Langley is in full bloom: some recommended stops on the city flower tour

A Star Magnolia tree next to the Langley Library, 1st Street

Marina appreciates the flowers

There are flowers everywhere you look in downtown Langley. Tulips of unending variety, flowering trees, fragrant hedges, and many fruit trees exploding with blossoms. There are so many white blossoms on our cherry tree that it looks like it snowed again! Take a walk through town and enjoy the flowers, it looks like the city and business owners have been working diligently to beautify the city.

Langley Flower Tour, courtesy moi

UBCC: One of my personal favorites is the Useless Bay Coffee Company's gardens on 2nd street near the Post Office. Many of the plants they grow are edible, a testament to the range of possibilities and the practicality as well as versatility of vegetable & herb gardens. And the building itself is incredible. If you need lunch try the homemade paninis and in-house roasted coffee. Yes, you will be back again and again.

City Hall: Also checkout the City Hall across the street next to the library (on 2nd Street). Intermingled amongst the edible landscaping there is interesting art work.

Langley Village: on 2nd street, enter at the Langley Village Bakery and enjoy the colorful bursts of tulips, running water fountain, and fragrant bushes. Also enjoy some yummy pastries at the Bakery while lounging on the grass or at the outdoor tables.

1st Street: the city put in large planters a few years ago all along 1st street (commercial part of it). There they have trees and flowers and a view of the water.

Where to get Ice Cream in Langley: Just in time for a hot Spring or an early Summer

ICE CREAM anyone?

Sharing, of all valuable things, ice cream with little sister Stella

Marina's favorite ice cream from Mike's Place

There are a few great ice cream places in Langley were you can get ice cream in a cone or bowl:

Mike's Place Family restaurant and Creamery: the restaurant part didn't get good reviews on Yelp.com, but it is one of only a few places to get ice cream cones in town, and they do have decent ice cream.

1 Angel Place Chocolate Bar: First and only to offer "gelato" Italian ice cream from a supplier in Seattle. Their ice cream is good, and is probably worth the higher price they ask compared to Mike's, depending on your taste buds. Also enjoy yummy gourmet chocolates, espresso (home of the "truffle" shot), with inside or outside dining. The chocolate shop has a newly remodeled interior is comfortable and open.

Star Store: the grocery store in Langley. Fun, funky, friendly. Want to beat the high prices elsewhere, just buy some ice cream bars from the freezer section.

Welcome the Whales Celebration in Pictures: a busy weekend Langley on Whidbey Island

Welcome the Whales: Parade, Party, & Celebration. Pictures from April 16 2009 Langley, WA


L: Enjoying the beach R: The parade, complete with funny costumes with a water theme

I caught a fun and fresh feeling on Whidbey Island this last weekend when I was actually overwhelmed with options concerning what to do with the kids, and myself! This has been happening more and more lately. In fact, I have not heard it said in a long while that there is nothing to do on the Island. That used to be a common phrase back in High School. It could be that I am busy with two busy kids and I don't have time to be bored, but . . . I think there are lots of talented and outgoing individuals living here. I am meeting new ones all the time it seems, so give ourself a nice pat on the back if you live here, because you qualify under the above description.

Here are MORE pictures from last weekend's festivities:

Waiting for the parade to start

Here it comes!

L: The whale bell, ring it if you see a whale R: Stella watches the festivities

L: I'm not too sure about those statues, but there is sure to be a story (there are two statues pictured that mark the parade's entrance down to Seawall Park R: Photographers and observers from the Dog House steps

Whidbey's Jim Freeman puts on a show for the people, pictured holding a speaker for the mayor Paul Samuelson as he introduces the new Whale Bell R: Parade Whale with a cool glass eye


L: Whale Bell Inauguration R: exodus to the beach to do some whale watching

the festivities: music, poetry, dancing, and more

L: more exodus to beach R: woman dressed as a star fish

L: people gather at Seawall Park R: some warm whale watchers

Festivities, Mayor Paul Samuelson gives a speech

We are not the only ones whale watching: a tour boat in the Saratoga Passage

L: I'm enjoying the festivities with baby Stella R: one very cute Orca whale beach combing

View up the Saratoga Passage from Seawall Park, Langley

Some whale watchers celebrate with ice cream

First Street Langley: Blue, Blue Day in Langley (Village by the Sea)

It is snowing tonight, but last weekend it was beautiful and sunny so I took some pictures in Langley to capture the feel of early March, and the beauty of the little seaside town!

My dad made this cool rock wall!

Far Left: Bell on the hill to ring if you see whales, I love Langley!

ok, so I was a little obsessed with this Rolls Royce :-) but it was beeeautiful!
(and I'm not usually interested in cars at all)

1st street Langley, there was an interesting cloud formation just above the water in the center of the photo, it looked like it was a vertical spherical cloud (maybe a rain storm)

Chocolate Flower Farm Store, 1st Street

Chocolate Flower Farm Store, 1st Street

Chocolate Flower Farm Store, 1st Street

New store coming!

Langley Pizzaria: A great lunch, or dinner, try the Clam and Garlic Pizza!

ZThe signs in the windows say: L: For Rent, R: Moving Sale.....

Langley Library, Best View Library Award, really!

Community Park, up the hill from the castle playground by the soccer fields, Memorial chair for Jessie Travis, a former classmate in High School of mine., I'll tell the chair story sometime . . . RIP

Liking the kitty!

Lie down in the sun for a minute and get bombarded! Yes, that is poor Stella being squished, she's fine, Marina was actually kneeling, so Stella fit nicely between her knees and belly!

Where is Stella going . . .?

A hug! (this is sorta unusual)

Above: Yeah, you're cute baby Stella!

walking on the trails lugging Stella on my back