Happy!

Winter has returned to the prairies!  Windy, blowing snow and freezing cold.  

These shots of sunflowers were just what I needed to cheer me up.  Hopefully they'll do the same for you.  Enjoy!

Photographed west of Hilda, Alberta on August 11, 2017.

Вічная Память

A colourful and attractive sculpture just inside the entrance to Crescent Park in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

The plaque reads:

" - Ukrainian Sunflower Tribute -

"This sculpture was commissioned by the Downtown Moose Jaw Association and made possible by a generous donation from St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

"The church stood proud in Moose Jaw for nearly seven decades.  The church members, residents of our beautiful city of Moose Jaw, graciously dedicated their skills and time to the community.

"This sunflower sculpture demonstrates that people, just like sunflowers, can grow strong and proud even in adverse conditions.

" - Вічная Память -

- May Their Memory Be Eternal -

"Hand crafted by Moose Jaw metal artists

Bill and Laurette Keen

"Sculpture installed June 2024"

Photographed on November 1, 2025.

Peony

Saw this peony in full bloom on a recent trip to central Alberta.  Don't think I've ever seen one this dark rosy red colour before...a treat for certain  Looks beautiful amongst the marble and brilliant white painted headstones.

Photographed at Saint Michael Archangel Roman Catholic Cemetery near Saint Michael, Alberta. 

An Afternoon in Daisy's Yard

Daisy was good company while I was weeding under the lilacs this afternoon.  

When it's time for a drink I pour bottled water into the cup of my hand and she laps it up until the bottle is empty.  She's a thirsty girl on warm days.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on June 13, 2025.

This Morning at Saint Margaret's

Tiny cathedral out in the hills.

Everything is lush and green this spring...

...and the lilacs are coming into full bloom.

The columbarium tucked away in the southwest corner of the grounds.

Peaked roof in front of a peaked hill.

Heather's Garden...new plants and field stone border.

Sage keeps his vigil under the limbs of a spruce tree.

More lilacs blooming.

The view across the coulee.

If and when you're in the area, stop in for a visit.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on June 3, 2023.

Lunch View

Took a friend out for lunch today and this was the view we enjoyed from the south window of Elkwater Park Golf Club Restaurant.  Pretty nice, if I do say so myself.

Photographed in the beautiful Cypress Hills of Alberta on May 27, 2025.

Grape Hyacinths

Fresh blooms in Heather's Garden.  They have a lovely fragrance too.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on May 14, 2025.

Heather's Garden

An early and most welcome colourful spot in Heather's Garden this spring.  As any gardener will know...plant fall bulbs for spring blooms.

The perennials are slowly coming to life.  

As well as the crocuses shown above, I planted about a dozen saffron crocuses which I didn't get so see blooming because a deer ate all of the flowers before I got there.  That's a pretty exotic taste treat for a deer.  Hope he or she enjoyed them.  Maybe next year.

Some hyacinths popping up.  They should be blooming in about ten days.

A lamium groundcover plant was thriving as soon as the snow melted.  

The pasque flowers should bloom the same time as the hyacinths.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on April 26 and 27, 2025.

Fall is Here

A few cooler nights have turned the Virginia creeper vines from a deep green to vibrant pink.  

Proof positive that fall is here. And that's a good thing in my opinion. 

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on September 28, 2024.

A Day at Daisy's House

This past Thursday I spent the better part of the day gardening at Daisy's house...always an enjoyable time.  

She rewards me with ear licks and in turn she gets tummy rubs.  Pretty good deal all around.  

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on September 26, 2024.

Japanese Lilac Tree

Probably the most beautiful Japanese lilac tree I've seen anywhere.  Very showy and the fragrant blooms are intoxicating.  A perennial favourite.

Photographed in New Hillside Cemetery on the outskirts of Medicine Hat, Alberta on July 1, 2024. 

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

Saint Elias Russo Greek Orthodox Church was photographed near Pakan, Alberta on September 18, 2021.

Springtime in Heather's Garden

I cleaned up and planted a few annuals plus a couple of perennials in Heather's Garden earlier this week.  It was a beautiful day for gardening...warm in the sun and cool in the shade, my kind of day.

It won't be long now before all the new plants grow some roots and start to fill out.  

Even after all these years, watching plants grow never seems to get old.

Heather's garden here in the hills has several clusters of stones, a few shells, a piece of driftwood and other decorations.  I noticed a small pile of stones behind the church so I decided to add them to her garden.  She liked to accent her garden with stones so I think she'd like this.     

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on June 24, 2024.

What a Little Rain Can Do

A couple of weeks ago in my all time favourite garden in Medicine Hat, Alberta...

The lupins, irises and globe flowers were in full bloom as well as the Dwarf Korean Lilac.  The latter has a sweet fragrance that filled the entire yard with its intoxicating aroma.  Much of the vibrancy is due to several inches of rain (which is something of a rare event here in southeastern Alberta)...adding that extra richness in colour tone that is so pleasant and deeply attractive. 

These photos were taken while the owners were away in France, so, for about two weeks I had the yard to myself for picnics, the occasional drink (or two or...) and, of course, lots of gardening.  I live in a nice apartment that has a lovely balcony with a view that I fill with plants each summer and enjoy immensely, but having free run of a spacious yard like this was a real treat.  That's definitely a cause for celebration.   

I hope everyone has a private and comfortable place to enjoy the abundant gifts that nature provides.

Photographed on June 12, 2024.

Heather's Garden

Gardening has been keeping me busy; there's always lots to do in spring to get everything looking nice again.  And yesterday I finally had a chance to get out to Saint Margaret's to clean up Heather's Garden.  I wasn't sure what I'd find...last summer was one of the driest seasons on record plus there was some bitterly cold weather over the winter months. 

I wasn't expecting much (occasional pessimist that I can be) but was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the perennials had survived...and one of the prairie crocus was already in full bloom.  In a nutshell, all the really tough plants made it through some extremely harsh conditions.  Maybe one day I'll learn their innermost survival secrets but in the meantime I'll simply enjoy doing my best to take care of them.

We've been lucky this spring to have had some rain and a few showers.  So far we've already had more rain than we had all of last year.  Nice to see things turning green and flourishing.  In three weeks or so I'll plant some annuals and a few more perennials to fill in the empty spots.  I think Heather would like that.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on May 19, 2024.

Spring Flowers

Filled a mini-fridge full of spring bulbs this past fall so I've been enjoying spring flowers (indoors, of course) for the past couple of months.  Still have about another month's worth yet to bloom.  This is the first time I've forced bulbs in years but will definitely be making it an annual event in years to come.   

Photographed on May 25, 2024.

Tall Phlox

Something colourful and pleasant for a snowy day...

Not only are tall garden phlox attractive, but they also have the sweetest scent...something to look forward to each and every spring.

Photographed in Eastend, Saskatchewan on June 12, 2020.

Happy Valentine's Day

Johnny Jump Ups may be an understated way celebrate Valentine's Day, but pretty sweet.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 24, 2020.

Early Fall at the Arts Park in Boissevain

Something to brighten up a winter's day...

The Arts Park in Boissevain is a community green space wholly run by volunteers.  And even though it was getting late in the gardening season there was still plenty of greenery and blooms to see.  

A couple out for a walk stopped to say hello while I was enjoying the garden.  They said most of the volunteers were older folks but there had lately been some interest shown by a few youngsters.  Here's hoping all the generations can work together to keep this community garden beautiful for years to come.  

The thought and expression, creativeness, hard work and realisation shown here is above and beyond any expectations.  "Thank you" to all those who make our lives just a little bit brighter.

Photographed in Boissevain, Manitoba on September 15, 2023.