It's tropical rain, it's tropical rain, it's tropical rain.

It's tropical rain, it's tropical rain, it's tropical rain. BAH! it's so not tropical rain.  At least that's what I'm telling myself.  Actually this hurts my heart.  The day started out all full of promise and hope.  The sun was beaming through the windows, work was to be finished by 2:30 and all was well.  And then ... it started with wind.  Then clouds.  Then the skies turned black and opened up their fury upon us.  Inevitably almost everyone and their dog felt the need to remind me, "yes but that's why everything is so green."  I like green.  It's actually my favourite color, but as much as I love beautiful green foliage, I love blue skies.  And let's be honest, the only "green" thing they are really talking about are the lawns.  And even those have turned to moss and scraggly water logged weeds.  "It's tropical rain, It's tropical rain, it's tropical rain."  I just have to keep telling myself that.

On a much happier note I thought I would share with you one of my favourite songs.... 

"It's aloha Friday, no work till monday!" (lalala)

soggy days... spring report

Remember how this winter seemed to start out dry? well lets just say that has all changed... seriously changed.  With the exception of the odd glimmer of hope here and there, things have been just plain old soggy.  Quite literally the ground feels like a saturated sponge and anything within a few feet of the soil is covered in mud.  Does this stop me?!? Heck no!  Actually, garden dreams, planting ideas, and nursery visits are well under way.  But I thought I would share a few glimmers of hope and longings for spring.

First off, one of my most dear hellebores. I actually have no idea what variety this one is.  I just fell in love with the green and white.  Such a winning colour combination.  This particular one seems to be later than most but well worth it!

The colours of spring seem to be all around these days.  Images like this remind me that very soon there will be that shift in the air. It's hard for me to describe, but there will be a day sometime around now, when even the cold days are spring. It has nothing to do with calendar, temperature, or anything of the sort. It's a feeling.

The angle of the sun has certainly been saying "spring!"  What little sunshine we see that is.  I think in the last two weeks we saw maybe one day of sunshine.

That doesn't stop the palm trees .... they certainly think its spring.  Fronds seem to be opening up on a continual basis.

This mediterranean fan palm is nearing 6ft tall... I can't wait to see how much growth it will put on this year!  (do you notice the mushy pile of yucca aloifolia purpurea in the green pot to the left of the palm?)

Please just pretend you don't notice the orange extension chord running across the screen... but one of the spring projects has been moving that rock out to behind this yucca "bright star."  Not only will it provide some additional head, but I think it suits the aesthetics of the yucca quite nicely.

Please don't judge ... but remember my comment about dirty plants?!  my poor little unknown agave is perhaps the worst.  But happily, It seems to have faired really well this winter! First year in the ground and the little agave that got my whole obsession started!!!! I was really pulling for this one!!

It's friend agave ovatifolia frosty blue seems to be doing pretty good itself.  It has one really sad spot.  I just feel soo guilty about an arm amputation at this point.  I did just subject it to winter in the pacific northwest after all.

Aloe aristata ... not an agave but prettty equally dear to my heart doesn't seem to mind this weather at all. There is some slight browning to some of the tips on this plant but I can't wait to introduce more of them this spring!

And finally, my second agave ovatifolia frsoty blue... looking great! This one had one amputation earlier in february and so far has shrugged off all this rain.

The happiest news of all... I am Hawaii bound in 6 hours!  It certainly can't come soon enough!!!!!!