This weekend, Canadians are celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday – it is considered the unofficial launch of Summer. Traditionally, it’s the weekend that cottage owners open for the season. The rest of us work on the final phase of spring cleaning, particularly focusing on balconies, backyards and garages. It’s also the kickoff weekend for gardeners, when plants and flowers are purchased and planted.

The building next door is already getting their pool ready to open next weekend.

The pool next door is getting ready to open!

The weather was cooler than it usually is on the Victoria Day weekend, with highs in the low teens (Celcius, mid to high 50’s Fahrenheit). I tackled household projects – cleaning out drawers, cupboards, closets, storage bins. I was determined to purge all the items that I do not need or want. Finding things I can give away to Goodwill was very satisfying. Throwing out things I have held onto, for logical or merely sentimental reasons, was much harder. But I made a good start and I’ll work on it next weekend too.

When I was done, it was nice to relax and enjoy my balcony, and my first summer flowers, now gracing my bistro table.

Bonny on my balcony, my first summer flowers

Sunday was beautiful, bright and sunny, which helped offset the cool temperatures. I spent the evening with friends and we talked and prayed for each other; it had been 2 weeks since the 5 of us were together so we had a lot of catching up to do.

Today, Monday, was a lovely day. Warm, sunny, just right for this time of year. I went for a long walk then came home to the bliss of peaceful solitude in my little condo. A refreshing shower, a bowl of soup for supper. Now, a quiet evening at home. The perfect end to a lovely four-day weekend!