Augst 31, 2010

The weather has been really nice up until this morning. Today, it seems as if fall has arrived all at once. It is rainy and blustery. . .I hope my tomatoes make it; they are all still green! I was also hoping to get out for another session of blackberry picking this week. . .we'll have to see what the moisture does to the berries.

Last week Ron and I went ot Vancouver for the Regional Mona Vie conference. We have been taking a hiatus from our business (and as a result haven't been drinking it either). My joints have been really acting up lately and I am really glad to be getting started again. We finally tasted M(mun) (reminiscent of pears) and we learned Mona Vie now has 4 patents and that they have changed the juice formulas to include more fiber and vitamins, etc.

While we were in Vancouver, we were also able to see Alexis, Vienna and Sean for lunch. Vienna is already walking, and is quite shy. Alexis shared my lunch with me while we had a nice chat with Sean (Ron's oldest).

The kids stayed home while Ron and I were gone. They did take and bake pizzas for dinner and played non-stop Wii. They also did a good job of deciphering and following the chore list that was posted for them. Adam worked and the others went to a birthday party for a friend on Saturday afternoon.

I called and got Kaili and Dax`s course line-up today. This semester Kaili will have fashion & design, guitar, Spanish, English and science. Dax`s classes include electronics, drafting, social studies, and Spanish. We got most of the school supplies yesterday, though I`m sure we missed something.

Today`s chore list includes cookie baking for the kids and I think a big pot of beef barley soup for dinner will have to be on mine. I am also hoping to finish a course for St. John Ambulance and do some required Immigration paperwork . . . I just LOVE red tape and bureaucracy!

August 26, 2010

Yesterday was a long, fun and productive day. The weather was beautiful, sunny and warm. The night before, the kids had 5 friends for a "sleep"-over, so everyone was in a festive, even if slightly sleep deprived sort of mood.

After Adam left for work, we took one friend home and picked up several more. We went all went berry picking behind the Superstore near our house. After a while there, we picked up a couple more and went to Air Force beach for more berry picking. There are feral rabbits all over and some of them are quite habituated to humans. Some even would eat out of your hand. Robin had one little guy (or girl) climbing into her berry bucket for a nibble. After just over an hour or so we had about 5 gallons of blackberries.

We were all pretty warm (and hungry) so after another quick trip home for the dogs, a change into shorts and walking shoes Robin treated us all to pizza. 5 pizzas were inhaled in 6 minutes. . .it was something to see. Next it was time for a quick dip, so we went to Angel Falls. . . What a COOL spot!!! The kids had a great time jumping off the rocks into a nice swimmin' hole. Robin and I even took a quick dip. The water was very refreshing and soothing.

Next, it was back home again to make dinner and process the berries. I put a big roast and a BUNCH of potatoes into the big roaster and let'er go. Robin and I worked on berries late into the night (with various assistance from kidlets). Thank goodness for the covered deck and scookum camp stove we have. It made the whole thing a whole lot less unpleasant than working in a hot kitchen. When we were all through, we ended up with 42 jars of jelly, jam, and pie filling, 3 quarts frozen berries and 1 berry puff pastry thing. The pastry lasted for about 5 minutes (only because it took that long for me to distribute it.). Hopefully the canned stuff will last a bit longer. I hope to get a few more berries next week and do some syrup, freeze more berries and do a pie or two. I think I will let my scratches heal and get the thorns out of my fingers first, though.

August 20, 2010

We have spent this week at home! Ron's birthday was Tuesday, so we ate out on the deck. We had some nice steaks, twice baked potatoes, "Asian" salad (actually a North American pre-packaged version, but yummie non-the-less) with devil's food cake for dessert.

I have been trying to get the kids up and going before 8 with some success. School starts for them in just over 2 weeks. These guys haven't had to get up for school in almost 5 years now, so I think it will be quite the adjustment for them.

Since we have been gone for the bulk of the summer, nothing has really gotten done around here. I have been writing a chore list on an erase board; once they finish what is there, the day is free for them to do whatever. We have actually managed to get quite a bit done that way, and the house is staying fairly tidy for a change.

Thursday night the 3 younger kids attended "Movie under the stars" in Comox with their friends. They saw "How to Train Your Dragon". I went to a picnic at the beach with the Relief Society where we had taco salad and a gab fest. It was very relaxing. Ron had a quiet evening at home alone with Adam.

The weather was record breaking warm last week-end, but has cooled off into the 70-80's now. I am really enjoying the more moderate temperatures and have actually ventured out on my bicycle a couple of times.

I guess that's the report from Courtenay for this week. . .

August 15, 2010

We spent most of this week (Tuesday-Saturday) on Gabriola Island visiting with Ron's folks again this week. Adam stayed home and did the bachelor thing, because he had work and a beach party to attend. It was a very relaxing few days. We did have a bit of excitement when a pod of killers passed in front of the place. The neighbors came and told us they were there, then several of us gathered on shore to watch for a good half hour or so. There were also a couple of seals hugging the shoreline at this particular time. 3 or 4 boats drew in for a closer view and a couple of kayaks headed out that way (they got a late start and missed the show, though). The boat people are much braver than I am! We could see that there were several babies and at least one VERY large orca in the pod.

It has been very hot here. . .90's, humid and smoky from the 300+ fires in the province. The ocean is very calm and much warmer than I am used to, so it is actually nice for wading and swimming.

We are planning to cool our heels around here for the next little bit, and the kids start school in about 3 weeks or so.

August 7, 2010

Entrance Island as seen from Gabriola

It seems forever since I have had internet access. Monday was BC Day, so while Ron and I volunteered at the first aid post with Saint John Ambulance, the kids wandered around Nautical Days with friends. The evening was topped off with a drill by the Sea Cadets (marching and many LOUD guns and cannons being fired), then there was a nice fireworks display.

Tuesday morning we met with our friends, Grant & Robin (and 4 daughters, 1 son) and we all headed for Gabriola Island. On the way there, we stopped at Parksville and visited the sandcastle competition. The sand sculptures were completed several weeks ago and preserved with white glue. They are unbelievable! (I will post pictures soon) My favorite was called "The Missing Links", though, it was tough to choose just one favorite.

We spent the week exploring the various beaches and neighborhoods of Gabriola, shopping at the "recycle", napping, watching the ferries pass in front of the house and generally relaxing. We also made a trip to visit the petroglyphs on the island. The kids pretty well ran amok and had fun. Dax got to have a 10 year old boy hang on his every word and the girls had friends to run with. The dogs ran so hard, they slept the whole way home and continue to sleep even now we have arrived.

The weather was good, but the 400+ fires in BC added to a thick smoke layer for a couple of the days we were there. It was a rainy day today as we left; maybe the island was mourning our departure?

August 2, 2010

It seems I have been too busy to turn on the computer the last few days. . .I'm not sure what I have been busy with, though!

Ron and I volunteered to cover the 1st aid booth at Nautical Days in Comox for St. John Ambulance on Saturday. We were there from 9 am- 10 pm. Fortunately, it wasn't too busy for us in the booth. The weather was perfect and the music from the stage was awesome!

Ron just left to cover the booth again today, and I will join him in a few hours (hopefully I will remember to take my camera this time). I will get a few more things packed and ready to go to Gabriola Island tomorrow. The Kramer family will be joining us, and I am really looking forward to the trip, even if it will be a short one. Adam will stay behind for work this time, though he may join us for his day off later in the week.

This morning is overcast, but pleasant and it is predicted to clear off for this afternoon.