Spring Break in Quebec City

Last weekend Josh and I spent some lovely time wandering around Quebec City and with family and friends in Montreal. I thought I would share some pictures with you of QC, an old, interesting place while I regroup and settle into being at home again with my creative work. Enjoy! 

Le Chateau Frontenac

Vieux Quebec

La Citadelle de Quebec

Turkish Mosaic Lamp Shop

Vieux Port and the mighty St. Lawrence River

twilight

Light installation called "Aurora Borealis" projected on a huge grain silo near the river

Vulneralbility

If you have twenty minutes or so I highly recommend this video. Being a human being in the 21st century warrants a viewing of her talk and then some personal reflection. Sociologist and researcher, Brene Brown, talks about the power of vulnerability. Our authenticity is so tied into our ability to be vulnerable... "to let ourselves be seen, deeply seen."

Spring Flowers

Inside the conservatory at Smith College spring flowers are blooming in riotous color and sharing their heavenly scent.

This is a yearly ritual and I go to awaken my senses to the coming spring. Outside the snow is gone, green is returning and some brave flowers are blooming.

Nesting

 

Walking towards the chicken coop 

smell of dirt, mud, dampness, melting snow.

Singing birds flitting 

tree top to tree top.

A robin stands on the top branch of a shrub.

Soft white light reflecting off gray barked trees, 

green mossy rocks, 

the brown, tans of hibernating grass.

Warm sun rays reaching through my sweater,

I walk into the shed.

Opening the door to the nests

I see three eggs waiting.

Pussycat with Poppies

One would think my cat Gilligan was the creator of this new design by the look on his face. In fact he does often have a presence with most things...his strong personality seems to claim ownership of a place, a thing or a person he loves. I think I will make him Vice President of the handmade design business I am developing. Something tells me he'll be the perfect guy for the job.

March 1st Snowy Day

 

Inside the warm house this morning I finished painting in one of three new drawings. I thought you might like to see it. Feels like the anticipation of spring is coming out in colors in the art and around the house.

Outside the snow has been falling for over 24 hrs. It's so beautiful out there. The junkos and chicadees have been stationed around the feeder hashing out who gets what and when. The atmosphere seems a little tense as I've noticed the birds are fighting with each other over the seeds. Here they're resting on the lilac next to the feeders.

I headed out for a walk to take some pictures and get some fresh air. I like these shots of the two neighboring old, red, farmhouses in their snowy scenery.

The beaver pond is beautiful any time of year. Some geese flew back this week to start this season's habitation of the pond. I hope they are under cover and staying warm. I wonder if this snow surprised them?