Hydrangea with ice

Frosty leaves

Frosts that Kill

It got mighty cold last night. Minus 7 degrees celsius to be exact. Brrr...that's cold. When the tempature drops down that low I start to worry about some of my plants. My euphorbia'Tasmania Tiger' isn't looking so happy. I hope I mulched my gunnera deep enough too. I would be sad if I lost my 'Big Guy'. On the other hand though, besides the gunnera I really don't want plants that aren't going to be tough. I just don't have the time or energy to pamper plants. It would be nice to have a greenhouse though. I made a temporary one under the treehouse. Hopefully the plants in containers will survive the winter in there. 

Hydrangea quercifolia

Cryptomeria elegans aurea

Sunrise

This morning when I opened my eyes my bedroom was full of red light, which in itself was unusual because it is normally dark at this time of the year. The first thing that came to mind was that I had slept in and the second was where is my camera.

This was a fleeting moment and I only had a chance to take a few pictures. It was like the sky was on fire. Very beautiful! 

Beautiful Eye

The neighborhood children are very used to me having a camera in my hand. They all are willing models for me to experiment. I took this one last night after dinner and am always pleased with the results of any picture I take of this young mans eyes. 

Glass

Yellow Rose

Ten Things I know for sure...today

1. Time away from my computer has proven that I get much more accomplished in a day.

2. There isn't enough time in the day to do all I want to do.

3. Though I've been taking pictures of other subjects, I seem to be drawn to plant material.

4. Inspiration always takes me by surprise.

5. Don't get really into some obsession close to the end of school. Picking up the child late would be very bad. He already thinks I love my camera just a little too much.

6. Regular excerise always makes me feel better. Why I forget this from time to time I will never know.

7. Sushi is addictive. There must be something in the soy sauce.

8. My garden still looks lovely at the end of November.

9. My friend Wendy is very talented and doesn't even realize it.

10. I really miss her. 

Anenome2

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

Aylsa

Ever since I read Judith's (from knitagarden) post on garden gnomes, I've been keeping my eye open for one. I found Aylsa today while shopping around for xmas presents. She is a tiny little thing and I thought she would be fun to photograph during the dreary winter months. I am looking forward to her adventures. 

Hugs

Me

Stone Carving

More bird snacks

Crime Inc.

Frosted

Bird's Breakfast

Oak Leaf

Blogging Break

I have decided to step away from my computer for awhile. Not forever, just a bit of a blogging break. With the bulbs planted and the gardens put to rest I feel the need to seek inspiration in other endeavors.

There are lots of new things I would like to try. Photography has taken a hold on me and I would like to pursue it on other subjects besides flowers. Cross country skiing is something else I want to try this winter. I have just bought some skates and plan to try that more often as a form of exercise. My goal is to do something physical for at least a hour everyday.

I will still be popping in your blogs thoughout the winter, just a little more sporadically. I will still post the odd pic though it might not be a garden picture. Have a great winter and go out and try something new!

Frosty morning

Biker boy

Hanging around

Last bloom

November garden

Larix decidua

On Falling down...

As an adult, falling down is something that I imagine happens not very often. Think about it. When was the last time you fell down? For me it was today. I couldn't believe it! This just happened to me about a month ago at work. Same sort of thing...my left ankle gave out on something and down I went.

It was a nice day and our child went swimming with some friends. It has rained so much lately that my husband and I wanted to get out and go for a long walk. We choose to do a trail walk which in hindsight was alot colder than walking along the water. Anyways, like my usual spasdic self, I'm looking here and there for an interesting picture to take. So strolling along with hands in pockets, camera bag on my back, I am down in the mud and up again so fast that my hubbie couldn't believe it. I was so worried about my camera getting wrecked in the mud. Needless to say it was very embarrassing because another couple were about 100 feet behind us. Happy to report my camera is fine!!

Anenome

Funky leave

Leaves

Which Photoshop?

I now have finally purchased a new computer and want to invest in a Photoshop program. I'm not sure if I should buy the Photoshop Elements 4.0 or spend quite abit more on Photoshop CS. Yesterday I downloaded the free 30 day trial of Photoshop CS. Looks very complicated but not scary. I have no problem reading up on it or even taking a evening course at the college. The one thing about Elements is that will a person out grow it and want more??? Is Photoshop CS way to complicated and will you ever grow into it? I would love some opinions on this.

Wet Face

Thinking Hard

Fresh

Thinking about Spring

Allium invasion

Timber......(Tree Huggers look away now)

Cool Clouds

November the first

Clothes line

November already!

I can't believe it is already November! Time just flys by now it seems. I thought I would have all this spare time once my child went to school full-time. Ha! I've never been busier. We did have a nice weekend though. Lots of family time. We even managed to fit in skating. I am a horrible skater but I went out never the less. It was good for a laugh and my son and his buddies had a great time.

Saturday we bought some lobster and crab to have with a bottle of sparkling cranberry wine our neighbors had given us. It was from a local winery and was quite yummy. We also had grapes,mangos, a fresh baquette and some tapenade. We lit the fireplace (which is in our dining area,lit some candles and had all the makings of a great dinner.


So Halloween has come and gone. Now to get rid of all that tempting candy. I am trying to be strong and not dip my hand into the bowl but I've failed miserably today. I'm going to pack up the extras and give them to my neighbors. Their teenage son is a garbage can and will love them.

I really feel like a afternoon nap today but I think I'll strap on my runners and go for a short run instead. Hopefully that will wake me up. I am so tired after work today. Raking leaves is wearing thin and my shoulder is killing me. Today I concentrated on getting all the leaves and cedar debris out of some of the beds. I feel like I am ahead with the gardens this year. My goal is to have them all tidied by Christmas. I say this every year and never do.

My eyes are getting heavy....I better get my running gear on or it's not going to happen.