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I
usually walk the same trails in the 707 park, but lately I have been ranging farther in both the 707 and Cox Community Park. I am awed by the fabulous trails. We are so lucky to have such beautiful parkland. It is recovering beautifully from the logging that took place
around a decade ago and the variety of healthy growth is quite amazing!
Yesterday after we picked the kids up from school a friend and I took a group of 7 kids down to Orlebar Point in the Berry Point area to catch a good look at nature hard at work. The herring are running and the beaches and surrounding waters are full of Fishing boats, herring eggs, eagles, seals, sea lions and whales. The girls had a wonderful time, they even ate a few herring eggs to see how they tasted…I guess that is what happens when your back is turned!
This Saturday at the Gabriola Commons there will be a “Trades Fair” to help promote Gabriola Island businesses, trades and services. Tables will be set-up so that people can peruse the booths, ask questions or just browse the local options. Don’t miss the silent auction section where you will be able to bid on products and services provided by the participants of the fair. Co-Sponsored by the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce and the Gabriola Commons this event takes place at 675 North Rd across from the Elementary school on Saturday March 10th between 11 am and 2 pm. Come visit the Coast Realty Gabriola table for Real Estate information and other goodies.
We were at a going away party for a friend last night, pot-luck of course. We love pot-lucks because everybody always makes their best dish and you are able to feast on wonderful food until we are stuffed. Robyn made Kale Chips, something we have recently been making for our families regularly and can report the kids and husbands adore them. The best comment about the food last night was when one of our friends was looking at the table loaded with food and zeroed in on the Kale Chips, “is that Kale?” he gushed before diving in and commenting how he would love to steal the bowl and eat them all. Even last year most people turned their noses up when you mentioned Kale and many would have cringed if you offered them Kale Chips to eat, my how things change. I will share the Kale Chips recipe that we have been making recently courtesy of the Wholelife Nutrition Cookbook, just click on the link and you will find the wonderful and super yummy recipe – Kale Chips
February 2nd is an exciting day in our house as the girls race around waiting to hear if we are set for an early spring. This year the results seem to be mixed with the Canadian groundhog’s calling for an early spring and the American claiming 6 more weeks of winter. I took a look at the forecast for the next 5 days and it appears that we may be having an early spring! Sun and mild temperatures are in the forecast and the blue sky tonight as the sun was going down is a testament to that forecast. 
We just had a cold snap on Gabriola Island with a good dump of snow, heavy wind and rain, and today sun with seasonable temperatures! I decided to see what greens and herbs survived the nasty weather of the past 10 days and was pleasantly surprised to find beets, kale, parsley, rosemary, chard, kale, cabbage and a rather small cauliflower. It is the best feeling when you can wander out into the patch of semi-frozen soil and find in amongst the winter weeds a good cache of nutritious and fresh veggies. It is a great reminder that spring is just around the corner and that I really need to get on placing my seed orders sooner than later.
And with all that I found in the garden we are having lentil soup chock full of all the greens I harvested this evening with warm cornbread, perfect for a west coast winters night!
One of the wonderful things about Gabriola being so close to Vancouver Island is the ease at which we can make a day trip up to Mt. Washington. Yesterday for a treat we took the family, including my sister-in-law visiting from Toronto, up to the mountain to go snow tubing for the afternoon. What a treat for the girls, the snow was falling and they felt as though they were in heaven. Our 4 year old was a bit scared and decided she would tube down with me which was a blast for both of us. The eldest whom loves roller coasters was vibrating with excitement and after whipping down the hill the first time decided that she could do this forever. It was quite reasonably priced at $49 for the family for 2 hours which is plenty of time for the adults of the group (I think the kids could have gone all day). Next time up there the girls have expressed interest in skiing (I think the idea of hurtling down the hill at breakneck speed appeals to them), I on the other hand would love to try cross-country skiing.
This year I have made a pact that the majority of my Christmas gifts will be locally bought from our incredible selection of local merchants and artists. You may ask “How do you decide where to go as they are all so fantastic?” and you would be right! I usually start at the craft fairs in the hopes of finding locally crafted items to send to Ontario, sending them a little “Gabriola Style” every year. This year was fun (as usual) as I picked up items at “Crafted Booty” and the Rollo Center Christmas Craft Fair. As for my own family members here on Island I tend to shop around for them until I find the right thing that is just for them. The Gabriola Island Elementary School Christmas Craft Fair is this coming Saturday at the school and as well as the craft fair there is the Silent Auction where you can pick-up a plethora of local good and gift certificates to local merchants.
For your ease of shopping I will list some of my favorites for gifts big and small and some great ideas for stocking stuffers!
North Road Sports – Great clothing, shoes, and accessories for anybody in your life
Slice of Life Gallery – Local artists as well as imported items, bright colors and great atmosphere
Mad Rona’s – Gift certificates, apparel, and to-go cups
Woodfire Restaurant – Gift certificates and specialty foods
Village Liquor Store – Great selection of wines, beers, and scotch among others
Raspberries Cafe – Gift certificates
Artworks – Local artists, home decor, gift certificates, apparel, and so much more
Wooden Hanger – Lovely boutique clothing and accessories
IDA Pharmacy – Home wares, decorations, children’s toys, cards etc.
Village Foods – Specialty Foods and gift certificates
Robert’s Place Restaurant- Gift Certificates
Harvest Thyme Restaurant – Gift Certificates, books, and some gift wares
Colleen’s Home Center – Housewares, apparel, baby clothes and toys, shoes
Madd Art – Hemp clothing, giftwares
Silva Bay Pub and Restaurant – Gift Certificates
Gabriola Arts Council – list of all the artists that belong to GAC www.gabriolaartscouncil.org
And check out the Gabriola Chamber of Commerce webpage for more links to local businesses.
Have fun shopping…I know I will!
Robyn & Carly McMahon and unlicensed assistant Lesley McMahon, your Gabriola Island Real Estate Sales Team
Located at The Folklife Village, #1-575 North Road, Gabriola BC, Canada V0R 1X3
Toll Free 1.877.422.8455 or Local 247.2088 or email mcmahon@gabriolaproperty.com
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