A midwinter summer's day

What to do when it's -20, there's a biting wind, and it's a day off school? Find somewhere warm to hang out, of course.

So Julia and I took a twenty-five minute trek into the cold wind, and ended up at the Muttart Conservatory for a lovely lunch and tour of the four botanical pavilions -- arid, temperate, show and tropical. It was a lovely way to spend a chilly afternoon, as you'll see by the pictures below...

Love the stained glass salamander in the arid pavilion...

and the cacti of all sizes...

and shapes...

The temperate zone had orchids galore...

and camellias and budding rhododendrons...

and a glimpse of daffs and tulips just coming up!

But the show pavilion, as usual, was the real stunner!

Celebrating the Lunar (Chinese) New Year, it was a treat for the senses,

bright and fragrant. Did you know the year of the goat starts February 19th?

The little gong made wonderful sounds...

Something smells really good here...

Gorgeous lanterns...

and prayers and wishes for a new year full of peace and prosperity...

A happy Buddha...

and even a terracotta soldier and horse!

The warmest place was the jungle... 

the humidity was a wonderful feeling in our dry Alberta winter!

We certainly didn't want to leave our garden retreat,

but the wind was behind us on the way home,

so the walk was almost pleasant.

It was a wonderful, summery way to spend a wintry afternoon.

I highly recommend it, or a visit to a greenhouse,

especially if you're feeling the winter blahs.

Thanks to Julia for all the lovely pictures shared here!

A lovely Easter Monday

Before I get to Easter Monday, I want to show you Holy Thursday last week, just for contrast's sake! The city woke to a thick, soft, wet blanket of snow that had stuck itself to everything like marshmallow. It was amazing to behold!

Our pear tree was gorgeous -- without blossoms this time!

My clotheslines amazed me. When I knocked the snow down, it was like an explosion!

We haven't had hoarfrost in a while, but this was close, beauty-wise.

At first he birds couldn't find the bird feeder in our lilac bush.

They also had a hard time finding places to perch!

The local seminarians had fun in the traffic circle closest to our house,

building a snow bishop.

That was last week. This week, there's not a lot of snow left except in shady places. People are out on their bikes again, and though the air is still a bit chilly, there's a definite spring feeling with the warmth of the sun. So today we decided to walk to Muttart Conservatory and check things out in the spring sunshine. We weren't disappointed.

It was bear and bunny day for all the little people visiting the conservatory... above, the Teddybears' Picnic, and below, Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, I presume.

Spring beauty was everywhere, in a hundred photos by our youngest.

As her older sister said, "I almost forgot what flowering plants look like."

It's been a long winter, but spring is on its way! Happy Easter!