Winter in the Garden

As I stare out the window from the sunroom in the winter, I am reminded that the 'bones' of the garden are all important.  I love to see the red branches of the dogwood, but that means I must remember to prune it in the spring so that I have that bright red colour in the winter to enjoy.  I make mental lists of all the things I want to add or change in the garden to make it more appealing in the winter.  My own garden needs more bushes to bring it to life. The structure of bushes shielding the view and making the eye go around corners is what I know needs to be done. One corner needs a major overhaul and I am contemplating what I will do there.  A willow trellis and bench are on my list of 'wants'.  Come sping I know that I won't want to distrub the ferns and that is why, in spite of all the years I have contemplated changing that corner, nothing has been done.  It takes a ruthless gardener to pull out happy plants!  I can only do it in other people's gardens!

Adventures in Winter Wonderland

Now that we are back home the long dark nights get to us.  When it is sunny we try to go outdoors, because it lifts our spirits right away!  I went to Quebec over the Christmas holidays and went snowshoe-ing.  It is amazing how hot you get when you are physically active outside!  Even just walking to the store feels good after being cooped up inside because of the weather.
We have 2 Korean teachers staying with us for the month of Jan­ to improve their english.  One of them had been to Australia, which gave Spud the perfect opportunity to show his pictures of Australia et al.  Our sons want to know why he doesn t take out the blurry slides.  The reason is because that is the only picture he has of that particlar object i.e. pigmy seahorse.  James gave him some advice. In that case, at least point with assurance to any place on the slide and say `there it is`.  Don`t say: ``It`s here, no,.. there, uh somewhere... I never did see it since I can`t forcus up close without my glasses.