LIVING THE GARDENING LIFE: winter

Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts

30 November 2014

The Snowman by Wallace Stevens

One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

"The Snowman" by Wallace Stevens

19 January 2014

Another Beautiful Day

We've been unseasonably warm after an unusually cold December but this I am loving, aside from the ice. Looks to be another gorgeous day today with a high of 4 Celsius though quite windy.

Hope you enjoy a wonderful Sunday.

03 January 2014

Year 2013 in Reflection

Late winter (January/February) saw us move residence. We now had a bare field in front and behind us giving us unobstructed views of sunrises to the northeast. It was lovely until construction both in front and in back disrupted the views and the peace. However, to my delight, a new family park began construction across the road. Behind us, new housing developments. A perfect excuse to get out of the house to explore!

As beautiful as winter can be, I yearn for colour and the sweet promise of spring so off to the greenhouses I went. In the above photos: Muttart Conservatory saw the blooming of Putrella Amorphphallus Titanum in April. Also in bloom was a daffodil garden comprising most of an entire pyramid and many other spectacular spring flowers. I had to bring some of that intoxicating beauty home with floral arrangements.

Nearby, as spring warmed the earth and our hearts, resident Canada Geese nested amongst the reeds at a local pond. They were quite camera shy, would you believe it?

When summer finally arrived (it was a late spring in 2013) I took advantage of the opportunities to be found including but not limited to riding segways at the river valley, watching the Dragon boat races, visiting gardens, watching the July 1 fireworks, attending the CariWest Festival Parade, visiting the Lois Hole Wetlands and berry picking. A visit to the lake for a day with family was time well spent.

The garden adored the heat.

Then September rolled in and the warm weather persisted to our delight! We made a trek to Jasper National Park (including the Columbia Ice Fields), Banff National Park and Waterton National Park where we spent time with our moms, a couple of the kids and their boyfriend/girlfriends. We had a fabulous time!! I miss the mountains so this was the best way to say hello to autumn and goodbye to summer. See Waterton National Park, Where Have the Columbia Icefields Gone, and Rocky Mountain Highs.

The Festival of Trees took place over the last weekend in November. Above is a small sampling of the beauty we enjoyed. I've volunteered there previously and really miss doing so. Working in retail at this time of year kind of zaps the energy so I just enjoyed visiting at leisure. I dragged hubby along and we joined a couple of our sons and our daughter, with their respective companions, for a lovely evening of festive gaiety. See Festival of Trees.

The beginning of December Devonian Botanic Gardens held their annual Luminaria event on what turned out to the coldest weekend so far! Bundled up though, it wasn't too bad that evening. You can visit my post here.

Candlelight Christmas with the McDades at John Walter Museum.

Above collage photos were taken at the John Walter Museum.

This little hermit actually got out and explored a little and it was fun! Enough about me, how was 2013 for you?

Wishing you a spectacular new year of joy, peace and the company of those you love. May adventure find you ready and willing! I'm looking forward to visiting all my

blogger friends in the upcoming year to share in your

garden joys and your adventures.

We're all in this together, we may as well enjoy it!

All the best,

Shirley,

The Gardening Life

Mosaic Monday

04 November 2013

Winter vs People and Vehicles

Saturday afternoon the drizzle of rain we received turned to snow, melting as it fell but then it froze overnight creating a lovely skating rink. The main roads have been sanded and perfectly fine for driving now but Sunday was a totally different story as the snow continued to fall. The following video isn't much of a stretch of the imagination when you consider just how treacherous winter can be for drivers and people in general. Hope you enjoy the laughs!

22 December 2012

It's Officially Winter But It's Been Winter-like For Almost Two Months!

December 21st came and went and the world continued on. All the media attention about the end of the Mayan calendar was unfounded, just as most of us supposed. The best thing about December 21st is it is the shortest day of daylight hours, meaning from here days get longer! It is also the winter equinox in our hemisphere. For almost two months now, I've been calling the season of fall "winter" because we received snow shortly before Halloween and it has stayed. It will be with us for what seems like an extraordinarily long period of time...well into April, likely even May.

We do have four seasons, really, but three of them seem incredibly short in comparison to the duration that winter-like conditions linger here. All the more grateful I am to see the first buds of spring, the first robin, and the green grass.

In the meantime, here is a glimpse of our forecast. Perhaps you will feel sorry for me or just grateful that you live where you do. In either case, a brief hello from you will certainly provide a cheery note to an otherwise cold and grey winter day.

Cheers!

Current Conditions

-17^°C

Observed at:: Edmonton City Centre Airport
Date:: 3:00 PM MST Saturday 22 December 2012

Condition:

Light Snow

Pressure:

102.9 kPa

Tendency:

falling

Visibility:

15 km

Air Quality Health Index:

3
Temperature:

-16.7°C

Dewpoint:

-20.9°C

Humidity:

70 %

Wind:

ENE 18 km/h

Wind Chill:

-26

+More info

Forecast

Today

-17°C

Sun

-19°C
-19°C

Mon

-21°C
-24°C

Tue

-21°C
-25°C

Wed

-21°C
-24°C

Thu

-17°C
-23°C
30%

Fri

-10°C
-21°C

Issued : 11:00 AM MST Saturday 22 December 2012

Today: Periods of snow. Amount 2 cm. Wind up to 15 km/h. High minus 17. Wind chill minus 25.
Tonight: Periods of snow. Amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 19. Wind chill minus 28.
Sunday: Snow ending late in the afternoon then cloudy with 60 percent chance of light snow. Amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind up to 15 km/h. Temperature steady near minus 19. Wind chill minus 29.
Monday: Sunny. Low minus 24. High minus 21.
Tuesday: Sunny. Low minus 25. High minus 21.
Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 24. High minus 21.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 23. High minus 17.
Friday: Sunny. Low minus 21. High minus 10.

+More info

Historical Data

Yesterday
Max:: -14.1°C
Min:: -23.3°C
Precip:: 0.0 mm

Normals
Max:: -7°C
Min:: -18°C

Today
Sunrise:: 8:49
Sunset:: 16:17

10 January 2012

Brrr....... 20 Degrees Colder Today Than Yesterday!!

Yesterday we truly enjoyed a balmy +10 Celsius day here in Edmonton. Today, however, Old Man Winter has revealed his face with biting cold winds and a dusting of snow. -18 degrees Celsius overnight tonight. The forecast for the coming week promises to be even colder, with highs in the low negative 20's. We were spoiled for weeks on end, now we must bundle up and face the facts...it is winter!

Time Frame: to

03 March 2011

It's Official: I Am TIRED of Winter!!! My Little Rant.

I took the dogs to the groomers today. Lilo had puppies eight weeks ago and was desperate for a trim. It's amazing how the fur of a Maltese can get so tangled when subjected to three puppies! Poor little mom. So both she and the dad, Stitch, went in today. Upon leaving, as the groomer and I are discussing the weather (we all discuss the weather. It's a common grievance, right?), I was informed that Environment Canada stated that we will be in for an unusually cool March, April and May! Well, if that didn't leave me a little disgruntled! After dropping off the pooches, I ran a few errands and it's snowing. Not just a light dusting either! No. Before leaving each place I had to clean the entire car of snow! I'd finish the back and come around to the front and voila! It looked as though I hadn't done anything at all! Agh!!

Ok. Dogs are home. We are warm and we've decided to keep the dogs' jackets on them for a bit! The sun has decided to come out! Yay! Then I remembered a cute photo I saw on the news this morning! It cheered me and now, after perusing for more like-minded material, I can actually offer a grin!! So here's some little pick-me-ups for you! If your winter is at all like ours here in Edmonton, Alberta, you will appreciate these!

14 February 2011

Shovelling Our Roof - yes, really

It's been about a week since I posted last. Not much new here, really. It's been a bit sunny lately and slightly above freezing so those huge drifts of snow are very slowly melting. While that's great and all, it also means the slickest of sidewalks and roads. My daughter and I laid out fresh sand today while my son and husband braved the slippery slopes of the roof to remove the few feet of snow still blanketing it. It is imperitive to do so because ice damming in the eaves will prevent the runoff from melting snow going to the eavestroughs. There was a house fire just last week that was determined to have been caused by this very thing. Instead of the meltoff running down the eaves and the downspouts, the water ran down the inside walls of the house, shorting wires and causing a fire. An expensive lesson that we'd rather not learn.

So folks, here's a gentle reminder to shovel your roof if there is an accumulation there. Failure to do so could result in expensive and disasterous damages.

19 January 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Edmonton Blanketed in Drifts

Contirubuting massive drifts of snow in our city as http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/

30 December 2010

Skywatch Friday - Early Winter Morning

Dawn on an winter's morning this week.

You cannot see the sunrise here until about 8:30 am now. We don't quite have 12 hours of sunlight each day. Now that the shortest day of the year, December 21, has passed daylight hours will be more abundant. I am really looking forward to the longer days of light and warmth. Though the warmth will be a few months coming.

Today the forecast is -8 Celsius. Wednesday and Thursday were -20 Celsius. Snow is also in the forecast. What is the weather like where you are? I hope you are all warm and safe whereever you are. Joining the Sky Watch meme http://skyley.blogspot.com/ .

23 November 2010

Winter Lights Up at Legislature

These photos are from my archives. This is the Alberta Legislature lit for the holiday season 2008. It is rumoured to be lit up for this season now so I must make a trip there soon. Typically we go as a family sometime close to Christmas and stroll the grounds. Here you can see the ice sculptures and some of the lights. All the trees are lit, ice sculptures take a prominent position directly across from the entrance, and Christmas music is piped throughout the grounds. There's an ice rink on site available to the public too, though we have not taken advantage of it. This could be an ideal date night. Just food for thought.

Another shot of the grounds lit up for the holiday season.

http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

18 November 2010

Skywatch Friday - Dawn Breaks on a Wintery Morning

The sun is just rising Sunday morning. The weather is noticeably changing. There is a nip in the air. Yet the day was still pleasant.

The colours change as the sky lightens with the sun's rays. That was then.

Then Tuesday morning, the s... word. Yes, here it is again. I wonder if it, the snow ("s" word), will stick around now. The forecast for all of Alberta for this week has been rather bleak. Southern Alberta had winter storm advisories, a main highway had zero visibility Tuesday morning due to blowing snow, and here, in Edmonton, negative double digits for highs! Alas, winter has announced its arrival.

What is the weather like around the world? Are you needing a bit of sunshine in an otherwise grey day? You'll be sure to get a lift when you visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

16 November 2010

With Chagrin, I See the Snow and the Forecast.....

As I sit at the computer this morning I cringe knowing we have experienced possibly the last of our mild autumn weather. Winter seems to be encroaching upon us. Calgary has already had snow overnight and the highway south of Edmonton (QEII) headed to Calgary is treacherous with ice. Southern Alberta will receive about 15 cm of snow today with more in the forecast.

I do a mental check of projects I had in mind to prepare just for this. Yes, the pumps from the pond and fountain have been removed but I need to bring them in now that they are dry. I've mulched my magnolia and hydrangea, raked the lawn, removed the cushions from the lawn furniture but have yet to bring in the new Adirondack chairs as they are not yet painted or varnished. I have to do that today!! I still have not put up the burlap barriers for the cedars and the Alberta spruce. (I wonder if that'll get done this year...)

Oh...well... the snow has begun falling, my son advises me (pout). I am never quite ready for this. The consummate cold, ice and snow, the bitter winds. But I know the garden needs a rest just as we, the caretakers, do. So I just have to go with the flow. (Do I have a choice, no)

Wouldn't it be nice to be cozy inside with good books and a fire while winter ensues to clothe the world in white rather than having to brave the elements to accomplish our tasks like making a living? Unless you're retired or married to someone of means or independently wealthy or work from home, life isn't often like that. So we bundle up and trudge outdoors and have a greater appreciation for those lovely days of spring, summer and autumn because we've experienced the other less cheery weather days.

There are wonderful things that come with winter like snowmen, skiing, the glow of Christmas lights on a cold winter night, the sparkle of fresh snow when the sun or street lamps cast a glow upon it, the large soft flakes of snow as they cascade from the heavens. (Yes, I am psyching myself up for what seems like six months + of winter). I was in Costco yesterday enjoying all the Christmas decor. (beautiful, original nutcrackers - I am a huge nutcracker aficionado) Yes, Shirley, there is beauty in all seasons. Does anyone else feel like I do? Am I alone, here?