A Few Iris Blooms

I love iris and have a few different ones in my yard. They are colorful and there are so many varieties. In August, which is the best time to transplant iris here, we are planning on moving these into one flower bed.
This one is so pretty. I got the root from my neighbor, Marrianne, last summer. This one has really spread.

This heirloom iris has yellow, beige and a cream color in it. I got the root from Mom and have a lot of this one in front and on the side of the house. The original toe (as the root is called) was one that my paternal grandmother had. The original would be about 90 years old now.

The one above and below is called a Black Knight. I bought it about three years ago. It is so purple, it is almost black.
And the Black Knight has a yellowish gold throat. It is a beauty and the blooms are as big as the palm of my hand. It is a bearded iris. Everyone comments on it.

This is my pink columbine. Aunt May gave it to me and I take extra special care of it. She was special to me and each time I see it, I think of her.

I wish all of my US friends a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. If you are on the roads, take extra care and please don't drink and drive. The life you save may be your own.

A Bit of a Glitch on Blogger

For some reason when I access my blog, I am getting an error message. If I am quick, I can post here or read the comments, but everytime I try to view, I am told that the operation is aborted. What is with that? If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. It isn't my computer, because I can access any other site. It's just this one I'm having trouble with. I can access my Treasures to Me blog and have no problem there. What's up with that.

Anyway, have a wonderful Friday.

Passing on an Award

Anni over at Hootin' Anni's honored me with this lovely award. This is delightful, Anni and I am most honored.

This award is to recognize:

"Bloggers whose comments I appreciate may have received this award already. Nevertheless I want to mention them here. They are beautiful people who practice blogging etiquette by visiting or visiting back, and leaving nice comments. Their observations are apt and helpful. It's a pleasure to have them as commentors on my posts...."

This award is delightful. I have many who comment on my blog daily and who I truly miss if they are AWOL. hehe. Hootin' Anni is one of them but there are lots of others.

We are to limit this to five bloggers and that is very difficult for me to do. However, there are bloggers who drop in and comment almost daily and whom I miss if they are away for any length of time.

Denise from Oh Sew Good

Denise from Samaritan Women

Mari from My Little Corner of the World

Amy from I Love Retro Things

Denise from Shortybear's Place

There are so many more I would love to pass this on to, but the rules do say five. For the ones I've passed it to, I hope you will pass it on to those who you have befriended through your blog.

Have a great Wednesday.

A Bit of Outdoor Work

Today was a nice day. It was a bit chilly this morning but this afternoon was nice. There was a strong breeze, but once hubby and I started working, it was perfect weather to work in the yard.

About a month ago, we were at Home* Dep*ot and bought two wire flower boxes with the grass inserts. I've wanted some of these for a while and they were on sale. Hubby installed them today. They couldn't be installed per the instructions as our porch railing is too wide, but he figured it out.

This is on the other side of the steps and they both look nice. I'm not sure what I should put in them. Right now I'm thinking geraniums, but not sure, as the last couple of times that I had them they didn't do well. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hubby got a barrel fountain for his birthday and he got it up and running. We both like it and under it is a hidey hole, or as Brandon says, storage space. Well it's become the home of my shadow fairy. I think she looks cute peeking out from inside the barrel.

We've decided to leave this plant in the stump that sits on the front lawn. I took a resin pump and placed on the other end. It looks quite pretty. The photo doesn't really do it justice.

We had a good time just sprucing things up a little. Planting will come later. We're still getting frost some nights. I hope you enjoy the week.

Happy Victoria Day

Monday is Victoria Day here in Canada. It is a statutory holiday and celebrates the Queen's birthday. Though we are an independent country, we still observe the Queen's birthday.

Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1837

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819 in Kensington Palace, London, England. At age 18, Victoria ascended the throne when William IV died. At that time the popularity of the Royal Family was diminishing, but Victoria, with her straight-forward manner, captured the hearts of the British people.

Victoria ruled Great Britian, Ireland and was the Empress of India. All British colonies also fell under her rule, including Canada.

In 1845, Canada West, which is now Ontario, established a holiday on Victoria's birthday, but it didn't become a national holiday until 1901. As the Queen approached her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, the holiday was named Empire Day. When Victoria died on January 22, 1901, at Osborne Hall on the Isle of Wight, the Parliament of Canada passed an Act declaring May 24th as a legal holiday. It would henceforth be called Victoria Day.

Queen Victoria at her Diamond Jubilee

In 1952, an amendment to the Statutes of Canada established that Victoria Day would fall on the Monday that preceded May 25th. Victoria Day is now Canada's official celebration of the reining Queen. Though the United Kingdom celebrates Queen Elizabeth II's birthday in June, Canada celebrates it on Victoria Day with Her Majesty's blessing.

I hope you enjoyed the history behind this long weekend. On Monday almost everything will be closed here. It is a quiet day and a good one to spend quality time with family. Enjoy your week.