The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

I’m enjoying the now view of my flower garden out my kitchen window.

If you are wondering what could be worth looking at out there, I’ll try to describe it.

Despite being covered with white fluffy snow, I see swags of greenery and pots filled with clippings of evergreens. The red bows still add a pop of color to the scene. The snow is deep enough that the decor will probably stay through February.

There is bird bath with open water, where birds perch and dip their beaks in for a drink. Close by, a variety of birds gather at feeders and peck at treats we have filled them with, and yet, other birds hop about on the ground picking up what they want.

Despite all that activity, if I close my eyes, I see the blues of delphiniums, the reds of geraniums and the many colors of petunias that will be blooming throughout the garden.

If I dream a little longer, I just might imagine picking up a tray of treats and beverages and heading out to the back patio to entertain friends.

Yes, winter is a time to think about the coming year’s garden.

Helping with my aspirations is the seed catalogs that arrive in the mail and the internet postings by well-known gardeners.

Oh, the colors and perfect blooms that fill those garden promotions. No wonder my garden dreams are so bright.

To add to my hopes of spring, I recently received notice of a Flower Power bus trip that takes place in early May. This year, the stops will be at four garden centers and a winery. I can hardly wait.

The first time I went on the Flower Power bus trip we were prepared with boxes for our shopping. Boxes were tucked into the baggage space under the bus.

Tourists on the bus were seasoned. They knew how to cleverly pack their purchases and even how to layer their containers for more space. The baggage compartment filled fast.

Some shoppers had to hold their treasures after the final stop.

It was a fun tour, well planned. I’m ready for another and the promise of blooming plants that will be waiting for us at the stops.

The now view out my kitchen window is fairly white, but there will be days in the future filled with colorful blooms. We just have to use our flower power to dream about them.