Luckybeans

Spring Holiday: The Third (and final!) Installment

One of my favourite things about being on the Island is that not only do we have family, but we have extended family, and friends that have been so close for so long, through generations, that they have become family. It is so rich and varied, across generations and experiences, and something I doubt I will ever be able to express adequate gratitude for.

One morning, a dear family/friend guided us up the mountain he has been hiking for decades. Simon and I went with some of the older cousins and his Mum. It was splendid: the diversity of min-eco-habitats (obviously not a biologist here), the views, the inukshuk villages, the company, the nephew who wanted to fling himslef over the edge (well, perhaps not that part). I can see why Greg goes up Tzouhalem most days. I certainly would if I could.

Most of the rest of our time saw a regular flow of visits and visitors. I have not nearly captured all of them or everything, but still, enough to hopefully remember things by. There is something very dear about sitting under the cherry tree that Simon's parents planted at their wedding, that his cousin leaned against while in labour, that all of the cousins have climbed on and eaten from and swung from, too. It isn't that we did very much-- pulling down ivy and collecting golf balls and riding wagons in suicidal manners-- but that we got to do it together, in a lovely, meandering and relaxed sort of way.

We had a few outings, including to my favourite little beach that has flats and rocks and a large grassy spot and a playground and a good coffee shop near by. Pretty perfect, no?

Finally, the night before we left, one exceptional young man had a cake because he was turning 9 the next day. We do love him!

Even before we get on that ferry back home, we are already planning when we can return. Some people and places seem blessed, almost sacred in how much they hold onto your heart. It is a special gift to get a chance like we've had to spend some time there with them.

Spring Holiday: The Second Installment

On Monday, we went to explore the Kinsol Trestle. It was a short trail to the bridge, well-used on this warm, sunny day. Lots of bikes, ponies, dogs and children-- even a few people practicing free-falling with their harnesses off the edge of the bridge. It never felt crowded or less than peaceful, though (even in our group of seven children and four adults). The photos are pretty self-explanatory, really:

(Simon's sister took the first and fourth photos here, and Simon took the one of the ponies).

(Simon's sister took the second photo here, and Simon took the photo of his sister and her baby).

(Simon's sister also took the second, fourth and fifth photos here).

There is no better place to get out and about than a sunsoaked day in the Pacific Northwest.

Spring Holiday: The First Installment

We had a wonderful week on Vancouver Island, full of sunshine, time outside and visits with family and friends.

First things first: there were two cameras and three photographers (myself, Simon and his sister). I've done my best to use what I know to be shots I took, but I don't always remember who took which photos. I can only guarantee that I did not take any of the ones with a flash or with me in them. For example, these amusing ones of me taking photos were taken by my sister-in-law. I am particularly fond of the knees-down one.

Simon's parents live on an acre and a half with lots of places for children to roam. While everything from wrestling matches (note Asher's licking action-- busted) to haircuts to epic air hockey battles happened inside, outside saw most of the activity.

This is my artsy fartsy flare shot of Grandma and the youngest, and I am rather fond of it.

There was also LOTS of pushing a certain someone in the yellow swing, fort building, traipsing about, dragging things to the brush pile, throwing things for Sophie (the dog who lives next door but certainly doesn't stay there), boys carrying large sticks, etc, etc...

Every day we did something special. Our first full day with five out of six cousins coralled together, we went to Cowichan Bay.

We followed a wooded trail down to the beach, stopping now and then for shorter legs or for Ana to collect things for her nature journal.

There were swans in the bay, and seaweed to collect, and oysters to dissect, and crabs to discover and many many many rocks to throw and we were all VERY happy. 

After our adventure, we went to the tiny town and had a picnic snack where some of us swung on the swings (perhaps they were practising for when they are old and grey).

There is ever so much more to share, but I have hundreds and hundreds of photos to sort through, so I will have to do this in a bit of a piece-meal fashion. But more soon!

Kootenay Lake

So. Last month when we disappeared? We were busy doing stuff. Fun stuff. Lots of it. So much fun stuff that I have had a backlog of photos and am only just getting around to posting it. 

We went up to Kootenay Lake. Simon's Uncle has his childhood cabin up there, and is an idyllic spot for a gathering of family. I could go on and on, but that isn't really the point here. The point is to throw up a bunch of snapshots (some of which I didn't even take, and can't remember who did) and hopefully remember what a grand time we had.

A lot of time was spent puttering and playing in the water. The lake was record high, and absolutely freezing. Didn't deter the cousins at all-- even the Zambian ones.

Uncle Rick et al built Ray rafts.

Everyone loved the kayaks.

Grown up types were more wary of the water, so spent more time chatting. Although the children managed a bit of hanging out themselves.

And of course there were croquet games that ended, as often as not, in tears; and lawn mowing escapades that did not.

It rained. Enough to keep a woodfire going to dry laundry, huddle up under the overhang, spend a bit of time crafting, learn new card games from Auntie Sue, and watch far too many terrible vieos with Cousin Michael. But not enough to dampen spirits.

One day saw all of the cousins and a lot of us adults trek up to the Kokanee glacier. Such good little hikers, fuelled by Miss Vickie's.

And worth it to play with snow in tshirts!

Somebody also had a birthday.

It was a real party, with balloons and sparklers (aka magic wands) and hot dogs and special presents like harmonicas, rocket launchers and books written just for (and about) you.

It was really a rather splendid place to be. 

 

 

It's Been a While

...since our last bubblegum blowing contest. The last one was, if I recall correctly, at least six years ago and Bella was the one spitting out gum wads instead of bubbles (HA! found it in the archives here! Although it was only five and a half years ago). 

Anyway, that's one to check off the summer wall "to do" list.

Also, sorry to those of you who follow me on instagram. That was a lot of bubbles (and I now realise I really should have used the same filter for all of them. Live and learn, I suppose). And Ana took one of the photos. In case you were wondering. I'll leave it to you to determine which one.

We went camping.

We set up a tent on the banks of a river.

We sat by fires, read a lot, knitted, whittled, said morning prayers by the river, chopped firewood to the best of our abilities, stayed snuggled into our sleeping bags until the air had warmed significantly, then huddled over tea and porridge.

We were situated close to Camp Sherman, which meant plenty of ice cream runs and smelling the ponderosa pines.

We spent a lot of time on trails that led us to magical, mystical places like this:

Some of us also spent a lot of time doing things like this:

Or this:

It all went smoothly and well despite nighttime temperatures dipping perilously close to freezing, and the repacking of the tent. On our way home we stopped by the Powderhouse trail.

It was lovely. All of it (minus the repacking the tent bit. Although Asher may have learned some choice new vocabulary).

Camping

The children and I are camping this week. I'm a bit nervous, but excited. We love the time outside, but the responsible adult ratio is a bit slim. See you when we return...

The Cousins Came

It was a quick trip, a visit from Simon's sister and her family for a few days. And it was, quite frankly, a bit of bliss. Messy, crazy, houseful of six kids bliss, but bliss none the less. 

Small cousins were toted and tended.

Deep discussions held.

Lego built. Over days and hours. And not just by the smaller people, either.

Crocodiles sat upon.

Hairdos bestowed.

Parks explored.

Morning prayers said (complete with a hay truck driving past).

Lots of lazing about.

The absolute wonder of a train with a remote fully appreciated.

Waterplay enjoyed.

A bit of knitting.

A few snuggles.

We spent a day at the coast, too. Which of course meant:

splashing

paddling

digging

puppy-meeting

family-photo attempts

burying

dunes

kite flying

and dog-piling (of course).

Every time I spend time with my family, I am overwhelmed by how blessed we are in this life. 

A Birthday at the Coast

She wanted a tea party, but she also wanted to go to the Coast. This meant a picnic tea party, and the afternoon previous saw a mad whirl of prep work. Ana made a lemon-poppyseed cake, baked in tin cans to make three mini cakes of four layers each (12, you see). Asher helped carve radishes into toadstools. I flew around a bit like a chicken with my head cut off, as my grandmother would say. However, we got it done, and yesterday morning saw us on our way with Grandma. 

First stop was the Hatfield Marine Science Center (of course). The tides were not in our favour for actual tide pool exploration, so the touch tanks here are the next best thing.

After this, she really couldn't wait much longer for her tea. So we obliged. On the menu:

Ham and truffle cheese sandwiches with lettuce on white bread

Smoked salmon, cucumber and labneh sandwiches with dill on rye bread

Radish toadstools

Ginger beer

Mini eclairs

Lemon poppyseed cakes

Melon flowers and leaves

Earl grey tea (with a hint of lavender)

It takes a ridiculous amount of work to make all those fiddly wee tea things, but I believe she does truly appreciate it, so it is worth it.

With fuller bellies, and feeling a bit chilly, we went up to see the light house/ museum. Grandma had never been before.

And then we ran rampant on the dunes.

Asher proved himself the kitemaster! He flew his hundreds of feet up into the air so that it was barely visiblein the mist that blew in. When we (finally) reeled it in, it was soaking wet.

To finish the day, we went for a walk on the bayfront and went to Mo's for dinner.

I hope she had a good day. The rest of us certainly enjoyed it.

 

Farm Day

Two of my cousins and their sweet babies were visiting my aunt and uncle (their mom and dad) today. We got head over for a few hours of cuddles of cobbler and the pure delight that is babies in dappled light.

This one kept a delighted Asher on the go (event he autofocus couldn't keep up). But he is so very irresistable!

And this sweet girl practised her walking holding on to only one big finger. She was quite irresistable herself.

Ana and Joepa had a jam session that she never wanted to leave.

And we, of course, came home with an armful of flowers.

Tonight we are planning a drive out to nowhere to view the perseid meteor shower. And you?