Christmas in April

Yesterday, Christine at Idora Design nominated Mariposa Lily as the Plant of the Week. She included a photo of a very promising looking bud. Imagine how surprised Town Mouse was when she stepped out that evening to pull a few weeds and found that two of the mariposa lilies she planted last fall had actually opened up that day! She was just thrilled by the delicate beauty of this California Native. And she's looking forward to seeing Christine's portrait of her lily.

But that's not all on the Christmas in April front. This post is actually about the plans for a patio in the front garden that Town Mouse has had ever since she designed the garden. She even had a few stepping stones going nowhere put in by the landscapers. At the time, she mentioned this brilliant idea to Mr. Mouse, and he just raised his eyebrows and told her they did not live in the kind of neighborhood were people sat in their front gardens. "Well, maybe yes," she replied. "But it's the sunniest spot, and I'm usually to cold when I sit in the back garden in the afternoon. Too much shade from the redwoods." More raised eyebrows.

A year later, in the fall, just as it was too cold to sit in the back garden, Town Mouse remembered the brilliant idea again. She bought some used wicker furniture at the Goodwill -- if someone steals it, upsetting but not ruinous -- and placed it in the designated spot. Then she put some tea on the table, sat down on the chair in the sun, read a book for a while, and enjoyed the songs of the birds. But the stepping stones leading to furniture on top of nowhere were still a little odd.

When Mr. Mouse asked Town Mouse what she wanted for Christmas, she knew right away:" A small flagstone patio in the front garden." Christmas came, and she was delighted to get the Christmas solar bird bath and permission to have the patio built. "I'm a lucky mouse with a very nice husband," Town Mouse thought, grateful for such a wonderful collection of gifts.

And Town Mouse started to plan...

Will Town Mouse engage Ryan from Dry Stone Garden for building the patio? Will she choose Arizona flagstone or Mariposa flagstone? 

To find out, come back for the next installment of Christmas in April!