Seasonal Changes: 2025

It's interesting to remember how our front yard changes throughout the year...

This was early January 2025. There wasn't much snow.

By February 7, a lot more snow had fallen...

Towards the end of February, temperatures were milder. Some of the snow even melted.

But nature likes to trick us! On March 1, Terry was out with the snowblower again - even helping the neighbors!

By early April, most of the snow was finally gone.

By mid-May, everything was green. Trees had leaves, grass was growing - it has even been cut several times!

This is our front yard a few weeks later, in early June, when irises were beginning to bloom.

By early July, a lot of flowers were blooming in all the flower beds...

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Most prominent were the orange lilies, my perennial favorites!

At the end of July, the flashy phlox were in bloom...

The end of August is the time of the Japanese anemones...

They were still there the first week in October. One day of rain had revitalized them after a lot of sunny, dry weather.

Early November was lovely, if cooler...

A week or so later, the first snow arrived...

December 2 - the sun is low in the sky at 3 PM - and there is some snow on the ground.

A snapshot of the year 2025 in Ottawa... Yes, we did have a white Christmas! This was the view from our son's dining room window on Christmas Day.

What They Remember

I remember the years when my children were young as the "busy years" - when I barely had time to think!

Now - all these years later - I find it interesting to hear some of THEIR memories...

Here's one that my younger son recently shared:

I found my older son's two-year programme in broadcasting at Algonquin College an interesting learning experience - for ME - as well! We all lived vicariously through him - and learned so much!

An Interesting Play

A few weeks ago, I attended a play put on by kids at a theatre school here in the city. It ran for four nights at the Shenkman Arts Centre, in Ottawa's east end.

A colleague of my son's had co-written and also acted in the drama.

I was very impressed!

How fortunate we are - here in Ottawa - to have opportunities like this for "kids" - young and old - to follow their dreams on stage!

Moving Along!

I'm nearing the end of my virtual walk along Route 66,  from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. I started the 3670 km trek in late June 2024.

The California scenery is very interesting, especially from an aerial view.

Right now, I'm looking forward to finishing - and beginning a new virtual walk in Vietnam.

Hard to believe I've logged over 2500 km on my cell phone walking app in 2025!

Hope I can keep it up next year, in 2026!

Mid-Winter View

I love my west-facing window view...

It reminds me that - although snow now covers my flower beds, there's a beautiful world out there... 

That was our Christmas Eve sunset... at 4:18 pm!

I missed the Christmas Day sunrise - but when I looked out the window an hour later, the world outside was calm and bright.

We live in a beautiful world!

Terry's Gift

A few weeks ago, Terry was the recipient of an early Christmas present...

While our car was being repaired, Terry was given a Mercedes Benz as a loaner! 

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that would occur! Driving it (for three days) was very exciting! It always wanted to go faster...

But he had to give it back... (Sigh!)

Thought I'd show you his real Christmas gift from "Santa"! He researched it, asked for it and got it!

What is it? You may be wondering...

It's not a gun!! And it's not a guitar!

It's a light weight hand saw (blade not shown in the picture)... with extra long reach. With it, he'll be able to cut off tree branches without having to stand on a ladder!

A practical garden tool! Hope he enjoys it!

Merry Christmas!

From all of us (including my daughter's cats)!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Turkey Dinner

Terry and I enjoyed a traditional Christmas turkey dinner a few weeks ago - at the Miller's Oven Tea Room and Cafe in Manotick.

The meal was lovely - we were joined by our older son as well as our neighbours, Earl and Mary.

As often happens with me, my enjoyment of the food makes me forget to take photos! At least until dessert arrives!

Terry enjoyed his "mile high" lemon pie - while the rest of us had carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

A day or so later, the Miller's Oven posted a picture on Facebook of a special lemon merangue pie they had made for Christmas - in a Grinchy shade of green!

It may become a new seasonal favorite!

Elf Fun and Games

I spent some time last weekend watching my grandson play with his elves.

He created a series of "elf traps" ... 

He took an elf with him when he went to church to rehearse for Christmas... 

Like any active boy...

... the elf was always moving around!

Later, Jericho wanted to visit elves in various stores with elf  displays - like the one above at Baker Bob's.

Our best (and safest) elf game was taking turns hiding his elves for the other to find! I'd take two and he'd take two. As we counted to 10, we'd head in different directions and drop them behind doors or toss them under beds for the other to find. (Much safer than putting an elf in a light fixture...)

I really hadn't realized how much fun playing with elves can be!

Giving Self-Made Gifts!

A friend of mine likes to make all the gifts she gives at Christmas. A lot of time and thought go into every gift.

From time to time, I'm inspired to follow her example - but I don't have the stamina to keep it up!

My daughter recently sent me a photo of this scarf pattern that someone she knows knit for everyone on her Christmas list.

Interesting! ! I'd like to try knitting one for myself!

Another self-made gift that would be fun to make - and delicious to receive - are decorated gingerbread cookies. 

Decorating these was an activity everyone enjoyed at Jericho's birthday party a few weeks ago! 

Such a great idea! Fun to make and give!

Winter Waiting

I have my eye on two plants in my sitting area...

They're getting ready to bloom ... (I hope) 

The white bud is a Peace Lily. 

I used to think that the plant with the pink buds (in the second picture) is a Christmas cactus - but I'm not sure.

The orchid in the next room is also developing buds - so I have hopes for it, too! They look like little bumps on the stem.

It would be wonderful if any (or all) of these plants were in bloom this Christmas?!  A joyful "gift" of colour and life!

What Happened to the Snow?!

A week ago, winter arrived in full force and beauty! 

Terry predicted that the snow would be here until April...

But unexpected things have happened!

A lot has melted over the past few days...

Not all of it - but enough for me to feel safe walking up the street to our community mail box!

I wonder what the next few days and weeks will bring!