One evening this week we drove downtown and watched the Snowbirds - the aerobatic team of the Canadian Armed Forces. This was a non-aerobatic display of precision flying in various formations. It was beautiful to watch the planes forming and re-forming so gracefully. I know it takes hours and hours of practice.
On another day we took our youngest daughter and her family on a boating trip, again to Portland Island. We hiked a shorter distance with the little girls than with our older grandchildren. How interested they were in the boat and all the sights they saw along the way. Full of questions. Much less talking on the way home. Riding the dinghy from the boat to shore was a big hit.
A chill wind at our picnic site meant we searched for the lee side of the point and enjoyed our lunch there. The Great Blue Heron was not invited and he searched for his own meal while we watched.
The garden is producing cucumbers, lettuce, small carrots, zucchini, and lettuce. Blueberries and raspberries continue to be picked, but at a much slower rate than a couple of weeks ago. I think going to the garden and choosing a dinner menu from what is available is truly luxurious.
On another sunny evening we visited Butchart Gardens. How surprising to see very few people there. It's not often that the view above is seen without crowds on the paths. There was a concert later and perhaps people were planning on arriving then. I didn't mind the lack at all.
It's a truly lovely place at any time of the year, but comes into its glory in summer and autumn.
The original Butchart family home is now a restaurant, with some living quarters for the family above. The two of us enjoyed a delicious dinner on the verandah, overlooking the perfect expanse of lawn and the Italian Garden. We wandered the garden paths before and after our meal, taking this time to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
A few posts back I mentioned that one of my David Austin roses, Falstaff, was on notice. Well, it's come through with flying colours. The deep crimson roses have won my heart. They grow next to the pink/coral Boscobel and make a lovely couple in a vase as well as in the garden. I'll give the rosebush a good pruning in autumn to shape it and hopefully will be rewarded next summer.
When I'm not gallivanting I try to accomplish a few things in the house and the garden, as well as continuing to refine my book. I'm beginning to speak with publishers and am looking forward to having it printed by Christmas, hopefully. Meanwhile, I made Cherry Raspberry Preserves and Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Sauce. The pantry shelves in the basement are filling up nicely.
I read a very compelling book recently - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. She tells the story (fictionalized) about Martha Ballard, a midwife in 18th-century America who investigates a murder and a rape. Not always easy to read, and a good picture of what life was like in those days. The writing is beautiful and I was moved to write the following words into my own journal. I hope you find them equally lovely.
"I step into my husband's arms, soaking up his warmth and scent. We are in the twilight years of a long love affair, and it has recently occurred to me that a day will come when one of us buries the other. But, I remind myself, that is the happy ending to a story like ours. It is a vow made and kept. Till death do us part. It is the only acceptable outcome to a long and happy marriage, and I am determined not to fear that day, whenever it arrives. I am equally determined to soak up all the days between."
May we all soak up all the days given to us.
I loved every part of this post, Lorrie. Those deep crimson roses, I'm in LOVE with the colour. And the photo shows such a lovely mingling of the two roses in your vase. A perfect wedding anniversary pose, in my books. And I love that quote from the book you're reading. It says so much. I'm going to write that down in my book too - it's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorrie. Happy Anniversary. Happy Friday!
Happy Anniversary. The quote from Lawhon's book is perfect for the occasion.💗💗
ReplyDeleteYour Falstaff rose obviously paid attention to your threat and produced some glorious blooms.
Lovely produce from your garden too.
'Soak up all our days', what a beautiful expression. Thank you for sharing your wedding anniversary day, and the flowers, with us.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of your two little granddaughters riding the waves. I wish that I had half of your energy Lorrie, you achieve so much.
ReplyDeleteFrozen River was a wonderful read! Thank you for posting the passage from it, it was a lovely reminder of how much I enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteI grow so few vegetables anymore. My garden never produced as yours does. I just don’t have the green thumb for veggies.
Beautiful roses! Loved the quote from the book you mentioned. Have now put the book on hold at my library - thanks for telling us about it. And belated Happy Anniversary! 54 years for us this past June.
ReplyDeleteHow very beautiful your roses are. Sadly the dry weather has meant that mine have mostly finished flowering. And what a touching quote from the book, it said so much to me.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written, Lorrie. Sounds like you had a very lovely anniversary meal, too, at the garden. Those roses are breathtaking. Lots of time well spent on your island.
ReplyDeleteYour this-and-that is delightful! So many wonderful images and across the board -- glorious gardens, marvelous preserves, fabulous foods and that wonderful water! A good summer in your world, I think!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely time you had with part of your family. I can imagine the questions by the girls.
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