Is it Winter? What's with this Squirrel? Blogging

Our weather has been more like spring than winter lately.  I felt guilty about having the photo of our house in the snow as my header, so I took some photos today to show what it really looks like.  I also took some photos of plants that look like they think it's spring.

Since I used a new knife instead of my herb scissors cutting rosemary a week ago, and cut a little of the skin on a finger and part of the nail, I haven't been able to do anything involving lifting or pulling.  It is supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow.  I may try to pull out the tomato plants that are still out there, but will need to be careful not to bump my cut.  The few times I have bumped it were very painful.  I am tempted to plant some lettuce.  I normally try to get some in in February.  I figure it will come up when the soil is warm enough.  The soil is probably warm enough now, though.  Still, it doesn't cost that much for seeds, and takes no effort to plant a few short rows.

Here are the daffodils on the south side of the house.  I don't remember when they usually appear, but I'm thinking not this early.

These crocuses are also on the south side of the house.

I'm thinking it is normal for the larkspur seedlings to come up in the fall, and stay small over the winter.  These are from the plants I transplanted from the vegetable garden last summer.  There are lots of smaller ones in the upper part of the photo.

The phlox 'Pilosa' is nice and green, and safe from the rabbits that are still around and grazing.  I just planted some this year, and hope they do well next summer.

The snapdragons have such resistance to the cold!

I can't remember what this is, maybe an iris of some kind.   It looks like the rabbits have been chewing on the shoots.

The hellebores have new growth.

This is a different plant.  It sure looks happy.  I had planned on moving it so I can put plants in the planter in front of the house that can handle dry sun.

I will need to protect this woodland phlox from the rabbits soon.

Larry and I noticed this squirrel with missing hair earlier today.  I was glad it was still around so I could get some photos.  I did a search and found there can be different causes for this.  

It moved after a couple photos.  It looks healthy, other than the hair loss.

I took these photos earlier in the day.  In looking closer, I saw that this is the same squirrel.  So far, the only birds we are seeing are sparrows.  I hope other kinds we normally have come around soon. 

This obviously, is a different one.  I would like them to be more afraid of us.

 Oh, I just remembered that Catherine, of A Gardener in Progress recently posted on her 3rd blogging anniversary, which reminded me that mine was in October.  My memory isn't good, so I checked to see if I mentioned it in October, and I didn't.  Like Catherine, I am thankful for all of the people I have met, and things I have learned from them.  I've probably mentioned this before, but I sometimes feel overwhelmed because I cannot physically keep up with all of the blogs I like to read, and I am not able to reply to each comment you leave.  I do try to return the visit, though.  I am thankful for all the nice people I met on Blotanical, but I haven't been taking the time to go there, either.  I miss it.  Maybe there will be a time I can go back to picking posts.  I don't seem to be posting as often either.   Still, I do not have plans to quit.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and will have a blessed 2012.