No matter the language, my garden is my paradise. To watch the lovely birds that nest in the trees and bushes. The bees, butterflies are such a joy to see.
One day last week, my pal D and I embarked on another adventurous day .. our list of activities included visiting some local thrift shops and then go to the beach to gather seaweed. The skies were a little overcast in the morning and later broke out into beautiful blues and whites:
Unique bus stop bench and planters .. how suitable for this lovely little town.
As we began our walk along the pathway by the beach .. we saw some of the found items that had been lost by previous walkers. Can you picture the scenario for the glove and toy? Busy parent with active child and thus these things tumble and fall. I hope the little phone toy is claimed .. looks like a favourite toy.
The tides were starting to come in, the waves rolled in and crashed against the rocks.
Splish .. splash … and jump out of the way!
Later D noticed that this scenario looked Egyptian. And sure enough ..see the camel in the foreground and the pyramids in the background:
The tides follow their own rhythm .. can you imagine the immense power of the water .. causing the rolling waves to advance and recede. Humbling.
Beautiful .. natural … beach art …honest and true.
Oh, Nature .. you are the best artist that there could ever be. Nothing contrived or planned.
And again, the power of the water to shift these huge logs, tossing them randomly along the beach. Creating places to sit and relax, enjoying the beauty of these surroundings. Peaceful and yet invigorating.
Such a vista .. no words needed to explain why so many people want to live there. Unfortunately, forested areas have been cleared away to build huge box like buildings. That is truly sad.
D found this artistic display of stones .. dried seaweed roots that had grown on these rocks resulted in a lovely arrangement, created by another admirer of beauty.
And just a few seconds later, a very splashy wave struck against a rock and deflected on D … she was slightly soaked and we both flew up the side of the rocky wall. Didn’t know we could move so fast.
Sigh ….
So we collected some lovely seaweed that was piled on the beach .. perfect time to gather this miracle material for the garden!
It was a day. And .. another day I’ll share what I bought at the shops. Lovely things for the house and great tools for the garden!
🙂
p.s. .. looked up in the sky early evening yesterday and noticed a round light coloured shape kind of near the moon. This is the best photo I could take (sob). I e-mailed the Dominion Observatory (just outside of town) and learned that this is Jupiter! And that it will be seen tonight, but the moon won’t be as close. Photographers with really good cameras will take much better photos … so I will search for some. See .. it pays to look up at the sky! I spent some time setting up our telescope (have you ever tried to look at something far away with one of these things? .. very challenging).
Everyday I think .. that perhaps I’ll just sit down at the computer and type away. And every day I don’t. There seems to be a timeline that works best for me .. early morning ..and once that early time has passed .. the day just gets to be busy and so I procrastinate till later.
Weather has been fantastic. Lots of sun which results in lots of birds flying around the yard.
Some photos of the lovely sky paintings recently:
This series of formations were just awesome ..
As you can see .. a lot of time spent, again, gazing upwards ..
Little Bushtits .. many more this year. The families are growing. Note to self: research these darling little birds and find out their territory and more details. Very clever and cheerful little sprites, they are!
They just seem to swirl into the yard. I have 5 suet holders so there is lots for everyone.
Little Chickadees visit the feeders and the suet blocks …alternating between both, for a more balanced diet. And all of these little birds peck away at insects on the trees, on the house .. everywhere. They certainly earn their keep. Plus they bring so much joy into my world.
But .. look here .. this very striking bird started visiting our yard a few days ago. Thus far I’ve only had the most tantalizing little glimpses. Yesterday I stood motionless for at least half an hour, trying to take a picture! A few days ago, I happened to be standing by a suet holder and this little bird flew to a branch just inches away. I didn’t dare breathe .. just stood quietly so I could watch.
Yesterday .. I was busy trimming branches and omg .. there she is!!!!! Quickly whipped out the camera and so lucky to snap some photos! I’ve learned that she is a female Townsend Warbler! How exciting is this! And they are only in a specific area …living in forests .. and here she is .. in our little mini-forest!!!
Time to go outside and work with some of the seaweed that my pal D and I gathered a few days ago. Another great day and I’ll share that tomorrow.
For now, though … .here is lovely Val … we met her at Sooke and she posed for a photo. What a darling kind dog she is!!So, time to make a mug of tea, change into my gardening costume and head outdoors!
Chilly days, some frost happening, sometimes blue skies … and still I continue my lovely daily walks. Many years ago I used to walk and walk everywhere .. for I hadn’t a car! Fast forward and I’m back to daily walks again. And loving it.
So many places to go. Things look so different compared to driving, I’m discovering streets and neighbourhoods that I hadn’t known existed. And learning names of streets.
Decided that I’ll strive to continue my daily walks to the Swan Lake Sanctuary .. there are a variety of entrances/exits that I can take that will add variety to my walks so they don’t ever get to feel boring.
So yesterday at Swan there were still flooded paths, frozen sections. Signage up to show everyone how to take alternate routes.
Found myself near a huge old oak with the female eagle perched atop. Looking for lunch. Looking down at a nearby duck-filled marsh.
Decided to walk across the grassy meadow in order to get a closer look.
and so I decided to get a closer look
What the hey … perhaps I can get closer yet .. ok .. I think this is close enough. She is giving me the “eye” and I read body language enough to understand that she doesn’t like me standing beneath the tree .. so close. Bye bye ..
This is part of the Sanctuary, where she was seeking a good tasty morsel for lunch … and below there was a marshy area full of Mallards .. swimming and just having a good time. Hopefully they were ignored.
Some lovely colour ..
Ice edged the shoreline of Tuesday Pond
I’d successfully walked through the deep puddles, I was heading to the little bridge at Tuesday Pond .. a little water wasn’t going to stop me!
Nor was a patch of ice going to deter me.
However, I have my limits and then I turned around ..
Tossed some flatted oats on the icy sections for the Mallards to feed on.
The mysteriously banded Mallard is still here .. no one I’ve spoken to at the Sanctuary knows where she came from, last year.
Party time ..
The eagle wasn’t out at this time .. and I couldn’t see the hawks .. so all the ducks were out, enjoying the water.
Some icy covered rocks along the way
Brrrrr
The sun tried to shine through ..
And the Robins chirped merrily along.
Ok .. now I can talk about other things. I’m still in the process of decluttering. And discovering that hindsight is great. I had a number of Anne Perry books which I hadn’t read, so bundled them all up for donation to the Blue Box (reading program). Kept one book …and tried to read it. Historical novels have never held my interest. So, although I’d collected Anne’s books, I’d not made the effort to actually read one.
Oh, well …. what can I say. One page read, started the next and the next and a few pages in, I’m totally hooked. Her characters are rich and she shows such a wealth of human understanding that I am hooked. I’ll definitely be looking for more of her books at the next library book sale. Never say never .. that saying is true.
While in the process of choosing which books to keep and which to give away .. I had to flip open the books and scan the first page .. to see if I’d read it before. If I had (and they weren’t written by Maeve Binchy – which I keep for re and re and re-reading, they are so very wonderful) then away they go into the box.
Now for my gardening books. I’d already given away quite a few of them. Now that I’m “enlightened” in my gardening ways, I’d decided to give away all of those that don’t fit my new way of gardening. Still .. I have many, two bookcases full. So I’ll need to go through the books again and just be firmer with myself.
As I’ve looked through some of the really old Organic Gardening books (the small format) .. I’ve read articles on soil and what lifeforms live in the soil. Before I took my Organic Master Gardening course, I’d just skimmed over these articles The same information is also (I am finding) written about in great detail in quite a number of my gardening books. Ok … so the information was there all along … and I’d ignored it. I only paid attention when I paid good money and took the course . … which I’m glad I did .. otherwise ….
And sometimes, I just wish that I wouldn’t look through books before I decided to discard them.
Case in point the 2011 Farmer’s Almanac. Leafing through the book, saw an article on page 91 “Hungry Trees” and read that on Washington’s Vashon Island, there was a tree which grew around a bicycle. The bike had been left leaning against the tree, decades ago. Now the tree has grown around it and the bike is 7 feet off the ground. Incredulous, I searched for any verification .. and sure enough, it’s true.
Yesterday was another beautiful sunny day! And a busy one! Went for my lovely long walk, taking various routes, walking as briskly as possible. Breathing in the crisp fresh air .. sturdy walking shoes gripping the pathways along the way. Started earlier in the day … fewer people out and about. Lots of birds chirping.
Frosty covered boardwalk … not slippery at all! While on my walk, spoke with several other walkers who kindly warned me about slippery patches! I was feeling so confident that I wouldn’t be affected. And both times I thought this very thought .. well … I happened to be on icy patches and found myself gliding along and flailing my arms for balance. Coincidence? I think, perhaps, maybe. So I stopped thinking about slipping and guess what! It didn’t happen again. The power of the mind!
Saw the lovely Cormorant .. the one who escaped being the eagle’s lunch yesterday. Noted that the Cormorant kept looking upwards at the sky. Survival. And he didn’t perch on the rail for grooming and he didn’t go for a flight .. at least while I was there.
Love this stand of trees .. birches, I think. Their silvery silhouettes were very striking and cool looking.
Still waters .. watery reflections of the earthbound formations gazing down ..
And this Arbutus makes a willowy shapely form .. with the side branches outstretched, it appears that the tree is dancing very gracefully.
Little birds quickly taking advantage of quiet to take a little drink of water .. so I stopped to let them enjoy a few minutes without interruption.
This stately willow never gets tired .. always beautiful in rain, sun, all seasons .. magnificent.
Here is the shadow me .. taking a photo of the shadowy bench .. talk about another dimension!
Way up in the tree sits a little grey squirrel. Softly nestled on a bed of moss, the branch is high enough to avoid close encounters of the human kind.
Ok, he’s seen me and really wants me to continue on my way .. so he crouches down to wait till I do.
Saw a flock of tiny birds feeding away at the little pine cones. Their cheerful chatter was quite delightful as they frolicked about the branches .. eating delicacies. Don’t know what kind of birds they area .. but very sweet. Felt very fortunate to see them.
Back home .. Mrs. Downy Woodpecker is nibbling away. Don’t know what was in the air yesterday .. maybe the birds thought it was spring or something. Noticed some huge Robins having flying altercations and tumbles in the trees. Then I saw the Downy Woodpeckers going through a troublesome patch also. Think there were 4 of them ….they seemed to choose a feeder then change their minds. In the end, though, peace and quiet.
Sigh …
The bulbs are emerging … the weather has them fooled into thinking that spring has arrived. No such luck.
And here they are .. delightful little Bush-tits …. there are quite a few this year. And I think that they are slowly getting used to me.
Love them …
Wonder who is in the plane .. where is it going …
The consensus is good for the new feeder.
And my garlic .. growing greens up through a very thick layer of ground oak leaves and seaweed….
Yesterday, the rains poured down from the heavens .. and this was a perfect day for a walk .. so I set out. However .. firstly .. here is a little photo of the little Fox Sparrow, who had a serious problem with his left eye. Today I noticed that the problem is much worse and, sadly, I saw another with the same problem with his right eye.
I’ve read, from some birding blogs, that these issues are more readily viewed when there are bird feeders closer to the house. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be noticed. Nevertheless, I brought most of the birdfeeders & suet holders inside for a good scrub, a light bleach rinse and lots of clear water rinsing. Amazing the amount of seeds were tucked away tightly. Washed, rinsed, dried and fresh seed & suet. The world was a little happier place.
Next, at the front of the house, I’m just about ready to leave when I notice a neighbour’s cat .. very friendly … came up the front stairs … apparently quite ready to come inside for a visit. However, a branch from our Christmas tree appeared to capture his attention.
Sorry, sweetie .. another time … love that face!
I began my trek … along local pathways … no one else out at this particular time .. so only me and the rain and my umbrella .. quite tranquil time .. loving this.
I love walking in the rain … especially with this very cheerful umbrella … the top side is solid black and the inside is blue… with fluffy cumulous clouds .. very happy indeed. So in contrast, the sleet ridden roads all of a sudden don’t seem to be so gloomy.
This pathway is new … it allows runners/bikers/walkers to enter Rainbow Park more easily and it opens right off of McKenzie Avenue. This is the first time I’ve walked this way .. kind of curious to see how it works out .. previously, this was all a grassy hillside.
Just before this , though, along McKenzie Avenue .. is a lovely little green area with magnificent trees …
And further along .. a massive amount of ferns growing along .. very lush and beautiful …
And more berried bushes .. food for the deer? Lovely to look at ..
What a cheerful sight .. lots of flowers …
And .. just a few minutes from starting my walk I arrive at Rainbow Park .. a lovely place, well named.
And what do we have here … another route to my favourite place! There are quite a variety of routes to Swan Lake Sanctuary and it’s fun to try a different one for each visit.
At the little observatory (once I reached it!) I could see a little Mallard out in the middle of Swan Lake .. and I think he saw me ..but, alas, I hadn’t brought any flatted oats with me .. so I left before I could draw him over in false hope for food ..
Farther along .. you can see the fence posts, still here, from the dairy farm that once flourished here. My pal D remembers this quite clearly .. she and her family used to purchase their milk from the store that once existed. Kind of nice to see these posts, though, a salute to previous times.
I love everything about Swan Lake .. and there are some areas that are just so much more awesome than others. This is one .. and see the nest up in the tree to the right? Cool.
Rain .. rain .. rain .. everywhere. But I’m not worried .. my waterproof walking shoes are about the only dry apparel that I have .. it’s taken me awhile to walk these shoes into a comfortable state of being .. and I can quite enjoy them now.
Some Mallards enjoy the peace and quiet.
Moi mes souliers ont beaucoup voyagé (grace a les mots de Felix Leclerc)
And this signage just never gets tired!! See the last line .. so true.
A few days ago I decided to renew my walks to Swan Lake .. so off I went .. it was an overcast day and just a very light mist of rain from time to time.
Felt so great to be walking the trails once again .. I was determined to keep walking around the Sanctuary and tried to minimize my stops Challenging to do as I really wanted to stop and savour the peace and quiet.
This is one of my favourite sections … where the path travels at the end of the of the side ponds. Edged with luscious moss-covered boulders, islands of ferns and gentle silhouettes of Oak branches. Slightly mystical feel to this area.
Did stop for a few minutes to look up at one of the local eagles .. have been watching them in this tree for quite a number of years now. At one time I thought they nested here, but think most likely this is one of their favourite perching areas. They can see quite clearly for miles from this tree.
The Marsh Wrens were communicating to each other … lovely sounds.
Only saw this lone female Mallard over at the short observatory … she swam swiftly over when I brought out the flatted oats. She daintily pecked away at those I tossed into the water. Before leaving this place, I scattered a generous handful onto the surface of the marsh grasses nearby.
The Staff and Volunteers of Swan Lake have been quite busy, pulling invasive plants and planting trees for the future. An impressive amount of work has been done and the changes are quite evident.
I took a photo of the project’s sign …..
The restoration work was started last year One area of this side pond had been cleared of invasive plants, the ground had been heavily mulched and this year I notice that this pond is quite large .. or maybe it just appears that way, since more land is viewable. More room for the birds to feed, nest.
A natural fence made of branches, serves to act as a barrier to keep joggers, walkers out of the area, to allow the natural process of growth to take place. I like it.
Farther along, I viewed a Great Blue Heron in a tree .. grooming time ..
Time to relax away from the crowds.
At Tuesday Pond I stopped on the little bridge and fed the Mallards some of the flatted oats .. they cautiously came over to where I was standing, way above them.
Soon there were a few of them gathered around ….
Now I was at the long walkway and saw a little group of Mallards ahead of me. It was early in the day and the crowds weren’t yet here .. quiet time ..
Stood for a while to see if there was any great bird activity .. no Geese or Hawks or Eagles .. and no seagulls! Hmmm .. no seagulls equals an Eagle nearby. Oh, that’s right .. one of them was over at the huge Oak tree on Saanich Road ..
Saw a little feather floating on the surface of the water …a gentle gray blended with white …
Noticed some nests tucked away .. waiting for spring …
And another one
Piles of clipped blackberry branches .. wonder if these will be used as mulch?
Another nest tucked away …
More information on invasive plants and what will be planted instead ..
It was a lovely walk and wonderful to re-visit the nature sanctuary. Funny when I first retired I went there nearly every day .. now I find myself “too busy” hm……. maybe I should just make the time as the rewards are so great.
Also, at one point the ducks seemed to recognize me (cause I was feeding them a lot) and this time .. we seem like strangers. It is a Sanctuary after all and the birds (all of them) can easily find their own food. I only leave the flatted oats (much of which I purchase from the Swan Lake House) and feed them at the public observatory places … this is expected and allowed, which is a good thing.
I’ve found the last two years to have been a kind of whirlwind for me. Having worked hard all my life and at times having to work two jobs just to pay the rent … it was very overwhelming to have my life schedule unmarked by “having” to go somewhere every day.
At first I just walked and walked and walked. Then I started my little gardening business while at the same time I took ground-school over again (for aviation) … once the course has been paid for initially, one an retake it over again, which is great .. learning the newest regulations. Then my DH arranged for me to have dual instruction. So I’d go out to do my gardening work, race home and then out to the airport. All was in a whirl.
Not wanting to pause in my whirlwind of learning, I enrolled in the Organic Master Gardening Course (Gaia College) at Royal Roads. Oh, wow. My life changed. All my time was spent in trying to get my head around this new way of understanding the living soil, new terminology, methods . .this was a very intensive course. And I’m still studying my notes.
Started back at making soap .. I’d begun in 1986 and then took a break .. so happy to be going back to that.
Ok, I had a few minutes to spare so I enrolled for the Ecological Landscaping course …. oh … my. Twice a week, intensive planning, measuring, studying .. really … I feel that I’ve learned so much and more incentive to get out my books and draw and plan some more.
However … I have decided not to continue on with the course. Part of me feels so overwhelmed and really I need the $$ to pay down some debt .. so I feel bit “underwhelmed” right now.
This decision allows me much more free time … no more 3 hour classes twice a week with the additional days of planning and study.
I can use these blocks of time quite well, thank you very much. Decluttering continues .. bags of books to take to the blue boxes by Thrifty’s .. these are donations to reading programs. Plus, I need to make more shelf space for the upcoming end of January “Friends of the Library” book sale!
Time to plan my soap making for the new year.
Work in the garden (or really “play” in the garden).
Spend some time sewing .. time to dust of my sergers .. I have two .. a 3-thread and a 5 threader. Love making things. Maybe I’ll spend some time finally making a purse that I really love. Have kept a particular pattern for years, vowing that some day … well, the day has arrived (this year). It’s a funky little purse, round in shape. Straps are part and parcel of the purse. Wide straps, one is longer than the other and it just slips through the short one and voila, it’s closed.
I will post a pic when I make one. Creative ideas have been bouncing around my head for years on this purse. Time to make it a reality.
Oh, the sewing projects I have! And this year for sure … I will take my sewing machine outside to work. I actually did this one year .. made drapes outside. And felt much more creative working in the sun.
The first day of a new year … and it was a mixed bag of weather … lovely when the grey clouds parted and we could see blue skies above!
Visited friends for tea on Salt Spring island … and lovely Gemma rested her head on my knee … what a dear little girl she is …
Hardly looks loved, does she? She is a treasure to the family and loving to everyone …. I love you little Gemma!
Next there was Chico! He loves jumping into the old-fashioned porcelain claw-foot tub and meowing for someone to turn on the cold water so he can have a drink! Afterwards, a little rolling around on the gravel walkway!
Unbeknownst to me .. when I walked on to see the chickens .. Chico followed me ..like a little dog!
He stayed with me for quite a while … and had quite a vocal conversation going on .. so .. well .. I just chatted back with him. Must have said something that he agreed with .. cause then he just stopped and sat back ..looking up at me! He’d lost his little pal, Ziggy cat .. a raccoon altercation .. so I chatted with him about that .. missing Ziggy .. and we seemed to communicate about that for a time ..
Ok .. I said .. let’s go and see the chicky-chick-chick-chicks! So we did.
The chickens were quite excited to see us .. thinking that we were bringing them some food to eat .. sorry girls .. we just came for a little visit.
Well ..maybe someone else is bringing us some food to eat .. they seemed to say .. looking this way and that ….
I walked around .. enjoying the feeling of being in open spaces .. trees growing .. gardens set for the summer … would love to have some property like this. Dream of planting fields of garlic .. gotta have a dream, right?
Lovely
A New Day in a New Year ..
Our friends gave us lovely homemade blackberry jelly, a dozen very fresh eggs and … most generously .. this magnificent homemade bottle of blackberry wine! DH & I made a pact to share this bottle with them this summer! Something to look forward to!!!
As we started the car and prepared to leave .. I happened to look over and saw little Chico looking at us …. asked DH to stop the car for a sec so I could take this photo … we’ll be back little guy .. no worries …
Then .. time to go .. so we drive to Fulford Harbour and join the lineup of cars to board the ferry. While waiting, I took some time to look at a nearby crow .. busy calling out to his friends …
Onboard the ferry, sailing homewards .. when DH surprised me .. with a lovely dog .. Nico! His doggy dad was right there though .. and let me hold little Nico for a while. I fell in love with her.
Oh, just look at those eyes .. I’d just handed her back to her doggy daddy .. when really I just wanted to hold her some more .. but the ferry was getting ready to dock and everyone had to be back in their cars or their bikes or whatever. What a darling little dog …
On the way home .. we stopped to visit friends .. who had a traditional New Years Day bonfire going .. we caught the tail end of it … nice and cozy in the chilly weather!
Lichen covered trees nearby ..
And a rustic bench tucked away .
Not too long after .. we were at home, unpacking and putting our travel things back to their regular place. I looked out the kitchen window and saw this sweet little Fox Sparrow … he was eying the bird feeder that was attached to the window …
He busied himself with a grooming session while waiting for his turn in the feeder.
So we had a lovely day, DH and I …the first day of the New Year .. and what adventures await us!
Yesterday, Thursday, slightly overcast with lots of sun shining through. The kind of day that teased with promises of sun till the rains came down, sun still shining through.
Lots of visitors to the yard, though. Heard the steady chirping between Mr & MrsDowny Woodpecker. They were chatting away, flitting among the branches and then each settled down on separate suet feeders .. quietly nibbling away.
Skies overhead …. mostly like this:
I’d filled up the hummingbird feeder .. it was quite empty .. lots of little Anna’s flitting about. Funny, last week I’d noticed two of the young ones flying around. It was obviously schooling time for them. The parents, much slimmer .. sat on branches nearby, issuing orders. The two youngsters perched nearby. Heads constantly on alert status, looking quickly to the left, right, left, right – never still. Then they would zoom overhead, tiny wings touching as they did so … resulting in little thwap-thwap sounds. I couldn’t help but laugh at these antics, which they repeated over and over.
Really, this is deadly serious life training for them … however, this is the first time I was privy to such schooling and I was totally unprepared for the their activities. I felt honoured to be there, quite frankly.
Then I happened to look over at the Downy on the suet .. he seemed to be king of the suet, the way he stood so proudly on the top! Quite a noble pose.
Wandered over to the garlic beds and happy to see the sweet-peas have continued growing. I’m not one to pluck everything out of the ground once summer is over.
The birds are still daintily nibbling away at the fallen apples .. they are very thorough in their pecking away .. leaving a graceful outline of the apple base. Garden art at its best!
and the darling little Bushtits .. yesterday they were everywhere, it seemed. Groups of them visited 3 of the suet blocks. Many of them awaited their turn … sitting patiently above the blocks.
And of course squirrels have to eat. This one is a resident, I believe .. having seen him (or is it a her?) throughout the yard at the front, sides and back.
Oh .. a beautiful Spotted Towhee. Not sure if this one is nesting nearby. There have been a few tall trees cut down in the neighbourhood. Not in our yard, though. Lots of perching room for everyone. I’ve seen the Towhees at the bird feeder, nice surprise. This one is resting in the old plum-tree by the kitchen window. Nearby (but not in the photo) were some Junco‘s, a golden-crowned sparrow and a house sparrow.
The roses are still blooming at the side of the house …
Some ducks enjoying the quiet tidal waters by Spinnakers Pub …
The log created a breakwater for them .. a place to calmly settle in for the morning.
I must share this with you .. DH surprised me with this most wonderful, tilting wagon! And he spent hours on Christmas morning, putting it together for me! I could hardly wait to take it outside to use in the garden. Here is my first trip yesterday .. time to take the geranium filled pots to the back yard, to rest in a frost-free zone for the balance of the winter!
Next it was time to test a load of the Miracle Mulch .. so I loaded up the wagon .. it holds quite a bit. And see those tires? No more do I have to worry about being careful going from point A to B in the yard .. these sturdy tires just roll everywhere. And they turn on a tight radius also! yea!!!
Another bonus to this lovely cart! I can easily dump the contents by simply pulling on the handle at the back of the base and .. voila .. no more shovelling! I love this! Then I just pop back the box and it locks in place!
That just took a few minutes and now the mulch covers this area of the yard. Well done and with little effort. Now I’ll have time to do more things in the yard!
And as I wandered around the yard .. .looking up .. .seeing these glorious rays of the light at the end of the day …
So beautiful
Peaceful
Restful
And thus ended another lovely little visit to the backyard .. more today!
A few days ago … I decided it was time to go shopping downtown .. time for a quick coffee visit with a friend and also to visit the Mediterranean shop on Pandora. Hadn’t been there for quite a few years .. how time flies and all that.
On the way there … I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to look up at the beautiful sunny skies and snap some photos. Interesting clouds.
The white fluffy clouds tumbled and twirled .. changing shapes smoothly and quickly. Always beautiful, though.
Lucky to find a parking space not far from the shop … looking forward to visiting it again. My pal J and I used to visit this lovely treasure at lunch-time, years ago. Bought the most delicious middle-eastern foods for lunch. Spices. Tea. All sorts of lovely things. Same proprietor … working from 7 am till 10 at night … rent is high in this district. I understand that he sells the free-range eggs for the same price that he pays for them .. so no profit from them. I bought 2 dozen (delicious) eggs and a supply of foods for the pantry.
Among my purchases was this delicious tea .. .. loose leaf, the best.
Next .. I went to Penelope’s (sorry, no pic) to meet with J for a quick cup of tea. We both have places to go, people to see .. but important to fit in a quick visit. Lovely cafe … we enjoyed large cups of English Breakfast Tea .. and the lovely counter-guy brought us a little pitcher of milk to our table (we’d forgotten that!) …. he was so very thoughtful.
Afterwards, I drove down to the shopping area by the water .. looking forward to visiting some stores there. Spent some time looking at the lovely old brick buildings still intact. Below is one building used for Hydro … I’ll bet the offices there are funky!
Another fine old building … didn’t notice the business name ..just admired the beauty.
And … the skies were still amazing ….
Rustic .. and protected by fencing …
Window coverings, serving as security for the building and decorative ironwork .. liking that.
For just a brief moment, as I walked along ….I stopped for a few seconds .. there was no traffic noise, sun warming the street .. I felt transported back to my hometown of my younger days, a little place with lots of brick buildings, no crowds .. it was a nostalgic moment and I savoured it
Always love this mural painted on the back of a building which faces the parking lot of Capital Iron … doesn’t it seem as if the young cub is looking right at you?
I think these are passion flowers gone to seed .. the birds were happily feasting away on the seed-heads .. cheerful sounds ..
Ahhhhh …..
Lovely old windows, warm butter-hued paint against the rustic brick …
Stopped to admire the beauty of this delivery bike .. and chatted with the owner. She and her DH worked hard to keep this sprout business going. She bikes from the nearby Fernwood neighbourhood (about 15 minutes away) and delivers the fresh organic product to homes and businesses.
Heading back to my car .. I noticed several pairs of pigeons, nestled on the overhead wires, soaking up the warm rays of the sun.
Oh, and one more thing .. after seeing this tree at Capital Iron .. for over a month now … every time I go shopping there .. and thinking and dreaming about this tree .. I finally broke down and bought it! It is a weeping pussy willow tree. Pendula Salix caprea. And it was half price. How could I possibly resist. After paying for it (and another red flowering currant .. flowers for the hummingbirds in the spring) .. I spent about 10 minutes fitting it into my car. All efforts were worth it though! Here it is in the back yard. I’ll pot it up into a bigger container .. as it will be planted in our next place! Happy am I.
Blue skies .. birdies flying around .. more plants for the garden .. and visiting with friends …treasures indeed! 🙂
D and I chose yesterday as the “day in the week” for our weekly adventuring. The weather was predicted to be dry and perhaps a little sunny. So we weren’t totally surprised to see the pouring rains.
Due to the proximity of the mountains in this part of the world, the weather predictions just aren’t always reliable ..but we are used to that. This time of the year, it’s normal to carry an umbrella and sunglasses, to cover all bases.
We pondered over whether we should travel today or not .. and decided to continue …. the rains would probably stop at some point.
As we drove to our first destination .. amidst the steady, downpour of rain, windshield wipers efficiently working away to keep the glass nice and clear for good visibility… we chatted about this and that .. commenting on the weather .. and why the heck there was a steady line of traffic heading towards Victoria and away from Sooke. Normally, early mid-morning, traffic is very light. Hmmm .. perhaps dwellers of Sooke were travelling to the big city for Christmas shopping and we were going there ….
So .. our agenda consisted of shopping .. to the delightful Lighthouse Bakery in Langford … I bought the most delicious assortment of cake squares .. a lovely mix of Nanaimo Bars, Langford Bars and some lemon square. Delicious and such reasonable prices, I couldn’t make them for the price they charge.
Finally .. champing at the bit .. we head to our first thrift store. We always enter the store, firmly deciding that we would make no purchases and soon we are carrying little shopping baskets … filling them up as we go. Not just any purchases, but genuine treasures. Delicate little ornaments to add to the tree (I’ll show pictures tomorrow!!!)
There seems to be a trend of items from the 60’s available now .. and so we have lots to choose from. Including delightful Christmas wrapping paper from that era. I did pick up a package .. but will I use it or save it? I think that first I will take a photo, to preserve the look .. and then .. I will use the paper. It’s been saved long enough .. time to get out there and let everyone admire the beauty.
Then on to Glenwood Meats … local product .. support the Island businesses, we say.
A few more shops .. more treasures found. Lovely glasses. A Dr. Oekter’s flan tart pan (only $3.50 and half price at that ) brand new!! I plan to make some shortbread, using some delicious vanilla brandy that D prepared, generously giving me some (glad she told me it was for baking, I’d been looking forward to having a sip of this mixture!)
What else did we find ? Oh, the most absolutely wonderful capacious travel bag .. brand new … with “mots en francais, partout” .. .I’ll take a picture of that and will share tomorrow. As I’ve said before, D has a special talent for unearthing the most amazing treasures when we go shopping. This bag had been sort of hidden away and she unearthed it! Could it be any more perfect for transporting my soaps .. in a grand and stylish way!
Oh, we gathered such wonderful treats. And I found an unusual SPCA zipped bag .. just had to get that and I’ll share that tomorrow also.
Time for a wee break … once all of our shopping was done .. and away to our favourite bakery for a little bit of soup and a beverage .. the Little Vienna Bakery!!!
See the lovely festive Christmas decorations decorating the mantle of the sideboard at Little Vienna Bakery .. yesterday …
And dainty little blue globes adorned the branches lovingly arranged in the container nearby
I wonder …. if I were, perhaps, a little taller .. would I have been tempted to see if I could tastefully remove this delicious cookie for a taste test?
A close up of one of the sparkly decorations in the window …
Finally … time to visit the beach to gather up some of the lovely chopped seaweed .. for the garden. Sun would be setting fairly soon .. so we had a timeline. And together we gathered up quite a bit in a very short time. Yea … my garden is going to be so happy and healthy.
And .. guess what!!! The rains had stopped pouring down by this time .. we were so lucky!! Our timing was right on! Yea!!!
The tide was coming in so we had to work fast.
The sounds of the waves got louder and louder and we swiftly glanced at the incoming waves as we scooped up the seaweed potpourri ..
Some ducks flew by overhead and I quickly snapped a picture .. can you see them .. among the branches?
The tide was swiftly coming in .. as each wave cascaded onto the beach ..swiftly encroaching on the bounty of seaweed .. reclaiming it again to the depths of the ocean …
Oh, the massive amounts of seaweed lying there on the beach .. quite an impressive sight .. so close, and yet so far .. with the waves washing in … no way was I going to brave the power of the ocean .. tempting as it was ..
And then .. along comes someone who savours the power of the waves … as a sort of open highway for his board ..
D and I watched as he carefully placed his board on the water, getting ready for his ride upon the waves …
And soon he was paddling away .. nice way to end the work day, what!
And we on shore looked down at the quickly disappearing beach .. adieu … until another day ..
Driving home, tired and happy .. we discussed our purchases and couldn’t recall exactly all of the things that we chose .. so that just adds to the surprise later. Like a practice Christmas morning!
The car smelled deliciously of the ocean …. as we had quite a few netted bags of chopped seaweed in the back of the car. Spread over top of these were our new purchases .. here and there!
So .. D back home to prepare supper for her family .. and I made my way home … DH is working so I can quickly unload the seaweed to the back yard and transport my treasures to the kitchen for a quick scrub and dry .. before putting them all away.
I’ll show him what I’ve brought home … later …. he is quite appreciative of my frugal purchases. And, if I don’t show him all of the things .. well .. ummm … some are supplies for my soap making .. so I’m quite sure he wouldn’t be interested in those things, right now, anyway.
I know that I need to be decluttering like crazy .. but for now .. in this time before Christmas … I will just accumulate just a few more things. I can always pass them along, can’t I?
And the fun that D and I have on our shopping trips is just priceless. We both appreciate the quality of items from times gone by. Not for the monetary value but always for the beauty, the care taken of the objects by their former owners. And we both respect the value of that energy. And pass it along.
The items that we purchase are things that were actually made by people who cared .. therein lies the beauty.
Unique bus stop bench and planters .. how suitable for this lovely little town.
My Lovely Garden … Mon Joli Jardin 