My attempt to show you the snow dusted hills in Livermore.  lol.  Well, I was happy to have some sun during my run anyway.  I feel like I'm waiting for the rain to slow down before I begin on a few projects.  Revamping a small area in the back into a "blue garden".  And the much larger project of removing the last of the perennials, banana trees in the back middle garden, and mounding soil and creating the final cactus bed - let's call this Phase 7.  I've lost count at this point.   I will rehome the perennials.

This small bed (under the kitchen window) gets nice protection from the cold & rain.  So many hidden pots staying dry around the edge that you can't see.   The Aloe Hercules has grown nicely in the past year and will be lovely to look out at.  The mangave is beautiful.  The agave attenuata does well here.  However, I noticed the

 Cereus peruvianus -Peruvian Apple cactus is now the leaning tower.  No worries, I can move this to the new bed.  It will outgrow the space soon anyway.

Leucadendron looking so lovely.

Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg' with gorgeous colors, these look good every day of the year.  And I've just noticed a kitty paw. 

A few pics of current state of affairs to follow.

Planter with succulents next to a Grevillea.

Aloe ferox, about 2 years old?

Calendulas blooming for the past month, bright spots in the front garden.

And the blue honeywort has begun its nice early bloom.  I put one of these in 4" pot (from Annie's Annuals in Richmond) at least 7 years ago, and they have reseeded every year reliably with no work from me.  They have been polite, are easy to pull if they land somewhere not wanted, and are an early welcome bloom.  

A huge dandelion I hadn't noticed, hahaha - I will pull it and feed it to our house bunny later.  It's covering a Dasylirion longissimum that may be rotted in the center?  Time will tell.  

My favorite little dandelion consumer, Camille.  

Dr. Feelgood keeping me warm!