A Wobbily Door

The bitter cold of this (so far) snow-free January let up yesterday. I could NOT resist taking a nice long “Thinking Walk” (to borrow a phrase from Winnie the Pooh).

I was rewarded with this beauty of a fishing shed and her wobbily door.

As you can imagine, I wasn’t alone. Lots of dog walkers. I bet most doggies protested two days ago when the wind chill was -20C. But yesterday was a glorious 10c above. And out we all trotted!

(Honestly, a girl has to have a flexible wardrobe to get through winters here.)

The crows were plentiful, too. They were calling to each other, foraging in the grasses and even, like this one, stopping to rest and appreciate.

At least that’s what I like to think he was doing. Or maybe he had me under surveillance.

Crows know things.

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors

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A Snowy Door

The School of Architecture Building of Dalhousie University in Halifax. Quiet on a snowy December evening.

Photo taken in December.

Linked to Norm’s Thursday Doors

Law Office Door

Just sitting here admiring the door to my lawyer’s office. Especially impressed by how the new, locally crafted main door matches the vintage door to the right.

I’m not sure what purpose that original red door served – but there must be a story there …

And wow!!! What a fine example of a “Lunenburg Bump”!!

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors

Agricola Street Doors

I took a walk north along Agricola Street this afternoon. And yes! I spotted a few gorgeous doors.

Some absolute glowed in the slanting November afternoon sun.

And here’s a snazzy door knocker:

And sunny streets cape.

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors.

Schmidtville Doors

I am temporarily hold up in a downtown condo that was built in the early 90’s. To the North, the building fronts onto the city’s busiest shopping street. There are brand new developments under construction immediately to the east and west of me (it’s a little noisy).

But step out the door and turn south, and BOOM! You are in Schmidtville!

This charming wee neighbourhood has recently – very recently, like three months ago recently – been designated a Heritage Conservation District.

Thank goodness for that! This place has the same urban density stats as Paris, proving that we do not need only glass and steel towers to improve urban density. More than that, Schmidtville’s residents provide an excellent example of economic diversity. Plus is really pretty!

Elizabeth Schmidt subdivided Pedley’s Fields after her husband, Capt. Christian Schmidt, died in 1830. The 12 acres of grazing land was purchased by her father, James Pedley, in 1781.

The houses are mainly Georgian in style, but the neighbourhood also has some Victorian architecture.

I’ve been watching this spot. Someone has dug the soil beside this house to expose a deeply buried door. They have only just filled the doorway in with concrete blocks. I wonder where that door went when the house was originally built?

I feel like there is a story there …

Linked to Norm’s Thursday Doors.

She’s Still a Standing

Here she is in mid October. The blossoms turned to seed pods ages ago. I assume they continue to ripen/dry on the stalk. And there’s almost nothing left at the base.

The good folks at the City have offered to give seeds to anyone who wants some. But not fast government people! Agave Maria isn’t giving up yet.

I don’t think so, anyway.

The weatherman is calling for a “weather bomb” tonight and tomorrow: high winds and lots of rain. So, just in case, I popped by to see her today.

Some very creative person has been running a twitter page in her name; it’s hilarious to follow. ( @AgaveHali if you are interested.)

Yesterday’s tweet suggests the poor plant is beginning to worry about the low temps:

You can see, too, that she’s changed her handle in keeping with the season.

While visiting today, wandered the Gardens appreciating the gorgeous autumn colours.

It will likely look very different after the wind gives the leaves a push.

Hope you enjoyed the visit.

Brand New Door

Voila!! This is the door to our new deck (which doesn’t yet exist).

We are building a new house, and it’s taking for.ev.er!

The photo was taken a few weeks ago and still no insulation. No drywall. No kitchen. No bathroom. No nothing.

Except this door. And the amazing view beyond. Sigh….

I can’t wait till it’s done and we can step through the door.

Linked to Norm’s Thursday Doors

Agave Maria!

She did it!!! She’s bloomed!

The lovely Agave plant which has captured our attention with her determination has outwitted latitude and climate (and frost) to reach a height of about 20 feet and bloomed!

As you know from previous posts, agaves only bloom once before they die. And as you can see here, her energy is definitely waning in comparison with her sister plants.

It’s been such an interesting process to watch. I have found myself drawn to visit and check on her. And I’m not alone. Whenever I pop by, she is always busy entertaining company.

Well, good for her. She’s done her job. And along the way, has given us all a little lesson in botany as well as in the power of hope.

Agave Update

Last month I shared the story of our local celebrity Agave plant. You might recall that this momma plant set up her once-in-a-lifetime flower stalk a wee bit early in the season. When she quickly out grew her greenhouse in the Halifax Public Gardens, she had to me moved outside into some very chilly temps. She attracted National attention as we all crossed our fingers for her.

Just after I shared the post with you, we suffered some pretty seriously freezing temps. It cold enough to pretty much wipe out the wine grape crop and half the blueberry crop (just to name a few) province-wide.

We worried.

Her flower stalk completely stopped growling. It was even reported that the Agave had suffered too much and had, in fact, died before she could bloom.

We mourned.

But! Look!!

Just when we’d abandoned hope, she rallied! And today, a closer look suggests that she is ready to bloom!

At least, that’s how it looks to me.

It’s nice to see that she has lots of company in her garden bed now. Including two sister agaves.

I’m going to have to drive into town next week to check again. I’ll be expecting some flowers.

Stay tuned….

Doors Open

The historic and beautiful Government House in Halifax threw open its doors to the public last weekend. And Mrs Nosey (me) wandered in to take a look.

Constructed in the early 19th Century – it was move-in ready by 1805 – this is the oldest continuously occupied government residence in Canada.

In fact, it rivals only the White House in Washington for the title within North America.

That’s an interesting fact, don’t you think?

Even more interesting, and one worth researching,is the story of Governor John Wentworth and his clever, social climbing wife Lady Francis.

This couple secured the funding and commissioned the construction of this Georgian mansion, in the style of a grand English manor house.

This hand painted silver wallpaper was imported from China, via England, and was transported in tea crates cut into squares to fit the crates. As you can see, Halifax’s salt air has a oxidizing effect on the silver. Making it all the more beautiful, I believe.

I’m so happy for the chance to take this fun and frivolous tour. It’s a property I’ve rushed by hundreds of times in downtown Halifax.

(Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors)