It takes a lot for me to be rendered motionless, but this weekend I literally couldn’t move from the couch. After demolishing a few boxes of tissue, my abs feel like I spent 72 hours doing a crunch marathon and my nose feels and looks like it was raked with metal prongs. Eric has since given me the adoring nickname of Rudolph.
I tend to go stir-crazy when forced to rest, so my full-time job became beating the cold. Eric, bless his soul, arrived home with an arsenal of cold-blasting loot. I did fresh juices, hot tea, homemade soup (luckily I had some Carrot Apple Ginger soup in the freezer!), oranges, Green Monsters, zinc & vitamin D, oil of oregano, steaming, and even dug out the neti pot. Probably a combination of good nutrition, rest, and the placebo effect, my symptoms were reduced by half by the next day. This morning, I just feel like I have a mild cold. In a strange way, I feel this cold was just the nudge I needed right now. It’s so easy to fall out of healthy habits when life is cruising along at mock speed, but being sick is a good reminder to stick to those habits even when we’re well.
I can’t remember the last weekend I wasn’t in the kitchen making recipes, but this weekend I sure as heck didn’t have the desire. So for today’s post, I’m going to share the photography from our visit several weeks ago to the famous Butchart Gardens – a stunning 50 acre floral garden with over 1 million visitors each year. It’s located 23 km north of Victoria. We went for opening on a Monday morning and it was the perfect time to enjoy the gardens without the huge crowds.
After warming up with a coffee, we walked along the huge pathway system throughout the garden. I had major gardener envy! The Butchart Gardens is world-renowned and I could quickly see why. We had so much fun with photography here. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit.
I’m not using the gallery plugin for the images since it was acting wonky on me recently. Hopefully this post doesn’t self-destruct with all these images. If you click on the first image, you can click through the entire lot with a slideshow.
Enjoy!
and another HDR pic by Eric of a beautiful tree.
I reeeeally hope their green thumbs rubbed off on me. Odds are not looking good considering my rosemary plant looks like something out of a horror flick.
I’ll be back soon with food, glorious, food.
so gorgeous! I love my city oh so much xoxo. And I know exactly what you mean about it taking a lot for you to be laying on the couch all day resting…and that was me last week! I really hate not feeling like/being able to do anything but the colds this season are hitting harder than usual, I find. Feel better very soon xo
Oh, that is BEAUTIFUL!!! I feel you with the being-sick — I think I caught what you have (somehow…in Pennsylvania…), and the “this is a reminder that healthy habits are good!” rings very true right now!
Here’s to your full & fast recovery.
Sooo gorgeous. Glad you’re feeling better!
Those photos could make anyone feel better! Gorgeous!
Seriously stunning! I love going to botanical gardens, it’s so relaxing and can give you some great ideas for your own place if you’ve got a green thumb. *I* don’t but someone else could get ideas! :-)
beautiful photography.
Ohhhh so gorgeous! Your photos are so gorgeous I practically feel like I’m there with you. I’ll have to add it to my must-visit list. Hope you’re all better soon!
Your photos are spectacular. What a great place to take in all the healing energies of the earth :)
I hope you feel better!
Gorgeous!! Is your cookbook still in the works? I can’t wait to see the outcome!
Thank you! Yes it is – due out in 2014. Thanks for asking!
Aww hope you feel better :) The pics are marvelous!
Those garden pics are just breathtaking, Angela! Wow, it feels like spring has sprung on this very gloomy and rainy icky fall morning I’m experiencing at the moment. Thanks for the sunshine :)
Oh I love these gardens my hubby and I went on our alaskan cruise and it was one of my favorite places I have ever been. Your photos are great
whooooaaamygosh! What a beautiful beautiful place! My husband and I are complete suckers for finding a good garden where we can walk around and smell the flowers….One of our favorites is called the Huntington Gardens in LA! Have you heard of that one? If you’re ever down here, I highly suggest it. And I love that rose and cob web picture!
I will have to get there sometime! I’ve never been to LA before, but it’s on my must-visit list. I hear there are lots of vegan restaurants too.
I haven’t been to butchart gardens in ages, but after seeing those pictures I think its about time I go for another visit, just stunning!
I love Butchart gardens…especially because that’s where my husband and I got engaged!! Thanks for your beautiful pictures…it was nice to browse through and remember that great day!
wow that’s so neat! a belated congrats to you both.
Just beautiful!
Angela–Love your blog, looking forward to your book! I plan to buy a my husband a camera for Christmas. What camera do you use, any special lens? If you were buying a good camera today ($400-$650) what model would you buy?
Hey Val, Although I haven’t tried it myself, I’ve heard good reviews on the Canon Rebel (they have a few different models – check Amazon for more info). I believe it’s around that price point (and I’m assuming you are looking for a dslr!) As for the type of lens, it depends on what type of photography you will need it for. I think the Rebel comes with a lens so it might be useful to try that out and see how it is first. :) If anyone else has suggestions in that price range feel free to leave your two cents! Also, you can buy refurbished models from places like Henry’s and get even better bang for your buck. When I first got into it, I used the Canon 30D and then upgraded last year to the Canon 7D. All my camera and lens info can be found on my FAQ page. goodluck!
PS- glad to hear you are looking forward to the book, thank you!
Just got my copy of VegNews. Congratulations on the Best Vegan Blog win! Also, I love these pics from Butchart Gardens!
Thank you Sally! Im anxiously waiting for my copy to arrive.
Wow, beautiful gardens! I especially love the photo looking at the river through the trees.
I hope you feel better soon – homemade ginger, lemon and honey tea is my go-to remedy when I have a cold (although I guess you could sub out the honey for stevia maybe to make it vegan?) Take care.
I’ve been making that tea actually with maple syrup – it’s so good! A little pinch of cayenne really clears the sinuses. :)
It looks so beautiful!! :) And I hope you soon feel better :)