We continue to have beautiful snowfalls 
followed by melt, thaw and freeze. On gray winter days, there is nothing more satisfying than gathering colorful pictures of the garden together to create a story.
In one way, it is looking back at the previous year’s triumphs in the garden 
but in another, it is a way of tracing the exploration of an idea over a long period of time. 
Even as I gradually transform the garden into a more pollinator friendly place, I will probably never let go of a few of those plants that inspired me to garden in the first place. I have removed hundreds of plants in my garden in the past three years – those that were invasive or did not serve the eco-system that I am trying to build – and added hundreds of others that contributed to life in the garden. But roses (click on any photo to see a larger image)
daylilies, peonies, lilies, and others
– many of which are interlopers in the North American landscape – still have their place in my heart and I’ve kept those I love the most and which do no harm. My garden behind the fence is still arranged by color and I continue to play in that most ephemeral of paintboxes.
A few weeks ago, I collaborated with a group of gardeners on YouTube to create our own videos of how we interpreted the Art of Gardening, then sharing links to each other’s videos. 
I immediately gravitated to playing with color – it is something that looks good on the screen and people in the northern hemisphere are desperately hungry for color during our long gray and white winters. Creating short garden videos has become a new form of expression for me – I continue to learn and refine my skills while working to add new techniques. My instincts proved correct – my collaboration video has gone a bit viral and gives me encouragement to pursue this avenue of expression. Enjoy a feast of color for the eyes, spring is not far off!
All text and images @2024 Lynn Emberg Purse, All Rights Reserved (excepting the collaboration photo)
Her first moments outside were spent dashing joyfully through the deep snow while I laughed at her antics. 
We are just past the Winter Solstice here in the northern hemisphere – each day will now grow longer, bringing more light into our daily lives. It is not surprising that many holidays in December celebrate a season of light with candles, Yule logs, Christmas lights and many other traditions.
raising a sleepy head every so often. 
Whatever you may celebrate this time of year, may the light shine on your path and brighten the new year ahead.
while the leaves in the woods began their slow shift into the colors of fire. 
The trees in the surrounding woods slowly crescendoed from a murmur of pale gold 
to a full-throated song of orange and russet red. 
The leaves lie on the ground and pale winter sunlight has replaced the mysterious shadows and deep colors of autumn. The fall symphony has come to a close and winter waits in the wings, a new season carrying its own quiet beauty.
As I turned to him in puzzlement, he went on to say that he hadn’t walked through the arbor into that part of the garden in a long time, having been content to admire it from the deck while playing his guitar. 
Walking into the garden gave him a completely different perspective of what it meant to stand in the space and be enveloped by it. I was deeply moved by his reaction yet it confirmed what I’ve always believed about a garden – to truly experience it, you need to walk through it, not just look at it. Those of you who garden or who hike in nature surely know this difference.
composerinthegarden 