Fine End of May

common daisy blooms in our lawn

I think I jinxed having a fine weather for the past month and a half by talking how pleasant it was for the start of spring. After my last post, we’ve had chilly mornings, gusty wind, steady rain showers and even short episodes of hail storm which made for a bleak chilly season. It seems from early spring, we fast forwarded to late autumn.

blue May sky

So in those rare days that the sun deigned us with its glorious presence, we tried to make the most of it. It always feels good to feel the sunlight on one’s back and arms. However, the brisk wind made it impossible to don sleeveless shirts and shorts. So we just contented ourselves with the sun on our face and enjoy its warmth under jackets and pants.

Now, it seems that the good weather is back with a vengeance *smile*. The temperature is almost summer-like with cloudless blue sky. A light breeze cools our sun-kissed skin every now and then. It feels really good to be outside after a harsh late winter and a dreary wet autumnal episode for the past several weeks.

newly sprouted leaves

I’m crossing my fingers that this time the fair weather is here to stay *smiles hopefully*

spring sunset

Dulcet Days

yellow crocuses in our garden

I find it poetic that when warm season begins, one of the first flowers in our garden to bloom is these yellow crocuses. They are like little balls of sunshine that fell on the ground announcing the coming of pleasant days.

Although it can be still chilly in the morning, it’s nice to wake up with sunlight streaming through our windows. I don’t mind having to get up an hour earlier (now that we are on daylight saving time) as long as I have the sun to wake up to. A good dose of sunshine is a great way to start the day right.

an industrious (and early) bee collecting nectar

And seeing radiant blooms as you step outside would surely bring a spring in your steps (figuratively and literally). Soaking in the sun’s rays and being bathed in the mellow glow of these crocuses surely makes for an agreeable time spent in the garden.

I hope the good weather continues (as it could sometimes still be winter-like in April) and everyone is enjoying the arrival of warm, fine days.

Spring is Here

a ladybug ready for take off

It’s nice to feel the warmth of the sun after a harsh late winter. Our yellow star banishes the lingering chill of a freezing February. And comes with it is longer daylight hours which is a boon on sunny days.

a ladybug on a promenade

I think last month was the coldest winter I’ve experienced with barely 0°C as a maximum temperature. Even though it would had been nice to take some photos of Felix and the four other cats we took in playing in the snow (yes, our family now has four more additional “fur balls”), I didn’t dare go out unless necessary. As much as I regret not having souvenirs of them goofing on wintery white powder (especially as it was the two youngest cats first winter), I really didn’t have the courage to stay longer than needed outside (shame on cowardly me *sob*).

a ladybug on a dandelion

Anyway, that’s enough of winter thoughts (literally and figuratively). The sun is here albeit it could still be chilly in the morning. A lot of ladybirds which I have sheltered in our garden are out enjoying the arrival of the warm weather. Several flowers of common daisy and dandelion are now gaily dotting our lawn. And soon, tulips and cherry blossoms will complete the spring landscape *smile*.

a ladybug scaling a daffodil leaf

I just hope Mr. Jack Frost won’t make a little come back for one last curtain call. The cats and I are looking forward to stretching out under the sun, dozing off with the crooning of birds as lullabies. Well, here’s to the springing of spring *hippety hop hop*.

a ladybug on a common daisy

In This Season

 

May the spirit of this holiday season - love, generosity and goodwill 

reign in our hearts always. 

Happy Holidays!

In Seeking

a common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) in our garden

To look is to see… to hear is to listen… to feel is to experience.

To know is to understand… that we may find what is real.

Crossing Fingers

 a garden rose bathed in late afternoon sunlight conveying an image of hope

We received two different phone calls a few days ago about Cliff. The callers saw our cat in a farm field about a kilometre or two away from our home. Since the first call, we have been concentrating our search in that area… but to no avail *sad*

Cliff in hunting "mode" in our garden

But at least we know that Cliff is well and unhurt. We are afraid he got trapped somewhere and couldn’t get out (with no food and water)… or worse, got injured and hiding in a corner of a place unknown to him, alone, hungry and hurting. Knowing he’s okay is already a big relief for us even though we still haven’t found him.

a white Dog rose (Rosa canina)

A number of people in the neighbourhood (where Cliff was last seen) own cats. This means Cliff can always find food in the nearby houses when he gets hungry. There are also barns and sheds where he can take shelter when it rains and sleep when he gets tired. But, of course, it would a lot better for him and for us if we can find and take him home.

Cliff sleeping in my arms

There are around three cats that resemble Cliff in that neighbourhood. Although this could mean that they could have been the cats that the callers saw, still, my husband said they must know these cats (as they live in that neighbourhood). Besides, they must have believed it was Cliff they saw, or else, they wouldn’t make the effort of informing us about our cat’s whereabouts.

a pink Dog rose in morning sunlight, another image of hope

I just wish we would find Cliff… or Cliff finds his way back to us. We all miss him, especially when it’s time for his meals and naps and he would usually go home bouncing on his paws, ready for a cuddle before he eats or sleeps. I miss his purring, his paws kneading my side or arms as he cuddles and sleep next to me. I hope he’s safe and sound wherever he is. I hope he’s not too scared and confused in a strange place. And I earnestly hope to wake up with him waiting outside our door.

photo of Cliff we used for the "missing cat" flyers

We love and miss you so much, Cliff.

After A While...

red poppies in our garden

Whew ! I believe it has been more than a year and a half since my unplanned hiatus from blogging. Well, I’m back in my element now (at least, I think I am) and I plan to make up for my absence *smile*.

wild geranium

And speaking of elements, it seems that this year’s seasons are out of synch with the time of the year. After a harsh and very cold winter, spring came early and it was already summer-like by March. It was dry and sunny until June (except a few bizarre snow episodes in the mountains). And now that everybody is expecting more sunshine days, July had been morose and wet. I don’t know what August would be like but I wouldn’t be surprised if winter comes early this year (still, I hope we will have more warm days).

rudbeckia

Well, the sun has come out. I’d better make the most of its fleeting presence before rain and gray clouds hamper the summer air (again) *winks*.

Happy Holidays

On this wonderful season, may we all be surrounded with love and joy from our loved ones.

Have a lovely Christmas and a great New Year ahead!!!

Felix and Christmas Balls

Hi! I'm Felix and this is my Christmas ball *purrs*

Felix is more of an outdoor cat than an indoor one. After the initial shock of experiencing snow last Thursday, he's back to spending a lot of time outdoors. But with the winter weather, we have to make him stay indoors most of the time. And to amuse himself (and maybe to annoy us for keeping him inside), he plays with the Christmas balls of our tree, especially during his most active hours (around dawn and from dusk until midnight).

Felix: Christmas balls, you can't hide from me :) *cluck*cluck*

He is so fascinated with the balls that he became an expert in knocking them off a day after we put up the tree. Once on the floor, he would kick the balls around until they get “lost” under a furniture and he couldn’t reach them. Then, he would come back for another ball to play with. He would even stand on his hind legs to reach for those on the upper part of the tree.

Felix: Dad, help! Mom is trying to trick me with these balls!!!

Felix: This ball is what I want to play with! *meows*

I tried to “trick” him from doing this by giving him the Christmas balls I didn't use. And I added a garland to make it more enticing for him (of course, I intend to keep an eye on him so he wouldn’t accidentally swallow some pieces of the garland or get his claws tangled in them). But he wasn’t fooled. He just pushed them around timidly and went back to the “real” ones hanging on the tree.

Felix: Mom, I can't help it! I'm hypnotized... *purrs*

It can be exasperating to look for the balls everyday and put them back where they belong but it is also amusing to see Felix knock them off with a great deal of dexterity and run after them. He's really like a toddler on his first Christmas.

Felix: I have to hide my "loot" *purrs*

Oh well, I guess I just have to accept having a “naked” Christmas tree this year (at least the lower part of it). At least, Felix’s having a lot of fun with these "new toys". And after all, Christmas is one of the most wonderful time of the year for kids and Felix is like a tot in more ways than one *winks*.

Felix: Uh-oh, I'm not in trouble, am I? *meows*

Blooming Friday: Snow-covered Stonecrops

Hylotelephium spectabile (formerly known as Sedum spectabile) or showy stonecrops under the snow

Since yesterday we’ve been having a considerable amount of snow. Well, it would be officially winter time in three days, so I guess this is the welcome salvo of the cold season. And these are our Sedum spectabile (now classified as Hylotelephium spectabile) or showy stonecrop covered in snow.


They look like frozen deserts to me. I’m deliberating between cone-shaped ice pops (because of the dried stem) and snow cones. Or maybe I should just describe them as “snow popsicones”. And if I combine the term with it’s common name, we can call it “snowy showy stonecropsicones.” *winks*


In any case, I think they’re quite as interesting now as they were when they have their magnificent pink inflorescence in autumn. They’re hardy perennials but I just hope their roots won’t rot under the steady snow which we will probable have for some time. It would be a real shame if they die. They’re one of my preferred plants, not only because of the their autumn charm, but also they’re easy to care for.


Well, this is the last weekend before Christmas, so I wish everybody a nice time wrapping gifts and preparing for the holidays. Advance happy holidays!

see my other blooming fridays
see other blooming friday participants

Silver White Winter

snow on our conifers

We had our first snow this winter today. As I suspected, our winter is a lot colder than usual : according to meteorologists, the temperature we’re having is way below the average for this season. We had a quite a warm, sunny and relatively long summer, so I assumed that winter will be really biting. The maximum temperature is around 0°C for several days now and is expected to continue that way for sometime.

Felix's "pawtrail" in the snow

Well, it might not be that cold compared to other areas, but the sudden drop from around 10°C (last Friday) to 0°C (last Saturday) can be quite a shock to one’s system, especially for someone who prefers warmer weather like me.


However cold winter might be, snow makes it less gloomy. In fact, it gives winter a romantic appeal, like what you see in Christmas cards or movies, with snowflakes falling and ponds and lakes turned into a natural skating rink. It would have been better if the sky is clear and with some sun. Well, one can’t have everything. Besides, I'd rather have snow than the depressing November rain.

Felix paw prints on our porch

But Felix (our cat) doesn’t seem to like winter that much, too. Usually, he spends a lot of time outdoors, except when it’s raining. However, I think today’s snow and below zero degree temperature was also a drastic change for him. When he had to make his rounds, he was only out for about 30 minutes at the most, then would come back to sleep on our sofa or bed.


And so that I can have photos of him for his first winter and first snow (for posterity's sake), I have to time it when he makes his tours. But he wasn’t that cooperative since all he wants to do is to make the trip and go back to the relative warmth of our house. But maybe he’ll get used to it in the coming days. As for now, he finds it more fun to play with Christmas balls and garlands by knocking them off our tree.

I think Felix is thinking "brrrr... I'd like to get this trip over with and go back inside"

Well, I just hope this winter wouldn’t be a long one. Having snow is great. But the cold weather and having to put layers of clothes before going out is another story. On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind the temperature that much if there would be some sun to make the snow glisten like fine crystal powders *smiles*.

a warm fire on a snowy winter day