Nearing the end of summer

Hot cuppa chocolate on a rainy evening...yum!

It has been awhile since I've been on here. This summer has been an amazing opportunity to turn away from technology and embrace the present. I have have had so many moments in the last few weeks of absolute LIFE! Running through the pouring downpour of a summer storm, reflecting on the miracle of a toddlers growth, the joy of discovery, the beauty of this world. This time of year brings a great time for reflection. I went out in to the yard today and started to prepare for the Fall. I love this time of year, it is time to prepare, feel the change in the weather, look forward to the autumn and winter festivals that I love so much.

Ancestors have been on my mind a lot lately as well. Tonight I am inspired to start a hand-written (daily if I can)  journal of our family life. To have a hopefully lasting memory of our family for years to come. The inspiration is from my grandmother who I have so many questions about. So many unanswered questions in her life and as the one and only time I ever met her was at the age of 3 the questions will most likely forever be unanswered. By writing down our present our grandkids and great grandkids will have the ability to have a look into our world. Thats all for now... enjoy the changing of the season.

Tommorrow i exactly 2 weeks out from our trip to the UK!

Summer

Haven't been on to blog in awhile as summer is melding our days together and we are spending most of our time outdoors these days. Just a beach bbq photo for you and a few things that are worth having a look at this week. 

Perseids meteor shower

I was looking up patterns for a Skull and Bone toque for the kids and came across this site. 

Made me giggle ... love the title.

Lughnasadh celebration

Classic Cars etc.

We went to the Classic Car show today in Courtenay. With 4th, 5,th and 6th Ave shut down to traffic and the streets lined with over 200 vintage cars in pristine condition it was quite the sight. Tyko was blown away with all the 'Maters' and 'Docs' and Lucie kept repeating 'cool cars, cool cars!'

There were some pretty outstanding vehicles there. One of my favorites was a Morris Mini Van (I love Minis and one day I have to check out this mini run ) that was purchased over the internet from India by the current owners. Prior to that it was used as a forensic vehicle for Scotland Yard. Right next to it was a very cool TR3A Triumph which I could sooo see myself driving; scarf wrapped around my head, big Jacki-O glasses. 

There is something so right about restoration. To me, it jut seems so respectful to refinish something back to its former glory whether its a building, house, car, furniture; anything really. It's not just the process of doing it or the amazing sense of accomplishment you get when you do it but it is the saving of a piece of history. Bringing something from the past to the present brings a nostalgia to the ones who were once there and a wonderful, sweet sense of being a part of an historical heritage to the ones who weren't. 

Future excursions

...any sense of certainty we have in life is ephemeral at best. - David Elliot Cohen (One Year Off)

I am about half way though this book and really enjoying it so far. It is giving me great fodder for all the future trips I am planning in my head (that canal trip through the Burgundy area of France is going to be amazing!). Ah, you did not know that this is what I do when I daydream! I have entire trips and our future planned out in detail in my head. From our cottage with guest house in the UK, to our secondary property (a chalet at Mt. Washington) to our many trips we will take with the kids in Europe and Africa and of course our solo trips on our BMW 650 and 800 motorbikes around Europe. Yes, one must dream and dream big I say! 

Of course with all this travel reading going on our upcoming trip to the UK is at the forefront of my mind. I went online and ordered a beautiful Moleskine London book which I can't wait to get my hands on and begin writing my thoughts about the Capital and all the other amazing places we will visit. While looking for my new notebook I happened upon another site related to Moleskine. It is called Moleskine City; it is a Blog dedicated to self discovery of the cities that are part of the City notebook series. It is well worth checking out. 

On a semi-related note my Mom just called to tell me a bit of amazing serendipitous news. One of the properties we have booked up at is in a village called Bishops Nympton (where do they get these names!) in North Devon. We chose the area as my great grandmother is from that village and we thought it would be a good opportunity for us to do some geneology  and check out some of our ancestors digs. We booked up at a place called North Hayne Farm. As my Mom was going through some records tonight and organizing she came across the birth certificate of my great grandmother and guess where her place of birth is listed.....North Hayne Farm, Bishops Nympton!!!!

I'm now off to enjoy a glass of Clay Station; a yummy Viognier which Johnny brought home for me. I only started drinking white wine about 2 years ago (I have always been more of red wine and dark beer kinda girl) and I must say on a warm summer evening a nice, crisp, cold glass of white really is the nectar of the gods.

Revisiting Renovations

Oh, it is so nice to be back on the reno-train again. J and I spent most of yesterday afternoon combing through magazines, clipping out ideas and discussing plans for the house. It is the most time we've had to chat about it since Tyko was born. We made some good decisions and figured out some more details for the house. We came across a couple paint sites which I love. The little greene paint co., a British paint company which has records dating as far back as 1773; I love the layout and richness of the site and it is worth checking out even just for the history of the company. I would love to be the person who comes up with names for paints. Names like Mister David, Stargazer, Normandy Grey, Thames Mud, Chinese Emperor, etc.

Another cool page to check out is in the 'Advice' section of the Paint & Paper Co. It is a brief discussion on understanding colour which I believe to be one of the most challenging aspect of design in all its forms.

And finally, not so much for its paint but for its packaging is Farrow & Ball (although I think their site could do with a redesign). Love the paint cans!

Saturday adventures

It is amazing how most of the time I feel like I am on holiday where we live. Ok, maybe not exactly a holiday when you've been dealing with really whiney kids, cleaning, laundry and cooking all day ... maybe it is more like a disaster zone! In all seriousness though, Comox is a beautiful place to be. I took the kidlets into the Village (Comox is actually a town but our main street is so tiny you really would think we are a Village) to do some chores while J worked on our ongoing renovation. We spent some time at our library, which I must say ROCKS; picked up a book called One Year Off by David Elliot Cohen. It looks like a great read and an opportunity for the time being to live vicariously through someone elses' travel adventures.

The afternoon was spent exploring the 'jungle' of our backyard (and, yes, I can justify not doing my gardening for the sake of the childrens fun!) and playing in the tent. Good times!

First Post

This is the first post of my blog which will hopefully be one of many. Random thoughts and images about our life here on the island. Raising 2 toddlers, homeschooling, both of us being self employed and what ever else comes to mind.

Today is our 10 year wedding anniversary. It is amazing to think it has been 10 years. This is a picture on our first 'date'  at Nairn Falls (just North of Whistler) 14 years ago. SO may adventures have happened since then.

Sweet memories.