Our Baobab Tree

Not really but it's what I call the wild Paulownia tree that came up in our yard 2 years ago. my non- gardening hubby, Bill loved it's big fuzzy leaves. I warned him that if we let it grow there it would get huge and if it ever fell (which they are prone to do) it would take out our studio. He really wanted that plant! At the time it looked more like a big green garden plant but I knew how big and fast it would grow. We compromised. I would let it stay if I could keep it small. I am not lying - I prune that tree every other week! It grows so fast you can almost see it happening!

I must admit, I have grown to love that silly tree myself. When left to grow to their mature height, it would be

40 feet tall and covered in lavender blooms in the spring but due to the pruning, ours will never bloom. The leaves are beautiful and velvety and 8 to 12 inches across by summer. It is a great place to hang my wind chimes and the hummers love eating in the shelter of those huge leaves.

I'm just hoping it never blows over. I bet it's root system would take out the bank that supports the foundation to our art studio.

Boxing Day Blizzard

We got quite a wallop of snow on Sunday! At first, the forcasters were saying only eastern Long Island would get a few inches of snow. But as Christmas Day drew to an end, the news was reporting that all of New York City and Long Island should expect for a blizzard with lots of snow and wind. So all day Sunday, we listened to the howling winds blowing 40+mph and watched the beautiful snow fall, and fall, and fall until we got nearly 2 feet of snow. The storm even blew snow onto the wreath on my front door (and it's covered by a porch!):

 

But the birds were not deterred. They held onto the feeders through the snow and wind, trying to get something to eat. I was just happy that I remembered to fill them the day before the storm.

And even though the weather outside was frightful, it sure was beautiful to watch the snow coming down. And my kids enjoyed a day in their pjs to play with their new toys!