Spring comes to Vancouver Feb. 26 to March 15th, 2014

Before I returned from Florida I was warned it had snowed in Vancouver...



But fortunately I could find signs of spring at my house!  And even though I went from 29 to 9 degrees it was good to be home-I think...



And snow is  pretty but it didn't last too long




Meanwhile fun things were happening at Spanish Banks



And I had my own project looking for proof of spring...




Even when it snowed again...








But soon it was raining again and disappeared and spring was truly evident


crocuses beginning to bloom...










Blooms appearing everywhere










My lovely mini daffodils were coming up







But I didn't just stare at plants as I had a field trip with the first graders to Science World





And it was pouring rain but out the windows there were the most amazing views



But definitely the rains had returned and soccer in the rain was again a common sight-oh where was my Caribbean warmth and sunshine?







But days would come clear and here is a lovely view of the West End from Kits Point





But I was still infatuated with my carefully planted (well somewhat randomly planted) crocus bulbs blooming madly




I even found some mini irises in my travels




And even some early rhododendron blooms were appearing



And isn't this pretty-I think it is a type of Pieris  but not sure!

I continue to be a regular usually on Sunday mornings at Granville Island







I always enjoy the views...





This is typical-my basket with a newspaper and a coffee mug and the iPhone to take pictures-and soon it will be filled with groceries as well...




I swear I resisted the cookies...






A regular fixture around here is Holly the cat who only makes fleeting exits out the door…in her youth she seemed to spend much more time outside...



This was a gorgeous day at Spanish Banks although a bit windy-I had to have a coffee to warm up...



Beautiful sunset coming...


I have to have my regular fix of Steveston, once a fishing village part of Richmond just south of the Fraser from the city...





I loved the colour and pattern of these fishing nets...


Then I had to have a wander to my favourite garden shop there, The Prickly Pear

Doesn't this look inviting?

Meanwhile back at my house

There were some gorgeous skies that week

And my garden was looking more and more gorgeous- hyacinths blooming now

And crocuses wide open

And some days are just spectacularly beautiful!  A week and a half ago I decided to go down to Kits Point on a day that was kind of cloudy…

But it turned out to be rather spectacular

I love this path to the sea…

Meanwhile the daffodils were coming out

And more beautiful early rhodos

And I even spotted  periwinkle peaking out…

And now it was officially March break in Vancouver-two weeks off for students and no volunteering for me so in my next blog you can see what interesting things I found to do...

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Fort Lauderdale- Monday to Wednesday Feb. 24-26

I just loved watching the sunsetting by our hotel.  We always seemed to be getting back a bit late when we hit the pool after our adventures.




I love having a nice pool out the front door!





Night time view above!!!




Monday morning we were waiting for the water taxi and we met a friend...






We had thought of a boat tour but we were told that the water taxis were the way to go and it was great-we got lots of information.  Fort Lauderdale gets called the Venice of Florida so it has lots of waterways to explore




We had headed off near the Galleria Shopping Mall and headed towards the downtown of Fort Lauderdale.




Again like Miami there are lots of wealthy people with expensive homes.  The home with the flag was once owned by Luci and Desi Arnaz.


And the yachts cost more than the homes...




We got off the water taxi in the historical area….





It was very pretty and rather different than one's idea of Fort Lauderdale





We had lunch at an Irish pub with an interesting ceiling...






Then we walked back through rather upscale downtown Fort Lauderdale to catch our boat back...




Here you have a view of the museum...







I think below is the Bahia Mar Marina near where we stayed on my first visit long ago.






Just another beautiful flower





After a visit with friends from Montreal we were back at our hotel for another sunset






Tuesday we ventured down to Hollywood, Florida, that is where another friend of the Benoits spends the winter.  Hollywood attracts lots of French Canadians…enough of those Quebec winters...




After a lovely visit (the plant above was in their garden) we had a great lunch stop, Coconuts.






But most exciting, we finally made it to the beach-how crazy-a couple of short blocks away.  The water was lovely!


Then after a dip in the pool it was time to pack up and wander down to a restaurant nearby for dinner.  It was too dark for a picture and it was a bit windy!

Wednesday morning we were on our way back to Miami as I had to leave and the Benoits would spend their final day after dropping me off at the airport!  I was sad to think I had to leave my pool and of course, my friends behind1



and here I am leaving Miami.  It was a great trip-so much fun!  Bye for now!
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