Thursday, May 28, 2009

'Iris show' at Gaglardi Park







I almost didn't go to the park today for lunch because it was so hot, but I'm sure glad I went. The irises are in full bloom. Bees flitting from flower to flower, the splash of the fountain, and the constant bird chatter almost make you forget that you are in the middle of the city.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Kusudama

What do you do when you have piles and piles of old magazines? After seeing the mosaic on Cafe Cartolina I decided to try the Folding Trees tutorial and made a kusudama ball, except mine isn't a ball. They look great just as they are.

Geography lesson

According to Wikipedia, 'Capri is an Italian island off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples. It has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic.'

At the fleamarket this morning I did buy this beautifully embroidered hankie for 50 cents. The threadwork depicts the Faraglioni-three massive rocks named Stella, Mezzo, and Scopolo off the coast of Capri. The lady that sold me the hankie had not heard of Capri. The price might have been higher had she known.

Weekend markets

One thing that will get me up early on a Saturday morning is the Farmers market. The girls snacked on apple chips while I filled a box with cantalope, cukes, pumpkins, watermelons and celery to plant in my garden. Could not resist the bay leaf plant-my rosemary is still alive so I'm hoping that I will have the same luck with this tender plant.

Enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at our favourite place-Cowboy Coffee and then headed back up the hill to do more shopping. TG bought a beautiful summer blazer, Maura picked out a white tee, and I even managed to find capris that fit me.


On Sunday morning it was already 22 C by the time I drove across the bridge to the fleamarket. The vendors were already starting to pack up but I walked around twice and the pictures below are of the great finds that I did not buy.





Saturday, May 16, 2009

Victoria Day long weekend

Flea market. Garage sale. Thrift store. Pots of red geraniums. Chinese take-out. Pineapples. Mini cucumbers. Pruning lavender. TG in Victoria. Maura camping at Scotch Creek. Origami. New magazines. Stamps to sort. Loads of laundry. Breathing. Contemplating. Enjoying the view.


Sunday, May 10, 2009

Gibraltor Rock

The climb up to the Rock was brutal (it was about 25 C) but the view, the air, and the quiet are well worth the I'm-going-to-die steepness and rock and root strewn terrain of the trail.
Some people with a lot of energy have compiled Inukshuks at several spots along the trail.
This make-shift 'rocking chair' is strategically placed on the trail along the lake.
And then there are some resting spots that Mother Nature has provided.
Both the girls beat us to the top and going back down.
As we walked along the lake we could hear the loon calling but we did not get a look at them.
Everywhere we looked the forest floor was blooming with these butter-yellow daisies.

Friday, May 8, 2009

The rain came down last night like there was no tomorrow but the sun came out today and highlighted all the spots were the rain did it's thing. I enjoyed the show at St.Andrews, the vibrant colours everywhere, the cooling sound of the fountain, and the acrobatic birds overhead.
St.Andrews was a busy place today-I had to share a bench with a lady busily crocheting in between bites of her sandwich. An older couple were sitting on my favourite bench and even the freshly painted gazebo was occupied.
Lunch even tastes better al fresco-no matter what you are having. I kick off my shoes, turn my face to the sun and re-energize for the rest of the afternoon.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Garden clean-up







This morning I told myself that no matter how many blisters I got, how much the sun blazed down on me, or how much stuff the wind blew in my face I was going to clean up the garden. I started with the front rock garden-most of my lavender has come back and the snow-in-summer was hidden under a layer of leaves. My lamb's ears are everywhere, it's amazing how much they spread. By the garage, the scottish thistles that my good friend Carol gave me seem to multiply each year- I love them because with no work on my part, these plants keep coming back year after year. I managed to clean up the front garden and in doing so I found some little surprises.