Let's Go For A Walk, Ellen!

Ellen would have thought that she needed that scarf she is wearing when I went to Quidi Vidi (we pronounce it "Kiddy Viddy") this morning to walk the trail. When I arrived the sun had come out but there were still a few puddles around from the rain over the past couple of days and a cool breeze blowing. I wasn't very far along when I had to take off my sweater and tie it around my waist.

The rowers were out practicing for the Royal St. John's Regatta which happens the first Wednesday in August. Alana (oldest daughter) and her team are rowing in the Regatta this year. May the wind be at your backs ladies (going up and down the lake)!  :-)

No trouble to get doggie paparazzi shots today! Ducklings too! 

At first I couldn't tell if the fog at the other end of the lake was coming or going, but by the time I walked to that area, it was sunny with a light cool breeze, so I determined the fog was on its way out. (smile)

The City of St. John's has done a wonderful job of upgrading the trail around the lake while keeping the marshes and rugged beauty intact. There is an off-leash dog park, skateboard park, playground, look-out posts and picnic areas. The trail has been widened and the boardwalks are perfect. It's such a pleasant place to walk on a nice day like today. The app on my phone said I walked 3.9 kms. Delighted with myself!

Oh yes, the scarf! It's for a customer. It's hand knit from Argosy Lotus Blossom which is a sport weight 80% superfine Merino wool and 20% cashmere. Very nice to knit and light as a feather! I have to sew in the ends and block it today in preparation for shipping on Tuesday.

Lots of pictures here today. There was a lot to see!

View across the lake

Is that fog coming or going?!

Skateboard park

One of a couple of playgrounds - too early for the youngsters I guess.

One of a few picnic areas

Investigator  :-)

Rain still on leaves

Part of the trail built around a small cliff

They've installed a dam but kept it pretty!

Berries on a tree that look like blueberries -
huckleberries maybe?

Dogberry blossoms

Steps here on the right allow you to go sit on the rocks by the edge of the lake.

Wild rose

Finally Finished Ellen!

The sweater featured in this post took what seemed like forever to knit! I think I started it last October and finished it last week. It took a long time, not because it was difficult, but because I machine knit the parts and then, other things that I deemed to be more fun, took priority. I intended this one to be for me so I suppose in the back of my mind I knew I wasn't in a hurry for it. Anyway, I'm delighted that it's finally finished because now I can get on to other, more fun stuff, like the silk lace scarf I have started! The sweater is knit with Patons Bamboo Silk. I pinned the back of it with clothespins when it was on Ellen because she is size 8 and I'm size 14.  I like the buttons.

Yesterday evening we took Ellen to the pond near Topsail Beach for a quick photo shoot. The road to the beach is lined with beautiful properties that contain beautiful mature gardens.  We stopped along the road and in some cases I stuck my camera in over fences to get better shots of the flowers and trees.

I love lilac trees! So, earlier this week, when we stopped by David and Alana's place, I got a snippet off their lilac tree.  Yesterday I went to the hardware store and bought some Stim-root to attempt to grow my own tree from theirs. I looked up the instructions on the Internet and planted two clippings this morning. Below you will see a picture of the tiny greenhouse I've made. I suppose I could go buy a lilac tree, but I think it's more fun if you can grow one from a clipping that's from a tree of a friend or relative. Wish me luck! My gardening skills are not consistent!

Ellen is much happier with the warmer weather.  :-)

People congregating on Topsail Beach.
You can see Bell Island in the distance.

Lots of seagull activity in the pond.

Topsail Beach through the trees.

An "over the fence" shot.

Love this garden!

Lilacs in bloom

Tiny greenhouse

It's About Time You Went Out, Ellen!

Ellen is becoming a house cat! She's been inside so long now that yesterday I had to root her out of her spot by the fireplace. It's not that warm here so I can't blame her for wanting to stay inside, but hey you gotta get used to the cold at some point!

I machine knit an acrylic baby blanket for a friend who is expecting her baby in August. We went to her shower yesterday to deliver the blanket and a few other things that we figure she'll need for the new wee one. I made Ellen go stand by the blanket while I photographed it. Then she rushed right back to the fireplace. 

Speaking of babies..... there's new ducklings at the Pond!

Today was a beautiful day, but still with the cold breeze. Temperature was at 12C late afternoon. Must be a few ice bergs out there somewhere sending that cool breeze our way. When I went for a walk today, I walked through a part of Mount Pearl that's been there for a while. The trees in that area are nice and big. The City has flower gardens planted along the roadside on some of the major streets. I think some of the gardens are cared for by residents. Whoever is looking after them, they're doing a great job! I took a few pictures with my phone.

Speaking of gardens; this week I planted a tiny herb garden.  I have 4 herbs and am watching the weather forecast to see if we will have frost at night. The lady at the flower shop said you can't trust it until the turn of the moon on June 19th. If I'm successful with those herbs, I will certainly expand. I love cooking with herbs (and using essential oils made from them) and would love to just pick them straight from my own garden.  Wish me luck!

The last couple of pictures in this post were sent to me by Angela, my youngest daughter who lives in Vancouver. She sent along a couple of crow pictures that I just have to share with you. You'll know why when you see them!  :-)

Close up of baby blanket

My little herb garden

Perennials in a pot on our back patio

Flowers I planted in the back yard a few weeks ago

City Flower Garden

Another City Flower Garden

One of the trails in Mount Pearl
Neat clouds!

A Mount Pearl Street with dogberry trees

New ducklings at the Pond

Flowers in a yard I walked past

I didn't realize crows shook themselves like dogs!

It's been raining in Vancouver for a couple of days.
This guy is not impressed!