Well... it seems you went from a not so great Christmas with poor weather that hampered your family plans and your greenhouse, to a very nice New Year's Eve with more family stopping in to visit! Things always seem to have a way of working out... and it was a good year... I'll agree with that! Welcome to 2009! I did manage to stay awake well past midnight... Larry and I watched a couple of movies together... and before I knew, it was almost 2:00am! My first surprise of the New Year is Star of Holland... which opened, and doesn't look like Star of Holland! It's way too white with not enough red to be the right variety, but I like this one... whatever it is! I'll try to get a few new photos posted for an identification. In the meantime, I hope everyone can begin the New Year with a smile! So far, the day is dawning with bright sunshine... a good sign if ever there was one!

Update on the eggs... they're little chirping babies now. I can hear them but I can't get close enough to see them because (what I presume to be) the male bird keeps fussing at me when I even step out on the deck. He better get over that real soon - I'm not finding a new place to drink coffee ;-) I'll try to snap a picture. The mom and dad are so cute out collecting food and bringing it back. They've got their little routes established to and from the garden to go hunting for worms or bugs. It's pretty funny that he has to sleep outside the nest now - he sleeps curled around the Red Lion bulb up against the pot edge. I'm glad they're enjoying that bulb as much as I did last winter. Alana

Yes, it appears the Australians needed their rest period same as many other Hippis. Mine are awakening too, after sitting out in the sun most of the summer. One should bloom tomorrow along with a September Floris Hecker that decided to bloom again and I see some of the late winter bulbs that I bought that put up a scape, a couple of shabby leaves and then rested, are now sending up leaves and blooms. Started to dig up some Amaryllis belladonna bulbs that fizzled and found the bulbs solid and lots of good roots. Guess they have their own time schedule, too. A few of the summering outside amy bulbs are starting new growth again. The majority are quietly going to sleep now and beginning their resting period for their winter/spring blooms.

How wonderful, Lizalily... both your bulbs, and your dogs! I have a piece of news, myself... Maia is expecting! It's official! I hope it's a small litter, like around 3 or 4... she's a small girl, so I expect a small litter... not that that makes any difference! I did enjoy my Party Pooper ever so much... the colors really hint at the heritage... it's just a lovely bloomer! Pictures please!