Hey Evelyn,

the pics are great, the twinkling lites in the last pic are my favorite.

You have a very bloomy winter garden there.

Hi Evelyn,

Your pictures are lovely. You have a really fine hand. Isn't it wonderful to have flowers year round?

The yule log tradition is very cool and not something I've heard of (being originally from Miami). Does it have a story behind it?

Julie in WPB

I'm so glad someone (you) posted this thread because I was thinking about it.
A flashy red car was in front of me yesterday and the license read "SOLSTIS".
A time for reflection, renewal and making plans for the new year.
I also love your Yule log tradition. My HOA would probably fine me if I lit one outside so I'll have to skip that.
(One of my "plans" is to move to a non-HOA in 2008.)
Thanks for sharing your photos.

Denise

Evelyn ~ Lovely photos. I visited your wonderful website also. You have created a lovely piece of paradise.

Have a wonderful holiday ~ FlowerLady

yes Tony and Julie, last winter I bought plants that bloom this time of year and now I am glad I did. I especially love the white powderpuff and the dombeya.
The yule log is an ancient pagan tradition and there is plenty of info available online.
Denise, I don't think the HOA has anything against a small fire, if so, BBQ would have to be banned also, since it starts out with an open flame, right? Those store bought 'fire pits' have small fires and are ok to my knowledge. Either way, if our HOA would send us a letter, I know for sure it is neighbor that complained, how else would the HOA know about it.
And thanks Flowerlady for your kind words :-)

Evelyn

Happy Solstice, Everyone!

Thanks for the pictures, Evelyn. Your garden is as lovely as ever!

Kate

Barb, your Queen of the Night is beautiful. Is it blooming NOW? mine does bloom in June....
Yes, the pergolas are great for orchids, I keep mine there under the vine covered one:

this is another pergola, DH's last project:

No, Evelyn my queen of the night is not blooming now, it also bloom in June. I was just struck by how similar our pictures looked. Thanks for the extra pictures of your pergolas. I will be having one done and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I love your fire surrounded by bricks.Picture of the flowers and pergolas are so nice. Thanks for sharing.
Felix

oh nice, those are some good looking tomatoes. I wish I could grow them, same with angel trumpets, both plants just don't survive with me.
Barb, you grow your Queen on a palm tree, too, I see. How do you help it to hold on to the smooth trunk?
And thanks Felix, for the compliment :-)

Evelyn

It was difficult to impossible to get it to more than three or four feet up the palm tree and then it would fall down so I've moved it to a gumbo limbo. We'll see how it does there.