Cowichan Summer

Summer in "The Warmland" is full of opportunity. Last week I went to a U-Pick strawberry farm, and loaded up on local berries.

This past weekend was the Visions Art Tour and we went from the north to the south, visiting several unique studios.

In the midst of all this touring, and appreciating Art, one gets hungry! We ended up at a marina for lunch. The food was great, and the view, breathtaking. We took the opportunity to walk the dock where the float homes were. The variety and creativity people showed in their places was inspirational. I think I have to go home and paint something.

And look! This last one is For Sale!! 





Gratitude

Lately I've been side tracked by an old book, The Artists Way  It's about stuck creativity and writing every morning, and taking your creativity seriously, in a 'kid having fun' kinda way.
And so, even though I'm grateful for a lot of things in my life, and never really take anything for granted, sometimes it's just good to say Thank You, out loud, to the Universe.
So .......... Thank You for my family, ... and my neighbours.
                         Bees that are pollinating the raspberries,
                           and swallows that sing as they build nests in our hedge.

                      ...... and garden centres that have sales this time of year, ...
                                           I'm truly helpless!

Isn't she beautiful? A "Snowflake" hydrangea.

We figure we can't afford to move, the gardens must be worth a fortune:)

Happy Birthday Canada, July 1 isn't that far off, and we'll be busy, and having fun. As well as our usual Market on Saturday, there's a local art tour on Sunday, and a neighbour having an art show just up the street. Busy and fun.





Lake Days 2011



Lake Cowichan 'Lake Days' is over for another year. The cool rainy weather didn't seem to dampen any ones spirits, and there was lots to do and see all day long.

Early morning set-up.

This is how we look 'on the road'.



Here are a few rainy day parade pics.



A relaxing week ahead, so I'll be in the garden!

Busy Busy!!

Seems like time really does fly when you're having fun.
Last weekend a girlfriend went to the Farm Chicks Show in Spokane, and I went right along with her through the magic of telephone and photos. Check out Serenas' blog http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/ ,  Have a look at June 8th, and click on the other blogs for your own tour. Better pour yourself a cuppa tea first!
We're getting ready for Lake Days. I'm baking extra, and harvesting every little thing that's ready in the garden to take to Market on Saturday.

Giant rhubarb

My Spring garden

How a pie begins

I'll try a few pics here, but lately I haven't been able to post, ( I have tried and failed a couple of times lately) so here goes. If all goes well, I'll be back early next week after the market.

Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market

I've been busy! No complaints, and to make up for no posts recently, this one will include a lot of pictures.

This Spring has been fairly cool and wet, and the rhubarb is loving it! This

pic was taken early on, and now you can't see the soil for the leaves. 

The Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market has opened for its' fifth year, and we are there every Saturday. Here's some pics of my prep.

Our booth is made from lumber re-cycled from my neighbours' deck, plus lots of interesting rustic stuff.

We have a lot of fun, and so do our customers.

 As some of our advertising says "Get outta town" and come to the Honeymoon Bay outdoor Market. There's a first class 'Coffee Mill' where you can get lunch or a snack, plus a lot of vendors have food available.

There were Spring dresses, and seedlings for sale last week.

Lots of mingling with neighbours and friends,

 and always a treasure to take home.

What markets are you visiting this Spring?

Fit for a Queen

This past weekend Honeymoon Bay pulled out all the stops and entertained royally.

 With a lot of help from a lot of volunteers, including these lovely "Ladies of the Lake" contestants, over two hundred tea party goers were served.

Lots of pomp and ceremony was on hand for our very well dressed guests.

 A 'cuppa' was top priority, followed by traditional cucumber & watercress sandwiches, delicious scones, cream and jam (that I felt compelled to sample!) and many other treats.

There was a "Town Crier" and instead of 'let the games begin' , his cry of 'Let the tea be poured' was most welcome. The servers (well over a dozen folks) paraded the tea pots out to the tables and started pouring. And serving. And then there were door prizes, and The Queen spoke to Her public. A success, however you measure it.

For more pics and info, go to the Gazette

http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/lakecowichangazette/news/121126599.html

Easter Holidays

My Easter Holiday started when I drove up to the 'Shuswap' to visit my two daughters and four grandaughters a wek before Easter weekend. I had a pretty relaxing time, just hanging out and connecting with family.

The weather was totally beautiful, and we had lots of opportunity to get out in the sunshine. Wiener roasts, and a salmon bake were two hi-lites. I was taken to Notch Hill Organics  http://www.urbanharvest.ca/suppliers/notch/ where Steph showed us around, and I was able to buy some excellent organic bedding plants and herbs to bring back to the Island.

On Easter Sunday we went out to Sorrento for an Easter egg hunt where there were hundreds of children and dare I say thousand(s) of eggs? Once again the weather did not disappoint, and, once again I was treated to a feast. We're good cooks, and love good food, so sharing a meal is sharing our love.

My computer is extreeeemly slow right now, so I'll sign off with a promise to report on last weekends' Royal Tea.