After the wind died down this evening, I sat out in the back garden and found myself thinking about the many wonderful things that have come to pass this summer. The garden has been spectacular all summer long and continues to fill me with happiness. New blooms appear daily, keeping my senses awash in colour…

At right is one of my most cherished flowers, made many summers ago, by my oldest niece, Sarah. One summer, we spent endless hours crafting all manner of flowers, animals and objects out of FIMO. We intended to sell all of our items on the main street of a town near our family cottage, Fort…

  When the gardener slowly ambled near, we put on our best display and silently willed her to look our way. “Begonias,” she muttered, “I haven’t had any in my garden for at least twenty-five years.” “That’s why,” we gently pleaded, “you must take us home and become reacquainted with our beauty.” The gardener felt…

 Every morning this past week, I have gone out to my front garden and buried my nose in the hauntingly-beautiful fragrance of the Dianthus superbus (aka pinks). I could look at the deeply-fringed flowers of this pink forever. Luckily, for me, I have several clumps of this flower in my garden. I came across this…

  Awe is what the soul feeds upon. ( Fay Weldon, What Makes Women Happy, p. 96) Photograph taken on 21 Jun 2008 in my back garden.

The Columbines have definitely been intent on increasing their numbers this spring. And why wouldn't they? It always helps to have enough dance partners attending the annual spring fête. Many showed up this year to create a dance well worth watching as it unfolded for days on end. Columbines will always have a pride of…

 Finally – I have rhubarb in my garden courtesy of my parents prolific rhubarb plants. Last month I mentioned to my parents that I'd like a small chunk of one of their rhubarb plants. I love watching rhubarb grow and love eating it. More importantly though, I wanted to have a part of their beloved garden in mine.…

While admiring the Pulsatilla vulgaris this spring, I began thinking of how the life of a flower from bud to seedpod loosely parallels our lives. When we are young and in full bloom, we turn our faces to the sun and bask in our youthful beauty and exuberance. It is a time of unlimited possibilities…

This winter, our five pond fish were much entertained by the antics of the newly-arrived Little Fishy (pictured above). Little Fishy would have us believe that she swam across the Atlantic Ocean from her home in England. We humour her because she is a much-loved member of our family. Fishy can weave tales to rival…

This year, we’ve had the time of our lives,  happily surviving several frost-filled nights and putting forth more blooms than ever before. As the days grow warmer, the time will soon come when we must say goodbye. We aren’t ready to take our leave just yet. If by chance you were to  happen upon us,…