Dragon Boat Races - Victoria, Canada

When our ferry pulled into the Victoria Harbour, boat races were under way. Now these weren't your ordinary boat races; these were The Dragon Boat races.

I was amazed by how many people were invovled; old and young. I was impressed by how much grey hair I saw!. It somehow inspired me (no not to grow my roots out). I saw this enjoyment for life a lot on my trip - older people engaged in outside activity. Maybe it's because they are indoors so much of the year? Who's to say? Again, it inspired me somehow. Who knows? Maybe I'll join a dragon team of my own! Check out the following site for a Dragon Boat race near you: http://www.dragonboatcalendar.com/

The BC Parliament Buildings in Victoria were constructed in 1893 by a young 25 year old creative architect, imagine that - just 25, by the name of Francis Rattenbury in honor of celebrating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

The festival was in full swing by the time we made it to the tent area. Don't you just love these drummers! They were really good too! One thing about these dragon people: They certainly know how to have a good time. I would venture to say that I saw more beer drinking than paddling going on. We tried to order a glass of wine on the ferry on the way back to Port Angeles but the Dragon Racers had drank it all! Linda and I had to settle for a gin and tonic....darn!

Pretty in Pink

Isn't she lovely??? Taken at The Butchart Gardens - Victoria, Canada. It was in a vase on the table where we dined for lunch.

Sun Dried Tomatoes

These have been the biggest producers. The name is of this tomato is appropriately called San Diego. We purchased these at Walter Anderson Nursery and were told they were developed for the San Diego climate. I live near the coast and our nights are not as warm as I've heard tomatoes like. Anyhow, I purchased a 6 pack of these gems and gave one plant to a East Coast transplant that has been gardening longer than I've been born. He told me these were the best tomatoes he's ever grown.

What to do when one has too many tomatoes...sun dry them! You'd think with all the sun we have here in San Diego that would be an easy task but I dried them in the oven. I cut the tomatoes into thick slices and then cut the slices in half. I sprinkled them with a little sea salt and Herbs of Provence. I baked them in the oven at 200 all night and when we woke, the house smelled wonderful and voila, sun dried tomatoes! I did this every night this week. Did you know that it takes 20lbs of tomatoes to make 1 pound of sun dried?

I'm freezing them and will had them to olive oil and home grown herbs for Christmas presents.

Note: Be sure to spray your baking pan prior with olive oil spray. Baking them seemed to carmalize them a little in some places, leaving them browned and sweet. My husband keeps eating them like candy.

Rose

Picture #4 of my Washington/Victoria trip

I do not know the name of this rose. Taken at The Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C..

Peace

Picture #3 of my Washington/Victoria trip

Among the roses, the ‘Peace’ rose is unique. It has truly played a significant role in world peace.
It was christened the day that Berlin fell in 1945. That same year, Dr. Ray Allen, secretary of the American Rose Society, arranged for each of the 49 delegations at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco to receive a bud vase with a single, long-stemmed ‘Peace’ rose. He attached the following note, “We hope the ‘Peace’ rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace.”

On the fiftieth anniversary of the rose’s introduction, the firm responsible for its creation released some notes that Francis Meilland had recorded about the plant. He and his father were owners of Meilland, the legendary French rose firm. He wrote, “For all people of good will who love flowers and the rose in particular, it gives the opportunity to praise God with ‘Gloria Dei,’ (the name under which the rose was known in Germany) to conquer life with a smile—with ‘Gioia,’ (the name the Italian rose growers gave the plant) to wish for peace with ‘Peace,’ and for us it is an everlasting remembrance of Mme. A. Meilland.”

Naturally, the most remarkable feature of ‘Peace’ is its flowers. These can be six to seven inches wide. They’re fully double with over fifty petals. Depending on the climate, the flowers can vary somewhat in color. Here’s what Robert Pyle of Conard-Pyle wrote in 1945 to Francis Meilland, “While dictating this letter my eyes are fixed in fascinated admiration of a glorious rose, its pale gold, cream and ivory petals blending to a lightly ruffled edge of delicate carmine. I am convinced this will be the greatest rose of the century.”

Love's Promise

Picture #2 of my Washington/Victoria trip

Butchart Gardens Victoria, Canada

Love's Promise
I promise to love you, as you - always
And for tomorrow, if it should ever come
Until the sun shines no more
And the moon has lost its glow
When Alpha and Omega rest side by side
Only to hear his majesty's calling
And we as one take that last walk
Towards eternity.

~Jacqualine Williams Rippy

Cherry Parfait - Butchart Gardens

Picture # 1 of my Washington/Victoria trip

I just returned from an amazing trip to visit my friend Linda in Washington. We spent an afternoon at the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada.

The above picture is a rose named Cherry Parfait. It was introduced to The Butchart Gardens by France in 2003.

Return tomorrow for a picture a day from my wonderful trip.