Enjoying the very first fistfuls of hellebore (or Lenten Rose) from the late-winter garden and tossing them together with some blooms leftover from Valentines Day for a fun little personal arrangement to place on the cold wood stove. It's nice to enjoy continued mild temperatures here in the mountains, although the rain continues to prove relentless. 2018 set a record breaking year seeing a total of nearly 80'' of rainfall. Things are looking similar as we settle into 2019 with ample rain in nearly every weekly forecast thus far. But rain does bring on the plants and springs seems to be just around the corner given all the ample 'hydration'. The wood hyacinth have just pushed through the soil and a few daffodils are beginning to bloom around my small acre of property. The serviceberry have silvery, wooly buds and the paw paws have even broken out in itty-bitty, plum-colored flower buds. Looking forward to so many more spring arrivals within the next few weeks. In the meantime, a wintertime arrangement serves as a nice reminder the growing season is just around the corner.