So, here we are at the end of another year. I find myself reflective and giving thanks after a wonderful Christmas with family and friends that can never be replicated. Oh, we will be together again to make new memories, and it will be perfect… but not the same as it is right now. Life is an amazing, changing entity. It is so important to appreciate the wonder and joy of special times with those we love.

I’ve been a bit neglectful, dear friends, about writing this blog lately. With five grown children and their wonderful spouses or significant others and fifteen grandkids, I’ve been a little busy in my office (which gets re-named ‘Wrap Central’) this time of year!

It always amazes me how quickly the time evaporates between Halloween and New Year’s Day. There are so many things that need to be done. Decorating, shopping, wrapping. But, I still manage to go outside and walk around my gardens a bit.

I give thanks that there is no pruning, dead-heading, or planting that really needs to be done at this juncture! I’ve been watching daily as the sun rises and sets farther to the south. Now that we’re past the Winter Solstice, within a couple of weeks, we’ll notice the days growing slightly longer. Before long, we’ll be out in the garden again!

Reflecting and giving Thanks on Last Season’s Rose Garden

You may want to take your winter spare time to think about your gardening experience over this past growing season. I’ve been doing a bit of that. I’m planning on moving my huge climber, Colette, in the spring. I’ll bet she’s split underground into two rose bushes by now, and with Bob’s help, I’ll divide her and plant her on either side of the trellis my friend Dave gave me. She’s a mighty rose, and that will be quite the job! ‘Colette’ was cut back ‘way down two years ago to facilitate the building of our new porch. If I wait to move her much longer, moving her will be a much bigger undertaking.

We got off to a really slow start this spring, but by July, most of the roses were all caught up to normal. We experienced some heat in July, but I don’t think the temperature got above 95 degrees more than a couple of times all summer long. Usually, we experience ‘dog days’ in late July and August, but August was pleasant and dry and cool this summer. Go figure! I think with the current weather patterns, we all have to learn to become more adaptable, because it sure doesn’t look like the weather is ‘normal’ anymore. I have no frost in the ground here in Northcentral Connecticut yet despite the fact it is the end of December. Good thing there are so many things to do inside!

Houseplants

Speaking of which, I’m also giving thanks for my houseplants which give me such pleasure this time of year. Most tropical plants like to bloom in the winter, and many of them are very fragrant. My orchids have all set scapes and are in bud or bloom and will stay that way for months until it is time to go out to the screened-in porch for the summer again…

The winter moon these past few nights has been a perfect crescent sitting on its back. It’s finally beginning to feel a bit wintry now, and a nice warm fire feels really nice. We gardeners deserve this time of rest and thanks, and I know I appreciate it every year. Enjoy your time with family and friends, cuddle with your honey, snuggle with a pet…take this special time of year to do something special for you. You are worth it! Happy New Year…Cheers for 2015!