Over the last few weeks a lot of trees have fallen all over the place, mostly (wimpy) hemlock and old rotting alders. Bruce had to do some emergency surgery on our garden fence earlier this week since an alder collapsed nearly destroying a section of it. I used to really enjoy windy days, and although I still find them beautiful, it can be nerve racking to walk around outside when it’s howling out. I feel like a deer when I hear a tree falling and my head pops up, ears pricked, trying to pin point where it fell.
The roads are heavily littered with fallen branches and often fallen trees after a storm. We had about two inches of snow last night, and while I am only an amateur meteorologist (or weather-girl, if you prefer), I’m sure the wind was coming from an unusual direction the days preceding. This caught some unsuspecting branches off-guard, I suspect.
This may sound somewhat boring to some of you, but weather is big drama up here at this time of year! Excitement laced with trepidation.
Onions
February 28, 2012
It's blowing snow and 3 below but the onions think it's nice out.
Mini Clam Feast
February 27, 2012
Had a small and succulent seafood supper tonight. Thanks Lyle.
S is for Spring, and Soon
February 22, 2012
Kale flower buds, of many varieties
Snowdrops...soul food
The beach trail here very dramatic and interesting, especially now when there is plenty of water flowing.
I’ve been running up and down the steep trail a few times a day as part of my exercise regime… it is not for the faint of heart. I shouldn’t say ‘run’ because I can only run up about half the trail before I have to slow down.
A lot of the trail looks like this, cut out from the mountain. Before the current owners widened the path, it was quite narrow. Apparently used by sheep farmers, and presumably their sheep. I've heard they used to transport the sheep off the island by barge from the base of this pathway.
I plan to hike up the ravine itself, if it is possible, at which point I will take some better photos!
This is the unbelievably amazing shelf I made for this years indoor seeding adventures. As you can see Ryan has already started onions, although they have yet to come up.
The shelf isn’t complete since I have to rig up lights and add a few structural details. I used some pretty questionable pieces of scrap 2×4′s and 2×6′s to put this together. I will always thank Mimi for inspiring me to build things, she was good at using whatever was around her to make something useful. One day I’ll build something using clean, new wood!
Now, bombard me with praise for my carpentry prowess.
Warmth
February 15, 2012
My current favorite to prepare-- chana masala, Jessica-style
Not much to report today, other than.. curry is amazing and I love making it from scratch! Any excuse to buy some full-fat greek yogurt really…
PR
February 13, 2012
Powell River sunset -- Feb. 13
We are visiting the beautiful and unique Powell River today. The replacement ferry (the Texada Island ferry) is visible in the photo, it is the replacement vehicle for the regular ferry which is in dry dock for some reason. The trip takes just under an hour longer on the little boat. I think it’s quaint, although the general consensus is that it’s tiny and really old.
A Wet February
February 12, 2012
The feelings I have at this time of year are the type you can imagine a young child having standing at the rain streaked window, from the inside, looking out, imagining how great it will feel to play in the sun again. It’s been raining all week.
This feeling is known as the Winter Doldrums, a condition which can only be treated with extreme amounts of upbeat pop music and hours pouring over seed catalogues. Also, vitamin D supplements.
It was about a year ago now that Ryan injured himself, remember that? There was a lot more snow on the ground and a lot more anxiety to go around. Things were looking pretty grim, but look how well it turned out! We are certainly more safety conscious now.
A re-enactment? Dad gave me this axe before we moved to Quadra, and we use it every day, with steel-toed boots of course.
We have been busy doing our seed ordering, it is no small task this year! We are buying from three companies; West Coast Seeds, William Dam, and Johnny’s. It takes hours and hours to discuss and plan the garden, and it grows and grows. This years seed order will be our biggest and more diverse ever.
We are hoping to visit Powell River tomorrow to see Maria and Roger, but there has been some pretty serious ferry trouble on that route lately. To hedge our bets we are walking on the ferry and crossing our fingers.
