Swan Song

Isn't he a beauty?  The swan, of course.  The latest addition to the pond.  Picked him up at Art Knapps nursery yesterday - he was a really good buy and I couldn't resist.  For the first few seconds I think Jake thought it was real.

Jake's Date

Jake is smiling.  His girlfriend Cologne is over for the long weekend, and they are having a great time.  It just so happens that she is in heat, so we shall see if they are meant to have puppies or not.

May 13th - what a Day!

Jake and I started the day at 9am with a long walk to Seymour Bay so he could have a swim. It is such a good feeling to see Jake swimming alongside gees and gosling, focused on his stick and nothing else.

Once we got home, I found him totally tuckered out, on his back, snoring!!  What a boy, eh!  Just couldn't resist the photo.

Managed to get some gardening done, plants watered in the veggie garden, and annuals into the window boxes.  Chris took advantage of very warm May weather and hopped on his motorbike and caught a ferry to Vancouver Island for a few days.  The Rohdos are in full bloom right now... at least a good portion of them.  I love this time of year, everything looks so good.

I took a few shots around the yard, but in this particular shot, do you think you can spot my kitty (Smoke) and the Hummingbird?

Mid-afternoon was definitley beach time.. so I grab what I needed and hooked up with Bob and Susan at the beach at the bottom of our road.  Nothing like a toast to summer, even though we are still a month and a half away!

Conference

The past 3 days were spent in Vancouver attending my annual BC Human Resource Management Association conference. The highlight for me was an opening presentation from one of my all time favorite Canadian comedian and actor Rick Mercer.

The conference centre is also the place where the Olympic torches live. What a surprise on Friday when all of a sudden the torches where lit and the flames flew up. I wasn't aware, but across Canada, April 27 is designated the Day of Mourning by the WCB, a time when workers, families, and employers come together to remember those who have lost their lives to work-related incidents or occupational diseases. It was quite moving.

April 1st and Spring is Springing!

It was no fools day today! The sun was shining and offering its warmth to us as well! We took a little stroll around the garden and realized life was returning to us after such a dismal winter. I hadn't been out in the yard for weeks due to work and the rain, so was ecstatic to see how far the rhubarb was up!

Even the raspberries are showing their leaves.

But we were so surprised to see the gooseberries! Look at all the leaves!

And then we spotted the garlic!! We haven't even planted anything this year yet, so there must have been bulbs left over from last year.

The next trek was up to the pond, and oh my there are baby fish everywhere, but too hard to get a shot since they are dark still. They must have been born before winter because it is too early for a hatch! Can you spot Fred our big 4 year old Koi?

But the real sign of spring are the bulbs - the daffodils, and tulips are both up and starting to bloom.

Now, as I type, it is 7:55pm and still light out.. the sun is setting and the sky is a double shade of pink, blue and gray. This is no April fools.

Stir Fry!!

Now this was yummy! When you are searching for something for dinner, don't forget that a stir fry rarely disappoints. Like this one - made from all that was in the fridge - cabbage, leeks and a few frozen prawns. Add a bit of sliced fresh garlic and you have a wonderful meal or side dish. I LOVE leeks.

Mr. Smoke

Mellow and mild, Mr. Smoke has generous measures of love and affection for his humans, and all he asks for in return is a little brushing every now and then and a good slurp of kitty-malt.

Fire and Sun

Two of the finest elements. You would have loved February 26th on Bowen Island. Weather reports on the radio spoke of snow in town and outer lying areas of metro-Vancouver, but on the west side of Bowen, it was a balmy, sunny day. Chris took advantage of the day by getting out on his motorbike and then giving it a good wash.

This girl took to the garden and started cutting back blackberry bushes and cleaning up dead grasses to put on the bonfire.

By mid-day it was time to take advantage of the sunshine and capture some vitamin D.
A real bonus for a day that was predicted to be wet, windy and snowy. A bonfire and warm sun, two of my favorite things.

Boat Show

A colleague gave us complimentary tickets to the Vancouver International Boat Show which was on this week at 2 venues - BC Place Stadium downtown, and Granville Island.

To avoid traffic and parking hassles, we parked in English Bay near the aquatic centre and caught the little aqua-ferry to Granville Island. Chris and I were the only passengers on the little 2 minute ride.

Once at Granville Island we wandered the marina to view the oh so pricey yachts.

And Chris had a go at the helm of one of the nicer ones on display.

Before catching the shuttle bus to BC Place, we had a wander around Granville Market and bought some breakfast bread to snack on. It was fun to see all the fresh produce and fish we don't get to see on Bowen.

We were the only 2 on the shuttle bus to the indoor event. It was like having a personal chauffeur! The stadium was packed with vendors on one level and more boats on another.

From the stadium we shuttled back to Granville Island and had a bite to eat at the Sandbar, courtesy of a gift card I had for the restaurant.

Chris had an awesome sandwich of fresh shrimp, dungeonous crab, bacon and guacamole, while I had a yummy caesar salad.

From there the trip was in reverse and we headed back to the car in English Bay and home. All in all, a day with no complaints.

My New Gecko!

Another great garage sale find, and my new treasure! Not sure where he will live yet, but I am sure he will find a spot either indoors or outdoors very soon.

Oh So Yummie!

I mentioned in an earlier post before Christmas the wonderful appetizer we had on Christmas Eve, but just realized I forgot to share the photo. Susan made pitted dates stuffed with a roasted almond and some goat cheese, wrapped in bacon and broiled until the bacon was crisp. Amazingly delicious. Here is how it looks. I know some of you will want to try it out. Enjoy.

SUPERVISION

No, I'm not referring to great eyesight!
When I work at home, it seems my big boy "Smoke" feels obligated to sit and watch me. If I leave my laptop for one minute he is all over it, typing with his paws and contributing to the effort.

It's good to know I have both a supervisor and an assistant at home!

Words

2012 is here, and I promised myself a theme word for the new year. This was harder than I thought it would be.
I used to raise tropical fish and kept several aquariums at one time. I recall how important it was to maintain the pH balance of the water, always testing the conditions to monitor acidic vs alkaline levels. When my fish tank was out of balance, the water sometimes was murky and my angel fish started swimming sideways. Like the fish tanks, my life needs balance as well. Balance is actually a way of life. It is finding an even position so you don’t need a matchbook under a wobbly leg, because at the root of every balance problem is a lack of stability. Every wobbly table has a leg that is in trouble. In order to bring more balance in you need to take out what unbalances your life. That includes people, projects, and duties that waste your time or drain your energies. Sound harsh? Not really, it’s true. You also need to bring in what is missing, like people, projects, recreation, calmness or God, to replace what you have eliminated or what is missing.
I like the concept of the 4-fold person: one who balances the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components of her life. Does this mean then, that BALANCE will be my word for 2012? No. Achieving balance in my life is really about change, and I don’t mean the stuff that Chris has jingling in his side pocket. CHANGE is tough, especially when it means throwing out old habits and adopting new ones, and to gain balance, I will need to change some things for sure. So is CHANGE my 2012 word? I don’t think so.
We all have the potential to change; I know I do. Potential defines who we are, and what we can excel at. So the question becomes 3 fold – do I have the potential to make the changes that will bring about balance? My answer is yes; but only if I am PROACTIVE - only if I take the action to effectuate the change; only if I take control of situations by causing something positive to happen rather than waiting to respond to it after it happens. Being PROACTIVE in 2012 is the key, but before anything else I need to make the COMMITMENT to want to create the balance I need. I must be Proactive and make a Commitment to create the Changes I need to achieve Balance. So it seem I have more than one word for 2012 doesn't it?

Another Year Ending

Can you believe that 2011 is almost done? Part of me is just so happy to be moving to a brand new year.
After all, doesn't it mean a "new beginning", out with the old and in with the new? I have always laughed at that, but we all fall for it. That magic time of year when you flip the calendar and everything miraculously changes or falls into place. What happened to that old saying: "today is the first day of the rest of your life" or "why wait for spring, do it now!" If you remember those sayings then you don't need January 1st to set goals, or throw out old habits, or resolve to do or not do this or that; and besides, we don't always get to start over on January 1st.
In many cases, things are just as they are, and no matter the date on the calendar, some things are just the way they are, and no date on the calendar will change that. Maybe our health issues, or finances or relationships are not in a position to just flip over like a miracle on that magic day and be right as rain. In other words, January 1st isn't always synonymous with a new start. Some things will carry over and that is just the way it is.

So that said, as I type (and yes this is usually where it all happens), I look back over the last 12 months to see what kind of year it was. For me, the best way to do this is simply by taking a journey backwards through my blog. I don't know how I managed before blogging. Ok, I just took that magical trip down 2011 Memory Lane. It appears to have produced a good crop of raspberries, zucchini and cauliflower. This is good. We took a trip overseas, had some good company, made some new friends, and added a few outbuildings to the property. But something is missing and I think it was a theme. I didn't have a theme for 2011. I simply must have a "word", just one word for 2012 which can be my theme. That word will inspire, motivate, lead me through 2012 (she said).
I shall be back in the new year and let you know what the word is.
In the meantime:
To all my friends and family who crossed my path or visited in 2011 - thank you.
To those of you who took time to read my blog, or even comment - thank you.
To those of you who keep in touch via email or even by phone - thank you.
To those who have come into my life for the first time this year - thank you.
For those who have encouraged, inspired and motivated me - thank you.
To those who have cried with me, laughed with me and fought with me - thank you.
To those who included me in their prayers - thank you.

Wishing you only good things for 2012.

Christmas Nostalgia

Nostalgia is the good feeling you get when you remember things from your past.

Wikipedia’s says: The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in an idealized form. The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of (nóstos), meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and (álgos), meaning "pain, ache". It was described as a medical condition, a form of melancholy in the Early Modern period and later an important trope in Romanticism.

For me, nostalgia represents the "good old days”, an image, a smell, a song, a tradition or some simple memory from my childhood. Nostalgia makes me sit back and smile and think, wow, that was fun. Most of my days are usually filled with routine activities that aren't significant – commuting to work, buying groceries, or sweeping the floor. When Christmas rolls around, I am particularly nostalgic, and I guess I tap into the past to remind me that my life is meaningful, that I have values and good relationships.

It seems like this time of year is so busy, so chaotic and so stressful for everyone. I started to think of years ago when Christmas was a magical time. We didn't get many presents BUT we never expected to, either, so the ones we did get were special. And it all started with the Advent calendar we hung on the wall or cupboard. Each of us kids taking a turn to open a new day on the calendar, counting each day, and waiting for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day.

I remember getting a big beautiful wide eyed doll just like one I had seen in a store window - couldn't believe she was actually mine that Christmas morning! And then there was the Christmas when I received 2 very special monkeys, one red, one black. I still have one, minus one arm, they were my treasures.

I remember one year being so excited when I opened a package with a blue velvet dress, handmade by my mom. She was sewing late on Christmas Eve, a red velvet dress for my sister Joan, and I had wished she was really making me one instead. Obviously she had, and who knows how long into the night she sewed to get both of them done. My mother was unfairly widowed in her early forties, and I know she sacrificed a lot to put anything under the tree - no credit cards in those days - everyone lived within their means and even us children knew the limits. I remember mom giving me some coins to do my own Christmas shopping. Sometimes I would find a teacup in the thrift store for .10c other times a little hankie. Always something simple for mom, and she was always pleased with the little gifts; and I spent wisely. When I think back to the times we ate noodles and prunes, or sauce on toast for dinner several days a week, it was my Mom's way of insuring gifts under that tree.

It was a favourite holiday, and we always had Christmas music in the house. I remember the Jim Reeves and Burl Ives songs my mother played, and our house smelled like Christmas for days before and after. Evergreen forest smell from the live tree we would decorate with our old special decorations. Some were homemade, like this hollow egg shell turned into Santa. It's a treasure I keep that is more than 50 years old now.

Then there was the smell of shortbread baking in the oven and chocolate doodads on the counter, roasting turkey (that usually came from a Christmas hamper we would receive from the Kinsmen each year), plum pudding and even candle wax. A big part of Christmas was midnight mass. I would have to have a nap at 9pm so my mom could wake me at 11pm to get ready for church. Then there was the beautiful choir singing carols, followed by high mass and incense – more sounds, smells and memories. To this day I cry when I hear certain carols and I wonder why. It was Silent Night that brought it on this Christmas mass. A hidden nostalgia no doubt.

The other part of Christmas was the extended family---aunts, uncles and cousins, and of course my grammy Bukowsky was usually with us as well, usually wearing a classy caftan and big clip-on earings. Despite bickering or crowding, there was always an extra card table that could be opened up for a few more to sit around at dinner time, and somehow the walls always were elastic. Now many of these people have passed on, and others have gone their own way, but the gathering and enjoying of one another are still precious memories, and part of my Christmas nostalgia.

Christmas was special in those days - no expectations, just genuine happiness over what we did receive. We were more selfless and more kind. The house was warm and we had clothes to wear. It was all simpler then, we were happy with a board game or home-made clothes. Now parents feel they have to buy their kids the latest, greatest, most expensive toys, clothes or gadgets. It's sad. I hear people say they want a simpler Christmas. Well, don't buy those expensive gifts - don't even start that tradition. Go back to the basics. We all can create the simpler, more innocent days of Christmas, no matter how old or young we are.

Merry Christmas 2011.

Our quiet Christmas included a simple creche and nativity scene lit with colored lights. Add to this our 2 cats, 2 dogs and we.
Simple as that.

Christmas Eve

A quiet Christmas season for Chris and I. Perhaps by circumstance and perhaps by happenstance. Living on Bowen has its challenges for sure, but it also has a uniqueness about it that you don't find in the city: a good sense of family community.

Christmas Eve we joined our friends Susan and Bob down the road for a fabulous dinner. Susan owns a shop on Bowen called Fabulous Finds, so it is only natural to expect a fabulous meal, in a fabulous home, with fabulous tree trimmings and fabulous company.
Bob and Susan have a unique collection of Christmas ornaments for there tree, collected from around the world. There are no two the same and some are very exotic. I particularly liked this frog ornament.

We had the most fabulous appetizer which I will have to try to make. It was pitted dates stuffed with a roasted almond and some goat cheese, wrapped in bacon and broiled until the bacon was crisp. Amazingly delicious.

Bob BBQ'd a tenderloin to perfection, topped with sauted shitake mushrooms, and Susan cooked parmeson-topped scalloped potatoes and roasted carrots with rosemary.
Pecan pie and whipped cream for desert.

It was a great evening, and we tried some excellent new wines. Here we are, Chris and I, just sitting down to dinner.

After dinner Susan and I tried our best to harmonize a few favorite Christmas carols, while Bob, below, gave some attention to their favorite kitty, "Peanut".

And the Winner Is......!

Chris Weyler - Bowen Island Poker Association! After 43 weeks of Thursday night poker league tourny and cash games, and despite finishing only 200dreth's of a point behind the big winner, Chris was recognized as the "2011 best overall player of the year" and awarded this trophy". A great finish Chris! Can you find a good place for it to live?

To Err is Human, To Age is Devine!

It was my birthday yesterday - no earth shattering event by any means, but nevertheless my special day. The sun was out, I had the day off, and a day to spend as I wished. Jake and I had 3 walks, one to the new mailbox up the road, where I picked up a nice stack of birthday cards as you can see below. I puttered in the garden, deadheading and cleaning up the finished blooms. Next I met my friend Robyn for lunch at the new CupCutter restaurant at the golf course, but forgot my camera. I had a lovely salad and 4 prawn shooters. When I got back home I pulled the fountain out of the pond and watched the fish swimming in sparking clear water. When the fountain comes out, I know I am ready for winter. Dinner was at Tuscany with my friend Joanne. I had the most delicious linguine vongole: Joanne had an incredibe special apple pizza with carmelized onions and cheese: Later that evening went down the road to Bob and Susan's who made me a special rum cake with whipping cream! Very yummy. Chris was in town all day for another event, so he and I will celebrate tonight or tomorrow.

Lavender Harvest

I just love lavender. I have a variety of plants - English, French and Spanish - about 12 in total. I find the English and French lavender to be the best producers, and the hardiest. If I had to choose, it would be English lavender. I was very late this year and should have harvested my lavender sooner, but better late than never I say. I harvested only one plant this afternoon, and as I write, I feel intoxicated by the aroma around me. The plant I harvested gave me an incredible yield. Without having a plan, I filled 7 small vases and placed one in every room of the house. It smells heavenly, and is so relaxing. Next I filled a few sachet bags with the flower buds, though not sure what I will do with them yet. I have a bowl of flower buds left and will likely try to make some more sachets, or perhaps fill a sock and keep some in the drawers. Next year, I will start early and get creative. For now, I will just be soothed and calmed by the scent of this wonderful perennial.