Happy New Years everyone. I have a gang coming for the annual beef dip get-together. I never know how many are coming until they actual arrive. Sooooo, I cooked a large Baron of Beef, a eight pounder this year, have lots of fresh buns from the bakery, two big salads, Greek and a Caesar and for dessert frozen lemon mousse. This is buffet style everyone serves themselves. The liquid refreshment consists of coffee tea or....

As far as the garden goes DH and I tied up a very floppy hydrangea when we came home from getting a few groceries but that's it. It's foggy and damp outside, so couldn't get too enthusiastic about doing anything else.

Annette

Not much going on in my garden today. The morning temp was -15 with 10" of snow but it has warmed up to a balmy 14 this afternoon! I've been inside with hot chocolate and garden seed catalogs. Today has been a really nice start to the new year. Wishing everyone a Happy New Garden Year!

I did the same kinds of things. I keep wandering out the door and trimming dead things back that don't care about having protective covers of leaves. Trimming spent pansy blooms and violas left and right. Cut back the hedychiums that have finally frozen some.

I have several newly planted bulbs which are very confused about their time of year. I have 3 snowdrops which came up and have put up buds-- but not opened. I'm hoping they can hold on for another month or so until it is time for them. They've stood still for 2 months now, so that may be a possibility.

I had a few spring-blooming violets bloom out last week in confusion as well. That's fine. It was a cheerful surprise.

Barely made it to 20*F (-7*C) so I stayed in and watched college football games.

But it was sunny.

tj