Last updated on December 29th, 2019
December Garden Tour. Does your December world look like mine? On Sunday, a powerful blizzard dumped 12 inches of snow on my garden. Still more snow — six inches at least — arrived on Monday. Wanna see Clover Hill when it is buried beneath 18 inches of confectioners’ sugar? Take a short, refreshing stroll with me:
December Garden Tour
Warning: You’re gonna need knee-high boots for this tour. You’ll need thermal underwear, too, and perhaps a bourbon-filled flask. You know, for medicinal purposes.
Swoosh! Here’s the boxwood garden on Sunday afternoon, shortly after storm #1 arrived. How…quaint.
The same garden offered more drama on Monday, just before storm #2 arrived.
The same garden on Tuesday morning, after both storms had depleted themselves. Where’s my boxwood? What happened to my fountain? And why is there a snow cone in the center of this picture?
The front yard. I may have found the secret to a carefree lawn.
A PeeGee hydrangea shivers before the Music Room window. You can visit the music room by clicking here.
Here’s my bedroom window. Focus carefully, and you will a ghost peering through the curtains. Or maybe that’s just a smudge on the glass.
The west wall of the Music Room, and a view of the north hill. We shall not ascend the hill today. It’s too steep, and I’m afraid you might slip and drop your flask.
Onto the Herb Garden! Please note the newly upholstered furniture against the clapboard wall.
And here’s a view of some snow-fringed subjects on the north hill. That’s Malus ‘Royalty’ on the left, and winter-flowering Witch hazel on the right. The latter subject opens its fragrant flowers in late January or early February, no matter the bitter weather. What a generous shrub!
And that concludes our little tour of 1313 Mockingbird Lane Clover Hill. What’s say we head indoors? There, in the dining room, a roaring fire awaits.
Also on hand are some just-baked Buttermilk Biscuits. As we sit and nibble, please tell me what’s going on in your own December quarters. Got snow? Or are you blissfully basking beneath a palm tree in 90-degree weather?
Whatever your December surroundings, talk to me in the comments field below. Also, let me know if want the recipe for the aforementioned Buttermilk Biscuits. I’m happy to share. UPDATE: click here for my Buttermilk Biscuit recipe!
xKevin
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SHERRI Gallant says
It’s a winter wonderland at Chez Kevin! Here at Chez Gallant you might expect the same, being in Canada, but no. We had a wicked snow storm last week and today the warm westerly Chinook has nearly melted all of it. I baked sourdough ciabatta rolls last night, so I’m fixin to make some garlic toast outta those babies to accompany some pasta. Thanks for the magical tour!
Jerry Miller says
A blanket of fresh snow makes everything look so pretty.
This will be my fourth winter in Idaho. It still think it’s wondrous when it snow, even though I have a big driveway and, living on a corner lot, two long sidewalks to shovel.
Blaine K. says
I love your tour. Love your china. I love your tips for tea, and I know I will love your cognac cookies. Maybe Santa will bring me a bottle for Christmas!
Toni Kitchen says
Dear Kevin and family.
Thank you for the lovely winter tour.
I have been in England for 16 years, although I was a fan of yours for years when lived in Washington State before moving here,I hope you don’t mind me bringing you with me.
I enjoy your recipes, helpful hints, humour, and house tours.
I want to thank you for being an uplifting part of our lives and sharing your knowledge., and if I ever have the opportunity to meet you, you can expect a big hug and a kiss on each cheek. That’s how they greet and meet here. Lol.
Thank you for being a good part of so many fans lives.
Hugs to you and yours,
Toni Kitchen
D says
Love your tours and thoroughly enjoyedthis one
Thanx Kevin
Dorinda Uhl says
Dear Kevin, Yes we had snow but oh my not to the likes of your storms….happy dance. Just a dusting is left and my garden is still awaiting a finishing for the winter but alas I guess that will now be a spring job. It’s been kind of cold with night time temps in the low 30’s to I don’t wanna know below that. I do have a job left for one of my garden clients and am praying that her very large urns are not completely frozen as that will make jamming boughs of white pine,cedar,white branches and Christmas balls a job I am not looking forward to. So on to what ever the winter holds. Thank you for your tour. Most thoughtful of you to provide refreshments 😉 On that note, I adore buttermilk biscuits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My new stove comes Thursday(FINALLY!!!!!!!, yes I was the one baking in my itty bitty toaster oven) Can’t wait for some roasts and well anything for the oven! Have a wonderful day Kevin. best regards, Dindy
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Sherri – Thanks for joining me on this virtual tour!
Hi Jerry – Winter wonderland, yes. Until the car gets stuck.
Hi Blaine K – Cognac cookies. YUM.
Hi Toni – Thanks for including me among your possessions when you moved back to England!
Hi D – Glad you enjoyed.
Hi Dorinda – Congrats on your new stove!
Denise says
Yes to the biscuit recipe! Have been searching for the best biscuit recipe!
Pam in Virginia says
Hi, Kevin!
The Munsters, my foot. Your home looks beautiful and gracious in any season. Here in Virginia, in the country outside of Charlottesville, it still looks and feels like fall, except mostly without leaves now. Still, very pretty.
Pam in Virginia
Sandy says
Great tour Kevin. Your home and gardens are beautiful year round.
We are having the best kind of snow here in southwest PA. The landscape is dusted in white, but the pavement is just wet, so no shoveling!
Got 400 bulbs in the ground last week (Thanksgiving dinner had to wait for a day). Whew – just in time! Trying the combination of early blooming yellow daffodils, under planted with blue chiondoxa. Fingers crossed they bloom at the same time!
Merry Christmas!
Pam in Virginia says
Kevin:
My sister would like to know if there is a layout of where the rooms in your house are, like a map or blueprint? She has been watching the tour of your house interior. A very fine way to spend one’s time, I may add.
Pam
Emily Plach says
What a beautiful home! Thank you for sharing!
Louise A Brouillette says
Kevin, you’ve been my imaginary best gardening friend for years…love all your posts!
Colin Boss says
Reading your blog from dry, dusty and virtually without a season, Dubai, I am entranced! I love the snow and my dream at present is to have a property in upstate New York, Vermont, Maine etc where I can experience proper snowfall. I know the novelty would soon wear off. However, for now I’ll keep my focus on squirelling away the tax free cash to help pay for the aforementioned property.
Your blog is fantastic. Witty, well written and always showing something new.
Colin, Dubai, UAE.
Durf says
I do have some snow; it’s surprising that it stuck around this long. Only about 5 inches, though.
Fun fact: biscuits are about the only food I don’t like, but I’m sure your many other fans would want the recipe.
Sandra Payette says
Thanks for the tour. It’s a winter wonderland chez toi, Kevin. Making the orange almond cake today. Looks good. Thanks for all that you give to us. xoxo
Debbie says
I’m in sunny Florida in The Villages
It’s a warm 80 degrees today
Doors and windows open but I must say your home looks lovely with the snow. Very elegant!
I would love the recipe!
Have a merry!
Marlyn says
It’s snow covered here with about a compacted 6″, down from the 8″ that fell Nov. 28. I made your recipe with the sliced yellow squash, red potatoes and zuc. for our Thanksgiving dinner. It was delicious.
I so enjoy all of your tours both in and outside your home.
The 12′ Blue Spruce standing in my Great Room is begging to be decorated. Maybe today. Our family Christmas won’t happen until Jan. 4, so I’ve some time to prepare everything.
Marlyn says
I forgot to say I also made your Sweet Potato Pie but used Yams. I followed your recipe otherwise. The first time for me to make pie dough in the food processor. Oh my, what a treat, 10 pulses and it was done. The dough rolled out perfectly and didn’t crack like so many other pie crusts I’ve made.
And the flavor was delicious. First time we’ve not had a homemade pumpkin pie with my frozen cooked pumpkin for 30 years. Thanks for your recipes.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Marlyn — Oh, thank you for making some of my recipes! I like your idea of celebrating Christmas on Jan. 4. December 25 seems…too early this year!
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
No snow for us here in Lehigh County PA, despite a forecast of 4 – 9″. We ran around “setting the yard” for snow and double checking the snowblower and shovels. Needed none of it. Your elegant garden and home photos are quintessentially “winter”.
Rosemary says
Bonjour Kevin,
Thanks so much for sharing these lovely pictures. The tour reminds me of the winters I spent in Quebec where I grew up. The newly-fallen snow looks so pure and magical. No human hand could possibly produce such contoured perfection, snow cone and all. Your home and property always appear stunningly beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing yourself and these glorious views of Mother Nature’s work.
The biscuits will be on my table later today. I have been searching for a good recipe for a while and now see the secret to light and airy success is in the folding. Mine have been coming out like strong Canadian Hockey pucks, but alas, no more.
Enjoy the lead-up to the holidays. Thank you and bless you for making my Sunday AM always something to look forward to. Much love to you and Mr. Fox and all your pet children.
A la prochaine …..
Sandra says
Kevin,
Look forward to your newsletter every week. Enjoy your humor, and recipes. No snow here in Central Washington yet!
Sandra
sue chiafullo says
Lovely to look at BUT I wouldn’t want to shovel!!! Golly those biscuits look good. Yum!
Barb says
Kevin!!! Your home looks beautiful! I must say, this time of year, being in SW Florida, I miss snow. Hopefully, I’ll experience some while visiting the Grands next weekend.
Your biscuit recipe will be on my Christmas table. I have your cookbook and relish each page.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for your humor and great fun! Hugs to you, the Silver Fox and your “furry family”.
Rebecca says
Lovely treat!
Laura Johnson says
Well, here in the Atlanta area it is staying in the 50’s only one freeze about 2 weeks ago. I planted out some bulb fennel, leeks and broccoli yesterday. The chickens have quit laying. ☹️
Glad to see a real biscuit recipe! Almost like my Mother-in-laws. She used Martha White self rising Flour. (It is soft wheat ) Never any sugar. That is something Northerners came up with. And patting out the dough is soooo important to perfect biscuits. Thanks for educating people.
Elaine C Clark says
Absolutely A Winter Wonderland, Perfect in every way. I’m making your orange marmalade cake as one of my offerings at My Christmas Breakfast , which starts at 12:00 every year. Thank You Kevin and Mr Fox for letting us enjoy , visit your home and turn us on to so many delights throughout the year. Merry Christmas to you two ….
Susan says
What’s a good time for me and my flask to stop by?
Diane says
Enjoyed your wondrous tour! Missing a touch of snow but delighting in this near perfect south FL weather. Hoping my peppermint oil soaked QTips deter the bunnies that have been nibbling on my young red pentas. Have a blessed Christmas season.
David Deutsch says
Thanks for the lovely, intrepid winter garden tour. What fun to see!
Vivi says
Hi Kevin
I’m fairly new to your site
I loved your tour. Your house looks amazing!
I, too, live in upstate NY in the Hudson Valley.
I want to thank you for the info about african violets.
I never had luck with them but after reading your tutorial,
I now have 3 that I propagated and one is flowering again!!
So thanks for that and for sharing your knowledge with us
Debbie - MountainMama says
I got about 30 inches of snow on the mountain top, and I’m praying some of it has melted today during this unseasonably warm and rainy day! But where will all this water go? Your property looks lovely all year!
Sheri S Wentland says
Enjoyed the tour and love the biscuits. In fact, every recipe of yours I’ve tried has turned into a family favorite. As to winter here in north Idaho, we’ve had snow once. Yes, you read that correctly. But the temps are over-compensating and some days we haven’t risen above freezing.
Debra Elliott says
Oh my! I want to eat biscuits by your fireside and watch the snowfall from your windows! Gorgeous! No snow for us on the central coast of California:( But I can manage to make those biscuits and I do have a fireplace:) Love your stories and recipes and humor. Merry Christmas Kevin and a Blessed New Year to you and Mr. Fox.
Janet G. Metzger says
Kevin, my comoputer finds it very difficult to open your pages and to resppond. Right now, i twattempt #3on’t even ttype! so thank you for the photos! Merry CHristsmas, Happ iy New Year!
SCOTT TRUDELL says
Unfortunately, no snow yet here in Wisconsin… at least in my area(Madison). I would like some of yours to insulate my perennials and roses. They are shivering in this single digit cold snap we are having!! Hoping to have a White Christmas!!
Andrea B. says
We woke up to a fresh dusting of snow today in NW Montana, after a few days warm enough to melt the snow we had. But I think it counts as having a white Christmas.
I just found your website today after seeing a Baker Creek post on Facebook – it’s lovely – and you definitely have a wicked sense of humor! We share the same hardiness zone, so I am very excited to catch up on all of your gardening tips.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!