Spring Fireworks

What a difference a day makes. The sun and high temperatures have forced the grey fur of the pussy willows to open at an accelerated pace. Their spikey blossoms with yellow tips remind me of exploding fireworks. Just like the pussy willows, spring seems to have flashed forward to summer overnight.

Pussy Willows

The pussy willows are blooming once again, one of the signs of spring from my childhood where they grew wild in a field across from my school. I would pick a bunch and bring them home to welcome in the season. When my husband and I bought our house I planted a pussy willow, nothing more than a twig at the time, because I thought it would be nice to have one for the children we would have one day. The wild pussy willows of my youth were mere shrubs , the one I planted in our garden quickly grew taller than the roof of our house. It takes constant pruning to keep it under control.

"S" Stands for Syrup

Maybe the "S" stands for Simply Biscotti, the cute tiny cafe and bakery where I sipped on this hot chocolate. The "S" in question is chocolate syrup that was squirted onto milk foam, unlike the designs that I posted about on September 17, 2009 which were created using a technique that involved pouring foamy milk into espresso. Chocolate syrup is quick but effective!

Petal Perfection

Sifting through last year's photos I was reminded of this exquisite tulip photographed at Ottawa's Tulip Festival. Wish I could remember its name. Just look at the gentle softness of these petals, with pink touches that look like they were painted on a creamy canvas in delicate brush strokes.

Spring Bouquet

This delectable spring bouquet was one I put togther and photographed last year. As I wait for spring's warm weather to come and coax out the tulips in the garden, all I can do for now is look at photos of last year's blooms. Spring will come, the tulips will appear and pretty colour combinations will again be possible to be gathered into pretty bunches.

Cosy as a Nest

Yesterday I wrote about the Robin's Nest Tea Room, located in the charming town of Almonte, Ontario. The decor is just lovely, very cosy and serene ... and a perfect setting in which to celebrate spring and the upcoming Easter season.

Life Imitating Art

I love the juxtaposition of the art with the actual furniture and flower arangement. I am positive that this was not by accident, but by design. And where did I find this? Of all places, it was in the Robin's Nest Tea Room's washroom.