Gabriola Island Lifestyle Blog

Archive for the ‘family life’ Category

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Mt. Washington day trip

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

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.

Posted in Daytripping on Vancouver Island, family life, fitness, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Happy Holidays to all

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

Wishing you a Happy Holidays and wonderful 2012 from our family to yours. May you be surrounded by love, warmth and light this holiday season!

All the best,

Carly, Robyn, and Lesley McMahon

Posted in family life, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Gift Giving Gabriola Style

Monday, November 28th, 2011

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!

Posted in Buy Local, family life, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, Shopping on Gabriola, The Arts, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Fall Fair

Monday, September 19th, 2011

It was a pleasant and sunny day, perfect for a fair! There was a good turnout and lots to look at with music as well. Being a somewhat rural community there was a nice selection of farm animals, including goats and rabbits, chickens, alpaca, a donkey and horses – all nicely groomed. There was a food section offering a taste of Gabriola, popcorn, corn on the cob and ice cream too. Raffles for fund raising, a display of an apple press with a wonderful sample of fresh apple cider, and a squash race that was met with hoots of excitement and appreciation. The home arts of cooking and sewing, drawings and flower displays and of course a great selection of garden vegetables were there to view, many with ribbons for the best, biggest or most amazing. We took the whole family, children, parents, grand parents and even great grandma – we all had a fun time!

Posted in Crafts, family life, Gardening on Gabriola, Healthy Living, Holidays and Special Events | No Comments »

Camping…

Friday, July 29th, 2011

We were able to spend 4 days and 3 nights camping at Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island and the trip was spectacular! The weather cooperated and it felt like summer the entire time which for anybody who has been on the west coast this summer knows those days have been few and far between. We had one of the nicest if not the nicest campsite we have ever found with a beautiful waterfront to spend our afternoons sitting in the sun gazing out across the lake.  Just moments away was a wonderful swimming beach complete with raft for diving off of.  The kids adored this place and were quite sad that we had to pack up and come home. So lucky that this is only a short trip from home, about 2 hours from Gabriola.

Posted in Camping on Vancouver Island, Daytripping on Vancouver Island, family life, Flora and Fauna, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Kids, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Ghost Plants

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

I was delighted when my grand daughter handed me this beautiful little Indian Pipe, also known as Ghost Plant. We were having afternoon tea in the garden and the children were playing in the forest when they found three little patches of M. Uniflora, a parasitic plant that bears a single flower on a stem. I hadn’t seen one for a long time so it was a real treat to find so many!

Posted in family life, Flora and Fauna | No Comments »

Arts Alive 2011

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

We are very lucky to have wonderful friends on Gabriola Island who are willing to take our eldest daughter everyday last week to Wellington Secondary School in Nanaimo to partake in the Arts Alive Summer Program for “A Play in 5 Days”. The kids in conjunction with their wonderful teacher Mary-Jo Fulmer created an entertaining and very goofy play complete with bad guys, magic bananas, a princess, fairies and more.  After working on it all week family and friends were invited to watch the play which the kids performed in the auditorium.  It was a wonderful introduction to drama and I am sure many will continue on as the kids were all fantastic.

Posted in Daytripping on Vancouver Island, family life, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, The Arts, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Once Upon a Time…

Monday, July 11th, 2011

There were two curious little girls who were able to spend an afternoon exploring within a fairytale land.  There were dragon’s, castles, lush greenery, faeries and so much more!

This past Saturday the girls went and explored the wonderful Once Upon a Time art market/tea house here at a private residence on Gabriola. There were 16 artists, a tea house, faeries and more located in beautiful lush gardens making it a very magical experience for all.

This beautiful dragon and its rider is made from foam found on the beach then carved and felted, absolutely stunning!

Posted in family life, Flora and Fauna, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gardening on Gabriola, greener living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, Shopping on Gabriola, The Arts, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Peter and the Wolf

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

This past long weekend was abuzz with activities! The Farmers Market kicked off with the first of the Saturday openings, there was a bicycle race, the grand opening of the Hen House - a working Studio and Gallery, a play at The Centre, live music at Raspberry’s Jazz Cafe, Comedy at the Silva Bay Restaurant, a photography show and more! Peter and the Wolf, produced by local dance teacher Miss Mara, was well attended. This lively little show was danced delightfully by local children aged 3 to 17. With three of our granddaughters involved it is no wonder this was our favorite event.

Posted in family life, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, Music, The Arts | No Comments »

Mothers Day

Monday, May 9th, 2011

With three mothers in the family it is no wonder that we celebrate Mothers Day. The weather co operated marvelously with afternoon sunshine and the warmth that we so appreciate. We set up table and chairs and a blanket in the garden and all the family met for tea and fresh rhubarb crumble, custard, luscious brownies and incredible meringue cookies. The children and dogs ran and played and fun was had by all. Being the oldest mother I even got a present – a pretty summer dress from the local dress shop.

Posted in Buy Local, Cooking, family life, Holidays and Special Events, Uncategorized | No Comments »

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