~Monterey Bay Aquarium~

Last weekend we took a family trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. What a amazing place to visit. The Jelly Fish were spectacular, they are also known as Drifters; delicate, colorful jellies that pulse and drift through the sea.

This Jelly Fish has a clear body that was bright and electrifying.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is hosting "The Secret Lives of Seahorses". You will need to enlarge the Seahorse pictures to see them since they blend into there habitat. Look closely to the right and left. How many do you count?


There are two Seahorses here they look like sea plants.
The Sea Horses are always together and seem happy. Very beautiful creatures.
The Grandkids had a blast, with such wonder in their sweet faces.
Big smiles from our 4 year old Grandson.
Hands on with the Starfish. The kids really had a great time. Fun had by all ! I must say if you ever plan on visiting the Aquarium you many want to go on a weekday. We went on Saturday and it was very, very crowded and hard to snap pictures.

~Chandelier for Tea Room~

I had been wanting a chandelier for my tea room for ages, but I just couldn't find the right size until I went into one of my favorite lighting stores in Modesto, Ca (Philips Lighting). This was the first chandelier that caught my eye. It was so different and since I have tall ceilings I needed something that when you looked up you could actually see the beauty of the light.

Its so hard to get a good picture of a light when its on, but I really wanted you all to see how pretty it looks on.

A shot of the chandelier through the mirror, do you recognize the pink heart hanging on the mirror? Cindy from My Romantic Home made this and had them for sale in her ESTY store. I love the pink heart.

I did a little rearranging of the pictures in the tea room, I hung one of my favorite pictures on the door. I wanted it to be at eye level when sitting.
You may also recognize the domed plate on the table, I bought this from Tina at Cherry Hill Cottage. I have mentioned before that I really enjoy buying home made items from other blogger's. There is nothing like a treasure that was home made by someone who's blog you enjoy reading. I still have many more treasures to purchase from many talented lady's. While on vacation in Victoria BC I bought two of these blue tea pot Tea Towels. I love the blue and white . I had been looking for tea pot towels and was so happy to finally find some.

P.S. I want to thank everyone who reads my blog and for those of you who leave a note.
It's so sweet and thoughtful of you to want to do so. I know its hard to get around to everyone but know it means so much to me that you take the time out of your busy life to stop by for a visit.

Big hugs to you all,
Elizabeth

~Patio Swing Project~

Poor little old green swing, she was so tattered and faded from the sun, and lots of swinging. So it was time for this little old green swing to look new again.
Gary and I found this blue and white outdoor ticking fabric on SALE for $3.00 a yard, I was so excited since originally it was $9.99 a yard. What does a good little shopper do, she buys 10 yards!.
Next Gary and I go over to ACE Hardware that is only minutes from our home and buy 4 cans of red spray paint. You all know I love red.

And Wall-la a new red, white and blue swing for our swinging pleasure and just in time for the 4th of July! I love rick a rack and so I used it to add more color on the canopy, I only had 25 inches left and did not want to run back to the fabric store so I used what I had to make our last name initial on the big pillow. I had made the red ticking and poke a doted pillows a while ago and thought they would add a little more pizzaz to the swing.

I made the slip cover for the seat with one open end (like a pillow case) and tucked under one side, so it could be taken off and washed easily.

Next weekend I have my lounger to recover for the back yard. I will be sewing until I use all of my 10 yards of fabric!

~The Space Needle and Pikes Market~

Here we are at the Space Needle in Seattle WA, the Space Needle was designed for the 1962 worlds fair and the Space Needle is 605 ft tall . Did you know you can get valet parking at the Space Needle, so we did. Gary laid on his back on the step of this fountain to get the full shot of the Space Needle.
The many views from the top of the Space Needle, by the way it was $18. per person to go to the top of the Space Needle to see the views of Seattle. It was amazing views but a bit expensive.

A cruise ship was docked.

Now for Pike Place Market, the oldest open public market in Seattle since 1907.
A neat little ally way with small shops.
The most beautiful flowers, I wish I could have brought some home.

Look at all the people, so many in fact it was hard to see anything. Dad had enough of the crowd and went outside looking for fresh air.
He found this little rag time band. They were actually good.
AH ! and the fresh fish I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, the biggest crab legs ever and the lobster tails were huge! You can click to enlarge any picture.

Lots of fresh vegetables and fruit.
We started for home after this Mom, Dad, Gary and I all had a great time but we really wanted our own beds and pillows. Vacationing is always fun, but there is no place like home!.

~The Locks in Washington State~

We left Victoria Island Canada via Sydney Canada on the ferry. We arrived in Washington State and drove onto Seattle Washington our first stop the the Hiram M. Chrittenden Locks. This was on Mom's "Bucket List". She has wanted to see this for many years.
The Locks are a water way that has to be lowered in order for the boats to leave. You can see below the picture of the boats that are still resting high in the water, watch how the water is getting lower.


Until the boats are at river level.
At this point the cement doors will open and let the boats leave.

And away they go. It was really something to see and so amazing.

Here you can see the difference in the water level .
A few pictures of the gardens, I didn't realize until we arrived home and I stated looking at all the pictures, that we saw at least four gardens. All beautiful.

After the Locks we were off to the Seattle to see the Space Needle and Pikes Market.

~Tea with Mom at Butchart Gardens~

Mom and I had tea in this very delightful and sunny garden dinning room. As we walked around to enter the front door there was many beautiful plants and a long gracious lawn to adore.

We are getting closer to the front door and here we took a peek through the lattice into what was Mrs. Butchart's private garden.
Almost to the front door.
And here we are. The glass in the door was amazing.
Inside the Dinning Room.

The garden room where we took tea.

Everywhere we looked we saw blooming potted plants, they were lined up all around the window ledges.
We were served a lovely variety of sandwiches and little cakes along with a candied ginger scone, for a warm treat we were served a sausage roll and a roasted vegetable and cheese quiche. Mom and I loved the berry trifle with Chantilly cream. Now time for tea. Mom and I had fun wondering what story the tea leaves could tell us...

Mrs. Butchart would host lovely luncheons for the under privileged children. This picture was taken outside on the lawn area, behind it is what is now called the Dinning Room. The letter above is a thank you note that was so beautifully written. I just love the way the thank you letter was written in the year 1920. Click on the picture to enlarge. Next Post~Seattle Washington to see Pikes Market, the Locks and the Space Needle.

~The Butchart Gardens~

Out visit to Butchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada was amazingly beautiful!. I don't know if the pictures can due it justices. The colors of all the plants were so vibrant. I hope you enjoy the pictures, you can click to enlarge any photo if you like.




















At the end of our day Mom and I went off to shop Gary and Dad sat outside waiting for us, while the men waited patiently, Gary saw this little dog wearing sunglasses the dog actually left them on and was use to wearing them the owner told Gary.. Way to cute!

Next post~Tea at Butchart Gardens