As autumn approached this year I was looking forward to splashing photos of my beloved Japanese maples all over the blog. Then there was too much going on at home and in the world; they seemed out of place and the moment passed. So I will send all of you – the happy, the sad, the politically bruised, the new parents, the newly bereaved, the travellers and the homebodies, the ordinary and extraordinary people who drop into my blog – some maples for Christmas.

 Below one of the nine maples that have seeded over the years beginning to grow in beauty.

And the alternative Christmas tree…   

Have a wonderful holiday season, and see you next year.