Friday Flowers

 My husband and I finally were able to get outside long enough to take down Christmas lights today, and look what we found. Aconite and snowdrops. The snow has just left the yard, so I'm sure they were blooming under the snow. Fresh snow on the hills, so it's still quite cold to work in the garden, although I did start cleaning up some debris. Now it must be teatime!

Garden Planning

I couldn't resist trying to capture these extra large snowflakes this morning. This is a goddess with a pitcher standing in front of our hedge, pretty much obscured by snow, and the next

 view is of birdhouses on the fence.
Seems like a perfect day to order those few unique seeds from catalogues. There are of course garden centres close by, and at this time of the year there is an ever increasing assortment of seeds to chose from. I have a few on my wish list that aren't at the store, plus it's fun for me to just pore over the catalogues.
 Here's the kitchen table with my list making supplies. Several catalogues, last years' seeds and a new garden planning kit (that was a gift from a girlfriend), with tags, and boxes and string, a journal, and fine copper plant tags. She knows me very well.

My lists grow and change, and plans for 'just one more' garden bed are in the works. And if I have a few more square feet to garden in, maybe I could try a couple of new sunflower varieties?   ... and on it goes. It must be time for tea!

Snow Day on Vancouver Island

I often hear people talk about Vancouver Island as if it were a magical place, somehow unreal, and not relating to the rest of Canada. I must admit that I often thank my lucky stars that I live where I do, when weather becomes the news, as it has done so often this past winter.

Today we woke up to a blanket of wet snow. Just a reminder that this is Canada and it is still winter.

After taking the pictures of the yard, I went around to the back porch, where I have a 'hit of Spring' right at my back door. It just makes me smile.