For us 2014 was a year of weddings and gardens each unique in their own respective ways. First the weddings, this year we had the honour of attending four of them with close friends and family, each representing a different place in the journey of life. First was Amanda and Brian in Oakville and a new beginning. Second was Brigitte and Andrew just starting out their lives and the first of their generation to take the plunge. Third was Bunny and Greg, a long time coming but well worth the wait. Finally, Pamala and Yolanda, long denied but perseverance held out.

We were lucky to get to travel back to Toronto and to Whistler to attend the celebrations and to visit friends and family along the way. These travels also allowed Barb and I to enjoy another great joy of ours which is to visit the great gardens of the world. This year we got to knock a few good ones off our list including Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, the Niagara and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Van Dusen and UBC. They were all amazing but the most spectacular were Longwood and Van Dusen, if you ever get a chance, don’t hesitate to go!

On the home front, we are pretty much empty nesters, with both of the boys off in college. John is still attending Parkland College in Illinois studying industrial technology with a passion for welding. Alec, is up in North Bay at Canador College studying Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. Both are doing really well and their parents couldn’t be happier about it.

As for 2015, we are excited to be going to the Caymen Islands with our good friends Pat & Walter. After that, who knows but we are sure that it will include more amazing gardens, including our own.

Wishing all of you, our dear friends and family, the happiest Christmas. Cheers to all the years, may the new one be the best.