It is warming up....finally!

It has been a long time coming...the warm weather that is. Everything here is so far behind. This time last year, I had the fish in the pond, flower beds finished and was just enjoying cutting the grass and trimming trees! I am one of the lucky ones though. Friends of mine lost everything they had due to frost. Lucky for me, it never made it up the hill. Where I live you are either on the flats or the hill. I am on the hill (obvious when you read previous statements).

The only thing that has really taken off in my yard are the weeds and the wild ferns. But that is only because I put the "pond muck" on them. I swear they grew 6 inches in a day! Great for the flowers...terrible for the hands. Ewww what a smell. But they say "You have to pay for the best things in life." My payment was smelling like an old slough for a few days! LOL. But it is all good.

One of my apple trees is covered in blossoms while the other may have a total of 10. I am not sure why this happens...any suggestions?? But hopefully I will have a good crop of apples in fall. That is as long as I don't get blight...which is hitting many of the trees here.

I am trying to decide what kind of tree I will have the City Planners plant in my front yard. I want something that will eventually provide shade for the house, but at the same time offers something for the birds. You see, 3 years ago, the City of Prince Albert cut down all the trees that were on the boulevard on my side of the street. All were well over 100 years old. At the time, they thought they had to cut them down to get to the water lines. They didn't...and after a few arguements, they admitted their error. Someone didn't read the map! But after widening the street, which they admitted they also did in error, it was found they couldn't replant. So in compensation, they have agreed that they will plant any tree of my liking in the front yard. Ergo...the big decision! So if anyone reading this has a suggestion or two...feel free to give them. I thank you ahead of time.

It Has Been A While!

As the pictures will attest, we have been growing a special seedling of our own! Meet my Grandson Kaleb! Born March 14th...just before Spring. What timing!!! I caught a friend of mine telling him, "I hope you like the outdoors because your Grandma will have you digging in the garden before you are 2!" Oh how right she is!!

I am hoping to get some of the seeds I collected last fall started soon. It better be soon or I will be wanting for flowers in my yard! But I have come to the conclusion, with a gift such as my "little man"...there is no need to rush or even beat myself up about it...it will all work out as it should.

We are still waiting for snow. Some pictures from last year's first snow

What a Canvas!!

As some may come to realize, I love my river! The North Saskatchewan flows by the city I live and about 20 miles out, joins up with the South Saskatchewan. It is one of my favorite places to spend a day exploring the banks. I am thankful that my daughter loves to do the same. It is nice having someone to share a "find" with.

















The park by my house is so beautiful in any season. It is a favorite place to take a walk with the dogs. Mystic loves to play in the leaves and Daisy has her nose permanently fixed to the ground. I feel I am very lucky to live where I do. Um...please remind me of this post when there is 4 ft of snow on the ground and I have just come in from shovelling for an hour at -45C. LOL
I wish the rest of Canada a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Fall Colors

It is kind of sad when falls comes each year. Even though it is one of my favorite seasons. The geese can be heard as they prepare for their trip south. The gardeners are all busy getting things ready for the winter and for here...that is 6 months of snow and cold (sighhhhh). And I love to go for long walks with my camera and my "envelopes". The envelopes are for the collection of seeds (no ones back alley is safe...LOL).

Taking little jaunts through the bush trails I think is my favorite thing to do in the fall. The smell of the high bush cranberries is nearly intoxicating...and if lucky I get to hear the odd grunt of deer/moose/elk as it is nearing the rut. You know...I guess I should quit whining about winter here. Because in all honesty, by about the end of Oct, most are just waiting for that first snowfall! Of course by the end of Christmas, most are wishing for a Chinook to take it all away! I hope all are having a wonderful fall...and when you look up and see the geese flying over head, remember I sent greetings on their wings.

Fall is around the corner!

It won't be long before it turns cold I am afraid. Already we have had a night or two around the 1C mark. I am just hoping my cucumbers are productive. I got them in late so I guess I will just be happy with whatever size they are!

My apple trees did well this year. Well...one had more than the other but all in all I am quite satisfied. This is the third year since I put them in. Who knows...next year I might even have double the amount of this!

The Battle of the Aphids...I think they are winning.

From what I am told, I am not the only one to be suffering the "invasion". My front flower beds and the Virginia Creeper I have growing up the side of the house are filled...and I mean FILLED with aphids. If you go out the door, you hear the little critters start to move. By the time you are down the step you are waving your arms like a maniac. I am sure my neighbors across the street think I have taken up some new type of dancing to go with the music that blares out of my daughter's bedroom window. OMG...I just realized...I have turned into my mother!!! Well there could be alot worse things. She was kinda cool lady.

I have consulted various other gardeners, books and even a nursery or two. And basically they have all suggested the same thing. Liquid dish soap and oil. So today I have tried it. If anything, the oil brings out a nice sheen to the leaves, petals and even the brick of the house. When Cala the Destructor tasted a wee puddle, she snorted and barked at it...so...if nothing else, I think I have discovered a deterent to Cala and her ever digging feet and chewing face.