Magnolia Mad

What a strange spring we've had this year. Some of the more mature and sheltered blossom trees were confused and jumped the gun a couple of weeks ago. Then the cooler weather set in, and fortunately for us, they went into a holding pattern, their blossoms preserved far longer than in most years. 

And it seems like some of the younger or more exposed trees bided their time, only deciding it was safe to burst forth in the last few days. Last Saturday we saw some stunning smaller magnolias, their cups still very upright and just beginning to open up. And there were many cherry trees about town that looked like frozen fireworks! Simply beautiful. Still, there were some that were somewhat reticent, like this little Easter Redbud on Dundas St W. (thanks, LR for the correct name!)

We were stopped in our tracks, though, by this stunner. She most decidedly falls into the "early bloomer" camp. It was obvious that many of the blossoms were already on the wane, but she was still offering up a spectacular show.

We love Spring and we're mad for magnolias. Get out and enjoy them for the next few days while you still can!

Seen...spring arrives on the balcony

The Honeysuckle has been in leaf for well over 10 days now. With the incredible weather this past week, Jay got busy & cleaned up the balconies, installed the garden furniture, and re-oiled the teak dining table. And to finish it all off, how could he not resist a dollop of Spring colour. It makes the world a better place, don't you think?

Seen...sunny Sunday

Picture perfect Fall afternoon in Ramsden Park

Wall Flowers

Our three girls started out as uninhibited things, flowering away to their hearts' content. But as they've grown older they've become more self conscious, and we're not sure why. So we've decided to re-introduce them to their heritage to see if that will draw them out. We're talking, of course, about our orchids.

Friends in the Caribbean introduced us to the idea of strapping orchids to the sides of trees and letting them just do their thing. 

When in Rio de Janeiro a couple of years ago we saw it again. Outside apartment buildings people lash their plants to the trunks of the trees where they help beautify the street. Amazing!

It's rather remarkable, but orchids get their nutrients from the air, and they seem to thrive when left to their own devices in this way. Of course, a semi-tropical climate doesn't hurt, but our girls are only getting a summer crash course in going native, and let's face it, Toronto's summer heat and humidity are pretty close to that of the rainforest. Our only fear is that our evenings don't get as cool as orchids prefer, but surely the nights in Vieques aren't any colder than Toronto's in July. If it works there...

OK, tough-love time, you three! Enough apartment coddling, it's back to your humble (air) roots. We've strapped you to the trellis in a spot where you won't get a sunburn. Here's hoping you embrace the change and put on a pretty show for us. And if you don't? Well, let's just say that if it's cool nights you want, we can arrange that for you in a few months' time! 

Cross your fingers and hope for us that our girls flourish at summer camp. We'll keep you posted!

Hey! What Happened to May?

We're not sure if you're in the same boat wherever you may be, but here in Toronto we feel like May occurred over a 24 hour period on May 7th, and then again for the same length of time on the 21st. Prior to and after the 7th it was still April, and after the 21st it was suddenly mid-June. (with a hangover of April showers). What happened to our spring green season? We wait looooong months for that beautiful fresh effervescent green. Suddenly we're into that deep summer green. Everything is unbelievably lush!

OK, we're not really complaining! Things are absolutely beautiful, but we just wish we could have had a little longer to enjoy the transit from winter to summer. Oh, well- enjoy your weekend everybody (even though it may be another soggy one)!

Vieques mornings

Seen...Snowy Saturday

Looking Up...

 

Poplars against the sunny Winnipeg winter sky.

What Colour is Snow?

We're talking about the clean fresh stuff, of course, not that brown snirt that lines roadways. Most people think snow is white. That's how we were taught to draw it as kids, after all. 

We beg to differ, though! We think it's (mostly) blue, sometimes violet,  occasionally with a hint of gold or pink late in the day.

We know some of you are sick of looking at the stuff after this past weekend, but here's how it looked out west in it's natural (non-blizzard) mid winter state on the 26th.