SITE TABS - CLICK TO EXPLORE

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Holiday Greetings from inside the Bloedel Conservatory.

Last Friday my daughter and I went for a walkabout, and lunch, with a dear friend of ours to one of our favourite spots in Vancouver: Queen Elizabeth Park.

We went in and took a turn around the Bloedel Conservatory which has been beautifully decorated for this holiday season. 

Without further ado...here is a photo montage of our walk inside.
















Our final stop, Seasons in the Park Restaurant.

I hope you enjoyed your outing at the Bloedel Conservatory...and to think, our city council had planned on closing down this most beloved attraction. Only the hue and cry of many of Vancouver’s residents spared it from such a fate.

And...if per chance you should be standing in the viewing area, in front of the Conservatory and restaurant, with your gaze toward the mountains, you would soon realize you were seeing the view which makes up my Header and Background photo! (subject to change yet again!)

Cheers, Jenny

40 comments:

  1. I love the photo of the parrot Jenny although all of these photos are beautiful, your walk looks absolutely wonderful and I'm glad that you had such a great time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Matthew. I figured you might like to see that I am doing something more than tending to my many "bothers". :P (I hope that makes you smile)

      Given all that is going on I thought you might like a little walkabout and a bit of festive cheer.
      Hugs, Jenny

      Delete
  2. Beautiful photographs Jenny. It looks like the sort of place it would be easy to just lose yourself in.
    Thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mynx. Yes, losing one's self in such a beautiful, tranquil place was the order of the day for the three of us...it was peaceful.

      Delete
  3. Lovely photographs of the Conservatory. I'm so glad they didn't close it down. It was one of the first places I discovered when I first moved to Vancouver.

    Very nicely done, Jenny. Hope your holidays are great, and best wishes for 2013. Keep up that art work. You've discovered a hidden talent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, D.G. Hudson. I'm glad you feel the same about this wonderful gem. I am a frequent visitor never tiring from the tranquility and beauty. When I feel I need a little tropical escape this is where I go.

      And...speaking of art, with all the little spots to sit I feel I will be bringing along my Moleskine on my next solo outing there.

      Should you ever feel like rendezvousing to do a little walkabout with cameras in tow (or sketchbooks) do let me know. :) I'd be happy to meet you there!

      As to my art...ever busy...ever struggling...but always happy! :)

      All the best for a happy and healthy holiday season.

      Delete
    2. We'll have to do that sometime, Jenny. I haven't sketched on site since Paris. Let's keep it in mind for the spring. I'm looking out my study window at the snow. (it's a study, but I call it my garret)

      Happy Holidays, guess someone in Vancouver asked for a White Christmas. . .

      Delete
    3. Spring it is! And I love that word "garret" - I did have to look it up and I love it! I'm in my home office (aka spare bedroom, formerly Miss CP hideout) and Wee Dog is snuggled up on the bed (keeping it warm for future guests)...there is a smallish window and out it I can see the world turn white. It is a beautiful sight.

      While I don't ever really "ask" for snow I do welcome it this time of year. As a young girl, growing up in Vancouver, this time of year we would have two to three feet of snow and would be skiing down the side of our house (it gently sloped into our backyard)...those were the days.

      Mind you, as an adult, who has to drive in this "white stuff" I'm not a fan! Mixed feelings!

      But, today, I'm going to join Wee Dog and snuggle up with a good book.

      Merry Christmas. With smiles!

      Delete
  4. Beautiful! Thanks for the tour. (Most exercise I've had in a couple days...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Susan...your comment made me break out in a very big smile. I'm glad I could oblige you with a little workout! :)

      Delete
  5. My state capital has a place like that. Here they call it the Botanical Gardens. No birds and not as much variety as yours though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have such a garden, called Van Dusen Botanical Gardens...it is beautiful too, and particularly this time of year when all the lights are up.

      Do you get to your Botanical Gardens much? Are they close to you? That often determines a visit, doesn't it? I'm lucky I'm seven minutes away (by car) from this Conservatory so I'm a little spoilt that way.

      This Conservatory just acquired some new birds, many of which I photographed...but there's just so many pictures one can share without causing a photo overload. I selected the photos that had a festive feel.

      Thanks for stopping by, Ruth - I wish you and your family a beautiful and Merry Christmas. :)

      Delete
    2. It's about 45 minutes away so I don't get there too often.
      It is a peaceful way to spend the day.
      You have a Merry Christmas too. I am thinking it might be time to put my decorations up?

      Delete
    3. I can appreciate not getting there when it's 45 minutes away...but I'm glad you do get there occasionally. Peaceful is the right word for describing these sorts of places...without the hustle and bustle and load music blaring, which seems to be in every corner these days. It's almost a must to find a spot like this closer to home.

      Your timing is just right for decorating. I'm a person that refuses to even acknowledge the "Christmas" season until the the first week of December has come and gone. Seems like these days this season starts in October and by the time December comes around I'm done with it all.

      My remedy is to try and avoid going into stores that are all decked out for the holidays months in advance. It does eliminated about 75% of all stores, but I'm adamant...I can't stand the commercial aspect to this time of year. I think it stresses people out and causes so much anxiety for parents too.

      So...I'm giving you high fives for being a late decorator! Post some pics I'd like to see what your place looks like. :)

      Delete
  6. Oh! I love these, Jenny!!! The one with the close up flowers (whatever they are, I'll just say orchids and be wrong) and the butterfly and bird are my favorites. What a wonderful place to just wander about and think and soak in the beauty. Thank you for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Elsie. You win the prize...it is an orchid. I love the orchids they have; if you wish to see a few more then pop over to the Bloedel Conservatory where I went for a walkabout last February...you'll see some beautiful orchids and a couple of the resident parrots that were short listed this time around.

      I'm always happy to share the wonders of Vancouver...I hope some day you will be in my neck of the woods that I might tour you around. :)

      Delete
  7. Hi Jenny - what a lovely walk-about .. these gardens are always a joy to see - while the conservatory keeps us warm. When I visited Kew recently .. it was positively freezing outside - so I had a quick respite in the glass house. I was there to see Kew Palace, recently restored, and the Royal Kitchens, being restored, ...

    Interesting history around there .. I'll be back in 2013 ..

    Love the pictures ... and have a fabulous Christmas and New Year - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Hilary. I think our attractions pale in comparison with yours, my dear friend. And one day I will be in your part of the world to take them in. In the meantime this is as close to paradise as I can get.

      My apologies for not being around lately...mom's taken a fall, again, and I'm finding myself otherwise distracted...but, I did want to get this up as my "holiday" post.

      Merry Christmas, Hilary, and all the Best in the New Year...I look forward to continuing our chats in 2013 too: with smiles and hugs.

      Delete
  8. As I began the tour I was wondering to myself if there are birds there...and voila! Your place here reminds me of the wonderful jungle we have here at our gigantic zoo. One of the highlights of that trip is to walk among the warmth of the place, the smells of the plants and the strange bird songs. It's like being someplace else for sure. The skylight at your conservatory is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, my dear...I went crazy with my camera...there are birds aplenty, but in an effort to keep the number of photos to a minimum I only featured the four that I did...they are some of the newest additions to the "flock".

      Last year, in February, I went for a walkabout to the Bloedel Conservatory and here you will find more of the motley crew...and more orchids too.

      The warmth, smell, sound and sights are truly what call me...I answer often! And, with our weather being less than stellar I am very happy to sneak away to my little tropical paradise.

      Thank you for stopping by, Lisa...Merry Christmas and all the Best in the New Year. It has been a highlight of my year having you as a fellow blogger...I've so enjoyed our "chats" via our comments. Hugs.

      Delete
  9. wow what a beautiful walk thank you for taking me along and sharing the day with me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any time, Becca...you can come along and walk with me. If you are ever up this way you must let me know, I'll be sure to give you the VIP tour, and this place will be on it! :)

      Delete
  10. Hi Jenny. Stunning view in your header photo and background here today. Thank goodness the Conservatory stayed open. Imagine trying to close something as beautiful as that. How lovely that they decorate it like that for the Christmas season. I loved the restaurant, and the lovely leather furniture. Lovely that you spent that time with your daughter. Hope you and your family have a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diane. I am lucky to live so close and I do find myself here more often than I care to admit - my home away from home! Mind you, you have some stunning places too...as per a recent post you wrote; my breath was taken away there!

      I also like that you are out there enjoying the sights and establishments that surround you and then sharing them with the rest of us. I always feel like I've been somewhere when visiting blogs that feature places I might never get to see.

      And...to you and your family I wish equal felicity throughout this wonderful Holiday Season.
      Merry Christmas!

      Delete
  11. I love gardens. My favorite part about visiting Florida is all the tropical gardens. I would have one in my backyard if I could. Thanks for the tour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Bushman - it doesn't surprise me that you love gardens given your beautiful property and the wonderful garden(s) you have. I bet you'll find a way to get that tropical garden yet!

      I'm glad you could come along for the tour! Merry Christmas!

      Delete
  12. Beautiful photos! I especially love the orchids. You're a fantastic photographer. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Linda - I'm an orchid fan and do enjoy photographing them. I like to think I'm handy with my camera but since using my iPhone exclusively as my camera I am now waiting patiently for Santa to bring me a new Canon camera. (I'm a Canon loyalist)

      After my last pocket camera died it was also time for my phone to be upgraded and thinking wouldn't it be nice to minimize all the "stuff" that I stuff into my purse I went for the combo meal phone!

      For a while I really thought it was the bee's knees but truth is this iPhone camera, no matter how great I thought it was is lacking the many extra features that can only be found on a great camera.

      Santa's on it...and in the new year I'll be snapping up a storm. (I would normally say "shooting" up a storm, but it just doesn't see right anymore...)

      Have a very Merry Christmas, Linda, and a Happy and Healthy New Year too! With hugs.

      Delete
  13. paradise is where we find it...

    thankfully, the powers that be did not f with the shiz and close that place down...it looks awesome!

    did the restaurant have scotch? i love me some scotch!

    cheers Jenny...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seeing you here, Bruce, is the best Christmas present I could have hoped for. What a treat...and yes, the restaurant has scotch...and just for you, I'm pouring myself a drink in your honour.

      Cheers, dear Bruce...the very best to you and your family. Merry Christmas, with smiles and hugs.

      Delete
  14. I thought I commented! (Connection problems, grrr.)

    I love this so lovely a thing to do. I love doing walkabouts. Love. (And I love your new header and the pictures of the mountains. So beautiful.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gotta love Love! Thanks Em...for adding your "love" to this outing...you made me smile.

      This header/background pic was taken last February on a Bloedel walkabout. This time of year the clouds are doing their best to hide the beauty - although the other day was amazing, only I wasn't in the right location to take a picture.

      Merry Christmas, Em...hugs and smiles coming your way! :)

      Delete
  15. ooh, so many lovely photos and plants in the middle of winter, love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, Dezzie! I'm ready to move into this tropical paradise...it's been so damp, wet and cold out in the real world that I'm thinking it's time to start celebrating Christmas in some part of the world that does not entail shovelling sidewalks, parkas, rubber boots...and snow tires! Yuck!

      And how is it in your neck of the world, now that the Mayan thing has come and gone...are you experiencing "winter weather"?

      Merry Christmas Dezzie! I hope Santa's good to you. ;)

      Delete
  16. Beautiful. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a New Year full of joy with your loved ones. Leovi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Leovi. I am late in replying as I have been away for a few days. I hope you had the very best Christmas and I hope you New year is equally filled with joy and happiness.

      With hugs, Jenny.

      Delete
  17. Merry, Merry Christmas, Jenny. You are one of the best people I have met through this blogosphere and I am I want to wish you and your family a truly magical and wonderful holiday. Thank you for always being such a huge support and may 2013 see the fulfillment of dreams for you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Melissa, you are one of the highlights out here in my blogging world. Thank you so much for you support and positive energy you leave behind when dropping in for a visit. I truly light up when I see your avatar.

      I wish you the very best for 2013 - may all your dreams and wishes come true. I raise a glass and make a toast in your honour! Cheers and hugs, Jenny.

      Delete
  18. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Jenny!! hope you are having a great holiday with your family! May the New Year bring you lots of happiness and inspiration :)
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Joanna. I want to wish you and Daisy the best of this time of year. I hope your Christmas was full of love and happiness - may your New Year be equally full of happiness and inspiration - given your second video I think 2013 is shaping up to be a very promise year in animation for you. I am a huge fan of the way you show your passion in all you do...very, very inspiring.

      With cheers and hugs, Jenny xo

      Delete

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.