Vancouver Island Jewel.... Chemainus

I’m a little embarrassed by the paltry amount of exploring I have done on my very own Island.  I was born here, why have I not seen this before?  Behold, Chemainus, BC. a jewel the Island can be proud of.  This lovely little church is St.Michael and All Angels Anglican.  Isn't it gorgeous.  

On our way home from our Victoria getaway Sweetie and I stopped in Chemainus.  I though “what a perfect place for photo ops!”  I have to tell you it’s much more than that. Of course I took tons of photos but when I put the camera down, I saw a wonderful small town, with friendly people, amazing scenery and the most amazing Art everywhere.

These murals cover the sides of some massive buildings.  They are spectacular.

 The brushwork on this lovely lady is wonderful. 

 Sweetie made a wish .... probably that I would hurry up already!

 We found a lovely little park on the waterfront to stop for a picnic.  What a view.

My favourite mural of all....

What I like and what I don't like... about blogging

One of the reasons I started blogging was.... essentially... fear. It seemed the older I got the faster time was going by. I needed to be able to slow it down a bit, make a mark... a record of the passage and what I was doing in it. I do think this is the case for a lot of people.... I could be wrong ...

I am quite pleased when I see now that I am able to look back and see what was I doing this time last year? The year before that? It’s a really fantastic diary! Of course it doesn’t contain the personal stuff that diaries are made of, but I have hit the highlights and am able to fill in from there :)

The other huge benefit to me is I have effectively catalogued my photos. Quite a while back Sweetie bought me a coolmax external hard drive which I promptly transferred my gijillion photos to. Well this was okay but I needed a system! There’s that damn right/left brain war again. So I decided simple is a good start... I catalogued the everyday photos by month and any special moments like family celebrations (like my Grandparents 75th Anniversary !!) or our vacations in their own folders. It turns out simple works for me!

So it seems the only negative is the dry spells... There are definitely times when I really have nothing to say, even to myself. I just am. I’m not necessarily doing. That brings me to a wonderful writer/blogger whos’ coined the brilliant concept of BLOGGING WITHOUT OBLIGATION. A wonderful idea and one that I have to convince myself is okay!

If you feel the same check this out: blogging without obligation

Looking back to last years entries in March I found I was recovering from carpel tunnel surgery, taking a lot of photos and running away to Victoria!  Isn't that a kick!   As a retrospective I am sharing some photos today of the gorgeous flower arrangment my wonderful coworkers sent me as a get well and the amazing Abkhazi Gardens in Victoria.

Spring is just around the corner..... in Victoria !

  Mo:le Restaurant - a favorite for us!

Sweetie and I were feeling a little bit depressed (understatement really) with the blah winter blues that us Islanders’ often experience.....then you add in the world shattering events of recent weeks, really ...depressed doesn’t seem to cover it. I’m not complaining, how can I when you compare the blessed life we lead to the millions of people around the world who are suffering so much right now. It makes my heart hurt.

We decided a weekend away from the TV and housework and our rainy cold little chunk of Vancouver Island was in order. We always run away to Victoria. It really is such a lovely little city.

 The camelias are blooming in Victoria,  in March no less!

 Pretty banners at Market Square.

Sadly this place has seen better times.  We were lucky enough to catch a weekend with a Farmers Market setting up.  It was lovely to see people using this wonderful old space.

 Sweetie is obsessed with dragons.  What's with boys and dragons? 

The reason I return over and over to Mo:le Restaurant on Pandora Street!  The Simon Whitfield Yam Omelette... let me tantalize your taste buds for a minute: Sage Roasted Yams, Onions, Peppers and Fresh Basil Topped with Goat Cheese and Served with Hot Buttered Toast and Pesto Hash Browns.  Wasn't that mean of me :)

 Love Love Love the colors of these old buildings on Johnson Street.

 A Winter Marmalade stand at the Farmers Market.  Don't they look pretty!

A lofty view of Market Square.  Such potential!