We just got our first significant rain this past week. And it's turned cold. Well, cold for California. We've seen frost on the ground and my birdbath was actually frozen over last Monday. Bottom line is we should be getting much more rain this time of year than we've seen. I'm concerned that '08 may be even drier than this year. I hope I'm wrong.

It just started snowing here - yay!!! It's still really wet from last Friday's rains, too. But it's COLD! Only 20 deg. and dropping. Brrrrr.

We are currently under a weather storm watch for icing. It has been raining for several hours and the temperature is hovering just below freezing.....not a good forecast for us!
People still remember vividly the ice storm of last January, including us. We had no power for 11 days. We had an automatic generator installed right after that storm that operates off the propane tank.......I told DH we were too old to go through that again so we decided the cost was worth it.

People were lined up at the stores laying in supplies yesterday.

Our rainfall is hovering right at normal for the year.

Our daughter was just talking about how she should move to a warmer area; she lives in KC, Mo. I may just suggest Ala.

Yes Steven I sure hope we all get more rain in '08. We haven't had a frost yet !!

angel: snowing !! Wow. My DD in SLC said it snowed all Friday and most of yesterday. She loves it.

gldno: there are some greaaat houses for sale here in our neighborhood. Send her down. c

We woke up to snow this morning, looks like we'll be sticking close to home again today. The last snowfall 14" worth didn't stay as it started to pour and it was gone in about a day and a half. It created havoc for many though with severe flooding here on the island. This year we've had a boil water advisory twice so far. Last year was the first time this has ever happened here.
My Christmas wish this year is, the south gets some relief from the terrible drought they are having. I can't think of anything worse than not having water. The weather patterns in the last couple of years have really been bazaar, lets hope they will turn around soon.

Annette

It's been warm here, too, and still without our first frost. The leaves on my 2 ornamental pears have just now turned color and have started falling. I spent yesterday raking leaves while wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

Last week all our highs were in the 70's and 80's, but we have had a blast of cooler, wetter weather this morning. We need the rain but I fear that this rain is going to cause even more weeds to sprout, and of course the seeds that have I have planted, or were self-sown. On the other hand, my roses are blooming, sending out new leafy growth and looking very nice.

I have 4 O'Clocks, morning glory and poppy seeds that have sprouted and are actively growing. The first hard freeze is probably going to take care of them!

I hope some of this rainy weather drifts your way, Caroline.

Marilyn

We've got warm weather here, too. Spent the afternoon on the screened porch. Yesterday, DH and I painted the neighborhood signs for several hours and we were in short sleeves and hot. Will be warmer here this week. I have a few flowers blooming -- scabiosa, nepeta, one potted rose. Many of the perennials have not died back. The foliage is still green. I cut back the colocasia and brugmansia and mulched for the winter -- now, I'm concerned that they'll sprout again.

No rain in our forecast. We've had two predictions for sprinkles that never came over the last few days.

I was just outside with our greyhound and it felt so strange out there in the warm, dark night.

Cameron

It was 75 in GA yesterday. I was wearing a t-shirt and sweating as I collected the leaves. My dafodills are emerging. DS was sunbathing in a backyard.
~Natalie

My Dutch iris bulbs are emerging! The FROGS have come back out and are playing in the waterfall again!

This is just crazy. We're sitting here with the doors and windows open. It doesn't look or feel like winter. Still in a drought, too. No rain in sight.

Cameron

Yuuuup, this is crazy. We have dinner by the pool every night...all the flowers are still blooming...the impatiens are reblooming after I cut them back...weird...wonder what February will be like ?? c

It hit 80 here today also. DH and I sat on the deck while the grandson played in the back yard bare footed with shorts on. I'm not complaining...it will be cold soon enough. The new well and sprinkler system is keeping my lawn looking good but I still would rather have the wet stuff from heaven.
Vikki

It is 8:25 am, Tuesday morning, as I am writing this. The current temperature is 62 degrees. That will give you an idea of what the temperatures are going to be around here today!

Plus there is a gentle drizzle falling. Between the mild temperatures, and the rainfall, it's more like spring than winter. In fact, I pass a vacant lot filled with Queen Anne's lace in full bloom, every day.

What an interesting fall/winter we are having this year!

Marilyn

I have all the windows open this AM. Sun and breeze. No rain....only a slight chance of a drizzle tomorrow. I watered pots yesterday. The pansies were drooping. Hope this gets back to "normal" soon. c

Enjoy that warm weather while you can. Holiday shopping is much more fun when it's warm out, imo. Plus less dangerous without the icy streets and highways.

We often have warm weather like that in SoCal in late fall/early winter. I remember when I hosted my quilt groups annual get together several years ago and we had to open the windows, it had warmed up so much. I loved it but then the older I get the more I love warm weather any time of the year. : )

Our recent storm continues to linger around the mountain tops, bringing us another dusting of snow last night. It's melting fast as the temps rise - it's almost 40! lol! I took a few pics of some blooms still holding on. The penstemons are my favorites - real troopers and such vibrant color, although I didn't do the best job of capturing it. If you'd like to see them, they are in the Winter page at the bottom.

Diana

Here is a link that might be useful: winter blooms

Down here in tropical s.e. FL it is 80 and breezy. We had a little rain last night, but not what we need. We have the a.c. on. Banana bread with chocolate chips is baking, I've finished decorating my little tree made from a seed frond of a palm tree. It is decorated with bits of shells we found plus some little star fish we bought yesterday at a shell shop near us. Then I glued little blue glitter stars to the tips of each branch for a bit of sparkle.

It is too warm to be December and I can hardly believe some of you are having the same warm temps. I hope we get some cooler weather and some liquid sunshine soon.

Enjoy this Christmas season inside and out.

FlowerLady

Diana....wow is all I can say. I had planted penstemons this past spring. I am hoping for nice blooms this next summer. They are very green right now. None of my perennials have died back at all...no frost...no rain...c

Diana ~ What a treat to see your sweet blooms doing their thing in the snow! Hope you are keeping warm. Your view out your window is lovely and awe inspiring.

FlowerLady

Great pictures, Diana!

I always love seeing flowers blooming in the snow. Something about their will to live under trying circumstances makes me smile and appreciate their beauty even more.

Marilyn