Quiet Week but lots to show and tell

As you all know, its always hard when holidays come to an end, but for us its also sad to say goodbye to our family. Still, we do have happy memories and this time M made us a special book that will always be held close to our hearts.
This is the book she made especially for us.

Front cover

There were many more pages full of pictures, charm, and special words.

Back Cover

You cannot appreciate the work that has gone into this book, it truly is a masterpiece, and there were a few happy tears shed when we received it. 
I also received a few other gifts once home.  This was made by my sewing friend as a little welcome back gift.

Cute little clear plastic wallet.

Matches my scissor keeper that I receive for my birthday.

She is so sweet!

And can you remember I joined in a one on one swap at the beginning of the year?  It was supposed to be a PIF blog swap, but I didn't have a blog at that time so Lynz  suggested we just send two small gifts that could arrive anytime between February and July.   My first gift was this.. 

Just to die for 

and this is what arrived this morning...

Isn't it beautiful?  I love the way she fussy cut that peacock and flowers for the Tea Pot, and although you can't see them so well, the little green bobbles fit so neatly....Oh my I am a lucky girl! Thanks Lynz.

I have not felt like doing much, I could blame jet lag, but that's a bit lame as we have been home for over a week now, but I have done a few sections of this...

Dancing Ribbons 

I have increased the pattern, so my one will now finish at about 18"square.  I found the pattern 

here 

Holiday end

After our last few days of visiting Vancouver Island and the trip to Seattle we had a couple of days relaxing in the sun, but by Wednesday our feet were restless so  M dropped us off at Lonsdale Key where we caught the sea bus to 'downtown' Vancouver.

View from the Sea bus of 'downtown' Vancouver

We decided to hire bikes and cycle around Stanley Park.  Its such a pleasant ride, no hills to climb, mostly shady, and views of the sea all the way. 

You don't often see him with a helmet

Just look at those horses!!!!

Touch of wild life -  Mr. or Mrs Racoon

Thursday was a quite morning, but by the afternoon it turned out to be quite warm so  A and I had a date for a swim.  We went across the road and used the private water front of a friend.  I thought it would be fun if we jumped in from the dock, but then I saw the dock stood a lot higher than I imagined, so it was tippy toes into the water for us.  The cove is a very deep fiord, and therefore the water can be pretty chilly, in fact as you swim you come across warmer currents- then cooler ones- but if you tried to tread water, thats when you find out just how cold the water is just a few feet below you! (toes would soon turn blue, me thinks).  It was a fun time, then came the hard bit of climbing the stairs, firstly up from the waters edge to the road (44 steps) then the next 39 up to the front door of the house Phew!!!! but  worth it.

Cool clear water.

This is how you do syncro.... your turn Nana

Think I will just swim aroung the dock again.

Thursday evening was Ladies kayaking night in the cove, so M, A and I joined the 70 or so ladies for a 2 hour paddle.   I have to  admit that  seeing all the kayaks together seemed a bit daunting and I do prefer going out in twos or threes, but once I got used to the crowds it was fine. 

A and I off to join the rest of the ladies.

You may need a magnifying glass for this pic.but A and M are on the left, and me off on my own (right)

On our last day we spent the morning wandering the cove and "people watching".  The aftenoon was spent packing and being greatful that we had the extra baggage allowance on our way home.  Friday evening we went to the first of Deep Cove's concerts, the group played folk and pop music, and were very good.

Enjoying the evening

What an evening!

What a beautiful place to live!

All good things have to come to an end, and this was our last glimpse of Canada.

Farewell to the Rockies

 Back home and trying to get to grips with the jet lag, but such great memories.

And for my next project!!!! another reminder of that fantastic shop in Victoria.

Wonderful few days

Wow we have had some new experiences. Firstly we travelled to Victoria on the sea plane....I just loved it. It was a little noisy, and you could smell the aviation fuel when we first got on, but we either got used to the smells or they faded as we travelled.

Ready steady Go!

The weather was not so good when we left Vancouver and only a little better once we arrived, but by the afternoon the clouds had broken up and the sun was peeping through. As the weather was not that great when we arrived we hit the shops that were on the'must visit' list that M had suggested. The first was a quilt shop,

Satin Moon Quilt shop

and I bought some bits that were on sale, the next was a shop selling buttons, knitting wool, and everything that went with sampler patterns. I'll show you what I bought...

I think the shope is called 'Button-up'... I wonder why

These are my treasures from 'Button-up'

Oppps!!! we had a second visit to the shop.....

Our legs were getting a bit tired and by the harbour a cute little water taxi was waiting for passengers, so we hopped on and had a trip along the gorge.

I am not the one getting the cuddle

 We wandered around more sight-seeing, then came across the horse and carriage rides and as we needed a bit of a rest what better way other than sitting back and letting the horse take us for a sight seeing trip around the town.....wonderful!

Lazy ride in the sun

There is a funny little Dutch coffee shop that sells scrummy cakes, so who could resist that....not me! I didn't take a picture of the cakes, you might just be jealous.

That was just the first day!

Day Two

We woke for our second day in Victoria to blue skies and sunshine. A trip to Chinatown was on the list today, and we both felt that although smaller than Vancouver's Chinatown, it was much better.

After a very healthy lunch of fresh fruit we found a nice park to sit in and watch the comings and goings around the harbour. Supper was at the Blue Crab restaurant which again gave us beautiful views of the harbour with the sea planes and ferries coming and going. Full after our sea food supper we walked back to the hotel to pack ready to leave tomorrow.

Our last breakfast on Victoria was a small affair, fruit and toast, scrummy! We caught a bus to Butchart Gardens which again gave us a tour of the city and a bit of the history behind the island and also the gardens. I cannot explain how stunning the gardens are, and the pics we took could never do it justice. It is certainly a 'must visit' on anyone's list.

We thought this looked good....

Then you turn the corner and this view almost takes your breath away

The lake was so still the reflextions are great

The whole garden is a wonderland.

After a wonderful day, we caught the ferry back to Vancouver where N met us. Lots to show and tell once back in the cove.

Seattle here we come! Our trip down included a stop at a shopping outlet where the younger 'L' family found lots of bargains. Supper treat was at the famous 'Elliot's. 'Crab-a-licous'

Is the bib needed????

 

 Saturday we went to the world famous Seattle market.  Have you ever seen flowers and fruit looking so good, the fish isn't bad either.

 Sweet Peas

Mixed bunches of flowers at give away prices

 O.K. this friut was covered in chocolate.

Have you ever seen larger Salmon???

Next the Seattle Needle, and as it was such a clear day the view was fab.

 Our last evening in Seattle was at 5 th Avenue Theatre to see Les Miserables.....I love that musical and the new backlighting and scenes in my mind are a Great improvement. Fantastic show! Sunday was a journey-home day, but M and I had a date at 'Joannes' so we left the others and had a head start. Joanne's was not a disappointment-lots to buy if only there was unlimited cash.