WTF ??

Romeo is a little confused as to why there is a tunnel in the backyard now that leads to the bird feeders. There is a good 4 feet of snow accumulated in the backyard now and the entire jungle is under a thick blanket of snow.

The Day after...

Yesterday we got hit with a huge winter storm, including an experience that I have never had before, thunder and lightning during the storm. We got a good 40 cm of blowing snow and to say the least, things are pretty snowed in.

Let's go sliding

Romeo was hesitant the first day, but had now been running around the yard and sliding in the snow like a little kid.

Winter Shminter

Angelina is less than thrilled with all this white stuff, and is cautiously making her way around the yard. Atleast it's really easy to find the monsters in the snow.

Brave New World

The boys are checking out the change in the yard as we got dumped on with a huge first snow storm of the season. Of course their first point of interest is the area around the bird feeders...

Feed the cat....

My sister sent me this video.... and who ever did this must have a cat as it is pretty much how Romeo tries to get us up each morning to be fed... more or less...

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

My favorite space -- the Pod Garden that is just too hip and cool (actually it looks very 1970s).

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Some gardens were plant free but appealed to my inner child with their cartoon-like appearance.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Another cool use of recycled materials, it was like being on a trampoline.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

This was a great use of recycled materials and loved the light effect the discs make on the ground.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

I love the gardens that brought in that Jungle feel and some cool bamboo screens.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

This garden was very interesting, more of a spa feel to it.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

It was great how they used both sides of the canal in the Old Port for the exposition, including some really cool floating gardens.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Some really great spaces-- would love an awning like this at home.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Beautiful yet simple wildflowers in pastel colors.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

More nifty uses of household items.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Beautiful water lilies-- I want a water garden!

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Really cool water garden with water that flowed up and over.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Some of the modern furniture mixed in was very interesting, and extremely comfortable. Looks nifty!

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

I love the artists that would give something unexpected like these beautiful stain glass windows that look like they have been there for years.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

There was a whole area of theses cool bird houses made of various household items.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Lots of different artists created garden spaces and this one had a giant beaded curtain that was amazing.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Amazing combinations of colors and textures.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Very cool outdoor work space that is a desk by day and bar by night.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

I loved this central table in the garden.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Modern zen influenced garden space, love the bright red as a contrast.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Beautiful modern glass touches in a sleek garden space.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Bright and colorful city garden space with lots of interesting rock work.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Flintstone furniture in this very square and concrete garden.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Another great use of background and highlighting it with another mannequin is just brilliant-- this was one of my favorite gardens.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Now that's cool use of a bathtub-- I love all the rubber duckies added in.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Great use of a hose!

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Surprises around every corner in this garden!

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Fun modern twists in this garden, I love the mannequins that are on display in various parts.

Inspirations- Flora Garden Festival

Very modern and sleek, this was an interesting garden with great furniture and water features.

The View Outside

Fall is just hitting so a final look outside before things start going dormant for the winter. It's been great having such a nice view from the kitchen to the Jungle... and we had a great growing season this year.

Zucchini season starts

This year I tried climbing Zucchini in the garden as the regular community garden plot was not available, and have started getting tons of little zucchinis on the go and will soon be harvesting the first ones. The plant has spread and is growing all over the staircase and is with the cucumbers and some Morning Glory.

Morning Glorious

The Morning Glory lives up to it's name and each day we are greeted with lovely purple and pink flowers trailing in the vines and around the arch in the middle of the garden.

Catching 5

Houdini takes a break and snoozes beside the bird bath on a nice summer day. I definately envy the life of a cat ( in a good home ).

Hanging out & looking for trouble

The boys hang around in the back corner of the yard waiting to see if any butterflies or birds appear .... or anything else that looks fun to chase.

OCD with a ball

Angelina has not slowed down at all this year with her fascination of playing fetch. Of course this being a cat ( and not a dog ), she directs the action by bringing the ball to where she wants to throw it from, and then points herself in the direction she wants you to throw it.... and does this for quite awhile until either she gets bored or distracted.

Do cats like celery?

Romeo is fascinated with either the celery or some bug in the garden..... the cats seem more interested in chasing things that move and digging than eating the plants.

More colors and textures

It's fun having a big mix of different plants that give different colors and textures. Here we have everything from lettuce and impatients to lilies and horseradish!

Summer Lilies

All the hot weather has boosted the tomatoes (harvesting like crazy now) and the beautiful yellow lilies add a bright contrast.

Yummy!

One of the squirrels was hanging around so we decided to give him a treat of peanut butter.... and are pretty sure he was smacking his lips together for a few hours after.

Butterflies are fun-- and accidents happen

Romeo really loves the butterflies that check out the plants..... and must find them tasty as he as got quite a few this year.... next year the Peppers will be planted not as close to some of the other flowering plants as they suffered more than a few accidents from cats jumping on them.