Beauty All Around

I took my dog for a late evening walk last night as the sun was setting and the air was growing cool.
I had every intention of making it a quick walk, to let my little mongrel run around, chase some birds or bunnies down the trail and head back home, but once I was out, inhaling the fresh summer air and listening to the sweet, soft sounds of birds and ducks at dusk, I had to keep walking and document some of the countless moments of beauty that I came upon.

 

I am SO excited for the blackberry season to begin! This year I hope to harvest LOTS. This trail near my house is just loaded with berries ripening up. These were the very first few that were ready. So sweet and tangy!

I'm not sure what this is, weed or flower? I can't seem to identify it yet. It's very small and dainty.

 

Though Morning Glory is a weed, its' blooms were practically glowing white in the dimming dusk light.

Also a weed, Queen Anne's Lace has always caught my eye. Right now they are prolific all along the sides of paths and roads. They do look like lace and I love when they curl upwards making a nest-looking shape.

Willow looks like she's taking time to smell the Lace!

As the light was dimming it was time to head home.
Willow has learned how to "stay" in a nice pose for a good path shot.

Honestly, I want to frame this one. The light was dappling these grasses making the field so pretty.
There was no wind, this was just how the grass was laying.

 
Sometimes all it takes is a few extra moments to look closely at the world around us to see beauty in every little blade of grass, every blossom, every insect or bird.

Beauty is all around us.

We live in such a beautiful world.

I truly felt God leading me to see that these little, insignificant things are all strokes from His own paintbrush of life. And if God cares about them, the birds and the flowers, how much more does He care about me and about you?

Scenic Sundays: Local Favourites

((A quick look at some of my favourite scenic photos I've taken.

All of these shots remain untouched and unaltered.))

Today I wanted to show a sample of local shots I've taken from some of my favourite places to walk or travel through.

A "Fast" Update - Four, Five & Friday!

DAY FOUR & FIVE
Thank-you to everyone who has encouraged me and sent me their love. I only ever want to use this blog as a place to encourage others and as a way to express myself.

Oh yes, it is Friday and I'm more than halfway done my 8 day fast!

I'm thanking God that my work week is ending and I can have some time tomorrow to possibly NAP!

My fast is still going strong, I've been tempted but still have held out on the solid foods. I think my brain and body have finally switched off the impulse feeling that I MUST EAT something. Yes, I still have hunger pangs and 'empty' feeling moments, but they quickly pass as I drink some water and think bout something else.

The main issue I have been having for the past 2 days has been sleep. It's taken me a long time to fall asleep lately and I wake up so very tired. I feel like I could fall asleep any moment of the day if I just put my head down to rest....Yet, God is helping me stay strong and close to Him.

Glorious Spring!!

A stroll through my neighbourhood today yeilded a delightful array of vivid and wonderous colours! I love Spring! I love Victoria!

Sunday Afternoon Walk on the Beach

For those of you not on Facebook....


Some fun photos from your friends.... Enjoy!

Stormy Day - Video

This past weekend was quite stormy and I wanted to share the thrill of watching our West Coast weather with my friends from other places. I love walking along the ocean with the crazy wind lashing around me and the waves pounding and rolling into the shore.
The audio from this video clip is a little crazy since the wind was buffeting my camera, but in the middle you can hear the waves sucking back the small rocks all along the shore. The noise it makes is incredible, I love it!
You'll also get a glimpse of my dog, Sophie trotting along the shore.
Later on this week I'll post some spectacular new photos from this stormy day along with a few cool close ups of nature and insects...stay tuned!

Foggy Dayz - for those of you not on facebook...

I love summer for the hot days, the sunshine, the beach trips, the suntans and the sandal weather. But I must say, I love the Fall and Autumn season! Evenings cool with crisp air off the ocean, days with sun but clouds or fog rolling in, I love it all! I love the sweater season, wearing warm vests or hoodies and bundling up for walks. I love a mug of hot tea and a cozy quilt while watching a movie and my little dog Sophie cuddling up all snug.

I am happy to say...Fall is Here!!

Lately we've had quite a few foggy days and evenings, and here are a few cool foggy photos I took. Sophie and I down on Gonzales Bay, then Sophie, Shantala and I along the Ross Bay area.

Enjoy!

Shantala taking some neat shots of the fog and ocean.

Sophie just would not stay still for a second for me to get a shot of her on the rocks with the fog.


Although this last Sophie photo is kinda cool.



This one of me is dark but I really like it!

Where's Shantala? Can you spot her?

Sophie spots her, and is watching her clambour over the rocks...

I felt like a ship from Pirates of the Caribbean would come sneaking out of the fog any second!

The water was so smooth and silky, like blown glass or rippling satin.

Ross Bay - so foggy we couldn't see the other side where Clover Point is. Crazy!

Summer Days...pretty places...

Heeeeere's Sophie, galloping back to me after a nice romp on the beach with a few other dogs.

Oh our lovely summer days! Sophie and I have been having suck lovely walks now that she is back from her summer vacation at my sister's house on the mainland.

And here is a wonderful garden near our house where the dahlias are the biggest I have ever seen! Wow!

On my day off this week, Sophie and I took a drive out to French Beach.
(Shantala and Dan's camping trip there inspired me to go back to one of my childhood favourite places.)
The day was hot and calm, and there was barely anyone on the beach.

Here's Sophie trying to drink the seawater...ew! Poor girl, I forgot to let her get a drink before we walked down the beach, so we walked back to the campground, ate our sandwich then I filled the ziploc bag with water (fresh) for her to gulp up.

Sophie resting after our long walks up and down the beach.
She was a trooper and navigated over all the rocks like a pro!

Me, taking a photo of...well me, and the ocean.




We've had a great summer so far and I look forward to many more lovely days at home or around town. Sophie and I both love walks and beaches so if you're ever around, let me know, we're always looking for people to go for walks with. :)