Bellagio, Las Vegas

And you thought I was done sharing about the

trip to the southwest.

Whenever I have been in Las Vegas,

I love visiting the Bellagio.

The atrium is always full of flowers and just so beautiful.

Most things in Las Vegas I can skip, but always a stop here is planned.

The entrance with the ceiling of Chihuly glass delights me.

But the ever changing atrium gives me pause to savor.

The Japanese theme and teahouse were just beautiful.

I could imagine sitting here for tea.

Many others are snapping away with their cameras.

Then just because it was cooler inside we strolled through the halls

and found this beautiful outdoor scene.

But this is what I come for each time I visit,

the glass ceiling.  Isn't it beautiful?

It never changes and always delights.

Tea Time at Butchart Gardens

Mrs. Butchart's private garden and garden tea house

where she could sip and dream.

How I would have loved sitting in this garden house

with a cup of tea and a chat with Mrs. Butchart.

Isn't it just beautiful?

It is closed off to walking and sitting,

but we could still wander into the tearoom nearby and sip awhile.

And sipping, sharing friendship, and sitting awhile was planned for this day.

Meeting dear friends that had traveled from New Zealand

was the course for the day,

but sharing teatime was made all the more precious because of it.

Over 35 years ago I met Rosemary when I took a group

of spinners and weavers to New Zealand for the

National Woolcraft Festival.

Over the years we have met in the US when Rosemary

and Bill traveled for wool festivities, plus we traveled 

together in England a few years ago too.

Friendships like this are very special

and definitely worth making the effort to gather together

whenever the opportunity arises.

So last week we ventured to Victoria, BC, Canada

for a time to walk in the gardens and sip tea together.

linking to Bernideen:  http://blog.bernideens.com/

Butchart Gardens, Roses Everywhere!

Beginning at the Italian garden in Butchart Gardens

we strolled with friends.

A stop to view the bay nearby.

Eventhough it is the 4th of July here,

in Canada they were preparing for their 150th celebration.

The roses were exploding everywhere.

Then with a walk through the sunken garden.

It was a beautiful day.

Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, Canada is the perfect place

to just celebrate each day.

With all the traveling the past month,

I still have some sharing to do from the southwest too.

Hope those of you from Canada had a delightful Canada Day.

Happy 4th of July to my friends here in the states.

I hope you have time today to go out and smell the roses.

Walk with Me - Bloedel Reserve

 Come walk with me through the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island,

Washington.  The second time I have walked here, but in another season.

It is one of my favorite places to walk, so on adventuring north last

week I had to walk here.

 The enchanted forest.

 The Japanese gardens and teahouse are so serene.

 The garden below the teahouse.

 Always lovely places to stop for meditation.

 Lilies so tall and beautiful.

 We can sit here and chat awhile.

 A view worth savoring.

 Stopping to admire the flowers.

Brother and sister's hands reach out together.

 More walking along the soft trail in quiet and solitude.

 The magnolias were amazing.

 And again we linger.

 The circle is complete as we return to the Japanese garden.

 I just couldn't miss noticing the beauty of the day.

Dear friends, go out and notice what you notice.

What is surrounding you, delighting you in the outdoors today?