January Thaw

My mother always says there's a January and a February thaw.  Those thaws are more apparent in some years than others and this year we've had such a long, cold spell that a break in the weather is a notable and welcome reprieve.  A couple of days ago, when daytime temperatures rose into the low 40's, we took advantage of the weather to make adjustments in the chicken coops and water the hoop houses.  It's a good thing we did because subzero temperatures are headed our way and snow is falling.  During those snow melt days I was amazed to see fresh leaves on the lavender which somehow managed to stay vibrant under a blanket of snow.  How does that happen????