Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day January, 2010

Each of these blooms were also blooming for the December GBBD, hosted by Carol, of May Dreams Gardens, but not everything blooming then is blooming now. I almost bought a blooming cyclamen a few weeks ago, but put it back to see if it goes on sale for less money. I'm cold and tired of snow and ice. This is not my favorite time of year.

The African violets oblige me with a few blooms, even though I don't give them ideal conditions. They need to be repotted.

I am amazed that this begonia, I think, an angel wing, is still blooming. My other angel wings, the kind with the darker colored, speckled leaves haven't bloomed for quite awhile.

I think I've overwatered this oxalis. It's about finished blooming for awhile.

I am not sure if I ever knew what this plant is. I think I got it at a garage sale. I noticed the stem coming from it last month, but the buds were very tight. There are a couple more that are a few inches out with tight buds, as well.

I couldn't get a clear close up, but I see some purple on a few of the blooms.

My holiday cactus, Naomi, has one last bloom that just finished up.

It is forming new buds now, so hopefully, there will be more blooms in a few weeks.

I have some dried flowers, including Queen Anne's lace, that I enjoy. Larry has been running into them and knocking them over, so they have been getting on his nerves. I had a huge bouquet of them, but they ended up in a sack after his encounter with them. Now that our Christmas tree is down, I can put some back on the table they were on.

Camera Critters

I'm still seeing squirrels frisking around in the cold temps we're having. This photo was taken a few days ago.

Friday morning, before I spent the rest of the day and most of the evening cleaning and helping my daughter finish packing, I saw a couple blue jays flitting around, landing here and there, including a bird feeder. Of course the sparrows were still around, too. I was glad to get a photo of a jay and sparrow together. I just wish it was clearer.

We are looking to have record low temps in the morning, The last report said it could get down to -28 F. To see more critters or find out how to post yours, click on the icon in my sidebar. Thanks Misty Dawn, for hosting Camera Critters!

Even More Snow!

I put my first measurable snow post up the middle of December, and just remembered to give Nancy, at Soliloquy the link for her First Snowfall Project. I have seen some of the posts, and since I have tomorrow off again due to the weather, I may get a chance to look up some more.

I have actually posted several times about all the snow we're having. It's really making it difficult for our daughter to get all her things over to her new apartment. She's sleeping on air mattresses. She is not comfortable, but she's warm. Her other place was cold because she couldn't afford the gas bill. We need to get the rest of her things over so she can get her name off of the gas.

I have already shown a lot of the views in the snow, but posted the repeats because the piles of snow are getting higher and higher. The first 2 were taken January 3rd, and the rest, this afternoon. Some were taken through windows, and others from an open door. I used my zoom, and did not go outside to take them. It is cold!

Speaking of cold, I recently left a comment on Darla's or someone from the south's blog about how I do not like living where it gets so cold in the winter, yet I think it would be more difficult to live in a place where people garden or farm year around, and experience freezing temps that destroy crops and blooms. My heart goes out to those of you going through nights with unseasonable low temps. I hope your loss is minimal.

We added a few more inches today, enough to bury the top of the chair that was still visible in the above photo.

I can't remember what's in the pots, but in front of the wheelbarrow, which I wish we would have found an inside spot for, is a beauty berry bush I just planted last spring.

Liatris, and 'Fireworks' goldenrod:

The tops of the mums are just poking through the top of the snow.

This is Queen Anne's lace poking through.

The trees across the street, on the left side of this photo, look pretty in snow. The rosemary plants are all alive so far. The parsley is looking pretty good. I didn't notice the clover until I saw it in the photo. I was going to save the African violets for GBBD, but I'll just hope they are more filled out, and I'll take different photos for the 15th. :o)

Here's a larger view of the trees. I garden to the left of the garage across the street.

The scented geraniums are getting a bit leggy. I trimmed them back a few weeks ago. It looks like I need to again. This is the top of the garden window with snow on it.

I have noticed the days getting a bit longer. I keep reminding myself it's January, and next month is February, then comes March, then... I just wonder when the snow will melt so I can get my lettuce planted. I like to put the first crop in in February. Maybe it will be on top of snow this time. Keep your spirits up and find a way to keep warm! If you are experiencing nice weather, I forgive you. LOL

I just remembered to add a photo from my parents' place, where the snow from the parking areas is quite high all up and down the street.