Anticipation...

We're in the dead of winter here. And although the 2 or so new inches of snow each day have kept the landscape a beautiful winter wonderland, it's cold. Travel is difficult. Every activity requires more time, more clothing, more energy just to get around. It's just the right time to get out of town and look for warmer climes.

Anticipation... Seed catalogs have been arriving for the last 2 weeks.  Spring garden planning can certainly help a winter along.  The houseplants are trying to bloom - another sign that winter won't last forever.  Two amaryllus bulbs were found while cleaning out my in-laws home.  A little water - a little light, and they are showing signs of  new growth. 

Clivia Blossom - just starting.

The clivia is sending up a new blossom.  Clivia only blossom once or twice a year, so it's always a special treat.  Each blossom will open to a lovely orange cup together forming a large ball of flower.

And finally, one of my orchid is going to blossom again!  This is very exciting. I have 2 orchids; both were in full bloom when I received them as gifts.  But since their original blossoms they have both just been sitting around, not doing much of anything.  Finally a week or so ago, I noticed that this one was sending up a new shoot, and low and behold -- blossoms. 

So although outside my window the snow and cold makes it hard to remember that the landscape is indeed alive, still there are things happening. 

And now for our winter adventure.  Next Friday my husband and I are leaving cold and snowy NY for McAllen, TX.  We plan to be away for all of February.  McAllen is about as far south as you can get in Texas.  It's near South Padre Island and the Mexican border.  My daughter-in-law will be housesitting the plants, and I predict she will get to witness the full glory of the amaryllus. I plan to document our trip with nature updates as we travel south, so stay tuned.  And hopefully... prayerfully... signs of spring will be waiting for us when we get back.