Snow and sunny days.  Here in the Rocky Mountains, we often have snow on the ground and very sunny days.....which tease us with the possibility of an early Spring.  I have to tell you that after living in Russia for so many years, the sunny Winter day can do wonders for the soul!  As a retailer, January brings the drudge of inventory and taxes......and I can happily say, that for the first time in many years, I've gotten my inventory and taxes done and ready to meet with my accountant on Friday!  Now I will have more time to play in the snow on sunny days!

I've also started the Master Gardener class offered by our local extension office.....we meet every Thursday from 9 am till 4 pm and although it is a long day, packed with more information than my little brain has had to process in many years, I find it a wonderful time with fellow gardeners and we are learning so much!  I'll be in this class through the end of April.....so will be able to really get a better grasp of what it takes to grow a garden here in the Rockies at 7,000+ feet of elevation.  It is a challenge with our short growing season, the clay soil, and all the critters that feast on anything I plant!  But, I will soldier on and conquer the lack of warm nights, the soil and the deer and chipmunks!  Photos in the summer of my success!  Cheers, Jilly