If roses flowered throughout the year, think what we’d miss. That wonder in winter of putting out a hand to those dreary sticks and knowing that somewhere is hidden the culmination of next summer. ~Mirabel Osler
The seasons change around us much to our amazement sometimes, and especially if we are not looking. We can see the negatives of seasonal changes especially if they affect our daily lives in ways we wish they wouldn’t. The limited sunlight as fall progresses, driving in icy conditions, the rainy muddy spring and the heat, humidity and violent storms of summer. 
And while it is hard not to get into thinking of the negatives of seasonal change, wishing the summer or spring would go on forever for us gardeners, we know the earth will spin and the seasons must change. And this meme was started as a way for me to recognize all the wonderful aspects of each season. And because I have been focusing on these positives, the seasons have come to mean so much more to me as we pass into each one.
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
This winter my mantra is about honoring the wonders of winter, while I continue to rest and reflect until spring. But this New Year will bring forth a change in my life as I progress further along my new path of retirement started last March. What that change is will be reflected as the New Year unfolds soon. And this winter will give me more time to explore the changes I am seeking.
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So let’s see what wishes, wonders, dreams and thoughts folks have for celebrating the new season where they live….
In the Northeast specifically in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, Pam@Pam’s English Cottage Garden has had an early winter causing her to change her morning routine already:
I don’t walk around the garden, coffee in hand, planning the day’s gardening activities. But take my coffee sitting in my favorite armchair near the French windows in the garden-room, enjoying my feathered friends at feeder and water dish.
I love the feeling this evokes. So much peace in this morning routine. But Pam’s beloved tree that brings all the birds and critters, the northern catalpa, is fading and will have to be removed soon. I do understand how it feels to lose a beloved tree Pam. But planning for those garden changes all winter may bring some solace.
Travelling further north, is Sue@The Northern New York
Gardener. Sue is celebrating winter with wonderful evergreen arrangements:
There are several items you can cut now outside for fillers in your arrangements. Some of these would include dried flower heads such as hydrangea, some grasses, and evergreens such as boxwood, cedar, holly, ivy, pachysandra, and vinca vine. I have quite a few of these plants growing in our yard so thought I’d gather some up and make a few simple arrangements.
Check out some of Sue’s wonderful arrangements that are so festive for the holidays and throughout winter.
Moving to western New York, Michelle@Rambling Woods has many beautiful memories and reflections about the passing of the seasons. And Michelle shares her personal stories with her mother’s and her own cancer over a year ago. Her story began with….
I sat outside and watched nature take me into the winter…..
And ended with Michelle’s declaration that she will never give up. Michelle also included her personal poem, I Will Bend, I Will Not Break. One of my favorite poems of resilience, courage and hope. Thank you Michelle for sharing your critters, garden and story.
As we head out to the midwest we find Jason@gardeninacity, in Illinois, growing a stunning red amaryllis to help get rid of the winter drearies and gloom.
It occurs to me looking at these pictures that one or two Amaryllis really isn’t enough. I wonder if somewhere in the house there’s a wide vase that could hold three or more? or maybe a pot that Judy doesn’t use much?
I agree that one amaryllis or Hippeastrum is not enough. I love growing a few to bring in color during our winter white time.
And Beth@PlantPostings, in Wisconsin, is enjoying the season watching critters in particular a squirrel eating a popsicle.
This little guy picked up a large chunk of snow/ice and proceeded to enjoy a little refreshment. Squirrels are always entertaining, but this particular chunk was about as long as the squirrel’s tail.
Winter is a wonderful time to watch critters since they are so much easier to see now. I have never seen a squirrel eating a popsicle….snow yes, popsicle no. What fun!
Moving to the Colorado Rockies, Cheryl@Gardenhood is celebrating in the dark. Her wonderful tale of seasonal changes, relentless sun, gloomy gray and Seasonal Affective Disorder are fascinating. And I really enjoyed reading about her celebration of the solstice:
So, I will celebrate the season as I have for 30 years: In the dark, in gratitude for the dark, honoring the dark and my need for it. And in the dark, in ceremony, a place will open within me to welcome the light.
What a wonderful way to celebrate the change from darkness into light….I am sure it was a most splendid celebration Cheryl.
As we move a bit south to Texas, Shirley@Rock-Oak-Deer is celebrating the season along the festively decorated River Walk in her beautiful San Antonio. As Shirley says:
There’s no place like home for the holidays. In San Antonio, with its unique Paseo del Rio or River Walk featuring thousands of lights draped over the Bald Cypress trees lining the river, that’s especially true.
And I am taking note of the stunning vistas and wonderful ideas for celebrating the season that Shirley has given us in her post. I hope to one day visit San Antonio and see these magnificent seasonal views in person.
Now we are moving further south. Actually way down south of the equator to Australia where they are not getting snow and winter is long gone. Instead they are in the beginning of summer. How lucky for them.
Bernie@My Dry Tropics Garden is celebrating summer and the beginning of their wet season. With so much going on with her home re-dos she has had to cut back on her gardening. But oh, her garden is sporting some amazing flowers now. And as she explains, she is doing a bit of garden re-do as well:
I’ll be going for a more tropical look and less of a cottagey-garden look, to try and cut down on water usage. I do love flowers, but I feel like a change would be nice in that gardening space.
If that wasn’t enough seeing her flowers, including Hippeastrum actually growing outdoors while ours grow indoors, she also shared many critters out and about in her wonderful garden. A real feast for these flower and color starved eyes. Thanks Bernie!
Well there you have it…bloggers from all over celebrating the new season in such wonderful, special ways. I hope you will join me in the spring or autumn (depending where you live) for another Seasonal Celebrations. What will the next season hold….wonders galore I am sure!
And to all who visit, read, comment and support Gardens Eye View, thank you! Wishing all a very special holiday season. Happy Holidays!!
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In A Vase On Monday
I am sharing this wrap-up of my seasonal meme with a few other link ups. This week, I am linking with Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her meme, In a Vase on Monday, and Christina@Creating my own garden of the Hesperides and her meme Gardens Bloggers Foliage Day. And I am also linking this post to Judith@Lavender Cottage who is now hosting Mosaic Monday.
Throughout the post, I used some views of my vase that I put together for this holiday season….
It really is quite simple and lovely. I used a holiday Belleek bud vase that was given to me as a gift. I thought it was time to take it out of the antique china cabinet.
It is filled with branches and berries from a Japanese barberry; Berberis thunbergii ‘Helmond Pillar’. I loved gently arranging the not so straight branches. Added to the barberry was my tried and true evergreen boxwood, Buxus microphylla var. japonica ‘Wintergreen’. I adore the Christmas look of this arrangement and it should last a long time.
And yes I slugged through the snow, mud and wet to get the boxwood. Actually the barberry grows right off the front porch and the boxwood grows along the front walk. Easy plants to reach for this winter arrangement.
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Next up on the blog:
Next Monday, the last Monday of the year, I will have a native plant profile to close out this year’s Simply The Best series.
I am linking in with Michelle for her Nature Notes meme at her new blog just for Nature Notes. It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Tuesday.
I am also joining in I Heart Macro with Laura@Shine The Divine that happens every Saturday.
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