I've been away for the holidays--visiting family in El Paso, Texas and taking a road trip through West Texas and Hill Country. Although the desert wasn't in bloom and many of the botanical gardens and nurseries were closed for the holidays, I still went out looking at plants--I love winter in the desert: the blue-sky, dry chill, and cactus, yucca, and dried grasses look even more architectural and minimal this time of year. Morning doves and quail coo in the evening, and the mountains in the distance change shades of purple at sunset. And at night the stars are a marvel.

This week I'll be posting some pictures and notes from Texas.