Water Dragon

As we know by now, 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon, which is me! I didn't know there were Dragons associated with elements before this year. I'd always celebrated the Chinese New Year, especially the Dragon years, but had no idea of the different elements. So, yes, if you do the math, a cycle of twelve animals times five elements makes me sixty this year. I feel that this year is my year to shine, and I'm in pretty fine company.

THE WATER DRAGON 1952 AND 2012

Water has a calming effect on the Dragon's fearless temperament. Water allows the Dragon to re-direct its enthusiasm, and makes him more perceptive of others. These Dragons are better equipped to take a step back to re-evaluate a situation because they understand the art of patience and do not desire the spotlight like other Dragons. Therefore, they make smart decisions and are able to see eye-to-eye with other people. However, their actions can go wrong if they do not research or if they do not finish one project before starting another.



I must keep in mind that finishing projects is a weak point. Starting them, is something else. Fun fun fun! I often think I like making plans, gathering materials, and making journals more than actually doing the work. Focus might be my 'word of the year'?
Last year I started growing more flowers than I had ever before. I've been researching Flower Farms, and that is the direction I will be going in 2012. More flowers, selling at our Market, experimenting, as I've never grown Gladiolas before, and last year was my first attempt at Dahlias, which were a success and a pleasure. This means more flower pics, more flower farm info, and generally focusing more on the garden, living outdoors more this year! Yeah!!
Hope you'll come along on my travels.

Here's a look back at some of last years inspiration.

Moving on

Off I go, down the road from McBride, past beautiful farms, and travel near the mountains through Valemount. Such a great day to just simply be.

 A few relaxing, fun days into my visit with another daughter and Grand-daughters, we hear of "Donkey Days" at a donkey rescue centre in Turtle Valley, so off we go to enjoy the day, (and the donkeys).

Thanksgiving Dinner

 This is half of an organic turkey my daughter bought from the farm down the road. Aren't we lucky? It just fit into the roasting pan, ... can't imagine what kind of an oven it would take to cook the whole bird! Such a feast, and not only Thanksgiving, but my grand-daughters' 9th Birthday as well.

Before I head for home, I go along for a horseback riding lesson. The girls don't just go and jump on a horse, they must clean hoofs, brush the horses coat, and saddle up. Then the riding begins!

Of course I think she's a 'natural'.

Pretty soon it's time to git-along-little-doggie.

Road Trip Continues

Dunster, just a short drive through beautiful countryside from McBride, has its' own flavour. Not vanilla. Look at this Flower Bridge! Someone(s) have taken the time to create art on the 'no posts' and bridge rails. Difficult to photograph, but a delight to see.

Anyway, back in McBride , my daughter and son-in-law took my little girls and I up "McBride Peak". It was a fab, 4-wheel ride up the mountain, and half way up was a primitive shelter. The 'Mighty Fraser River' is just beginning here, and is very serpentine in its' track. Not at all like Hells' Gate in the Fraser canyon.

Later in my visit we went to the farm where my son-in-law grew up, and his parents let the kids grow a garden. The cabbages, although beautiful just as they were in the garden, were even more delicious as cabbage rolls!

I had a wonderful time exploring a part of the province I don't know very well. Not to mention spending some time with my family. All too soon, I was off to Blind Bay, via Valemount and Kamloops. Funny how I don't want to leave one place, and at the same time I'm excited to press on to new adventures.

Hello!

I've been away on what I lovingly call my "Nana Tour". I haven't dropped off the map, more like, I've driven the map! I left Vancouver Island and visited friends and family in Hope, Prince George, McBride, and Blind Bay. I was treated to meals out and wonderful home cooked food, shopping and walking and playing, Oh my! I took the sewing machine and hemmed curtains for both daughters, spent some catch-up 'I love you' time with granddaughters that are growing and changing too fast.

On my way to Prince George, I was drawn in by a road sign in Quesnel. Edgewood Farm and an arrow to turn left at the next intersection. The words 'farm' and 'home dec' got me interested, so off I went. What I found, was a working farm, where one of the barns had been turned into a fab shop, and the flower cutting gardens were still in bloom. I had to have a "Farmers Market" apron, then pressed on to dinner with friends. 

My girlfriend of fifty years, and her husband welcomed me to their new home. Such a labour of love. Love for each other, their music, and the land around them. What a treat.
My next post will continue with my road-trip to McBride and more.
Before I left, I had to have travelling music, so took Il Volo . Beyond good! Ciao!

Dogs just wanna have fun

 Here we are playing on the beach at Port Renfrew. Calis' friend, a one year old Lab named Ralph were great beach buddies.

After all was said and done, our 'dirty dog' just wanted to relax at my feet. The end of a perfect day.

Just Breathe

This was our view on a recent camping trip to Port Renfrew, located on the West coast of Vancouver Island.

Funny how I don't think there's much stress being retired in Honeymoon Bay, and yet, just a couple of days 'away', I felt rejuvenated. As my Mother used to say "A change is as good as a rest." and this was both.

Yard Renovations

The side yard, which until a couple of years ago, was a no-mans'-land waste of space, is looking pretty spiffy this week.  "We" put in raised beds along the south side of the house, and a fire-pit. The vintage trailer is along the fence line and has a small patio where we have a collection of old Motel chairs, that I recently painted happy colours. I also painted a sunflower on the tabletop.

The uneven, disaster of a lawn couldn't be saved, so I put down fabric and graveled it, and Ken put in a gate and stairs from the covered porch.

What kind of projects are on the go with you?