Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and a Pink Martini for In A Vase on Monday

Today is both a Monday and the fifteenth of the month so I'm participating in both In a Vase on Monday hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden and Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.  Click on the links to join in the fun!

Here's some of what's blooming in my garden this February.  Mostly the same as last year but some of the camellias in last year's February bloom day post aren't ready to open yet.

This NOID camellia along with the  inherited specimen present in a lot of older gardens in our neighborhood are the first of the Japonicas  in my garden to bloom each year.  The C. sasanqua 'Yuletide' is still full of bloom as well.

Galanthus  have spread all over the garden (yea!) let's hope the Cyclamen coum behind will be just as prolific.







No open flowers on the Abutilon megapotamicum but buds still present.  If we don't have any freezing temperatures, this one will just keep going.



The first crocus of the season are crocus tommasinianus or tommies as some like to call them.  Just today, I noticed a few of the other crocus beginning to show some color as well.






Speaking of heavenly fragrances, Chimonanthus praecox is also adding to the olfactory treat out in the parking strip.





This large glass container has been gathering dust in a corner for several years now.   Although not a classic martini glass shape, it'll have to do for today's cocktail, a Pink Martini.






Add gin. Stir or shake, it's your choice.  I personally have never heard gin complain of being bruised in the shaker but I'm not a purist. Strain. Olive or no, it's your choice.  Today I've added an unusual garnish.

To make a pink martini.  Throw in a few compact disc cases as cocktail napkins and you've got a party.  Pink Martini is also the name of one of my favorite musical groups from nearby Portland.