Poem By Alice Lilley Graham (my Grandmother) 1887 ~ 1974

The little birds are skipping

In the trees......

The little dogs are gathering

On the corner......

The sun dancing as it shines

Cans of milk are jostling

One another......

Doors fly open ~greet the morning sun

Life on our street has begun !

I have wonderful memories from when I was a teenager, visiting my delightful Auntie at her truly lovely Tudor-style mansion in Victoria.  The house, built over 100 years ago, stands majestically surrounded by her colorful English garden.  My Auntie introduced me to the simple pleasures of treasuring beautiful old things.  The house is adorned with stained glass windows, claw foot bathtubs, bay windows dressed with Priscilla lace curtains, and carved wood panelling throughout.  Now in her 97 year, she has lived a life of creativity, from being a wife, mother, florist,  painter, seamstress, and a gardener.  It was on one of my summer visits, I was first introduced to Victoria Magazine (I was 17 at the time). At first I thought it was  simply a magazine about the City of Victoria but I soon realized it was so much more than that, it was a treasure-trove of inspirational photographs and articles celebrating the simpler side of life.  Before long, I found myself immersed in the splendid vignettes that were displayed upon the pages. Quite simply ~ I was hooked !   The Magazine has always been a showcase for women entrepreneurs, and I too, dreamed of one day having a lovely little shop.  At The Button Box, I have my regular list of ladies who I promptly telephone just as soon as the new issue of Victoria arrives ~ and like always, we share our delight in what the pages will unfold !

My little buddy and I spent a lazy day relaxing and doing a fair bit of cuddling ~ quite perfect !

Mother and Daughter spending some time together trying to get that perfect "shot".   It's hard to do when we are laughing so hard and bumping into each other we are practically falling over !

Rainy Days

~ You should not be sad when it rains but raise an umbrella that points towards the sky. While walking with tip-tap steps through the puddle you imagine all the flowers blooming in the rain !