Art Class, at the Childhood Home of Emily Carr

The childhood home of Emily Carr, in Victoria BC, was built in 1963.

My son and I spent three wonderful Wednesday mornings studying the art of watercolor painting with an amazing group of like-minded people.

“To look into the heart of the cherry tree when it was blossoming was a marvel almost greater than one could bear. Millions and millions of tiny white bells trembling, swaying, too full of white holiness to ring.” Emily Carr

There are so many skills and techniques to discover!

Enjoying beautifully decorated macaroons, a delicious treat prepared for us by our instructor, Helga Strauss’s mom, and fellow artist.

After today’s class to Beacon Hill Park, where we painted for another two hours.

Thank you, Emily, for sharing your home with us and our new friends.

Old Town Bakery

‘The Old Town Bakery is a must visit,’ shared my airplane seatmate. ‘It is where you will find the best cinnamon bun on Vancouver Island,’ the long time islander enthusiastically shared.

Standing outside, in a long line of cinnamon bun fans.

Established in 1932, the Old Town Bakery was voted home of the islands best cinnamon bun. Word of mouth says that it still is.

Nutella caramel hot chocolate, ham and cheese croissant, whiskey caramel cinnamon bun, lunch for two people under 30 dollars.

A lunch, of quality, affordable, made-from-scratch baking, nostalgic of Grandma’s homemade treats.

Whiskey caramel cinnamon bun with a sprinkle of pistachio nuts.

The Old Town Bakery holds a ‘Fast as you can eat’ contest of an 8 pound cinnamon bun. It took us three days to finish our regular size cinnamon bun, so I don’t know!

Like my friend on the plane, I highly recommend the trip to Ladysmith, for a taste of Vancouver Island’s best cinnamon bun!

The Teacup Tree

We came upon a teacup tree. A cup for you, and a cup for me.

Granny’s favourite charity, artsREACH, is a non-profit organization that provides free enrichment workshops in visual arts, dance, and theatre to vulnerable schools in the Greater Victoria BC area.

Since 2005, more than 42,000 children have benefited from the program.

Lunch Time

Visiting the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit… at the Royal BC Museum.

Story Quilt

I have begun on the journey of creating a story quilt, capturing moments of time and memories made along the way.

There will be no rhythm or reason to my work. The materials and day will determine the outcome.

I will keep this post updated.

I have no idea when it will be completed.

From top to bottom, Geworteld in Nederland, Flowers and beads from the late 1960s. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!

Keeping my brain and my hands in a creative state of mind.

O Canada

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.

Car ton bras sait porter l'epèe.
Il sait porter la croix!

Ton histoire est une people,
Des plus brillants exploits.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

The True North strong and free!

Valentine’s Day

Rose petals 
and flowers.

Greenery 
and lavender hues.
Daisies and lilies
will remind me of you.

Pinks and purples 
Peaches and white.
Red roses reaching

Hands 
Twisting and turning 
Bouquets are forming.

Ribbons are twisting  
Paper is crinkling 
Water is flowing 
Vases are glowing.

And
I love you!

Be a Mustard Seed

Matthew 17:20-21 “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of mustard seeds, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. “

Canada produces more than 80% of the world’s mustard seeds and is also the world’s largest exporter of mustard seeds.

Let’s be mustard seeds!

Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee!!!!!!!

Wiarton Willie

Little Wiarton Willie dug his way up and out of his burrow yesterday, only to discover that his shadow was nowhere to be found.

He didn’t quite know what to think as the people kept shouting ‘hooray, hooray, only six weeks til spring.’ Willie scurrying, quickly ran deep into his burrow and fell fast asleep.

So folks, get out your seed catalogs and dust off those trays. If there was ever a good time to grow your own food, I think it’s today.

It’s time to think Canadian and protect what is ours. Check all your labels. Every country is fine except the greedy nation south of us whose goods we’ll decline.

So shop carefully spending the extra time, support your nieghbours and prehaps even pickle.

Cushions of Snow

Cushions of snow 
Wherever you go.

Cushions of snow 
May you not blooom and grow.

Bloom and grow
For never.

Blossoms of ice
You melt quite nice,
Melt quite nice
Forever....

Hum to the tune of Edelweiss!