End of the Season at Cascade Gardens

About two weeks ago my kiddos, our neighbour, Sue, & I took a walk into town. It was a beautiful Saturday, and while I usually have a ton on my plate, I had nothing that needed to be done. My hubby was finishing up a painting project in our garage, and needed the kids, who associate Daddy with bikes and play time if he is near the garage, out of his hair. We ambled to town, where a triathlon was finishing up. One of the things I like most about living in a National Park, is that there is always something going on. We walked to Shakes, to have one of our favourite things, Bubble Tea. If you have not had one, find somewhere to try one, NOW! I became addicted to them when I lived in Ottawa, and could get them on Somerset in Chinatown. On our walk back home, we stopped at the Cascade Gardens, which provide a lovely little shortcut to our house. The Gardens were amazing, and I kicked myself for normally walking the other way to town. How could I have been missing all of these beautiful poppies and African daisies? As tourists snapped away, so did I. And I felt grateful, once again, to live in such an amazing place, and happy that we walked through the gardens before the frosty mornings got to the flowers.

Why Do Dandelions Get Such a Bad Rep?

Just look at this beautiful vintage card of a dandelion that I picked up at a recent rummage sale. I am using it to illustrate my point, which I started thinking about the other day, when Quin, Emmanuelle, and I were walking back from Playground Pals, Quin's favorite summer activity. There were tons of dandelions that were ready to have their seed blown on the wind, and Quin was eagerly pulling them up and giving them a blast of air to send them on their way. I happen to love dandelions both when they are yellow and when they are white, although I probably like them best when they are white. They may be a weed but they are at least cheery. And you can make wine out of them. And tea. And the greens are good in salads. And you can weave them into dandelion crowns. Plus when I pick one up to blow on it, it reminds me of childhood. Just look at the images below, the first from two summers ago and one from this past spring. Have you picked and enjoyed a dandelion lately? It could be time that you did.

Purple Monkshood

We came home from our holidays to a back garden that was lush and green, thanks to Mother Nature and our neighbor. We have only lived in this house about a year, so this year, when my friend, Hannah, and my husband were planting perennials and annuals, (while I was busy with our new babe) they were not completely sure about two clumps of plants that were growing like wild fire. We all thought they were weeds, but decided to let them have a chance for this season, to try to solve the mystery. Well, as it turns out, they did bloom while we were away, and the moment I spotted them upon our return I knew exactly what they were! Purple Monkshood. I photographed these once for a card line I sold in Maine. They make me nostalgic for my old home. I miss Maine.