Snow, rain, slush -- a fine mess

Last night, before the rain, the melting, the slush and the puddles, the courtyard trees were cloaked in crystals and droplets:

(The "fine mess" in this post's title refers to the state of the streets and sidewalks during this morning's commute to work -- whether done by wheel or by foot, it involved much slipping and sloshing and splashing.)

A(nother) new calendar & bulbs = Growth potential

Calendar (gift from a friend) with floral images by Vancouver photographer Heather Johnston; forgotten crocuses and snowdrops, found this morning in the back corner of the planting bench -- to be planted this afternoon. They should have been buried in the pots with the others at the beginning of December. They seem very determined to bloom so I'm hopeful.

Lavender in winter

Lavender "snowdrops."