The Weather Could Not Make Up Its Mind

Last weekend my husband and I headed out to Churchill Square to see the Street Performers Festival.  This is a yearly festival with performances of varied content from all corners of the world gathered together to entertain "busking" style.

When we arrived it was sunny and an expected high of 23 Celsius.  Not too warm or cool, just right.  But throw in a day of mixed weather, and you just don't know what to expect so you come prepared for everything.  At least it wasn't windy, though we did have scattered showers.  But the show did go on!!  

I really admire the skyline view of the art gallery like the one above.  It is so unique.  Shortly after it opened I paid it a visit to explore this one of a kind architectural masterpiece which is a work of art all of its own.  A perfect venue for a gallery, it is.  To see more of the gallery visit Adventures in a Not So Unusual Life (another of my blogs) and here.

The roses smelled amazing!

The city hall features a wading pool complete with fountains for those hot days when the public just need to cool off.  Kids love this!  In the winter it becomes a public skating rink. 

Note, the sky is beginning to cloud over.

The art gallery curves its way into the now cloud darkened skyline.

Rain is imminent.  We ducked into the nearby mall during one of the showers but we did brave out a few brief sprinklings to enjoy acts like this torch juggler above.

All in all it was a very good day spent in the best of company with refreshments like green onion cakes (love them!) and excellent entertainment.

Weekend Reflections, see more here.
Skywatch Friday, see more right here!

Today's Flowers: Impatiens (I know...no one is growing them anymore, but just look at them!)

Downy Mildew has been a huge problem last year and this year, resulting in many gardeners forgoing this lovely little shade plant.  But since I am not planting directly into the garden and using fresh soil yearly, I don't believe I have downy mildew to worry about.  And, would you look at this gorgeous little thing!  The early morning light behind this planter accents the blossoms, emphasizing the delicate shell pink, illuminating the petals.  I love this time of day to photograph the garden.

Do you have a favourite time of day for garden photography?

I am joining Today's Flowers meme for the first time.  I know you love flowers, why else would you be here?  So why not pop over to see what I discovered....a meme devoted especially to flowers!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday.

A Barrel of Fun

Can you see the treasure chest in the back right hand corner?  

This planter is so creative I just had to share it with you today!

Shadow of the Past

My son took this photo at the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta.  I was looking for a different take on shadows and I found it amongst my archives.

Linking up with the Shadow Shot Sunday meme.

Weekend Reflection

Linking up with Weekend Reflections today.

Skywatch Friday - Imminent Storm Watch

July 2/13 the skies grew ominous but fortunately our neighbourhood was spared the worst of the storm.  That evening the skies grew dark as night though the horizon remained bright.  My post shared more from this evening.  

Joining Sky Watch Friday

Storm Watch Yesterday Evening

We set a record yesterday after the hottest most humid day of the year here, which felt like 43 degrees Celsius, and then our area received severe storm warnings.  Some areas to the southwest had tornado warnings, some received golf ball size hail.  We had wind gusts of up to 120 km/hr and as my husband and I settled in for the night, an unidentified object flew through the air just inches from our window.

This is the view looking out to the west/northwest as the storm came in.

(Above, left and below)

The sky had an eerie green cast to it which immediately made us concerned about the threat of a tornado.

The view looking east (above) and south east (right). The sky was darkened ominously by the clouds and you can see the ridge where the storm ended.  We received rain and strong winds but we were lucky. My son's mate had a tree break and fall on his car. Similar experiences were reported either from lightning strikes or the incredible winds.

Luckily, family and friends were unscathed and have some interesting photos to share.  

Today is a much nicer day.  High of 26 Celsius and a light breeze which feels absolutely divine.  The house is bearable.  I don't even have the ceiling fan overhead on.  That's the first time in days that it has remained off.  This is my kind of weather!  

Have you had severe weather in your area?

Later that evening, I received this photo:

my son's mate's car received $4000 worth of damages from this downed tree

The Philosophy of the Traditional Japanese Garden

I still recall my first visit to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge.  I was but a child and it impacted me then.  Perhaps that's when my love of gardening began or, more likely, I inherited it.  Whatever the root, I have always loved the form of a Japanese Garden.  The elements of earth that are recreated there and the simple peace of the garden just make me go "ahhhhh."  

Today I am sharing with you a video I just found about the philosophy of a traditional Japanese garden.  I enjoyed revisiting those elements that endear this design to me and hope you will too.

A Novel for the Garden Lover in You: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert’s Exclusive New Book Video!