Basement bookcase

About 3 years ago we decided we needed some more room in the house so we took over the basement.  Last year, we ripped out the carpet and Kevin laid some new laminate flooring.  This is now more of his at home office.  One of the other projects that needed to be done here was a library wall.  Last summer, we just ran out of time so that was the first  project on the list this year.  It is now finished!  And yes, we (Kevin) have way too many books!!

The basement as it was after the floors were done and how it stayed for the following year. 

The shelves built and stained and ready for books!

And finally, the books on the shelves! 

Salt Spring Island

This past weekend, Kevin and I were able to 'get away' for a few days.  We had found a Groupon for a place on Salt Spring Island and so we snatched it up.  It was a place that neither of us had ever been to and it looked like a nice place to explore. We've been to Mayne Island  (another one of the Gulf Islands) a few times before and enjoyed it there.  Salt Spring is the biggest of the Gulf Islands.

 Esther and John and the girls graciously agreed to watch our children for the weekend, which we were extremely appreciative of.  We are blessed by their willingness to do that for us! - and our kids love it there!

We started on Friday night by taking the 10:30 p.m. ferry over to the island and arriving around midnight.  We enjoyed sleeping in the next morning and then we started exploring.  There is a huge market on Saturdays so after a late breakfast we headed there.  It was full of lots of produce, baking and other goods, all containg the word 'organic'.  Along with many other tables of jewllery, woodwork, crafts, clothing, etc., it was a fun place to poke around in for a while.

Kevin, of course, could not refrain from buying some second hand books.  Now, if he could only find the time to read them!  Maybe if the Canucks are eliminated after round 1 . . .  :(

After some time spent in the info center and looking at a few maps, we spent the rest of the afternoon driving around the north half of the island, just stopping at different places and taking in the scenery.   It was a beautiful day and every place we stopped at was just gorgeous.

How nice would it be to have one of those places on the coast?  We can always dream, can't we?

After a day of walking around, we enjoyed a few bevereges by the marina, along with some local fish and chips. 

The next day we drove around the bottom half of the island, spending most of it in Rykel Provincial Park.  We felt like we were the only people around for miles!  It really was such a treat to just take some time and slow down!!

Finally, here are just a few cool shots that Kevin took of places around the island. 

An all-day date

As much as I thoroughly and deeply love my children, it really is nice to get away from them for a day!!  Every year, Kevin's brother and sister-in-law and their 2 daughters offer (or agree after we ask them!) to have our kids for a sleepover and the entire following day.  So, how do we say 'no' to that!

 We began our morning with a delicious late morning breakfast from Denny's (after we had done some work on the floor downstairs but that will be another post!).   Delicious and relaxing!

 Then it was off to Vancouver.  The weather was absolutely spectacular so we just walked along English Bay and around Kits Beach.  Vancouver really is a beautiful city!

 At 3:00 we had tickets to Bard on the Beach.  We try to go to one of these plays every summer.  If you have never been to one, they are fantastic!

 This year we watched HenryVI. Times were pretty rough and dangerous at that time for anyone who was king.  The play was very well done!

 Finally it was out for a nice dinner and then back to pick up our sleeping children.  After a hot day with lots of swimming in the pool, they were tuckered right out!   Thanks John and Esther, Madison and Courtney for giving us a wonderful all-day date!