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(Starting this with a personal note.) I ended my last week’s column saying I would be heading up to Minnesota for Thanksgiving and the Holidays, and thus may not be able to submit these columns for a while... that was pre-mature; I ended up not going when I intended.

My journey towards Christmas has taken me to the iconic Red Kettles Campaign of the Salvation Army which provides opportunity to share one’s time, funds, and talents. My wife Judy and I make it a practice to ring the bell at Christmas; we shared a 10-hour stint last Friday at Cabela’s in Buda. I feel warmth by the spirit when I share willingly with others. Ringing the bell is an investment not only for those in need but also for me — a “pay it forward” as responsible adults for the many blessings I have received.

Gingerbread cookies and houses are one of the many symbols of the holiday season, alongside Christmas trees and twinkling lights. In fact, few confections symbolize the holidays more so than gingerbread.

Sometimes it is feast or famine for birds, either conditions are ideal and they multiply mightily, or conditions are dire and their numbers plummet.

During the height of winter, people increasingly retreat indoors and look for something to within the warm confines of home. Plenty of activities can fit the bill, but some provide the rewarding prospect of a freshly made meal or dessert.

“Between the deer and the environment” is Charlotte Evans’ description of challenges facing their front-yard landscape in Willow Creek. Designed and built by her husband Cecil, the landscape project was intended to control water runoff over an extensive lawn after heavy rains. Like any serious gardener in Central Texas, Cecil is still experimenting with plantings and their preferences, while managing browsing by the neighborhood deer. The Evans home, on Rolling Oaks near Stagecoach Trail, is Spring Lake Garden Club’s yard of the month for December 2020.

This year with all of its challenges, many gardeners have experienced a ‘Call of the Wild’ type moment. It's not a call to plant a jungle or a xeriscape, but to plant with an eye toward the environment and nature. If you find yourself in this category then I would like to give a shout out to Sugar Shack. With the country under a big chill, now is a great time to plan.