Such Things

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.

Happy Easter!

Hope you had a most enjoyable Easter weekend, as we did!

:: visiting the bunnies at Maple Wood farm, colouring easter eggs, a day trip to Mt. Vernon, Washington for the Tulip Festival, Easter goodies on Easter morning and an annual Easter egg hunt. 

Also reflecting on the real significance of Easter:

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation."

                                                                                    Colossians 1:19-22

Soakin' It In

One idea that stood out from the book and movie Eat, Pray, Love is the statement (by the Italians) that Americans (and perhaps Canadians) work too hard.  They don't know how to sit back and enjoy life. 

So the sunny days that we've been having, have given me opportunity,

to fully enjoy.

Both with my kids,

and with my students at school.

Relaxing, exploring, noticing,

and working peacefully in the midst of all the enjoyment.

As my pastor points out, we don't have to "do", because it's already been "done".

And we can rest in that.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." 

Romans 5:1-2

Fall Farm

It's definitely a tradition now that we visit a farm or two or three in the fall. 

Cloudy or sunny we throw on our boots,

and head out into the fresh fall air,

just ourselves or with good friends,

we visit some animal friends,

lots of different animal friends,

and take part in the harvest.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!!

O Christmas Tree

We drove past farmland gently sprinkled with our first snowfall of the year,

past dream houses on acres of land with horses, and for the first time ever, we entered Alouette Tree Farm to cut down our own Christmas tree.  In the past, we've done the Ikea thing, but I must say, this experience was far, far more enjoyable.

free hot dogs and apple cider,

warming up by the open fire,

and picking out the tree.  We searched the field, and at some points I was running across the field from tree to tree, trying to find the right one.

and then there it was. 

there was a petting barn and a tractor ride,

and glorious snow.

I don't know what it is about the tree, but once it is put up, it seems like Christmas has truly arrived.  There's a feeling of joy decorating the tree while drinking eggnog with Christmas music playing in the background.

Bible readings, singing and Christmas treats at Advent,

Yes, the magic and peace of Christmas.  And here's our sweet little tree decorated and lit.

"The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy."

Isaiah 9:2-3