27. February 2011 by Khizmet.

I’m considering this post to be both Art and Garden /Nature.  I only have a cheapy point and shoot camera….but I have way too much fun with the macro feature.  Last night, Alf and I went out wandering in the back yard enjoying one of the most wonderous snowfalls of this season.  The night was so still and the flakes so fluffy.  We experimented with a flashlight as our light source for this photo.  Between my dire need for bifocals, and my shakiness with my advancing age…frankly I’m surprised I got a shot as nice as this

Then we took the pups for an amazing walk along the river and caught this last little snowflake that hasn’t melted like the rest of his friends have….

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23. February 2011 by Khizmet.

One of my friends sent a youtube video to me of how to make Jello art like this….so this morning I tried it out…it was super easy, super fun, and I am super poud of my very first attempt at doing this!

Can you tell I am just itching to get out into my garden and start sniffing things and digging?

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5. February 2011 by Khizmet.

 He Said that Genius is 1% inspriation and 99% perspiration.  There is no substitute for getting off one’s butt and practicing/ just doing it!

Alf and I got back from the Cambridge Center for the Arts, where the current show is the beautiful acrylic paintings by Amy ferrari. At times I marveled at how some pieces reminded me of the work of Alex Janvier, of Gerogria O’keefe, and Lawren Harris.  I have been meaning to do more painting and drawing, and I am certainly inspired again after seeing this show.

http://amyferrariart.tripod.com/

My next bit of inspiration comes from a garden blog I stumbled upon.  It is February already…and that means one must start planning the garden for the summer ahead….I already know that my color scheme for the front will be intense pinks and oranges in black containers and other black accents. ( this is not only planning for the summer, but of course halloween….you can never be too prepared for halloween!)

http://empressofdirt.blogspot.com/2010/06/tour-my-garden-2010.html

I really enjoyed reading her blog…I think I “merely scratched the surface”  but feel like she’s my lost twin… and look forward to seeing her garden develop ( she has just moved to a new house and has a blank canvas  to work with!!!

 one of the reasons I enjoyed reading her blog so much was that it is a nice little history of one’s work…and I went back and perused my blog….then felt sad that it has been so neglected…..but that in turn, renewed my vigour to revitalize my little cyber diary.

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25. July 2009 by Khizmet.

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16. July 2009 by Khizmet.

  Turbie is doing so well in his class now!  I had excellent fun in the last class…once again he didn’t throw a hissy fit if another dog got in his space…he checks in with me… the funniest moment in class was our out-of-sight down stay…. most dogs were great…Turbie was super! He even held when other dogs were getting up to look for master…. we got back into the building and were told to just stay at the front wall….and then one of the assistants knocked on the door….well….. CHAOS ensued! My Turbie was up howling and searching desperately for me…. he looked so scared..and so cute!!  He was easily put back into his down… and the rest of the class went smoothly compared to that….my little guy even gave  ball retrieval a good shot in class!
Just look at how good he is over his little jump!!!

And now…for more beautiful Flowers….

Osteospermum up close…..how absolutely amazing!

this little weed is so pretty!

Liatris Spicata up close from the top…before it has bloomed…I have these in white and purple.

Crocosmia Montbretia  before it has bloomed as well….this…is my favorite flower in my yard

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6. July 2009 by Khizmet.

So starting my gargoyle collection was very much like my decision to wear leopard print clothing…..covetous when I saw others wearing it but didn’t think I should….then when I started wearing it….LOVED IT!  So went to adam and eve garden decor in Kitchener where these 2 lovlies followed me home… this one gothic

and this one is just in a foul mood…..

 this little dufus one is from Wal-mart…

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1. July 2009 by Khizmet.

The flower of the Day is the Catalpa tree.  This tree overflows into my yard from my neighbour to the North.  The Catalpa has the most beautiful tropical looking leaves and the flowers look like orchids.  It is a late flowering tree and every year I look forward to this time of year.

Here is the tree in it’s glory

The cherry tree….this little guy was planted when we first moved here 10 years ago.  Between the birds, squirrels and chipmunks…we won’t get any cherries.

When I look East, we have a Cedar in the corner (which the dogs love to strip the bark off of….I’ve had to put wire around it to keep them at bay.) and there’s another wonderful draping of my neighbour’s tree into our yard.  Too bad it’s a Manitoba Maple (hardy but messy seeds)

Again the Manitoba maple on the left and a more impressive (taller)variety of maple tree on the right side.  The taller maple has smaller leaves.  I am so enthralled with the beautiful trees in our yard….I just couldn’t imagine not having them there.

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1. July 2009 by Khizmet.

Plum tree with 2 cedars behind. I love my back yard.

Plum tree with a Charles Jolie Lilac hiding behind it.

The pathway to the back, I plan to give the backyard a Gothic theme.

I need to find more weather proof Gargoyles to lurk amongst the greenery.

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30. June 2009 by Khizmet.

I love roses, despite their fussiness.  (Yes I have to constantly pluck worms and funky looking leaves off of them, if you have helpful tips, please send along)
I have 7 rose bushes, 4 of which I have posted pictures for your viewing pleasure.

This is Chicago Peace, above is the bud and below is the open flower 2 days later?

I particularly like this Stripey one called Rainbow Niagara. Above is the bud and below the open flower (next day) this one can get alot more stripey…not sure why this one is light on stripes.

This Lavender one has a really beautiful scent. “Blue Moon” hybrid tea rose.

And the last bud of the day is “Solitude”.  I should have a photo of it open tomorrow or the next day.

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26. June 2009 by Khizmet.

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