Friday, October 30, 2009

BC Birthday

Another memory from the recent BC trip, rather out of sequence (ie earlier in chronology than the mountains and Hope) with the most recent trip posts. Since I discovered it partly begun as a draft, I decided to finish it. I had probably abandoned it out of boredom because these chronological posts don't inspire me very much. And you too, I imagine.

As many of you know but may have forgotten, Althegal (D2) and I share the same birth date, early in September. Although we came within a few days of celebrating togther last year after the wedding, I don't know when we were last together on the actual day. We weren't able to be together again this year either, but on September 20, we able to celebrate what we couldn't on September 02.

This year she is exactly one-half of my age, and we started the day with a few gifts (L to R: D2, Althegal of shared birthday and D3, Pufferpoo). I am wearing the t-shirt and holding the little Superman light with which I was gifted.



Later D3 prepared a most excellent breakfast that included cheese blintzes and mimosas. Yum.



The girls planned a surprise afternoon for me at the Vandusen Botanical Gardens. Beyond my interest in flowers and gardens, the Zimbabwean Sculpture Exhibition (Zimsculpt) was also being featured. Since we were to see the Chainsaw Carvings at Hope later in the week, I guess carvings of one sort or another became one of the themes of this trip.

Here we stand at the gate, trying to mimic the faces on the picture of the sculptures behind ...



... and then I couldn't resist a little smooch with Cuppa, this trip being in celebration of our 40th after all.



The grounds and gardens were quite wonderful ...





... and the sculptures, interspersed throughout, were very impressive. They were offered for sale, but even if I could have afforded one, which I couldn't, getting it on the plane would have been highly problematic. Looking was good though.







As you know, Vancouver will soon be hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, and there are constant reminders throughout the city. As we exited the gardens, Cuppa and I couldn't resist getting in the spirit even though it was a rather warm summer day.



Althegal and I tried to snow ... er ... grassboard. Unsurprisingly, her technique was much better than mine.



We ended the day's events with a bbq on the beach, a stone's throw from their front door ...



... after which Cuppa and I stared into the sunset ...



... together.

11 comments:

Donna said...

What a Beautiful post Ac! The photos are Lovely! Happy weekend to you both!!hughugs

Barry said...

I'm glad you took the time to finish this post. I delighted in its playfulness and the evident pleasure you take in each other.

It was just a joy to read.

MARY G said...

Gorgeous girls you have there.
I love Zim carvings. I worked in Harare for a term and used to go both to the workshops and the big Saturday exhibit in one of the parks. I have a marvellous double deer carving and a lot of little stuff in both stone and wood. The Shona people seem to have a high prevalence of people who are amazingly good craftspeople, either carving, basketwork, fabric arts. I could just cry when I see how Mugabe has reduced the country to rags since the early 1990's.

Garnetrose said...

Lovely post and I loved the pics. Looks like you had a great time.

Ginger said...

Awwwww. Especially loved the last picture. :)

Anonymous said...

Just saw where the Olympic Torch was lit today. It won't be long now. Will your town be affected. I am not sure where the places are.
qMM

Mary said...

Beautiful photos, AC and many wonderful memories.

Yes, Brandon actually missed the question. He didn't get it wrong and when the teacher told him what it was, he knew it. He can't believe he missed it. When I told him it was important to check his work before he handed it in, he said he checked it twice. I think he was just plain nervous.

Have a great weekend. It's really mild here with rain.

Blessings,
Mary

Bernie said...

Great photo's of a wonderful family, have a great weekend...Hugs

Mara said...

Love the smooching. Very sweet indeed!

Lorna said...

I'm purloining someone else's words: a joy to read.

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

A lovely slide essay. You are all so pleasant and civilized.