This year has been crazy wet for us in California- over 200% of normal in many places. Across the state there have been major floods, damage to coastal towns and piers, and sooo much wind damage. Sheesh. Other than some damage to our roof and the loss of a couple bigger limbs down the hill, we have done ok. Tish and Keith have lost 5 big oaks though and one came through the roof in the kitchen and living room area. Lots of people have had damage from trees coming down. Lori and Chris have been waiting since January to get their roof fixed but it is such a small job, they have to wait until the bigger jobs are done AND there is a week without rain!!
The upside of this winter is that our garden has had enough time to grow without bolting. We have truly enjoyed the broccoli and Romaine lettuce for a couple of month now. Some potato plants have come up from spuds left in the ground (apparently!). The snow peas have just started producing and they are probably my favorite veggie this time of year. Last year these were all done by the start of April and my summer garden started. Considering that today is it all of 48F, that has not started happening at all!
One of the weird things that has happened this year has to do with the peas. I think there are so many more gray days than we have ever had, and the peas have not gotten much bigger since January. But each time we get even 2 days of sun, they really grow. So they are sort of stubby plants with lots of flowers.