A Break in the Rain

 Wednesday it stopped raining  - for a day. So I went outside!

In the morning we walked a bit over at the neighborhood park. 

In the afternoon I strolled around our yard. I got up close with some of the blooms in our winter garden, in the front of the house, plants we can see from inside. 

The Hellebores are starting to bloom.

Primroses never seem to quit here, snowdrops are blooming and the winter blooming hardy cyclamen are showing a few blooms along with beautiful foliage. 

The snowdrops are struggling to hold up their heads after being beaten down by heavy rain. 

The Witch Hazel is in full bloom.

Hummingbirds appreciate the winter blooming Mahonia, a variety of what is commonly called Oregon Grape. 

Green buds are appearing on the Indian Plum, the first thing to leaf out in our woodlands.

In the back yard, the moss is taking over much of the lawn and Tom has decided to stop fighting it and let it be. It still bears the imprint of the last mowing in November. 

A mountain of a mole hill.

Hardy cyclamen seem to be popping up everywhere, thanks to Tom spreading the tiny corms here and there. 

Yes, Tom actually works in the garden, here beginning to prune and clean up around the espaliered fruit trees. I, by now, had pulled a patio chair into the sun to sit for a bit and enjoy the primroses. 

Looking out of the upstairs window just now, I see that it isn't really raining much, and I see birds flitting everywhere. I might just have to go out and join them for another short stroll about the garden.