Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Midges

 Midge invasion at the lake this June 2025. 
 Clouds of midges arrived en masse and created piles of midges on the decks and in between the screens and windows when windows left open.  Made it very unpleasant to be outside and had to dust Charlie off when he came into the house.
So far we've only seen the midges at the Lakehouse and not the cabin.

First noticed the invasion when we woke up on June 10. Will try to update the blog when the invasion is finished.
Update- The invasion of clouds around our house only lasted two days but midges are still about.  Today, June 16,  we were swarmed on the sailboat.

Apparently these non-biting midges adults only live a few days 
and die shortly after mating. 
It is said to be  a sign of a healthy lake ecosystem.

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Terrace



Vancouver Terrace Newly Planted April 2025

 






Hellebore also known as
Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose and Winter Rose

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Ice Out 2025

The official results have been announced.
Ice Out 2025 is May 4, 2025
Ethan wins the title! 

May 4, 2025 Rustic Beach


We started following the ice out dates in 2019.  I have no record of the family winners of our ice out competition from 2019-2021.  
If anyone remembers who won those years let me know 
and I will update the list.

Family Ice Out Competition Winners 
(Winners buy Ice Cream or whatever Grandmaman randomly decides)

2019
2020
2021
2022 Chad May 12
2023 Reegan May 10
2024 Grandpa April 28
2025 Ethan May 4

The annual competition is up and running as of today, March 27.  Predictions rolling in at lightning speed.  Scientific theoretical predictions, data driven decisions, evidence based theories or random guess based on your gut feelings and impulsive choices. 

Papa, Charlie and I went out for a walk today and observations were a wet looking ice covered lake with one or two ice shacks still on the lake. 
One large truck still driving on the lake. 
Last week there was a few inches of snow left on the lake.  

March 21, 2025

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

2025 Predictions As Follows So Far

April 16 Logan
April 22 Jenny
April 25 Reegan
April 26 Tristan
April 31 Charlie
May 1 Chad
May 2 Papa
May 3 Amy
May 4 Ethan
May 5 Sadie
May 11 Grandmaman
May 30 Oliver



Friday, October 4, 2024

Bartzella Itoh Garden Peony

 


Planted in East Facing Garden by New Sundeck
August 2024


Canary Brilliants Itoh Peony

 


Planted in East Facing Garden by New Sundeck
August 2024


Thursday, September 26, 2024

Yukon Sun Rose

 Planted in a garden space in Norglenwold  with a good southwest exposure. 
Planted summer 2024.
Yukon Sun is a shrub garden rose, growing up to 75 cm in height by close to a metre in width with a semi-upright growth habit.  The vibrant yellow semi-double flowers (7.6 cm) bloom continuously throughout the entire growing season.  Plants are highly resistant to black spot disease.  They are cold hardy to -35C when most of the top shoot dies but regrows well again in the spring.
As in all other rose varieties, Yukon Sun does not like waterlogged soil but
 requires watering during dry spells to have good blooms.  It self-cleans, 
meaning the spent flowers shed petals, keeping the plants tidy with fresh 
growth and new flowers.  Plants are resistant to blackspot disease and do not 
need to be covered during the winter.  Prune this rose in the early spring or 
fall to give the bushes the desired shape.

USDA Zone 3B to 8

Wednesday, September 4, 2024