Yay!! Although we did have frost on the ground, we only dipped to 30F! (Still too darn cold! lol definately not what we're used to). I always find that the weather forcasts are a bit on the conservative side. Then again, i'm on the eastern part of the valley where we're a bit higher than the western and central parts meaning that cold air drains out (to the lower parts). Tonight is supposed to be colder than last night though. We'll see how cold we get. Dorothy, We normally have a handfull of days every year when we get frost in the morning. A hard freeze isn't too common. Probably once ever 10 years or so. Karyn, most of California was affected by the cold air mass blowing from the Arctic (brrr). Many low-lying spots, especially inland, would see temps down to 23F. Fortunately for me, my garden is tried and true. The only things that would de damaged would be the brugansias (which lose their leaves) & a couple of potato bushes. oh, and annuals like the marigolds. & thanks for the compliments! I did build that patio. It wasn't too hard. I took about two months to build it. Adding to it a little at a time. I'm sure someone could have it done in a week if they spent they wanted to. It has a two inch sand base and measures 12' x 12'. It's such a cozy spot, especially in the afternoons with a fire going in the chimney. Lucy, thanks! I kind of (not completely) gave up on the tender plants lol. They required too much worrying in the winter. Of course, i couldn't stop growing brugmansias! and I do keep one plumeria in a pot, a Majesty Palm and a Kentia Palm that I won't get rid of. Other than that, the plants here wouldn't miss a beat with the cold we're having! I'm really surprised to say this, but I'm feeling ok about this cold weather! Max & Penny love hanging out in the yard. Sometimes, they look like they could be wild dogs haha. Pam, thanks! The aloes in the ground should withstand cold down to the 20s. There are some, though, that I keep in pots and bring in. Those are the really tender ones that I couldn't grow in the ground, or would have to protect, like Aloe Dorothea and Aloe Hardyii (dang it! I just remembered I forgot to cover that one! oh well). I also have some A. Arborescens cuttings that wouldn't stand a freeze as unrooted cuttings in the garage, as well as an Aloe Africana & Aloe Vaenbelenii that I potted up this week. Those would be able to withstand the cold with an established root system, but not as of right now. I have been asking lots of questions in the succulents forum and was told that aloes withstand cold better when they are on the dry side. I stopped watering them in October and they were pretty dry by this time. Let's hope for the best. Tim, I drew so much inspiration from Debra Lee Baldwin's book Designing with Succulents. That book is soooo helpful! She also keeps a website running if you want to check it out. I have four 10-foot+ brugs that are in the ground. They've been in the ground for the last three years which is when I got into brugs. They lose their leaves in the winter but rebound in the spring. They even went through our 2007 freeze (18F for two days and 20s for the rest of the week)! They froze to the ground but came back with a vengence. i have a Georgia Peach & a Double Peach (sent to me by Elizabeth!) that I dug up, potted up, and put in a shed. Eloise, it is way to darn cold! haha. I could see my breath in broad daylight yesterday afernoon! (I know for some of you reading, this is no big deal lol). We're expecting rain the whole next week. As you probably guessed, yes, those storms are coming from the North Pacific Ocean & Arctic Ocean! Josh

Lrae.. I got Lillian's Tea and Roses as a bonus from Fred Manning.. he sells on the lily auction sometimes --someone help out with his user name as I can't recall at the moment.. but I saw one of his on a message board and went to his photobucket site... I bought a couple of his introductions and have been super pleased with how they preform here... And Jan.. you might just have a suprise one of these days.. never say never. Debra.. posting that picture made me crave a nice cool fruit salad!!! and of course I am too tired to go to the store..lol Shelly

I'm sorry for the loss of your mom. I lost mine the day after Thanksgiving (alzheimer's -- the cousin of ALS) and my dad at the end of April I know my mom would not have wanted to keep me from a trip. In fact, she waited until I left her room. My dad also passed after I went home to get a little sleep and before I could get back. One of the hospice nurses told me that happens in a majority of cases. They may not want you to witness their last breath. Your photos are beautiful and it looks like a wonderful way to reconnect with life, reflect and recharge. I hope you felt your mom's presence and her blessings while you were there. I know she was in your heart. The memorial service sounds perfect for her, you and your sister.

The brick ruins was difficult to move. It took me about a week of me trying diffenent ways of moving it out of the creek. I had to move it about half a mile and up a small ravine and it is to heavy to lift by muscle alone (and im a pretty strong guy). I made a sled out of 2x4s for some parts of the creek bed and a hand truck for other parts. Had to learn some boy scout knots along the way. Amazes me to this day that i was able to manage it. I have this hobby of searching urban creeks for my garden junk; I find all sorts of interesting rocks, rusted junk, old bricks, and just cool stuff that gets washed into the creek.