Gardens Etc.

Despite my winter torpor, I am thinking about gardens.

We are leaving for Florida in two days, and somehow this sunshiny future has inspired in me a burning desire to renovate our garden.  So I've been ordering gardening books left and right, and scheming over colours and textures.

This got me thinking that I failed to post about my mother's visit this past September and our idyllic visit to the inimitable Butchart Gardens in Victoria, where both my aunt and dear friend M. live.

To whet your appetite, here is a view of the sunken garden, which was once a quarry:

I think this might be what heaven looks like.

The rose garden was a treat, as I always visit in spring and it's not in bloom.  This time it was in bountiful bloom and simply perfect and romantic:

One of my favorite gardens is this little English garden, which is often overlooked, as I think it's only visible from the restaurant:

Sorry it's overexposed - it was sooo bright that afternoon...not the best for photography!

Speaking of restaurants, here we are enjoying lunch on the veranda of the Dining Room Restaurant.

This is my lovely and amazing Mom (left), and my dear friend M.(who is travelling in India right now):

And this is me:

The menu was lovely and simple, and the food was divine:

I had the mushroom bisque and the caesar salad.  It was as good as it looks:

The gardens are heavenly.

The dahlia garden is insane - it goes on and on and on, a riot of colour:

And there are giant sunflowers, which I always find very funny:

There are also lovely ponds, surrounded by dreamy trees and flowers:

If I lived in Victoria, I would buy an annual pass to this astounding garden.

Hope your winter is not too grey and this helped to brighten your day!

Love, T.