Blogtober Seven: Apples and Sunshine

 

As L. M. Montgomery's Anne said, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers!" What beautiful days we are having. Cool mornings when I wish for gloves when I walk, and sunny afternoons that have me shrugging off my sweater. 

We did some grandchild care over the weekend, but for the eldest, a teenager, this time. Her parents went out of town and she wanted to attend a youth event, so she spent the night with us. There was some driving around on Sunday, including taking her to a volunteer job where she works with miniature ponies. While waiting for her, I walked along the shore of Elk Lake. Golden leaves, blue water, all lovely.

Just off the path I spied this interesting bench made of bits of driftwood, thin saplings and a couple of old boards. Very creative, and a good place to sit and watch the light move across the water. I wonder who had the idea to make such a thing in that spot.

Roses continue to produce bloom after bloom although they don't last long. I cut a couple of Lichfield Angel flowers to float in water. The tall brandy snifter was given to me by my mother-in-law just after we were married. She brought it to me with a rose from her own garden floating in it. Isn't it interesting how objects can evoke memories of the past?

I spied a nice handful of strawberries in the garden. Tim and I shared them. Sweet and juicy. It's a toss up who will get to the berries first, me or the squirrels. 

Apples are the thing just now. So many wonderful things to make with them. Tonight for dinner I made Invisible Apple Cake. The invisible part is the cake; it's mostly apples held together by the barest hint of batter. Good with a white chocolate cream sauce, or perhaps yogurt or ice cream. These are the days for Apple Crisp, Apple Pie, Baked Apples, and apples cut into eighths on a plate and eaten out of hand. I like them sliced into a green salad, too. Or a kale salad. 

It's good that I enjoyed the sunshine today because tomorrow rain is in the forecast. We need the moisture as well as the sunshine. 

Thanks to all those who are reading along with Blogtober. I do appreciate the comments. 

Blogtober Six : Reading

 

With the turn of the calendar to October came autumn weather. It's been chilly enough to light the fires. Two gas fireplaces provide all of our heat for the winter and they are set to come on at a certain temperature. We don't heat the upstairs of our home as we like a cool bedroom and there is enough heat rising to keep us comfortable. It was very cozy to come downstairs on these first days of October to warmth and glowing fires. 

I dislike reading on electronic devices and when we travel, I find it difficult to take enough books to keep me going for a few weeks. I'll read Tim's books, but that's rarely enough. On our Iceland/Scotland cruise in June, I frequented the book exchange on the ship and found the top three books that I enjoyed so much I brought them home with me. (I left more books than I took.)

Jane Smiley is a new author to me, but she has written many books, some for young adults and others for adults. Perestroika in Paris is a YA book, full of engaging characters. It's a wonderful story of unlikely friendship set in that beautiful city. 

Mystery readers will be familiar with Josephine Tey. I was happy to find a story I had not yet read. The Windsor Knot by S. J. Bennett is one of three novels featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II as an unlikely and in-the-background mystery detective. I loved it and have read the other two books and hope to add them to my collection. 

The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift is one of those books that follow the pattern of a year in a garden. Swift adds to the charm by weaving the Medieval Book of Hours into the rhythm of the garden she created at Morville House in Shopshire over a period of 20 years. It's a book I'll refer to again and again. 

The Lost Art of Mixing and The Rose Arbor are two fiction novels with lovely stories that demand little, good choices for easy reading. And the Louisa May Alcott volume contains three of her stories, Little Women, Good Wives, and Little Men. My childhood books of Alcott's are tattered and I was pleased to find this hardcover version. 

A few more glimpses of Butchart Gardens in the photos. 

The dancing water fountain is always fun to watch. 

This old chimney is a remnant of the days when the Butchart family business was making Portland cement. It's beginning to crumble, but still stands tall in the distance. 

Through an opening in the Japanese Garden is a small cove where boaters come and go. 

What have you enjoyed reading lately? Do you read digital or print books? Which do you prefer?

Blogtober Five: Saturday in October

 

Hiking or walking? When I put one foot in front of another in my neighbourhood I call it walking, even if I'm going through the woods. Hiking takes more effort and the terrain is rougher. Today's outing was definitely a hike. Up and down, clambering over rocks, huffing and puffing at the steep climbs. Several hours out in the woods on an October afternoon was most lovely. 

Trees here are mostly coniferous; cedar, hemlock, and fir, with some deciduous golden maples whose leaves turn yellow and brown rather than red. 

We arrive at McKenzie Bight, a shallow curve along the shoreline. The streams are dry, but will soon fill as the autumn rains come. Gentle waves lap at the shoreline, clouds dull the sky, and not a bird in sight. A crow caws loud and insistent from the top of a tree, but we never catch a glimpse.

A cluster of barnacles clings to a rock, visible at low tide. Tiny black snails perch among the rough barnacles. 

Mountains march right down to the shoreline along much of our coast. 

Native arbutus trees (arbutus menziesii) grow within 8 kilometres (5 miles) of the ocean. The tree's distinctive peeling bark has earned it the name of "crazy lady tree" because only a crazy lady would take off her clothes in the winter time.

Our hike took about three hours - I did a bit of housekeeping, made soup, and read for the remainder of the day. Mellow. 

Bright rosehips against the forest, anchored on both sides by cobwebs. One thing I really dislike is walking into a cobweb. The feel of it on my face has me brushing frantically. This week I walked with my youngest grandchild, 3 1/2. She wanted to play hide and seek, so off she went into the woods. I kept an eye out while pretending to not watch her, so she didn't go too far. When I heard a sharp scream I asked what was wrong. Nothing. Not a peep. She stood there, frozen, completely silent, wide-eyed. Then I noticed the cobweb, with a little bug on it, across her cheek. When I brushed it away, she relaxed, but thought we should stay on the path. 

Evening now. Lamps are glowing. A bouquet of sunflowers sits on the table. Time to get out some stitching and later watch Midsomer Murders. 

Thank you to those who are following along with Blogtober. It's a fun challenge, and it's never to late to join in!

Blogtober Four: Fun Questions

 

Hawthorne berries grow in the bog where we walk. They are plentiful this year, food for the many birds who live there. 

Although this photo is an old one, I made pesto with the last of the basil and put five jars into the freezer. A friend of mine made a green bean dish with pesto that was delicious. Lightly cook the green beans, then chill them. Dress them with pesto enough to coat. Add halved cherries tomatoes. Easy and scrumptious. 

Gingko leaves are such a pretty shape, like elegant fans, and I love the way they yellow gradually. 

I read these fun questions at Sara's blog and thought you all might enjoy answering them as well - either here in the comments or on your own blog. There were eleven questions in all and I've eliminated a few of them.

Have you ever...

1. wanted to go back in time?

When I was younger I wanted to go back to a time when I could swish around in long dresses. I thought it would be fun to be a medieval princess, but I no longer think that and am very happy to be living now. And I would more likely have been a medieval peasant which wouldn't have been pleasurable at all.

2. thought about moving abroad?

I lived abroad for 21 years, in South America, and while I wouldn't trade that experience for anything, I love living in Canada now. 

3. been lost in the mall?

I might have been twisted around in some malls, but I look for the mall map and soon find my way.

4. wonder how your life would be different if you had studied more in school?

I studied pretty well in school, especially in the classes I enjoyed like Literature and French. Sciences were not so easy. I don't think my life would be any different if I had studied Physics or Chemistry with more effort. 

5. crashed your car?

There have been a couple of minor accidents, but no crashes, for which I am very thankful. 

6. skipped classes at school?

Oh dear. I have to confess that I did skip some classes in high school. And they were French classes. I loved French, but in Grade 12 I had a teacher that I didn't really like. He called my father one day and I was caught out. No more skipping!

Blogtober Three: Cozy

 

There is something so cheerful about a round orange pumpkin. I grew five of them this year, but only one butternut squash. It was an odd year in the garden, and I'm thankful that I don't have to rely entirely on what I grow or I would become extremely thin. 

The pumpkins will become soup and possibly pie. One will be a jack-o-lantern at the end of the month. For now they sit outside on the back step, on a table on the front porch, adding to the autumnal feel in the air. I'll keep a watch out for frost and bring them in, for it would be a shame to lose them. 

Teacher Daughter's classes are in the afternoons this semester, so we've been walking or getting together for coffee once a week in the mornings. It's so lovely to walk just now. Leaves are showing colour and the temperature is just right. 

Lucy of Attic 24 crochets beautiful blankets. I've admired them for years, but I'm so slow at crocheting that I've never stitched one. But never say never. Her post for today talked about getting out the stack of blankets for coziness. I pulled some of my lap quilts and made a stack of them. I think it might be time to begin another. I like the scrappy look with lots of different fabrics. 

In autumn I pull out one of the first quilting projects I did - a table square with maple leaves. When we lived in the tropics it reminded me of faraway fall at home in Canada.

Today I worked outside, sweeping the patio and emptying some pots of their summer flowers. The petunias are looking very leggy, but are so cheerful that I can't bring myself to pull them just now. Probably next week. I find that when I go outside to work in the garden, I don't want to come inside. There's always more weeds to pull or pots to clean. Rain is coming tomorrow, so it was good to spend time outdoors today. 

Blogtober Two: Avian Conversations

 

The crow in this photo, taken at the ocean the other day, reminded me of a conversation with a raven we had while in the mountains last month. 

Four of us were eating dinner outdoors. A large raven strutted through our campsite talking a mile a minute. We couldn't understand a word he said, but his querulous tone let us know that he was not pleased that we were being fed and he was going without. 

He flew up and landed on the other picnic table, scolding us all the while. My brother-in-law got up to shoo the raven off the table. In response the raven picked up a roll of paper towel and flew off into the forest. He dropped the roll and alighted in a tree.

More chatter. When my brother-in-law tried shooing him away, the raven hid behind the tree, peeking his head out and chortling. Seriously. He was laughing at my BIL's frustration with the paper towel roll now in the midst of the forest. Soon we all laughed with him.

Our campsite was on the rocky point in the left of this photo, hidden by trees. If you look past the point you might notice a white rectangle. That's a train. It went by several times during the nights, rattling and shaking our camping trailer and sounding like it was coming right through the window. After the second night, we barely heard it. I found the train's whistle quite haunting and melodic, not shrill at all. If you camp in the mountains in BC or Alberta, you can almost be guaranteed to have trains nearby. 

While out kayaking, the train's whistled echoed across the water. Utterly beautiful. 

The conversation with the Great Blue Heron was of a different sort - mostly silent. Poised and watchful, his head turned to keep me in view as I paddled by. "Don't come too close," he seemed to say, picking up his feet to shift a little. 

Soon it was, "I've had enough, you are too close," and he lifted his ungainly body with powerful wings, legs dangling, and flew off in a blur to land in a tall tree. 

I'm not very athletic and dislike team sports. But kayaking, hiking, and swimming suit me. I like being able to dawdle and take the time to really look at where I am. We kayaked up to these falls on one of the little rivers feeding Kinbasket Lake. 

That was last month. Autumn has arrived here, and there, too. Soon ice and snow will line the edges of the little river, and perhaps it will freeze over. 

Here on Vancouver Island the air is cool with whispers of autumn even as the sun beats down. It was a puttery day of writing, buying a few groceries, discarding vases of dahlias and zinnias, going to the library, and making dinner. One of those ordinary days that make up much of life. 

Thanks for reading along with Blogtober!

Blogtober One: Butchart Gardens

 

I heard today that a Conde Nast reader's poll named Victoria as the Number One small city in the world. It is located in a most beautiful place with lots of wonderful things to explore. I don't know that I would have voted for it, though. It does have a reputation as the most British town in Canada, something I've heard from more than one British citizen. 

One of Victoria's biggest attractions is Butchart Gardens. I walked there today with a friend. A bit of drizzle happened, but the gardens supply clear umbrellas, and we stayed dry. The above view of the Sunken Garden is the most photographed of all spots. It is a stunning view. 

The dahlia walk is full of blooms of all shapes and colours. Elsewhere autumn hues are showing. There is a display of squashes - that one in left column middle looks like a starfish! 

Another display featured an old Ford tractor, perhaps used in the past on the garden property. There were also some enormous cabbages - coleslaw for fifty, I thought when I saw them. 

The rain stopped as we walked, but it was still enjoyable to have a chat over a hot drink in the cafe. 

I'm joining Barbara over at Coastal Ripples with Blogtober, attempting to post once a day for the entire month. We will see how it goes. 

Have you visited Butchart Gardens? In which season? There were plenty of tourists there today, even in the drizzle. 

Sun Followed by Rain

 

Some mornings I go out to the garden and find drowsy bees curled into flowers waiting for the warmth of the golden sun. On other days the rain drips down in misty curtains and softens the landscape. I wonder where the bees find refuge. I know I am content to stay indoors on those days. I did walk with a friend one morning and came home looking like a drowned rat, my hair dripping. It rained more than we'd anticipated. 

Every few days I fill a vase with water and take it out to the patio table where I arrange the flowers, snipping leaves and stems to discard later. I take note of the symmetry of the blooms no matter what the variety. A vase or two of dahlias, one small one with roses that lose their petals quickly, and a jug of zinnias brighten up various corners of the house. 

A tea party on a rainy morning for a daughter celebrating her birthday was a short but delightful affair. Candles, a vase of roses, and pretty tea cups added to the convivial mood. 

Scrumptious soft madeleines with a hint of lemon. Scones with butter and jam - no Devonshire cream available here. Earl Grey tea. A fun little celebration.

Cora accompanied her mother (the birthday girl) to the party, drinking cambric tea and being very careful of the teacup. Her older sister is now in kindergarten all day. This little one goes to junior kindergarten in the afternoons.

Our eldest granddaughter, now in high school (where have the years gone?), is part of a program teaching students leadership and other skills. The school has a greenhouse and students grow produce, harvest, and market it. I signed up for four Harvest Boxes and received the first one this week. I'll be making the included recipe soon. 

The fallen leaves in the forest seemed to make

even the ground glow and burn with light.

Malcolm Lowry 

October Ferry to Gabriola

This morning I heard the wind sighing in the poplar trees. Wood ducks and mallards paddled on water covered with green pollen. Leaves twirled down to the ground. I was filled with an immense sense of well-being. 

Three September birthdays will be celebrated tomorrow. The day is predicted to be fine, full of golden light. 

Wishing you mellow days filled with contentment.

Five Things I'm Loving this September

 

In the summer you want fresh, light and sort of quick things; in winter you want things that are comforting, so your body really tells you you want to go towards potatoes, apple, fennel, things that are warm and comforting. 

Ina Garten

1. Nothing says Autumn like the first bite of a crunchy fresh apple. Our own apple trees bore abundantly last year, and sparsely this year. No matter. We've been gifted apples from friends, and the market is full of apples of multiple varieties. I most like sweet Honey Crisp and tart Granny Smith apples, with lots of juicy crunch. An apple, quartered and cored, on a plate, makes for a satisfying afternoon snack. Our trees did supply enough to make 11 pints of applesauce, delicious with yogurt, pork roasts, and sausages. Apples are so versatile - apple pie, apple cake, apple crumble - oh, so good to eat. And the fragrance while baking fills the house with comfort. My mouth is watering even as I imagine these delectable goodies. 

The leaves are changing:

I feel poetry in the air.

Laura Jaworski

2. There is some colour showing up on the trees here, but the photo above, taken last year on our trip across Canada, reminds me of the brilliant colour in the temperate forest in Quebec and Ontario. Our leaves are more muted in comparison, with more gold than red. I love a windy day when leaves fly about the streets and gardens. There are still a few weeks to go until we see that here, but I'm anticipating the delight. 

Meanwhile, purple wild asters bloom in the woods, and pale cyclamen glow alongside the path I often walk. 

3. The pantry shelves in the basement are fuller this year than they have been for a few years. Several types of jam, applesauce, and salsa line up like jewels. In the freezer are a year's worth of blueberries, raspberries, and green beans. Preserving food for the winter is not a necessity as it was in the past, but I still enjoy making a few things when fresh produce is in season. I have a lovely crop of beets in the garden, but they can stay there throughout the winter. I pull them as needed. 

Sense of beauty is the gift of God, 

for which those who have received it in good measure,

can never be thankful enough.

Gertrude Jekyll

4. I've been cutting flowers with abandon, filling vases with hydrangeas, dahlias, rudbeckia, feverfew, zinnias, and roses. I know that once the first frost comes this abundance will disappear, so best to enjoy it while we can. The roses seem to lose their petals more quickly now than in the early summer, and each morning I collect a few soft petals from beneath the drooping stems. I take long sniffs of their sweetness knowing that I'll not smell their heady fragrance for long months ahead.

 

There ain't nothing in life better than true love

and a home-grown tomato.

An old saying

5. Tomatoes. Sweet, juicy, and oh, so full of flavour. Nothing can compare to a vine-ripened, sun-warmed tomato. Every day or two I pick another few of them. Simply sliced, drizzled with a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a sprinkle of salt and pepper and a scattering of fresh basil - it's a dish fit for a king. 

And there they are - five things I'm loving this September. How about you? What do you find to admire about this month? 

Wishing you a lovely weekend filled with the delights of a changing season, be it autumn or spring, depending upon where you live. 

Waterton Lakes National Park

 

We returned last night from a lovely two weeks exploring not too far from home. "Far" might be rather subjective, as we left our Island home and drove across British Columbia into Alberta to spend time in a few provincial and national parks, driving about 3000 kilometres in all.

As we followed our map crossing through the the Rocky Mountains and into golden grasslands, I wondered if and when we would see the mountains of Waterton Lakes National Park. They rose up on the horizon abruptly, jutting into a blue sky somewhat hazy with wildfire smoke. After settling our camping trailer into its spot, we walked around the town of Waterton to get our bearings. 

Tim's brother and his wife joined us for three nights. One place we visited was Red Rock Canyon. The canyon walls, carved out by thousands of years of water erosion, are a gorgeous red colour punctuated by white bands. This is argillite, layers of mud and sediment compressed over time. The red hue is due to the presence of iron oxide. Clear water revealed stones of many colours in the stream bed. 

Along the Red Rock Canyon Parkway we stopped to watch a couple of groups of bears. They are currently feeding up for the soon approach of winter and mostly kept their heads down while munching on berries. I was happy to see this one turn his head towards us for a few moments. One group of bear was a mama with three cubs, one very black and the other two honey brown. What fun to see them. 

Another view of the canyon. I loved the undulating shape of the rock here.

An enormous wildfire burned much of this area in 2017. The skeletons of trees remain, but renewal is happening. Willows and pines along with grasses and shrubs provide habitat and food for wildlife. Eventually, the burned trees will fall and become part of the ground cover. 

Wildfires are devastating and tragic when homes and lives are lost, but a natural part of the forest cycle. The majority of forest fires are caused by lightning. I found hiking through the burned forest quite interesting. It was easy to see through the tree trunks to the view beyond, a view that would be obscured if the trees were alive. 

We watched an American Dipper bobbing his head looking for food and causing ripples in the clear water. Waterton Lakes Park was named for an English naturalist, Charles Waterton, who was an early conservationist. 

The weather was lovely during our trip, with rain falling only on the day we left the park. Today I've been dealing with laundry and seeing what's happening in my garden. I picked 12 pounds of tomatoes and a huge basket of green beans. The pumpkins are fat and orange. There are radishes and beets and carrots to bring in, and lettuce gone to seed that will be fodder for the compost bin. 

It's lovely to go away for two weeks just as school is beginning. As a retired teacher, it makes me feel like I'm skipping class - with no consequences! As nice as it is to go away, coming home is always lovely. I'll be catching up on blogs over the next few days. 

Wishing you lovely early autumn (or spring) days.