...part 2

Liv always likes the animals until she gets close


Prison break!


Pig in the city


The Great Pumpkin

Annual Appleland trip...part 1

Beautiful sunny day for our trip to Appleland. Some varieties (Mutsu and Granny Smiths weren't quite ready) so we might just have to go again in a couple weeks.


On the way out to the orchard on the Apple "Train"


Loaded trees


Dance of the Apple Fairy


Benny eating an Apple - captured on film!

Toad Lily

My favourite bloom of all

10 weeks...

Isaac at 10 weeks

...off he goes

Ben's first day of school.

To infinity and beyond!

Ben in his new Buzz Lightyear costume from the Disney store.

7 weeks and counting...

...still with the crazy hair!

More blending..."before and after"

Listening to: "Friend of a friend" - Foo Fighters

Fiddling in Photoshop

Today I learned how to blend photos. This one is from Kyle and Britney's wedding.

The Kiss

This was taken from the flight deck of the USS Midway. I didn't expect to be in San Diego this week, but I was asked to go on Monday when I got to work to help out some of our colleagues from our US office. San Diego is a beautiful city...one of the few places that I have travelled for work that I would actually like to go back to.

PS I like the kid underneath...getting an eyeful!

Limelight Hydrangea

Limelight Hydrangea turning pink

Hosta Choice Gardens

I just want to give a free plug to a fantastic place that I detoured to on my way home from a work roadtrip on Tuesday. It is called Hosta Choice Gardens and it is located in Appin (about 1/2 hour west of London). They easily have the best selection of hostas that I have ever seen. I also really like that they have a great way to view the hostas; they have a woodland type setting and I don't think I would be exaggerating to say that they probably have near a thousand or more hostas on display and tagged. The great thing is that you can see what the plant will look like at full size. I find that a lot of times with hostas you also get some colour change as the plant matures, so you can see what the colour will be as the plant gets older as well.

All in all a great place. Unfortunately they are closed after this weekend. I only walked away with one lonely Abiqua Drinking Gourd (I know...boring) but if I have time this weekend I will take Nina and the kids out for a drive.

If you get the chance check it out...you will not be disappointed.

Zee famous underwater explorer extraordinaire...

...in search of zee famous spitting serpent...ah zut there it is...

...of mice and men

Well here is my first draft of the plan for the side yard entrance to the back. It has been the perennial dumping ground since it is the side that you don't easily see when you are out on the deck...so my disposal habits will have to change...more frequent trips to the yard waste depot I guess. If anyone knows of a good multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub they can suggest I would appreciate it...I have kind of hit a wall. I am aiming at a Japanese / Woodland theme for the yard so keep that in mind if you do suggest something. Thanks all!

Listening to: "Rag and Bone" - The White Stripes

Gimmie Shelter

One of the new baby robins takes shelter under the Trumpet Vine during a sprinkler session tonight.

New coneflower added to wishlist

Took my bi-weekly trip to our favourite nursery this week and got there just in time to see the new delivery coming right off of the truck.
In the new lot was this great new coneflower - Coconut Lime Double Coneflower. I just couldn't part with the 20$ at the time...went with the Rheingold Dwarf Cedar instead (70% off)...I will add the coneflower to the ever expanding wishlist...

Photo is courtesy of www.coneflower.com

New Blue Jay Feeder...aka Squirrel Buffet

Well I searched high and low to find this new feeder that dispenses peanuts with the shell on. It is supposed to attract Blue Jays and Woodpeckers. So far, all it has done is depleted my peanut supply by acting as an all you can eat Squirrel feast. Oh well, lesson learned...next week I will buy a baffle for the top.

By the way, if you are interested in learing about birds or finding a specific feeder, look up your local Wild Birds Unlimited Store if you are lucky enough to have one in your area. These folks are very knowledgeable and willing to help. They also have a website: www.wbu.com

Listening to: "Excuse Me, I Think I've Got a Heart Ache" - Cake

Coming Home

Well we brought little Isaac home yesterday. We both had to say that out of all three birth experiences, the nurses and care we received with Isaac was the best by far.

Isaac

Well, we learned a valuable lesson...ultrasounds are not always right. We were all prepared for a girl this week and this little guy surprised us all! Mom and Isaac are doing great.

And I'm spent...

Completed new corner

New water feature

Well today I finished the water feature and I think I am pretty much done for the year out in the yard...although I am on the hunt for some japanese forest grass and/or black mondo grass to put around the new water feature...but that is just small stuff...the big projects this year are done...I think that deserves an ice cold Steam Whistle or 4. Have a good weekend all.

Monday in the park

Olivia on the teeter totter

Just a bit outside...

Number 13 in your programs and number 1 in your heart....DADDY!

Give this girl a contract

T-minus 8 days...

Well it's anytime now and we will be a brood of 5. Nina's due date is July 10th. Ben and Olivia are anxious to meet their new sister - Hannah.

Allium

Drumstick Allium...I think. This was a busy long weekend. Lots of work in the yard; a new bed added to the back and lots of planting. I did something today that I didn't think was possible...we went to our favourite nursery and I didn't buy anything...not a solitary daylily, coneflower or ornamental grass. Unbelieveable. However, I did file away a couple gems for later...a coral bark Japanese maple, a Vanderwoolf pyramidal pine and a weeping larch. Hope all had a safe and fun long weekend...now BACK TO WORK!

Listening to: "Jamming" - Bob Marley

The neverending story...

What would the long weekend be without another garden project...plus the plants are just so cheap right now...
This is our new shade/partial shade corner. We have a couple of nice new Adirondack chairs and a planned water feature yet to add. I will post when complete.

Have a great Canada Day Weekend!

Listening to: "Last to Know" - Blue Rodeo

After the rain...

A brief respite from the heat today...about 1 hour of rain...better than nothing.

On the verge

Like many other garden bloggers, I am just waiting now for all the prime time summer plants to burst into colour. I am thinking within a week or two, most should be in fine form.

Listening to: "Steam Engenius" - Modest Mouse

Where are the kids?

...at the Splash-pad...it's too hot to do anything else...

How to stay cool...

I put the sprinkler out on the lawn last evening and Ben decided it would be a good way to ease the 35ºC heat by standing over it...I gotta say, it looks refreshing!

Ladybug (?)

Listening to: "How to be Dead" - Snow Patrol

Rosebud

New climbing yellow rose. I am a little intimidated by this, my first rose. I have done a lot of reading on roses and they seem to be a lot of work. I hope that it is worth the effort. If anyone has any tips for growing roses, please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks.

Little Rascal

Ben and Liv spent the day with Nana today. Ben returned with a few souvenirs - a couple of skinned knees and this world class shiner...well done fella.

Bird on a wire

Listening to: "Synchronicity II" - The Police

Hanging on...

Morning Glory shoot clinging on to the trellis

Cappuccino Lily

Listening to: "Ragoo" - Kings of Leon

The Deck Problem

You see, we inherited this large, new deck when we bought the house 4 years ago and it is the bane of my summer existence because I always plan to powerwash it and stain it...but you know how it goes. Now the plants are too high around the perimeter to stain the lattice...yada yada yada...maybe next year...at least it looks OK disguised behind Mexican Feather Grass.

Listening to: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" - Cake

How sweet it is...

Yes I am one of those sad Leafs fans that took ENORMOUS pleasure in watching the Senators flounder in the finals this year. HA HA HA HA...we are a pathetic bunch.
Photo is courtesy of the Anaheim Ducks home page.

Listening to: "Bad" - U2

Columbine

Columbine before it has coloured.

Listening to: "Lazy Eye" - Silversun Pickups