A Visit to Butchart Gardens

 

On a chilly night we donned down-filled jackets, toques, and gloves for a walk through Butchart Gardens, known worldwide for its magnificent flower displays. In December the garden is transformed by thousands of lights twinkling brightly to enchant young and old alike. 

The voices of carolers travel through the clear cold air in perfect harmony. 

Children and adults have fun at the tree whose lights react to clapping, becoming brighter as the noise increases. The Rose Carousel is always a hit with the younger set. We skipped that this time but wouldn't dream of passing it by if the grandchildren were with us. 

Visitors have fun looking for characters from The Twelve Days of Christmas in clever displays throughout the gardens. My favourite are the Three French Hens enjoying tea with the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

More than one visitor looks in vain for the last characters - the twelve drummers drumming. They are not visible until one leaves the gardens and passes under the lighted arches with those drummers perched merrily above. 

My younger daughter and I made Rum Balls one day. They have become a family favourite and it's hard to stop at one. Doing things together is also a Christmas tradition. 

Tim and I decorated the tree and remarked how quickly the years have passed since we had little ones excited about hanging ornaments on the branches. Memories surge. "Remember where we bought this ornament?" "So and so made this for us." Christmas is a time to remember friends and family, and events of long ago, or just last year. 

I made this ornament many years while living in the jungle of South America. How I longed for the Christmas weather I was accustomed to. Now, I still wish for snow. We see so little of it here on our west coast island. 

It's mid-afternoon as I finish this post. Strong winds have howled around the house all day, with spatters of rain to change it up at times. I've been baking, with Tim's help. He's becoming a great sous-chef. Shortbread, Chocolate Cherry Cookies, and Butter Tarts are cooling and headed for the freezer. Light is fading fast and soon we'll close the blinds, turn on all the twinkling lights and stay cozy while the weather does what it will. 

Boats, Baking, Books, and Candles

 

The days pass, busy but not frantic. The rain has let up for a few days and there have been patches of sunshine. Clear weather on the night of the lighted boat parade meant no raincoats. We walked along the waterfront and marina before dark. How calm the water, reflecting those tall masts perfectly. 

We stood on the pier and waved at the boats going by. Happy voices called out "Merry Christmas" from shore to boat and boat to shore. What fun it is to be part of a crowd of people intent on simple joys. 

I baked cookies this morning - Rugelach - a Christmas favourite. They are small and two made a nice accompaniment to my afternoon cup of tea. 

Our postal system is on strike and it doesn't look like things will be cleared up before Christmas. I'm writing cards for those I can hand them to personally, but otherwise, cards are off the list for this year. I feel for the small businesses who rely so heavily on mail orders at this season. 

I tied up an old German hymnbook with the musical notes along with my grandmother's old German hymnal, with no music score. My grandmother's hymnal was published in 1895 and has her father's name written in it with Chortitza - the colony in Ukraine where he once lived. 

Scented candles don't appeal to me very much, but Frasier Fir by Thymes is one that fills the house with scents of fir and cedar. I like it very much and a small votive like the one on the books above lasts for a long time. 

It's late in the day now and I've still not published this post. It's time to do so and settle in with my book. The fire glows and pools of lamplight cast warmth just where we need it. Wishing you a quiet evening and a lovely day. 

A Day in December

 

Outside my window bits of blue sky peek through the clouds. This morning we went for a walk at Island View just as the sun came up. The world was awash in shades of grey and brown, no brightness then.

The past week flew by. Various projects have kept me away from doing Christmassy things like finishing the pajamas for the grandkids, and baking cookies. Next week beckons!

I spent one day with two good friends. We wandered through shops decorated for the season, and enjoyed a delicious lunch. We all ordered the same thing - French Onion Soup - and it was so good. Hot and flavourful with plenty of cheese. The perfect fortification for more wandering. 

We did do a little decorating here at home. Lights on the mantels add a glow to evenings spent reading or writing. A tree has been purchased and sits in a bucket on the patio waiting until we bring it indoors. I take a whiff of the fresh forest scent when I walk by. 

Early this evening we're going to watch the lighted boat parade in Sidney. Warm hats and jackets are a must as there's a bit of wind blowing. A pot of chili is simmering on the stove and will be easy to reheat when we get home. 

I've been reading - Winter Solstice, Miss Read's Christmas stories, and I'm currently turning the pages of Shepherds Abiding. A couple of years ago I created a Christmas-themed reading list with suggestions from readers. That list is now in a tab at the top of my blog. 

Thank you for all your kind wishes for my health. My energy has returned and I feel great other than a persistent plugged ear which will, apparently, just take time to resolve itself.