Happy Holidays

 

Christmas eve has finally arrived. The tree is trimmed, the gifts are wrapped.  After a second light snowfall and bitter temps in the teens, we are have been experiencing a warm up for the last two days with temps in the 40's.

 

Poinsettia

Since there is nothing in bloom outside, except my pansies and cabbages on my deck, I do have a large store bought poinsettia inside.

Poinsettia

 

There is a small poinsettia from the grocery on my kitchen table with tumbling Santa figurines around it.

Peanuts Snow Globe

We have a couple of holiday snow globes around the house. A favorite is the Snoopy and Woodstock snow globe. It lights up, has snow swirling  around inside, and plays several holiday tunes.

Snowman snow globe

 Another favorite snow globe also light up, has snow swirling around snowmen, cardinals and a rabbit.

Glass Snowman

This glass snowman sitting in a pile of shredded paper snow is one of our oldest ornaments (at least 25 years old).  It graces a table by the front door.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!  HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!

A Cold Start To December

First Snowfall

 Many of the northern and northeast states had their first snowfall the first week of December.  We barely got brushed by the storm here in northern Virginia.  This photo was taken December 4th.  We usually don't get snow here until near the end of December.

Pansies

We have had below normal temps since the first of December.  This photo is one of the pots of pansies on my deck.  The snow did not bother the pansies, but the bitter cold, sometimes in the teens at night, makes them somewhat droopy.

Ornamental Cabbage

I have pots of ornamental cabbages and kale on the deck that will last until near the end of February.  I like to have something blooming year round on my deck because I can see the pots from my kitchen and family room.

Yuletide Camellias

The only thing blooming in the yard are the Yuletide camellias. But they have taken a hit from the cold and are looking bedraggled. There are some buds that haven't opened.  We are supposed to get a couple of warm days in the 50's at the end of this week, so maybe they will open.  In the meantime we are getting snow again tonight, but only a couple of inches.