Happy Friday! I can’t believe I had to flip the calendar over to May this morning. What’s up with time, anyway? I know it seems to fly as you get older, but for me, it’s feeling pretty supersonic at this point. (Awhile back, I came across this review of a book about the perception of time in relation to age…might make for some interesting reading).
I managed to get out to Nose Hill one morning this week and saw all the willow catkins emerging…I quickly took a few photos and rushed to get myself and my camera out of the rain shower that suddenly started right above me (and only me, as far as I could tell). We really could use a nice, soaking rain, although everything is greening up despite the dry conditions. I noticed our neighbour’s fantastically floriferous forsythia (too much?) on the way back from the park – it is, of course, competing with all those show-off Prunus species. All this incredible colour and beauty is enough to make your eyes drunk.
I planted some spinach and radish seeds in the raised bed at the community garden this week – this is the earliest I’ve ever put these crops in, although many would reckon I’m actually running late. I know some people who plant outside under cover in March – and unlike most years, we didn’t have much snow and ice in that month. Last year, I planted my spinach on the 20 of May. Most of my garlic is up now – I just love to see those spiky green shoots splitting the soil.
What are your plans for the weekend? I’ve got a deadline looming on an article about lacto-fermentation (BTW – do any of you do any fermenting? I’ve been puttering around lately with several different whole leaf herb ferments – they’re easy and fun). I’m also hoping to get out for some fresh air – I was reading a recent blog post by a local hiker, Barry Taylor, and he suggested Strathcona Ravine here in Calgary for a little nature jaunt. I’m keen to check it out – we’ve lived here nearly two decades and I hadn’t ever heard of it before.
Before I leave you, I have to share the foodie extravaganza that is the list of midway culinary treats for this year’s Calgary Stampede. If you thought last year’s were over the top, you haven’t seen anything yet. I can’t believe that gigantic ice cream cone or the $100 hotdog…and we won’t talk about the cockroach offering. I feel pretty much like I did last year – the poutines are the most tempting for me (well, except for the one with the doughnuts and the jalapenos – that just smacks of a stomach ache in a bowl). What would you try? Which of these is just too excessive (well, besides ALL of them)?
Flowery Prose 
It is so nice here in town now that the trees are turning green isn’t it? And the willow is a sure sign of spring! I heard about that 100 dollar hot dog on the news the other day – amazing what they come up with;)
It is so refreshing to see all that bright, fresh green – just makes me smile!
Some of the Stampede food offerings seem so outrageous this year, but I imagine people will have fun shelling out the money to try them! Just for the experience…. 🙂
Oh my goodness that was a lot of information. I’ll spend a bit digesting and pop back. That cloud must have thought you needed a shower. 🙂
I thought it was funny that the little rain shower seemed to follow me on the hill; once I left the park, it was gone! 🙂
you’re right, time is whizzing by. I think it turned green overnight here last week! Those foods are amazing… I would have to try the peanut butter kabob! 😉
It’s definitely greening up at the speed of light, it seems! Love this time of year! I hope you had a wonderful weekend, Cathy!
It would be a mini donut pop for me. 🙂 Have a good weekend. Ours is half over already.
Hope you had a delightful weekend, and a great start to the new week!
I agree, the mini donut pop seems like it might be a tasty treat.
There’s a line in a song–“It seems now that nothing goes faster than time”–I feel that way, too! As for the Stampede food–who comes up with this stuff?! I laughed out loud reading those new options. I think I’d like the peppercorn poutine and the fancy mac and cheese!
I love that lyric – it definitely rings true for me right now!
Aren’t those food options out of this world? It makes me wonder what they’ll do next year…. 😉
Have a fantastic week!
another Friday, already, where did the week go, it is already Saturday and I am just getting to some reading…. I will follow your lead and get some spinach and radishes planted, likely in pots in my protected from patio! no room for a real garden! I haven’t heard of the Strathcona Ravine, but will look it up. it might be just what I need at the end of a busy day I have planned…..
Did you manage to get out to Strathcona Ravine? My hubby and I wandered around there this morning…it’s not a large green space, but it’s nice for a quick stroll. Plenty of birds and the trees are so beautiful with the new leaves. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
unfortunately we did not get to Strathcona ravine! it was a busy weekend! will you write a post about the walk?
I will put up a photo or two and a little write-up later this week (I hope!)…it was so pretty there with all that new green foliage. Have a wonderful week!
That first photo is stunning, Sheryl! I also like your new tagline.
I’ve heard of the Calgary Stampede. It sounds like quite the event, food and all.
Thank you so much!
The Calgary Stampede is definitely something to take in – so much to see and do! It’s amazing how the whole city gets into the spirit of the event!
I see you have another e-book out – hope it fares well! The article on time perception was extremely interesting – thank-you! I am having a lot of trouble with time at the moment – there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do. The food list for the Calgary Stampede is an eye-opener to say the least! I think I’d choose one of the fruit options; the other choices looked too rich for me and the helpings are enormous! I love your pussy-willow photo! I hope you’ve had a good weekend.
I hope you had a wonderful, sunshine-filled weekend! It was just lovely here and I was able to spend a large amount of time in the garden. Blissful!
Thank you so much for the encouragement regarding my e-books – they’ve both been projects I’ve been working on for some time.
I agree – there really doesn’t seem to be enough hours in a day to accomplish everything – my to-do list doesn’t seem to be shrinking, either! 🙂
The food for the Stampede is a bit outrageous, isn’t it? – some of it might really be hard on the system!
Definitely!
Saturday was bright but chilly. It rained all night last night and for most of the morning and then suddenly got about 10 degrees warmer. The sun came out and then we had a thunderstorm! Typical!
Have to love the weather at this time of year – the only thing predictable about it is its unpredictability! 🙂
🙂
Thanks for the good information.