It is really, really Cold, in single digits, at night and not above freezing during the day.
Am hoping for at least average (low 40s) in the next few days but will have to accept what the Good Lord sends us.
It was a quiet and Blessed Christmas. Hoping for the same in the New Year.
I have reached a point that I prefer a life without too many surprises. Although one every now and again is OK to keep me for totally solidifying. :-)
I bought a couple of baby Chrismas Cactus and am trying to find a place with enough light to keep them alive. Only good light is a eastern facing patio door, but I keep the drapes pretty well closed to keep the cold out. A 10 foot expanse of glass, even double paned still transfers a lot of cold.
That is the extent of my gardening until spring.
Am taking my Christmas decorations down and getting everything back to it's usual state of chaos. I love to see the lights and nativities and hear the wonderful music, but I am ready for less stuff around.
Am Praying for a Blessed and Happy New Year for all my friends and family.
We had about 2 inches of new snow covering everything this morning. Temps will stay in the mid 30s.
"They" say more snow by this evening 3-6 inches. Then back to close to 70 by Wednesday. Oh boy, here we go into the Rocky Mountain fall into winter roller coaster.
Hope my semps and Jovibaras can handle the changing weather.
Still need to do a bit more cleanup on the patio. Perhaps Tuesday or Wednesday when it warms up.
About 12 Noon things beginning to melt
"They" warned the afternnon would bring more cold, wind and rain (hopefully no snow)
I spent a little while pulling up and topping the dead plants in some of my containers. Creating one of the infamous "pot ghettos" for spring on my patio. The HOA wants the dead plants moved out of sight.
Still more to do, after the cold snap "they" are promising a bit more warm weather, so will plan to finish up then.
I am still trying to decide how best to protect my succulents from cold and critters. Many say just leave them alone. I do hope they are right.
Guess we won't know till spring. Will wait and see 
High temp today is going to be 38 with our first hard freeze tonight 25 degreees, and drizzle throughout the morning.
Now we will see if the plants survive.
The problem is that there was snow yesterday - a skiff - which melted in the sunshine which followed.
I do not know if he damp soil freezing is going to be a problem for my semps and other "hardy" succulents. Every thing is in containers. Guess this is a real learning time.
Got up to snow frosting on trees, fences and plants.
Melting now as the sun hits it.
We will get a bit more tonight. Then a bit of a warm up.
Maybe we will get a true Indian Summer. Did not get a chance to get pictures before the melt started.
Now we will see how the plants fare. The tender ones will be well wilted by next week and I will have to get out there and finish the clean up.
