For the Joy of Flowers

A Brand New Year!

2012-01-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

a flower from last summer's garden

"I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's."

~ Henry Moore

Seeds

2011-12-31T14:00:00.000-08:00

"To see things in the seed, that is genius."

~ Lao Tzu

Strawflower, Dried

2011-11-15T13:31:00.000-08:00

Perennial Flax

2011-10-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Life in the Garden

2011-07-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

July's weather could best be described as rainy with intervals of brief sunshine.

Larkspur and Tiger Lilies

Potato plants in the foreground

Potato flowers

Viola and Hecker Strawberries

A bee collecting pollen in the sunshine

Hummingbird sipping nectar from a Maltese Cross flower

Flowers on Hillside/Barkerville, British Columbia

2011-07-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

Lupin and Paintbrush

From the Garden

2011-07-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Marigold

Aster

Sweet William

Ox-eye Daisy

Iris

2011-07-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

The first Iris bloom opens one sunny morning in late June.

And in just a little while,
its stately beauty greets us in the grandest style.

Fleur-de-lis

Today's Flowers

Unlikely Companions

2011-06-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Wild Flowers growing alongside the rhubarb - Why not!

Rhubarb (lower right), Wild Rose, False Solomon's-Seal (Lily Family)

On a much sunnier, warmer morning

2011-06-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

It is amazing to me how all the flowers, after being drenched so by the rain, instantly regain their joie de vivre and raise their pretty heads as soon as the sun comes out again.

Rainy Days

2011-06-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

In between the showers today, I went out to the garden and took a few pictures. These are the results. While I was puttering here and there I saw something that I've never seen before - a young chickadee being fed by its mother. Although I got just the one picture (and not a great one at that), I feel lucky all the same to have been standing where I was able to observe this lovely scene.

Blue Flax

Mystery flower (scented, tall stalk, attracts the Swallowtail butterfly)

Raindrops collecting on a spider's web

Wild Rose

Strawberry plant

Yellow Poppy drooping

Lilac bush

Wild Rose

Young chickadee being fed by its mother

only 17C today

Today's Flowers

On a recent trip to Sun Peaks, B.C.

2011-06-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

Deer on hillside making a run for the trees. The bear must have been
nearby. The deer and bear were often seen together.

This Black Bear came out to graze at the same time
every morning and evening.

Returning from a walk,
we saw this cute chipmunk eating dandelion seed.

The ground squirrels were very entertaining,
and we could observe them through the windows.

Today's Flowers

In the Garden

2011-06-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last Monday:

It had been a hectic morning for this young bird, first observed fast asleep beside the forget-me-not flowers, seemingly abandoned. Poor thing. Fortunately, Mama Crow soon arrived to check on the situation, but left quickly, presumably to hunt up some food for her hungry baby. In the meantime, Baby walked with slow and timid steps through the garden and onto the grass. Mama Crow returned with a worm, fed her baby and then left again. After further exploration, the youngster eventually came back to the garden and found a nice, sunny, sheltered spot amongst the shrubbery (photo below).

Sometimes, the baby crows "fall to the earth where they spend several days on the ground in low vegetation" before they are able to fly. (source: Life History of the Crows)

Cheerful poppies loved by bees and all.

The Lilac (Syringa) is in bloom.

Today's Flowers

Saskatoon Berry

2011-06-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Amelanchier alnifolia

A native species, this medium deciduous shrub of British Columbia can reach five metres or more. Every June, at this time, the people of the valley benefit from a very attractive display of delicate flowers which appear everywhere.

The bright, white flowers grow in "short leafy clusters" called racemes*.

* raceme - usually elongate cluster of flowers along the main stem in which the flowers at the base open first.

The fruits (berries) are purple with a greyish bloom and edible, sweet with a nutty flavour. For many years I have picked and frozen some of the berries for using in muffins at a later date. They are also food for the birds.

Today's Flowers

Iceland Poppy

2011-05-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

Papaver nudicaule

These pretty Iceland Poppies never fail to enchant.

They have had buds for several days, and on this very sunny morning suddenly burst into bloom.

An easy perennial to grow in Zone 3

Great self-seeders that "pop" up in various parts of the garden

Macro Flowers Saturday

Woodland Flower

2011-05-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Spring Time

2011-04-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

A lovely houseplant

A few lines from a poem by Archibald Lampman ~

April

Pale season, watcher in unvexed suspense,

Still priestess of the patient middle day,
Betwixt wild March's humored petulance
And the warm wooing of green kirtled May,
Maid month of sunny peace and sober grey,
Weaver of flowers in sunward glades that ring
With murmur of libation to the spring:

As memory of pain, all past, is peace,
And joy, dream-tasted, hath the deepest cheer,
So art thou sweetest of all months that lease
The twelve short spaces of the flying year.
The bloomless days are dead, and frozen fear
No more for many moons shall vex the earth,
Dreaming of summer and fruit laden mirth.

~ Archibald Lampman (1861-1899)

Canadian poet

"Pensive" Spring

2011-03-25T09:27:00.000-07:00

New Feet Within My Garden Go by Emily Dickinson

New feet within my garden go,
New fingers stir the sod;
A troubadour upon the elm
Betrays the solitude.

New children play upon the green,
New weary sleep below;
And still the pensive spring returns,
And still the punctual snow!

~ Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

Thank you, Emily Dickinson, for your lovely poem. It wonderfully sums up what we are experiencing in the way of spring at the moment: "New feet" - Juncos in the grass, "A troubadour" - Varied Thrush singing in a poplar tree. Little by little spring returns sometimes with snow flurries!

Crocus

2011-03-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Macro Flowers Saturday

"Hope springs eternal in the human breast"

~ Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

from "An Essay on Man"

Spring Time

2011-03-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

Redpoll

We've changed the clocks to daylight savings time. The snow is melting, and

My indoor garden

yesterday I saw an eagle in the river, perched on a ridge of gravel or a log. Had he caught his supper? I'd like to think he had. Waterfowl are migrating north, stopping to rest awhile in our local streams, crows are starting to build their nests, and woodpeckers can be heard drumming on old wood. Spring is returning.

Spring Flowers

2011-03-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

I found a little garden

and brought it home with me.

Every morning I am surprised

by the flowers that I see.

Outside it is either raining or snowing.

Magpie Tales - A Happy Ending

2011-03-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

photo courtesy of Tess Kincaid
Magpie Tales

She saw the flowers at the last second and almost fell flat on her face in an effort to avoid crushing them with her feet. Recovering, she zigzagged crazily around intending to keep going, but instead stopped a few feet away. She paused, catching her breath. Standing there like a fool, not really knowing what to do, she thought about the last time she had come this way and scattered the seeds. Now she felt responsible for the small plant that had sprouted in the middle of the pathway. Someone else stopped and after she explained the situation, together they created a detour - a kind of traffic roundabout with the violets in the center.

Nasturtiums

2011-03-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

Macro Flowers Saturday

A photo from last summer ~

2011-03-11T20:54:00.000-08:00

Deepest sympathies to the people of Japan.

A Lovely Sunset Last Night

2011-03-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

In the Woods

2011-03-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

Today my husband and I made a tour of the nearby woods on our x-country skis. The snow was deep, but we followed the deer tracks part of the way. It would have been exhausting if we were going any distance. Really though it was all too short a hike, and soon we had made it out to the road. Then because we were still enthusiastic we decided to ski our half mile road to the stop sign and back.

Yellow Pansy

2011-03-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Macro Flowers Saturday

September 2010

My garden today.

We have mountains of snow this winter.

Frost on the Window Pane

2011-03-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

A little warmer today

A Chilly Start to March

2011-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

About -18C yesterday

Redpoll with feathers fluffed up for warmth.

This hardy Steller's Jay has remained with us all winter.

These are Lean Days

2011-02-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

Last Friday ~ It was a perfectly beautiful day in the central interior, mild enough to stop and take pictures.

A Bald Eagle perches in an old poplar tree overlooking the frozen lake and narrow river channel.

The patient eagle watches and waits for something to turn up.

It doesn't look very promising though. There is only one patch of open water in the distance.

Today ~ The temperature dipped again overnight, and when we woke up this morning it was -22C. The birds were here at first light.

Blizzard

2011-02-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

~ the weather this morning.

Summer Blossoms

2011-02-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

A photo from the archives

Sweet William flowers

Chive Blossoms Attract a Bee

2011-02-19T07:45:00.000-08:00

The chives are among the first perennials to sprout in the spring. Today the garden is still covered in snow and the ground underneath is stone hard. I'll be optimistic and say that sometime around Easter I'll walk into the garden, look down and see several new green shoots marking the beginning of a new season. The flowers and bees will follow as they can be depended upon to do every year. This picture was taken on a warm, sunny June day when everything hummmmmmed.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Summer Blossoms

2011-02-11T07:30:00.000-08:00

A picture taken last July

Summer Blossoms

2011-02-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

A picture taken last August

Down to Earth

2010-10-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

On Monday, before we got all this rain, my husband and I took a different route home and stopped at a lake we know. As soon as we arrived and left the car to walk down to the graveled beach our voices changed, unconsciously, to a sound a little above a whisper.

What draws us here is the utter peacefulness of this place. Not much ever disturbs its tranquility.

While W--- sat on a piece of driftwood looking out at the lake, I wandered up and down the beach observing the scenery closer to my feet.

Earth

Great Day!

2010-10-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Watching the Sun Rise on this Thanksgiving Day

2010-10-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

A Good Beginning

7:36 a.m.
7:51 a.m.

Thanksgiving

2010-10-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Mother Earth, for the nourishment you provide.

My World

2010-10-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is a picture I took last week near my home of the Sinkut River. Autumn is such a glorious season here, but sadly, it ends all too soon. For the moment though, the nice weather and beautiful fall colours are great enticements for spending as many days as possible outdoors enjoying the picturesque landscape.

Posted for That's My World

Sunflower

2010-10-03T07:00:00.001-07:00

(a photo taken in August)

Posted for Today's Flowers

A Feather

2010-09-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Whenever I see a feather, as I did today while out walking, I am reminded of Emily Dickinson's inspirational poem, Hope.

Hope is the thing with feathers-
That perches in the soul-
And sings the tune without the words-
And never stops-at all-

And sweetest-in the Gale-is heard-
And sore must be the storm-
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm-

I've heard it in the chillest land-
And on the strangest Sea-
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb-of Me.

~ Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

American poet

My World

2010-09-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

As one season gives way to another....

A few lines from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's beautiful poem, Autumn

Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain,

With banners, by great gales incessant fanned,

Brighter than brightest silks of Samarcand,

And, following thee, in thy ovation splendid,

Thine almoner, the wind, scatters the golden leaves.

Posted for That's My World

Honouring World Rivers Day

2010-09-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

(The flowers, photographed in July, are from my garden.)

Today is World Rivers Day! My favourite place to view the beautiful Nechako River is at Riverside Park in Vanderhoof.

This photo was taken at the end of August when we had family visiting from Ontario. After playing on the swings and slides, my granddaughters wanted to see the river, and later they tried skipping stones.

More recently on a cool, blustery, exhilarating autumn day, my husband and I enjoyed this view.

Please help to keep our rivers clean for the benefit of all.

Posted for Today's Flowers

My World

2010-09-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

At home with my granddaughters, aged six and five, who were visiting in August. I don't get to see them that often as they live in Ontario, so this was a special time for all of us.

A laughing, happy, shrieking game of soccer with Dad.

Exploring the garden.

Unearthing an earthworm who was promptly named Slimy

The wonders of finding a baby spud.

Standing well back to watch their Dad split firewood and
patiently waiting their turn to help load the wheelbarrow.

Life doesn't have to be complicated. Just ask these two little girls who found the greatest pleasure in simple, everyday things.

Posted for That's My World

Sweet Pea

2010-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Chilly, frosty September nights have weakened many plants; a few sweet peas though continue to shine in the heat of the afternoon sun.

Join us, won't you, at Today's Flowers.

As Autumn Approaches

2010-09-18T05:58:00.000-07:00

We have had some cool, misty mornings here lately.

September by Hartley Coleridge

The dark, green Summer, with its massive hues,
Fades into Autumn's tincture manifold.
A gorgeous garniture of fire and gold
The high slope of the ferny hill indues.
The mists of morn in slumbering layers diffuse
O'er glimmering rock, smooth lake, and spiked array
Of hedge-row thorns, a unity of grey.
All things appear their tangible form to lose
In ghostly vastness. But anon the gloom
Melts, as the Sun puts off his muddy veil;
And now the birds their twittering songs resume,
All Summer silent in the leafy dale.
In Spring they piped of love on every tree,
But now they sing the song of memory.

~ Hartley Coleridge (1796-1849)

English poet

In the Garden

2010-08-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

~ Note ~

I am taking a break from my blog, temporarily, so that I can devote my attention to my granddaughters.

Clearing Skies

2010-08-18T06:59:00.001-07:00

I woke up this morning to a hint of blue sky. A welcome sight after the smoky air of the last two days!

6:40 a.m. - northeast direction - sun glow combines with haze in the lower atmosphere

east - a little more blue and a few clouds

south - looks promising

Update on the Smoky Conditions

2010-08-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

It is not as bad as yesterday, but the sky is hazy, and there's a slight pungent smell in the air.

Earlier the sun looked eerie in a white-gray sky.

Unlike the previous day, I can see the outline of the hills and mountain this morning.

The birds don't seem to be too bothered by the smoke. They were twittering and flitting through the bushes in their usual morning pursuit of food. The chickadees were especially vocal. I'm amazed I got even one picture, as they don't sit for very long in one spot. It's much easier to take their picture in the winter when they are at the feeders.

There were also some yellow birds together with the chickadees in the Saskatoon bushes. This is not a very good picture. They perch for barely a second or two, and then they are gone. I'm posting it in case someone can confirm if this is a warbler (Common Yellowthroat). For better viewing, please click on the image.

My World

2010-08-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

It is very smoky here this morning, and I am feeling the effects somewhat (irritated eyes). I checked the forest fire status for our district earlier. Two small fires are contained. Crews are monitoring and "mopping up". The third fire is further away near Anahim Lake, 3000 hectares in size and still active. Now and again we hear a helicopter or water bomber (there is a water bomber stationed at a nearby lake) overhead, and sometimes we catch a glimpse through the smoke-fog. We have had little rainfall the entire summer, making the forests very volatile in the hot, dry conditions.

Summer's Colours

2010-08-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

~ Flowers from my garden ~

Join us, won't you, at Today's Flowers.

Summertime

2010-08-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a languid kind of day.

Son came by to have coffee with us,

on his way to a job in town;
he looked tanned from working outside.

Afterward, I watered the planters

and accomplished some weeding

before it got too hot.

I sat for the longest time on the back deck

in the shade, listening to the birds,

watched the sunlight flickering on the trees,

whiled away the time.

Summers are like that; they make you pause

as we used to do when we were children,

when we sat on a blanket in the shadow of the house

doing nothing but daydreaming.

In the Garden

2010-08-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today everything swayed to the rhythm of a warm summer breeze.

A few strawberries from the new plants.

I've got baby zucchinis.

No red tomatoes yet.

My World

2010-08-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

British Columbia's Central Interior

a beautiful summer evening,

my semi-wild garden,

a sparkling morning,

and a lucky sighting of a doe and her two youngsters.

Cedar Waxwing

2010-08-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Cedar Waxwings come through our region of British Columbia every year at about the same time as the Saskatoon berries (also known as Serviceberry) are ripening. I always look for them in the latter part of July. This year they arrived before all the berries were ripe, and it seemed they were here for only a short while before they moved on again.

Potato Flowers

2010-08-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

"Pray for peace and grace and spiritual food,
For wisdom and guidance, for all these are good,
but don't forget the potatoes."

~ John Tyler Pettee, Prayer and Potatoes

Join us, won't you, at Today's Flowers.

Little Bird

2010-08-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

This morning, as I was pinching back some of the drooping flowers in my hanging planters near the garden shed, I heard a flapping noise coming from inside. Opening the door I saw a poor little bird up against the back wall trying its best to find a way out. It must have gotten in through one of the small windows; we keep the door closed so the butterflies, bees and birds won't get trapped.

Now, you wouldn't think that this is much of a story, but it does have its interesting bits and, more importantly, a happy ending. I opened the door wide, stood away and carried on with what I had been doing. At the same time I watched to see what was happening inside the shed.

Well, the little bird saw an opportunity - from the window he jumped to a pail, studied his surroundings for several minutes, flew to a bicycle rim, then looked around once more and eventually proceeded to the bicycle seat. The way to the door was clear, and out he flew. This clever little bird had worked out how to free himself from a very distressing situation.

Birds in the Garden

2010-08-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

My prizes - (I took these photos in the evening when the birds venture into the garden one more time before the close of day.)

This young robin has found his own prize, and a juicy one at that.

Who'd a thought these nails would come in handy as a perch for a wee bird.

Even the chickadees can't keep away from the Saskatoon berries.

After A Refreshing Rainfall

2010-08-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

Rain Gauge Reading: 50 mm or about 2 inches

It began to rain yesterday in the late afternoon (with some thunder and lightning), then stopped and started again during the night. It was a welcome change from the hot, dry weather we've had lately. We are all feeling revived again, even if it will be only for a short time, as it is shaping up to be another hot day and muggy, too.

After an early morning walk to the bridge and breakfast, I went outside to the garden and took these pictures.

Sweet Peas

Petunias

A Sun-drenched Day

2010-08-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

flowers from my garden

Take the virtual garden tour at Today's Flowers.

Hummingbird Garden

2010-07-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

A flash of harmless lightning,
A mist of rainbow dyes,
The burnished sunbeams brightening,
From flower to flower [she] flies.

~ John Banister Tabb (1845-1909)

Maltese Cross,

July's flower, Larkspur,

Wild Columbine, almost spent and gone to seed

Picture

2010-07-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

a fine summer's evening, a tiny bird, and a few golden moments of solitude

I Feel Like Dancing

2010-07-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

I feel like dancing
with all the natural exuberance
of daisies dancing in the wind.

Larkspur

2010-07-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Spikes of delicate blue flowers lend stately beauty to the surrounding woods.

Petunia - Pink Morn

2010-07-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

As the White Rabbit in Alice's Adventures In Wonderland said,

"Oh my ears and whiskers, how late it's getting!"

Gotta go. There is a lot to do before our visitors arrive next month. I will be posting intermittently for a while.

Stay well and enjoy your summer.

In the Garden

2010-07-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hummingbirds darting here and there through the flowers

Cool Weather and Blueberry Muffins

2010-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning we were shivering in the cold wind. In a blink of an eye our summer had disappeared. "We've hit a bump in the road," remarked one meteorologist. I hadn't intended to do any baking, but when I saw all those wonderful blueberries in the produce section of the store, well, one thing led to another. I bought a two pound carton and turned a "lemon" of a day into a blueberry muffin.

2010-07-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Spain on winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup!

Every morning for the past month, we turned on the TV to watch this fantastic soccer event. There were many memorable and exciting moments with wonderful commentary by John Helm. The opening and closing ceremonies were utterly spectacular. Well done, South Africa!

Where the Hummingbirds Are

2010-07-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Behind my house is a wild rose hedgerow. This is where the hummingbirds like to perch and scan for intruders (usually other hummingbirds). From this vantage point they can easily see and guard the three nectar-filled bottles that hang along the back wall.

The evening hour just before sunset is a particularly hectic time at the feeders and as entertaining as an airshow. The sprightly, pint-sized birds are a joy to watch. We can't help but laugh at their scolding chirps, buzzes and crazy, zigzagging chases through the thorny shrubs.

But, what amazes us most is their indomitable spirit. The hummingbirds absolutely refuse to be afraid of anything and will frequently dive straight at an offending trespasser, including one innocent human being simply trying to replenish a feeder.

All the pictures were taken at various times.

I'm not entirely sure if this is a Calliope Hummingbird or a Rufous.

Rufous Hummingbird, female

Rufous Hummingbird, male

See all the beautiful flowers at Today's Flowers. Many thanks to our kind hosts.

In the Garden

2010-07-08T13:17:00.001-07:00

Today is a scorcher with the temperature approaching 30 degrees C. It's exactly what we've been waiting for - at last, some hot summer weather! At the moment, the sprinkler is on, and the garden is getting a much needed soaking.

The lilies are almost ready to burst into bloom.

Somebody has been in the strawberry bed and left this half eaten strawberry on the stones at the front of the garden, no doubt returning for it later. I don't really mind. Squirrel and Chipmunk think it's their patch, too and harvest what they can. I'm a little smarter though and try to get to the strawberries before they do. HA!

Orange Pizzazz

2010-07-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

The Poppies in my garden have bloomed continuously since the beginning of June, and together with the Wild Columbia Tiger Lilies in Mother Nature's garden, they add a happy splash of colour to our surroundings!

Columbia Tiger Lilies

My Silly Rhymes

Orange you glad,

Or are you sad?

Now you're mad,

Well, that's too bad!

I'll buy you an Orange,

so you won't be Blue.

You can Keep the Change

tucked inside your Shoe.

Stop this nonsense.

Okay.

See all the beautiful flowers at Today's Flowers

In the Garden

2010-06-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

The first Sweet Peas are about to blossom, and the Geraniums, too, are in bud.

This is one of the original plants that I brought inside last fall and overwintered.

This wary little chipmunk sits here almost every morning. He knows I am taking his picture and at the first chance scampers away.

July 1st

Happy Canada Day!

Special thoughts and wishes for Canadians who are abroad.

Tis a soggy morning, and the flowers are looking a little droopy from all the rain. Somewhere nearby a robin sweetly sings.

2010-06-28T09:32:00.001-07:00

Honeysuckle Flowers

2010-06-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

reaching for the sky.
They seem to be cheering!

Years ago I planted some honeysuckle. It grows somewhat wild now at the edge of the driveway in amongst all the natural greenery.

See all the beautiful flowers at Today's Flowers

Wild Rose

2010-06-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

Raindrops from the night before and in the morning sunshine!

From The Rainy Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

(3rd Stanza)

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

A Few Flowers from the Garden

2010-06-21T07:51:00.001-07:00

Everything is blooming most recklessly... ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Wild Columbine, Chive, Poppies, Blue Flax

and the lettuce is almost ready to eat.

Bedding Plants

2010-06-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

Part of the fun and pleasure of gardening are the annual trips to the greenhouses which usually open in May here, depending on the weather. On one recent visit I bought some Petunias, one of my favourite flowers.

Happy Father's Day to all those wonderful Dads!

See all the beautiful flowers at Today's Flowers

Paintbrush

2010-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

The first Paintbrush have begun to appear in the adjacent woods. In fact, the forest is brimming with every kind of flower and butterfly and bee. Summer has arrived!

Chive Blossoms and a Buzzing Bee

2010-06-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

A female bumble bee gathering nectar

Lines from The Bee by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

His feet are shod with gauze,
His helmet is of gold;
His breast, a single onyx
With chryoprase,* inlaid.
His labor is a chant,
His idleness a tune;

*an opalescent green gemstone

Perennial Blue Flax

2010-06-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

I am up early one morning. Outside the air feels cool although the sun has risen some time ago. The perennial flax are still sleeping, their sky-blue petals closed. There is barely a breeze, and if I am quick to collect my camera, perhaps I will be able to show you some pictures.

See all the beautiful flowers at Today's Flowers

Soccer - The Beautiful Game

2010-06-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

2010 FIFA World Cup begins in South Africa
Good Luck to all the teams

Dandelions

2010-06-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

a grassy, sunlit path
where butterflies flutter
and busy insects drone
amongst the dandelions

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies

2010-06-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Papilio canadensis

These northernmost Swallowtails have been here for awhile, feeding on dandelions and waiting for the lilacs to bloom.

Interesting Facts:

First named in 1906
Initially considered a subspecies of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
They produce only one generation per year
Can be seen from mid-May to July
Northerly range: Arctic Circle in the Yukon; central Alaska (Fairbanks); Churchill, Manitoba; Little Shagamu River, Ontario (near Fort Severn) and Schefferville, Quebec.

See all the beautiful flowers at Today's Flowers

Spring Rain

2010-06-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

We had about an inch and a half of rain yesterday. It has done the garden and surrounding bush so much good. Suddenly everything looks lush and green. It may be my imagination, but surely the plants have grown taller too. These are the sweet peas beginning to attach themselves to the wire support.

The Rain by W. H. Davies

I hear leaves drinking rain;

I hear rich leaves on top
Giving the poor beneath
Drop after drop;
'Tis a sweet noise to hear
These green leaves drinking near.

And when the Sun comes out,
After the Rain shall stop,
A wondrous Light will fill
Each dark, round drop;
I hope the Sun shines bright;

'Twill be a lovely sight.

~ William Henry Davies (1871-1940)

Wildflowers and Lilacs

2010-06-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

Several of the forest Columbines (Buttercup family) have put down roots in my garden...how fortunate for me!

They are just coming into bloom.

This Columbine was found growing at the forest's edge. The flowers are a sweet favourite of the hummingbirds.

False Solomon's-Seal (Lily) in the same area.

Fragrant lilacs.

On the knitting scene:

I have been reading Lily Chin's book Knitting *tips & tricks. In the chapter titled Fixing Mistakes, she writes: "Mistakes are inevitable. Who among us is perfect?" This is a wonderful gem, not only for knitting, but for life as well. She cautions us: "don't focus on the mistakes", "accept" them and "be gentle with yourself". Thank you Lily.

My Garden Today

2010-05-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

The weather on the May long weekend was not very nice for planting as it was cold and wet, so we waited. Things were looking much better this week. Planted and sowed: Potatoes, zucchini, carrots, peas, bush beans, lettuce, spinach. The radishes sprouted during the wet spell.

Red Currant

Poppies

Perennial Flax

Saskatoon Bush

I managed to complete two scarves on the rainy days when I was inside. The beautiful crocheted bedspread was made by my mother.

May Days

2010-05-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

On a glorious Spring morning...

Poplar trees sparkle in the sunshine

Cottonwood leaves unfold, smelling wonderful

Wild Clematis are in bud

Happiness is a Rufous Hummingbird perched at the feeder.
The first one arrived on April 30th.

White-crowned Sparrow forages in the grass

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MOTHER'S DAY!

Yellow Lily

2010-04-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, on my way into the store, I stopped to admire a bright display of potted yellow lilies. The one I chose to bring home had six buds and no blooms. Today, a present - one exquisite flower. Sunny!

Springtime

2010-04-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

The sun feels warm here in the garden, and there is, at every corner, something rare and beautiful that tells us that springtime has arrived.

Cottonwood branch

To capture the imagination

Compton Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Birch tree catkins

A Poem for Spring

2010-03-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

To Spring by William Blake

O Thou with dewy locks, who lookest down
Thro' the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell each other, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turned
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth,
And let thy holy feet visit our clime.

Come o'er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumed garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our love-sick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languished head,
Whose modest tresses were bound up for thee.

~William Blake (1757-1827)

English Poet

Spring Things

2010-03-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

The beautiful butterflies were made by my granddaughters.

Hello Spring!

2010-03-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

went grocery shopping -
bought bread, apples,
green onions, milk -
oh, and some daffodils.

Come See the Llamas

2010-03-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

One sunny morning recently the neighbour's woolly llamas went exploring. They didn't wander far though and were found munching brown grass in the ditch.

Alas, it will be a while yet before succulent new green shoots appear and the daisies begin to bloom at the roadside.

(photo taken Summer 2009)

Geranium Plantlets

2010-03-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

All winter I have been babying my geranium cuttings, changing the water they are in regularly and gently coaxing them along. Three of the cuttings have developed roots. On the weekend I planted them in a good soil mixture and moved the pots to a south facing window.

I still have the parent plants and have cut these back considerably.

(photo taken August 2009)

In the summer they reside in a nice, sunny location outside.

Walking Around My Garden

2010-03-05T12:47:00.000-08:00

There's a bird in the bucket,
a bird, a bird,
There's a bird in the bucket,
In the bucket a bird.

Redpoll eating sunflower seeds from a bucket

Spring is on the way! At least that's what it felt like when I went outside this morning to take a few pictures.

Outlook: Optimistic

2010-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

The snow is shrinking, and I am thinking - Spring?

In the Summertime

2010-02-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

A photo taken last July - Fritillary butterfly, Painted Daisies, sunlight

A something in a summer's noon -
A depth - an Azure - a perfume -
Transcending ecstasy.
-Emily Dickinson (from Summer Poems: 122)