Search This Blog

...a glimpse into life on Vancouver Island, needle felting, photography, food, gardening, etcetera...etcetera
"Happiness always looks small when you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and at once you learn how big and precious it is."
Maxim Gorky

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

'In Training'...

Apple Harvesting 101: 
To find the best apples in late September, take a wander down to the old Lawson place. 
At the far end of the field there's an old weathered, silver wooden barn, half falling down.

Behind that there are 3 ancient trees.
The one at the edge of the rock wall on the west side is the one you want.
At this time of year they are sweet and crisp and fall gently from the leaning tree.
5 generations of raccoons can't be wrong.
'In Training'

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Cornelius takes Josephine for an afternoon skate...

Cornelius and Josephine's story...
There is nothing quite as peaceful than a river on the edge of a farm. 
Add a quiet yellow sky in the late afternoon in winter and there you have it…

Cornelius’ favourite time to go for a skate!
This alone would keep him happy for the rest of his days but if he has the accepted invitation of Josephine in his corner, then THAT my friends, is true bliss!

Pulling on his woollen winter coat, wrapping a scarf around his neck, Cornelius pops the little red Josephine into his hood and off they go!
The frozen water meanders amongst the trees and the sound of a tiny flock of pine siskin flutter by…”bird wedding!” Josephine calls out. Something her mom always said when little groups of birds flew overhead.
It is these times that Cornelius and Josephine love the best.
The scrape of the blades carving patterns on the fresh ice, the sky on the edge of evening, the promise of snow during the night…and then home to mugs of tea and a fire...what could be more perfect.



Cornelius and Josephine...now in my Etsy shop here

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Hilda's story...

Hilda's story...
It had been a long time since I last saw Hilda.
Almost blind now, I found her in the garden of the old Hares home. 
As always, she was full of giggles and lead me over to a favourite bench by the lavender bed.
“you know I love summertime” she said as we sipped our tea and snacked on gingersnaps.
“The scent of lavender reminds me of my old farm in the country but you know what my favourite smell is?”
I could probably throw out a hundred guesses but would never have imagined what she told me…”fresh snow on a cold morning!” 
“But I wouldn’t think snow had a smell” says I.
“Oh but it does my dear!, it’s the smell of pine and chimney smoke and…well…just COLD!”
Her face was alight, her eyes, though cloudy, looked a bit more clear as she spoke...
“Those were my most favourite times when I would take out my old wooden sleigh to the top of a little hill in a valley where the trees were full of Thrushes and Jays. There’s nothing like the feel of leaving the first footprints in the snow and being the only one to rush down that hill on a crisp and quiet morning!”
And there, beside that summer bed of lavender, with the bees buzzing all around, I closed my eyes and almost felt a chill…a thrill…and blessed to be part of Hilda’s snow day.


'Hilda's Snow Day'
now available in my Etsy shop here