Irises

I've been buying flowers like mad this past week. Irises are one of my absolute favourites and I'm not even sure why. Maybe its the colour? The odd shape? The lovely name? Whatever the reason I'm happy they're in season!

Here are some pictures of my seedlings having just been planted. This year I'm going to try growing a couple of flower varieties to make our front balcony look cheery. I'll also be growing cherry tomatoes, green onions and sugar snap peas (yum!). So far no sign of sprouting yet but I'll give it more time. Heres hoping this summer is a gardening success!

Spring!

Spring is here!! We've now had quite a few days without a chance of snow and the sun has been so bright. Yesterday I went for a nice long walk to grab a few things for spring. I bought this new table runner (stretched my budget quite a bit but I'm so in love with it), picked up some tulips and irises and bought some seeds for my balcony garden this summer.

Yesterday I finished my last day of classes in my academic career, theres still a lot more for me to finish before I graduate from my Masters but I'm trying to relish in this small milestone. Its pretty exciting! Thats what I told myself when I bought an obscene amount of flowers anyways. 

The best part of spring for me is the improvement in mood. I've been able to run outside almost every day and it makes such a difference. I feel much more sprightly! Shopping for flowers was also such a lovely experience. My favourite flower shop was teeming with rare orchids and many other spring flowers. I could have spent all day in there. The owner was actually friendly to me too (usually he's a bit grumpy and preoccupied), maybe its the effects of spring?

This winter….

This winter starting off well. I had heard about how long and freezing Montreal winters can be so I chose to embrace this winter by spending lots of time outdoors hiking, skating and visiting to Quebec city for Carnaval where we even went dog sledding (I got in trouble for petting the dogs, big surprise there). After February, the magic of winter had long since faded and the fact that it snowed a few days ago has made things even more lack-luster. The snow is all slushy and brown, people are grumpy and just plain exhausted from the freezing wind! Everyone reassures me that the summer in Montreal makes things all worth while and I cannot wait to drink wine in the park (it's legal here!), start my balcony garden and bike to work. I sure am proud to have made it through this winter and spent much of outside (although we did binge watch House of Cards on netflix… who didn't?) but spring and summer will be welcomed with open arms!

As for the pictures, these are just a summary of some winter highlights: our trip to Quebec City (such a charming city), my belated Christmas gift from A: an oncidium orchid that smells like vanilla and chocolate, i'm obsessed, skating on the giant pond in la fontaine, drying valentine ranunculus and lastly the bustling art festival nuit blanche. 

Bring on the spring mother nature!

flowers & valentines

I've been receiving some pretty awesome flowers lately from A, which has been really nice. The lilies pictured above smelt amazing and made our apartment so fresh! The second picture were my valentines flowers, they are gladiolus flowers and are such a beautiful poppy red. A also made me the sweetest card, a picture of a valentine he made for his mother 17 years ago, so so sweet. On valentines day we went to our favourite greek restaurant and had such a nice meal. The restaurant gave every lady a rose (A was mad that the men didn't get roses too, haha) and the food was, as usual, amazing. For an extra treat we went to a cheesecake restaurant next door for dessert. I got the white chocolate mint cheesecake which was delicious. All in all it was a great day! I even got a valentine from my dad which is a nice tradition, he loves to say that he was my first valentine.

Even though valentines day can be a bit problematic, due to its exclusive nature, it felt nice to celebrate and appreciate the love I have in my life. I hope to have many more like this one.

officially a graduate!

So, last week I graduated! I am now officially a social worker! That is my beautiful degree above and you can see my shadow in the reflection haha.

My graduation was lovely. My parents came to town and we went out for some very, very nice meals. My parents gave me some lovely roses and Alex gave me a beautiful orchid so I can enjoy my graduation flowers for months and months to come AND he gave me the beautiful Joanna Newsom record, Have One on Me, which I've been coveting for a long time (isn't the album artwork beautiful?). I'm a lucky girl. So many friends and family mailed me cards and sent me well wishes, I had no idea graduating was such a big deal but I guess it is! I'm very proud to be a social worker, now I just need to get a good job!

cherry tomatoes & snow peas

I've been growing some cherry tomatoes and snow peas on my balcony for the past month and they're looking strong and healthy! Soon i'll have to separate the little guys into their own pots but for now, don't they look all cute and cozy? I hope they make it through. If this sunshine keeps up in Halifax they certainly will!