More photos than words

Hi from my parent’s home in Victoria.  Dennis and I are here celebrating my Mom’s birthday (a few days early)  It’s been a full and photogenic day, so here are the shots.

We drove from rain into sun on the way to the ferry this morning.  The sky was really pretty.

We bought breakfast at the ferry terminal, an english muffin with egg and ham. (and coffee, a VERY VERY large coffee)

The ferry terminal is full of little shops, here are a few of the wares.  (nobody’s wardrobe is complete without “Buck Naked” boxers)  And Shelley, that hat could be a knitting project!

Here are a couple of pictures of the crossing.

At one point there were DOZENS of seagulls all soaring along beside the boat.  There was very very little wing flapping, they literally just “rode the wind”.

When we arrived, we saw a bunch of crocus flowering in the cracks of my Dad’s driveway.  Victoria isn’t THAT far from Vancouver, but seems that the blooms are a bit further ahead here than back home.

My Mom made us soup, coleslaw and buns for lunch.

My Mom and I did a bit of thrifting this afternoon.  As you can see in the collage below, we couldn’t resist trying on silly hats.  Not to be outdone, my Dad and Dennis posed with props as well.  I think I should title this collage “The Very Silly Family”.  (and note to self:  refresh your lipstick before photos are taken)

We then went to visit our friends Marion and Carlo and their girls Anna and Sara – and to meet a new member of their family!

Just kidding.  This isn’t the new family member, this is a “gnome” that their neighbors have built.  I was talking to Dan the neighbor, and it started as a lark, but has become a neighborhood attraction.  Know what they named it?  “Gnome”. 

HERE is the new family member….meet Lily!

Lily is wearing sunglasses because she’s a recent immigrant from Los Angeles.  There is an organization here in B.C that rescues dogs from kill shelters, find foster homes in either the U.S or Canada, then find them their forever home.  Lily is about 2, and is absolutely lovely.  Who knows what here background is and how she ended up in the shelter, but her previous owner’s loss is Marion’s family’s gain, and in return, Lily has hit the lottery in finding such a great home.  Win/win situation here!!!

Carlo and Dennis had a little port tasting, they book look a bit blitzed in this photo (though neither was) but Lily looks cute.

Carlo makes the world’s best cappuccino.

THEN, we went out for dinner with my Mom and Dad to celebrate Mom’s birthday.  Here are my parents.

We toasted with a glass of red wine.

We split some hummus and pita.

I had a cheese-less pizza with spinach, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, onions and artichokes.

My Mom was brought some tiramisu, and was serenaded by the staff.

Then it was home for presents….

…and now its time for bed.