Lucy, I bet that really looks fabulous when those daffs bloom in the spring.

As to crocus, I added lots of crocus this fall, over 1,000 so I am really looking forward to them blooming this spring. However, those were only the begining of my planned added crocus. I have plans to add lots more this fall.

Crocus, like daffs, are good to plant because they come back year after year. My crocus have mostly dissappeared thru the years becase of all my redigging and changing things and adding retaining walls and raised beds. Otherwise they would still be here. So it was time to start adding lots of new ones that I can enjoy for years to come.

I took a day off yesterday but back again to my exercise routine again today. Yesterday was 1 month since I started on December 10th so didn't do anything. I usually do 30-50 minutes on my Gizelle Machine every day and then alternate free weights (light ones) with the stair stepper machine on alternate days.

Looking forward to my next month since I have started (and that will be on Febuary 10th) my goals are more modest than they were in my first month. Since I only lost 5 pounds since starting and not the 10 I had hoped to loose my goal for this month is to loose another 5 pounds and make that 10 pound loss from my starting weight.

I REALLY want to be able to eat pizza and pasta again. But I am stubborn. I promised myself I would loose ten pounds before I had either so I will be sticking to that goal and promise.

And certainly no sweets like candy, cookies, cake and donuts. I do really miss my favorite cookies and Dunkin Donuts. I just LOVE Dunlin Donuts. Probably why I got so fat anyway is eating all those yummy donuts.

Cutting out those "white" foods really does seem to help, and exercise makes ya feel good (and warm!).


Today I saw a bloom stalk forming on my first (and only) hellebore.

The rabbits have pruned the yard roses and other assorted shrubs for me. But they also fertilized those beds, so I guess it's a draw.

I was surprised to note that my Wine Cups haven't lost their green. They can be quite attractive as a cold zone winter plant.

And I like to eat lots of bread and also lots of potatoes. Both of which are not good for loosing weight. But I just am keeping at my workouts and trying to eat less and stay away from the more fattening foods.

Celle: Same damage here except its deer plus "fumetts" for fertilizer.Helebores are just short stemmed buds.

Exercising done for today. 30 minutes on the Gizelle and then the weight exercises. I was able to do two reps of 25 each today. Two days ago when I uppped it to the 5 pound dumbells I was only able to do two reps of 15. When I was at the lower weights I did three reps of 25 and four of 25 on the bicep curls. So I am working up to being able to do all that at the 5 pounds.

So funny that I have had to work up to 5 pounds. I mean 5 pounds is not much. But I had to work up to 5 pounds.

One of the reasons I started this crazy exercise kick I am on now is because I have noticed how much I have slowed down in the garden. Especially these past two years. It takes me so much longer to do stuff and I can't lift much. All in spite of still taking care of my garden each year. So I am hoping my exersises help me gain strength and stamina.

I had thought gardening was enough exercise. But then I did tend to be a couch potato during the winter. But my Doctor told me to exercise so exercise it is. Plus I have lots of fat to get rid of.

Been exercising ever day. I am done with my exercises today. I am wondering if I should go take some aspirin now or later. I can feel it everywhere.

First I did 55 minutes on the Gizelle. Two twenty minute sessions and then that odd 15 minutes of the crossways scizzors motion. I really worked on increasing the range of the scizzors motion by placing my feet further apart on the petals and workling that way. OWWW, owww I can feel that! So that is why the 15 minutes. I couldn't do twenty! Oh well, I will just keep working on it.

Then it was free weights day today. I decided I needed to get more results quicker. So on the core arm exercises I upped my 5 pound dumbells to 7 1/2 pound dumbells by adding my 21/2 pound ankle weights to my wrists. OWW, oww oww. I can really feel that! And I did three reps of ten counts.

On some of the exercises, like the over the head triceps raise, I had to do it with the 5 pound dumbells only. I can't use more. Can barely do it with the fives. I also have a side arm triceps raise and I use only the 5 pounds on those also. It is as much as I can manage.

The upped weights really jumped. From 5 to 7/1/2 really feels much heavier. But I really want results and I want them quicker. More weight will mean more muscle. And I couldn't do more weight before this. I had to work my way up starting with 3 pounds. And I really should still be on the 5 pound weights as those are not anywhere easy for me. Just getting impatient with my exercise. I want results! I want them now!

We had 59 mph gusts so my woodash can blew over and spread ashes all over the garden.No snow cover just now but it is comming.
I am enjoying the snowdrops and emerging helebores.
Witchazel is blooming but nothing to cheer about.

Some snow supped to come here also but last night they said just a dusting. I haven't watched for any updates yet today.

Spitting snow and bitter cold, combined with high winds here.

I'd like to go to the store today, but I sure don't relish the thought of getting out in this.

High winds last night made it difficult for me to sleep. When we came into the driveway late this morning I could see sticks were added to those already down.

Better to stay home and safe.

I decided to walk around the garden today and noticed daff folliage already comming up. I sure hope the daffs don't mind the comming cold.

snow starting.

ACK!!! I just found some buds on some of my Rjenveld's Early Sensation daffodils. So early! Of course those buds are no where near ready to bloom yet and now it has gotten so cold.

It is really cold here and it has been on a 6 day run of cold weather. Not much going on outside around here. I shouldn't compain as fall and winter up to this was quite mild. But of course I am compaining ha-ha as I don't like cold weather at all.

It snowed here earlier today, so I played around outdoors with the camera for a little while.

My hellebore decided to wait a bit longer before blooming. I guess even they don't appreciate the really cold temps we had this week.

Its best o take clues from plants. Helebores here dont grow long stems and open blooms until late Feb.thats just a few weeks.

We had a dusting of snow overnight. Fortunatly it did not amount to much. It is sunny out all day but still cold. I think it was a high of about 22 or so this afternoon.

Perhaps 2" of snow coming on Mon. I hope so we need the moisture.

These are the easiest to photo