Day:  52-degrees  |  Night:  45-degrees
​It's New Year's Eve.  The last day of 2022.  It's become just another day here in the Carondelet Garden.  We, long ago, stopped trying to go out and "party" on New Year's Eve. As my lovely niece once said, "you were born old."  She's right, of course.  I was born old and I'm just now catching up.

I'm not a person for New Year's resolutions or the like.  Instead, I try to remember the good times over the past year, the friends we made along the way, the friends we lost along the way, and the best little pup in the world who is no longer here in person but lives on in our hearts.  We remember.  We are also looking forward as well.  New year.  New adventures.  

It is also a good time to say thank you to those who have helped you along the way.  Thank you to those of you who comment and respond to this rambling old man.  So many of you were such a balm during our sorrows and lifted us up when we needed it.  Many of you answered questions this old gardener asked without making me feel like a dummy.  Thank you!  Thank you! Thank you!

Sunny skies over South Saint Louis this morning with some clouds moving in the afternoon.  Winds are out of the SE at 5 to 10 MPH.  Happy New Year's Eve gardening friends. Here's to a 2023 filled with the bounty of the earth.  Thank you for making my 2022 a good year.  Looking forward to whatever 2023 brings.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  47-degrees  |  Night:  33-degrees
And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down!  It's a wet morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The outdoor decorations are down for this year.  Life is slowly returning to an assemblance of normalcy for this old gardener.  

We had the wonderful experience of visiting with our newest great-niece and her parents yesterday.  I also met our newest neighbor as well.  A day of beautiful babies! What fun to meet these new lives.  Such promise and potential.  Hope is in the air and prayers for an amazing life filled with faith, hope and love!  Isn't that what we all need?

Rain and clouds cover the skies over the Carondelet Garden.  Showers will continue throughout the afternoon with winds out of the North at 5 to 10 MPH.  The perfect day for some College Football.  Go Irish!  We wish you faith, hope and love on this New Year's Eve Eve!  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  63-degrees  |  Night:  44-degrees
It's cloudy and downright warm this morning in the Carondelet Garden.  Wasn't it just this time last week that we were in super frigid conditions? Welcome to Saint Louis!

It is Twixtmas season.  That time between Christmas and New Year's Day that is a bit of a weird time.  Not quite normal but not really a holiday either.  It's not the 12 Days of Christmas it's only a week but life seems a bit off.  Nothing feels normal.  Whatever normal is supposed to feel like.  I remember a time when I used to try to get so much done because we were off from work that week.  We rushed around to try and finish all of the chores we had been putting off.  Decluttering and de-Christmassing the house before the New Year.  Thankfully, those days are over.  We are now just contemplating the new year.  What would we like to do and how would we like to do it.  It's an odd feeling actually.  We have been caretakers for so many years and now we are not really responsible for anyone or anything other than ourselves. It fits the season of Twixtmas.  It's a bit of a weird feeling.  Excited for possibilities.  Hopeful.  A bit apprehensive.  Kind of like life, I guess.  Just because you are older doesn't mean you have all the answers.  I'm learning that one the hard way.  Today, I am hopeful!

It's cloudy and warm here in South Saint Louis.  The skies are overcast but we may see a peak or two of sunshine.  The winds are out of the South at 10 to 20 MPH.  I wish you hope, peace and love this Twixtmas time.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  49-degrees  |  Night:  44-degrees
​It's Day Trip Wednesday for this #supercoololdcouple from South Saint Louis.  We are heading out to visit a couple of Antique Malls for the day.  We are just getting into this phenomenon.  It's been fun to look at the old memories.  We don't buy much but we enjoy reminiscing!

I love the quote "in a world where you can be anything, be kind!" I try to live that.  Sometimes the smarminess comes flying out of my mouth before my brain kicks in.  I'm a work in progress as they say.  You can teach old dogs new tricks, it just takes a bit longer.  I'm working on being the person I was meant to be not the person I thought I should be.  It's hard to be vulnerable and open especially for an old introvert like me.  Today I am going to be the kindness I want to see in the world.  At least, I'm going to try.

The sun is shining here in the Carondelet Garden on this last Wednesday of 2022.  The winds are out of the South at 15 to 25 MPH.  Gustier winds are possible.  Be careful if you are driving around in those gusty winds.  Find some goodness around you today.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others.  It's a sunny day in December.  Let's celebrate!  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  34-degrees  |  Night:  27-degrees
The sun is shining, and the skies are blue over the Carondelet Garden on this last Tuesday of 2022.  It's a cold start to the day here in South Saint Louis with temperatures still lingering in the teens.  Changes are coming!  Warmer weather is moving back in which means I can get the outside Christmas decorations put away for this year.

There's something special about wispy white clouds on a bright blue sky in Winter.  The very sight of it makes me smile and gives me a lift of hope.  The holidays are hard for so many of us.  I have so much to be thankful for, yet the demons still sometimes attack.  That's when you cling to whatever hope you can find.  Wispy white clouds on a bright blue sky? It lifts my spirits for sure. A warm cup of tea on a quiet winter's morning. The love of the most wonderful person in the world. Yes.  I count my blessings.  They are abundant.  The light comes but we have to open the door to let it in.  Count your blessings.  Look for the goodness and kindness around you.  Hang on to hope!

Sunny skies with winds out of the South at 10 to 15 MPH.  It's a beautiful morning with the promise of warming temperatures.  Hope is alive and well if we look for it.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  32-degrees  |  Night:  14-degrees
We had a slight dusting of snow overnight in the Carondelet Garden casting a powdery glow across the Rosemary in the kitchen garden.  This frigid run over the past few days has taken its toll on my poor Rosemary plant.  It is quite lovely in its snow dusted state.  I take t6thhe wins where I get them.  

I can't believe it is December the 26th.  I started keeping this little blog or IG account on January 1st of 2022 as a journal of my attempts at gardening.  It's grown and changed over the year as life has a way of doing.  It has become a journal of gardening and life for this old gardener.  I've often thought of keeping a journal I just never really stuck with it for any length of time, but this gave me a a good reason to stick to it.  I wanted to know the weather patterns, what I planted and when.  What did well and what didn't do so well.  Along the way I met many wonderful people who encouraged me to keep going.  Thank you so much for the encouragement and caring.  

The skies over South Saint Louis are overcast on this Boxing Day Monday.  A few scattered snow showers are possible throughout the day with winds out of the WNW at 10 to 15 MPH.  We should see a gradual warming throughout the week.  My old bones are looking forward to a bit more warmth!  I hope the holidays were good for you.  I hope you have an opportunity to relax a little and recover from the hectic pace and expectations.  As this year draws to a close, I wish you peace, hope, faith and love.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  25-degrees  |  Night:  19-degrees
A very Merry Christmas.  The long wait of Advent is over.  The days are growing longer with the light returning.  The light will overcome the darkness.  Merry Christmas indeed!

From the comfort of the Carondelet Garden, we wish everyone the Merriest of Christmas Days.  Be kind to yourself and others as you gather together to celebrate.  Find the goodness where you can.  

Day:  21-degrees  | Night:  8-degrees
It's the fourth Saturday of Advent.  Christmas Eve.  The waiting shall soon come to an end.  We sit and in waiting for the final day.  Are you ready?

One of our favorite traditions of Christmas Eve is to listen to the King's College Choir and the service of Lessons and Carols on BBC.  We've been doing this for 40 years and this year is no exception.  We are waiting for the broadcast to begin live in Saint Louis at 9:00 a.m.  It's a beautiful service that is so simple yet so moving.  A moment of grace in a very hectic season.  We look forward to it every year.

We have sunny skies in South Saint Louis this last Saturday of Advent.  the winds are out of the WNW at 10 to 20 MPH.  It's lovely to look at the snow on the ground.  I wish you peace and joy this Christmas Eve.  It's not the easiest time of year for many of us.  My hope is that you find a bit joy and can experience some peace this Christmas.  Look around for the goodness and kindness wherever you can find it.  Happy Christmas Eve Gardening Friends!

Day:  8-degrees  |  Night:  5-degrees
Baby, it's cold outside!  BRRRRRR!  Just under two inches of the white stuff but the wind and the cold are brutal.  The sun is just starting to peak out and it is, unmistakably, beautiful.  It is also very dangerous so please be careful if you have to go outside today.

It's been busy in the Carondelet Kitchen these past few days.  Not much going on in the Garden, to say the very least.  Dr. Beth always makes her family's French Meat Pies for Christmas.  She has perfected the recipes (plural, because there were many) she has been handed down over the years.  That will be made finished this afternoon for this evening's meal.  Cooking and baking.  Jigsaw puzzles and crosswords.  Books to be read.  It's been a relatively quiet week around here which is lovely.  I hope you get the opportunity to relax a little bit as the holidays are approaching.  Take a little time for yourself.  One more cup of coffee sounds pretty good on a day like today!

Needless to say, it's cold outside.  A mix of clouds and sunshine is expected with gusty winds.  Winds are out of the WNW at 20 to 30 MPH.  Winds could gust over 40 MPH.  Please take it easy if you are out and about.  This is dangerous stuff!  I wish you peace, hope and love during these last few days of Advent, 2022.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  36-degrees  |  Night:  -3-degrees  |  Winter Storm Watch
Waiting is the theme for Advent Children.  It's what we are doing right now in the Carondelet Garden.  We are waiting for Winter Storm Elliot to arrive with snow and frigid temperatures.  When did they start naming Winter Storms?  Did they always do that?  

We are in full blown hunker down mode in our little part of South Saint Louis.  We have nothing on our calendar and are simply waiting for the snow to begin.  We have gotten to that magical age where we have no desire to get out in the white stuff.  It's very pretty and like the way the City gets so quiet and calm, but we are staying put. 

​We stopped off the other day and bought real books.  Not an e-book like we have been reading but a real book.  Our plan is to read all afternoon.  I hope you are safe and warm this Thursday in Advent.  Thankfully, most schools are already closed for the holidays.  Please be careful if you are out and about!

It's quite dark and cloudy here in the Carondelet Garden.  It's very quiet.  The winds are supposed to start up soon with snow showers this morning and heavier snow by this afternoon.  The temperatures are supposed to plummet this afternoon as well.  Winds should be out of the NW at 20 to 30 MPH.  It's not a pleasant forecast to say the least.  I wish you safety and warmth today.  Patience and kindness are the key this Winter Storm Thursday.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  38-degrees  |  Night:  32-degrees  |  Winter Storm Warning
It seems it is now officially a Winter Storm Warning for late this evening and tomorrow here in South Saint Louis.  The plants are already telling us it is Winter but today is the official beginning.  For the past six months the days have been growing shorter and the nights growing longer and longer.  Today that trend reverses itself and the days will begin to slowly lengthen into Spring.  The light is coming in more ways than one!

It's been a busy around here.  Visits with friends, family and neighbors.  Tonight, is our small Christmas gathering with the wee ones and their mom and dad.  We celebrate Christmas day together, but we always have a small, pre-Christmas with just us.  Christmas day can become hectic with the gathering crowds.  It's nice to simply exchange gifts and eat pizza without the chaos.  We cherish these moments because everyone is getting older, and we know how that changes everything.  The oldest is driving now and isn't around as much anymore.  That's how it's supposed to be.  That's why we cherish the now because the next isn't guaranteed.  That's my hope and prayer this season:  cherish the now.  

It's cloudy in Carondelet this morning.  A chill is in the air but nothing like what is coming.  Winds are light and variable.  Change is coming.  Cherish the now!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  43-degrees  |  Night:  26-degrees  |  Winter Storm Watch
We put the pumpkins from Halloween out for the squirrels.  This is the before picture.  Not showing the after picture as it looks a little disgusting right now.  Let's just say the squirrels seemed to love it.  Maybe even a few other little critters as well.

It's been a time of remembering for this old gardener.  We spent time placing flowers on the graves of those who've gone before us.  It's part of my DNA to do this.  A southern boy would not let Christmas go by without flowers on the tombstones.  It's a good tradition to remember.  It can be a little sad but mostly it's a time to remember and think about the good.  If you let it, the bad stuff fades into the background (it doesn't really go away).  The good stuff comes to the forefront and that's important.  It's a good thing to remember.  It's a better thing to let some of the bad stuff fade into the background if you can.  Hopefully, you can take a bit of time to remember the good times as well this holiday season.  If you can't think of anything, it's time to create something of your own.  

It seems there is a Winter Storm Warning out for Thursday.  There has been some talk over the past few days about a potential winter storm and looks like we'll be getting something.  We will definitely be getting some major cold weather and fast.  So be careful!  The skies over Carondelet are partly cloudy right now with winds out of the North at 5 to 10 MPH.  Change is coming.  Be ready for it!  Take care of yourselves.  Be good and be kind to yourself and those around you this holiday season.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  37-degrees  |  Night:  26-degrees
It's dark and chilly in the Carondelet Garden this third Monday in December.  The sun was shining yesterday, and we caught the holiday decorations on the front porch at a good time.  Happy Fourth Week of Advent.  The waiting shall soon be over.

The countdown to Christmas has begun.  The stockings are hung, and the tree is trimmed.  Tis and Twas are once again common language in the land.  You can't escape calories if you tried!  Sugar and spice and oh, so many things nice.  My waistband is groaning!  This past weekend we did our little walk around the neighborhood dropping off some Secret Santa goodies to neighbors.  Our lives are so enriched by the kindness of neighbors and friends here in Carondelet.  We hear so many terrible stories about living in the big, bad City of Saint Louis.  Of course, there are serious issues to be solved, but the kindness and goodness of most of the people here is absolutely incredible.  Mr. Rogers used to say, "look for the helpers."  It's also important to remember to look for the goodness and kindness.  It's there and found in some unlikely places.  

The skies are fair right now, but the clouds will be moving in this morning. Winds are out of the ESE at 5 to 10 MPH.   It's a quiet morning for this old gardener.  I'm enjoying my tea and listening to some good music.  The newspapers are calling my name.  It's Monday so the crossword puzzle won't be too hard today.  I hope you have a quiet day.  Look for the goodness and kindness as you journey about this week.  I think you'll find exactly what you are looking for!  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  35-degrees  |  Night:  24-degrees
It's a sunny morning here in the Carondelet Garden in South Saint Louis.  I marvel at this Money Plant and how resilient it is.  It still looks like it did this Fall.  The other Money Plants have all died off, but this plant keeps hanging on.  

Resilience is a trait we all rely on.  We get knocked down and get back up ready to try again.  It's hard to keep getting up after a setback.  It is also necessary.  The other thing I've learned is when to say enough is enough.  Sometimes you have to walk away from certain situations and certain people.  Sometimes things are simply too hurtful or toxic and you need to say enough.  In many ways that is also resilience.  Being able to walk away.  Then being able to move on.  You get back up and you move on.  Move on.  I hope you are resilient this Fourth Sunday of Advent.  

The skies are sunny, and the winds are out of the WNW at 5 to 10 MPH.  It's a chilly day in South Saint Louis but a lovely day.  Be good to yourself this Fourth Sunday of Advent.  The waiting will soon be over.  I wish you peace and goodness this day and always.  You deserve it!  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  31-degrees  |  Night:  20-degrees
The Hostas may be done yet St. Fiacre still keeps watch over the Garden in the cold of this Saturday in December.  It's a chilly start to the day here in Carondelet.  The sun is shining, and the coffee is brewing so it's time to get moving.

The skies are going to be cloudy later today but we are enjoying the sunshine right now.  The winds are out of the West at 10 to 20 MPH.  It's a good for a good day.  Here's to kindness.  Here's to spreading a bit of good around.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  39-degrees  |  Night:  29-degrees
The Rosemary is done for the season yet still looks beautiful.  We keep it around for the critters to have a bit of shelter during these cold months.  A lot of the plants we let die back and do not clean up until Spring.  The dead plants make a good home for small insects and great material for birds and other creatures.  Not to mention, I love to burn the old Rosemary in a good fire this Spring.  It smells amazing!

Today is filled with nostalgia for this old gardener.  For many years, too many to count, every Saturday evening around 5:30 p.m. you would find us sitting around a radio listening to "A Prairie Home Companion" coming to us "live" from the St. Paul Theatre in Minnesota.  I always looked forward to hearing about the week in Lake Wobegon.  A mythical place where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.  We headed down to the Fox Theatre last night for a revival tour of "A Prairie Home Companion Christmas."  Such a fun evening of song, comedy, stories and sing-alongs!  It was a trip down memory lane and a good one.  Strangers walked into the theater but the smiles on the faces of people leaving wishing each other a "Merry Christmas" showed this old man that, for just a moment, things changed.  We were a bit of a community brought together by song and story.  A bit of Holiday cheer on a cold Winter's night.

Speaking of cold, it seems the cold weather is coming to us this next week.  Today the temperatures are nearly steady with winds out of the West at 10 to 20 MPH.  It's Winter so there is no surprise it's going to be cold.  Be sure to bundle up a bit as you head outside.  Next week is going to be brutal!  I hope you get out and feel a bit of community.  See some friends, visit some family, do whatever you need to do to feel connected.  It's important to feel that connection.  Write a letter or make a real phone call.  Reach out a bit.  Be good and be kind to yourself.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  39-degrees  |  Night:  30-degrees
It's a bit cloudy and much cooler here in Carondelet on this third Thursday in December.  The Winter Garden is a bit lackluster to say the very least, but we still have a few plants hanging in there.  Now we are in the beginning stages of planning for a new year of planting.  We learned quite a bit last year and are going to be a little more prudent in our production this year.  We'll see how it goes!

It's cloudy and overcast with nearly steady temperatures throughout this Thursday.  Winds are out of the WSW at 10 to 20 MPH.  It's a good day to take a step back and take care of yourself.  Sometimes we need to be gentle with ourselves.  Today is that kind of day.  Be gentle with yourself.  Be kind to yourself.  Be good to yourself.  You deserve it and you'll be grateful you did in the end.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  56-degrees  |  Night:  33-degrees
It's wet and quite mild for mid-December in South Saint Louis.  A bit disconcerting as I stepped out into the garden this morning.  It's amazing to me how many plants are hanging in there even after some of the cold weather we've had over the past few weeks.  

It's mid-December and Christmas is sneaking up on us.  Before you can blink it will 2023.  Time is flying by.  We rush around and check off things on our to-do list. We seldom stop and take a breath to appreciate the good around us.  I read somewhere that the biggest stumbling block to happiness is "busy-ness."  We have a cult of being busy in our world today.  We actually look up to people who are busy and can accomplish so much.  One of the upsides to retirement is I get to experience the slowing down of life.  Admittedly, there are times when I wish I could keep up with the kids a little better and a bit longer.  Yet, slowing down has so many benefits.  I get to experience things I never even noticed before.  I actually watch sunrises instead of just driving to work.  Music can, once again, move me to tears.  I hope you get the chance to slow down a bit during this hectic holiday season.  You deserve a break.  You deserve some time to relax and savor the moments.  

We still have a few showers hanging around Carondelet this morning.  The rain will continue through the afternoon hours.  Winds are out of the SSW at 5 to 10 MPH.  It's a good day for a second cup of coffee.  A good day to meditate and contemplate.  A good day to slow down a bit.  It's a bit safer in the slow lane sometimes.  Be good to yourself today. You deserve goodness.  You deserve kindness.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  51-degrees  |  Night:  50-degrees
Happy Tuesday from the Carondelet Garden.  It's a chilly start to the day here in South Saint Louis as we stepped outside to survey the land as they say.  It's a changeable day, as my dad would say.  You wake up to one kind of weather only to see it morph as the day progresses.  We shall see what happens!

This season of Advent is an odd season.  We experience so many emotions.  Joy and sorrow.  A bit like riding a roller coaster without a safety bar at times.  We have a tradition that goes back a long time now of placing flowers on gravestones of our parents and grandparents.  It's a lovely tradition that stems from my Southern roots.  It's a good time to remember and reflect.  It does bring up some sadness and sorrow.  But it also brings up funny stories and those idiosyncratic moments that only come from family.  We struggle in sorrow as we wait in joyful hope.  I hope you have a chance to share some family stories this holiday season.  As the song says, "we'll tell scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago."

As I said earlier, changeable weather today in Carondelet.  Cloudy skies this morning with occasional rain.  Winds are out of the ESE at 10 to 20 MPH.  The rains will continue overnight and into tomorrow.  Tis a good day to hunker in and maybe watch an old movie.  I haven't done that in a long time.  Maybe today is the day.  But first, another cup of coffee and the New York Times crossword puzzle is calling my name.  Be good to yourself and others as you travel about this Tuesday in December.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  44-degrees  |  Night:  33-degrees 
Another foggy day in Carondelet town.  I think the light reflecting off the old ferns is beautiful on a cloudy Monday morning in South Saint Louis.  There was a bit of a nip in the air as I headed out the door for my morning walk-about through the neighborhood.  Still a lovely morning for a walk.

A bit of joyous news:  I will soon be a great-uncle again.  As we sit in the season of waiting it was a joyful time to sit down with our beautiful niece and nephew as they await their firstborn to come next year.  Joy and anticipation filled the house as we visited.  My heart warmed at the thought of these two amazing people bringing this world a wonderful new inhabitant.  The very embodiment of hope, of faith, and love.  The third week of Advent is about rejoicing.  I am rejoicing today at the thought of a new baby in our lives.  Joy to the World indeed!

Clouds and fog are hanging over the Garden once again this morning. Winds are out of the ESE at 5 to 10 MPH.  My tea is ready, Music is playing on the Smart Speaker.  Life is pretty good.  I'm working on counting my blessings this week.  I have so many.  I hope you can take a moment to consider the good in your life.  I know it can be a struggle for some this time of year.  Be kind to yourself.  Be good to yourself.  Maybe have a lovely cup of tea or coffee.  Sit down.  Take a moment to just be.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  44-degrees  |  Night:  28-degrees
We have a visitor here in the Carondelet Garden this foggy Sunday morning.  He's pretty huge for a slug.  A little surprised to see him just hanging out on the fence.  No harm right now but stay away from my Hostas this Spring!

It's the beginning of the third week of Advent:  Gaudete Sunday.  Gaudete is the Latin word for Rejoice!  Rejoice Sunday.  We light the pink candle on our Advent wreath this Sunday.  Today we sing, "Joy to the World." We offer Tidings of Comfort and Joy.  Yet, many of us don't feel like rejoicing.  It can be difficult for some of us to find joy at Christmas.  We wait in the darkness hoping.  We pray. We meditate. Hopefully, we listen. Today we wait in darkness hoping for light.  We pray that the fog will lift, and we can truly light the candle of Rejoicing.  We hope.  We keep holding on to faith.  We cling to the love we get from friends, family (chosen and birth), pets, and sometimes even folks on Instagram.  We cling to faith, hope and love.  It's a choice. Today I choose love.  I choose hope.  I choose to believe.

The fog will lift but the clouds remain throughout this Gaudete Sunday morning, but we just might see some sunshine this afternoon.  Winds are out of the NNE at 5 to 10 MPH.  I hope you can choose to keep faith, hope and love alive today. You matter.  You are loved. Cling to that this Sunday in December.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  43-degrees  |  Night:  31-degrees 
Obviously, this picture of our Amarylis was taken yesterday.  Quite a beautiful little plant.  It's nice to have a bit of color with live plants inside during this holiday season.  We can't wait for the Paperwhites to come into bloom.

It's still dark outside in the garden.  It is foggy and there's a mist in the air.  There's a bit of that bone-chill in the air.  It's not particularly cold, it's just chilling.  The garden feels like it is waiting.  Waiting for Winter to really come.  Waiting for the Spring to bring warmth and new life.  Waiting.  We are also waiting in this season.  Waiting for the light to come.  Waiting.  Hoping. Praying. Waiting.  It's dark right now but the light is coming.  We wait with faith, with hope, and love in our hearts.  For now, we wait in the darkness.

The fog will lift later this morning.  The rain will end but the clouds will stick around all day.  Winds are light and variable.  We are a bit slow in our start this morning.  Coffee and Tea are in our mugs.  Some lovely music is playing on the Smart Speaker.  The light from the Christmas tree is illuminating the room.  A roaring fire in the fireplace to knock off the chill.  Not a bad way to begin this Saturday morning.  I hope you find some goodness today.  Be kind to yourself. Be kind to those you may meet along the way.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  53-degrees  |  Night:  34-degrees 
It's dark and quiet in the Carondelet Garden on this second Friday of December.  The clouds make it feel like it's earlier than it actually is.  I've planted Red Clover as a cover crop in my beds this season.  It has done quite well, and I've begun pulling and turning to get all of the nutrients from this amazing plant back into the soil.  My first time trying it.  I'm excited to see how it does.

A big of fog hangs over the Garden with mostly cloudy skies above.  There is a chance we could see a bit of sunshine this afternoon.  Winds are out of the West at 10 to 15 MPH.  I wish you peace this foggy morning in South Saint Louis.  This holiday season can bring joy, but it also brings sorrow and sadness to many of us.  My wish for you is peace.  Peace of heart.  Peace of mind.  Gentle peace.  Be kind to yourself.  Be good to yourself.  You deserve goodness, kindness, and peace.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  48-degrees  |  Night:  45-degrees 
It's a wee soft day here in the Carondelet Garden.  A misty rain is falling upon the ground and the world is quiet for the moment.  The ferns on the back porch have given up life but the birds are loving the shelter and the fronds, so they are going to hang around for a few more months.  I love watching the birds flying in and out of them all day long.  

Tonight, we head out @jazzstl for a concert with the incredible @denisethimes.  A singer of amazing talent.  It's her Christmas show so we are doubly looking forward to a great evening of vocal jazz in a beautiful listening room.  

The rain has settled in for the morning with cloudy skies and light showers hanging around all day.  Winds are out of the ENE at 5 to 10 MPH.  This is the perfect rain.  Soft and gentle falling and sinking into the ground.  A gardener's dream!  We can all use a bit of good right now.  Be good to yourself this Thursday.  Be good and kind to those you may encounter on your journey.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  52-degrees  |  Night:  41-degrees
The Coneflowers are done for the season, but we leave the last of the old blooms out for the birds and other wildlife to use.  We'll do cleanup in late Winter or early Spring.  For now, they are very beneficial for the little critters that visit the Carondelet Garden from time to time.  They may not be traditionally beautiful yet there is still beauty in them.  

At least for now, it appears that all of our doctors' appointments are finished for 2022.   Whew!  We are fortunate to have such dedicated and wonderful doctors, dentists, veterinarians, etc. in our lives, but I'm good with not seeing them for a bit.  

Walked outside to a misty, mild morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  There are some areas of patchy fog hanging around under cloudy skies.  The winds are light and variable.  It looks like a very mild day for South Saint Louis if a bit overcast.  We should get a bit of rain moving in tonight and tomorrow.  The rains are welcome right now.  My coffee cup is now empty and I'm thinking about another.  It's that kind of day.  A bit more coffee.  Some good music on the old Smart Speaker.  The newspapers have arrived.  There's a Wordle to do!  Such a busy day for an old gardener.  I hope you have time to sit down and enjoy a second cup of coffee today.  You deserve some goodness in your life.  You deserve kindness and joy and peace.  Have a bit of faith, hold on to a bit of hope and spread a bit of love this Holiday Humpday.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.