees. I can’t help but look up, pause, and enjoy the chatter. The squirrels are active along the fences, dropping into the garden and scratching at the earth to bury their stash. Anna’s hummingbirds stay year-round and are chasing each other away from one of the feeders as I write this post.

I startled this little critter in the compost bin.

We had a few days of rain this week, clearing away the trapped valley smog and refreshing the air while providing moisture for the garden.

To my amazement, an unseasonable sunflower crop thrives even after a few days of frost. The plants are seven feet tall, with one promising to flower by Christmas. I’ve never grown sunflowers in winter and assumed the seeds dropped by the summer crop or planted by the squirrels would remain dormant till next spring. I’m always learning.

There are signs of life everywhere with the promise of a cheerful spring. I had naively been pulling up California poppies when they died back, but further reading advised cutting the plant back without disturbing the root system. I’m reaping the benefits of that advice with lacy green foliage throughout the front garden. My beloved hyacinth is sprouting, along with freesia and an unexpected single paperwhite Narcissus tazetta.

Our recent storm ended my leaf-raking for the year, which I will miss, believe it or not. That same storm invited weeds to sprout, and the violets are again trying to take over, so there will be plenty to keep me engaged.

I hope you have a lovely holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and all good things in the coming year.

A small gallery from two of my fairy miniature gardens:

30 thoughts on “Nature is a Balm”

    • Merry Christmas, Jane. Gardening in the valley is a treat. I watched my dad plant a garden from scratch at our home in Ontario, Canada. It sat under ice and snow during the colder months, waiting for spring renewal. I realize how lucky I am to live in this gardening zone. Since starting this blog several years ago, I’ve become a keen observer of my slice of earth compared to gardens around the world. I find it fascinating.

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  2. Perfect timing if you ask me. I love seeing flowers this time of year. The Paperwhite is beautiful! The fairy house makes me nostalgic. We’ve had rain, snow, too much warm and too cold. Weather changes it’s mind so much but we are sorting it out. Glad the real snow is waiting till the holidays are done. I read about not raking in the winter month because bees stay warm under those leaves. Not sure if that’s true. I always waited till spring to rake anyway. Sounds like a solid excuse, right? Enjoy those peaceful moments and wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

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  3. The fairies must love those gardens you have created Alys! I am glad you are finding peace in the garden this winter. I hope you and your family have a cosy and peaceful Christmas and can look forward to a better year 2024. 🤗

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  10. Your garden is a balm to me too, so thank you for sharing. I love the idea of squirrels in the garden, but, remembering other posts of yours, they can be pesky little critters! It must have been lovely to have your boys around you for Christmas, and I am sure they cherished the warmth and joy being with you would bring. My Christmas was quiet (I sewed a top) and now I am down at my sister’s holiday home on the beach. Thank you so much for the donation to my walk ~ I was so touched by the donation and the moving words. You are a treasure xxx

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  12. This is beautifully written, Alys. After the year you’ve experienced, I’m glad to read of the healing that comes with noticing and appreciating the beauty and individuality observed in nature’s offerings. I hope now that as 2024 comes (in just a couple of hours) you’ll feel a surge of hope and renewal. Bless you, friend.

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    • Debra, you leave such thoughtful comments. Thank you! I am feeling hopeful and happy to be at the start of a fresh new year. I’m grateful for my healthy, growing garden and its always a joy tending it and discovering new things. Your native garden must have filled in quite a bit by now. They say 18 months is when things feel established. xo

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  13. I LOVE to ‘visit’ your garden in winter, Alys! So much green and flowers in bloom, too. It’s so wonderful that you have hummingbird visitors all year long! This morning we have sunshine and blue skies in Illinois. I took a very quick walk through my garden before the frigid winds chased inside.
    Alys, I’m so glad to read that both of your sons were home for Christmas and that you had time with your sister, too.
    Heartfelt wishes for a New Year filled with good health, hope, and peaceful days! I will write a long letter very soon, dear friend! 🩷

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