Up next? Painting the guest bedroom starts tonight - BM Brown Horse (it's dark!)
After our dinner at Strewn was done, we had some time to kill before the other groups finished and we headed back to Niagara Falls. Matt and I decided to take some pictures among the vines - the light was great - overcast but still bright. Here are the pictures that Matt mostly took (I took a few of him here and there as well): Haha - the last one makes me laugh every time!
Up next? Painting the guest bedroom starts tonight - BM Brown Horse (it's dark!)
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This past weekend Matt and I headed to Niagara for a weekend of wine and relaxation. We headed up on Friday and went to Windows by Jamie Kennedy for dinner. It was really good, and they gave us binoculars to see the guy walk across the falls, and had a special menu for the event. I didn't even know about the falls guy until that morning (yes, I live in a bubble - thanks Dawn!), so it was a fun bonus to the weekend. Saturday we spent the morning wandering around the falls, getting breakfast at IHOP (which seemed like a good idea at the time but was really not - the food was pretty bad and there were a lot of crying children surrounding us), and then (finally) going on a wine tour! We went to Pilletteri, Konzalmann, Rancourt, and Strewn, and had dinner at Strewn in the end. Ended up amidst 3 girls on a bachlorette party in our tour, so it was fun, and there was so much great wine and food. Sunday we went to Niagara on the Lake and had breakfast and wandered around some more, before heading back home. I only brought the Canon on the wine tour, so all of the pictures are from that evening, and the rest are on Instagram. Here are the pictures that we took (and by we I actually mean Matt - he took way more than he normally does!). Adjusting the light and waiting for our tour. First stop - Pillitteri for a tour and tasting (we had done both here before) - our tour guide was a bit bossy! Where the magic starts Matt said I was too serious - this was taken during an eye roll Now who's serious? Goofball... Stop # 2 - Konzelmann - also have been here before, but was a lot better than the last time - there were no fruit flies everywhere this time - big improvement! Someone forgot to switch the lighting to daylight, so things are very blue, but still a cool picture! Riesling for everyone! Who wants to go on a group tour next time? Up in the tower - good lighting. Supposedly you can see Toronto on a clear day...well it was quite hazy... No pictures from Rancourt or Strewn tastings, but this is dinner at Terroir la Cachette in Strewn afterwards Matt being very intense when I told him he had squinty eyes, lol They put roses at each end to see first if something is wrong with the crops - if the roses die, they can adjust things before the grape vines will - learn something new every time! The one picture I took in Niagara on the lake...of the lake...and the US across the way. Up next - photo shoot among the vines!!! Yesterday was more garden work - this time I tackled the backyard so hopefully we can spend some more summer nights with BBQ and wine, music, and some company! Here are some pictures of the day! Ohhh the winter...so glad it's over! Early April, when I should have started gardening...wow... Sunday's disaster after a few thunderstorms Nothing that a good sweep can't fix! ...and this... After a sweep, the porch looks better, so now for the weeding! Before - bleeding hearts falling over and lots of weeds After - still floppy, but less weeds Before - LOTS of weeds After - no more weeds and some begonias in their proper place Before - sometimes it's hard to tell weed from plant...but if it's hard to pull out, I assume its meant to be there After - since it's shady, the soil stayed pretty moist so just a bit of topsoil and mulch to keep it healthy Before - the corner garden - my climbing vine is quite limp... After - slightly better - hooked the vine around the fence, at which point it fell down and hit me in the face, soaking me and covering me in dirt...I did not get a photo of that...I now need some rope... Before - last bit of garden and weed After - all clean! Swept, cleaned, weeded, and gardened! Can't wait to build a wood bench and table to replace the current set Last little bit of sun for the day through the trees
A few weeks ago I went out to tackle the garden, which in the end meant raking the leaves and turning the soil. That alone took hours and left me with a very painful sunburn, so I was hesistant to get outside again. Luckily 2 weeks ago I was brave and dragged Matt to the nursery to get some topsoil, dark mulch (good choice, Jamie), and some plants. Ended up getting two new hydrangeas (really hoping they flower next year), a hosta, and some annuals - petunuias, geraniums, and begonias, plus some that I don't know the name of (help me out, please, mom), and a planter for the front door. Here are the results, although I will probably have some more pictures this evening after I tackle the backyard and take some pictures of the budding lilies and Adam's needle stalks). Front little garden - Before Progress - less leaves After - added in another hosta and some petunias Herb garden Before Progress - transplanted the thyme and rosemary After - rosemary thrived, thyme died so I replaced it with...ummm... mom - what are the little purple flowers called again? Property-dividing garden Before Progress - pulled out some ground cover I didn't love After - moved one of the lilies to an empty spot Main garden Before Progress - pulled out some of the white and purple ground cover (they will eventually take over if I let them) After - pulled out more purple ground cover, added in the hydrangeas, and the annual petunias. Also dug a trench at the edge of the gardens to keep the mulch and soil in place and not on the sidewalk! Side-view of the main garden Before Progress - white flowers have moved into the Adam's needles so had to out that situation After - much more lush and healthy Front porch Before Front porch After - cleaned off the table and chairs, and added a planter Little extra details - the petunias of the garden - very cute but not very hardy...we'll see how they do! The new hydrangeas - they can bloom purple-blue or pink depending on soil acidity One shot of the backyard planter - the geraniums have since died, but the yellow begonias are still going strong! Matt calls our garden an "English garden" since it has so many different plants and colours - can you please confirm this, Hope, because to me it is more a mish-mash plant disaster, but I still love it!
Yesterday was Jessica's 2nd shower - hosted by her sister and MOH Amanda, and was for her friends and family (the last one was more my family). It was a lovely afternoon of cute games, great food, and of course - presents! Mmmmm cupcakes! Why yes, I will take you home! Guessing Adam's answers to questions about him (she did well - 13/15!) Family and friends surrounding the bride Family love The bride, faux smiling, looking stunning wearing Adam's fav colour (orange, Adam, seriously?) Sisters and wedding party girls! By the way - I promise I will get back to posts on home stuff - I have pictures from my gardening adventures to weeks ago (which will continue today), and I primed the guest bedroom yesterday, and will probably paint in the next week or so. Also, school is almost over (3 weeks), so I'll have a lot more time then!
Here are some highlights from Joni's Bachelorette weekend at the cottage in the rain: The Rules - did all but look at the stars - it was rainy and cloudy all weekend Saturday afternoon party! The sisters preparing the lunch Oh what are those? Caprese skewers with balsamic glaze - Pinterest inspired! Surprise Joni - the room is very pink! Maid of Honour with the bride-to-be (I mean bride to bling) Nine girls and one great weekend Air band - Joni was very into it What a music video this would make... ...great triangle, Meg A relaxing end to the weekend.
Can't wait for the wedding in 3 weeks!!! |
KathleenAdventures in married life, cooking, teaching science and new home renovations in the city! LinksArchives
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