We have been having a cold spell which has kept me out of the garden. It is not just the cold but the grey skies and lack of sunshine has left the leaves unraked. It is a job I reserve to keep me occupied in the garden when it is sunny.
Yesterday afternoon we had snow. The flurry did not last long and it had melted before the morning.
The Hellebores were covered with snow but are showing no sign of flowering.
This will be the first really cold weather for some of the new plants. The Azara looks like a mini Christmas tree but is hardy enough as we have only been having lows down to a minimum of minus three degrees Centigrade.
I have to thank Kourosh for these photographs because I stayed by the fire.
a french garden 
It looks pretty, but indoors is definitely the place to be at the moment! We had -13°C last night, but blue skies this morning. Stay warm Amelia!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Minus 13! I like the blue skies, though. Amelia
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a bit of a shock isn’t it? Very cold here day and night. I’m just trying to keep the birds fed. Stay warm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That keeps us busy too and breaking the ice in their bird bath. They will still wash in the freezing water. Amelia
LikeLike
Interesting to see that even in a fairly southerly location, you have had cold weather. It’s been very cold here too, down to -3 at night and generally very icy. No snow here yet but the east has had plenty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do not seem to be having any warmer weather than you at the moment. Amelia
LikeLike
Brrr.. chilly but beautiful. Stay warm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve bought a pair of fur lined jogging pants. Fantastic! Amelia
LikeLiked by 1 person
The fact that you are experiencing a cold wave and we, in southern Europe, have temperatures of 19ºC in December, has meant that the rain is falling heavily here and many areas of Portugal are suffering from floods, namely the Lisbon area and surroundings. The situation is complicated for many people.
Clearly climate change in action…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all have to be aware that there are so many changes which are occurring more rapidly than we imagined. Amelia
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have similar conditions here in southeast Ireland; too miserable and cold for gardening. Thankfully, three nice gardening books arrived today!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Three books! Do you have a problem finding space for plants when you become greatly tempted? This is my problem. Amelia
LikeLike
Staying by the fire sounds like the best option! It’s actually quite cool here in the mornings as cold air is coming up from Antarctica. Definitely not our usual summer weather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We got some warmer weather yesterday and saw some sunshine, it is the light that I miss the most. Amelia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, the only elm I saw in Oklahoma was Ulmus americana. If I saw Ulmus rubra, I did not know what it was. I did not go to regions where Ulmus crassifolia is native, although I know that they do not necessarily stay within their documented boundaries.
LikeLike
Oops, I am very sorry for this comment, which was intended for another blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But interesting, nevertheless :). Amelia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, . . . It is out of context. It really was a splendid group of pictures of Ulmus crassifolia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Winter suddenly arrived just two weeks ago in Creuse…and jumpers were not prepped in time! But new stove in and now cosy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m just belatedly catching up with my favorite gardeners…. how pretty that snow is in your garden! Sounds like we can thank Kourosh for bravely venturing outdoors for those photos! I’m glad you have a cozy fire to keep warm to. I’ve been enjoying mine as well. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seasons greetings and best wishes for 2023. Amelia
LikeLiked by 1 person