FFF ~ Sisters and Friends…

Time to look back and pick favorites from the past week. Visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story to join in. Last Friday I missed FFF because my sisters and I were on a getaway to the beautiful city of Victoria on Vancouver Island in Canada. My favorites this week are all about that weekend trip.
Walking, Talking, Eating, and Sight Seeing were 4 of my 5 favorites. My last favorite was getting to meet a wonderful bloggy friend who lives on the island. Pondside met up with us at our Bed and Breakfast Inn and gave us a wonderful tour of her city. I’ll post more about our Pondside tour in a later post. This last photo is of Pondside and me at Hatley Castle.
This wonderful meeting fulfills #44 of my 60 Things to do in my 60th year! Thanks for being part of my 60th year celebration Pondside. I appreciate you!
Looking forward to seeing what you have all been up to this week and what blessings have come your way…
Photobucket replaced all my photos with these blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Craigdarroch Castle or…

…heigh-ho, heigh-ho, It’s off to walk we go. On Saturday morning after a lovely breakfast we set out for our day of walking. First stop would be Craigdarroch Castle.

 

We saw things along the way that we felt were worth of some space on our memory cards.

 

 

 

 

Craigdarroch Castle was built between 1887-1890 for Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver Island coal. This Victorian mansion, built on a hill overlooking the City of Victoria announced to the world that Robert Dunsmuir was the richest and most important man in Western Canada. Craigdarroch means “rocky, oak place” in Gaelic.

 

 

I took this photo looking up the stairwell to the 4th floor. The interior oak panelling was pre-fabricated including the stairs, doors, window frames, and 2182 panels. They were shipped from Chicago to Victoria in five railcars in the summer of 1890 and installed in the house.

 

 

 

The castle has one of North America’s finest collection of Victorian residential stained and leaded glass windows.

 

 

 

This was the breakfast room for the family. After touring all 4 floors we headed out on foot again.

Our 2nd destination was a bust so we headed for the Oak Bay area of Victoria and found the Penny Farthing to rest our feet and get some refreshment before our 3rd destination of the day.

 

We are finally getting some sunshine today. Woohoo!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with these blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Food Glorious Food!

Warning: This Post could make you hungry!

On our sister weekend we enjoyed lots of good food. Our first night in town we walked to Pescatores for dinner which was a little over a mile round trip. We enjoyed some wonderful fish dishes and steak. I had Pescatores King Halibut ~
Blackened queen charlotte halibut topped with king crab and citrus hollandaise. It’s the middle photo in the collage. It was mouth watering good to the last drop. I also decided to try a Beaufort Oyster just because. Vera had the Sooke Trout stuffed with Brie and crab, Kathy had the Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon and Lana had the Filet Mignon. Our dessert was Banana Foster ~
Fried with brown sugar, butter and rum over sweet crepes. Served a la mode. We shared it amongst the 4 of us.

Do you remember this song from the musical Oliver?

Food, glorious food!
Hot sausage and mustard!
While we’re in the mood —
Cold jelly and custard!
Pease pudding and saveloy!
What next is the question?
Rich gentlemen have it, boys —
In-di-gestion!

Food, glorious food!
We’re anxious to try it.
Three banquets a day —
Our favourite diet!

Just picture a great big steak —
Fried, roasted or stewed.
Oh, food,
Wonderful food,
Marvellous food,
Glorious food.

This is just part of the song sung while the boys had to put up with more Gruel. We on the other hand didn’t have any Gruel on this trip. Our breakfasts at the Inn were a gourmet delight.

Todd was an excellent chef.

On Saturday we walked many miles around town and ended up for an afternoon tea in the Oak Bay area of Victoria. It was a wonderful authentic English High Tea that was recommended to us by Pondside who lives on Vancouver Island. She graciously made our reservations for us including instructions not to be seated in the middle of the restaurant. We had a delightful experience at the White Heather Tea Room and would recommend it to you. Later I will post about meeting Pondside on Sunday and what a wonderful day we had together.

As if we hadn’t had enough food we stopped in a nice grocers and bought some salami, avocado and veggies to have later in the evening in our room with some fresh bread we bought at a bakery across from the grocers. If you’ve never had a picnic in a hotel room you should give it a try…

Hope your days are going well this week. I’m yearning a bit for some sunshine…

Photobucket replaced all my photos with these blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Home Away From Home…

The Beaconsfield Inn Victoria, B.C.

 

We were very happy with the Beaconsfield. It is a Registered Heritage Property — circa 1905. I loved the wonderful rich wood architecture.

Built at the turn of the century to be a gracious Edwardian home, The Beaconsfield Inn retains many of the historic elements that evoke all the character, warmth and hospitality associated with by-gone eras.

 

The Beaconsfield was commissioned in 1905 by R. P. Rithet, a local financial baron, MLA and Victoria Mayor (1885) for his daughter Gertrude, and designed by Samuel McClure, one of Victoria’s most notable architects.

 

Named after a luxurious London Hotel frequented by King Edward VII in pre-World War I England, the Beaconsfield Inn turns the clock back to a gentler time.

 

We reserved the Gatekeepers room because it would accommodate the 4 of us comfortably.

 

 

 

The common room where we could enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and sherry in the evening was a great room to relax. There were fresh baked cookies every night, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This next photo is a peek into the breakfast room. I’ll share a food post on another day.

 

I would gladly return to this Inn if I get a chance to re-visit Victoria.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with these blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

April Fool’s Day in Victoria…

Was it foolish to head out on our Sister Weekend on April fools?

 

Who can predict the weather and seasons? Not us humans for sure. Whatever the weather the time was right. After we docked in Victoria and convinced the local authorities that they could trust us in their country we jumped on a tour bus that would give us a little background on the city on our way to Butchart Gardens.

 

The gardens provide these great see through Bumbershoots for rainy days.

 

The great thing about being at the gardens on a day like Friday was having the gardens to ourselves.

 

The phrase of the day was “everything is 2 weeks behind this year”.

 

We saw a lot of great pruning jobs and a lot of blossoms promising to show their glory soon.

 

 

Photo taking was a little difficult as you had to hold the brolly with one hand and focus your camera with the other.

 

There was lots of beautiful color to enjoy throughout the garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I learned some new names for umbrellas today. We are very familiar with Bumbershoot in Seattle because of our Bumbershoot Music festival on Labor Day weekend. Bumbershoot: Take the umbre from umbrella, and the chute from parachute. Combine them and give it a more phonetic spelling, and you’ve got the name Bumbershoot! Bumbershoot is an American slang word. Then there is Brolly, Brollies: used in the UK and Australia and New Zealand. Gamp: British slang for a large baggy umbrella.  A Hanway: An 18th century term used by English gentlemen. The name comes from Jonas Hanway, a Persian writer who carried an Umbrella and is said to have made the accessory acceptable for men to carry. Sadly we would not be needing a Parasol this weekend. This term comes from the Italian parasole, from parare, meaning “to shield” and sole meaning “sun.”

 

 

We ended our time at the garden with some nice hot cups of tea and coffee.

 

 

The tour bus took us back to our hotel in Victoria just in time for our check-in. I’ll show you the Beaconsfield Inn in my next post.

Happy Tuesday to you!

Acts 14:16-17

In times past, God let each nation go its own way. But he showed that he was there by the good things he did. God sends rain from heaven and makes your crops grow. He gives food to you and makes your hearts glad.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with these blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

The 4 Sisters…

…are all home again and resting their feet. We had a wonderful time and as soon as I get a chance to upload photos I’ll share more.

 

I’ve got quite a list of posts to check out in my Google Reader so I hope to get around and see what y’all have been up to while the sisters were walking about Victoria, B.C.

Blessings…

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Who is on the Lord’s Side? ~ Hymn

Who is on the Lord’s Side?

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm,
Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died:
He whom Jesus nameth must be on His side.
By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem,
But with Thine own life blood, for Thy diadem;
With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee,
Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.
By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King’s own army none can overthrow;
’Round His standard ranging, victory is secure,
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Chosen to be soldiers, in an alien land,
Chosen, called, and faithful, for our Captain’s band,
In the service royal, let us not grow cold;
Let us be right loyal, noble, true and bold.
Master, Thou wilt keep us, by Thy grace divine,
Always on the Lord’s side—Savior, always Thine!

Words: Francis R. Havergal, 1877.

All 60 Things…

I’m consolidating all my 60 things in my 60th year in one post so I can access them easier.

 

Right now me and my sisters are in on our way to Victoria, B.C. for the weekend fulfilling #5 on my 60 things list. I also decided to check the completed items off instead of crossing them out…

1. Finally make it to the top of the Space Needle. Completed on Wednesday January 26th!

2. Dinner with the Mennonite Girls and their husbands. Met for dinner at the Chuckanut Manor on March 13th!

3. East Coast Trip. Things are shaping up for a trip to Washington D.C.  (Any suggestions about what to see and where to eat would be highly appreciated) We were there from May 10th-18th. We saw more than our brains could take in!

4. Apply for my enhanced license so my trips to Canada will be easier. Completed in January!

5. Birthday getaway with my 3 sisters. Plans are afoot. Victoria B.C., April 1-3, 2011

6. Try one new restaurant every month of this year. Looks like this one is really going to be easy especially with trips planned.  Eastlake Bar and Grill~ Lake Union. The Hitching Post~ Monroe. Racha Thai ~Seattle.  Bishops Alehouse ~ Juanita. Chuckanut Manor-Bow. Barolo ~ Seattle. The Cabbage Patch ~ Snohomish. Pescatores ~ Victoria, B.C.

7. Send my parents a bouquet of flowers on my 60th birthday thanking them for loving me all these years. Sent on March 14th and my parents were thrilled.

8. Visiting a a new garden. Hillwood Garden in Washington D.C., Bishop’s Garden in Washington D.C. and Botanical Gardens in D.C.

9. Plant something new in my yard. I planted some Sweet Peas and 2 Top Hat blueberry bushes.

10. Have my flagpole installed. Installed on my birthday March 14th.

11. Lose 10 pounds. Oh Nellie! I should have said gain 10 pounds!

12. Enjoy a book by an author I haven’t read before.

13. Explore 6 cities/towns in Washington. Lake Union~  Monroe~  Snohomish~ Olympia ~ Lynden ~

14. Try 2 new recipes every month.

15. Go on a easy day hike.

16. Walk more.

17. Go to a new Tea Room. White Heather Tea Room in Victoria, B.C. (Oak Bay)

18. Purge 60 books off my bookshelves.

19. Begin going through old boxes in the garage loft.

20. Go on an adventure with my daughter Katie. I’ve had many adventures. One fun one is going with her to register for her wedding!

21. Re-arrange some things that have been the same for 13 years in this old house. Moved antique hutch around and changed some wall hangings.

22. Buy a Welsh Sideboard. I’ve wanted one for years. Instead of a Welsh cabinet we found an Indonesian cabinet that fits our space perfectly.

23. Make and serve our Russian favorite recipes for family gatherings. Golubtsi

24. Find a couple new blogs to add to my favorites.

25. Clean out my closet.

26. Take some time to journal.

27. Invite someone new over for a meal.

28. Invite old friends over for a meal. Had our dear friends over on April 8th for dinner.

29. Meet Dear downtown for lunch.

30. Do some volunteer work. Fulfilled on March 28th although I’d like to do more. United We Serve

31. Try baking a pie including the crust.

32. Bake cinnamon rolls from scratch.

33. Write some letters and mail them.

34. Surprise someone. Sent cookbooks to Dear’s Aunts and to a dear lady who encouraged me in college.

35. Get a manicure and pedicure.

36. Have more than one hour long massage.

37. Use my sewing machine.

38. Be brave enough to get a new generation phone.

39. Call Dear’s Aunts on their birthdays. Called Aunt Audrey on April 14th ~

40. Try something new with my camera.

Now here are the final 20 of my list of 60 things to do in my 60th year!

41. Take a ride in a limousine with people she loves. Completed on my birthday March 14th with our sons, DIL, and Dear.

42. Treat people for her birthday. Bought drinks for all our season ticket neighbors at the opening game which was the day after my 60th birthday.

43. Find a purse that will accommodate my stuff plus my camera with a long enough strap to fit over my shoulder. Completed, I’ll share it soon.

44. Meet bloggy friends in person that she has never met in person before. Met the lovely Pondside in Victoria B.C. and she treated my sisters and I to a fine tour of her town.

45. Reorganize cabinets and purge some Chotskies.

46. Make those every so many year appointments you dread but need to do. Yearly-check, The Squeeze – check, 2 more to go.

47. Write a Psalm to God.

48. Find a dress for our daughter’s wedding.

50. Learn to put the flagpole up and take it down. It’s not as hard as I thought and I’ve done it several times already.

51. Back up the files on my computer.

52. Create some photo books.

53. Mail a box of goodies to Katie’s Andrew while he is deployed.

54. Order a DVR. Got one March 24th!

55. Get a new modem that might actually make her internet work well. Got one and things have improved but we need more improvement! Finally got some good service and much improvement the week of May 23rd!

56. Send flowers to some unsuspecting person.

57. Detail my car.

58. Write poetic tribute of my history as seen on Debora’s blog.

59. Take a canoe ride on Lake Washington this summer with Dear. Him rowing, me taking photos.

60. Do a blog tribute to some of my favorite blog posts on other people’s blogs.

Coming up with 60 things was not an easy task. Maybe there will be some modifications along the way. It was a good exercise and I’ve already enjoyed the benefits of completing many of the 60.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Sisters!

 

My sisters and I are embarking on a weekend getaway to Victoria on Vancouver Island in Canada. The four of us have never had a weekend away or an overnight for that matter and I’m hoping we have lots of laughing moments like this next photo shows.

 

Vera ~ Lana ~ Kathy ~ Ellen

Kathy is the oldest, Vera next, Ellen next and then Lana. We also have 4 brothers. Fred was born after Vera.  Tim was born 7 years after me and then Steve. Lana and Leonard (twins) were the last two born.

We had a sister Kathy who was the first born in our family that died when she was 2 in Persia. My parents decided to name their second daughter Kathy, too. The Kathy we know was also born in Persia.

Both of these photos were taken a good while ago. Vera is several sizes smaller and I’m a few sizes larger. I think Lana and Kathy are about the same. I told my Southern California sisters to leave their flip-flops at home and to bring lots of layers. I’m providing them with rain coats with a hood. Whatever the weather we will persevere and delight in what God has in store for us!

We leave early Friday morning on the Victoria Clipper for a 2-1/2 hour ride to Victoria. We have gardens, castles, walks, and having a proper tea planned. Next week after I catch my breath I will post about our adventures.

Before I get swept away I wanted to share my plate of Baby Back ribs from our dinner on Sunday. So delicious!

 

Maybe plates like this are why I’m a couple sizes larger. You won’t be hearing from me till next week. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

An Eyeful…

…on a 2 mile walk.

 

In lovely weather with the sun shining, my camera and I walked from the Pyramid Alehouse restaurant to Harbor steps across the street from the Seattle Art Museum. I love the details on many of the buildings downtown.

 

 

Occidental Park in Pioneer Square

 

 

 

 

Look closely and you’ll see the Space Needle.

 

 

The side of the Seattle Art Museum. The higher building beyond will soon be where Dear will be spending his days.

 

The Hammering Man at the Seattle Art Museum.

 

Dear’s future home away from home.

 

Harbor Steps across the street from the Art Museum. This is where I turn around and head the mile back to Qwest field for a Sounders game.

 

We call this building the ban roll-on building. Dear worked in that building back in the 90’s.

 

 

 

The Totem Pole in Pioneer Square. There is such an interesting history behind this pole and the original pole that you can read here.

 

 

The Pergola in Pioneer Square. Interesting facts about the Pergola can be read here.

The Pergola had to be replaced after a truck plowed into it in 2001!

There’s nothing quite like downtown Seattle on a nice day.

I’m linking up with Susan for Outdoor Wednesday.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.