Looks can be deceiving

It may look bleak mid-winterish out there,

but when I wandered into the little wooded area at the bottom of the garden this afternoon, just lookee what I discovered -

and, bestillmybeatingheart, these -

We are only half way through January and the hellebores are already flouncing their hearts out. 2012 just got lovelier!

*******

small stone 13
The hellebores have turned up early to the party
and their gentle, nodding blushes
only add more glory 
to the aching beauty they can hardly bear to own.