Summer "Bucket List"

"Summer Bucket List"

1) Pick cherries and strawberries

 

(Our friend's Paul and Nicole gave us permission to pick cherries and strawberries in their yard this summer. They have an incredible garden and it always a joy to meander through).

 

 

 

 2) Go camping with friends.

We nailed this one. We camped with friends THREE times this summer!
Our first trip with my dear friend Nicole and her darling girls. It rained a fair bit so we spent a lot of time around the fire and at the park.

 

Our second camping trip was with the Dodds family and I think it deserves a post of its own.

I forgot my camera on our third camping trip, but we had an amazing time in Parkville with two RCMP families from our previous post.

 

3) Pick Raspberries.
 

 

I invited two girlfriends and their children to join us at Dudink's farm. We had filling our buckets and our faces! 

 

 

 

5)  Go for a picnic at Newcastle island.

 

I feel as though I could cross this one off twice since we also hiked around the entire perimeter of the island with one toddler and two preschoolers in tow.

6) Make popsicles.

 

7) Pick Flowers

 

 

 

8) Wear lots of color.
 

I bought several colorful blouses at the beginning of the summer from Urban ... for 8$ a pop. Best purchase in a long time. This is pretty much the only photo I have of me actually wearing one.

 

9) Skim board at the beach.

 

For the second year in a row, I have no photographic evidence of this *Sigh* last year my camera battery died, and this year I simply forgot to bring it. So here is a photo from last summer.

 

-10) Pick blueberries
 

We finally crossed this one off the list with some dear friends of ours. We went to Steld's Blueberry farm in Ladysmith  and picked until our buckets were full and our bellies hurt.

 

 

 

 

11) Make blackberry pie.

12) Go to a farmer's market

 

 

13) Swim at Nanaimo river

 

Other highlights This Summer........

- Watching the flowers in my garden bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swimming at Westwood with friends.

 

 

 

 Playing at the spray park.

 

 Running on the trails at Rathtrever Beach. Pure bliss!

 

 

 

 Hitting up a garage sales

 

 I was driving home from a run around Westwood Lake when I stumbled upon these treasures at a garage sale.  The window is from a two hundred year old church in Chemanius. I also scored a great coffee table and antique medicine cabinet for peanuts (Thanks Jill)!

Running with my training partner Nola

 

(no photos yet)

 

Painting furniture

 

 

Picking heaps of berries

 

 

 

Taking the boat to Marble River with Nathaniel's parents

 

(no photos)

 

Bumping into a cousin  haven't seen in YEARS while out for a walk with my brother and his wife.

 

 Going to Cathedral Grove and Coombs with the Dodds family.
 

 
 

Didn't get to.....

-Explore the tidal pools at Botanical Beach in Port Renfrew.

 

-Swim at the pot holes

 

(But there is always next year)!!!!

 

Run with your heart not with your legs

 

 

I had an awful run this morning.

 

My legs felt like lead and I huffed and puffed like a newbie while enduring side cramps.

 It wasn't blissful or empowering.  

It felt rotten.

 

 I'm sure this is how a lot of people feel when they first start running, and probably the reason that my husband thinks it is a form of torture. I must admit, running on running on asphalt for hours, isn't really my idea of a good time,  I do enjoy trail running.  Which is why, I am surprised that I have enjoyed training for this marathon as much as I have.

 

How I have come to look forward to my training runs.

 

Reasons......

 

1)   I have an AWESOME training partner ( It makes all the difference in the world.....especially when I am running 30+ km at the crack of dawn, or at 4pm on a hot sunny afternoon, or when I just want to stop and just eat blackberries). She is a much more experienced runner than I am and pushes and challenges me intellectually and spiritually while we plow through our required miles.

I swear that she runs faster up hills than she does on flats. She is incredible.

 

2) This is the first time that I have trained through the spring and summer. In the past I have always trained through the winter, and endured cold rainy runs. This time I got a tan and never had to contend with soggy shoes. SCORE!

 

3) I have relished the conversation as well as the solitude. On the weekends I typically run with Nola (my training partner) and during the week I run to the tunes downloaded on my shuffle. Whether I a discussing deep issues or dashing up a hill to my current favorite song, I get to focus on only one thing. There are no extraneous demands, no whining to contend with (other than my lungs and muscles), nothing else to focus on but my thoughts and the thud of my feet hitting the ground. It's pretty awesome, and for a harried mother of two, sheer bliss at any time of day.

 

I haven't always loved running. My first memories of running were in early high school. I  remember feeling as though my lungs were going to explode and that I was going to black out afterwards

 Somehow, it didn't put me off and I started running  before school with a neighbor. I began to experience that endorphin "high" you hear seasoned runners talk about. I ran a little in University, but only sporadically and without any intention. A couple of years after I got married and sister and I  signed up for a "learn how to run 10km" clinic. THAT is where my love of running began. When I completed those 10km at the Sun Run in Vancouver, I was hooked. I went on to complete a sprint triathlon,  a half marathon, a half ironman and now two babies later, hopefully my first marathon. I would still LOVE to do a full Ironman one day, but I am holding that dream with an open hand. (More on that topic another day)

When I decided to train for this marathon, I did so knowing that it would be the last time I would be able throw myself into something so intensive for awhile.  I also knew that it would be the last time I would have my body all to myself.  Over the past two weeks I have run an estimate of 110km. I don't about you, but that sounds a little crazy!

It sure has been fun though!

Fall is in the air

Fall is in the air. I can feel it. While the afternoon is still balmy and inviting, the mornings are crisp and cool. While some may mourn the passing of long summer days, I rejoice in the promise of earlier bedtimes, quiet rainy days, and routine.

 

I have already started thinking about digging out my sweaters, and putting away my shorts. Dreaming about soups and stews and pumpkin pie.....

 

Our family, however, is making the best of what remains of our summer. Yesterday we took our annual hike along the Duke point trail. The views were just stunning and I just loved all the unique rock formations and arbutus trees. We nibbled on blackberries, picked wild flowers, scrambled over rocks and up trees. I am always amazed how a little bit of fresh air brings our family to life. Without the distractions of the Internet, phone, endless errands and responsibilities, we are free to play, explore and connect with each other.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Interview: Nicole K.

 

Tea or coffee

It depends on the day, but if I had to rank them in order of preference I would choose specialty cold coffees, tea, and then regular coffee.

 

I collect

Ornate frames and mirrors.

. 

 Favorite City

Vancouver or San Francisco ( I can't decide).

 

 Spring or Fall

Spring because it means that summer is coming and everyone starts coming out of hibernation.

 

 Bloom of choice

 Roses.

 

Style icon

None, but I love vintage inspired prints.

 

Right now I am...

Looking forward to January when our family will be going to Africa for two months.

 

Longing for...

More time with my husband Tyler. He is working away right now and I miss him.

 

Most prized possession

My home because I am able to share it with people.

 

My Design Aesthetic

Vintage inspired with a modern twist as well as homey and comfortable.

 

Passionate About

Jesus and seeing Jesus inside people.
 

Interview: Charity

Tea or coffee

Licorice tea has always been my favorite

 

I collect

Primarily doorknobs and reclaimed canvas.

. 

 Favorite City

Worms, Germany. You can walk everywhere and experience a mix of ancient cultures in a small space. From the roman built wall that wraps around the old city to the 1100 year-old Jewish graveyard still in use.

 

 Spring or Fall

Fall. I love Halloween. When it is not raining I love walks in the crisp weather, I love layering accessories (scarves, hats, gloves). I love pumpkins and squash. And when it does rain I love to read and write and drink hot tea. 

 

 Bloom of choice

I like the light scent of carnations and all the crazy colors you can make them.

 

Style icon

Yeah right. 
I like natural fibers and comfortable clothing. My favorite colors are orange and green

 

Right now I am...

I am 22 weeks pregnant

 

Longing for...

Not being pregnant and some personal space.

 

Most prized possession

Other than my daughter.... my writing. Thanks to the Internet I don't have to worry about my computer breaking down. I can store my manuscripts on the Internet.

 

My Design Aesthetic

Broad, bright and brilliant. All my paintings are positive.

 

Passionate About

Artistic expression.

 

Interview: (Me)

Interview

 

(Me)

 

For awhile now I thought it would be fun to interview my friends. There is an online magazine that I often read called Matchbook and I have always enjoyed their published interviews.  As a result, I decided that it would be fun to interview and photograph a friend a week. Now I just need to make my list of candidates and track them down. In the meantime I will amuse you  with my responses and an actual photo of myself. (Taken on my iPhone since it is nearly impossible to take a photo of myself with my DLSR).

 

Tea or coffee

 Most definitely tea (chai, licorice and peppermint) but lately I have been drinking a half a cup of coffee in the morning before my long training runs.

 

I collect

Beach glass, old window frames, tin stars, old furniture, and textiles.

 

 Favorite City

Antigua, Guatemala

 

 Spring or Fall

Fall. The crisp weather, the colors, the baking... its utter bliss!

 

 Bloom of choice

Peonies and hydrangea

 

Style icon

I can't say that I have one, but I LOVE the bohemian chic look

 

Right now I am...

Training for a my first marathon

 

Longing for...

A Vita mix for making smoothies and almond butter

 

Most prized possession

My sweet daughters and my journals (from grade seven until present).

 

My Design Aesthetic

Modern Country

 

Passionate About

Jesus, Empowered Birth, and making my surroundings beautiful

Interview: Heidi

Let me introduce you to one of my dearest lifelong friends: Heidi. We have been apart of each other's lives since utero (our mothers' were pregnant together) ,  the challenges of adolescence, finding husbands, and now raising our babies. She is the incredible young women I spoke of in a previous blog post, and someone who continues to inspire and challenge me.

(Heidi)

 

 

 

 

Tea or coffee

Gingerbread Spice Christmas tea with milk is like cookies without the guilt

 

I collect

Children (laughter)

 

 Favorite City

Campbell River, because it is where all my friends are.

 

 Spring or Fall

Spring, definitely. I love the flowers and the growth.

 

 Bloom of choice

Sweet peas

 

Style icon

I have no idea what that means. Ideally I just want my clothing to be clean and make me look better than I feel. Timeless and classic.

 

Right now I am...

Blissfully satisfied..... and gassy.

 

Longing for...

The men of this world to step it up!

 

Most prized possession

My family

 

My Design Aesthetic

Coastal and rustic.

 

Passionate About

 I am passionate about the voiceless, the oppressed, and the unseen. (Isaiah 58)