The Butchart Gardens

 

 Beauty as far as the eye can see ~~

 that is my first impression of The Butchart Gardens.

There are those who enjoy puttering in the garden with the idea of making our little corners of the world a more beautiful place.  

(Raising my hand here).

As much as I enjoy time spent in my little garden, I do not possess the vision needed to transform a plot of land into a gorgeous jaw-dropping, stunningly beautiful garden that would one day be visited by close to a million people per year.

Jennie Butchart, on the other hand, did possess these skills.

Her vision for an exhausted limestone quarry was the very beginning of what is now The Butchart Gardens.  The Butchart's story can be found here.

Many years ago my parents visited this amazing destination and brought me a calender.  Each month depicted a photo of the gardens throughout the year.  I knew instantly that this was a place I needed to see in my lifetime.  If I'd had a bucket list all those years ago, this would occupy the number 1 spot.

 The years went on...

children were born, my parents went on to their heavenly home and I was once again reminded of my desire to visit The Butchart Gardens when I read the blogs of the gals in British Columbia.

Lorrie has been kind enough to share several beautiful posts on her visits to Butchart.  My dream would be to visit in each season.  I know this is not likely to happen and I am thrilled to be able to do the next best thing, a bit of armchair travel along with Lorrie.

If you are interested in some armchair travel of your own on this Sunday in October, I invite you to visit this gorgeous garden with me.

I don't know any way to do this without a picture heavy post.

However, I feel few words are necessary... this place speaks for itself.  I will try to remain mum (no pun intended :) and just let you enjoy the beauty.

 

 The dahlias were at their prime during our visit...

 

 ~ Pink Perfection ~

Do you need a rest?

 ~ shadow play ~

 Even the trash receptacles are pretty.

By day ...

or night The Butchart Gardens did not disappoint.

I can't think of a lovelier way to wrap up our travels to 

Beautiful, Beautiful British Columbia.

  

THE Lord God planted a garden

In the first white days of the world,

And He set there an angel warden

In a garment of light enfurled.

So near to the peace of Heaven,

That the hawk might nest with the wren,

For there in the cool of the even

God walked with the first of men.

And I dream that these garden-closes

With their shade and their sun-flecked sod

And their lilies and bowers of roses,

Were laid by the hand of God.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,--

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

For He broke it for us in a garden

Under the olive-trees

Where the angel of strength was the warden

And the soul of the world found ease.

Dorothy Frances Gurney

 *****

Thank you for joining me in the garden.

I'm wishing you peace and contentment today and in the coming week.

 The comments in my last post have been, quite frankly, overwhelming in a really nice way.  You've opened my eyes and given me lots of food for thought.  Thank you so very much.

Could we please have a group hug? (((())))

You are the best and I think I would be very wrong to abandon you now.

~ Kim