Sour Cherry Blossoms

For the past four weeks, Willen and I have been forcing Sour Cherry branches from a local orchard. 

The owner gave us an armful of branches he had just pruned to take home. As he gingerly climbed to the very top of his orchard ladder, which was probably as old as he was, I was educated on the important work of restoring an old citadel in town, and shown how to remove a virus from the branches. All the while Willen ran up and down the rows of trees being chased by the man's collie, who seemed delighted to have someone much more agile to chase about. We learned that the cold would delay the display of blossoms this year, but that the frost hadn't damaged the crop as in previous years.

And so, they sat on our buffet, seeming lifeless.

But in due time, as we patiently waited, we began to see signs of life emerge in the form of tiny, round buds.

Those tiny buds eventually unfurled into leaves and delicate blossoms and we were rewarded for our patience.

They lasted longer than I had anticipated, and have finished just in time for the real display in the orchards to begin.

It seems that our Lilacs will join them at the same time. 

They're so close!

Welcoming Spring

Spring has officially arrived, and while it seems that Winter is lingering, it won't be long before there isn't any doubt that the seasons have in fact changed.

We decided to celebrate by taking the boys to the Butterfly Conservatory at the Botanical Gardens. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. There were thousands of butterflies fluttering about the conservatory, each with intricate patterns and vibrant colours. They went from flower to flower as you walked around the tropical oasis, basking in the warm climate and being soothed by the sounds of the water. The boys were also excited for the Nocturnal exhibit, which consisted of every creature that was unsettling to mom - rats, snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, bats and lots of cockroaches, I did however impress Willen when I held an actual tarantula.

I've decided that this Summer I would like to make a trip back when the gardens are in full bloom.

I've been forcing Forsythia blooms for the past couple weeks, and I thought it was perfectly fitting that their brilliant yellow blooms began to open today.

A couple of days ago, hints of yellow started to peek through.

Aren't the delicate flowers cheerful?

I've spent the remainder of the day reading and enjoying the sunshine.

Did you notice the change of lampshades in the photos? I had pinned a reference guide to lamp shades a little while ago and recently found these square lamp shades for a couple of my alabaster lamps. They were only $14.99 at Home Sense. I do like the more traditional style shade. The round drum shades are more suitable for modern decor. I'm still looking for bell shaped shades, as they too have a more traditional feel.

Happy First Day of Spring.

Rainy Days and Spring Flowers

 

Today is the most dismal of days. Our snow is slowly melting in a foggy rain and the skies are gray and heavy.

 

It doesn't look like we'll be seeing the sun for a while.

 

Until then, the spring bouquets I picked up this weekend will brighten up the house.

 

 

How dreary is this?

 

 

A perfect collection of spring flowers from The Watering Can.

 

 

 

White Hyacinths, White Tulips and some Pussy Willow.

 

 

 

I also picked up a bunch of Forsythia branches to force.

 

 

Their bright yellow flowers are the epitome of springtime.