Salish Sea Life at the Shaw Discovery Centre...

Last weekend
we took the grandchildren to The Shaw Discovery Centre in Sidney.
I am not sure who had the most fun...the adults or the wee ones!

Aquatic life viewed from beneath the sea.

Mira loves looking into the tanks...

Silver salmon swimming...

Colourful fish and graceful anemones.

So much beauty abounds under the sea...

The centre has a "hands on" open area 

where we washed our hands and were permitted to use a baby finger to gently touch the sea life...

the children were fascinated by this opportunity and spent a large portion of our visit at this tactile area of the centre.

The Shaw Centre is a popular venue for school field trips.

The last year that I was working in the school

 we took a small group of our special needs students for a visit.

The children had a wonderful time

were visually stimulated 

with various activities 

that held their attention and they were fully engaged.

It was fun to see how happy and enthusiastic they were during the visit.

It's also a fun place to take family.

Parks, the seashore, museums, libraries, recreation and activity centres 

provide hours of fun and they are not just for kids!

This beautiful tray caught my eye and was purchased recently...

at a local gift shop on sale at half price!

It works well on the boat or at the cottage.

Here is a snapshot from the archives...

taken at Sidney Spit Marine Park on one of our summer visits.

Our family love the sea, enjoy cottage life and boating...

I met my husband many years ago while boating

 I was just 15 !

so this love of ocean and marine life has deep roots and it keeps us connected.

We feel very fortunate to live so close to the Salish Sea.

Do you love the sea?

I must close for now and get some work done here in The Humble Bungalow!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Goodbye October, Hello November

Hello November!

Our October passed in a heartbeat...

how is it possible that it can rush by so fast?

Time feels like it slows down when we are at the cottage.

Perhaps we are too busy at home?

A simple floral bouquet elevates our modest and humble IKEA tray.

It is a wee but blurry but the vintage enamel dish 

is where I put my rings 

when I wash dishes...

the silver star holding down the napkins was a birthday gift from a dear friend.

I found this interesting paperweight at the thrift shop.

I have no idea if it is new or from the mid century moderne era.

All the sides are different... 

Reminds me of the style of jewelry created by Robert Larin or Guy Vidal.

Anyone recognize the artist or the era?

Ferries ply the water out front of Quarter Deck Cottage on The Salish Sea.

The views have a hypnotic effect...

the waves lull one

the sun warms

the fresh salty air refreshes.

Two deer lie in the sunshine below the deck.

Its absolutely still

so quiet

that we can hear ourselves breathing!

The Lilias Spalding Heritage Park on South Pender Island

 we explored this area after walking up a rather steep hill.

The views to the valley below were quite spectacular.

I regret not taking a picture now.

Crockery and old bottles

Mossy rocks

Comfort Food for dinner.

Best of Bridge Family Meat Loaf 

mashed potatoes and a bean salad.

Those sleepy deer woke up and munched a bunch of foliage

 then the one with antlers starting pushing the other one around...

they sauntered off along the cliff.

I am wondering if one of them is responsible for eating all my lovely chrysanthemums that were on the front porch!

Have you got plans for the weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

There's a thing about the Sea...

I was in grade 5 or 6 when I was asked by my teacher to memorize and recite a poem in front of the class...I think it was Mr. Miller...at Monterey School.
We called him "Killer Miller" I have no idea why!

The pressure was on as there was a short timeline, but Father had a book of poetry and he helped me choose a few and we whittled it down to this one...
because it "spoke to me."

Sea Fever

by John Masefield,

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

 

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; 

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

 

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

How was I to know at that age that the sea would play such a large part in my life?

I spent much of my teen years cruising on the sea and met my husband as a result of boating...

We married young and raised two children and bought a boat as soon as we could...we sailed the Gulf Islands and had many adventures.

The kids are grown up and we now have a smaller boat, 

a 27 foot Sea Ray Sun Dancer that I like to refer to as "the Go Fast"...

her real name is "Waterlust" named so as we have a lust for the sea.

I wonder if the call to the sea was meant to be?
Did my early yearnings lead me to this chapter in my life

or was it destiny?

Do you believe in destiny?

I've always been drawn to the sea.

Especially in times of joy and many times of despair...

weeping salty tears.

I love to walk along the seafront and to go beach combing

hopefully seeking 

while

searching for shells and beach glass.

Sea shells, white vintage ironstone, mirrors and candles...

a vignette that calms

and 

satisfies...

Candles are such a simple thing 

yet

I would not be happy if I did not have some in the house.

They add such ambiance...

not unlike 

 staring into the beach fire

or the Guy Fawkes bonfire

it stirs something deep within...

dare I say primordial?

Walking along the seafront offers up so many different views...

 light

 weather

colour

my mood can be altered in a matter of minutes...

Mother Natures's paintbrush is ever changing...

she can be moody

dark

stormy

uplifting

we are mere observers...

speaking of observing

and watching....

I have been watching The Crown on Netflix...

such a grand production with a stellar cast

I am savouring each and every episode.

Are you watching too?

I have been knitting...

and it just so happens that I have been knitting Crowns...

Yes dear reader, 

crowns for the grand children!

 Ravelry pattern in the royal spirit and free...

fun might be in the household of the children as they play Queen and King.

I received an email from a reader in the UK saying that she cannot leave any blog comments and I have checked all my settings and can find nothing amiss...

if you have had trouble commenting on my blog please send me an email.

I hope that all will be well.

Hope you have a great week...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~