The really old and lanky white camélia planted by the lady who lived here a long time ago is budding. I cut a few twigs for a bouquet with lots of dark green evergreen foliage. It is slowly unfurling and looks more like a white lisianthus or a rose: very delicate.
The other two old camélias, red, and white streaked with red don’t look like that when they open.
Very end of winter: dark bouquet with dashes of color and light with those blooms.
Late December I’m starting to check the new green growth on these snowdrops. January comes around and usually doesn’t end before they start flowering. And flower, and flower.
They’re one of my winter mood boosters being the first flower of late winter. Something lifts in me, the spring will come. Something atavistic, I think. I love winter though but the relief is real.
Two days later and in the morning light dashed with some sun, the same amaryllis flower, in its glory.
The faint striation and variation on the depth of the pink on the petals comes as much from the color as from a sort of ribbed texture.
I hadn’t stopped long enough to admire it to see this.
The huge amaryllis I planted in December has opened its first huge flower, bigger than the palm of my hand on the surviving stem. The other one dwindled. There are 4 more buds not quite ready to go on this! Spectacular in a warm pink with almost a striated effect.
Some alyssum planted in a new city border showing nice heads of flowers, one even still full yellow. The birds around here must be happy it was not just cut down at the first song of fall: seed heads for the winter buffet.
You can sit or stand here for a bit if you need to. This cabin looked like it got a new coat of red paint or maybe the slanted filtered light gave me that impression. Trail to Franklin Falls near Snoqualmie pass, WA.
Not too warm in the shade, no wildfire smoke that day. Got lucky with the conditions and the framing: I took similar pictures many times before. Thanks for welcoming me back there.
Today was an outstanding mail day: this adorable card from a lovely friend, and two letters from extended family in France answering my Christmas/New Year cards. 💓
Me, last year, ahem two hours ago. I made an effort: a bit fancy but cozy. Not shown knitted Old Navy black wide pants that I live in these days. Woolen ivory cardigan from my hometown in 2023, like a hug of warmth for my bones and my soul. Carrying it on to 2025.
Hugs to you all for all the days of this new year.
Am about to dissolve into feelings, onion soup memories, and burning cheese, don’t mind me.
Quick trip to walk down and up the trail to the Snoqualmie Falls to fight off jet lag and get some exercise and fresh air. Was quite misty from the churned waters. Happy fall colors are still on for a little bit.
