It's December already!

I see my last entry was called "Setting standards" and I have fallen miserably below my intention to keep this blog up to date.
We have had a great planting season. We added 6 dogwoods to Dog Wood, more than 100 natives to the Bush Finger; 18 mountain beech to the Beech Forest; 20-30 natives and exotics to the North Wood; 7 roses to Rose Row; 1 sorbus to the Hillside; 2 more Fagus Riversii to the Beeches and perhaps 12 shrubs to the Shrubbery. Also, unexpectedly, we have broken in the slope below Dog Wood. Belle sold her nursey business and gave away a lot of trees and plants. We collected 8 maples, amongst many others. We planted them on that slope and Mason has cut a loop path with a set of 6 beautiful steps in the bend. Belle's Bank has been born. Next year we will start planting rhodendrons there.
We had a dry spring but there were a couple of useful falls of rain on the hill. Carl cut the grass about three weeks ago and already the new grass has hidden the cut stuff. The grass is romping away.
There were no losses over the winter - one rose, Compassion was lost in the spring to frost. Now rabbits are having a go at some of the other roses. What to do?
The Crowsnest looks great - green and leafy. Our trees have grown such a lot this year.
On Sunday the local branch of the NZ Forest and Bird Society is going to have its Christmas lunch with us. We are madly mowing!