I live in a city that is built with cement and brick. Sidewalks are grey, roads are made with black tarmac and buildings are either grey, shades of brown or reflected glass.
Walking down a sidewalk in Toronto is not always dull though. Many streets have planters that are filled with a riot of colour.
I enjoy the summer flowers that overpower the gray planters they are in. The colours are bright and pleasing to the eye.
Plants are not only found in planters, however. When I walk the streets in my neighborhood, I pass many flowerbeds that grace the sidewalks. Mid-summer, these plants are spilling over the edges and bring a sense of beauty to the streets.
Because these streets have flowerbeds does not mean that flowers in planters do not abound. I enjoy seeing both on the streets I walk.
Each week I am grateful for the flowers I see. I say a little thank you to the city as well as the landlords of offices and apartment buildings for the floral beauty that graces the streets of Toronto.
What have you been grateful for this week?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2014
(Join me and share something that you have been grateful for in the past week. Link up with my post and feel free to use the badge my daughter created. )
Last week’s contributions:
Colline's Blog 
It’s great to see the beauty of nature on the streets. It does indeed brighten everything around. Great post, Colline!
LikeLike
Thank you Angeline. The sight of flowers certainly brightens my day – especially when the skies are a little grey.
LikeLike
Those are lovely, Colline. I wish our streets looked like that. 🙂
LikeLike
It is definitely beautiful Michelle. I agree that the streets of Johannesburg would look more pleasant with flowers on the pavement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Colline. I’m trying to figure out where some of these places are. The first photo looks like Bloor West Village.
LikeLike
I took the photo when I went to the Taste of the Danforth 🙂
LikeLike
And here is my post to share in the gratitude http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/the-gratitude-attitude-the-summers-bounty/
Thanks, Colline, for spear heading this.
LikeLike
Your summer bounty looks good Angeline 🙂
LikeLike
And you are right to do so. I like these blooms. Great captures, Colline 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Paula. I am pleased you like them 🙂
LikeLike
I love to see flower boxes on city streets, Colline. They really brighten up the day. 🙂
LikeLike
They certainly do – especially when you do not have a garden yourself. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful; especially now as we segue way into Fall!
LikeLike
What I like especially is that they change the planters mid-fall with hardier plants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous flowers! Nothing is as beautiful as a full display of gorgeous blossoms.
LikeLike
I couldn’t agree with you more 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These flowers make for a fabulous walk. Grateful and lucky! 🙂
LikeLike
I am lucky Gemma as I have been to cities where there is not a flower in sight.
LikeLike
Oh no! Is that even possible?!
LikeLike
Yes. The first that comes to mind is the city of Johannesburg, a place I used to go to everyday when I was working there.
LikeLike
I can’t imagine! No flowers? Sad.
LikeLike
It was something we were used to. Now when I visit there, I do see the lack.
LikeLike
I’m grateful to see flowers along the street. Such a beautiful post, Colline!
LikeLike
Thank you Amy. It is a reflection of the beauty I see when I walk outside. I think my eye is trained to look for the flowers along the streets 🙂
LikeLike
Your street flowers are so colorful. You inspired my post today! Thanks Colline.
Best, Ruth in Pittsburgh
LikeLike
Thank you Ruth for sharing with us a special sight 🙂
LikeLike
Bit late but I was busy gardening because they say here : You can’t beat Wellington on a good day. And a good day it was! http://scrapydo.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/grateful-to-go-out-on-cloudy-rainy-days/
LikeLike
And what a perfect day for some beautiful photographs. 🙂
LikeLike
That’s for sure. 😀
LikeLike
you do need all these summer bright flowers – after and before your long and cold winter(s)… I love the Indian summer colors in North America… 🙂
LikeLike
One cannot help but love them as they brighten up the surroundings 🙂
LikeLike
Stunning flowers Colline. I tend to think we have lots of flowers and greenery in Gib, but it’s really the end of Main St where I live. It’s easy to take it for granted when you see flowers, trees, greenery, even a fountain every day.
LikeLike
It is easy, I agree. That is the hope I have with this Wednesday challenge – to become more aware of what it is we have, and to be grateful for it.
LikeLike
They really brighten up the street, and hopefully attract birds, and bees, and butterflies.
LikeLike
I have never seen butterflies and bees around the flowers – though I have not really looked.
LikeLike
Ah I took some photos in July on University Avenue…right at the corner of Dundas to show the lush floral arrangement, park benches …I used to work there for 10 years. I love your photos here, Colline. I find the city does good work in adding colour and summer to our pavements. One thing I had a hard time adjusting to in TO on my move from Montreal was the concrete everywehre but there are lovely spots…Bloor West Village, Little Italy, your photos look like the Danforth…that was an area that brought me back to terraces here in Montreal. The photos I took on my post are on my way to work, north of Le Plateau in MileEnd where you can get the best bagles in Canada:) I did not realize you were in TO…such a lovely city…Edward’s Garden would be nice right now…I took my Mom there once to show off TO:)
LikeLike
The flowers and gardens do much to improve the look of the concrete city. Sounds like the sights are better in Montreal though 🙂
LikeLike
I find downtown Toronto is quite lovely too . I have not been downtown Montreal though, I must check that out. I love the architecture here though…so much history.
LikeLike
I have been through Montreal quite quickly and I do admit to being intrigued by the architecture.
LikeLike
You must try to visit during our Jazz festival..it’s around the same time as TO’s but we are smaller here and there are about 12 stages set up in the same area and you can walk down to Old Montreal, visit the Old Port ..
LikeLike
I will need to put that visit on my wish list 🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
So bright and beautiful! And perfectly captured. A streetside planter is my favourite.
LikeLike
I love that one too – especially once summer is in full swing and the flowers are at their best.
LikeLike
A splash of colour to brighten your day and ours too. Thank you Colline. 😀 Here is my entry http://uniqueartchic.com/2014/08/29/swan-lake/
LikeLike
You have shared some beautiful photos with us Amanda.
LikeLike
I always love the flourish of colour that comes with window boxes and planters. 🙂
LikeLike
They are certainly better to look at than a grey pavement and walls 🙂
LikeLike
You have such lovely flowers there in Toronto. http://lovehappynotes.com/2014/07/20/thank-you/
LikeLike
I agree. It is one of the things that bring a bit of colour to the city.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometime this week I will write a post about gratitude in response to your lovely photos and words! Thank you!
LikeLike
I will look forward to reading it. If you link your post to mine I am sure to see it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How do I do that?
LikeLike
When you have written your post, highlight the words/phrase that you want to link to mine. Then look for the paperclip sign at the top of the dashboard for your post and click on it. You will then see the space where you put the URL to my post (you can copy and paste it). When you close the box, the link will be added in and I will receive notification when you publish. Hope this helps 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. I, however do not know how to copy and paste due to the fact that I have a chromebook which pops up with copy and paste, it seems at random! I don’t know how to access it through my will! I will try what you said though and see if I can touch the right place to see what I need! Again, thank you!
LikeLike
Can’t help you with the chromebook as I haven’t used one. Good luck 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Un tres beau projet!
LikeLike
Merci beaucoup Josie. J’espère que tu vas me joindre 🙂
LikeLike
A beautiful city that holds its pride for all to see.
It would be a pleasure walking those streets for no other reason than to enjoy the beauty.
Ian
LikeLike
I do enjoy seeing the flowers Ian. I find it brings a certain character to the streets.
LikeLike