First Snow

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Winter Blanket on Kotoji and Stream
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Yesterday, the forecast was for rain. We were surprised as the light rain turned to a full snowfall by mid morning. After about four hours of snowing, it warmed up a bit and started to rain again. It quickly began to melt.

During the transition between the snow and rain, I grabbed my camera and took a jaunt through the garden. Everything was so very quiet. There was not any vehicle action through the neighborhood. No one was out shoveling at the time. Even the birds were not out! Everything was so very peaceful. I enjoyed the quiet and peace as I wandered through the snow covered landscape. What a beautiful stroll!

This morning the skies are bright blue without a cloud. The ground is still covered with snow but the trees have lost their snow blanket. It’s time to take another stroll through our Heatherwood landscape before all the snow melts.

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Decision Time

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Kotoji and Waterfall
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

I enjoy the sound of the rushing water as it moves through the main hillside stream past the Kotoji lantern. The visual impact is stunning as well. Alas, it is the time to make the annual decision to turn off the water, or not. I delay day after day … should I turn it off now or wait one more day? If the stream freezes it may flow over the sides and wash out some of the surrounding ground. Should I be safe and turn it off now, or can I wait a day or two more? Later this week the temperature is forecast to drop below freezing for a period of time. I will turn it off today before I forget.

Not all is lost, I will still be able to keep the small side waterfall flowing throughout the winter. The sides are steep enough to keep the water flowing into the pond.

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Mid December Color

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December Color
Heatherwood Rock Garden

Color persists as Heatherwood moves into winter. The Wintersonne mugo pine is turning into its brilliant yellow winter color. The bright red berries of the evergreen cotoneaster highlight the hillside and provide treats for the wintering birds. The ice plants are turning from their summer green into their winter orange. The green of the Valley Cushion mugo pine and the gray-green of the thyme provide additional contrast. The color will last throughout the coming winter providing interest through the season.

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King of the Hill

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Col Solare Winery
Red Mountain, SE Washington

Col Solare sits at the top of the Red Mountain hillside vineyards. The winery started out as a joint venture of Italy’s Antinori wine family and Washington’s St. Michelle winery. The Antinori family has recently bought out St. Michelle’s interest and now own and manage Col Solare.

Col Solare’s estate vineyards extend in a fan shape from the winery down the slopes of Red Mountain. This image is from their vineyard looking up the hill to the winery and tasting room. In addition to their estate vineyards, they select grapes from several of the other vineyards on the Red Mountain hill side.

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Fine Wine on Red Mountain

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Looking East from Col Solare
Red Mountain, SE Washington

Some of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in Washington are from Red Mountain near Benton City in SE Washington. The Col Solare winery and tasting room sits on the top of the mountain. Several other great boutique wineries lay in the valley below.

The fall is a beautiful time to visit with all the various shades of the vineyards throughout the area. Mary and I frequently take the 1.5 hour drive down to enjoy the scenery, taste the excellent wine, and pick up our quarterly allocations. It is a great way to spend a sunny day!

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Good Morning !!!

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Sunrise
Heatherwood, Late Fall

Late fall and winter sunrises at Heatherwood are frequently spectacular. Many times I arise early in the morning when it is pitch dark. After a bit, a slight hint of light rises in the east. I see a trace of orange on the horizon. Soon the light spreads across the sky in pastel shades orange and pink. The hills and valley below are still pitch dark. Gradually, I can see dark shadows of hillsides and trees emerge. Then the sky bursts out in glorious brilliance of yellows, oranges, pinks, and purples. Mother Nature shouts out GOOD MORNING!!! Quickly the light spreads over the valley and the brilliant sky colors start to fade. It is a wonderful way to start the day!

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Looking Into the Woodland

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Woodland Edge
Heatherwood Fall

As our neighbors walk along the neighborhood road, they come across this view into our woodland garden. Fall color is everywhere. As I write this, the red leaves of the background maples are rapidly falling. Soon the neighborhood walkers will be able to see the bluff rising above the garden. Even after the leaves have all fallen, there will be plenty of color with the green conifers, red/purple barberry, white birches, and red and yellow dogwood shrub branches. In addition, the interesting textures and tones of the grasses and perennials will continue to provide winter interest.

As we developed our Heatherwood garden, one of our design criteria was to provide interesting views and vignettes from the road into the garden. Sharing nature’s beauty is an important gift that we can give. Visitors can enjoy Heatherwood’s beauty looking in as we enjoy its beauty looking out.

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Looking Out My Office Window

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Fall Colors
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

I begin each day in my office writing in my journal. The sun was not up when I started writing today. When I was finished I turned around and saw the early morning light on the garden outside my office window. My mind quickly shifted from scattered daily thoughts to just enjoying the beauty of nature in front of me. What a great way to begin the day ahead!

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Turn to the Right 30 Degrees

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Overlooking the Meadow
Heatherwood Fall

This image was created at about the same spot as yesterday’s post. I just turned about 30 degrees to the right. The Golden Joy juniper is still the star attraction. But now the background is made up by the flowing grasses in the meadow. I see pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples, creams, and multiple shades of browns. The color palette is full!

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Prime Fall Color

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Overlooking the Middle Lawn
Heatherwood Fall

Heatherwood is in its prime fall color this first week in November. Over the last week, the garden has been exceptional. We are enjoying every moment! Color is everywhere. I’ve found myself lost exploring various ways of viewing the garden and discovering small vignettes. A couple of days ago, I spent over six hours walking around the garden with my camera. Yesterday I spent four hours absorbing the fall colors. Later today I plan to explore a little more.

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