Here are some photos from the past two weeks of the glorious colours that could be found in Ottawa. I don’t remember them ever been quite so gorgeous as they have been the past couple of weeks. Some of the pictures have been taken from Gatineau Park while others were taken from Parliament Hill and beyond.

Can you just imagine a quilt or two in these colours? Which reminds me, don’t forget to send me your submissions for the Falling Leaves Photo Contest

Registration is now available for this year’s Quilt-A-Thon for Victoria Quilts Canada. I’ll be going, along with a couple of friends (Lisa and Julia – anyone else coming?). Julia and I had a great time last year.

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2008
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Check-in at 8:30am)
Place: Church of the Nazarene, 2 Stonehaven Drive, Kanata
Cost: $10.00 (assists in cost of supplies)

You can now Register Online. Registration closes October 10, 2008.

Living in the Nation’s capital for the past 6+ years, Canada Day has become my most favourite day of the year. It starts pretty early in the morning, and lasts well into the early hours of the next day, sometimes with a nap in the afternoon to keep me going. The city buzzes with energy and excitement and SO MANY PEOPLE! The fireworks at the end of the evening are spectacular.

I have warned/reminded my friends that I am very selfish on Canada Day, and I’m also easily side-tracked. So, if something catches my eye, I’ll be gone, even if that wasn’t the “plan”. I figure everyone is entitled to one selfish day to do exactly what they want, when they want. This is my day.

I’ll probably start the day with the Canada Day Parade down Elgin, then I’ll scoot over to Metcalfe to avoid the crowds and head up to the Hill for 11:30 or so. I’ll stay on the Hill for the noon show, or at least to see the Snowbirds, the SkyHawks, Blue Rodeo and Paul Brandt.

Eventually, I’ll make my way over to friends’ for a BBQ, then I may “break tradition” and head back to the Hill for the evening show, since I’m a Blue Rodeo and Paul Brandt fan. Hard to say for sure, as the fireworks from the Hill aren’t nearly as good as from other locations in the city.

Below are some free Canadian-themed patterns, a video I shot of the snowbirds, some Canada Day pictures from past years and some Canadian humour.

Canadian-Themed Free Patterns

• Canadian Seasons (Quilt Canada)
• Canadian Comfort and Remembrance Project
• Paper Pieced Canadian Flag

Snowbirds 2007

Shot at Pariament Hill, Canada Day 2007.

Photos

The cutest little girl is my niece Lucy (with her dad); this will be her third Canada Day. The beautiful fireworks photo was taken by my friend Tom. The rest of the photos I took.

Some Canadian Humour

Jokes brought to you by Is It Beer Time Yet?, which may not be work- or family-friendly for all.

• 40 Signs That You May Be Canadian
• Signs that you might be too Canadian for your own good
• US Navy Ship vs. Canadian Lighthouse
• The Making of Canada
• You know you’re from Canada when…
• Best Coffee in Canada
• 25 Cent Piece
• Top 10 Reasons

If you’re Canadian, I hope you have a fabulous day. I’d love to hear how you spend your Canada Day, please leave a comment.

Happy Birthday Canada!

Here are some pictures I took at the Ottawa Tulip Festival this past weekend. My friend and I walked from Lansdowne Park up to Commissioners Park and took photos along the way. I’m hoping to go to Major’s Hill Park this coming weekend, but the tulips might be past their prime by then. We’ll see.

P.S. The above was creating using the new Gallery feature in WordPress 2.5.1 … sweet!!