"Home is Where the Heart is"

~Master Bedroom Inspiration~

2009-10-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

BEFORE~~~These photo's are from my post "Waking up in Sunshine".
A very yellow-golden room and it was like waking up in sunshine.. Our room had been yellow for over four years, so I thought it was time for a change.... You can click on any photo to enlarge if you like
Notice the heavy black furniture and the shorter curtains also our little t.v. was on top of the dresser. A lot of furniture for our little bedroom.
The wall with the wing back chair and black dresser now has a custom built-in closet and the back and gold mirror is now white.

AFTER ~~~~ I owe a very big "Thank you and hug to Becky from "Sweet Cottage Dreams", Cindy from "My Romantic Home", Jennifer from "The Old Painted Cottage" and Valarie from "Glimpse of my World".

I have been reading these ladies blogs for quite a while now and they have inspired me to create a new softer bedroom.

Now I must say Gary did not want me to change the bedroom, but you girls know how it is, after over four years with the same color, it was time for a change and when I get something into my little old head, I just have to do it (I need to create). . .

So off I went with many ideas to explore, and my guy Gary, well he did help me and was surprised how much he loved the out come. We went with blue, white, neutral paint and red accents.

Jennifer's color choice for their home (Ralph Lauren's Canvas Natural) was just the ticket and what I had been looking for, I think its such a neutral color and soothing to the eyes.
(Oh my! look what I did, I left my camera lens cover on the ottoman~silly me!) I still need to make a new slip cover for the ottoman. I do have an idea up my sleeve but that will be for another post.
Also the wall shelves were an inspiration, Jennifer has them in her kitchen and I thought they would work nicely for the family photos of our niece's and nephews and since I had removed the dresser, I needed a place to display the photos. We love our little ones!
Cindy gave me the inspiration to paint out my black furniture to white the color is actually from Kelly Moore and is called "Frost". I also painted the beveled rectangle black and gold mirror using the Kelly Moore "Frost". All the trim, molding and anything painted is in the "Frost".
The two side windows on either side of the bed are very small, I had added the full curtains as you can see in the "before" photos in hopes it would help to enlarge them.
I think actually I was hiding them.
I love all the crown molding we have used through out our home and wanted the windows to be more substantial, so sweet Hubby went to work and added the wood trim above the windows for me ( The wood was a recycle from the guest room headboards project).
The painted mirror.

A better shot of the two side windows with the fuller trim on top of them.
Valarie had her 100 Th post giveaway back in April and I was the very lucky girl who won her $25.00 gift certificate to "Laurie Anna's Vintage Home". I choose three mercury glass votive holders. They are siting on the headboard mantel. Look closer
And here they are!
Aren't they lovely. They reflect the light so romantically, thank you Valarie and Laurie Anna. I have had so many wonderful comments from my friends about these sweet mercury glass votive holders. Laurie Anna sent me some milk bath and hand lotion, it is divine. Valarie and Laurie Anna are two very sweet and kind ladies.
Our new custom Oak closet. I am so excited about theses really I am! Our home did not have enough closet space and since this was a wall that was just crying out for a built in, I thought why not add one, and look it fits my little t.v. too.
Gary and I still need to add the cabinet knobs. I want to find just the right ones.
I love the braided trim molding its the same as on the trim above the two small windows and also on the two night stands on either side of the bed.
Before the cabinets were installed.

Becky inspired me to go out and buy a "painter drop cloth" and make curtains. Becky had made her dinning room chair slip covers using the drop cloth as her fabric and they are amazing!. Becky is one creative and talented gal and we live in the same town.
I Made them to cover the entire window including the transom window. I think by doing this it brought the eye up and also helped to keep the morning light out.
Much better, Yes?.
At night with the curtains drawn. Now what do you do with the left over drop cloth fabric? make a pillow and you all know how much I love pillows. I have them all over my home and change them from room to room.
The creamy white linen on the pillow was made by my Grandma, she made this sometime in the late 40 to early 50 . Grandma did the drawn thread work and then embroidered the "L".
I hated to cut the linen to sew with it, but through-out the years it had began to show holes and had warn out, so I carefully cut the linen and was able to use the best of her beautiful hand work. The button was also Grandma's from one of her dress suits from the 50.
A closer look at Grandma's hand work. I can't imagine all the time it took to pull each thread out of the linen fabric and then go back and sew it into a lovely lace.
Thank you Becky, Cindy, Jennifer and Valarie for your" inspiration"!
Just another reason to love blogging.

~The Little Frog~

2009-10-21T20:24:00.001-07:00

Look who was swimming in our pool! and couldn't get out. Mr. Frog had been swimming for hours and had been vigorously trying to jump out.
I knew I just had to help the poor guy, and besides I really didn't want a dead frog to get stuck in the pool filter (Yuck) and so I pushed the pool sweep tubing under him to help free him from the cold water.
Mr. Frog looked so happy, I think he was so tired from all that swimming.
Aww, safely to the ground now. I could see his little heart beating so fast. I said " now hop off and be free little Frog" no more swimming in my pool!
We have had lizards, a garden snake and a mouse in our pool, its really icky but I guess that's just one of the things to look out for when you have a pool.

~The Storm and the Tree~

2009-10-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

Last week a huge rain storm hit the central valley of Modesto Ca. and also the San Francisco Bay area of Ca. We had rain "ALL" day long and into the night. Gary and I received a call from our neighbor saying that the large tree in our front yard was coming down.
This is a city tree and was about 12 years old. This is what the tree looked like when we arrived home from work that evening. It was leaning in about a 45 degree angle.
The night sky, I think it was pretty and mysterious.
Oh no! she beginning to lean more. We were just hoping and praying the tree would not fall against our smaller little crape myrtle.

On Saturday Gary and I went out to dinner and received a call from our neighbor saying that the city was out and cut down our tree, so not to be too surprised when we arrive home.
Our big beautiful tree is gone, look across the street our other neighbor also lost their tree.
As of Sunday night (as I right this post) the tree branches are sitting in the street, now we might get some rain tonight and where do you think the city put the tree debree, Yep you got it (right on top of the rain gutters.) Now what do all men do? ~ they inspect the work and then they stand around and talk about how they would have cut down the tree (the right way). Giggle Giggle

Enjoy your week my friends and keep creating!
Elizabeth

~Thats what I Need~

2009-10-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Now doesn't that make you feel better!

Enjoy your day and keep creating lovely things.

Elizabeth

~Bike Ride~

2009-10-06T20:38:00.001-07:00

This is our Son n Law "Travis's" Harley. Bernadette and Travis rode over for a visit.

Aleena our Grand-daughter was also visiting and of course she wanted to go for a ride. So she put on Auntie Bernadette's riding gear. I couldn't tell them apart for a minute. Aleena looks so grown up (Uncle Travis promises me (Grandma) that he would not go fast). Us Grandma's worry a lot.
A O.K. and two thumbs up they tell me and off they go. I yell be careful!

Now its Bernadette's turn to put on her gear for the ride home. I say where is your long sleeve jacket?. Mom I'm fine with the vest Bernadette tells me. I worry. They are ready to ride away. We had a lovely visit and I will miss them.
By, By.
I yell, I love you, be careful, call me when you get home. Aw, kids I think as parents we never stop worrying about them.

~Family Room Re-Do AGAIN~

2009-09-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

This is what the family room looked like with the red curtains. Since this photo was taken I have added the cream curtains, changed the pillows, added the yellow wing back chair that was in our bedroom and changed the lamp shade from cream to the red and white toile. You can click to enlarge any photo if you like.
The floral pillows you see on the plaid couch were on the cream couch that is in the front room and since I just made the blue and white toile pillows for the cream couch, I thought the floral pillows would look like nice with the plaid they also match the ottoman. I have been wanting to change the curtains and wanted to tone down some of the red although I do love red and always will, but it was time for a change. I still have a lot of red accents through out this room and throughout the entire house.
I still need to have a stain glass window made for the window in the corner. I hope by Christmas so the room will be complete. The walls are the same light butter yellow as in the kitchen, but they didn't photograph well with all the light that filters into the room.
We do most of our living in this room since the T.V is here and we can see it from the kitchen.

I made the cream afghan a few years ago, we have afghan's in every room of our home.
You can see the new french blue wall that was just painted, it picks up the blue in the floral fabric.

I had to take most of the pictures with the curtains drawn unless I held the camera to the side as to avoid the glare. Some of the color might be off a bit because of all the light. I think I need to take a photography class. Really I do.

Enjoy your week and keep creating,
Elizabeth

~Blue Kitchen~

2009-09-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

French blue in the kitchen, I have gone blue crazy! I left the upper walls in the butter yellow and removed all the clutter I had on the top. The inside of the glass cabinets were white and I wanted a soft blue to bring out my dishes. Under the counter was changed from deep red to French Blue. Gary said why do you want to change the color, you love red!. I replied "its only paint and I still love red". (Gary just shook his head) - he loves me.

The light that filters into my home from the transom windows really changes the colors all during different times of the days. The light is picking up the pits in the rain glass.

The crocheted pot holder was made by my Great-Aunt.
Remember our trip to Pierre Deux in S.F. a few weeks ago, well this is one of the rugs we purchased and the inspiration to the shade of French Blue. I love this rug it has rooster in every corner. You can click on the picture to enlarge it if you like.
A peek inside the cabinet to take a closer look of the light blue paint. I think I might add a bit of white trim across the shelve ledge. What do you think?.
My Grandma's vintage egg plate and Irish coffee cups.

The kitchen is directly across from the dinning room so the French Blue paint under the counter really picks up the new Toile dinning room chair covers.

~8 Yards of Blue Toile~

2009-09-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

What do you do with 8 yards of 18th-century french country blue and white toile?. you make pillows for your front room couch, slip covers for your dinning room head chairs and matching lamp shades for the vintage milk glass lamps.
I ordered the blue toile from Country Curtains http://www.countrycurtains.com I could not find the shade of blue I wanted in any of our local fabric stores and since I had purchased curtains from them before and have always been pleased I decided to order the fabric and I
l-o-v-e the toile I was so excited when it arrived. So now I had to get "busy" and start sewing.

The two dinning room chairs covered in pretty blue and white. I am in l-o-v-e with this fabric, I already told you that ha, but I just can't can't help myself I really do l-o-v-e it.
The lamp shades on my Grandma's vintage milk glasses lamps I think Grandma would approve.

I think the china blue and white fabric really help to make the dinning room fresh and clam.
O.k. no spilling anyone.

Torie Jayne: Anthropologie coming to UK

2009-09-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

Torie Jayne: Anthropologie coming to UK

~It's a "56" CHEVY~

2009-08-31T20:11:00.000-07:00

Just look at this "Beauty". A 1956 RED and WHITE Chevy 210 Del-Ray, and she's all Ours. Well O.K. almost. Gary has been shopping for a 1956 in honor of my birth year and just so happens to be his favorite year Chevy.
Gary, Dad and Son n Law took a three and half hour road trip to see this little RED lady on Sunday. The boys fell in love with her and so she will be coming home this coming weekend. She just so "PURRTY". When I turned 16 way back when my dear sweet Grandpa gave me his black and white 1957 Pontiac.. I did not realize what I had and sold her a few years later. I was so sorry I did and ever since then I have wanted a vintage car.
You all know how much I love RED, this is a perfect car for us. Gary can't wait to drive her home and shine her all up.
Looks like we might be going to "Hot August Nights" next year in Reno NV. This is one of the fun car shows to show off your Vintage car, held every year.
Now we have to name her.
Do you have a favorite vintage car?

~The Story of Two Crown Pillows~

2009-08-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has heard of "Garden Adornments", Aimee is the designer of French inspired Pillows, if you have not seen her pillows please pay her a visit, you will fall in love with her designs like I did. http://www.AGardentoRemember.com
I just had to have the "Crown". I thought is was fun and playful and I could take it into every room of the house. I purchased two one in the beige burlap for my "King" and one French blue for the Queen (Me), they arrived Friday on my front porch. I was so excited to open the box. Now for the fun, where should they go? Hum. The front room would be a great place for the burlap Crown, and it would match the creamy white couch.
Lets see how you look in the middle on the couch with all the other pillows around you.
Now a little further away.
Now without the other pillows. I just love my pillows I think you can never have enough to decorate with.... Yes, I think you will stay in the front room.
Now for the French blue. Lets see how you look on our bed. Not bad.
Now on my very comfy green floral seat, Gee you look pretty good there too!.
Lets see how you look on the plaid couch in the family room. O.K. you look good there too. So now how am I suppose to make up my mind. The pink love seat, Well...... I'm not so sure on this one..
Now back to the bedroom. I think you look really pretty here too. Since I can't make up my mind where these lovely pillows should go and since they look great in every room, I will just keep moving them around from room to room..
Thank you Aimee for creating such beautiful pillows. I just saw your new white pillows and (I love the french settee pillow) and now I want those too!. What's a girl to do!.

~Guest Room Re-Do~

2009-08-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

What we did this weekend; We had these old doors that Gary salvaged from an old pine cabinet we had outside in the back yard. The cabinet was literally falling apart, I knew we could re-use some of the wood and so we began to create head boards for the guest room. (Gary come out from behind the doors. You have some sawing to do!) The top molding from the pine cabinet, all the wood was hand carved.
Lots and lots of old rusty nails.
And the head boards were created.
First let me show you what the guest room used to look like, I posted the guest room a while back. We had a trundle bed due to the space constraints. The mirror over the bed is an antique that we painted, it's so heavy about 40 pounds.

Our Grand-daughter did not like the heavy mirror above her head, although it was securely bolted in the wall.

Also when the bottom trundle was pulled out the room was very tight and no room to move. So we needed to re-arrange the room for the Grand-kids comfort.

Come on in and see the new space for the kids. I know this light-fixture is very different that's why I like it so much. I added the little crystal's, you may need to click to enlarge the photo to see the crystal's.

We pulled out the two trundle beds and put them on either side of the walls, so both the Grand-kids could have their own bed and space, they can hide their toys underneath the bed now. I used a white wash on the old pine wood, it took two coats for the color wash. The room is much more practical now.

We are ready for the Grand-kids or my Sister to come and sleep over. There are many home made items in this room, The cross stitch picture, curtains, curtain hold backs were made from butter dishes, crochet afghan's, embroidered pillow cases, chenille bear on the bed, the dollies on the antique dresser and the round pillow that matches the curtains. The good-nite sign was had made, but I bought it at one of my favorite shops in town. ( I love home-made!)

Gary did a great job making the headboards for me. The room is much simpler now and the Grand-kids are happy!.. Me too!

~I Was Tagged~

2009-08-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Melinda from "COUNTRY DREAM". Melinda is from Missouri and a new blogger since July 17th. She is a wonderful gal who is a teacher to students who have special needs. Please stop by and welcome this very sweet lady. http://www.countrydream1.blogspot.com

So what I need to do is tell you Six Random things about me. I am suppose to pass this on to Six others, but I do not like to choose between all my blog friends so please if you feel like playing, join in and share with us Six Random things about yourself.

~ Six Random Things about ME~
1. I have worked for the same company for 25 years.
2. After knowing Gary for only 11.5 weeks we were married.
3. I do not like to exercise.
4. I just had my hair highlighted.
5. I have to wear earrings every day or I feel naked.
6. I am a sweater gal. I just love the feel of a soft warm sweater.

O.K it's your turn.

~Pierre Deux~

2009-08-10T21:11:00.001-07:00

On Saturday we took a little road trip to San Fransisco. It's a little over a two hour drive from Modesto. What a beautiful day it was warm and sunny with just a bit of breeze coming from the ocean.
Gary and went to one of my most favorite stores. Pierre Deux a french country store. Come on in with us and look around.
The outside of the building is a gorgeous shade of blue.

Follow me. I'm so excited to enter the store, there are so many things to drool over. The store is light and bright so it was a bit hard to take a good picture.
I love the drapes in the background. All the french colors are so pretty and vibrant.

Just look at all the pretty fabric. I do love fabric "Gary hold me back"
The french doors, I want these for my bedroom instead of the slider doors we have now. OH Dear Husband, do you see the doors?.
Well of course I had to buy a few things. I will show you what I bought in a later post.

Well after all the shopping was done we had worked up our appetites. "Gary you know you are not suppose to be adding salt!" caught in action. ( does your husband salt before he tastes?) Now for the really good stuff, just can't go to S.F without having crab and lobster.

Our girls Godparents Ruth and Roy joined us for dinner and walking around Pier 39. This is Godfather Roy, lovingly know as RoyBoy.
Yummy, but so messy! Now Roy didn't your Italian Mama teach you its bad manners to play with your food!.
We had a wonderful day and it was great fun to spend time with our dear family.

~Pink Strawberry Cupcakes~

2009-08-06T21:32:00.001-07:00

Oh my, how delicious these pink strawberry cupcakes look! if only they were real, actually I'm glad they are not since I don't think cupcakes are on my "diet". I just had to have them when I saw them on Jennifer's blog; http://www.fortheloveofateddybear.blogspot.com/ For the Love of a Teddy Bear. She makes these lovely cupcakes herself and sells them in her ETSY Store (needfulpink).
They arrived today on my doorstep, it was like opening a present with anticipation. So of course I had to take their sweet yummy picture. They posed quite well don't you think. Smile for the camera cupcake!

Gary and I made the plate stands with the domes. To my surprise, Jennifer added these very sweet scented strawberry's (I love RED).
Look what just happen to get into the picture, just the most beautiful mosaic lamp in the world (I think) made by Penny from The Comforts of Home. Jennifer sent along the kindest thank you card I just had to share it with you.
Thank you Jennifer for being such a wonderful blog friend and for your talent. I have said before that I adore anything had made, it means so much to me. The time and effort and love that goes into every ones craft is so special.
When I look at homemade crafts I have purchased for my home I have such a warm feeling, since I know the person who made it.

Enjoy your day,
Elizabeth

~New Blog Look~

2009-08-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Lately I have been seeing the prettiest backgrounds for our blogs and they are free!. I noticed they were from shabbyblogs.com. So I spent some time tonight playing with different backgrounds.
I think this one is very pretty and I do love flowers, so for now "Home is Where the Heart is" has a new look.
I still have a few more changes I would like to make, but I have to go to bed since I get up at 3:00am. I will work on the rest of the changes tomorrow night.

Big Hugs to All,
Elizabeth

~Master Bathroom Sinks~

2009-08-02T20:29:00.001-07:00

I was having a blog Freeze and then it came to me that I never showed you all the final pictures of our Master Bathroom counter and sinks. So here they are, before plain standard builder sinks and counter top.
Now; granite counter tops with vessel sinks and troft faucets. The color is off in this picture, it's a bit to light due to the natural lighting in our room, but I wanted to show you both faucets. I have mentioned before that we have very high transom windows through out our home and this changes the color of our walls during different times of the day. Both sinks are the same color, I had some trouble trying to take these pictures of the bathroom without me showing up in the mirror. I would say this is more true to color. We also had the floors replaced. By replacing the sinks it has given us more useable counter space. (It sure is hard to take pictures of bathrooms).

Enjoy your week dear friends,

Elizabeth

~ Tea for Two? ~

2009-07-27T22:11:00.000-07:00

What do I do when I've had a very stressful day, why I bring out the "Tea of One's", a little piece of chocolate cake and some very delightful (Head Ache Tea) for Gary and me.
It sure beats a hangover!. LOL
I thought I would share with you today my "Tea for One's". I love to serve tea in them instead of brewing a full pot of the same tea. Then my guests can have the tea flavor of their choice. You can click on any picture to enlarge if you like.
Blue English Chintz by Maxwell Williams.
Romantic Rose by Burton & Burton.

"Amy" Andrea by Sadek

April Cornell.

Tea for one, two, three or four. I am always looking for "Tea for One's". I just love how each one is so different and special. I think its fun to choose witch one to use.
Do you have any Tea for One's?.

Big Hugs,
Elizabeth

~Monterey Bay Aquarium~

2009-07-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

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~

2009-07-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

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~

2009-07-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

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~

2009-07-02T21:42:00.001-07:00

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~

2009-07-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

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~

2009-06-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

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~

2009-06-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

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