Ringing in July

While everyone slept on the eve of July 1st, I quietly pulled out the red table cloth and the Canada box.  Hung the enormous flag where it could NOT be missed and went to bed, ready to welcome the next day!  

We awoke to the majestic strains of Oh Canada and enjoyed breakfast with the table centerpieces of Canadian geese.  We enjoyed a day of Canadaopoly, and putting together our Canada puzzle and our Victoria's inner harbour puzzle.  

I attempted to crochet a maple leaf to make a table runner... but I made it 3 times and pulled it out 3 times.  Just could not manage to have it lay flat.

We completed the day with a delightful and well anticipated day of Poutine.

 

Just as I was getting ready for bed I noticed that my much anticipated lily had bloomed.  It was beautiful!

Similarly on the 4th... we woke and played the national anthem and then since it was a Saturday, worked all day on house projects and had a delicious dinner of T-bone steaks, watermelon and corn on the cob. 

The boys put together a map of the USA puzzle and we ended the evening watching the original first Star Wars movie, A New Hope.  

I umm... well.. uh... I forgot to take any photos... you'll just have to take my word for it that I flew the flag on that barn and had table decorations.

But to make up for it... just before we crawled into bed, Channa sent us some 4th of July photos of Kenzie.

She fell while skateboarding... no helmet.  Her mummy Uva is most concerned for that noggin and grateful that more damage wasn't done!

Oh.. and there was a lovely moon rising that night!

Canada Trip -- Day 10

Day 10 (Eden, Sadie, Ava, Willows Beach AGAIN!, sleepovers, 67 photos)

We were exhausted as we began our next stage of our visit.  We lazily began our week.   Miles began a puzzle in the library of the condo, Patrick, Caleb and Sarah took a swim.

Eden called to invite us for breakfast and we accepted!  Eden never under entertains!  We were over well-fed.

We left the afternoon plans up to Ava and she chose Willows Beach.  So we went, again!  It was just as fun the second time.  Eden had a yoga class to teach that evening so she left early but we stayed just a few more minutes... hours!!  We lost a hat.

Back at Grandmas for the night... worn out in a happy way... bellies filled again .. this time quesadillas.  Eden swung by and took three big kiddos to her place and we all crashed until the next morning.

Long before I blogged... there was a time....  things happened. 

I even have photographic proof of it. 

It's time to drag them out of archives and make them real... because if there is a photo and it gets blogged with a few words here and there... it really happened. 

One of such things was:

• Caleb used to be little. 
• Patrick used to have dark hair
• We made a trip to Canada... with only one child. 
• Photos used to be a little grainier
• Patrick used to wear sweats in public... until I put a stop to it!
• I used to bowl with style.. (okay it wasn't graceful style... it may be my own style)

What better than a bowling throw to bring back Throwback Thursdays!!

whew, another preserved.

Gratitude.. Canadian style

It's not every year that I am on top of celebrating Canadian thanksgiving.. It's always more simple than that November one!

We keep it fairly simple.  I had a free turkey so this year I made sure not to forget.  Plus we could celebrate before Miles left!

Since it was a Monday, Miles and Duncan's friend Liam was at our house.  He doesn't eat much of anything... but his mother's parting words were... Try everything!

He did... one tiny bite.  Then he ate mashed potatoes and turkey.

He didn't even like pie!

We had a delightful conversation with the boys though.  Although our life is nothing like we imagined it... we are very grateful for how lovely it has actually turned out.  How fortunate we have been in being able to live the tranquil and serene lifestyle.  .....

We were grateful for such little things and so utterly pleased with them. 

*we adore our new nook

*we are ecstatic to be collecting eggs and watching the chickens and geese roam

*we love the Tin House

*We are eager to start filling the bird feeders for winter and watch the finches return

*we are relieved and blessed that all the wood is chopped and stacked in the barn for winter

*the boys were proud of their newly mended jeans... 9 pair of pants with ripped out knees... now all patched.

*we were thrilled that the boys school books FINALLY arrived after postal set backs of 6 weeks

*we are simply content and grateful 

 I couldn't help adding that I'd love to see more of the sunsets... but that just got me five sets of eye rolls. 

Leftovers of course were more than welcomed.  We had a fabulous turkey soup for days.  

November is upon us and Thanksgiving is sneaking up again... The ranch has already decreed they're having Beef Brisket.  I think I'll bring the brussel sprouts.  I remember in years past all the veggies had sugar glazes on them,  and the salads have cool whip.  

Acceptance

He is embracing his Canadian side on this Canadian Thanksgiving Day.  Even though Canada won't accept him just yet.  (small paperwork glitch says that his Citizenship is effective Aug. 12, 2099... Instead of Aug. 12, 2009)  But hey, I see it as the Canadian government being very optimistic about his lifespan, because even if we can't get it fixed, he'll officially be a citizen on his 100th birthday.

Canada Trip - Day 8

Day 8 (Oak Bay Day, 151 photos)

We began the day with a nature hike.  Swan Lake's nature trails were delightful, with sounds of birds everywhere but sightings of them were rare... other than the ducks and ducklings.  We did see a smattering of blackberries.... just signs that in a few more days to a week they would be plentiful!

We whipped into the store to replenish our food supplies and then had a packed lunch to enjoy at yet another lovely park near a lawn bowling facility.  We then set off for a day of reminiscing of old haunts. We began with a drive to Mount Tolmie to look out over the entire city, then to Haultain House, home of my youth.  It has seen better days.

With a drive by the old high school, and Oak Bay avenue, the firehall and old scout hall, past grandma's house and along beach drive we arrived at the Oak Bay Marina.

Our goal was to feed the seals.  Unfortunately while we looked around in the gift shop for a few minutes, a tour bus arrived and fed the seals.  They weren't all that hungry to begin with since it is mating season, needless to say it was a bit disappointing not to have many seals clamoring for our dead fish guts.  Whittaker was still thrilled to be able to throw his guts into the water though.  We were favored with two seals who entertained us for a while and a sea otter who kept snatching the guts from under the docks we were standing on.

From the Marina we drove along beach drive and saw the lovely city of Oak Bay.  I pointed things of interest out, like, I was pooped on by a sea gull there, or I broke my thumb riding my bike to school on that alley way, I used to love walking to Grandma's for lunch down that road, Oak Bay Tea Parties, end of school fun days at Willows Park, oh... they still have those cool swings on the beach!!  I loved those! (hint.. Patrick.. build one :-))

Willows Beach.  This was proclaimed their favourite beach/park of the trip!  It was awesome.  The Canadian geese swam around in the water and the kids (Patrick is included here), fed them the last of our bird bread.  Amber and Cory, set up their chairs and napped.  Grandma and Sarah took a walk along the esplanade.  Some played in the sand, some played on the park.  We enjoyed the views and the relaxing.

This boat favoured us with a delightful photo op.  In case we didn't get a good shot the first time it sailed past, it turned and sailed the other direction for us.  The snow capped mountain in the background, the beautifully, crisp, clear day across the waters and the full sails on the boat; It was truly picturesque.  

The long awaited Fish and Chip's night did not disappoint!  We headed to the Willow's Galley for our grub!  Once we ordered we headed to Cattle Point.

The evening included, seagulls, geese, crashing waves, exploring tidal pools and rocky waters edges.

It also included eagle sightings, otters, and a majestic sunset.

We also watched the vessels that sailed by.  The small sailboats, the large yachts, and the barges seemed to peacefully glide by our seaside supper.  (Makes me think of  Hyacinth Bucket's 'waterside supper with riparian entertainment'  from the british show 'Keeping up Appearances')

We attempted to track down a double decker city bus to ride, we drove first through the Uplands and then toward the university and finally we headed downtown.  We gave up on our pursuit after waiting for 3 bus waits to be disappointed by regular city buses.  Once downtown we found many double deckers which would take us on a 2 hour jaunt, but by now it was dark outside so we wouldn't see any sights anyway, plus half our crew was fast asleep.  The double decker bus would simply have to wait.  No, I mean we would have to wait for the bus... or for the ride on the bus for another day.

Canada Trip - Day 7

Day 7 (Travel again, Lighthouse at Fort Rodd Hill, Gyro Park, Laundry, 81 photos)

The morning was filled with packing, loading, re-packing, re-loading, cleaning up and general preparations to leave.  All in all, we didn't fare too badly, I only lost an earring and a sipper cup.  We thought we'd left other items behind but they were all accounted for in the end.  Traveling in reverse order, we took the ferries and then the long drive.  It was day for deer.  As we drove away from grandma's cabin we saw a mother and fawn, and then at the light house later we saw a few fawns and a mother.  They weren't all that shy, we were very close before they darted away.

This made me think of 'The Railrodder'. 

By afternoon we pulled into Fort Rodd Hill Lighthouse.  We took a tour of the military embankments from the last century, watched some cadets in training, checked out the inside and outside, and the history of lighthouses, skipped some rocks, saw a deer and her fawn, sat on the barrel of an enormous cannon and were definitely ready to eat.

We grabbed some food on the go and then arrived at Grandma's apartment.  Arrangements with a kind gentleman who was selling his condo had been made so we had an empty apartment to sleep in.  Amber caught up on laundry, and more laundry, while the rest of us headed to Gyro Park to burn off some energy and feed the sea gulls crows.  The sun was setting as we left the park.  Another fun filled day.

Canada Trip - Day 6

Day 6 (Grassy Point, Co-op, Depot, Joe King Park, 60 photos)

Just the family

The whole gang, minus Jill (she's taking the pic), Dayton, (who was still asleep), and Sebron (opted out)

We bid a fond farewell to Jill, Bailey and Dory.  So glad we could spend so much time with them.  

We decided to try a beach of a different variety this time.  We drove towards Grassy Point.  Along the way we stopped to check out a large Campbell's soup tin on the side of the road!  That size might actually satisfy Caleb's apetite!

Then we hit the beach.

We spent well over an hour, collecting cool rocks, checking out the tidal pools and generally enjoying the BEST type of beach.  (One without SAND!)

We perused the islands store, the co-op and ringside and marveled at all the lovely trinkets and handicrafts from so many talented individuals.  We did take an uphill hike to the free store Depot.  (Unfortunately my camera was left behind there so a few lucky people got to make the trek up the hill twice!)  We checked out the barn at the old ball park (Joe King Park).  We ended our day with blueberry pancakes and some general packing up.  We took down the tent for the kids and had them sleep on the floor that night so we could put the tent away dry.

Some casual shots from the day;

Mum catching up on island news

Sebron and Whittaker enjoying a swing

Miles and Ellis at a game of cards

 A visitor.  He didn't get invited to hang around long.

 

Someone being snuggled for a nap.... the wrong someone fell asleep....

Canada Trip - Day 5

Day 5 (Perused the farmer's market, checked out the natural history traveling museum, hit Tribune Bay Beach, 181 photos)

Another leisurely morning.  With drizzling rain off and on, we opted not to go on our scheduled hike and to play 'hitting another beach', by ear.  As it turns out the overcast morning and few drizzles were good for perusing the farmer's market, checking out local handicrafts, dreaming of beautiful overpriced items, watching magicians and musicians, enjoying fresh warm ginger and cranberry scones thanks to Jill, checking out an awesome traveling natural history exhibit on local wildlife, chilling out at the park while some finished their shopping at the market and generally relaxing.  By 2 in the afternoon we determined that the weather was going to cooperate for another day at the beach.  We headed to Tribune Bay this time (beach for the tourists), and dropped everyone off.  Jill, Emerson (asleep) and I ran back to the cabana to grab some lunch and snacking things to ward off the hunger monsters.

Once back at the beach with everyone we ate up and played.  This beach offered; sand castle building, more snorkeling, more crabs, starfish, jellyfish, some dead fish, barnacles and sea anemone's, even better wave jumping and swimming, and would you believe it.... Better RELAXING!!  maybe it was simply MORE relaxing!.

Bailey, Caleb Amber, Sarah and Dory were completely worn out and were all caught napping.

Sandcastle building occurred.

Even young Emerson tried his hand at sand play... if he had only managed to get off the blanket...

Waves were jumped by father and son.

There was some beach combing 

 There was gazing off over the water and soaking in the tranquility of being completely disconnected from technology.. (or he was having withdrawals.... but I don't think so.)

Hey, I was even there... and on the beach... (yes I'm the one who isn't a fan of sand.)

More snorkeling occurred.

 Sea life was found, dead and alive, and also alive and then dead... but it was all shared with others either way.

Some were oblivious to the sand magnet that they'd become while they showed anyone and everyone their thumb jelly fish. 

The jelly fish song was sung... a few times... and lucky Emerson was the most captive, captivated audience!

~A jelly fish, a jelly fish, a jelly fish fish..... Arms up, knees together, head back, bottom out, wrists together and ....a jelly fish, a jelly fish, a jelly fish fish.....~

It was evening before we left the beach.  We enjoyed spaghetti and garlic toast for dinner while discussing our tales of the sea.

We tried to see the phosphorescence after sunset.  (when you look into the deep waters of the ocean after dark and can see the glowing fish, charged from the sunlight of the day).  Unfortunately the moon was totally full and bright (gorgeously so, over the ocean), but not cooperative for viewing phosphorescence.

Once again we fell into bed, babies fell asleep in cars on the way home from the beach, transferred to the cabin and slept through the night with ease!