May Recap

Hello Friends...I've been out for awhile, busy with life and recovering from a nasty chest cold. So, in an effort to bounce back and get strong, here's what I've been up to.  Happy Weekend!

Progress on my granny square blanket. I'm taking a break from making squares and have started to weave in those dreaded ends. I'm going with a single crochet join and I'm loving the way it's turning out.

Here are some recent blooms around the garden.  This is a new garden for us, as we moved in January, so we are having fun discovering what's out there.  Looks like an Azalea or Rhododendron shrub. I'm new to this flower, so I'm not exactly sure which is which, but the blooms are beautiful! 

First Iris bloom.

My neighbour's flowering tree.  These beauties didn't last long, but they were gorgeous while they lasted.

Spring Time Dishcloths

Hello Friends...Check out my latest batch of dishcloths in fun spring time colours.  Here's hoping for some warmer spring like weather soon!

Spring Indoors

Hello Friends...Well it may not be quite spring outdoors yet, but there is no reason why we can't bring a little bit of spring indoors.  I picked up these mini daffodils last week, they started out so small and my how they've bloomed.  They are almost at the point now where they are a little out of control:

Recently I was gifted this beautiful Terrarium.  Apparently they are all rage now, and they couldn't be easier to take care of.  I did a quick Google search and you are supposed to leave the lid on and they only require watering once a week.  This is all very good for me, as I have been known to slowly kill off household plants.  We'll see how this one goes.

In Bloom

Hello Friends...here's a little sample what's blooming my garden...

I think this is some sort of a lilac bush...smells just divine.

Peony bud about to explode.

White flowering bush.

Spring Blooms

These pretty vibrant yellow bushes are in bloom all over the neighbourhood...this one happens to be in our backyard.  Don't you just love the cheerful, sunny yellow of the Forsythia?

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

Early Spring?

Hello Friends...so we've been having amazing weather all week, I mean like record breaking temps.  Great since the kids are off school this week for March Break, not so great for my early allergies.  Things are popping up, however all over the garden.  There's a whole slew of crocus' in my backyard and what looks like are going to be tulips too...

Isn't the colour just stunning?

More to come..

Around the Garden - In Bloom

Hello Friends...

Hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend.  We have an extra day here in Canada for Victoria Day, so we're just plan to laze around and enjoy some family time.  I'm hoping to plant my vegetable garden today, if the weather cooperates.  Over the past few days I was able to capture some shots of all the beautiful plants that are flowering around the garden; take a look...

Flowering Phlox.

Purple Leaf Sandcherry bush.

I only have a few tulips...this is one.

Japanese flowering tree.

The flowers are droopy, but so pretty.

Hello Mr. Bunny.

Crab Apple tree.

Quebec City Part 2 - More Great Photos

Here are some more great photos of our Quebec City trip...

Tree on Plains of Abraham.

Local watering hole.

Quebec City - Part 1

Hello everyone...this past weekend my husband I took a trip to historic Quebec City.  It's our 10 year anniversary this month and the first time we've been on a trip without the little ones.  It was also my first time to Quebec city...all I can say is that it easily lived up to all my expectations! 

The weather was sunny (a little on the cool side), and on the eve of an historic election in Canada, with all the changes coming from the province of Quebec, it was quite exciting.  The architecture is incredible (the oldest in Canada) and the city itself is rich in beauty and culture.  Here are a few of the photos I've managed to sift though so far...enjoy:

Looking through a portal up to the Chateau Frontenac Hotel.

Street near our hotel.

Chateau Frontenac again (we did not stay here, btw...just enjoyed it's beauty from the outside).

Me, enjoying the sun on the Promenade outside the Chateau Frontenac.

View again of Chateau and the St. Lawrence River from the Citadel.

Many of the buildings display plaques with the names of the original dwellers.



Bye for now, but more of Quebec to come!

Spring may have spurng, but so have my allergies!



Hello friends...As beautiful as spring is, when everything is in bloom, how many of you out there suffer from allergies?  It seems like such a cruel joke that Mother Nature has bestowed all her beauty upon us, but for many of us, it comes with incredible suffering. 

I don't know about you, but isn't it always those of us who love the fresh air, suffer the most?  You'd think I'd learn, but as soon as spring is in the air, the windows fly open, the patio door is open to the max. so I can 'air' the house out...and replace it with dreaded pollen!  I also love, love, love to hang my laundry out on the line.  Not only is it great for the environment, saves us on electrical bills, but nothing compares to the fresh scent of line dried clothes...especially sheets!  Big NO NO for allergies sufferers.
Here are some of my tips and tricks for getting through allergy season naturally:

• Do not hang the laundry out doors

Although this is tough, fortunately I only suffer in the spring, so I don't miss out on an entire summer of line drying.

• Nasal Irrigation (using a Netti Pot...see above picture)

This is an interesting one...for several years I had been aware of  'cleaning out your nose' with a saline solution, but was soooooooo creeped out and afraid of it.  When I finally worked up the courage to give it a try (after watching several videos on You Tube), I can honestly say, that it has made a huge difference for me.  At the worst times, I will do this twice a day.



• Homeopathic medicine

This is something new I'm trying out this year...so far it actually seems to be working.  I'm still a little sceptical, as the season is early, so the true verdict is still out on this one...I'll keep you posted.

• Wash hair and clothing regularly - I'm not big on washing my hair everyday, so I'm not doing this one yet...I also have pretty short hair, so I think less pollen gets trapped in my locks.

• Put a fresh pillow case on each night - this is easy and effective.

• Close those windows and doors - not ready to give this up yet!  I try to do all of the above so that I can enjoy the fresh air.



Having said all that, when all else fails, my fall back is good old Claratin. Hopefully, I won't need it this year, but we'll see how it goes.

I'd love to hear how you allergy sufferers out there cope...any tips or tricks to share?

Around The Garden...Mid-April

Hello there...Spring has finally seemed to arrive here in Toronto, and there is evidence all around.  With the buds on the trees (contributing to my allergies), to some of my perennial herbs beginning to come back.  It's all very exciting...take a look:

Pretty little purple flowers popping up in my front yard...not sure what they are; I don't remember planting these bulbs last fall, but they do look gorgeous!

My hens and chicks...my girls love these!

My chives...these are usually there all winter.

And, my oregano...smells so fragrant.

Do check back in the coming weeks, as I plan to keep posting new picks as more fun stuff pops up!