Friday, December 23, 2016

Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas!

Christmas came early to Southern California with an unexpected rainstorm beginning Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Thursday morning.  Our roof-top weather system recorded 1.14 inches of rain but there's evidence it's reading low - our neighbor's system directly across the street consistently records more and my no-tech test tube rain meter recorded almost 2 inches.  Whichever total is correct, that's the most rain we've received from any weather system this year and heavier rain is expected today!

The house is decorated outside.


The Magnolia leaves and the orange berries shown in this photo blew away in the storm but the rest of my additions to my purchased wreath, the succulents, the Toyon berries, the gnome, and the ribbon remain intact

The gnome and the gargoyle extend their holiday greetings


And the inside is decorated too.





Pipig has staked herself out a snug spot under the tree.



And my husband is occupied with a new project, calibrating our weather system's rain measurement accuracy.

Don't ask me to explain it - I'm not the scientist in the family


Cards have been sent, presents are wrapped, the pantry is stocked, and I have a holiday lunch scheduled with friends this afternoon.  Despite the gloomy political scene, all seems merry and bright at the moment.

However you're spending the holiday weekend, I hope good cheer finds you too!


All material © 2012-2016 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
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30 comments:

  1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)December 23, 2016 at 7:46 AM

    Merry Christmas to you and your hubby! I love your decorations. We (=the weak link that is yours truly) bought into the laser projector craze this year. I do love how it lights up the plants and house at night. I will post some photos when I get a chance.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 8:41 PM

      Better late than never as the saying goes. I've been tempted by those laser projectors too. Next year maybe. Have a wonderful holiday, Gerhard!

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  2. DeniseDecember 23, 2016 at 8:51 AM

    Our hood bought into that craze too this year, Gerhard ;)

    Have a great holiday, Kris -- you certainly look ready for it. We bought a little tree, one of the last in the lot, on Wed night up in your neck of the woods, the tree lot on Western and 9th, and it's been set up outside on the front porch -- quite the departure, our first non-indoors tree. I think it's a new tradition.

    Merry Christmas to your household!

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 8:43 PM

      My husband would LOVE it if the Christmas tree stayed outside. Frankly, he's be happier still if there was no tree at all. (He tutored under Scrooge I think.) Merry Christmas, Denise!

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  3. ericnpDecember 23, 2016 at 9:04 AM

    A very merry Christmas to you both and, of course, to Pipig too.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 8:44 PM

      Best wishes to you, Docken, Lucy and the rest of the menagerie, Eric!

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  4. Hoover BooDecember 23, 2016 at 9:19 AM

    Your home looks beautiful, Kris. Your decorations are as well done as your garden and flower arrangements. Merry Christmas to you, The Scientist, and Pipig.

    We show 1.26"! Chance of rain tonight according to NOAA is 100%!

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 8:48 PM

      It's coming down pretty good right now, HB! I noticed that Weather Underground dropped the projected rain total for the system dramatically this evening but we're already ahead of the forecast at 0.3/inch and it's only been raining here about 90 minutes so far.

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  5. sueDecember 23, 2016 at 9:31 AM

    I like the look of the evergreen boughs draped over your arbor. You might consider planting a weeping atlas cedar alongside it and training the tree to cover the arbor and dangle it's branches thru the openings, it would give the same effect, and be permanent. Sue

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 9:03 PM

      That's an interesting idea, Sue. We've got a vine, Pandorea jasminoides (I think), growing there now but it's never thrived. Keeping the cedar trimmed so as to allow unobstructed passage could be a challenge perhaps but if the growth is slow enough maybe that's a non-issue. I've no practical experience with cedars of any kind.

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  6. Amy@SmallSunnyGardenDecember 23, 2016 at 11:02 AM

    It's looking very festive, Kris! I'd say we got at least 3/4 inch of rain here... don't have an exact amount, need your husband's skills ;-) More rain on the way, we hope! Merry Christmas to all of you, including Pipig, who looks perfect under the tree!

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 9:04 PM

      The only thing Pipig likes more than the Christmas tree is the space heater - she's in holiday heaven right now. Merry Christmas, Amy!

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  7. AlisonDecember 23, 2016 at 2:20 PM

    Merry Christmas, Kris! Hooray for rain, what a wonderful holiday present Mother Nature gave you.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 9:08 PM

      It's amazing what a mood booster rain is here, Alison, at least for the gardening crowd. Today's storm took it's time getting here but it's moved in this evening and I hope we'll be getting another good soak. Merry Christmas to you!

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  8. Diana StuderDecember 23, 2016 at 2:22 PM

    our low tech counted 20mm. Had some fierce weather today, but the garden will be grateful as it stands up again.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 9:09 PM

      I'm glad you've received a break from your drought too, Diana! We're getting wind with our rain as well.

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  9. Eliza WatersDecember 23, 2016 at 6:28 PM

    Your garden must be delighting in nature's recent gift of rain. Blooms aplenty!
    I love your wreath and decorations. Pipig is cute under the tree. I used to have a cat who did that. My latest two prefer cushier settings. ;)
    Merry Christmas, Kris!

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 23, 2016 at 9:14 PM

      A friend told me today that she thinks these rains are setting us up for a beautiful spring. On the one hand, I think her assessment is premature but, on the other hand, I hope she's right! An article in today's paper suggested that the ridge of high pressure that's prevented rain from reaching us in SoCal has moved out of the way, at least for now.

      Enjoy your holiday, Eliza!

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  10. danger gardenDecember 23, 2016 at 11:05 PM

    Yay for Christmas rain! Love your festive holiday decor, good for you for not letting Scrooge shut down the celebrating. Oh and how nice of you to proved a place for Pipig to hide out and observe. Merry Christmas Kris!

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 24, 2016 at 10:44 AM

      The rain moved on after a good drenching last night but left us with a crystal-clear sunshiny Christmas Eve so all is good. Merry Christmas to you too!

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  11. DonnaDecember 24, 2016 at 8:40 AM

    Oh it all looks merry and bright....wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 24, 2016 at 10:45 AM

      And to you as well, Donna! I hope the new year allows you to return to active blogging.

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  12. GalanthophileDecember 24, 2016 at 11:20 AM

    And a merry Christmas from the UK where it is warm and windy (for December!) The rain measuring equipment looks strangely attractive in your splendid garden.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 24, 2016 at 12:58 PM

      Ha! I'll let my husband know that you admired his rain measuring apparatus, Ian. Enjoy the holiday!

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  13. chlorisDecember 25, 2016 at 4:19 AM

    Always glad to hear about your much needed rain. A very impressive rain measuring system. I love all your festive decorations. Happy Christmas Kris.

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 26, 2016 at 5:13 PM

      I'm already wondering how long that rain measurement system is going to remain in place. Luckily, Los Angeles has received more rain this December than any December in the past 6 years and there's another storm possibility before month's end so, hopefully, the data collected in the near-term will be sufficient to consider the experiment successfully concluded...

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  14. M/S DesignDecember 26, 2016 at 1:55 AM

    Wish you a happy Christmas!
    Fine wreath of succulents.
    Mariana

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  15. outlawgardenerDecember 26, 2016 at 6:04 AM

    Your home and garden are festively decked! I hope you had a grand weekend and wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year!

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    1. Kris PetersonDecember 26, 2016 at 5:13 PM

      Thanks Peter! I hope the new year delivers for you too!

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