Such Things

Happy Halloween 2013

We have been blessed with sunshiny weather this October, and a mild Halloween night.  I have to admit Halloween snuck up on us again.  We were rushed to fit our Halloween activities in between sports, dance etc., but my favourites are still the pumpkin carving and Halloween night with the fireworks, trick-or-treating, costumes and seeing friends from our community.  Wishing all a very happy Halloween!

Autumn and Thanksgiving

We have been enjoying these sunny October days, noticing the oranges, yellows and reds and enjoying our favourite fall places, not to mention a bit of "turkey" crafting:

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends!!  So, so much to be thankful for!

Sweet September

Ah, September, such a busy, but beautiful month.  These photos were taken with my camera, and some with my phone, as I've been savouring those bright, warm days.  Towards the end of the month, the air has become cooler and crisper as the wind blows and the leaves crunch under our feet.  Our Septembers are filled with school days, walks, trips to the park, running, start-up of activities, and the beginning of the rain.  Looking forward to what the next month brings!

Summer Days

We've been spending most of our summer at our beach house in Pt. Roberts.  Don't you just find that in summertime, something fun and interesting is happening almost every moment, filling each day with so much goodness.

Whether it is going to the beach,

visiting a festival at the local winery,

checking out farmer's markets,

beauty in full bloom, bounty,

handicrafts,

campfires,

and happy times with friends, family and neighbours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love everything about summer.  That's why summer days are my favourite days.

Sockeye Salmon at Weaver Creek

It could not have been a more brilliant autumn day to drive through the countryside on the way to Weaver Creek, on windy roads lined on either side by orangy, red trees.

We made the trip out last year in November, but missed the peak of the Sockeye run.

This year the channels were bursting with bright red Sockeye.

There were row after row of channels to view the salmon swimming,

and jumping.

It was the first time I'd seen Sockeye in my life.

The kids were equally excited about the dragon flies, sour blackberries and leaves as they were about the salmon.

We stopped for a peaceful lunch at Grace Lake nearby, where a few people were fishing and camping.

Then we stopped at the Chehalis Hatchery to see the fry.

Do I ever love B.C. and sunny autumn days!!!  Thank you God!

Fall is:: Muffin Season

This might just be our last time blueberry picking this year. 

We stopped spontaniously at our favourite farm,

and it was a great chance for me to try out the fruit muffin recipe in Soule Mama's new book The Rhythm of Family.  I added about a cup of milk to the recipe to make it more moist.  I love the fact that the muffins have whole wheat flour and are sweetened with maple syrup instead of flour.  The kids just gobbled them up.

The book is written with thoughtfulness, eye-catching photos and wonderful ideas to engage families for every month of the year.

Here's to a wonderful new autumn season!!

Back From the Farm

If you've feen following my blog for awhile, you may remember posts about seeing our good friends who live on a farm in Greenwood, B.C. in the Kettle Valley.  We just got back from another wonderful visit.

There are always lots of surprizes:  unique birds, butterflies, wildflowers, dragonflies,

lots of trips to the "henhouse", somtimes accompanied by loud squawking from the chickens (I wonder why...),
 

lots of visiting and play, 

roadcrossings that we are not used to,

and more pure beauty at Jewel Lake.  A trip to the farm never disappoints. 

Island Artists

We followed a garden path off of a quiet road in Parksville to a place filled with a lovely variety of bread and other baking (La Boulange Organic Breads)...

To me, an artist is not just one who paints or sculpts,

It is also one who makes and creates in a variety of ways, such as baking,

growing (Cormie Farms),

displaying,

sewing,

 

molding (Sandstone Soapworks),

cheese-making (Little Qualicum Cheeseworks) and of course,

selling (Coomb's Country Market).

And I find it all so very inspiring.

We spent the rest of our camping trip at Rathtrevor Beach,

which is apparently the most popular provincial campsite in B.C.  It was beautiful and relaxing.  We also met up with an old high school aquantainance.  I was excited to discover her gorgeous hand-made jewlery on her website called Lone Monkey.  A must see!

So glad to be home now with internet, washing machine and dryer! 

The Jam Post

Forgive me for rewinding a bit here.  I couldn't help but post about one of my favourite early July events.  The rain has actually delayed berry growth so strawberries were in ripe condition when we went picking this year!  

 

Fresh berries, shopping at the adorable marketplace, slurping smoothies and eating homemade corn pizza and berry pie while sitting back on the porch at Krause's overlooking the berry fields and forest.  Then coming home and making the jam together.  It's a tradition that can't be missed!

Was so excited to have our sandcandles posted on the Crafty Crow last week!

Enjoying

Baby sheep at Maplewood farm...

and baby goats at a farm just down the road from our house;

science experiments for the school science fair,

beautiful weddings,

and sending the kids out the back door and right across the street to school.

 family bike rides, outdoor barbe-ques on the patio and so much more.  Thank goodness for some sunshine!

Hope you are out there enjoying too.