Mild mid-December

It’s been uncharacteristically mild lately. And very soggy, too! It does not look like a white Christmas is in the cards, which is a bummer, because we love the snow.

I even noticed today that one of our lilac bushes has started budding. This is not good - it’s the kind of thing that can really confuse the Green Bluff fruit trees.

The garden is still super green, because the grass loves all of the rain, and the cover crops aren’t dying back yet.

Bee hive all wrapped up for the winter. I put the top box on to absorb moisture - the box has a mesh bottom and is filled with pine shavings. Air circulation and moisture reduction is key to wintering over a hive. This box also has a little compartment that holds sugar patties in case they run out of honey before spring springs. I’m honestly not sure they are still alive in there!

Josie loves coming outside with me, but sometimes she just likes to hang close to the house while I chase my photographic nonsense.

She’s doing pretty good after her stroke-like event. A little slower sometimes, a little more hesitant to jump in the car or up on the couch. But overall she’s doing well!

I took these shots with a 10x zoom lens from back in the garden. Didn’t want to disturb her keeping watch.