I JUST got around to pulling this up and I'm sorry I'm so late voicing my appreciation for it. I was entranced. The countryside at your farm is so different from what's around mine. Jaden obviously loves cruising around doing "dog stuff"... . Even when I've been so terribly "down" I wondered if I'd ever pull through, walking outside with the dog(s) always managed to put a smile on my face. They LOVE IT, so. I was never able to remain "down" watching them. The sun and fresh air didn't hurt, either. You've inspired me to look at our "grounds" with new eyes. Thanks!

Ken, indeed the snow felt together with a very strong wind. But that was yesterday, today we've a sunny sky which is beautiful to take a couple more pics. Here in The Netherlands we will have about 30cm (20inches)of snow, but mostly not for a long time. Every winter here is differend so it's hard to tell how long it will stay. Last winter we had spring temperatures till the end of January but in the beginning of February we had a very cold wind from Siberia which was not so good for a lot of plants... Last night it was about -10 degrees Celcius (14 degrees F.)so the conifers are hardened off and are in winter rest now. The barbed wire fence is to keep the elephants out of my property, by doing this they can't bring no damage to my conifers. It works pretty well, I didn't see one here since it was placed... Zsolt, you're right, this time of year my Pinetum is crowded with white variegated conifers. Somethimes also a yellow-whitish variegated one appaers, but that's only an indication that the neighbour's cat was there recently... Beng, like I told to Ken, this winter now seems to be a lot better then the one we had last year. I'll cross my fingers that the temperatures will stay low till the beginning of February... Alex, the last 4 winters were pretty cold, only for a short time with average temperatures of -22 degrees Celcius (-7.6 degrees F.) For now all looks ok, but wintertime has just started... I only cover my young grafted conifers, all the others will stay in uncovered because they can stand the low temperatures very well. This is because I export them to the more colder European countries in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, even Russia were the winter temperatures could be much lower then here in The Netherlands. Tunilla, it seems that the biggest part of Europe is covered with snow now. I prefer better to have snow on my shovel then sh*t. The first one doesn't smell, however frozen sh*t doesn't smell eiter ;0) How about some pics of the plants you bought from me last spring? You promised us those a long time ago... Severn, those are pollarded willows indeed. They're very old specimens and are protected for that reason. The sandy soil here in this enviroment is pretty moisty but never to wet, this is because it's mixed with some gravel. Some more... Pinus strobus 'Ed's Broom' Pinus sylvestris 'Aurea' Picea balfouriana (l) and Picea jezoensis (r)

What lovely snow pics LL, dawiff, and Christine. Love the birdies and sunset pics. Holley your beautious md. pink camellias remind me of my light pink Debutante camellia right now, very full of blooms. Only your cam leaves are a lot darker green. Mine sometimes bloom as early as October, but since we had such a warm Indian Summer,they waited until temps cooled off to bloom.Here's a bloom I picked last night in the dark. I went out and a hummingbird chirped at me from the bush whilst I was picking the flower--it did not fly away... No snow here in Temecula. We have had snow here before, just a couple inches, but it is rare. Snow on Nov 1985 (before we lived here), January 2002, and Nov 2004. All snow was gone in hours. The temps get down to thirties and twenties (I've seen it in the high teens too, in my backyard), but it is usually clear then so no snow. Becky

You just took my breath away, DG. How absolutely gorgeous. I've saved one photo of the whole setting for our album, but can you possibly take one more picture of the centerpiece for me too? I'd like to get the whole thing in one picture even tho your close-ups are wonderful of it. I am so in awe of you gals that can create this kind of beauty. Tho if I did, no one better DARE put a morsel of food on it and get it dirty. LOL. hugs, Karen