The annual march of the flowers begins here in January with snowdrops and sarcacocca, regardless of weather:
They are still going strong in February (even stronger now, in the case of sarcacocca's amazing aroma):
When I took the second photo of snowdrops this morning, I was surprised by these two little periwinkle on one of the two Vincas I planted in the island bed as ground covers last year:
I guess I'd better start weeding while I can still see them; weed season is beginning early this year.
Our "rain year" begins here in October. We have been below average for years, but this year started out "normal" for a change and stayed strong through early January. Then the rain stopped, and we had quite a stretch with nights below freezing. The valley warmed up during the day, but up here on the hill in the shade, ice and frost remained.
Now it is mild and beautiful. It's been pretty much dry for five weeks now, and that is not good, especially for the snow pack in the mountains. Mud may not be fun, but we need a lot more precipitation!
As always I have a spinning project going. A friend sent me some lovely dyed fiber that I am chain-plying as I go,
and today I pulled out some natural-colored roving to spin while traveling:
Yep, I am indeed flying to Texas to help my parents. I got to talk to my hospitalized boss on the phone Monday, and she said, "Go!" I'm relieved, because now is the best possible time to be gone. Among several other things, all is still quiet among the pregnant ladies.
This morning as I was doing a visual check, Blaise asked for attention. She wins the prize for cutest little ears in the flock,
and cutest nose and lips.
She's just a pretty girl!
Spot has cute little ears, too; I
really want to see what these two "beautiful sheeple" can produce!
Tomorrow is a busy day and I leave Friday morning, so I will leave you with some sunrise shots
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| Mt. Hood |
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| Mt. Jefferson |
and something new I spotted at a discount grocery store and just had to try. The colors coordinate with the sunrises, and they're tasty, too!
That's it for now from . . .
13 comments:
Your first blooms are always a joy to see. Thanks for sharing them. Have a safe trip to your parents' home. I know they will be so glad and grateful to have you there for the time you can give them.
Wishing you a safe trip and a productive stay with your parents !! Here in So Cal also a lot of rain early and now no rain.... We still have a good snow pack in the Sierra's though.
You are welcome for the flowers, Mama Pea!
Marlane, we have good snowpack in NW Oregon, but the rest of the state isn't looking as good. Southern Oregon needs a LOT more to make a dent in their drought.
Michelle, thanks for letting us know that you are going to Texas. God be with you as you travel, and may He bless you and your parents in every way. How long do you plan to be gone?
Your sky pictures are gorgeous - as always!
The yarn you've been chain-plying is really lovely! Do you have more of that beautiful fiber?
I always enjoy your sheepie pictures!
Jeanne
Just a week, Jeanne; with my boss out and lambs coming sometime soon, that's as long as I could take. I have 3 oz. of that colorway and another 3 oz. of the same fiber in a coordinating lavender, so will probably use it all for one project.
God speed and good success on parent helping. Yesterday, I took mine to Mission BBQ and they loved the food and the attention. The Kitchen Manager came by to talk to us, gave Daddy a bowl of collard greens to take home and Mom an extra blueberry cobbler to eat. Mission BBQ is military and first responder focused with fabulous food and great people.
Anyway, tucking you in prayer for safe journey, wisdom, discernment. Abba holds you in His palm.
Safe travels to your parents and back. Raspberry Oranges - I will have to look for them.
I've never heard of sarcacocca before, and now I'm going to have to get some. They're pretty, too.
I love all your photos from this post... I love the randomness of them. Thanks for taking the time to post them.
Thank you for the blessing and prayers, Sandra. My trip timing was providential; my dad was unexpectedly taken the ER the day I flew out and is still in hospital.
Thank you, Elaine. If you find those oranges, let me know what you think of them! They do have a different flavor and a VERY different color; I wouldn't describe the flavor as 'raspberry,' but they are good.
Mokihana, I have sarcacocca bushes all along the north side of our house and they do so well there in the shade. Prunable, attractive, glossy evergreen foliage, and flowers in January that scent the whole yard!
Safe travels and may the time with your parents be blessed.
Sure hope your dad is out of hospital by now and that things are going well on your Texas trip. Wild to think of spring flowers blooming already . . . Oddly enough, it rained all night here and a lot of the snow pack has melted. Of course, it's supposed to rain/ice/snow most of the day today :-)
Thanks, Sharon.
A, in answer to your comment and anyone else who is following in the comments, my dad is still in hospital, and I'm still in Texas. I cancelled my flight home today and am not sure when I'll be flying back. Instead of the suspected stroke, CTs and an MRI have discovered that Dad has a small brain tumor. We should know more about the plan forward this afternoon. But before that news was revealed, my mom and I DID get a lot done in the house, so that was mission accomplished.
I am so sorry to hear this about your dad.
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