Strawberries in snow

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For some time, I've been fascinated by Arbutus (also called Madrone), Arbutus menziesii, a native plant to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California regions, growing in many gardens around here. Its European cousin, Arbutus unedo, is aptly called the Strawberry tree, because of the big, inedible berries it carries during the autumn. It is evergreen, and the bright red and unripe orange berries make a merry sight, looking like furry pom-poms hanging from the branches. It is supposed to flower in the spring, but here it seems to have both flowers and fruit at the same time; just two days ago I was watching five green hummingbirds drinking nectar (or at least trying to...) from its bell formed, white flowers. I can't really decide what I think about this shrub; it is a bushy, not very stylish plant, but it still makes me childishly glad with its strong coloured berries and hanging flowers. It definitely brightens up wilder parts of the garden, and it probably would be nice to have one growing under one's kitchen window.

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Arbutus berries in snow

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Magnolia buds in snow

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Otherwise, we received seven inches of snow the last couple of days and our life has taken "snow-mode"; the schools have been closed for several days and the grown-ups are staying at home, if possible. Of course, this small amount of snow would not have stopped anyone from their daily chores in Finland or Sweden, but here, as this happens so seldom, it definitely feels like we are in a state of emergency. As we haven't lost the power and have good outdoor gear for the children, I quite enjoy these snow days, sliding down the slopes nearby with our small sledges together with the kids.

... snow falling on cedars...
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