Planter Update

Those who dropped in to the blog mid-July know that this is an experimental year for our new half barrel planter. I'm back with an update.

The yellow "Canna Cannova" (the tall Calla lily in the back) took off with a vengeance, as did the unidentified vine, to the detriment of some of geraniums and trailing purple flowers. I've even thinned out that vine a little!

Here's a photo of what it looked like when first planted, so you can compare the Now and the Then.

 

If the Canna Cannova doesn't survive the winter it will definitely be on the top of my list of favourites to buy again next year.

Dot Mandalas

I've been rather absorbed lately in a meditative new hobby. I find it so engaging that I lose track of time.

It takes a steady hand, some idea of pleasing colour combinations, and an eye for spatial alignment, 

but luckily it requires no real drawing skill.

These are "dot mandalas", and although I have painted these on ordinary rocks, mandalas can be done on various smooth surfaces. 

These final two photos are of my earliest practice pieces, done on poster board disks purchased in a pack at a dollar store.

I'll have more mandalas to show in the future. I'm not anywhere near finished with this obsession yet!

I've already got four more painted, but they aren't sealed yet.

Early Morning Paddle

Minutes from our home the Hope River slough provides a suitable waterway for kayaking. 

It's convenient for an early morning excursion.

We were out there by 7:30 AM and even with a enjoyable hour and a half of paddling,

 --- we were back home in time for breakfast.

The 7th York Pinafore

Yet another York Pinafore, my seventh! What can I say -- with the forgiving fit and large pockets they are *that* comfortable and practical to wear.

I also wove a detachable Inkle band that matches for my medical information tag.

For anyone interested in weaving Inkle bands here is the pattern I created using the generator at raktres.net

Beautiful BC

A day kayaking on Lightning Lakes.

Barely a ripple.

Pure bliss.