Mom-Day at Finnerty Gardens in Sparkle, Chartreuse and Wine

Welcome back to Mom-Day Adventures, Gentle Reader! This will the last one of 2024 for the next couple of weeks we will be deep into Festivities of the Seasonal Sort. 

As it was a gloomy, damp and windy day, Mom suggested Finnerty Gardens at UVic, last visited here in July when we "followed the pink," and chose our path through the greenery by where the pink flowers were. 

Working through my "sparkly but also warm" clothes, my eyes alit on this wonderful mohair-blend maxi skit that I bought this time last year. 

Such a great burst of chartreuse! The flowers are embroidered in a shimmery dark green wool. 

• Sparkly turtleneck - Jacob, thrifted; last worn here a week ago
• Top - Levi's, thrifted; last seen here in November with sparkly neutrals
• Mohair blend skirt - Oilily, vintage 90s, thrifted; first worn here in December 2023 with denim
• Boots - Groovy Huysmans, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) for a shop at Turnabout with Rosanna in November
• Coat (below) - Donna Karan, consignment; last worn here earlier this month

I layered a sparkly long-sleeved turtleneck under my very glittery top. 

I gave it a tuck on one side to keep my proportions right to my eye. 

This is what I enjoy about having time to play in my closet - the experimentation. 

That's where my creativity blooms! 

The satin lining of the skirt peeks out in the back slit. It's trimmed in a band of crocheted cotton lace.

I have thick tights layered with a pair of sporty shorts. I'll take all the layers I can get! 

A slightly undone version of my outerwear. 

Once I decided on this Missoni (x Target) scarf, I had to match pinks and greens in my outerwear. 

Accoutrements assembled!

I debated wearing Sweetums the Cape over this (right? would have been amazing!) but I had to get some groceries on the way home after lunch, and the thought of wrestling with a cape, my purse and carrying tote bags of groceries home...yeah, we'll skip the cape this time. 

Rain was predicted, but I knew I'd be fine in my bushy grey hat.

It rained, but just as I got home. Perfect timing. 

Accoutrements: 

My pink purse was still packed from the Book Club dinner the night before, but these are a different pair of pink leather gloves - these have sensors on the thumbs/forefingers for using with a phone. 

• Leather purse - Michael Kors, consignment
• Wool blend scarf - Missoni X Target, consignment
• Bushy hat - M&S, consignment, Powell River
• Leather gloves - thrifted

The stuff: 

Comfy shoes for walking in mud and wetness. That's why I bought them! 

Comforting bling: 

A mish-mash of things that remind me of people. 

• Silver grapes cuff - Mexican, Karen's
• Silver/green stone ring - consignment
• Volcano ring - vintage 70s, Mom's
• Hematite ring - thrifted
• Porcelain cat earrings - Winnie Tam
• Pewter/gold necklace - Robert Larin, vintage 70s, vintage mall, gift from L
• Silver hinged bangle - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
• Pinky ring (not shown) - Dots

...and I forgot to take my pinky ring off! 

Mom and I arrived to a quiet campus - the University is in Exam Week.

We only saw a few people, and mostly had Finnerty Gardens to ourselves. 

Tall firs covered in vines.

So twisty! 

A glimpse of the fish sculpture in the duck pond. 

But would there be ducks??

Yes! Hey, don't run away! 

Mom pointed out the trails in the algae behind them. 

They're hiding in the sculpture now.

Fine, be that way. 

Another pair were sleeping near the bank. 

The mallard blinked at us. 

Although the greenery was sparse, we were delighted to see bits of colour all throughout the gardens.

A tiny solo yellow poppy is growing from this stump. 

Inviting dancing trees. 

We passed them by this time. 

This fat grey squirrel was so fast, racing up the trunk.

It jumped from tree to tree, over our heads. 

Two perfectly pink fuchsias.

Not quite touching. 

Mom and I having a look at the Dry Creek. 

Yes, very dry. You can nearly see the bottom through the gurgling water. 

These hydrangeas are still showing pink on their undersides. 

Such a harmonious mix of colours. 

These orange leaves took our breath away. 

I think that's a rhododendron? 

Mom and I rested on a bench for a bit, chatting and taking it all in. 

This was our "Hi, Fam!" picture we texted out to everyone. 

A black squirrel chittered at us and scampered up this trunk.

Its tail was twitching away. 

It sat and looked at us. 

Yes, we see you! 

I loved the striations and bands of colour in this tree's bark. 

So subtle. 

A long view across to another pond. 

Do you see the person reading on the bench? He blends in.

The camellias were still gamely trying to bloom. We've had only one or two frosts so far.

Droplets of water on this full bud. 

As we left, I heard the telltale "tak" noise of hummingbirds, so we stopped and waited. 

This tiny Anna's Hummingbird (link here 'cause I love) alit on a branch. Look at that red head! 

He turned his back on us. 

He's got a green streak a mile wide! 

He finally took off.

One last look at us.

As we got into the car, I noticed a shape at the top of the tallest tree at the end of the parking lot. 

See it? Yeah, I have sharp eyes. I see everything! 

Looks like some sort of raptor. 

Disguised as a fat robin! Ha! 

Mom and I had a lovely lunch at Christie's Pub. 

Her blue top is edged with grey bugle beads - such a nice detail. Thank you so much for a wonderful day, Mom! I love you! 

As I walked through Christie's parking lot, I noticed a seagull flying erratically and squawking. 

Dude! What's up? 

Oh, I see, there's a big bird in that Garry Oak. 

I actually saw this falcon(?) land in the tree - it's definitely not a fat robin - and its wingspan was huge! 

Being a bit shy for me, hiding behind some branches. 

I was bemused as I walked under it. 

I'm sure no one else noticed it up there. But it saw me.

A small moment of joy. 

My friends, I'm taking off now until Sunday, when I'll have my Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up for you to enjoy. After Friday, I'll be off work until after the New Year, but I'll still be posting regularly, so please do pop in if you need a little break from the maaaadness!

A sincere thank you to all of you for visiting, reading, and commenting. You're wonderful!