Wet on Wet

Actually, this would have been nigh on impossible to paint with watercolours. I'm hoping that I'll actually get mine out someday soon and get back into painting. I kind of miss it.

Ice Mullein

Alright, another case of incorrect colours working out better than the real life version.... :D

Mystery Plant

Here is the unfurling bud of one of the mystery plants. Probably I planted this last year, but I haven't a clue what it is - although I'm starting to suspect that it is some kind of daisy flea bane.

The next round of lilies

This is one of 3 asian lillies I planted last year. This year they've grown back with reinforcements and the one type is finally flowering (there are about 5 open at this point). The other two plants are not far behind and I'm still waiting for the cream and suger lillies to open up although they may have another week to go.

2nd Echinacaea

Here is the second echinacaea flower of this summer - however, many more will follow shortly.

Right on the Button

I can't remember the name of this aster - I think its actually blanket flower.

Roses are wet, the violets are wet too - if you come outside, you'll be wet too

Well, unless you have a big umbrella

And down came the rain and wash the spider out

Well, I definately don't need to water today we got enough rain to make serious puddles... all clear for at least 2 or 3 days.

Feed them, and they will bloom

Its amazing what a single bit of feeding will do overnight to the apparent health of ones garden. My pansies and geraniums are looking less sprawling and several plants burst into flower today. There is a mystery plant near blooming and the first of the lilies from last year are just starting to open. On the concern list - is that something seems to be devouring the centers of the daisies and I haven't had any more of the yellow evening primrose yet.

Evening Primrose

A star in the garden

Mullein With Butterfly Antenae

Still my one of my favourite new plants this year.

Here is the ssame photo as the one two down with the right colours

Devine

I guess I'll be missing out on my favourite grapes this year (again) as they ripen in September - but still one of the coolest and long surviving members of the garden.

Rawng Colours

Umm.. these pansies actually are the usual purple and cream but Picassa doesn't quite know what to do with the raw file.

Suntwins

Growing happily despite my neglect

Down to 640 pixels

Another Columbine

Learning a new instrument

I haven't got it figured out yet, but I'm liking what I see so far!

Now you see it, now you don't

My first and possibly only strawberry is pictured above - however, it disappeared shortly after this picture was taken. I'm not sure who is to blame.. but, I suspect that it was either the rabbit or a squirrel. I guess I'll never know - and next time I see a strawberry I'm going to snap it up.. ready or not.

Geranium and Salvia

I just liked how this one turned out.

Another 2 hurdles made

Well, I've always hated the details of moving, but I'm actually fairly nearly done. At least the sealift order is in - and I have completed a large portion of 10 months of grocery shopping. I think I'm going to be eating a lot of diced tomatos and brown rice and canned soup. I guess we'll see how it pans out. I actually pared quite a bit down from my original order - so its mostly reasonable and if I go up for a second year, I may not need to order as much.

The moving folks came to meet today and assess my stuff. He guessed I was about 300 lbs over - so after scrambling all afternoon to pare off the fringes I came in about 300 lbs under the limit. I figure this is a good safety buffer given that I weighed stuff on a digital scale and subtracted my own weight. The movers actually come a few weeks from now, but in the meantime I should sort out what is going in my carry on and pick up any odds and ends that I'll need. So, aside from the final packing of my gear that is being shipped up, the only other north related things I need to do is fax in one more info sheet and then pack my bags to go. That of course leaves 1 little hurdle to a fun summer entitled "finishing my thesis". I'm still hoping to escape for a weekend to get in my dose of Algonquin Park or Ottawa. But we'll see.

In garden news... This is the first time I've actually gotten Campanula to flower... I've a few more plants planted, but they seem to be struggling. Tomorrow - if it doesn't rain tonight I will zip out and give my plants a long overdue feeding and spray some soap on holely looking leaves. I did catch a rabbit in the midst of the perrenial bed and the birds continue to dig everywhere, but otherwise things are taking care of themselves in my absense.

Night

J

Lost and Found Beauty

I stumbled on this looking for a picture of one of my field sites and just had to share (although it may have been posted here in the past). This is taken out west and I'd like to say it is a hike up top of one of the ski hills in the Banff area.... sigh... maybe next summer I'll make it out west.

Double Rainbow Delight

Here it is.. a real picture of the double rainbow last night..... very cool!

The Lazy Daisies Have Finally Arrived

After teasing me for weeks - 3 daisies finally opened yesterday. I've also noticed at least 2 more echinacaea which are starting to flower.

Roses in the Rain