A Very West Coast Christmas

          Christmas has come and gone and with in many days of relaxing- lots of time spent where we feel most comfortable out at the beach next to the water with the cold wind on our cheeks. While the weather was perhaps not to be considered the best we didn't let it deter our spirit -with things to explore and new toys to try out- our time spent outside was perhaps my favourite gift of all.

        While the snow blanketed the hills and mountains around us we kept warm in the falling rain with wool blankets and hot chocolates- things always taste better outside! The miles of pristine- and deserted- beach called to be explored. The littles scattered while we set ourselves up- checking out familiar logs and rocks- hunting for winter beach treasures.

        Santa brought the Mr. a Biolite stove and this little gadget is possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen! Not only does the heat power a fan- which in turn creates more flame and sucks the smoke away. This diminutive little stove reduces soot and smoke by 90% and for every stove purchased Biolite donates a home cook stove to a community that needs it. This company is onto something big and exciting- not only does the stove reduce soot- it also doesn't require the usual fuel needed for a camp stove- the Biolite is fuelled entirely on sticks and tinder. As if this wasn't enough you can also charge your cell phone with it!

          So of course we needed to try out the latest addition to our camp kitchen arsenal- this tiny and easy to pack little stove is about to be a permanent fixture in our van- hot chocolate on all our adventures now! I was really surprised with how fast the stove heated or milk up- apparently it boils water in no time flat- and the heat it threw off was as good as most small campfires. Needless to say the Mr. was chuffed with his gift and we will all benefit from it!

     
            So with pockets full of beach glass- the very best is found in the winter don't you know- and our cheeks all aglow our winter holidays are coming to an end. While I feel myself holding my breath for another day or so until I can convince the fam jam to take down our tree- I know these days of December ware waning. The days are getting longer- even if by a few minutes- I will just sit back read another book and have another glass of wine! The tree can wait- at least for today!

PS- who says city kids can't learn to handle a hatchet or light a fire? Let them be curious- let them take risks- let them alone!

Weekend Adventuring Made Easy

         With Summer vacay right around the corner the conversation out on the playground is turning towards vacation plans. Over the past few days I have been involved in a number of conversations with parents talking about the spontaneous mini close to home adventure- of which our family is a huge fan of. Each weekend we really try to get out and enjoy what our beautiful province has to offer- it doesn't need to be a big trip as long as we are outside and together- weekends are sacred.

            To make these short day trips successful there are a few things I have learned along the way- I thought I would share my wisdom- or at least share the things I have learned through trial and error! First and for most my biggest tip is to get up and out the door- if our family isn't out of the house by 10am then our chances for fun in the sun dwindle by the minute. Our family does not idle on the weekends- yes we sleep in and have a big hearty breakfast and then we are out the door!

         Pack lunches, drinks and loads of snacks- there is nothing worse than getting halfway to Squamish and hearing the incessant whinging of a hungry seven year old! We try and mix up our weekend picnics so our kids aren't board by yet another homemade lunch. I like to BBQ enough chicken or meat on Thursday or Friday evening to carry us through our weekend lunches. Small snacks like hummus in a jar and fresh cut up veggies on the go add novelty that they don't see during the week.

         One rule in our family is that everyone carries their own water and snacks- so we have all invested in good quality water bottles that can be filled with ice and water for warm days. A fun and healthy snack like individual trail mix or fruit salad goes into the Littles backpacks- along with their essentials.

         Everyone is responsible for their own gear- each of our Littles has a really decent backpack- into those backpacks goes all of their essentials for the day- a sweater, extra socks, hats, a small toy or drawing materials along with water and snacks. This tip means that Momma doesn't end up carrying all of the things. It also teaches each Little some self sufficiency- if something is missing from their packs there is only one person to "blame".

      Incidentally in case you are wondering these happy pictures were taken the other day out in Lion's Bay- a perfect, tiny sand beach just North of Horseshoe Bay. We headed out there on Father's day where I had an excellent nap on the beach and did some knitting while dear old Dad made sure no one drowned. We hunted for crabs, dug some holes and generally soaked up way too much sun- just the way a beach adventure should be!

Hiking: Bowen Island

         One of our favourite places to visit is Bowen Island- I have written a few times about my love for this place- stepping off the ferry in Snug Cove always feels like coming home. I love everything about this place- how it feels so much like where I grew up- Bowen Island is everything I could possibly want. And so it is no surprise that when we need to get away from everything and just regroup this is where we head.

          The disconnect between life in the city happens almost immediately- the short fifteen minute boat ride encourages all our worries to stay behind at the dock. Walking through the town really is just like what I grew up with- roving gangs of free range kids on bikes, skateboards and foot. Our family of course heads straight for the forested trails that we love so- exploring and wandering as we go. Into the forest- quiet nature calling our names we follow the trail starting in town and head for Killarney Lake. A stop at the fish hatchery is always a must- bugs, snails, frogs, sticks and snakes- so much for the Littles to stop and take in.

          This visit was the first time we managed the loop to Killarney Lake and back- pausing for lunch in the fields by the equestrian ring- sandwiches in the sunshine. This year both our Littles are big enough to pack their own packs- for the most part of the day- Dad picking up the slack near the end of our hike when little legs get heavy. The trails to Killarney and around the island in general are quite easy for people of all hiking abilities- a nice easy stroll if one sticks to the trails.

          Of course there is so much in town to explore as well- down at the docks our favourite Shika is open for the season once again- stop in for a rice bowl or a cute plant. The ice cream stand is packed on a sunny day- we often opt for lemon slushies- a perennial fave. If one happens to hike up Bluebird Trail to Artist Square lots of cute shops and galleries can be found- my favourite Wren Boutique offering all sorts of goodness! Of course a stop at the smallest candy shop is a must and is often the bribe to walk just a little further- the promise of a sweet treat.

          Bowen Island is truly one of my favourite day trips- it has everything a person could ask for- great food- great coffee- a brewery- wonderful little shops and galleries not to mention all the outdoor space a person needs. The proximity to Vancouver and transit make this such an accessible place to visit- would arguably make for a tolerable commute into work! A full day spent outside soaking in the sunshine and forest is often just what our family needs- topping us off for another week in the city.

Hiking: Burnaby Lake

          We have some friends who are participating in a really unique family challenge- they have challenged themselves to cover 2015 KMs this year - 2015. As May is Friends and Family month they invited us along on their adventure- not only is it Friends and Family month but it was also friend Erin's birthday- perfect day for a hike. We headed to an area of the Lower Mainland that I have yet to explore- Burnaby Lake.

         In my opinion Burnaby is better known for it's shopping malls and condos than hiking- Burnaby lake is a bit of an anomaly. Located just off Highway 1 I didn't even know it existed- I always assumed the swath of trees we cruise past on our way out of town was in fact wind screen for warehouses- not the case. We were all pleasantly surprised to find basically a forest in the middle of the city- Burnaby Lake is the largest lake in the Lower Mainland- with over 10 KMs of trails, equestrian facilities, archery range as well as being adjacent to the Rugby club and sports fields.

         Home to an abundant amount of wildlife we encountered Canada Geese with their babies, turtles, slugs, Sandhill Cranes, Sand Pipers even a good sized frog. We saw lots of evidence of the beavers that call the park home but evidence was all we saw- no beavers in sight. With lots of explore this easy, flat hike kept the Littles engaged and going for the most part- a few falls and plenty of band aids ensured they did the entire loop mostly under their own steam.

         I will admit- the idea of hiking in Burnaby was not exactly my cup of tea- I balked at the idea that we would essentially be walking on sidewalks- I was convinced that this hike would indeed be just like Stanley Park- over run with tourists. I will be the first to admit I was wrong- Burnaby Lake is a little slice of heaven! The perfect easy hike for anyone- strollers and Grandparents alike- the 10 km loop is full of beautiful distractions as well as pit stops. The nature House features a butterfly garden and interpretive centre full of cool stuff like salamanders to engage visitors of all ages- along with well maintained washrooms. I would recommend this little oasis to anyone wanting an escape from the busy trails of downtown- oh and did I mention the free parking!

         We are so happy we got to be a part of our friend's 2015 in 2015 challenge- getting outside and hitting the trails is our jam!  Overall the entire day - including a stop at Deer Lake post 7-11 break- was 13.50 KMs hiked. Thank you Fowler Family for making us a part of May's Friends and Family Challenge- glad we could walk some Kilometers with you!

We Like To Ride Our Bicycles

         As Spring Break draws to a close it has become quite evident that there is a bit of a them happening this year- sunshine- new runners and bikes- lots and lots of bikes. Every year our family likes to make a bit of a bucket list- fun things to tick off as the year unfolds- at the top of the kid's wish list this year was to learn to ride their bikes with out training wheels. First of all I love that this was our kid's wish- not to go someplace or do something extravagant but to ride their bikes with out training wheels- as parents this was something we could easily give them.

          I really have to give credit where credit is due- the Mr. has been riding with them all winter- on the weekends when I have been at work- it was only a couple of weeks ago that the training wheels came off and I happened to be there to witness the big moment. It's the Mr. that has given these kiddos of ours the confidence needed to ride on two wheels! First The Boy wobbled off- careening across the field and through a group of people who luckily turned out to be friends of ours from school. After seeing the success of big brother it was only a matter of minutes before the training wheels were off Miss Lo's bike and Evil Knievel replaced my little girl- off she went.

 
           Sometimes I am still amazed that these Littles are not so little any more- the things that they come up with on their own astounds me- their choices in style amazes me and their physical abilities  often leave me in the dust. With this new found skill they have gained new freedom which will take them miles I have never seen- hopefully in countries I have never been- these wobbly first bike rides are the beginning of a wonderful new adventure!

         Friends it is Friday- the weeks are just flying by for us- we blinked and Spring Break is over- I hope you all have a peace filled weekend- much love and happiness! Happy Friday!

Spanish Banks In March

           With all the changes going on around here these days we are finding that- as a family- it is abundantly clear we need to seriously connect on the weekends- with each other and ourselves- to seak out familiar places that hold comfort. Learning to juggle family life- a full time job and my own art practice is proving more tricky than I ever anticipated- my hats go off to families that do this with babies and toddlers- we are all learning to navigate new territory here. Trying to find a balance or at least find a rhythm to our days has led to me really appreciating quite family time on the weekends- this weekend we headed to our favourite spot in the city to recharge a little- Spanish Banks.

        Spanish Banks has always been a place of quiet freedom for my kids- a place where they can roam without too much parental supervision- although parents are usually drawn into their play- in this case the building of Inukshuks. While my family builds friendship statues with rock I can sit back for a few minutes and watch the water- the waves washing away the constant chatter in my mind- a meditation on white noise. Although a slight chill still permeates the air- warm socks and hoodies keep us cozy- across the bay fog catches in the mountains and valleys- this is March on the West Coast.

         Watching my babes stretch their long legs as they scramble over boulders and logs I am constantly amazed at how quickly this life is speeding by- as our days become increasingly full I am mindful of my time with them. For me it's not so much about filling our time together with experiences or things- it's about being together- perfect or messy it doesn't really matter what that time looks like. While this is just a snippet of our weekend- it doesn't show the laundry or the arguing- the cartoons or the dirty floors- this is the bit that I am choosing to focus on and carry with me- deep in my heart through the week!
         

Christmas Walking

         Our Christmas Holidays are drawing to a close- sadly we are headed back to the Coast this afternoon- back to our regular life. This week has been so good- everything I had hoped it to be- relaxing- filled with people I love most- laughter- good food and plenty of wine! Our days have been so busy since school started in September- shuttling back and forth- delivering our babes to class- to birthday parties and friend's homes. It was really such a blessing to press pause and just have some quiet time- the best gift of all really!

          Christmas Day my own little Momma and I took to the forest with Miss Lo for a quiet walk- the woods beckoned with their calmness- the Okanagan wind biting at our cheeks as we slowly made our way down familiar paths. The dirty old snow from a few days ago crunching under our boots- providing Miss Lo with enough entertainment to keep her going. Iv'e walked this way too many times to count- the landscape so familiar I can see it behind closed eyes- these are the forests of my childhood.

         Amid all the Christmas goodness- the presents- the food- the presents- it's so good to take that time out- making the day more about being together than anything else. After our walk- after a quick lunch of snacks- the cousins start pouring in- around the campfire we sit- laughing and drinking- eating more sugar than we do all year! This is the good life- this is what it's all about- and that is just enough for me!

End of Summer Visit to Deep Cove

      A collective sigh of relief was heard across British Columbia yesterday morning- upon waking parent's and students alike learned we will most likely be headed back to the classrooms early next week. The labour dispute between government and teachers has reached an agreement and our wonderful teachers will be at the front of the classroom and ready to teach. With that said I am so happy we took a final little day trip this week- with Momo and Poppa who are visiting- we headed out to one of our favourite spots- Deep Cove.

        The weather these past few weeks has been nothing short of spectacular- perfect for a dip in the ocean- water so clear the kids could spot crabs scurrying across the ocean floor from up on their perch. Of course many rocks were thrown and it took bribes of doughnuts to get the Littles to leave the beach- I'm sure they could sense the change in the air- see the trees tinged with orange. This summer has been idyllic- one adventure after the other- I am so grateful for all our wonderful hikes, beach days, forest exploring and park play. My heart is full. 

         Back to our Deep Cove visit- my parents had never been out to this spot and so we thought we would share it with them- a hidden gem on Indian Arm. Our day spent out in the Cove was the perfect way to wrap up summer- fall officially starts this weekend- this seemed an appropriate way to say goodbye! I am content with knowing our Littles are headed back to school full of wonderful memories and a few new skills- a little more well rounded than before. Thank you summer- see you next year!

Weekend Hike: Brandywine Falls Provincial Park

           This past Saturday found us headed up the Sea to Sky Highway once again- into the mountains that make our hearts happy and our feet itch to get moving. We sped past our favourite camping spot- Porteau Cove- made a quick stop for lunch provisions in Squamish and continued up into the hills towards Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. Just off the side of the highway lies an unassuming looking rest stop and picnic area- however the scores of tourist busses are a sure sign something spectacular is near by. The falls themselves are a short 300 meter stroll from the parking lot and are sure to impress- hence all the tour busses- folks hopping off- taking pictures of the falls and hopping back on their air conditioned luxury coaches- they have no idea what they are actually missing out on!

           While the falls are a must see- at 70 meters tall how could they fail to impress- the real magic lies deeper in the forest. A number of hiking and biking trails were recently added and the park expanded to over triple it's size to include habitat for a previously endangered frog. Pick and number of trails and you will not fail to be disappointed- away from the crowds we headed out through lush forest towards the Calcheak Suspension Bridge along the Cheakamus River. Pausing at the look out and gazing down the valley towards Daisy Lake was positively vertigo inducing- bringing me back to the reality that we are all so tiny and in the vastness of the mountains and the world in general- we are really just specks on the globe- humbling.

        The wind blew hot and dry up on the ridge- bringing to mind the Thunderbird who reigns the skies flapping his wings- as we continued on up into the power line cut the sun showed no hint of knowing it's the end of summer. While we didn't make it all the way to the suspension bridge the Littles did really well- it was really hot and they just weren't digging a forced march- so as soon as hiking stopped being fun we just turned around and headed back to the van.

          Both Littles collected their fair share of rocks on the hike- immediately noticing the chunks of lava along the side of the trails- much speculation about weather or not we were on an old volcano was bandied about. The were right- we were all interested to learn that the valley walls are compromised of at least four basaltic lava flows-almost 34,000 years old- amazing!

      With the hot sun beating down on our shoulders and the warm summer winds blowing down the valley it's hard to believe summer is coming to a close. Each time we head out in the sunshine from now on is like a gift- we can never be too sure when the rains will return. This hike was such a treat- so much of this area is unexplored by our family yet- so many hikes so little time!

Sterner Stuff

" Whether we and our politicians know it or not, 

Nature is party to all our details and decisions, 

and she has more votes, a longer memory, 

and a sterner sense of justice than we do"

                                                                              Wendell Berry

Weekend Hike:Quarry Rock

         This weekend dawned slightly cool with low slung clouds- beach plans were quickly abandoned and it was decided that we needed to head out on a hike that has long been on our list- Quarry Rock in Deep Cove. The Littles are finally old enough to handle the steep climb up and back- agile enough to manoeuvre stairs, rocks and roots- this is a hike not for the faint of heart nor those with poor footwear. After procuring a parking spot- conveniently near Honey's Donuts we made our way to the trail head of the Baden Powell trail- located just past the parking lot of Panorama Park- on the other side of the road the trail is a bit tricky to find.

       Once on the trail however the path is clear- there is only one way and that is mostly up! Apparently many other people also thought that a cloudy Saturday in August would be a good day to hike the trail out to Quarry Rock as it was really busy- rarely a quiet moment to be found which is not really my idea of an enjoyable hike. Crowds aside the hike was a great work out with lots of enjoyable scenery as we made our way up and down the ravines.

          Clearly this very popular hiking trail is well taken care of- multiple sets of stairs and bridges zig zag their way out to the point. Tranquil, trickling streams house what can only be fairy pools- surrounded by ferns and mossy stumps- this is the rainforest at it's best. Once we mad sit out to the end of the trail it was clear to see why this is such a popular hike- the view is spectacular with all of Indian Arm stretching out before you.

         I feel this summer we as a family have really stretched our legs so to speak more than any other year- this can only be attributed to these Littles of our growing and maturing enough to catch the hiking bug. They are interested in the forest and nature- full of questions and needing answers- this has forced both the Mr and I to dig deep into the recess of memory to find which side of trees does moss grow on, what is a fungus, what kind of bird made what kind of noise. I love not only their inquisitive nature but also their adventurous spirit- often wanting to run up the path ahead of us.

        Of course as with lots of things it sometimes takes some encouragement- some days one or the other doesn't feel like doing the family hike we have all agreed on. With the promise of lots of yummy hiking treats and hot chocolate or a donut at Honey's afterwards both Littles are usually brought around- minutes into the hike most complaining is forgotten as the wild takes over. This summer has brought us officially out of having toddlers and infants- we have big kids now- big kids that can do things like hike up the side of a mountain- while I miss the wee babes they once were I am so excited about the young people they are becoming!

Weekend Hike: Whytecliff Park

         It's hard to believe that we are actually fully in the month of August- not the beginning but in the thick of August. This weighs heavily on our minds as we seek to enjoy all that the West Coast has to offer while we still have this glorious sunshine- it feels like we are running out of time- sooner or later it will rain. Our weekends have been chock full of exploring new- to us- spots in and around the Lower Mainland- usually this time of year finds us on the road between the Okanagan and the Coast- a long and hard drive that takes a tonne out of our family. This summer we are mixing it up a bit- staying in the city-we are really relaxing and enjoying spending our weekends close to home- with dear friends but most of all with just the four of us.

         This past weekend we made the short trip up the coast to Whytecliff Park- just south of Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver- this park has long been on our list of places to visit and we finally made it! Whytecliff Park was Canada's first marine protected area- chock full of a wide variety of marine life- there are over 200 different species that call this place home. With stunning scenery and a wide variety of activities- from hiking and diving to tennis Whytecliff Park is a very popular spot on a sunshiny Saturday- we made sure to arrive before 10:00 to ensure finding a parking spot!

        With the tide all the way out we made the hike to the island just off shore easily- the Littles enjoyed watching about a half dozen seals playing and defending their young* just off shore while puttering around in the tidal pools that spot the island. The Mr. and I each made the hike/ climb up the rock- separately so the kids were not left unattended- miraculously I made it up as well as back down on my own- possibly the older I get the less time I have to be afraid of things like heights! The view from the top was stunning and I am so glad I chose to not be afraid.

        After a quick picnic and frisbee toss we headed to another of the park's many trails and further explored the other side of the cove- again stunning views- cool coastal breezes- sun on our shoulders- only the sound of the waves to be heard. By 2:00 the beach was packed- the island dotted with cliff jumpers- the trails were getting crowded with tourists- finding our little slice of peace and quiet happens early in the day- we knew it was time to move on. With the kind of tiered that only comes from a day spent in the salt air we loaded back into the truck to head home- bodies heavy with contentment.

* watching the seals protect their young from larger lone seals is amazing- there was chasing and fighting and lots of seals yelling- it was amazing to watch- not something you would see in an aquarium!

Blueberry Season

         It's blueberry season- rejoice and celebrate peasants!  This is one of our favourite times of year and I often feel a bit like a squirrel as I scramble to freeze bags of these delicious berries for the coming months. This past weekend the University of British Columbia Farm opened up their no spray fields to the public for U-pick- of course we were among some of the first there when the fields opened! The day was hot- as in very hot- and so the fields were only open until noon- we picked quickly and efficiently- although that was almost unnecessary as the berries practically fell into our buckets!

         As much as I enjoy buying my produce at the Farmer's Market there is just something so special  about being out in the field and gathering berries to tuck away for grey winter days. Of course several were sampled along the way and we all agreed that these are some of the best berries we have ever tasted!

        With our buckets and hats full we headed back to the car to drop off our bounty- then onto the UBC's own Farmer's Market we headed. This market is not at all very big but clearly the locals know- as the stalls were crowded- baskets in hand.

        Pretty much all veg that one could need for the week is to be found here- along with seeds and flowers- wood fired pizza and sugary treats. We stocked up on some tasty lettuce, cucumber, carrots and radishes- all grown at the UBC farm.

         This season of abundance is short so I feel pressed to get in as much as humanly possible- the perfect weather, the berries the produce. Like the sunshine I am soaking these days in- stocking it away for those grey, rainy days of November when the clouds press in. I hear folks complaining about the weather- I can't be bothered- it's hot but for such a short time. Make hey while the sun shines is what Pa* used to say!

* Pa- from Little House on the Prairies- not my own Pa who in fact prefers to be called Dad

Away We Go

           This past weekend was so full of fun and activity that by the time our bonus day- Monday- hit we were all ready for a little quiet time- so we do what our family does and headed out into nature. Seeking out a spot of peace- to listen for the birds calling and the waves gently lapping at the rocks- this is how we regroup- this is how we relax. With the van fully loaded with snacks from the UBC Farm we headed up the Sea To Sky in search of solitude- which as it turns out on the long weekend is easier said than done.

         After a few failed attempts at local parks- which were already packed to the gills with no parking available- we headed up the coast a bit further to a place we love so - Porteau Cove. One of our favourite spots to camp Porteau Cove is only a short drive from Vancouver- it never fails to surprise me how only a half an hour out of the city lies this beautiful spot surrounded by mountains- warm shallow water perfect at high tide for swimming with the Littles.

         The clever wind was blowing warm and soft across the inlet- peaceful and clean- blowing the city off our shoulders. We had every intention of going for a hike this day but the water invited us to stay- linger and enjoy- so the hike did't happen but plenty of exploring and swimming did. The beach was quite crowded as apparently many others had the same idea- so we sought out a quite- shady nook and tucked in.

          Sitting here on a muggy Monday morning in the city Porteau Cove and yesterday seems about a million miles away- my shoulders are relaxed and I still have salt water in my hair- I know it wasn't a dream.  The August long weekend is always a little bitter sweet for me- half way through summer and heading towards back to school- if I blink September will be here. Summer please go on and on and on!