Savouring the Days

 

"There has been some lovely weather

--to look at."

Beatrix Potter

Early last week another "atmospheric river" flowed through our area. Oh, the rain. It poured down for two days, making little lakes in our garden and running in small rivers on a daughter's property right into their home. So much water! 

The first thing I do when I get out of bed in the morning is open the curtains. On Tuesday morning I saw very little. Thick fog obscured everything but the street lights. By mid-morning it had burned off and blue sky emerged. The world was full of light and so were my spirits. A beach walk seemed just the thing! 

Alas, as I crested the hill to Island View Beach I saw more fog covering the water. How mysterious and quiet it was. Bufflehead ducks played in the water and made hardly a noise. After walking for about 25 minutes the fog began lifting and when I turned to return to my car the sun was so bright I had to shade my eyes with my hand. What a difference! 

I heard the eagle cry out and hoped he would turn to face me for the photo, but perhaps he, too, was protecting his eyes from the blinding sun.

Soup has been on the menu this week. Split Pea Soup here, made from my mother's recipe with the substitution of a smoked turkey leg rather than a ham bone. Equally delicious. I do love soup and also made a smooth broccoli soup one day. 

Motivation has been low this week and I'm savouring the slow days of January. I stirred myself enough to make some Bran Muffins. I add raisins or dates to them and this version had chopped dates. Yummy with a bit of butter. 

I did a sketch of houses that remind me of our visit to Leiden and Amsterdam in the summer of 2024. The unfinished watercolour has been languishing in my painting box and this week I took it out and finished it. 

Another thing I'm savouring are the snowdrops appearing in various places - this small patch is in my garden, near to the house and quite sheltered. How white and crisp the flowers are! Our temperatures are unseasonably warm, so much so that a daffodil is blooming in our daughter's garden. We could very well get a blast of winter yet, and I rather hope we do. This warmth is quite strange. 

And so ends another week. We're getting together with friends for dinner one evening this weekend and also taking a short road trip. My husband is becoming interested in beekeeping and wants to visit an beekeeper who is full of information to share. I'll go along for the ride. 

Friday Favourites: Sunny Days

 

On an afternoon walk one day this week a raucous honking of geese caused me to stand still and look up. An enormous skein, or perhaps several skeins trailed across the sky in wavering lines. Many geese stay here for the winter, but every autumn they still form their V-shape lines and cross the sky, heading who knows where. 

When I was a child, we lived in a small town with minimal shopping. For the clothing that my mother did not sew, she relied on the Sears catalogue. The volumes arrived several times each year and from it my parents made orders, mailing cheques and the order form to the company. In a week or two the phone rang and we went down to the small office to pick up our purchases. Then for many years we did not order anything, but purchased everything locally.

I was reminded of this one day this week when several boxes of varying sizes arrived at our door. A new phone for me, a Christmas present for a grandchild, some bedding, and an enormous box containing a new mattress. We have never purchased a mattress without trying it out. Have you? It's made in Canada and is a hybrid - part foam and part coils. Tim wrestled the box upstairs and we opened it in the guest room. It took a couple of hours to spring to its full form. Interesting. 

It seems that everyone is buying more and more things online, much like the old mail order we used to do. Buying locally is still preferable, but often I cannot find what I want in a store. I try to order directly from the company rather than from that online store beginning with A. 

We've enjoyed some sunny days between the rain. Both kinds of days hold their own delights, but my heart gives a little leap when I'm outside under blue skies, especially in November. I took myself to Island View Beach where puffy clouds ringed the horizon, but overhead was a great bowl of clear blue. 

On my way home I admired the view from the hill overlooking fields. I identified purple cabbage, brussels sprouts, and leeks as I drove by. This week I helped my daughter plant 300 garlic plants. And I've been sewing a rather fiddly project that I had hoped to show you today, but it will have to wait for next week. 

Last year I painted an Advent calendar along with Harriet de Winton on her YouTube channel. She's doing one again this year and I've prepared my blank calendar. They can be ordered from her, and are much prettier than my plain lines and numbers, but I can't print on watercolour paper on my printer, so I just drew my own. 

Here's the link if you're interested. Harriet de Winton Beginning on December 1 she posts a short video tutorial on her site for anyone to paint along. 

The days are speeding along towards Advent and Christmas, my favourite time of year. I'm making lists and checking them twice! 

21 January - Clouds, Rain, and Birds

 

The rain is dripping outside this evening, melting all the leftover snow. It's a toss-up between slightly warmer weather and cloudy rainy days, or colder weather and snow with often blue skies. I'll enjoy them both.

We saw at least 15 American Robins in the tree outside the window. They were all fluffed up keeping warm in the chilly weather. I don't know that I've ever seen so many of them together. Are they perhaps confused and migrating north already? I think they had better hunker down somewhere for a few weeks. We could easily get another blast or two of cold weather.

Our walk on Saturday afternoon took us to Island View Beach. Across the water, James Island, shrouded in cloud, still has plenty of snow. 

Gulls, and Barrows Goldeneye Ducks swam in the chilly water, unconcerned by the dull skies. 

Subtle colours in the landscape. Thank you for all your lovely responses to the questions posed in yesterday's post. It's really fun to learn a little bit more about the people who read my blog. 

In a recent post I mentioned making marmalade. Someone asked for the recipe and this BBC Good Food recipe is similar to the one I used, although I did not warm the sugar before adding it. 

We had a good visit with my sister and her husband, catching up on everyday life and also planning a trip we're taking together in June. Planning and anticipation are part of the joy of travel, I find. I don't think I'd like to be whisked away in a surprise adventure without being able to plan ahead. Do you feel that way, too? 

October Daily 9: On a Misty Morning

 

Late this week wee woke up to our house enshrouded by fog,  and I thought it would be fun to visit Island View Beach, and see the views from there. On the beach the fog dissipated quickly and the sun blazed low and fierce behind me as I walked. 

Gulls making plans for the day.

The sun climbed quickly up the sky. 

I grew up in the BC interior, more familiar with lakes and rivers than the ocean. In Grade Five we learned the poem Sea-Fever by John Masefield, and I developed a romantic interest in the sea that was highly imagined for we rarely, if ever, went there. 

It was in my late 20s, when we lived in Ecuador, that I first spent time at the shore and developed a deep love for the incessant waves, the long sandy beaches, and the salt air. Almost twenty years ago now, we moved to Vancouver Island, and beach took on a whole different meaning. Here were rugged intersections between land and sea, scattered with rocks large and small, and tangles of enormous bull kelp strewn on the sand or drifting in the water. Currents and waves are tumultuous, and everywhere the deep green forests march almost to the water, making the access to land impenetrable in places. 

I love it all. There is nothing like walking a beach, be it sandy or rocky, for unraveling a tangled mind. 

A Walk Along the Beach

 

When I get out of bed in the morning, I always pull open the curtain to see what the day is like. Lately, the garden is a misty place and I can barely see to my neighbour's house due to a combination of fog and wildfire smoke. This weather has a dulling effect on me, making me feel tired and lethargic. After a Saturday of doing a bit of housework, meeting friends for coffee at an outdoor cafe, and little else, Sunday was much the same. We participated in church online, read books, and I stitched a little. Finally, we decided to drag ourselves outside for a walk at Island View Beach. It was just the tonic we needed.

You can see that the lingering fog and smoke (it's hard to tell which is which these days) obliterated the horizon.

We watched this jaunty young California Gull stepping smartly along the water's edge. I think he looks very cheerful. The dull day didn't seem to bother him at all.

How odd the light was - sort of brownish. Island View Beach is on the east side of Vancouver Island and there are many smaller islands just offshore, between us and the mainland. The perching place of these gulls is not an island, per se, but a rock that is visible at certain tides. It's a "chunky bit", so named by Tim's sailing instructor from years ago and we've adopted that term. Chunky bits are important to avoid when boating.

 

I'm always intrigued by the driftwood structures people build at the beach. This was a large one, with plenty of room for four or more grownups to sit in, or a half-dozen children. They are most often built by adults of many ages - a fun way to be creative on the beach, somewhat like Lincoln Logs or Lego for grownups. 

The hawthorn trees are loaded with berries just now, and the berries seem darker to me than in other years. Soon the birds will be devouring them. 

We returned home, refreshed by our walk. There's nothing like getting outside to clear away the cobwebs. 

On Sunday evenings we eat a light meal, preferring to have our main meal at noon. A cheesy jalapeno dip with fresh vegetables and crisp tortilla chips is something I make from time to time. This one is cream cheese, 3 or 4 finely minced jalapeno peppers (seeded), and grated cheddar cheese, all mixed together, then baked for 20 - 30 minutes until bubbly. I like the crusty edges the best. 

Another week begun. This evening (Monday) I went out for a walk just before 7 pm, and by the time I returned around 7:45, the light had faded and only the narrowest line of red edged the Sooke Hills. Tim had the curtains closed and the lights on, such a welcome sight to come home to. 

Wishing you a good week ahead. 

Sunny Sunday, for a Change!

The weather report on the television shows wave after wave of rain moving in from the Pacific. It's daunting, and when we do have a break, everyone heads outside. On Sunday, Tim and I went for lunch at the Sea Glass restaurant in Sidney. It's a pretty place, decorated in clear greens and blues that evoke the sea, with stained and coloured glass throughout. 

We went with a gift card in our pockets, a gift from our son and daughter-in-law for Christmas. Our meal was lovely - a Tomato Sausage Soup, and a Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich with roasted vegetables. As we were leaving, Tim realized that he had paid with the credit card and totally forgot about the gift card. I suppose we'll have to go back now. (Not a hardship at all.) 

On our way home we stopped at Island View Beach for a walk. There was a little breeze and it was chilly walking against it, but how blue the water was, and how pretty the waves splashing up onto the shore. 

In the distance is a small piece of land known as D'Arcy Island. It holds a sad and shameful story. In the 1890s, in Victoria's Chinatown, officials discovered 7 people with leprosy. Racism and fear prompted the building of a leper colony on D'Arcy Island where these people lived out their lives. Supplies arrived every three months, but there was no actual medical care until 1906. Such a sad story. 

Now the island is a marine park, accessible by private boats and kayaks. We've not visited yet, but I would like to, one day.

Brown dry plants rustle in the breeze and look a bit forlorn these days, having been battered by the winter storms. However, if you look closely at the branches of the trees, swelling buds are visible, hopeful signs of spring. 

Up curl the waves onto the rocks. 

As we made our way home mid-afternoon, the mist began to rise in the fields beyond the beach. Light slanted low against the piles of driftwood, reminding us that although winter is easing, it is not yet finished. 

Home again to a fire, to creamy butternut squash soup, rye bread, cheese, and salad. A perfectly lovely ending to a perfectly lovely day. 

October Thoughts

Wild cyclamen blooming in the woods where I walk

Like Anne of Green Gables "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." It's my favourite month of the year, full of Nature's richness, Canadian Thanksgiving, and my birthday. 

I confess, though, that until recently I've felt small joy in this month. It's been busy, busy, busy. The trip to Spain with students was a wonderful experience, but between the preparation and then the jet lag and getting back into school routines, I felt quite overwhelmed. Until this past Friday. 

Friday was a Professional Development Day. I attended a Modern Language Teachers conference at a local school. More frequently, the conference is held on the mainland, meaning an overnight trip. Without travel it was much more relaxing. After the conference I went down to Island View Beach for a walk in the sunshine. Glorious! We've had lots of rainy, grey days and the brilliant light cheered me up immensely. 

Just look at that blue sky! There was a bit of wind, but nothing of any concern. However, just a few miles away ferries were cancelled because of high winds on the mainland. 

The walk along the water, where gulls wheeled and dove, Bufflehead Ducks swam, and the waves rolled gently on the sand filled me with such a sense of well-being. "I'm back," I thought to myself, "I feel like myself again." It's a wonderful feeling and I thank God for the gift of nature and its solace.

A tangle of bull kelp roots, red and green seaweed, and round pebbles on the sand delight me. The low light of late afternoon casts long shadows on the sand.

Today, Sunday, was another opportunity for a beach visit - this time to Mount Douglas Park. Cold crisp air, sailboats heeled over in the breeze, snow-capped mountains in the distance, and a broad beach filled me with more joy.

Leaves by the dozens tumble to the ground in the slightest breeze, leaving great piles of them to scuff through as I walk. Soon the branches will be bare, but for now, the forest glows with colour and light. I want to soak in every minute that I can.

"Listen, the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves; we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves." 
                                                                                             (Humbert Wolfe)

These September Days

Today, Wednesday, was the first full day of classes.Yesterday was a soft start for new students only. And so begins another school year. 

On Monday evening we took a walk at Island View Beach. Light fades earlier and earlier. 

As twilight falls, shadows cast strong contrasts on sculptural driftwood. We walk in the sand where none of the sun's warmth remains. Gulls drift quietly on the water as if sensing the close of summer. 

In the garden, tomatoes ripen. Tomatoes, zucchini, and green beans play starring roles in dinners throughout the week. For a simple Sunday supper I roasted tomatoes - a mixture of plum, cherry, grape, and regular varieties with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and lots of fresh garlic cloves. When the tomatoes began to caramelize just a bit, I sprinkle feta cheese and capers over, then baked it for a few more minutes, and finally tossed fresh basil over it all. Spooned onto crusty bread or whole wheat toast, it made a fine meal. 

I tried something different for a recent breakfast. Sauteed mushrooms and chopped asparagus, plus crumbled fried bacon, and a scattering of grated Cheddar cheese on the bottom of the baking dish, topped with 8 eggs mixed with 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup milk, seasoned to taste, fresh herbs - chives and parsley, topped with sliced tomatoes and baked until set. Delicious, and the leftovers are great! 

What I'm currently reading. I finished Once Upon a River in short order and have been perusing the two cookbooks with leisure. Literary Paris is a book to enjoy slowly; it's full of quotes and photos of that lovely city. Louise Penny's latest I'm going to save for this coming weekend, for I know that once I begin, I won't want to stop. 

Summer still lingers in my garden. I picked a lovely bouquet of roses - Bolero, Winchester Cathedral, John Cabot, and an unknown variety, and arranged them in a marble vase that once belonged to my mother-in-law. It's sitting on the fireplace hearth and petals are dropping, a lovely litter of pink and white.

Days are summer, early morning and nights are autumn. A sweater to begin and end the day, a light dress suffices in the middle. Golden light through darkly silhouetted trees. Change is in the air.

Of Light and Shadow on a Friday Morning

Children and children-at-heart are impatiently watching the skies this dark morning. We are waiting for snow. A few lazy flakes drift to the ground as I write. Not enough for a snow-day from school! Ah well, perhaps we'll be able to play in the snow this weekend. I'm hoping so.

Last Saturday we went for lunch with some friends. Our view included a boat-builders' dock and the old boat above. It doesn't look like the best advertisement for the business, but certainly has plenty of character. The day was gloomy with clouds and that's certainly reflected in the photo. 
  

On another day this week, I drove out to Island View Beach for a walk. The late afternoon light was so clear with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. (That's cold for us.) Mount Baker, in Washington State, glowed white and blue.

The light transformed rose hips into almost translucent orbs of colour. Soon they will all fall and be replaced by fresh wild blossoms. 

Storms and waves toss up huge piles of driftwood along the shorelines. Beach visitors are almost compelled to create something from them - shelters, sculptures, artful arrangements. I don't know if the placement of arching branch was an affair of nature, or deliberate.

Oh, the light, beautiful as it fades.

On another day, light streamed in the window to dance on the frame photo of Hailes Abbey, taken almost 3 years ago now. 

A number of readers posed a question about what I teach in Grade 8 Foods. We run a program called RAFT - Robotics, Art, Food, Tech Ed (aka Woodworking) - for our 13-year-old students. This semester, February through June, is divided into 4 blocks with the students rotating through each of the four options. There are 3 groups of students, so I will have one block free. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to explore a variety of applied arts. It's just a taste - I think I have them for 25 class days. 

My goal is to help them see how they can learn skills that will enable them to eat well and to be mindful of what they eat. We begin with breakfast - Pancakes with Berry Sauce, followed by Banana Muffins. So they've learned how to mix two types of doughs, and thicken a sauce with cornstarch, cook on the stove top and use the oven. 

Next is lunch, and yesterday they prepared the pizza dough (yeast) and tomato sauce. Today they will roll out the crust, add the sauce, grate the cheese and bake it. Alongside, we're serving carrot sticks and cucumber slices, so those will be prepared while the pizza bakes. 

It's a busy, busy class - there are 24 students in 6 kitchens. Students come with a very wide range of experience. Some never cook at home; others prepare entire meals. We intersperse the cooking days with discussions and lessons about theory and nutrition. 

I demonstrated how to make the pizza dough on Wednesday and stressed a number of times to NOT squish the dough but to use a push and fold and pull method. Some students don't listen well. I was called to two kitchens where the "kneader's" hands were coated with sticky dough because they had picked it up and squished it through their fingers. What a mess! We scraped the dough off and I showed them, once again, how to knead. 

Of course, the best part of the course is eating the food they've prepared, and I don't think anyone has ever produced something utterly inedible. Cooking is very forgiving. 

Linking to Friday Bliss, hosted by Riitta of Floral Passions. 

Happy weekend!