Sakura in Kariya Park

Seriously! How does this happen? 

One minute we are freezing, icing up our house windows as we stare longingly outdoors, straining to spot signs of spring...and hope...and renewal...and most importantly warmth! Then, next thing you see the trees fully laden with leaves, flowers are bursting with blooms and baby animals are scurrying around trying to catch up to mom and dad. 

This year, I somehow missed the transition period of winter to spring. And it's actually my most favourite time of year, because it has so much exciting hope wrapped up in each new bud and each sprouting stem. I too feel like I'm getting a rebirth with the transition of the seasons. Sure, I make New Year's resolution-like plans each January, but in the dark, cold months of winter those plans, as well intentioned as they may be, don't feel possible until the weather starts to change and people start getting outside more. There just feels to be so much possibility in the spring. Is it just me?

To start off my season of hope, for the last two year, I've been partaking in Hanami, which is the act of enjoying the sakura (cherry blossoms) usually with a picnic under the trees. This is a tradition from Japan that is wildly popular and with clusters of these cherry trees all over the GTA (and Canada generally) it is likewise here too. Last year I spotted some of these trees on the side of a road in Brampton and stopped by to enjoy them in my own city. The year before I went to High Park to join everyone else in seeing them there.

Like spring, the sakura are super ephemeral and disappear as quickly as they come. Kariya Park in Mississauga will already look so different from when I took these photos just a couple weeks ago.

There are enough places to enjoy sakura in Toronto and the area, that I think for the next few years I'm set for different places to go for this very brief spring happening.

Do you have a springtime ritual?

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Sakura Trees of Brampton

You know when something comes onto your radar and then everywhere you look, there's that thing? I feel like Sakura trees aka cherry blossom are that thing for me. A couple springs ago I went to High Park, Toronto to view the blossoms there. Before this first time, I had no idea that this was such a thing here. Now it seems like people count down to the spring blossoming, in fact there is actually a website that does just that. 

Each spring my instagram feed is full of Torontonians frolicking through the paths of High Park, taking pictures of and in amongst the flower laden branches. But I'm a busy person (aren't we all?), I can't just head to Toronto as soon as High Park Nature Centre tells me it's peak blossom time and also Toronto isn't the centre of the universe (I know, that's an incredible statement but it's true). All kinds of Sakura trees can be found a short drive from Toronto and I was super excited to find out that one of these locations is actually at a local park, Joyce Archdekin Park located on Main Street South, Brampton. 

Not wanting to miss out on the cherry blossom grams I got my butt down there as quickly as I could and snapped my own blossom selfies. It wasn't as busy as High Park, but it certainly was not a secret. 

Check it out...

A sure sign spring is on it's way and the promise of so much warmth and sunshine. Bring on the season!

What flower do you most enjoy popping up in spring?

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Wednesday Wanderings

Spring in East London

Fun travels!

Spring time walks

Spring is on it's way here in London (happy first day of spring!), daffodils are in bloom in the parks, the sun is shining making the days warm and pleasant and making the people giddy with the desire to do all the things. 

I think I love spring in London the most because of the excitement that is almost palpable at this time. The middle seasons, as I call them, have always been my favourite. Fall has the anticipation of the first snowfall, and long winter nights in front of a fires with a tea and a snuggle buddy. Spring has the anticipation of warm, long summer days with picnics and sun dresses. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a good hot summer and a cold Canadian winter (how's that 3rd biggest storm of the season treating you, Ontario?) but I do get caught up in the crisp air of the changing seasons and I can't help but feel a fresh start is upon me and I can do anything. 

Happy spring!

Have you heard the one about the joke around the corner?

neither have I.