A new paint job

While I was away in Sooke, my friend Garron, who is also an awesome painter, repainted my two upstair bedrooms, the bathroom and the small hallway joining the two rooms. I thought since I have no roommate presently, that I would take the opportunity to freshen up the walls, especially as I am in reno mode with the basement being completed now too. Simply put - I was so excited when I came home this afternoon - love the colours. My friend Char was with me too - both loved it hands down. At the moment, the only framed pictures going up are those in Bruce's Gallery in the hallway. I think I will wait until the basement is completed to figure where and how I would like the paintings and framed photos to go. BTW - a little free advertising - if you live near Calgary and need some painting done - Garron's your guy!! Thanks again Garron for a great job - absolutely love it!



My bathroom

The 2nd Bedroom

Master Suite

View from the Master Suite into the 2nd bedroom

From the Japanese Garden

Three Sturgeon Fountain - this fountain greets as you enter the Japanese Gardens

Waterscapes found in the Japanese Gardens - tranquility is one word to describe this garden.

Entering the Rose Garden

Butchart Gardens has a beautiful Rose garden - the three of us learned there are a whole lot of different species of rose flowers - it is just not those red roses you receive on Valentine's Day. There were beautiful. On either side of the garden arches are the roses - we even walked on one side twice!! The Garden arches reminds me of the movie, The Secret Garden, if you follow this path it will take you to the Japanese and Italian Gardens.

More Flowers from the Gardens

Flowers from the Garden

Ross Fountain

The Ross Fountain is named after the grandson of Robert and Jennie Butchart. The water rises 70 ft and it has been written that it looks amazing at night time. At the fountain they have benches where you can relax and enjoy all the different shapes that it shows. Above are some examples of the different shapes. BTW - if you find yourself in Victoria in July or August on a weekend - I believe they still have the firework display on Friday and Saturday nights. They have a restaurant were you can eat dinner beforehand as well.

More of the Sunken Gardens

Butchart's Sunken Gardens

Here are some photos from Butchart's famous Sunken Gardens. It is absolutely gorgeous. I think walking just in the Sunken gardens took us a good hour. I am sure you can go back and something new will capture your eye.

Butchart Gardens

On Sunday afternoon, myself, Peter, Heidi and their dog Thunder went for a 2 hour walk around Butchart Gardens just outside Victoria. The last time I came to Butchart Gardens was Thanksgiving Weekend in 1993 when my dad came to visit me as I was working in the hospitals there. Back then the fall colours were breathtaking - even in September the gardens did not disappoint. It is definitely a must see when you make your visit to Vancouver Island - it is a National Historical Site as it houses shurbs, trees, flowers and other exotic plants from around the world during the travels of Robert and Jennie Butchart in which the gardens are named after. I took like 60 photos of various flowers and flora scenes so I will put some highlights on the next few blogs for you. It was overcast but still warm enough that you didn't need a jacket - a pleasant day for a long walk.

Heidi's Flowers

When I arrived at Heidi and Peter's, there in the kitchen were these beauitful flowers. Can you believe Peter bought these over 3 weeks ago!!! Perfect fall colours - had to take a photo of them.

Descending upon "Nature's Beauty"

This Labour Day weekend, I went to visit my friends Heidi and Peter in Sooke, BC. These two photos were as we were descending towards the Victoria Airport. It was so cool to see the sunsetting onto the water admist the clouds. These types of nature encounters are always best in person though.

Almost home.... this was what greeted us as we began descending into Calgary. To have such beauty in our backdoor is simply awesome.