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

 

The Dragon Boat Festival 2013 - Photo Story

 As promised here are some of the photos taken during the Dragon Boat Festival last weekend.  To the right is Grant McEwan University's "mascot" for the event.

It was perfect weather for race day.  A bright sunny day with a summer's blue sky with scattered fair weather clouds.  In the shade of the trees lining the river, hubby and I sat for the first few races of the afternoon until our backsides grew sore from sitting on hard ground.  We then departed to the area above, where we could stand and watch the teams race for the finish line.  As we were adjacent to it, we could see some neck and neck finishes.

The man in the steering position is wearing a funky hat as did each person in that position in the dragon boats.  There were prizes awarded for team spirit and funkiest hat.

The above photo is a team of women who raced in support of fighting breast cancer.  

Some were cancer survivors.

Bottom right hand side of the above photo is the dock where teams boarded/departed their dragon boats.

Above and below, racing for the finish line marked by the orange buoys.

Police and fire rescue patrolled the river assuring everyone's safety.

 A close-up of the dragon head which graced each canoe.

 The pedestrian bridge was the starting position for the paddlers.  Three boats raced each heat.

Above, the finishing line.

Check out the camera this journalist/photographer was using!  This is an example of the professional cameras I saw being used at the event.  I need to replace my camera (photos here were taken using my iPhone) but I don't need anything quite that extravagent.

Lane 3 Dragon Boat won in this above race.

Some of the races were neck and neck while some winners were lengths ahead.  

It seemed those who raced in lane 3 (the lane furthest away) won most often.  

The trails through the river valley beg for further exploration as we walked only a couple of them during this event.  It was a lovely way to leave the hectic pace of the city behind while still being in the centre of the city.  

With all the festivals our city hosts every summer, stay-cations don't need to be boring.  This year we attended the Taste of Edmonton, Street Performers, the Cariwest Festival Parade (not the festival though), and the Dragon Boat Festival.  The Fringe Festival is running right now.  We've gone in the past and am undecided about this year.  I'm sure there are several more that I've missed like the Sand on Whyte (sand sculptures) and then there's the Ice on Whyte in the winter too.  There's a lot of fun in store and most of it is family friendly.

Did you have a stay-cation this summer?

I'm joining the following memes:  Sky Watch Friday

Weekend Reflections

Watery Wednesday

Dragon Boat Races August 19/2013

Festival City .... the Last Hurrah

I am heading off to the Dragon Boat Races and perhaps a performance or two at the Fringe Festival.  Summer is festival time here in Edmonton, a city well known for its variety and numerous festivals.  Perhaps instead of having a "Welcome to the City of Champions" sign it should say "Welcome to the City of Festivals" upon entering the city.

Photos to come.