working it, meeting, and committee

1 A quiet day of working on the photography business means a lot gets done. Note to self: trust your instincts and avoid extra work!
2 The meeting with the community radio station is informative and lively. There are a few 'characters' that need reigning in, and the facilitator does a good job of that. No hard feelings and we get to move on to new topics.
3 As is usual when there are issues being addressed, there are committees that need to be formed. The Engagement and Membership Committee is the latest to be formed. This was an idea that Mr P really wanted brought forward. We meet this week and will see how much time and effort this group is willing to put in. 

worth watching, storm, and regardless

1 The Secret of Happiness - An Experiment in Gratitude I stumbled on this today and loved it. Seriously, you get what you give. xo
2 I thought the migraine was telling me something...yup, the big storm is here! The house is rattling, trees bending, and rain coming in sheets and pounding on the skylights. The flashlights and candles are ready, wood stove is keeping me warm. Love island storms~
3 Despite my headache, I manage to peel and process a huge bin of apples yesterday. 28 jars in all shapes and sizes; 17 jars of applesauce and 11 jars of applepearsauce. 

what it is, fix my feet, and wait!

1 Saturday; productive, positive, pretty fun, primped and polished.
2 The foot soak works great. It's a combination of listerine, vinegar and water. My feet feel fabulous.
3 The rest of the yard work can wait. It's time for some book reading on the couch in front of the wood stove. Yes, it can wait.

curled up, sister, and the perfect wood

1 The cat is enjoying her cat cave that Mr P made for her last winter. She looks so cozy and warm and is totally sheltered from the wind and rain. I've got it against the wall and the opening faces a covered bbq, letting in very little or no wind. It takes a lot of calling to get her to come inside.
2 A phone call to my sister ends up lasting two and a half hours! We had a lot of catching up to do. Note to self, don't wait so long to call again.
3 The arbutus wood is perfect for night. It's a hard dense wood that burns incredibly slowly. By morning there will still be coals so it will be easy to warm up the house if it needs it.

busy bee, epic, and food

1 Holy what a busy day! It was excellent and felt so great to be outside and getting things cleaned up for fall. Lawns mowed, check. Compost turned and activator added, check. Greenhouse emptied, cleaned and scrubbed, check!
2 The epic apple battle continues.
3 After all that work what better to refill my energy than a bowl of steamy chicken vegetable soup and hot fresh bread with butter.

the four agreements

“The First Agreement: Be Impeccable with Your Word
The Second Agreement: Don’t Take Anything Personally
The Third Agreement: Don’t Make Assumptions
The Fourth Agreement: Always Do Your Best”

The more you are thankful, the more you attract things to be thankful for~

1 While he's away it's my time to get things done. The list is made and lots of things are getting crossed off. I like it when I have the time to do 'those' things that are time consuming yet need doing.
2 Knitting seasons is approaching. My yard box is calling to me, patterns seems to jump out at me online. The question is, which pattern will win?
3 The pears are still hard so they can wait.
4 D is doing well. He often is out when I call so tonight we get to catch up on things. I'm sure hoping we can get a visit with him this year. I miss him.
5 The crows are feasting on nuts from the neighbours tree. They're noisy and messy and not everyone's favourite bird. Someone shoot a gun, not sure what kind but the noise is a loud boom and for a little while at least the birds go elsewhere.
6 Betty was a good neighbour. She was elderly and ill but whenever she could she would be out walking on our quiet street with her walker and smile firmly in place. She passed recently, I'll miss her.
7 The farmers market it out of the question! Too much rain makes for a soggy venture.
8 The three of us head to the beach. Oops, did I blow it! I read the tide table wrong and we had very little beach to explore or walk on. On the flip side, we did manage to get in a good walk and had fun scrambling over logs and branches and even found an old abandoned cabin.
9 The third heron is sold. What a lovely collection they will have. I'm looking forward to seeing it all displayed in their foyer.
10 A pot of soup is in the making. The chicken carcass is in the pot and soon it'll be time for the vegetables. Fall really is the time for soup.
11 Should I make some homemade bread for myself? The answer is yes! As long as there is enough physical exercise to equalize it.
12 How great to find a nice surprise on my camera. Most of my photos were duds yesterday but this one I like. After the storm there are collections of stuff on the beach. This was my favourite.

changes, a true friend, and check in

1 The weather's changed. It just feels different outside. The winds are back and throwing leaves and branches here and there while the rains pelt down so hard that the sound echoes on the skylights.
2 The card is a sweet reminder of the friendship we share and how much we love and respect each other. I'm touched by her words and genuineness.
3 He calls to check in and we briefly share our days activities before he races off for dinner at camp. He tells me the food is incredible and healthy so he doesn't want to miss out. He never asked me but my dinner was simpler - leftovers day 3. Thankfully there is none leftover now.

three, run, planted

1 Three weeks can either go by slowly or quickly, it all depends on perspective don't you think? I'm determined to make this time productive. The white board has lists, the business has it's own list and today three things were crossed off.
2 Can you say run? What do I do when I need to let off stress or other unhelpful emotions? Run.
3 The new hydrangeas and chinese lanterns get new homes. There's fresh soil and lots of water for them. It's a spectacular sunny day so they're planted on the perfect day.

time, juice, and inside the brain

1 And so it goes that we are thankful for the time we do spend together. It's never long enough but it is always exactly what we need.
2 The apple trees are slowly getting picked and processed. I am considering using the big juicer to make apple juice/cider. Does anyone have suggestions on this? Thanks!
3 He's inside his head. As he gets himself ready for leaving he's going through his lists in his head, on his desk and packing and repacking. He's trying to be present but he's so focused on what he is doing and will be doing for the next few weeks that he's already left...just a bit.

time's up, gardening, and do it again

1 He's sipping his morning tea at his computer desk reading the morning news and the phone rings. As soon as he says, 'Hi John', I know he's going back to work. He leaves Thursday.
2 The gardens are cleaned up except for some blackberry plants that need pulling out and one small bed. Hopefully tomorrow we can get the hydrangeas planted and small veggies need their soil replaced with better soil.
3 We work slowly but methodically and soon we have a rhythm. Rake, shovel, wheelbarrow, rake, shovel, wheelbarrow, dump out into truck, repeat.

more tree stories, not a scratch, and no energy left

1 Mondays can be a challenge especially when the weather is turning colder and we want to be inside cozy and warm. But we rise to the occasion and head outside to get the pine needles and rogue branches cleaned up from our last tree cutting adventure. hmmm Mr P arrives without a rake and with the big chainsaw, safety climbing gear, earmuff and two ladders. Does this mean what I think it means? Yes it does and we take out another tree and prune many more.
2 I'm injury free! One big branch grazes my head but I have my hood on so it slides off nicely and I barely feel a thing.
3 We're so tired that we eat snacks for dinner. We'd been working from 10:30am with a short lunch break and finished just before 7pm. Now that's a long day.

market time, selection, and maze of roads, G

1 The farmer's market is busy with vendors, customers, children running and playing, dogs sniffing, bees buzzing and clouds hovering overhead.
2 Before we know it our bag is full of goodies like gluten free breads, licorice, corn on the cob (just picked this morning we are told), a jar of mixed nut butters, and two types of sausages.
3 The road that takes us back to the freeway is in the other direction so we decide to take a tour of the area before we head back. There are some gorgeous homes on the waterfront, little shacks, long driveways that hide houses and even a marina at the end of one road that says, no exit.
4 I miss my friend and hope all is well. I have a call in the morning at 10 but will try her after that.

growing up, food for thought, and date

1 Our community has been experiencing growing pains over urban agriculture. A dispute has brought this to the forefront about three years ago and it's turned into a community issue that's morphed into bylaws and regulations. What should be so simple is so big that the council is bringing in consultants and resource people to try to mitigate further damage and to work to create the necessary or unnecessary paperwork.
2 The Harvest Market is the first one that has happened in Nanaimo. There is food, music, vendors but the bulk of the tables are displaying information on food, growing food, food protests, food unions, food community gardens and even a food society that teaches people how to cook.
3 I notice a friend of mine sitting in the audience with an older gentleman watching the fiddlers play. She gets up and as she passes me she smiles this knowing smile and I realize she's on a date! No words, just a nod and a smile. She's excited!

more, one, and looking up

1 More dead branches and one more tree get removed today. The yard still needs cleaning up but Mr P managed to get one truck and one trailer to the dump. He goes out later and cleans the rest of it up minus some minor raking we have to do. So grateful.
2 Only a bruise on one knee....thinks are looking up!
3 A good long soak and a cup of tea makes the world look right side up again.

frog feasting, frog talk, what's that you say?, and oh dear

1 A productive morning with my coach. It's fun to go back to some ideas from a few months ago. One great saying is Eat the Frog. It means doing what is most unpleasant first so that you can cross it off of your list and focus on the good stuff. Lots of frog feasting gonna be going on next week!
2 The wee tree frogs make big sounds.They call back and forth to each other from the hot tub to the forest to the little spot by the front water feature. We are surrounded and serenaded.
3 The trees need to be taken care of. We prune, well he does and I instruct and advise where and how much. Some of my words he heeds and others fall on deaf ears. Okay so he had ear muffs on for noise control but still, I had my say.
4 Have I ever told you that I'm accident prone? My job is to hold the rope that is tied to the tree and make sure that they fall in the right direction. hmmmm What could go wrong? Well, I was a little excited to get this big mama down and in my excitement I stepped backwards and tripped on some branches and logs behind me. I couldn't see the where the tree was falling so I got up pretty fast! Okay I'm not moving so fast now, and my ego is as bruised as my body, but I'm alive and still accident prone!

fingertips, apples, skyview

1 Extra large cinnamon buns with whipped cream cheese icing  are our afternoon snacks. Soon we are licking our fingers and lips  and moaning of it's goodness, sweetness and how full we are.
2 The apples are ready. Each morning there are more on the ground. I wonder if it's the apples coming down on their own or there is a little 'creature' helping. I guess I can't procrastinate picking the lovelies any longer. Applesauce, apple pie, apple crumble and just apple pieces will all be made and frozen.
3 The moon is missing. It's spooky but serene in the darkness. Just a sky of stars for light tonight.

a good start, do it, and combo

1 What a way to start the day! We go for a walk/run then once we're rested a bit we nosh on poached eggs on toast with tea.
2 The gardens are calling. Please weed me, please cut me, please water me. I obey. Five hours of yardwork with more to be done.
3 Okay, I don't really obey totally but the bulk of it is done. Tomorrow we finish the gardens and move onto chainsaws and applesauce. Interesting combination isn't it?

what they did, hikes, and coming soon!

1 Another visit from Mr P's nephew and his girlfriend today. Eddy and Jenny drop off our truck, we feed them a delicious meal of salad and seafood and soup then drop them at the airport. Brief but fun, they tell us tales of the wedding they attended , (with some shenanigans included), and about their hike up Mount Arrowsmith.
2 Imagine doing a vertical hike up a steep mountain face in four hours! We see the map and decide we will do a lower less stressful route. It's on our list of 'hikes to do.'
3 G and I have a coffee/tea date this morning. It will be so great having a real visit and that's coming up next month! yay!

market, friend, and gone but not forgotten

1 The Cedar Farmer's Market has a great vibe to it. Over 50 vendors with everything from vegetables and fruit, baking, oils, honey, foods, jewelry and more. Our purchases were plums, gluten free bread, and gluten free peanut butter cookies. My fave? Plums
2 He thoroughly enjoys the peach jam that my blogger friend sent as a pay it forward. Big thank you again to L for the delicious treat.
3 I'm reminded of the love that I shared with my parents. It wasn't perfect but it was perfect in the moment and perfect for us. Missing them both this day but knowing they are in a better place and together. xo

kites, say it, and Mrs Crankypants

1 A Chinese Moon Festival took place this afternoon and we had a chance to see bits and pieces of it. My first time flying a kite! Loved it~ I think this is something we might have fun doing on the off season at the beach.

2 Reading status updates on facebook sometimes is like doing a crossword puzzle. People seem to post half of what they mean, or a full on curiosity or sometimes it's just plain confusing. There's something decent about the quote, 'Say what you mean, and mean what you say.'

3 I'm not meaning to be cranky but it's obvious that I am. He takes it in stride and asks, 'So how're you feeling now?', then chuckles as he sees the scowl on my face. Hard not to laugh at that.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

1 I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. When a cluster migraine hits, it's often accompanied by an assortment of aches and pains and is the type of headache that will ease then return with a vengence for days. Today it is day three and milder but still there. Here's hoping that day four is pain free.
2 We have visitors on Thursday and Friday and through it all I managed to stay vertical and visit. Our nephew and his girlfriend are on the island for a wedding this Saturday and plans change for them so they spend the day with us. We take a quick trip to Coombs,  pick up some meats at a roadside cottage,and finally drive along oceanside before heading home in the early evening.
3 There is a plan in the works for Monday. The three of them will do a six hour hike up Mount Arrowsmith. It's a bit, okay it's a lot too strenuous for me so I'll be home creating a nice seafood feast for them when they return. I'll get the hot tub ready for Mr P!

disorderly conduct, new from old, and the price we pay

1 The local community radio station is in chaos. We take a drive to the station to see what we can find out and find the police there. It's all a civil matter so the police are not involved and don't want to be involved. Russ talks to one camp and I talk to the other. We both tell them the same thing. Open, transparent dialogue will bring emotions down and help both sides to see what is really happening.
2 Making a new friend on Facebook through an old friend in the Kootenays. Turns out we have many of the same friends and her partner is step dad to our youngest sons best friend! So looking forward to getting to know her and her partner finally!
3 The cookies are worth every bite! Tomorrow we RUN longer, faster, harder!

sneaking in, naptime, and mother nature

1 B takes three of us on a jaunt to Wallace Point which is on the naval base in Nanoose Bay. We walk up a lovely pathway that leads to the barb wired fencing that says no trespassing but we aren't deterred by that and it appears many others aren't either judging by the well worn pathway. We climb the hill, and around the fence and soon we are weaving our way to the tip of the point for some spectacular views of the ocean and little islands.

2 We both nap after we get home. Mr P sleeps almost 3 hours and is headache free when he wakes. Meantime I've had a quicker nap and have tea and pizza ready for him.
3 It's hard to believe that this old cat can still hunt but darn if she doesn't have yet another squirrel. Seriously though, they sit up in the tree and taunt her for hours on end. I suppose it's what nature looks like.

good advice, two, and two

1 A friend uses one of my photos for her Facebook cover. I haven't seen her online for a while so it was rather surprising. She encourages me to enter contests and advertise the business.
2 Dinner combo for two. Delicious Japanese food for two people who had great intentions of doing lots and ended up doing more nothing.
3 Two frogs are on the edge of the hot tub. One is brown and the other is green. They don't like the sound of the camera and quickly head away from me avoiding getting their photos taken. One takes a swim and needs to be rescued while the other hoofs it, rather hops it outta there.