Mom-Day Adventure at Beaver Lake Park in Sweetums and Neon, and a Wee Shop, Plus Kitten Pictures

Welcome back to Mom-Day! We revisited one of our favourite spots, Beaver Lake Park. 

We last visited here in January - we really need to visit this side in summer!

The prediction was for a mix of sun and clouds, and colder temps. I knew I'd be doing a fair bit of walking, so I wore layers. 

Breaking out this wonderful cornflower blue corduroy dress for its inaugural outfit. 

• Dress - no label, thrifted; purchased here for $12.00 last week
• Boots - Vagabond Slacker, Fluevog; last worn here in October with tulle under a dress
• Sweetums cape (below) - vintage 70s, consignment; last seen here earlier this month on my walk with Betty

I loved wearing this dress and since I'll be keeping it and it has no label, it needs a name. The Corduroy Cornflower! 

I took my cap off while we had lunch. 

But it was on for most of the day - by the time I got home, I had horrendous hat-head. 

I knew this glorious blue would be fabulous with all the neon in my closet. I loved the peeks of it at the wrist, and flipped the cuffs almost immediately. 

Let's add a little pink to go with the laces on my boots. 

Demonstrating purse placement - UNDER the cape. 

At one point, I was so sweaty I had to take off the scarf and gloves.

And at other points, I was so cold my finger turned white (I have Reynaud's). 

The stuff: 

This colour mix is so good for my brain. Ahhhhh...

• Leather purse - Michael Kors, consignment
• Silk F-This F-That scarf - Fluevog
• Hat - Adidas, thrifted
• Leather gloves - consignment

Those are fabulous all-day boots - they got soaked! 

Bold bling: 

A mix of old and new-to-me.

• Belt - consignment
• Carved jadeite bangle - consignment
• Silver loopy ring - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
• Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mal
• Green stone bracelet - vintage, vintage mall
• Metal earrings - thrifted
• Celtic S - UK, gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1996
• Amethyst crystal pendant - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1993

There are LOTS of pictures here, so feel free to scroll through to the kittens - no judgment! 

Some trees still holding their colourful leaves. 

Look at that blue sky! This was on my walk to town, where I waited a few minutes for my bus.

Thirty minutes later, I was near Mom's place where she picked me up and drove us to Beaver Lake Park. 

Ah, we were so lucky with the weather! 

So many trees still had bright tones of yellow. 

Fat clouds scudding overhead. 

Off we go! 

We chat and catch up, reminisce, and walk in silence listening to the birds and quiet. 

There were many folks with dogs along here, but all very well-behaved. 

Many people said hello, and a few commented that they liked my colour. 

Lily pads and ducks and geese on the lake. 

If I recall, in the spring/summer, you can barely see the water. 

We had some beautiful views.

I got three new birds on my Merlin "Life List":

• Double-crested Cormorant
• American Wigeon 
• Gadwail

Those last two are Fancy Ducks.

Cloud Drama! 

It was so good to get out and be in nature. 

I spotted a Downy Woodpecker! 

I first spotted one of these at Swan Lake! 

I like how the bare branches look against the evergreens. 

Lots of Wigeons! 

The males have a green streak on their heads. 

Like the one in the middle who's looking at me! 

More Wigeons and some Gadwails swimming around with the Canada Geese. 

You ducks should steer clear of those geese - they are known ruffians! 

Our path led through tall stands of trees. 

One maple still clinging to its leaves. 

Tall Douglas Firs swaying overhead. 

So peaceful. 

This was one of my dad's favourite spots. 

We always talk about him when we come here. 

When we scattered his ashes in the lake many decades ago, a heron flew over the water. 

We've always thought it was Dad, giving us a sign that he was always around. 

Ready for a sit, Mom? 

Looking fly in your black trouser and that badass turquoise leather jacket! What awesome daughter found that for you? *wink*

We sat here for a while, remembering my dad.

I sent some pictures to my brother, my nieces, their mum and my aunt on the Fam Chat and we enjoyed their responses coming in. 

I walked out onto the rocks for a quick communion with my dad. 

It's been a long time - nearly 30 years. 

As we headed back, I was looking through the trees.

Oh my gosh. 

It's a heron! 

"I'm here."

And with that, the sun slipped behind some clouds, and a light rain started. 

Time to get some lunch! 

Ginormous maple leaves! 

Bye, Dad. 

Mom and I had lunch at the Lakes, the restaurant in the nearby Holiday Inn, both enjoying a delicious Thai curry bowl.

Mom in her lighter cornflower blue, and a First Nations pendant that my dad bought for her. Thanks so much for the wonderful day, Mom! I love you! 

Mom dropped me off at the nearby bus stop and I got off and walked to the WIN Boutique (getting fully soaked in a torrential downpour) for a wee browse. The holiday season is coming, so I'm starting to look for things I can give as gifts. A few things always slip into the "for me" pile, though. 

A gorgeous plummy-purple wool beret. 

It's by Parkhurst and was made in Canada. 

Only $9.95! Bargain. 

I'll always bite on a pair of quality tights. 

Add a zero to that for retail - I'm not kidding! 

This t-shirt caught my eye. It's by Broken Promises and it doesn't seem to have been worn.

I like the interesting elements on it: 

• A kneeling skeleton looking at an old computer
• Two people kissing 
• A guy punching himself in the face
• A pin-up lady
• A scorpion
• Barbed wire

Okay! 

Designed in LA, but they really don't want to talk about it. "Be about it." Sure! 

I like the colour and it's 100% cotton.

And only $9.95. Their t-shirts start at $29.99.

I went out on the deck to catch the sunset when I got home. 

"I'm sitting!"       "I want to explore the deck."

Barnabas, let's go inside now.

"This is my sitting thing!"

We had a look out the bedroom window through the screen - so many good smells! 

Uh, boys, you're missing the wildlife...

There's a deer under that tree! Do you see it, Whateley? 

"I see cars..."     "I see a big squirrel!"

Well, at least Barnabas saw it! 

And I got my lovely sunset through the Garry Oaks. 

And that's me signing off for the weekend! 

Thanks so much for being here - I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure!