Winter Thoughts of a New Year's Gardens

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It's 2010...
A new year of gardening.
Walking around the 'winter mess' in the front of the house I spotted these blooms on the backside of the Camellia bush. I planned to trim that bush way back this Fall, but I am glad I waited. Fresh flowers to start the new year. Perfect.

I start getting anxious to trim back and clean up. I want to cut those butterfly bushes down to nubs, but I know the birds depend on them to hide from the hawks, so I'll be patient. I need to dig up some butterfly bushes for Becky and Melissa and Jennifer. I can't wait for Jan and Clay to move down so I can thin my garden out and transplant to Jan's. But I will wait for her.

.. The New year brings hope, thoughts of fresh starts and clean slates.

I have my first seed catalog, and while the wind howls and 'old man winter' shows how ferocious he can be, I sit with a cup of Earl Grey Tea, and plan for Springtime color. Which tomatoes will I plant? I really need more cucumbers because those pickles went fast! I think I'd like to plant more fruit trees, and so on.
It all sounds wonderful now, but come late summer when I am up to my ears in canning, I will chide myself again, and say, "What was I thinking?"
Lovely winter thoughts of sweet blooms and fresh vegetables....

To all my loved ones and friends, blessings in this New Year filled with hopes and dreams....may they all come true.

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