Springtime in southern Ontario is that wonderful season when temperatures can rise to t-shirt wearing days and plummet to overnight lows of below freezing. We've been having a small string of very mild days. Friday reached 26C (79F) which is rare but wonderful for April. Spring flowers are everywhere.
My favourite is the purple crocus. They are nature's first colourful, floral promise that winter is truly over.
Let's take the full blossom in for a moment. Enjoy it because they don't last too long.
Another interesting but less attractive sign of spring is the unusual collection of items found close to shore once the pond has fully melted. This float and apple were last week's finds.
Close to dusk one day, my eye landed on this mostly-submerged branch. I liked its smooth textures and colours. It reminded me of another branch I saw just four days earlier...
... when colder temperatures formed an icy film on the pond's surface.
Life isn't just a bowl of cherries...
Evidently, it's a truckload of oranges too.
That drawer, just off to Benny's left contains something that he wants. Very badly. Once he thinks about it, he just stands beside it and stares at us, with cocked head until one of us can read his determined little mind. If we fail to notice him, he begins to emit hypersonic sounds to nudge us from across the room. Should we fail to heed his high-pitched demands, odd growly-talky noises will follow. Eventually, if a bark or two won't demand the attention he seeks, he'll begin to paw at the drawer. What do we keep in there that Benny wants so desperately? The answer is at the bottom of this recent post.
And so ends another day. This nighttime view of the silvery sliver of a moon is from Frank's back deck.These were just a few photos left over from the past few weeks which didn't seem to fit in with other posts. I'll try to serve up a fresh batch of images in a few days.
57 comments:
Happy Birthday to Jeffrey! I am so happy you have time with him for his birthday. My son lives in HI and I won't even google how far that is from here in NE. My daughters at least are on the coast in CA. Not quite as far. The purple crocus are such a vibrant color. We don't have many growing things yet. The video of Benny with the balloon is so much fun. I have never seen a dog play with a balloon like that. Enjoy your Easter with your family.
Happy Birthday Jeffrey! And enjoy your beautiful Spring Birthday with your Mom;)
Those shots of the purple crocus are spectacular Hilary! Happy Birthday to your son. It was my daughter's birthday yesterday the 3rd.
Oh my!! Those crocus photos are amazing! The color so vibrant and clear! Wowzers!
Benny and the balloon cracked me up!!
Happy Birthday dear Jeffrey!!
Hugs
SueAnn
First of all, Happy Birthday to Jeffrey. So happy he can spend the day with you.
Second...those crocuses are awesome. The colors are so vibrant that they almost look unreal! Love 'em.
Third...that Benny! What a pooch. So...that's where you keep the balloons, huh?
Most delicious leftovers. I love purple crocus, too.
A happy birthday to Jeffrey!
Hurray for Spring! We thought you would never come. Happy Birthday Jeffery!
ah...those first few pics are like a breath of spring. happy brithday to Jeffrey! the look on the dogs face is amazing..lol.
That crocus is just beautiful.
Oh, I am so happy for you that you are being able to spend your son's birthday with him; they grow up far too fast for us mothers.
All the photos are superb, as always, but I love the trees silhouetted against the deep blue sky. And Benny's look is hilarious!
Happy Easter!
BENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will not say happy Easter because I think I remember you play on a different team, but will say happy spring to you Hillary.
BTW---I have not been able to visit your blog in the last week or 2 on my older computer without it crashing----thia is a new computer using firefox or something, I don't know what is going on, but I have missed visiting you :)
Happy Birthday to Jeffrey!
What lovely spring shots... that crocus is just gorgeous! I did see a tiny snowdrop huddled in the sun.. still shivering from the freezing night temperatures, I imagine.
I never did mind good left overs! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR BOY!
What gorgeous flower pictures, Hilary! Crocuses just happen to be my favourites too, for the same reason. I love spring and all the loveliness that it brings along with new growth and melting snow. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos once again! Oh, and I can just imagine what could be in that drawer that Benny has his sights on. Hope Jeffrey enjoyed his birthday, and a good break from college!
Oh I love that purple crocus. Thanks for the bright rich colours.
Happy Birthday, Jeffrey.
Happy Birthday, Jeffrey!
Love the purple crocus, Cuzzie. My croci have just started blooming - both the yellows and the purples. Just wish Quintzy would stop pottying on them.
Hugs,
Cuzzie P
My Snowdrops beat your Crocus by at least a week. :P ;)
Lovely post...family, flowers and cutest pup ever! Yay, spring!
I am so happy for you to have your 23 year old home. We miss our boys and see them so seldom. I really like the close cropped shot of the crocus. It is so fantastic. All your photos are so good. Don't you just love dogs and the antics they pull. Our border collie stands next to the refrigerator and glances his eyes toward the top of it. Dog bone please.
Happy Birthday to your eldest. I'm enjoying having my youngest home this weekend as well. Today we did a lot of outdoor manual labour but yesterday we treated ourselves to a girls day, shopping and enjoying our first ever pedicure. My city girl seems to really enjoy her time home in the country and hanging out in the limestone city...holidays are great. Especially ones with weather as awesome as this....better get back outside. Happy Easter Hilary!
I join the others in wishing your son a Happy Birthday! And a Happy Birthday to YOU, too! I think moms should celebrate children's birthdays just a much as the child!
No question which image I liked the best -- the float and apple in the water. That is a really nice photo.
You are sure a lot warmer than we are down here in Iowa. We did have warm weather earlier in the week so maybe that system has moved over your area now. Today it is cloudy and about 55 or so. Not bad really.
Take care.
Somehow I missed the post with Benny and the balloon, thank you for taking us back. He is soooo funny! I just love him.
Happy birthday to your handsome son! My youngest will be 23 on May 6th. It goes way too fast. Weren't we just putting easter baskets together for littles?
Happy birthday to Jeffrey. Yes, those years do fly by. Hope your time is absolutely wonderful. The crocus pics are great! And also your darling puppy. :)
happy birthday to jeffrey and happy passover to you, hilary.
the crocus shot is stunning. just takes you right inside. so glad you are getting some spring finally. feels good doesn't it?
Terrific photos as usual...each seems to be sharper than the last. The 'silvery moon' shot is my favorite.
I know what you mean about the 23 yrs...just took my 23 yr old daughter back to her place after Easter weekend visit.
Ah, they grow so fast! You have a good eye catching such unusual finds.
Oh, man! Gorgeous crocus. The contrast between that yellow and purple is really stunning.
Great photos!
Happy birthday to your boy.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFFREY!!! Glad he's home to spend it with you.
Love the pics, especially the one with the apple-- the colors are great.
Hope your Easter was fun.
jj
• Thanks, TechnoBabe. It's tough when they live a fair distance from home, isn't it? I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks for the good wishes, MPM. :)
• Thank you, Bonnie. And belated happy birthday to your April baby, too. :)
• Thanks very much, SueAnn. Benny is quite the clown. :)
• Cheryl, I was really pleased to have him here too. It was the only crocus that bloomed and I suspect it might even be my only spring flower. The rest got kind of trampled by Benny. And yes, now you know where the secret balloon stash is. ;) Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks kindly, Messmimi. :)
• Steviewren, it was a long time coming, wasn't it? Thanks very much. :)
• Brian, thanks very much. Yeah.. we get that look from him.. often. :)
• Ellen, thank you. Much appreciated. :)
• EthelMae, thank you so much. That's entirely true. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and yes, Benny is a hoot. Hope you had a good Easter. :)
• Garrrrry!!!! We all play on the same team.. just by somewhat different rules. ;) Happy Spring works just fine for me. Thank you. Happy Easter to you and Maude. I'm sorry you've been having computer woes but I'm glad your absence was due to problems rather than a lack of interest. I was beginning to wonder. You've been missed too. I'm glad you're back. :)
• LadyFi, thank you kindly. Those snowdrops are brave little things. And so welcomed as the first growing sign of spring. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Amy, I'm glad to hear that. Thanks for the good wishes and for the visit. :)
• Redbush, thanks very much. Spring is always so welcomed and welcoming, isn't it? Thanks so much for your kind words. They're very much appreciated. :)
• My pleasure, Leah. Thanks for your kind wishes. :)
• Cuzzie, I could live with the peeing on them. Mine got trampled by an over-exuberant JRT. Quintzy was just helping you by watering them. ;) Hugs right back at you. :)
• Frank, you're so competitive. But I'm MORE competitive. ;)
• Teri, thanks very much. I'll join you in that cheer for spring. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Larry, thank you so much. It's really tough when they're away so much, isn't it? Your dog sounds like he's a hoot too. They're pretty good with that body language. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)
• NJ, your girly day sounds like fun. That would have never gone over with my son, though. ;) I'm glad you had that time with her. Here's to time with our kidlets and warm, spring days. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Russell, thank you so much for that. I appreciate the birthday wishes, as mother of the birthday boy. :) I can usually guess which images you'll like best. You almost always go for the most unusual. I think we are indeed getting your weather, as our week is cooling down some. I'm enjoying what we have in the meantime. Thanks for the visit and for your warm words, my friend. :)
• Nancy, I'm so glad you enjoyed the Balloon Benny video. He's a wee nut job, but a lot of fun. You're so right about how quickly they grow. Bittersweet, is what it is.. sigh! Thanks so much for stopping by with your always-kind words. :)
• Karen, thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :)
• Lime, thank you so much. I hope you and yours had a lovely Easter. The spring does indeed feel good.. no.. it feels wonderful. Almost like summer when it's this warm. I live for warm weather. Thanks so much for the kind words, Michelle. Always very much appreciated. :)
• Christopher, thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes, the hard part about having them home, is sending them off again. I hope you had a great weekend with your daughter. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Lakeviewer, they sure do. Thanks so much for the kind words. :)
• Fragrant Liar, thank you kindly. Very much appreciated. :)
• Joanna, thank you. I so enjoyed having him here. I hope you had a great Easter. Thanks always for your kind words. :)
Happy B'day Jeffrey ! Beautiful post !!Unseen Rajasthan
Happy belated birthday to your son.;) He is still so young.;)
Lovely pictures; the first is my favorite. The majestic - but as you say - short lived crocus.;)
I hope you had a lovey Easter dear Hilary,
xo
Zuzana
Wishing a Happy (Belated) Birthday to your son and every blessing in the year to come.
My mother does not care for Mother's Day. She says she celebrates that on our birthdays. She has a point.
Had to laugh at the truck.
Amazing you have flowers already. We have just a hint of budding here on the trees. No flowers to speak of and the weather just broke 70 for the first time a few days ago.
Nevertheless, how about Good Day Sunshine ?
Life is a truckload of oranges beats life is a bowl of cherries any day!
Wonderful crocus photos!
Even your "leftovers" are a "feast" my friend. And any time you want my FULL attention, all you have to do is include pictures of cute, cute Benny.
Happy belated birthday to Jeffrey. How wonderful that you got to spend it with him. :)
I am drooling over the crocus and the last shot of night .. sooooo fabulous
Belated birthday wishes to Jeffrey ...
the top two photos are the most stunning...
lovely mood
for a lovely day...
You keep Benny's balloon in the drawer? That's hilarious!
Happy Birthday to Jeffrey!
Happy Birthday to Jeffrey!
I'm glad he spent his birthday with his mother who clearly loves him dearly.
We had so few crocus this year I wonder if the deer got to them or if the squirrels found them first. But I am smiling about a balloon drawer. That Benny!! He's a keeper.
These were great. Yours was my first crocus! And Bennie sure did make my day. He is so smart. Your world is beautiful.
Happy birthday to your son.
Happy Birthday Jeffery! I hope he has a wonderfully special day! I love your pretty purple flowers of spring. So lovely.
Hilary, your dog is so cute. He looked to be having a grand old time. Was he at all puzzled when his "toy" went pop?
I had to look back and compare our crocuses. Ours are both purple, but mine is striped, where yours is solid. I think I only have that one color. They are beautiful as some of the first signs of Spring. All things are coming out fast and furious now that the weather has turned. It was 86 here today, and tomorrow's forecast is for 90. Unseasonably warm even for here.
Great shots!
We have those crocuses too : )
And every year I go outside like a crazy person and get down on my hands and knees and photograph them like they're children at a birthday party.
I'm sure the neighbors think I'm insane, but I love the sight of crocuses first thing in the spring.
blog surfing this time of the year is fantastic! oh the colours of spring!
Belated birthday wishes to Jeffrey! Twenty-three. Wow.I'm glad he was able to be home to celebrate; I know that meant a lot to you.
Gorgeous crocuses--wish I had 'em. Alas, no bulbs here yet. Soon, maybe, soon...
Happy Birthday to Jeffrey. I hope he enjoys his special day at home with his mummy to make a fuss of him.
My YoungerSon's Bday is 31 march. On 1 March he starts telling everyone "It's my bithday month,.... don't forget!" The he says the same thing on the 2nd, then the 3rd, then the 4th etc etc. We're all quite relieved when April finally arrives!!!
Love the crocus, the first really colourful flowers of the spring.
Your leftovers are our feast, Hilary...Yum yum!
Hilary,
Your photos are gorgeous. I love your macros the light is amazing as well as the details. A spring like that is far from our reality.
oh the joy!
Sorry I haven't been visiting as often as I'd like, but I've been
having connection issues that I THINK I've solved. Thanks for YOUr
visits & comments :)
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
You know spring is here when the crocus bloom. My dog, Isabel lingers a bit longer with the warmer weather, she's not a fan of winter.
Hilary: Neat images from your area of the country, I hope we are done with the ice skim. We have our trees budding at the present.
• Unseen, thanks kindly. :)
• Zuzana, yes. He's still my baby. One of them, anyway. Thanks for the always-kind words. :)
• Cricket, thank you for the kind wishes for my boy. Your Mother is right. I think I'm far more sentimental about my guys' birthdays than they are. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and Good Day Sunshine works just fine for me. Thanks for the visit, my friend. :)
• Thank you, Pauline. Much appreciated. :)
• Sandra, thank you so much. I'll have to remember that Benny trick. ;)
• Thanks very much, Daryl. :)
• Thank you Ji. I'm glad you like them. :)
• Sully, I think you might still be feeling the effects of those dental meds. ;) We keep the package of balloons in the drawer. Each inflated balloon never lasts more than a few minutes with him. Thanks for the kind wishes. :)
• KC, I'm glad he did too! :) That crocus was the one and only for me this year. I keep teasing my neighbour about how many spring flowers pop up in her garden even though she's never planted any. I faux accuse her of stealing my diminishing display. I'm glad you get a kick out of Benny. He keeps us laughing too. :)
• Sandy, it's so nice to be somebody's first these days. ;) Thanks always for your very kind words, my friend. You never fail to make me smile. :)
• LWK, thanks so much for the warm comments. They're so much appreciated. :)
• Linda, thank you. Benny is never puzzled over the balloon popping. He expects it and works hard to ensure it. He does this several times a day. :) I guess there are probably a few different styles of crocus/crocuses/crocii. I used to have striped ones but this year I have only had this solitary bloom. That's pretty warm, for sure. We've had high 60s and low 70s.. so enjoyable even if it doesn't last. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
• Sarah, thank you. I love the way you describe how you photograph your flowers. I'll bet your neighbours have come to expect that from you by now. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
• Thanks for stopping by 25BAR. I'm glad you're enjoying the sights. :)
• DS, you're so right about that. It was great to have him here. I wish you an abundance of flowers very soon! Thanks for the visit. :)
• Shammie, he made more of a fuss for me than I did for him. He cooked dinners. He insisted! That's too funny about your son. The boy likes attention, eh? :) Thanks so much for your kind wishes. :)
• Moannie, thank you so much. :)
• Tammie Lee, thank you. Such kind words. They're very much appreciated. :)
• Cloudia, sorry to hear you had computer woes but glad to know they're behind you now. Thanks for the kind words. :)
• Steve, I'm glad the weather has turned nicer for all the folks and critters who like the warmth.. like I do! ;) Thanks for the visit. :)
• Fishing Guy, I think we're truly done with it. It's been lovely for a week now. Buds and blooms prevail. Thanks for stopping by. :)
Loved the picture of Benny and the *eyes * on that vase! 4 pairs of eyes!
All the photos were good. The oranges on the side of that truck was a surprise!
Nuts in May
Happy Birthday to your Jeffrey!
I love Benny's face, I doubt I could resist that look for very long
the purples in those top shots is stunning - my favorite color
• Thank you, Maggie. You're awfully observant to notice those "eyes." I've had that vase for years and have never noticed them as eyes before. Thanks always for your kind words. :)
• Diane, he's almost impossible to resist. If it isn't the face, it's the high-pitched noises. He gets results. Thanks for your visit. :)
And thank you to everyone who wished Jeffrey a Happy Birthday. You folks are the best! :)
I'm back, and just wow Hilary.
The crocus are out of this world.
and your night shots are so good. Thank you, again.
Welcome back, Deb and thank you so much for your kind words. They're very much appreciated. :)
Post a Comment