It's been mostly cloudy here today with a brief period of weak sun. High temp reached 43. Long range forecast shows snow showers for the weekend with highs just either side of freezing. No mention of any snow accumulation.... yet!

I just went out and planted 75-100 (I lost count) iris rhizomes, though "planting" probably isn't the correct term. It was more like " scoop, drop, cover". I'm not expecting much since many were small divisions and were planted so late. At least, I got them out of my hair and that's two beds I won't be tempted to plant dahlias in next spring.

I haven't ordered any dahlias yet. Most of the places I plan to order from don't open till February, March or later. Maybe that will give me time to prepare for the fights. Seriously, I absolutely hate combat shopping and having tubers "stolen" from your cart before you can make a mad dash to checkout. I fear becoming so neurotic that this will carry over to my grocery shopping and I'll start carrying a baseball bat in my cart to ward off thieves! LOL

Scarlet, the pythagorean theorem doesn't work with dahlias unless you add 50 more to your final total. Better get busy and order more!!

This morning, I bought my first sub-$3.00/gallon gas in what seems like ages. Hope the downward trend will continue.

2.79/gal here. Also super windy and suppose to get 7" of snow. Now whether that happens or not I do not know. Kid2 and I just got back from the clinic and all is well, roads were in decent shape and with the crud last night it made all the coulees look extra warm in the remaining brush, corn etc. everything took on a really warm tone. In some respects lovely.

We had a bald eagle fly right across our car as we were driving home. Not uncommon to see them in the winter (well anytime!) but I always wonder what it means when they cross your path. Hopefully it's something good!

Pancakes won out for dinner! The hubs is making them. Works for me.

And Dan I laughed - only 50 more?! Sweet! No really, I don't need to be digging in December!

On the gas subject here's a tip. Monday it's typically the lowest for the week. Fill up sometime the beginning of the week and avoid gas stations on the wknds as that's when the price is typically the highest.
Not dahlias I know but hey save a few pennys and spend em on dahlias 😂

Mornin all! Snow has paused and I'll run out and take a few photos. It's quite lovely out. The trees are so full of snow (branch breakers I'm sure) but lovely looking less the mess.

Stay safe any of you dealing w the snow. It looks super heavy here. Pictures once there is more light. And then I'm sending it on to the East.

Happy snow day! It's a quintessential fall!

I kept forgetting to watch this thread! Congrats to Melissa on her 1st place win in the dahlia category. Beautiful photo!
Busy here with Christmas stuff...I love Christmas, giving gifts, decorating, and making cookies so I get a bit absorbed in it.
I finished up the last of the cookies yesterday and made an extra batch for a food truck event on Saturday, the last one until January. I won't be at that one is our annual gingerbread day with the grands. My son and hubs are on their own Still have a few more gifts to wrap, I save the cleaning and food prep for next week. We do Christmas eve at my house with the kids so Christmas day is pretty easy for me...visit the in laws and go to my older son's sis in law's for dinner.

So far we have been pretty lucky weather wise...no snow yet but a storm for Christmas weekend is headed in our direction

I am telling myself NOT to order any more dahlias until I see how the ones that I left in the ground faired...I had already put in a Facebook order for a few I lost and there are still some I want but I will try and have self-control:whistling:

Ronnie: sounds like you are having lotsa fun readying! I have a few more presents that came yesterday to wrap and I have 3 outstanding. I'll get there!

As for dahlias I tossed a bunch and ordered 8-10. I forget which number. But I viewed it as a bit of an insurance. Plus I'm over winter in my head and looking forward to spring!

AM: we have power but 4 of the other small towns in the vicinity are without. Makes you wonder if it was weather related or if it's something else more nefarious at work whatever that is. We usually don't loose power in the winter so an anomaly for our region. This is the second big power outage in the last week.

I got my shredding done! Compost heap will be happy! I'm glad to have that done and will throw the bags in my can I use for rain barrel purpose when it's warm out. If I were smart I'd fill three 5 gal pails and get them thawing in house for my water jugs that are about out. In fact maybe I'll go do that now. I've got lots of snow and plants to water soon.

Happy day all!

Two 5 gal pails packed w heavy wet snow to make new water for my plants! I probably should have done 4 buckets but yep no. Snow is heavy and wet.

I have lots to do but now want to sit still and do nothing.

Maybe I'll get a few more things off my list so I can get on with my list. Besides since kids are on a snow day, kid2 would like to make cookies. So maybe we'll make some gingersnaps here in a bit.

Dahlia looking will be thereafter!

Thinking - usually I keep my dahlias separate from my other beds but I am contemplating put some in my front of house beds. What are some of the other flowers you all may put in w/a mixed bed?

Morning friends!

The plows up and down the street and a grumbling. I haven't looked out but when I went to bed we had about 7" and were and are to get up to 6" through today. Schools on, kid2 has his concert. We are heading over for that later today and of course the FFA fruit to pickup for delivery.

I can't wait for the FFA oranges! Always a beautiful box of fruit.

As for dahlias … I'm ready to start! Hah. My house isn't cleaned where I can turn my focus to the flowers only. Maybe one of these fine days.

Happy day to you all!

On the drive home from the great ffa fruit drop.




What most of the trees look like near me. Totally beautiful but a lot of loss.

Merry Christmas (early) all!

How it looks in my neck of the woods of late -


Stay warm and stay safe! Enjoy your families!

I'm early, but my days are full this week and I would like to make sure I tell you all thank you so very much for being dahliahead friends! You all are wonderful!

Merry Christmas to you all! Stay warm and safe with this crazy weather on its way. Enjoy your families and loved ones!

Thank you again. 🎄

Aww Scarlet same to you
I will also offer my Merry Holidays to all

Update on snow falling here: 10-15". Now what praytell do I need that for?

This is currently what's on my deck:




In theory I should go clean it off, in practice it's going to sit there!

Working on quilt block number 3. It's going ok. A bit simpler than the first two. I do hope I can get this done in a timely manner. I'm not sure.

Merry Christmas to all!

Very festive! Mine never looked like that, the JBs gave them crew cuts!

Neither did mine.

Merry Christmas to all my dahlia garden friends !
Snow due on Thursday night.
DH & I are secluded with covid. It sure knocked us out. We are slowly recovering.
Christmas festivities will be delayed.
Remembering summer - was it really that hot?

Get better soon!