Once upon a time...

Nina's work rented out Storybook Gardens for a company family night last night. It was really fun and nice not to have to fight the crowds. And honestly, the ferris wheel was terrifying; especially at the top when the kids wouldn't stop rocking the car back and forth!


Ascent to terror


Isaac tells off a goose with an ice creamy face


Ben decides that this may not have been a great idea


Ben and Liv with the Cheshire cat ;)


Us and Humpty

Hosta parade

Well, if the grey skies and misty rain are good for nothing else, the hostas really seem not to mind. Below is my current inventory in no particular order (Ok, it's reverse alphabetical). Some are a little worse for wear from slugs and maybe too much sun for some, but others are really flourishing and Thunderbolt is my new favourite.


Got this one from an open garden tour. He also grows his own hostas.


Close second to being favourite.


Seems to be doing well in it's second year.


Gotta learn how to pronounce this one.


New favourite.


More tease, less strip this year.


Rather unremarkable, except for the red petioles.


Another cool one, although looks like it is reverting in some areas.


Not thrilled with this one.


Looking pretty rough, hopefully bounces back in year two.


This one was a gift from my neighbour Marianne when we moved in. Her garden is amazing.


Classic.


Sport of Striptease. Doing well in year 1.


Think this one might be a little big for where I have it now.


Super fast grower and nice flowers.


I have three of these...can't remember why.


Also from the garden tour that I got Zounds at. That was my dream garden...mom and dad came with and agreed.


Hopefully this one 'boldly goes' a little more next year.


This one scares me a little, saw one yesterday and it gets HUGE!


Another classic.


This one is doing very poorly this year and it is right by the front door taunting me.

Lather...Rinse...Repeat

...oh, and of course dry off in the 5 mins of sun we got today.

Cone-tasmic

I was wondering if the new growth on the weeping white pine would ever stop going skyward (ie not too much weeping going on)...well over the last couple days I have noticed about 50-60 little cones starting to form. I guess with all that weight, the weeping shall begin!

Family reunion

We had a nice time at the Street family reunion this past weekend. Michelle and Mike were great hosts and the weather was perfect. Good to see everybody again...now we just need to get Isaac some bubble-blowing lessons...other side buddy!

Visit to Hosta Choice Gardens

A local open garden tour last week reminded me how great Hosta's are....so with not much going on this weekend and a beautiful day for a drive, we took a short trip to Hosta Choice Gardens. Last year it was closed but this year it is back running under new management. Worth the trip if you are in the area.

School Fun Fair

Ben's school held a fun fair this past week; the whole school yard had different events happening.

Liv has her ticket.

Reluctantly becoming Spiderman


Presentation by Raptor Conservancy
Barn Owl


The End

Iris time

The irises are just starting to come out. Lots of buds this year. This is 'Orinoco Flow' just after the rain.

Swing into Spring

Conifer growth

Spring allium

Heeeeeere's Isaac!

This picture made me laugh...reminds me of Jack Nicholson in The Shining.

Potential

Japanese Maples

The recent string of nice days has pushed all the maple buds open.

'Emperor 1'

'Katsura'

'Inaba Shidare'

'Aka Kawa Hime'

'Purple Ghost'

'Shaina'

'Goshiki Kotohime'

'Skeeter's Broom'