I am blessed with this magnolia tree in my backyard, and a hillside location that catches the very late, pink light of the sun setting over the Olympics. I’ve been trying to catch the magnificence of the tree in all its glory, and yesterday the light was just like I like it. Digital cameras are so wonderful! I would never have kept shooting like I did, hoping for the perfection of bloom and light, with a film camera. I just love that it’s all free!

Here are some scallions getting ready to bloom. I planted some seeds three years ago, and was surprised to find they come back every year, even spreading little new ones by seed. So firm and vigorous looking! In the back you can see some grape hyacinths, also an easy to grow and welcome sight in the spring.

The weather was  more Christmassy than springlike, but the snow didn’t last long. Good thing I was able to rush outside and take this photo. A few hours later, all trace of snow was gone.

These plants overwintered in this mild-frost winter. They were very easy to start from seed. So cheerful and colorful in the early spring sunshine!

If only the web came with smell. The scent of the daphne flowers is stupendous and is the best part of February and March in the Seattle area. In Northern California, daphne blooms in January and February.