A Very Special Visit

Many of us share a blog friend from Hawaii, Kay of Musings.  In fact many of us have found each other through her blog.

On Tuesday of this week I actually found her.  That's right, I got to meet Kay in person, along with her husband Art, her brother Dennis, and her Mom!

Kay and her family have been traveling in the Pacific Northwest. Tuesday was their last day before flying home to Hawaii on Wednesday. I am withholding this post until they have time to get back home, since Kay doesn't feel comfortable letting the world know when she is away. 

Now that they are safely back home, I know she will be posting about her trip.  I am so thrilled that we got to spend much of their last day with them.

They arrived at our house a little after 9:00 in the morning, and since we were paying close attention to the weather and another approaching rain storm, we opted to go on our planned outing first thing. 

Our destination was the Bellevue Botanical Garden

Tom and I served as guides while our guests all enjoyed the beauty of early spring here in Puget Sound Country.  Of course there was plenty of picture taking.

 A cold front had moved in the day before and we are all bundled up against the chill.  Because of the cold, the lilacs weren't fragrant, but they still caught the eye. 

 It's green time here in the perennial border. 

 Kay's mother's name is Hiroko, which means Violet in English. Violet was also my mother's name.   All who follow Kay know what a sweetheart her mom is. 

 And the sunshine held as we continued our stroll.

 Tom gives a botany lesson along the way.

 When we got to the entrance to the Yao garden, I asked Hiroko to lead the way so she could enjoy it unobstructed. 

 She loved it. I asked her later how she was doing, and she responded, "I am so happy!"  Kay and I cheered. 

I loved it too. 

 Everyone was impressed by the size of the skunk cabbage in the Northwest Native Garden. 

And then we got to bring them all back home with us, to show them our garden!

Kay sat in Tom's story chair.

 We ladies posed with the posies, in the sunshine,

 and in the shade too.

 And with the change in the schedule, our planned little mid morning coffee turned into a light lunch as we visited around our dining table.

Thank you for coming all this way to see me, Kay, and for bringing your wonderful family with you.  Today was a treasure.