Monthly Archives: December 2025

First Snow

Leave a reply

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.

Related Images:

Decision Time

Leave a reply

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.

Related Images:

Mid December Color

Leave a reply

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.

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

King of the Hill

Leave a reply

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.

Related Images:

Fine Wine on Red Mountain

Leave a reply

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!

Related Images:

Good Morning !!!

Leave a reply

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!

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]