So long, 2013...

I don't know whether it's the prospect of going back to work again, the bit of wistfulness that comes with the end of the year, or the sight of our dead Christmas tree but that post-party blues feeling is hovering overhead.  But that's only true because Christmas was awesome -- got to see family, eat delicious holiday food, open presents (more on that in a second), and most importantly, reflect on our spiritual blessings.  I cannot complain.  And thanks to the loving generosity of some wonderful people in my life, I have a few things to be excited about in my garden...

Making tea:

I was not aware that Williams-Sonoma had this awesome "Agrarian" department online in which they sell everything from chicken coops to bee-keeping equipment to vertical gardens to...

Tea making gardening sets!

Obviously awesome!  In the kit are included 3 plants (Orange Bergamot mentha, peppermint, and German chamomile), honey, a very cute honey dipper, and little tea bags.  

I planted the herbs today with great hopes of future delicious tea.  Fortunately, it's been so nice and warm in Southern California that I think the plants will have time to put some stable roots down before it gets cold again.

Good luck, little dudes

I also intend to continue to check out this Agrarian Williams-Sonoma business.  Some of it looks a little crazy (like a $700 vertical planter... no, thank you) but some of it looks like it may be worth a chance (another shot at tomatoes, anyone?).

Thank you, Cal and Rachel!  You know me too well!


Taking better pictures:

Because I got a new toy...

Thank you, wonderful husband!

For you photophilics, this is a Canon Powershot G16 (in a sweet vintage-y leather case that my husband picked).  It's a pretty new model, but the primary upgrade compared to the previous G15 model is the wifi capabilities, meaning that I can upload photos wirelessly directly onto my computer and smart-objects.  Gone are the days of taking a bunch of pictures which languish unseen forever on my point and shoot.  I also put this model on my Christmas list because it supposedly takes good macro (close-up) shots which, as a flower-lover, I can't help but do.

I played with it in my garden today...  

Super close-up shots of my garden:

String of pearls bloom cluster

The closer you get, the more you realize there is to see!

Ever wonder why citrus skin looks like that?

Sweet Jessamine bloom... such a nice color

Once I get the hang of it, I think the pictures will look even better, which will also hopefully mean this blog will look even better.  I'm excited!

Anyway, today instead of music, I leave you with a TED talk that I enjoyed about how to live Superbetter (because I discovered TED talks on Netflix and kind of love them).  Gardening = +10 points, for sure.  Enjoy the last few days of 2013!

Back! (With blooming succulents!)

Okay, yes, that was the hiatus of hiati...  And here's what's happened with me since we last met:

• I (way over-)studied for the Emergency Medicine Boards.  Because that's what I do best... get totally freaked out and study my butt off.  
• I passed the Boards!  Next up, oral boards which will happen in April or November (tbd).  It is quite possible that I will neglect all else again in the freaking-out period leading up to that test, which will be my last for 10 years. :)
• I've started all of my new jobs and gotten (mostly) adjusted.
• My lovely sister-in-law moved out to LA from Virginia -- woohoo!
• And most of my garden has died.

The top three bullet points are what caused me to neglect almost everything I enjoy doing for pretty much the entirety of the fall season, with the result of the last bullet point.  Perhaps I need to work on work-life balance a bit.

BUT we're back!  And slightly neglected or not, there are lovely things happening in the garden. 

Thank goodness for succulents!  Perhaps it's a Californian mark on my garden that I'm planting more and more of these easy and wonderful plants, but they're such easy care.

That birdhouse was an addition by my husband.  Very cute, is it not?

And now they're all blooming!

Gorgeous echeveria

As far as why they are blooming now...  Some general succulent informational sources will tell you that the keys to making your succulent bloom are:

• Temperature fluctuations -- specifically, cool weather followed by warm summer weather which is when blooms come.
• Sufficient water
• Sufficient food
• Increased light with, for instance, the longer days of summer

Now, it has been kind of weird weather here in LA.  While a couple weeks ago, it got quite chilly, more recently, we've had close to 80 degree weather.  It also rained earlier this week.  So maybe those factors have helped.

But there are also quite a few succulents that specifically bloom in the winter (here is quite a nice list) and I appear to have collected a few of these in my garden as well.

String of pearls

Regardless of the reason, I love it.

I had to give this plant a haircut yesterday

I am interested to find out what will happen to my Aeonium plant which is apparently "monocarpic," meaning it only blooms once and then dies.  I am assuming that only the blooming portion will die, but who knows.  

It has a hat now...  looks weird, to be honest.

I am excited to see what will come out of these buds.  I will keep you updated.

In the meantime, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!  May you stay warm and surrounded with love this holiday season!

My wonderful mother-in-law Belinda gave me this ornament!

Lastly, some holiday music!  (Oh, Charlie Brown!)