Same to you, Skybird - I am loving the white mulch I'm seeing everywhere...even if it did leave me stranded in Colorado City on Tuesday!
White Christmas, here we come - sledding included. :)
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Amester

Thank you for sending us hope, Skybird - I, too, am looking forward to longer (and warmer) days ;^) Although today, being snug and warm working from home, the snow (or white mulch, as Amester calls it - perfect!) is really pretty.

Have a wonderful Christmas,
Marjie

Yeah! Thank you Skybird!

We've got about 10-12 inches so far and it is still comin' down. So pretty right now.

I'm ready for the daylight, yes I am!

Happy everything to you, too, Skybird, and to all of you. I've been so busy in school I haven't been here much but I stop by now and then.

Jennifer

I know a lot of wintersowing enthusiasts start sowing seeds today, on the Winter Solctice, but I'm wondering if it's mainly people without small children at home. There's no way I would drag the potting mix and recyclable containers into the house with all of the kids home, and Christmas decorations, and baked goods all over the kitchen! After the first of the year, once the house is clutter free and quiet, I'll start making my germination list, and hopefully get started sowing by mid to late January. I'm attempting to overwinter a few pepper plants this year, so that is satisfying my need to garden for now.

We only got about an inch of snow last night, and the sun is out now, so our chances of a white Christmas are quickly dwindling. I was hoping the kids could do some sledding during the winter break, but there isn't any more precipitation in our forecast at least through Wednesday anyway. At least we can enjoy time together. Our family has rediscovered the old pastime of puzzle building. Unlike a lot of board games, all ages are able to participate to some degree.

Hope everyone has a safe and joyful holiday!
Merry Christmas Rocky Mountain Gardeners!!!
Bonnie

Our weather person says if we want white Xmas to look out our north facing windows.
And if we want a brown Xmas to look out our south facing windows.
The snow is melting and no new snow in our near future.

The best of the season and all of 2012 to each of you!
Caroline

This is terrible!

No, Happy Holidays, Everyone!

What's terrible is the Weather Service is actually predicting a chance of rain this afternoon! This after a month of only 4/100 of an inch of, what was that, hoar frost? The thermometer hasn't been above 32F for weeks now and there has been a string of nights lately in the teens - including last night. A high of 33F predicted for this afternoon and, it's gonna to rain!!

Weeelll, there's a better than 50% chance of snow everyday beginning Tuesday so I think we may be finally getting out of this dry spell. I just hope that we don't have too many people dipping too deep into the punch bowl over the next few days - the roads are gonna be like glass!!

Here is a Holiday quiz to occupy your odd holiday moment:

Which of the following holidays DOES NOT occur in December?

Boxing Day
Kwanzaa
St. Nicholas Day
Candlemas

>>>>>>>>>>>>>If you guessed Boxing Day . . . you are incorrect. Boxing Day is the first or second weekday after Christmas Day in many British Commonwealth nations. That odd name has nothing to do with fisticuffs but rather with "boxing" up offerings for the church.

If you guessed Kwanzaa, maybe because it wasn't around when you were a kid . . . you are incorrect. It is actually a week long celebration that begins December 26th. It was "invented" in 1966.

If you guessed St. Nicholas Day perhaps because you were being very clever and thought this might be a trick question . . . you may be very clever but you are incorrect. St. Nicholas Day is usually celebrated on December 6th or December 19th (in most Christian Orthodox countries). And yes, St. Nicholas = Santa Claus.

And that only leaves Candlemas! This is the correct answer because Candlemas comes on February 2nd.

There are several traditions associated with Candlemas Day:

Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve
Down with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and mistletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all,
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall

Also, yes it is! It is Groundhog's Day! Celebrated on February 2nd in the United States and Canada. The groundhog tradition comes from the weather lore of western Europe associated with Candlemas.

Me? I've got my stash of food & goodies and if'n the ground is gonna be covered with ice and snow - I'm done with my winter walks. Maybe, I can poke my head up again by February 2nd!

Steve