Project 7×52 – Week 16 – Magnolias

The Town of Annapolis Royal boasts some 100 magnolias – not bad for a teeny tiny town! And naturally, many of these magnolias reside in the Historic Gardens. Due to the very early Spring, the earliest of the magnolias are just finishing their peak bloom period, and I’ve captured many of the varieties. Here are my top seven…

#1 – Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’

#2 – Magnolia ‘Legacy’

#3 – Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merril’

#4 – Magnolia ‘Jennifer’

#5 – Magnolia x soulangeana

#6 – Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’

#7 – Magnolia kobus ‘Wada’s Memory’

The first round of 2012 magnolias were magnificent! Ready for the later varieties now…

TGS

Project 7×52 – Week 15 – Volunteers

This past week we invited volunteers to come help us clean up the grounds at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. We had 35-40 community volunteers join us for at least a few hours each, and as I went around with the camera I noticed not only how hard they were working but also how much fun they were having! The Historic Gardens were just recognized as one of the Top 5 Gardens in North America – staff and volunteers should be very proud!

 

#1 – Margaret

#2 – Derek

#3 – Gundi

#4 – Sebastian

#5 – Donna & Maddy

#6 –Gary

#7 – Dylan & Dalton

Thanks to all the volunteers – your efforts are a huge help to the staff!

TGS

 

Project 7×52 – Week 14 – Reflections

April Fool’s Day began as a beautiful calm day in Annapolis Royal, making for some pretty incredible reflections in the Annapolis River, and lakes and ponds as well!

Pretty remarkable sight!

TGS

 

Project 7×52 – Week 13 – Dockside

The Annapolis Royal area has a rich heritage as a fishing community, and even today the livelihoods of many depend on the fishery. Alongside the Town Wharf one can usually see a boat or two tied up, and beside the wharf is the “Haul-up”, an active boat repair facility.

 

#1 – The Bow

#2 – Captive Shells

#3 – The Winch

#4 – Modern Technology

#5 – Rigging

#6 – New Rope

#7 – The Old Buoys Hangout

It’s very handy that the fishing industry also makes for some great and colourful photography!

TGS

 

Project 7×52 – Week 12 – Spring has Sprung!

Overview: Week 12 of 2012, officially the first week of Spring, was an oddly warm week for March, causing many of the flowers in the Historic Gardens to spring into colour.

 

#1 – Sunlit Croci

#2 – Hellebore

#3 – Dwarf Iris

#4 – Crocus Centre

#5 – Winter Aconite

#6 – Hellebore Centre

#7 – Pulmonaria

After these photos, winter took another swipe at us. But it appears now that the sun will be shining as we flip into April, so I expect there will be lots more floral photos in the near future!

TGS

 

Project 7×52 – Week 11 – Irish Green

Week 11 of 2012 ended on Saint Patrick’s Day, so “Irish Green” somehow seemed an appropriate theme.

 

#1 –  Green Tower

#2 – Green Letters

#3 – Green Hat

#4 – Green Shamrock

#5 – Green Kitty Toy

#6 – Green Scales

#7 – Green Edges

No photos of Green Beer… sorry!

TGS

Project 7×52 – Week 10 – “S” is for Steel

There was a gathering of blacksmiths in Annapolis Royal recently. In fact, the focus was on female blacksmiths, and the gathering was called “Sisters in Steel”. One of the events was an interactive demo at the Market, allowing people to try their hand at smithing. It was a gorgeous day, and a large and appreciative audience watched and participated.

 

#1 – “S” is for Steel

#2 – Tools of the Trade

#3 – Fire & Tong

#4 – Chain Vice

#5 – Heating Up

#6 – Hammering

#7 – The Apprentice

Congrats to the organizers for a great inaugural event – let’s hope it becomes an annual fixture in Annapolis Royal!

TGS

 

Project 7×52 – Week 9 – In Like a Lion

After a long “non-winter”, Mother Nature decided to throw a little white stuff our way just in time for March. Let’s hope “In like a Lion and out like a Lamb” is true!

The following is a selection of photos I took in the Historic Gardens, with the freshly fallen snow all around.

 

#1 –  Marsh View

#2 – Elephant Grass

#3 – Making Tracks

#4 – Hibiscus Leftovers

#5 – Cedar of Lebanon

#6 – The V Tree

#7 – Courtyard Shadows

Beautiful day, beautiful garden, beautiful walk…

TGS

 

Project 7×52 – Week 8 – Making Music

Outside of work, music plays a big role in my life. Often, making music is a sanity saver… a creative outlet that restores the soul after a crazy day.

The following is a selection of photos I took of some of the music-makers that currently dwell in my home!

 

#1 – Ebony and Ivory

#2 – Spooning

#3 – Pick up Stix

#4 – Ancient Peck Horn

#5 – One String Shy

#6 – Sax Mechanics

#7 – Insert Lips Here

Project 7×52 – Week 7 – 50 Mile Diet

The Winter Farmer’s Market in Annapolis Royal has its home at the Historic Gardens, operating every Saturday morning (9-12) from mid October to mid May. With my involvement in working with this fine group of local growers and producers, my eyes have been opened to the value of local products, in terms of nutritional value, exceptional taste, and support for our local economy. We have an incredible wealth of local food available to us, and we should all take advantage of this opportunity to partake in the “50 mile diet” as much as we can.

The following are photos of some of the great food currently available at our Winter Market. Since I am limited to seven photos in this 7×52 project, this is but a selection: you will have to imagine all the rest!

#1 – Joy’s Buns.

#2 – Valley Mushrooms.

#3 – Cathy’s Onions.

#4 – Keith’s Fish.

#5 – Deb’s Eggs.

#6 – Marie’s Criossants.

#7 – Devin’s Breakfast Wrap.

Add to this all the rest: cheese, veggies, locally roasted coffee, meats, soup, pasta, spatzle… and it adds up to quite a special Winter Market experience!

Meet you at the Market!

TGS