Goodbye to Gardening 2009 & Hello, 2010!

These are some gardening photos that never made it onto a post this year.

Redbud blossoms

Hill Country Penstemon

'Aztec White' Verbena

Engelmann daisy

Hypericum

Coral honeysuckle

'Natchez' Mock orange

Haydn Larson flowerpot & Texas longhorn sculpture

Shakespeare in the garden

GARDEN!

Lollipop (Justicia sp.)

Blue potato bush

Redbud in fall color

Crepe myrtle in fall color

Bigtooth maple

Strawberry bush (Euonymous sp.)

Red oak leaf

Pansy

It's been a year full of changes for me, much like a spring to winter transition in the garden.  There was a burst of energy and activity at the beginning, with a move from old to new science buildings at work, and a much needed re-entry into the gardening state of mind.

The summer was a sizzling buildup toward learning my way around here, sending two sons off to college, becoming an empty-nester, and helping to plan and prepare for my daughter's wedding.

The fall brought cooling rains, warm memories of a beautiful wedding, kids doing well in college, and a contentment marred only by continuing complications and additional surgery for a broken kneecap suffered by my oldest son just before the wedding.  All's well that ends well.

This winter brought exciting news of a grandbaby on the way!  Christmas break has been great fun having all the family together, and adding a new son-in-law to the mix!

I've so enjoyed being here.  It's been a real adventure to jump into this community and have all my senses blasted at warp speed!  :-))

Live long and prosper, my friends!  Happy New Year 2010!