jungle

I think it might be time to divide the daylilies...

backpack update

Lucky me! I just got this lovely leather backpack on Etsy! Although, thanks to your helpful comments on my first backpack post, I'm still tempted to get a Baggu one.

new neighbourhood kitty

This little kitty was checking me out while I was taking pictures in the backyard this evening. It still has big puffy kitten paws. It wouldn't stay still long enough for me to focus clearly (I didn't have my lens with autofocus on the camera) or get a good shot of it's face. I hope it comes back to see me again! Tragically, I am a MAJOR cat lover and I can't have a cat because Andrew is allergic. Every time I see a cat (especially an adorable little sweetheart like this) it breaks my heart a little bit.

p.s. this post is dedicated to Anabela

miniature rose

I just found these little mauve roses at the corner plant shop. I couldn't resist.

tonight

strata, 1846

from here

snail shells

from here

and my little collection

first tuilp

elegant eggplant

These are my eggplant seedlings. They are such elegant little plants.

The grow lights make this odd but pretty pinkish light.

perfect backpack

Image from Copenhagen Street Style.

I love this backpack. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to find a nice backpack? Maybe leather or maybe woven, or a combination of the two. I've been searching vintage ones online, but with no luck so far.

'Porcelaines', 1839

From here.

names of shells

From here.

miscellaneous good things

I've had a busy week/weekend. Lots of working and lots of fun things too. Some so great they are definitely worth mentioning here.

Adam and Rebecca rehearsing in my living room last September.

On Thursday night my wonderful brother's band Adam and the Amethysts (this version was him and the lovely cellist Rebecca) played here in Toronto. As usual they were really really great. They opened for Land of Talk,who I had never heard before and were a wonderful surprise. I picked up their album Some Are Lakes and it will be on heavy rotation for me this summer.

Saturday night was nothing short of revelatory. My friend Shary Boyle presented The Monkey and the Mermaid as part of the Images Festival, in collaboration with Christine Fellows. It was unbelievable and basically indescribable (by me anyways - best to read the Images blurb here). It feels funny to post about it, since it can't really be shared now that it's over, but I recommend at least checking out Shary's website. Her work is truly amazing. She is kind of a star so you might already know her?

The other good thing was a new recipe. I made Shakshuka from a recipe on Smitten Kitchen, and it was SO GOOD. Definitely a new staple meal. Hearty, healthy, simple... pretty much perfect. It was so good I forgot to take a photo of it, and I can't steal one from Smitten Kitchen, so you'll just have to click the link to see it and MAKE IT!

cloud shapes, 1897

from here

lilac budding

The white lilac is covered in tiny leaves and flower buds. 

trellises

I spent a whole day making trellises for my peas on the weekend. It was very fun. I used bamboo (or something like bamboo?) that grew in the yard last summer and tied garden netting (made from recycled fish nets!) to the frames with jute twine. I made them different heights for the different varieties. At the end of May I will be planting a bunch of other things in the empty spaces in front of/between them (like tomatoes and stuff). For now I'm just waiting for these guys to come up out of the ground and start climbing. Come on little guys, you can do it!

dwarf iris

These little guys are my first bloomers of the season. I planted them last Fall. I think I'll plant more this year. To have dozens spreading under the trees would be so beautiful. I find many Irises too showy and exotic for my taste, but these tiny ones are so sweet and elegant. Maybe they will be a gateway into an appreciation for bigger bolder varieties?

pysanky story

Obviously I skipped some steps in this little photo essay. 

There are many many steps.