2nd January. I was trying to keep my spirits up this morning by assessing what is looking good in my garden. I have variegated golden and green shrubs which always look sunny even when its dull. Some red cornus stems though they need some light to bring out the colour.
Several plants are still holding their coloured autumn leaves. A container has two very lush clumps of diascia foliage. Cant believe it has survived the frosts.
Primroses are in flower in a few places and the winter heathers are beginning to colour up. Outside my front door is a variegated holly with lots of berries, surprised the birds haven't taken those.
But no blue sky - there was a glimpse earlier but it's gone now. I have two nice winter gardens near me at Mottisfont and Hilliers Arboretum which have influenced my choice of plants over the years. Used to be favourite visits to cheer me up this time of year but both seem too daunting to attempt now.
Tessa
Hi Ruth ruthjp
I'm so glad you're feeling better and you have a chance of getting away on holiday to Kefalonia. Know what I say? Go for it girl! 
Tvman xx
Hi everyone
Mrs Tvman and I have kinda finished our compost bins constructed from pallets and sweat!
There are a few wee finishing touches yet and possibly another bin. We'll see. All fresh green and brown waste (don't forget the brown to make the best compost: cardboard, envelopes, shredded bark, 50:50 green and brown) start off in the left then after a season or so move to the middle and further down the line it'll finish on the right, crumbly, dark and no smell. Right, stop preaching and show us the photo I hear you saying!
Tvman xx
Hi everyone
Me again. I dug up a stalk of Maris Piper potatoes and Mrs Tvman took a photo.
Well pleased Tvman xx
Hi Ruth ruthjp
"Raspberries are wonderful. Well done
Ruth"
I've passed on the message, she says thank you. Jam is made so I look forward to tasting it
Tvman xx
Dear , tvman, and Gang,
Tvman, the Chemo took a lot out of me this time
one of the Chemos is known to destroy bone and I’ve had constant back pain. Could not lift anything
all week. Good news I’m feeling better and the pain is almost under control.
I ate the lettuce gone wild abd my second AG has a massive dill plant going on just started new AG 
basil
the one that had lettuce also has 2 big cherry tomato plants that are blooming
re getting tall, St
rawberries
are readyL
sunflowers are tall daloni I’ll measure tomorrow. dahlias out of control, many bouquets In neighborhood. strawberries ripe tomorrow with whipping cream.
Do not know why some of photos are upside down. All this harden growth happened during time i was feeling unwell, ill clean up. Tomorrow and post clean garden Photos.
hugs
Millie
Hi MCkid
love the photographs. I like all flowers but particularly sunflowers 
always make me smile. Take care xx
Hi Millie
Great to have you back posting again. I'm so sorry to hear that you have been having so much pain with your chemo. It sounds unimaginable. Good to hear that you are getting it under control. I have known a couple of people who didn't get treatment for their cancer because they said that the cure would be worse than the disease. I'm not sure I share their views.
I can't imagine the cost of your treatment in the US, here we have a National Health Service (NHS) that gives us free treatment, kind of. We pay a slight amount weekly alongside our income tax so we don't have a final bill. Some people go private but it is expensive, especially for cancer treatment. It's complicated, very complicated.
Your sunflowers look fantastic against that beautiful bright blue Californian sky. I have only 1 left from 4. Various windy systems have caused 3 to be blown over. The 1 I have left hasn't flowered yet but he's 6½ ft tall and I'm worried that the bamboo cane isn't strong enough. I'm going to look tonight for a good strong willow branch for a replacement. I should be able to get one out of my 1500 trees that I've planted.
I look forward to seeing your photos of the cherry tomatoes and others of course.
Take care Millie and stay safe
Tvman xx
