First Day of Summer

We've had an unusual Spring, May was very dry and June the skies opened up several times.  Then we were almost 15C above usual temperatures.  So to wake up to cloudy cooler weather was a bit of a treat this morning.

 This was one of a series of thunder storms we had last week with thunder and lightening!

 See how long and big those raindrops were!

 Then the next day we were back to sunshine, the large water marks are from where the gardeners were prepping the beds for summer annuals and perennials that they move in and out each year.

 Then the hot spell happened which helped show off these Canterbury Bells nicely.

 The Allium this year were quite spectacular.

 I went out for an early morning walk and breakfast and was treated to sun on the boardwalk for a change.

 The hostas are in bloom

 I had fun with my iPad app called Prisma.  If you enlarge you can see which effect I chose.  Love the random quote on this one.

 I may have to try and interpret some of these into cloth one day.

 The original of the Hosta leaves.

 Adding texture and colour chosen by the app.

 Love this colour combination.

 Remember the Iris from a previous post.

 With the app do you see it almost looks like a face with huge eyebrows and a feathery flower hat.

 Love this one.

 Here you can really see the face and the squinted eyes.

 Today I noticed these Hollyhocks for the first time.  My Great Grandmother used to enjoy growing them.  I don't recall them as she passed away by the time I was about four or five.

 Nice new chairs to enjoy the sunshine and the river have been bolted onto the boardwalk.

 The bush roses are always so pretty this time of year.

 They've planted several Fuchsia trees along the boardwalk.

 Daisies.

 Lobby view without the words.  Enjoy the longest day of the year everyone.

I'm also working on my Grasshopper quilt, I couldn't decide what to do last month for colours so I've waited and started on Month Three.

 There should be a Dresden plate block above the heart, I now think I'll repeat some of the colours I used to make the leaves.  Some leaves may be moved or replaced.  Just stitching them down now.

Summer is here and the river is arising!

Today was my first chance to get outside and take some pictures since the official arrival of Summer.

 We've had a very wet cold Spring but the gardens are looking very lush. It rained yesterday and overnight, but the sun is out right now.  The foxglove looks so pretty with the raindrops on it.

 In Rita's garden a few of her poppies are still blooming.  Last week her had a gorgeous display of peach ones, but it was a downpour on the weekend and I missed taking pictures.

 This guy is one of the few remaining peach ones, love the curve of the stem and petals.

 Looking up the Fraser River where there is flooding happening.  We had a couple of warmer sunny days and Rita tells me there is water in her garage.  I better check mine out.

 The tide is heading out, but the river is high.

 Beautiful colour and design of nature.

 I think that is the highest I've ever seen the river since moving here in 1988.

 The trees are looking lush and green.

 The bush roses are in full bloom, check out the ant on the petal.

 These buds seemed to glow, sun found them and everything else was in shade.

 The peonies outside my place are putting on a great show.

 Love the feathery centre of this one.

 Pale pink just sparkling in the sun.

 An almost perfect blossom.

 The train bridge over the river and looking west.

 One of my neighbours has some lovely roses outside her condo, this will look lovely when the sun creeps around the corner.  Those leaves couldn't look healthier.

Cross your fingers that the river doesn't come too high.

The difference a week can make!

Summer has arrived this weekend just in time for Fraser fest.  Yesterday the bees were busy with all the sunshine and warm weather.

 A gentleman fishing along the Fraser.

 Our newly painted condo.

 Some very busy bees in amongst the Shasta Daisies.

 Today is the working boat parade.  I heard the horn of one of the boats and caught this picture off my balcony and then went down to the river.

They like coming up close and playing with the spectators.

 The small turquoise tug is flying a jolly roger and the paddle wheeler is taking folks out for a scenic trip.

 Another jolly roger, usually just one boat flies the pirate's flag.

 I wonder who is getting the wettest?

 A test of strength from two equal tugs.

 A view of the Pattulo bridge in the distance and the skytrain bridge for rapid transit in the foreground.  I caught a bit of the Samson VI paddle wheeler at the left.

 Still at it, who will give up?

Glad to have the sun shining and warmer weather finally upon us.