On Sunday morning the rain poured down and the wind blew. It was a wild day. Not a good day for the outdoor birthday party we had planned. Instead, we met under the shelter at Goldstream Park, built a fire in the wood stove there, wore gloves, and listened to the rain drench the forest. A pair of Common Mergansers were not bothered in the least and drifted on the river.
Little Miss Iris showed up in her yellow boots and a matching "muddy buddy". She splashed in the puddles, enjoyed the ducks and loved the balloons we brought for the party.
Most of the photos I took were terrible because of the gloom under the shelter. Still, we had a great time together, and Tim felt well celebrated.
Yesterday we woke up to a frosty clear morning. In the afternoon I spent some time in the garden. Red shoots of peonies are sprouting like crazy and I look forward to the blooms in a couple of months. This year, since I have more time to spend in the garden, I'm taking control of the lemon balm and feverfew that come up throughout the beds. I love the way they fill in gaps, but they can be bullies and just take over.
The candy tuft is blooming, such a bright white, and behind it the grape hyacinths add colour.
Our case numbers are rising dramatically and we have further restrictions for the next three weeks. Fortunately, our provincial guidelines have always been looser than other places in the country - hair salons and stores have been open since last spring after the initial shut down. However, now restaurants may not serve food indoors (takeout and patios are still permitted), gyms are closed (mostly), and the ski resort town at Whistler has been closed. High time for the latter, I say, for people from across Canada were coming to ski.
But let us think of happier things, like tiny purple blooms on the rosemary bush and bright sunny days. This morning I'm going for a walk with my daughter along with Iris and Cora. This afternoon I'll sew and perhaps work in the garden for a time.
Wishing you a day filled with beautiful moments.
Happy Birthday to your hubby!! I am sure the party was great in spite of the rain. The cake looked great. Sounds like you are enjoying your time off. Have a great week! Kit
ReplyDeleteDear Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteI think that your photographs are especially nice and because of the interesting light.
Happy birthday to hubby... and I am sure he was thrilled to have family around him, even if the skies were gloomy.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that the rain didn't dampen your spirits and your husband's birthday was well celebrated. Iris looks so cute in her rain gear.
ReplyDeleteAll the spring blooms around your house are lovely and a good week or more ahead of ours. My Peonies are about 3" high.
Loons and Common Mergansers are some of the most elegant of water fowl. Well, maybe the swan is more elegant but how often do we see those?
The cake that you made for your husband looks really spectacular.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had my haircut for about 6 months and it is driving me crazy. I was due to have had a haircut just as they were sent into lockdown nearly 4 months ago. they are reopening in a couple of weeks, and the hairdresser has told me that I am the first one on her list.
We shall also then be able to travel a little further afield, and I can't wait to spread my wings and explore further away from home.
Soooooo wonderful that you had a family celebration for his Birthday. Yessss!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the Muddy Buddy outfit for the sweet little one. They can splash to their heart's content, and not get their clothes wet! What a wonderful thing!!!!!
Lovely things happening in your garden. So nice!
Gentle hugs...
Belated birthday greetings to your husband. So nice that you were able to carry on with the celebration despite the weather. Little Iris has the right idea and looks absolutely adorable in her yellow rain gear.
ReplyDeleteSpring is popping in your area in a most beautiful way. Can't wait to see those peonies in bloom.
Seeing that new growth in spring is so exciting. I do think little Iris is a cutie as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday to your husband. How nice that this celebration could be in person. My peonies are about 6 inches behind yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up on the glaze. But it certainly is pretty, like a watercolor icing. I've never seen such a beautiful photo of a rosemary flower! <3
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday. I'm 65 this year, too.
ReplyDeleteSuch a happy post!
Happy Birthday to your husband. Glad you could get together with family for the very special day!
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks impressive. Happy Birthday to Tim!
ReplyDeleteIris is adorable in her yellow rain gear. Like a cute little ducky.
I'm sorry your numbers are going up. Have you noticed if your hospitalizations are less? I'm interested because we live among the Amish here in Lancaster County, PA and they had covid go through their community as they never stopped meeting for church or school. A report just came out saying that they have reached herd immunity. The story has been picked up by national news.
Happy Birthday to your sweet hubby! We are still being extra careful here and so far our numbers are going down in this area and in the state of Florida. Take care and enjoy your time with family. Hugs! PS The cake really does look incredible!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to the Star!
ReplyDeleteLooks lik a lovely party
Prayers the numbers go down
Good morning, Lorrie. Happy Birthday to Tim and how wonderful you could all be together. The photo of Miss Iris is grand, what happy memories that will bring one day. Our numbers are on the rise as well, but we have managed to receive our 2nd shot and our 21 days will be up on April 2. Wishing you and your family a Happy week and a Wonderful Easter.
ReplyDeleteLovely floral shots! And I'm admiring Iris' stylish rain ensemble!
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks stellar! I was actually just talking to someone today about creative cakes are usually made of fondant, but everyone just peels off the fondant before eating the cake!
Sorry to hear about the rising numbers in B.C. You'd think we'd have learned from the first and second waves...
Belated best wishes to your husband. It must have been a wonderful day with your little sweetie there in her rain gear. Spring is budding there for sure.
ReplyDeleteYOU have a great attitude. That little rain coat girl is a great great photo and I'll bet even more adores in person.
ReplyDeleteWe will have our second Easter alone. I cannot be too bummed out , though. We are soon to have our second shots. We are soon to see our kids!!! Your flowers are just so beautiful .
Little Iris in her yellow rain gear looks adorable, what a sweetie. Now we are entering the 'second time round' of Covid, it is a bit dispiriting isn't it. What a great looking cake you made, and I am pleased you can have family around. The two ducks are so pretty, as are many in North America. Our wild ducks, I must say, are rather grey and boring. Happy Easter Lorrie.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to celebrate Tim's birthday with your family. Great cake! Happy birthday to him! Sweet pic of little Iris.
ReplyDeleteBelated birthday wishes to your hubby, sorry it wasn't the party you planned but thankfully the rain didn't stop you getting together. A beautiful photo of little Iris all ready for the wet weather. We are thankful that the numbers of Covid are going down here and at long last some of the restrictions are been lifted. Who could have guessed that it would go on this long?!?!?! Have a wonderful Easter.
ReplyDeleteA Happy Birthday to your husband. We all are having difficult lives at the moment, our hospitals are full and I was glad to have my surgery in a clinicjust in time, now it is not possible and we can’t see our children.
ReplyDeleteBut I hope we’ll have better days soon if everybody takes care.
I wish you Happy Easter time.
Lorrie, your nature photos always dazzle me. But today, I must say, I could hardly see them once I caught sight of the one of Little Miss Iris in her yellow--adorable!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Hubby! Your cake looks amazing, Lorrie. How can little Iris be splashing in puddles?? Where’d the time go?? She was just a little baby and look at her! Happy Easter to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteLorrie - belated happy birthday to your hubby! I also have been spending a little time in the garden - nothing is sprouting yet, but there is plenty of clean-up to do. I am sorry to hear that cases are going in the wrong direction for your province -- a bit surprised, really, with all the restrictions that have been in place in Canada! Happy April to you!
ReplyDeleteMay I point out, with great respect, that the birds you refer to as Hooded Mergansers are in fact Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser).
ReplyDeleteLorrie, Good to see family face to face! Wishing a great Easter. Sylvia D.
ReplyDeleteFamily together and beautiful spring flowers...perfect happy moments! Shall not even mention anything else (except to hope....).
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday wishes for your husband. Maybe we’ll be able to celebrate next year’s birthday in style, although the little miss is a sight for sore eyes already.
ReplyDeleteMy paeones are as tall as yours and there’s blossom everywhere but we are having a very cold spell (-3) tonight and I just hope that the frost will not kill my darlings in the garden.
The cake is beautiful - even if you didn't like the glaze! =)
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