Spring, Snow, Scenery

The plants in my area - coastal southern CA - are on a different schedule than on the east coast. The trees that lose their leaves are doing so around Thanksgiving and Christmas. They immediately re-grow their leaves so that by February they are green again with baby leaves. The dogwoods bloom around the same time, and so do the lily of the valley and then we have the beautiful pink flowering plum trees... and some white flowered tree that may be a non-fruited plum also? I don't know a lot about plants except that they are so beautiful out here! The one to the left is some kind of geranium (according to Aunt Lois' plant book) that I absolutely adore. It's my favorite... I love the little pink rose-like buds and the way they grow like mini bouquets. It does an amazing job of blooming year round in our pot in the backyard. The one on the right is a pink camellia... it is supposed to bloom for a few months starting in December and it does, like clockwork!

We recently had a bunch of rain and it was cold (50s during the day) and that means the nearby Topa mountains get snow... I recently went and trimmed for a new client, a really nice lady (and I loved her friend as well - Mario was a little dismayed at how easily we can talk... and talk... and talk... horses, hooves, life, etc. It's just that I find that people that are into natural hoof care end up also being into all the same kinds of things that I am!!) These women live in what is known as "Upper" Ojai, which is roughly between "regular" Ojai and Santa Paula. It's somewhat remote but sooooo beautiful back there, as you can see! Mario and I took these photos on Wednesday. To the left is one of her horses, the other pics were snapped on the way to her place. The grass was emerald green in the sun! I feel so fortunate to have a job right now, but also to have one that allows me to see things like this all the time!