The Garden vs The Office

After hiding out at my parents' place during the G20 summit, I've been dreading coming back into the office this morning. I've been enjoying the break up in country, hanging out with friends and family, driving through town on the old backroads. The idea of going back to public transportation, busy streets and loud neighbours (hello, world cup!) just isn't very alluring right now. Trading my office work for digging around in the garden has been a pretty sweet life.

Who wants to worry about the fax machine, when they are looking at a patch of beautiful daisies? 

Or worry about checking their email when they are admiring a cherry tree just starting to show fruit. It won't be long before we're making fresh sour cherry tarts. Yum yum yum!

Being back in the country for a week surrounded by beautfiul flowers and lush green trees has gone to my head. (Speaking of heads, I cannot tell you how many times I have bumped my head on this hanging basket this week. The curse of being taller than your mother who hung it.) 

Whiskey is happy to be in the country as well. Who am I kidding, he loves the city too. Anything that is an adventure. I guess thats a good thing that I like that too. We're a nice match, me and my little buddy.

He's been happy to be by my side while I've been digging up the garden, but his obsession with sniffing flowers can get in the way sometimes. He was all over these Tiger Lilies. 

Tiger Lilies are one of my favorites. My Great Aunt Marian used to have a farmhouse that had them in the backyard. Seeing them makes me think of being in her backyard, laying in the grass with a good book. Isn't it funny how somethings can bring back memories like that?

Shadow was happy to have everyone out working the gardens too. (See that bench? My dad made those to go around our fire pit, but every time I see them I think of The Flintstones. Doesn't it just look like something they'd have?)

Then again, looking at this big wheelbarrow full of junk lilies I dug out, pushing alittle bit of paperwork today doesn't look so painful and labour intensive anymore ;)

An Evening in an English Garden (in Canada)

Today is a dreary raining day here in Ontario, but last weekend when it was gorgeous out, we took a drive through London, Ontario after the car show.

Driving in the '67 Camaro, with the windows down. Pure bliss.

Speeding down all these country roads makes me homesick. Sometimes city living just doesn't cut it.

I've never been to London, Ontario before and I was surprised at how many big beautiful houses were around. I'm not crazy about that big front window, but I love the little porch on the side (and the flowerbeds, of course).

A simple and inviting porch.

Then we got to my mother's friend's house and I fell in love with her place instantly. The big sun room made me crave a nice book and a big glass of ice cold lemonade.

But then I walked into the backyard and it was beautiful and wild and reminded me of England (which makes sense considering that this woman is from England).

The smell was intoxicating. And then I tried one of the strawberries in the garden and just about died. I forgot how amazing fresh Ontario strawberries are. The little girl in me just wanted to sit in the garden and feast like we used to do by my grandfather's raspberry bushes. We'd come back with fingers and mouths dyed red...tell tale signs of berry theft.

I yearn for a beautiful spring garden of my own.

But the wild daisies really did me in. I'm a sucker for daisies and would pick them over roses any day.

Her garden is full of hidden eclectic little ornaments, like this striking rust flower that was nestled in a little corner.

Or the metal heron by this pond full of little fishies.

Big gorgeous peony blooms.

Bold and luscious vegetation.

And more daisies :)

Like I said, I'm a sucker for daisies ;)