It's beginning to look alot like...

Our California weather just never ceases to amuse me for some reason, and I find myself wanting to post about it on the blog fairly often. :)

...Spring

White lily of the valley alongside blooming purple sage

The lily of the valley that was transplanted from alongside the house a couple years ago is now in bunches on either side of the yard -- on the fountain side as well as the "palm" side. They are in full spring bloom right now...

...Summer

The white iceberg and pink clilmbing roses we planted a couple years ago have taken off big time this year... they cover our entire fence and the pink ones smell wonderful... I LOVE them! :)

We also planted red climbing roses on the trellis on our side yard this year, and we have our first 2 blooms from them as well. And, as a really sweet touch, a gorgeous mauve colored rose bush that was originally given to Nancy when she was sick ~ has started to bloom as well. There are 3 little roses nestled together blooming right now as I type this... I would take a picture but it's pouring...

But, it was in the 80s a week ago, and my horses and Dylan all got outdoor baths with cold water -- and it felt good! ;)

...Fall

View of the trees out my car skylight, Creek Road in Ojai

Early rain, mixed with some cold, I think, has led to beautifully colored fall leaves. I saw some incredible colors this year, I really *miss* having my camera!! The iPhone camera really doesnt' do it justice because there aren't any options (zoom, setting, flash) I missed alot of great opportunities to capture the red, gold, purple, and orange colors - sometimes all on the same tree - but, I definitely appreciated them this year!

...Winter... CHRISTMAS!
We are currently in the middle of a multi day rain storm which has been dumping water on us for days, with several days more to go! I have a large bucket on the front step to collect water away from the tiles and it filled to overflowing in only 10 minutes today. I've busted out with my fabulous pink and lavendar Wellies - joy! and today at the barn, after feeding supplements, cleaning, and digging trenches for the water to get to the drains, my feet were the only things dry! My water resistant jacket turns water permeable at about 45 minutes of deluge, I have learned... But the horses were happy as I finally drove away - a small river or two running through their DG (better than a giant sandy soup bowl) and fresh dry hay to eat standing under their shelter.

Last night was especially cozy ~ a rainy day, no trims booked... I baked cookies (oatmeal chocolate chip cherry, and gingerbread with raw sugar), we decorated the tree, and made a big dinner of spicy spaghetti with mushrooms, tomatos and olives, garlic bread, salad, and of course some chianti. Watched a movie and had a fire in the fireplace, covered in sleeping dogs and cats with the rain against the windows. Ahhh...