Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Metchosin Magic







Last weekend we attended the "greening of the slope"- a house warming at Sheila and Anne's new farm in Metchosin. What a lovely spot - if you look carefully, you will see sheep wandering around the neighbouring field.









Front yard of the house...nice shady areas and gorgeous gardens.











The house - lots of work to do here, but these 2 are up for it! Many charming features and the ocean view is wonderful.











Whimsical gate at the property line that backs onto a forest and creek.











Ocean view from the front yard - even more amazing from the house higher up.












Fenced gardens for the deer to drool over but not indulge in.











Magical pond with fish in a shady glen.....













Perfect place to relax on a summer afternoon.....













Back yard overlooks the gardens and the "slope" at the back of the 2 acres which will soon be planted.










Garage/barn which has stalls (and Anne loves horses, so wait for that announcement....!!!) and holds firewood at the moment. Many friends came to celebrate this new space and I am sure it will be a constant gathering place over the coming years.









Chiik "helps" Miki drive sometimes.....of course he looked away just as I was about to snap this pic....what a boy!
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Birthday girl.......








It was Miki's birthday (yah, 39 again!) on July 21, so she started with mimosas and breakfast in bed, then more champagne in the afternoon with Janice, then off to Terri and Larry's for a magnificent dinner.









We sang, we drank, we laughed, and Miki had a ball......












She carves a mean cake, this woman........













.....and enjoyed a fine day and a fine evening with dear friends!











The birthday continued a few days later when Ingrid and Maggie took us out to the Mansion to celebrate Miki's special day.











We all dressed up in our finery and had an amazing meal in this historical magnificant building.











We had wonderful dinners, desserts, after dinner drinks....oh my, what an evening.











I think it is safe to say Miki felt very special, as she should on her birthday!!!











Mary Lois came up for another weekend and we took in the sand castle competition at the Parksville Beach.










As always, they are amazing sculptures, and while the poor carvers had to do their work in a cold driving rain, we went down a few days later on a lovely sunny day.









Every year there are sculptures that are incredible...these are just a few......














.....fine work......












and they are here until mid August - so come see the sculptures!
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Annual picnic at the Rotary......

This was LAST year on Qualicum beach......sun....heat.......

Just look at all those people.......last year.......

It was hot, it was sunny, we all got sunburns and enjoyed swimming in the ocean.......


and THIS was this year......in the rain.....in the cold......no sun......no swimming......

The ocean was cold, and we all had to huddle under the canopy around the picnic tables, not out there in the warm ocean like last year.......

So the lovely sitting area stayed empty.....

But we all had a good time anyway - under umbrellas, under the roof, and in fact, it brought us all close together so we got to know new people and still had fun. Thanks Pat for organizing another great picnic!
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Jammy party








Ursula, Jonah, Alex and Nessa watch a movie in the family room after coming home from the riding camp. The weather wasn't that great, but all 4 kids had a great time.








After supper, we went over to our time share and had fun in the pool.....












.....which was mercifully open after many times this winter when it has not been. Kids and water.....they love it!!!











Then it was outside to the hot tubs where they had more fun......











And even walked through the cool ocean water to the island off the point.....where there were a ton of Canada geese, so Alex called it Goose Island.....










Brrrr....we all walked along the beach and back to the hot tubs to warm up.....kids never notice the cold, tho - Jutta and I were the ones with blue feet.....











They had fun at the playground on the way back to the tubs......











and Jutta and I enjoyed soaking in the adult tub......mmmmmm! All 4 kids slept in the guest room - 2 to a bed - Jutta slept on the window seat and Mary Lois slept in the recliner....her favourite place. Full house, but lots of fun and laughter. Alex and Ursula head back to Indonesia soon - see you again next year!!
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Bluebird Riding Camp









On the last day of camp, the kids decorate their horses, and each one parades out in whatever costume they dream up.








Jutta, Jonah, and cousins Alexandra and Ursula came up to watch the parade and stay overnight at our place.












Here the girls are waiting for Vanessa to come out of the barn with her horse.......












Most of the girls did princess, wedding or Hawaii themes, but our little tom girl decided she would be a gold prospector, so donned a pick, old clothes - even a beard - to make her look authentic.









All the kids paraded around and then stood in a row for photo ops and for parents and family to come see them.











Our little prospector......!

















After the parade, the kids put their horses back in their stalls and came back outside to receive their certificates and trophies.











Alex, Jutta, Ursula and Jonah examine all her treasures.
















She was so happy that we were all there - including Mary Lois all the way from Victoria!!!
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