My Potting Shed Haul

In my last post I raved about The Potting Shed in Dunnville, ON. What I didn't add was my haul from that garden-shopping trip! I had a small budget, and there was so much to choose and consider, my main goals were; Quality, Size and Collection. In general the quality and size at The Potting Shed are above average, and I don't have to worry about choosing an unhealthy plant. They also stock plenty of unique and rare varieties that are hard to find anywhere else in the area.

Here is a photo of my haul, sitting at the side of the house, in the "Bike Walk-in Area" construction zone. Its protected from any intense sun and I can water them all in one place, before direct plantings. My haul included: Giant Variegated Reed, Hosta "Final Summation", Hosta "Alakazam", Hosta "Rainbow's End", Hosta "Variegated Mouse Ears" and a pot of Candy Lilies. The other plants you're seeing are a haul from a Zehrs garden centre clearance; Hosta "Abiqua Drinking Gourd", white echinacea, and "Big Bang" Coreopsis.

This is the super tall flower stem to Hosta "Final Summation", it actually ended up flowering on three separate stems over the course of the summer. It has gorgeous semi-shiny foliage and lavender flowers.

My placement for my three mini-esk Hosta varieties in my small shade garden, it's getting very cramped in there, I think I'm going to have to expand my shade garden.

Garden Update: Early April

Here's what's blooming now in the garden! Stay tuned for more updates, feel free to ask questions about any plants or my gardens!

A mix of daffodils coming out, 

we have lots and lots of bulbs now!

Pulmonaria Red Start and other pulmonaria blooming!

View of the garden below the first step. Taken on April 13th.

Some dwarf irises in bloom!

Some tulips we re-planted from a spring planter-basket last spring!

The new tulips my dad picked up on 

discount last fall, can't wait to see this display!

He bought two types; one with ruffled foliage and dark red-pink double blooms and the other has traditional tailoring and light pink-white stripping on the edges of the leaves, the blooms are double-triple with white and red strokes.

Me, clothes shopping?

I don't usually go shopping for new clothes that often, but I made myself a deal to reward my grades and efforts and uni with revamping my wardrobe. On top of that, my teaching internship require conservative dress and I wanted to take that to the next level and start building a group of clothes that was young-hip-professional and fun. I found some great finds at some local shops, Winners and in my local mall in Montreal. I spent about 150$ on; three dresses, four tops, a shirt and some pants.

Also to my luck and surprise I was given a 190$ jacket for an abstract painting I did for a clothing shop on St. Catherine Street. Before I went to California I picked up some flats and sunglasses, and a new recycled backpack. While I was there my aunt bought me two tops and a sweater! That's almost fifteen items in two-three months all at great deals!

I think the older I get, the more interested in fashion  and appearance I become, I'm really starting to like this independent, young hip-lifestyle. Stay tuned for outfit photos! ...and since I've desided to photo document everything in my life, you'll be seeing plenty of my clothing in the most flattering of fashions.

Being a Better Blogger & Resolutions

Happy New Years everyone! I did a lot of thinking over the holidays and have really been thinking about doing a much better job at blogging this year. I'm always thinking about things shoulda-woulda-coulda posted and I really let things fall behind after my first set of exams last year. It's really something I want to do, so I'm sticking to it this time! I have so much to catch up on and some great things coming up that I can't wait to share with you!

Many things have happened since we spoke last! I'm living in my first apartment with my friend Emilie (From Quebec City) and in my second year of Art Education at Concordia University in Montreal! This semester I am entering my second teaching practicum and taking some very interesting education and sociology classes. Not to mention my second year of painting class, and things are going great!

Other changes this "time-around" is a blog make-over coming up and my guarantee is to try and post every week and to always post my best photos! If you have idea for a post, a product review, or something you'd like to see me try, drop a comment or send me a message!

I just finished my new-years resolutions, did you? Fill the comment box with your favourite resolution! I'll be posting mine, later this week.

Mac Make-over!

I went to the Apple store for the first time ever and it was great! It was like being inside a Mac! Next time I will take photos of the inside! I got to play with iPads and the new iPod nano! I bought a Speck case for my Macbook Pro that is glossy red!

Moving off to University!

It's hard to believe it's been just about a week since I've moved to University. Most of my friends move in this weekend and Monday. I have a really big room and I lucked out, some other people share a room just as big with two single beds and a communal bathroom. In Montreal the vacancy rate is so high there isn't a huge demand for residence, thus allowing them to make larger single rooms for most students that apply. The residence is really comfortable, nice people, two TV rooms, a small kitchenette with a microwave and kettle, a nice laundry facility (Yikes! I have to do that today!) and finally I am a 4-5 minute walk away from Rugby, which helps at 10:30pm when it's over. The Cafeteria is actually less-fried and fatty than I imagined, with a "Best-vegetarian" award hanging in the front hall, and local food posters explaining each recipe, I am delighted. They work specifically with each season, bringing in fresh, organic and free-range foods as much as they can. There is always salad, chocolate milk, veggies, a tofu-option and pasta. In my dorm I have my own mini-fridge, where I always have; milk, OJ, fruit, yogurt, cheese, salsa, jam and other perishables. In a large cabinet I also have; Cheerios, tortillas, corn chips, bread, nuts & trail mix, granola & bars, peanut-butter, Nutella, tea, tuna, popcorn, crackers, hearty soup, apple-sauce and assorted noodles/pasta packages. I am well fed.

Some challenges here have been the temperature of last week and some of this one. My room was reaching temperatures of about 45-50C in the morning to mid-afternoon and about 30C at night. Finally after the help of my small fan, a no cover, a sports-bra and undies, I was able to survive the night. Now I know what it was like for my friend Alec, who spent 2 weeks in Cambodia. Hot, humid, UV. Other challenges include; difficulty getting a transit pass, waking up at 6 am due to the hot sun, ugly dorm room and being asked every night by my non-athlete res neighbors to go downtown and party until 5am. I did manage to join them three times, and I had a blast, each time only spending 6$ on transport and cover for 5$ one time. Most places let girls in for free! Mom, Dad I'm learning so much! I'll have a bit of a break this week so I'll have more time to explore the city and enjoy both day and night-life.

The first Monday I got here was my Stingers Rugby training camp! I was super nervous to perform my best, impress the coach and other girls. I was also anxious about the level of play and difficulty. The more I reflect on it, the more I am impressed with my abilities and my confidence in growing. Some of the girls are intimidating, but all seem to be nice, respectable and influential players. Most do there best to make the rookies feel like a friend and a valued team-member. The first night was paperwork, fitness, strength, agility and suicides (WOW). I didn't give up, even though one would think the body would shutdown after such physical stress, the second night was about running, and running, running, oh... and running. Wednesday felt less challenging as those first two days whipped me back into my rugby mind-set, hitting like a brute, playing like a genius and acting like a lady. We worked on plays, run-thrus and the fitness seemed light comparing nights previous. It was nice to play under the lights, different, a new challenge, but it took the bite out of the heat. Thursday was all about the team-bonding, fun and secret exercise (walking up stairs and jumping in the wave pool). We drove by Concordia Bus 1.5hrs east of Ottawa to Calypso Water Park. Click the link to see all of the rides I had a blast screaming down!

Scamp's Happy Tail.

Scamp enjoying some morning sun.

Scamp has adjusted very well in our home and we are all starting to love "adore" this little mutt. We couldn't have adopted a sweeter and more docile pup as our first dog. Unlike a person, Scamp doesn't seem to have any emotional baggage. Other than his early depression-like state, He just wants to be loved, and with five people in the house that isn't hard. Last night there was a huge thunderstorm and he slept peacefully the whole night, unlike everyone else who was restless and kept up by the bright flashes and drumming of the storm. Scamp is very quiet, he makes small gnarls when he yawns and whimpers when he can't run over and smell another dog, but other than that, we've heard less than a handful of barks and hours of happy tail wagging. Check out the Guelph Humane Society's Happy Ending page, for Scamp's cameo in the next few days. Adopt on! I don't think this will be my last adoption.

My friend Maddy found a stray in Chachapoyas, Northern Peru and is trying desperately to get her back to Canada on a flight. This is a photo of Scamp campaigning for her fundraiser.

New Family Member!

On Thursday we brought home a new addition to our family. We spent all week going back and forth to the Guelph Humane Society, and finally we adopted Scamp! A three year old Chinese Crested mix (Powder Puff variety). He was believed to be from a puppy-mill, purchased at a pet store and surrendered about 10 days ago by a divorced couple who couldn't decide who would keep him. He was shaved down due to the poor grooming his previous owners had provided. They also didn't realize he had a food allergy and was breaking out in little blisters all over his body. But don't worry! He is happy as happy gets now, with his reaction stopped and healing and his silky coat growing back, he is cozy and curled up in his plushy dog bed. He has a great temperment and is a very smart boy. Aidan is thrilled to finally have a dog and the two of them love to cuddle and watch a movie. We are all loving the daily walks and can't wait to see what kind of adventures we will have, as a complete family!