Random Thoughts about life in general, living in the big city of Toronto
Today I’m thinking about spring. Only two more months and we’ll be starting to come out of this frigid, icy, snowing winter!
I know I’ve posted this photo or a similar one in the past, but I love the light bright green of the hosta leaves and the purple of the grape hyacinth (muscari) just go so well together. Plus this photo makes me think of spring, spring flowers, the scent of spring, first cut grass and more.
Are you as happy as I am that Winter is almost half over?
If you occasionally visit some of my other blogs – particularly my gardening blog or my photo blog, you’ve probably realized that I love plants, flowers, gardening and of course photography.
I’ve always been interested in all stages of plant growth, from that first little sprout that comes up after you’ve planted a seed, to the first leaf, first flower buds, flowers in bloom and even dying flowers and the seed heads that develop once the flower has died down.
One of my flowers that produces lovely seed heads in the Maltese Cross. Now, since I don’t have any winter pictures (ie frozen flowers, snow covered garden etc) because I’ve been hiding from the cold and snow, I decided to go back one season and show you what the Maltese cross seed head looks like in Autumn or late summer when the flowers die down.
Aren’t they lovely? To me, even dead flowers can be beautiful. In this photograph it almost looks like I’ve caught the reflection of the one seed head, but that seed head in the background is actually a different one no matter how much it looks like I’ve done some kind of mirror technique.
Do you also enjoy the look of dried flowers, seed heads, trees without leaves and other similar sights?
I look outside and everything is a blanket of white. While it’s nice to see a fresh blanket of snow on the ground (I mean rather than old slushy dirty snow), to be frank I’m getting darn tired of it.
I don’t hate winter. Heck, I live in Canada – born and raised in Ottawa (tied for coldest capital with Moscow) so there’s no way I’d survive here if I hated winter. However, here in Toronto the snow usually doesn’t stay.
It snows, lasts for a day or two and then melts away, or that’s the way it’s been for most of the time I’ve lived here … however the last two years have been snow, snow and more snow and to top it off it rained most of last summer. Hopefully you can’t blame me for being more than a little tired of dull grey skies and all the white stuff.
What I need is some color and I thought that some of my readers who are going through the same thing I am (snow, snow and more snow) might also appreciate a cheery flower.
So here’s a lovely daylily that I grow in my garden. it’s called Bonanza. I think the name suits this vibrant yellow flower – don’t you?
Now how’s that for some color?
BTW if you want to see another summer flower I have a great picture of my Clematis growing over a birdhouse on my gardening blog.
I’m finally getting around to having my true Christmas dinner. Yeah, I know, I said we went to my in-laws for Christmas dinner on Xmas day, but she cooked pressed chicken breasts and I guess Christmas isn’t Christmas to me without having some turkey.
So we are just about ready to sit down and have some turkey. I bought a large double turkey breast and it’s almost done. I also made roast potatoes, peas, stuffing, and a broccoli carrot mix to go with dinner. Oh and we can’t forget the cranberry jelly and a slice of apple pie for desert (couldn’t find any pumpkin pie < sob > ). I honestly don’t know if I’ll have room for desert, but I’ll try!
As I’m waiting for dinner to finish cooking (yes I know it’s a bit late) I’m sitting here having a cup of Earl Grey Tea. I haven’t had Earl Grey in ages! I love Bergamot.
Did you know that a plant that many commonly grow in their gardens, BeeBalm, is also known as Bergamot or Oswego Tea?
I grow Beebalm in my garden. It’s a hybrid variety called Aquarius. It’s a lovely plant with hot pink flowers.
When I’m in the garden in the summer I love brushing by it’s leaves so that I can smell that lovely Bergamot scent. I really must remember to dry some of it’s leaves next year and try to make a tea with it. Hey it’s worth a try.
I’m glad we’re indoors this evening. We were supposed to have freezing rain all evening and through the night. We did have some rain in the afternoon and I think it left a slick on the roads and sidewalks, but it looks like the worst might have already passed us by. Still … it’s better to stay inside and have our belated Christmas/ New years dinner I think!
How are things in your part of the world?
I’m a little late getting around to posting my Green Thumb Sunday post today because well … it’s been snowing like crazy here in Toronto. I’m taking a much needed break from snow shoveling right now.
Actually it’s not snowing that bad at this time, but the big snow plows and sidewalk plows are out doing work in our area so we have to keep going out and shoveling away the ridge of snow they keep depositing at the end of our walkway and our driveway.
Ugh … go away!
Anyway, if you’re getting slammed by snow or some other form of bad weather today you might appreciate seeing this late spring/ early summer bloomer – Pink Astilbe. isn’t it lovely?
I took this photo two years ago after we’d had a light rain in the garden. You can see tiny drops of rain on the flower petals. I think it gives it a frosty look which is totally suitable for this time of year. BTW did you know this is the first day of Winter?