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

 

Festival of Trees 2013

The Shaw Conference Center is the annual destination for the Festival of Trees which is a major fundraiser for the U of A Hospital.  It's been a couple years since I have volunteered at the festival and I've missed doing so.  This visit reinforced those feelings.  

This year's event was held over the November 29 -December 1/13 weekend.  I went on the 30th. The following photos are just a sampling of a small area within the large conference rooms which are a popular site for graduations, conferences, etc.  The entire lower level of the conference centre was decorated for the event.  You can't help but get excited for the upcoming season when you attend.  Children and adults alike love this event!

Yes, this tree is made with rolls of wrapping paper!

An Edmonton Book Blogger designed this tree using hand-made mini books.  

The theme is "Fairyland."

More to come......

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree BH&G Video and Festival of Trees Collage

The Inspiration:

Collage compiled from Festival of Trees photos taken in 2010

Instruction:

http://www.bhg.com/videos/m/32071352/how-to-decorate-a-christmas-tree.htm (check out this video for step by step instructions)

Rule of thumb for stringing lights:  100 lights per vertical foot of height of your tree.  Weave the string of lights up and down the branches, not limiting yourself to just the exterior of the tree.

Follow with garland, then big ornaments, then mid-size ornaments, then small.  This video suggests putting your tree topper on before adding ornaments to avoid messing them up but I like to stick with tradition and add the topper last, as the finishing touch.

Do you add the topper last?

Incidentally, today is the last day of the Festival of Trees here in Edmonton (December 2/12) at the Shaw Conference Centre.  If you are in town, I highly recommend you attend.  Sadly, I will miss it this year.  I love to volunteer at this event which is a fundraiser for the Stollery Children's Hospital, but I missed out this year when the forms to sign up when to my old address and was picked up last month, too late to register.  I'm not attending this year either.  It's my son's birthday and we are having a family gathering here today.  I can't believe he's 25 already!!  They grow up far too fast!

Have a terrific week everyone!

Join Mary for more mosaics in her weekly meme Mosaic Monday.  

Every Little Girl's Dream Tree

 At the Festival of Trees was one tree that won every little girl's heart.  This tree, called the Fairy Godmother, depicts the story of Cinderella.  Each "egg" portrays a cutout of segments of the fairy tale.

 The "egg" looks like a replica "Faberge" egg with a paper cutout, possibly decoupaged, affixed within.

 This tree was in the same "pod" as Sparkle Wonderment,/a> and Picasso Gold and was a hit with girls young and mature.

 The tree topper contains a dancing Cinderella and her Prince.

 Here's a close-up of some of the ornaments on the Fairy Godmother Tree.

And at the base of the tree sits Cinderella in her carriage drawn by two exquisite white horses.  What girl wouldn't love this tree in her house?  This was my sister's favourite fairy tale as a child.  I'm sure she would have been thrilled to have had this in our living room back then.

This "tour" of the Festival of Trees is the second segment devoted to My World.  You too can be a tour guide of your world by participating the meme My World or pop by for a visit.  You are always welcome.

My World Tuesday at the Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees, a fundraiser for the University of Alberta Hospital, was held the first weekend of December.  My daughter and I volunteered two days of the four.  The festival contained over 100 trees, several mantles, some floral arrangements and wreaths and several works of art.  Also available was a stage for entertainment, children's world and a display of incredible gingerbread houses and cakes.  Here are a few of the photos taken during our time there.

I've created a couple other posts of photos of the festival here,  here and here.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year.  A celebration of our Savior's birth and the joy it provides us.  Whether decorating, baking (and you know we do a lot of that), eating (It's the Most Fattening Time of the Year - have you heard that song yet?  It's fun!), and getting together with loved ones and friends, I like to take time regularly throughout the busyness to remember the reason for this season, Jesus Christ. 

What does Christmas mean to you?  Do you go away or stay?  What are your traditions?

http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/