Gabriola Island Lifestyle Blog

Archive for May, 2010

A Gardening Day

Monday, May 24th, 2010

It has been pretty cool this spring and our garden is coming along slowly so we thought we should give it bit of a boost. We grabbed the older two kids and the wagon and set off for the Wild Rose Nursery which is just down the path from where we live. We raided the greenhouse for bedding plants and selected cucumbers, squashes, zuchinni and some tomatoes, added a few flowers, then browsed the seeds for more beans, carrots and chard. I bought some more tomatoe cages and we were set – good thing we brought the wagon!

Posted in family life, Gabriola Living, Gardening on Gabriola, Weather | No Comments »

She’s Back!

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

A completely refurbished Quinsam is back in service on Gabriola. On Tuesday we said goodbye to the Bowen Queen who happily serviced us for the past 6 months and welcomed back our old friend. BC Ferries spent 16 million in a 2 phase project that is meant to add 17 years of life to this 28 year old ferry. This was considered a complete rebuild of the ship and in their words “the result is a quieter, safer, cleaner, more fuel efficient vessel”. The terminals on both sides of the route have also been upgraded providing us with a safer more modern facility all round.

Posted in At the Sea, Daytripping on Vancouver Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, West Coast Living | 1 Comment »

Nesting

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

A few years ago we found a bird had made a nest in our hanging flower basket on our front deck. This year we found a bird’s nest with 4 little eggs under the lid on our propane tank. Within a couple weeks they were hatched, grown and out of the nest.

Posted in family life, Flora and Fauna, Gabriola Island, greener living, Kids, Uncategorized, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Bulk Foods

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

It is amazing what you discover is in your backyard just by googling something somewhat unrelated.  While searching for Belvedere Farm whilst writing the previous blog I stumbled across “Supply Line Organic Foods Buyers Club” which is accepting orders for Gabriola residents for the next 2 weeks, May 4- May 16, 2010.  Very excited I browsed throught the online store and am very excited to receive flours, sugar, oats, dried fruit, lentils etc. in bulk, all organic and well priced.  A fantastic end to my great day, and again I say “I love this place”!

Posted in Buy Local, Cooking, Food, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, greener living, Healthy Eating, Shopping on Gabriola, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Belvedere Farm

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Tomorrow the girls will be heading off to the farm…Gabriola’s Belvedere Farm to be exact.  A wonderful old homestead farm located at the South end of Gabriola, Belvedere farm is a beautiful piece of farmland in an amazing setting.  The Hope Center preschool with it’s fabulous teachers, amazing kids, and helpful parents are in for an afternoon full of sheep, lambs, gardens, barns and countless other exciting surprises.  Both the girls are looking forward to seeing the animals and I am sure I will hear all about it amongst the plea’s for a lamb of their very own.  This island has so much to offer that the field trips are rich and educational without ever having to hop on the ferry, we are very grateful for being here!

Posted in family life, Flora and Fauna, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, greener living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Kids, West Coast Living | No Comments »