Sunday Brunch and Garden Party.

Today Crystal and I met for brunch at Holt's Cafe. It's tucked away upstairs in the department store, but it's always really clean and bright due to a whole wall of windows. My mom used to take me here for lunch quite frequently and going back always reminds me of her.





Crystal looks great in green.





It wasn't busy. I had the benedict and Crystal had french toast. We both fed Dexter from our plates. The kid is a pretty adventurous eater, he'll scarf anything from salmon to cinnamon.







Mommy and baby D!





Crystal had on super summer wedges. Good thing I wore heels too or else she would have towered over me.





Afterward, we browsed the summer sale and I ended up getting a top that looks as though I'm going out into the pasture to milk cows. The washing instructions indicate that I should wring it out, crumple it up, and then line dry. I love it.

Then I went to my dad's house for his open garden (warning, his site is still a work in progress and also mostly in Chinese). Each year he welcomes the public to come hang out in his extensive feng shui rock garden. There was an artist, Madeleine Arnett, displaying/selling her watercolours based on dad's landscapes, throughout the garden. All donations for visiting or purchasing little postcards were being donated to a Chinese library. I'll get the details of the artist and library and update soon.

Dexter hangs out at my parents' place all the time, so he is no stranger to the paths and ponds.





Here is auntie Lisa, making sure Dexter doesn't fall into the pool.





Sable joined us after she got back from a choral audition.





This is my current favourite part of dad's garden. There is a main pond in the middle of the backyard with lots of lily pads and lotus' and gold fish.





Some of the fish like to hang out in the shallows.







Tom set up his tripod for macro shots.





There are secret paths.





And lots of variation in terrain.





T'is a playful place.





There are various little figurines throughout the garden. Some are whimsical like a little white rabbit and others are spiritual like the statue of Buddha. I think these bronzes are super oriental and elegant.





Dad is a fan of perennials. There weren't a lot of flowers in bloom today but these guys will be bursting in a few more days.





There were flowers on a dress.





Once the crowds cleared out we went for a Sunday night family dinner.

There is a new northern Chinese restaurant, Shanghai Grill, that has amazing dumplings.

I ate this vegetarian pizza pocket sort of thing for the first time.





Dumplings. SO GOOD.





Grandpa feeds Dexter some bao.





My mom dishes up some glass noodles in broth.





Dexter is a noodle champion.





And that was Sunday. Food, friends, and family.

The best.

My dad started his garden in 2000. Initially it was just a little project that began with sprucing up the front yard by the driveway. From there it continued spilling out into the rest of the property and now it's a full blown legacy. In many ways the garden has been an unexpected artistic journey for my dad and he has really invested himself into the landscape.

I love hearing him talk about his rocks, and how all the elements work together to create harmony in the garden. It's truly an amazing place full of imagination, beauty, and creativity. All this from a guy who was a workaholic (for survival purposes, he got here with $300 and that's it) for so many years. It's nice to see him discover a different side to himself now that he has the flexibility to relax a bit and enjoy the fruits of his many labours. Go dad!

I love you.