We entered the garden through the back gate today, late in the afternoon, and there was a meeting going on so the lights were all on and the house looked inviting…

A walk through Gaiety Hollow this blustery afternoon revealed that MUCH work has been done in my absence…volunteers have finished trimming all the boxwood and it looks very good, even on a dark, wet and dreary day…

Elwood’s Tree Service has done some professional trimming (best done by somebody nimble on the top of a ladder)

and the holly hedge is amazing…

There has been lots of planting…two white lilacs…

a crab apple…

and a beautifully shaped Japanese maple near the house…

a small holly near the back porch…

always more to do though…foundation plantings…

and then the wear and tear of time and weather always brings new projects…

but in spite of the wind and rain, this garden always makes me happy…and now beginning to feel festive…!