Respite

The sun was out (after a two-week absence!) and Groupon provided us with an opportunity for a road trip, so we headed up to Mintner Gardens in Rosedale, BC.  We were surprised by how uncrowded it was on such a glorious day and we took full advantage of the quiet and the calm to re-energize.  Here's just a glimpse of the beauty that filled our senses to overflowing!

 I want this to be my summer cottage!

 See those "little" colored specks?  They are hang-gliders who are throwing themselves off of that very, very steep cliffside!  We had climpses of them throughout the garden!

 Follow the yellow brick road!

 This makes me very nervous...we don't usually see these guys until late August, early September.  What does this say about the length of this very unusual "summer" we're having?

 This was my very favorite garden detail!  I thought it was a great metaphor!  We are now able to "enter the veil"!

 A garden maven!

 A "house" fit for Bilbo Baggins!

 And what is more beautiful than late afternoon sun through the cedars?

A perfect day in every way!

Parenting - Round Two

Our resident chickadees successfully raised 4 younguns in April.  I noticed activity around the birdhouse again a few weeks ago, and lo and behold, they are raising yet another family.  I think there are three little ones this time.  I can see this house from my kitchen window and I never tire of watching them take such good care of their brood.  They work non-stop from first light until sunset; and this time of the year, that's a long day!