Out on the town...

Charlottetown is a bustling little harbourside city, the capital of PEI and the birthplace of the Confederation of Canada. It is a city by definition, although visitors seem to find that designation a little amusing perhaps because it has such a friendly small-town feel. Tree-lined streets, historic buildings, horse-drawn carriage tours, spacious parks and even strolling actors, who play the part of Confederation characters, give Charlottetown an old-fashioned charm, yet numerous restaurants, exciting live theatre and concerts, weekly festivals and street musicians maintain a lively, city atmosphere.

One of my favourite places is Victoria Row, a street tucked in behind historic Province House and the Confederation Centre in the downtown. It was once the market centre of the city but it was destroyed by fires that swept through the commercial district in 1866 and 1884. The street was rebuilt in Victorian style with lovely brownstone buildings, wrought iron lampposts and paved with cobble-stones.

In the summertime, the street is opened as a pedestrian mall. It is next door to the Confederation Centre Library so that may explain why I am a frequent visitor. I like to sit in the outdoor cafes, read a book, go out for a bite to eat with friends, listen to live music, shop in one of the Island craft-stores or just people-watch. A perfect place to while away a summer afternoon...

Photos 1-4 - Rinda Dean

Tide-pool Gallery

Photo credit - Rinda Dean

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growing...

"...Of all the wonderful things in the wonderful universe of God, nothing seems to me more surprising than the planting of a seed in the blank earth and the result thereof..."
Julie Moir Messervy

These trailing geraniums give a bright and cheery greeting to visitors at our door.

I planted this hosta around 10 years ago. It must be incredibly hardy.
I have hacked and split it with a dull spade...
(my apologies to all you expert gardeners)
and look at the results!

Thriving and multiplying!

Company was coming - the flowerpot was still empty.
I grabbed a few flowers at our general store
and this is the result...I like it.

My husband loves to plant trees. This maple is the latest.

This tree was transplanted from the woods around 16 years ago.
It has grown into a beautiful shade tree.

I am pleasantly surprised that this snowball bush
survived my over-enthusiastic pruning this spring...
I thought that I had killed it but it is blooming better than ever.
I don't know what comes over me
when I get shears or scissors in my hands...
don't ever ask me to trim your hair! :)

I added these lilies to my perennial bed last summer
They add a lovely splash of sunshiny yellow
to the green hostas and the purple and pink hues of the flox.

My husband is the manager of the vegetable garden.

We will feast well on corn and potatoes this winter - as long as the racoons don't eat all the corn. Yellow and green beans and peas are a bit spotty due to slugs and crows - we had to replant.

The carrots and beets should be ready to pick soon. The onions and cukes are also thriving. We plant a lot in order to make my husband's grandmother's delicious mustard pickle recipe - as much a staple in our family diet as meat and potatoes.

How is your garden growing?

Enjoy a garden tour - Rebecca's Yukon Garden, Violet's Garden Moments,
Jeannine and Vince's Flowers

wishful

"...If I wasn’t a human girl I think I’d like to be a bee and live among the flowers..."

Anne of Green Gables - Ch. 8
Photo Credits - Aaron Hardcourt