MARCH and APRIL MUSEINGS

View from Our Porch 

Springtime beauty is never far away from our Garden setting!  Whether we've been here since the beginning or just arrived, we all enjoy our good fortune in coming to this lovely spot!

The Spring this year is about 2 1/2 weeks later than in past years.  It has been raining almost like November with no end in sight!

I thought some would be interested in seeing some old photos from when we first came to the Gardens ourselves in July 2011. You will recognize some areas, but others are no longer there. This particular place was cleared for Phase 2...it became the road through phase 2 and up the hill.

 

 We stayed for 3 nights, met Jane and Dave Hobson, who had just moved from Powell River and relocated here and assured us they were happy as clams!  They were extremely helpful to us, as we had a LOT to do in order to come down from Smithers! 

 
 

We enjoyed the large Koi that came to the waters edge.. Hank was also here, dipping down to try and catch a meal! I remember Jane telling me that I'd better keep an eye out overhead because though beautiful to look at, Hank carried a Pile of Stuff that he dropped indiscriminately on anything below!!

After moving in in early November (finally...it was cold!) we had our first visit from our daughter and family. This photo was taken where a road ran in front of this spot but became the place where Sharon and Carlo live.

These little orchid like flowers used to be in abundance throughout the forested area that we now live in.  They are original specimens

that used to grow near the Waterlily Pond when I first arrived in July 2011. After the great pushing over and burning of the trees in phase 2 I realized that some of the original Island flora and fauna would probably not make it so I went into the forest and dug out a few specimens to replant and try to save.  It worked beautifully!  They are the first Spring flower that is Island indigenous that blooms...though more exotic plants that thrive well also come, this is a fairly rare original plant. Maureen ( lives near the back entrance in the only RV in the area) showed them to me when I first arrived and identified them with her knowledge of Island plants ... 

First planted 2013

Because I wanted others to see them too I planted them in my garden area nearest the Laughing Pond.  They're in bloom right now if you'd like a peek....Please do not disturb the area, but you are welcome to look! They are planted behind the trees in both these photos.The second photo was taken in 2013 when I planted the garden there. If you look at the size of the plants planted then and what they look like now, you'll get an idea of how quickly the plants grow here!

Since I last wrote Phase 6 has been exploding with the sound of chain saws and trucks, while Phase 5 is moving heaven and earth to accommodate those who are coming into the area. I must say, I'm not keeping up very well with the influx... my brain gets addled trying to keep people and pets straight!!

 Again I was saddened with the felling of all the luxurious forested areas of the Park.  100 year old trees bleeding their fragrance out while dying has an emotional response in my heart....

I've never been quite as upset with tree felling before I came here!  I also know that you can't leave these trees to stand alone or they will fall, so it is with a heavy heart I see and smell what at this point looks like carnage!

So many memories of camping with our kids in these woods..of friends who lived in their 5th wheels and walked daily up to "snob hill"! that was just a joke, as we all loved wherever we lived. I am very pleased with the sections of trees that will remain looking beautiful for newcomers.  Some will not make it for sure, as the roots have been totally disturbed, but some will and hopefully will retain the flavour of the Gardens.

 

 For those of you who are seeing the 3rd incarnation of our Garden area...this is not what it will be!

Diana pours the drinks..

Saying goodbye is hard...

Hilde, Donna and Lois!

  

We had a going away get together for Linda Dawson, who sold her home and took Jinks away to Edmonton!  She will be back to visit, but we miss her quick smiles and darling pet!

The following week Agnes Aaberg and Liz, her sister, held a class on making sauerkraut.  I decided to try it, as did several others. We had a great time with a very good instructor who was prepared with everything we needed to begin. 

 
 Listening and watching is the best way to learn a new skill.  Though I had made it in the past myself, I learned how to effectively help my skills by adding things I'd never imagined in order to make the kraut taste very flavorful and add benefits to eating it.  I found adding GINGER and GARLIC as well as beets and carrots made a beautiful pink kraut and it tasted yummy!!

Diane and Barb imitate...

Agnes has a grateful bunch!

And now the homes are rolling into Phase 5 and dump trucks and  gravel trucks come with them. 

 

 Though it is rainy most the time this past month, the work goes on as quickly as possible!  Homes are being placed and people are moving in even without some amenities... 

Barry and Karen Kimmerly also moved out of the Community on April 1.  Before she left I told her I'd post an "ad" for her Cookbook.  I know it's on the GARDEN VOICE, but I'll post it here too..


Cook Book

Want to be healthier but don't know where to start?

I read something the other day about ensuring our children never hear the word 'diet' again. Why give one word so much power? I am on a diet, you are on a diet, we all are on a diet. How can I be so sure? Because a 'diet' isn't something you go off of, like a prescription. A diet is what you eat, day in and day out, whether you plan to eat that way or not. So when people ask me what kind of 'diet' I follow, I always tell them I follow the one I am already on... the way I like to eat is the way I want to eat. The fact that I feel better than I have felt in years only serves to tell me that I am on the right 'diet. If you would like to buy my cook book ($20) which contains 123 healthy, gluten- free, processed sugar-free and added salt-free kitchen tested recipes contact me: karenkimmerly@gmail.com 

Here's to a happy, healthy Spring!

Cheers!

Leslie