garden plans & schemes

with the bitter cold engulfing the USofA, we spoiled texans are whining. the high today is somewhere around the upper 40's. brrrrr to our thin blood. but, not to worry, monday is suppose to bring back our charming 70 degree weather. this is why we live in the great state.
looking forward to what winter brings in the texas garden is so indulgent. our bulbs bloom as early as late january (i can see white iris looking for warmth outside my office window). my neighbor reports her byzantine gladiola's are peeking through the dirt. mine, however, are not.
the nice thing about these cold days is that i can sit surrounded by my gardening books and plan and scheme and dream about what to plant in my back garden. we've recently put in new square concrete pavers for the walk and small patio area. complimenting the gray concrete are recycled bricks. some as edging. some free-flowing around the love of my backyard, my urn garden. i will plant between the pavers to give some softness, scent and color. in the urn will be a variety of succulents. i have bulbine (a gift from our son) and rosemary (from our daughter) in place. a wide variety of herbs, scattered among the landscape, will serve as my kitchen garden. my husband is starting on the new side fence and arbor this weekend. we are reusing the old - very solid - frame from the original front screen door as the gate. a neighbor is donating three large foundation stones that we will use in a water feature. my husband is planning his train garden and in the fall i hope to lay the base for the vegetable garden in the side yard - in my excitement i get ahead of myself!
a labor of love. to share with friends and family. my garden gate is always open - in spirit, at least - don't let the dog out!