Monday, September 24, 2018

SUMMERTIME TURNS TO FALL





                                                                      REMEMBER  SUMMER?



Laughing Pond



Rick
Gil, Dick, Irene
Cathy and Dorothy















After our Regatta a big all inclusive birthday party for a special couple of our first Residents was thrown by Diane Lenihan 
( Rick) and Maureen Minaker (Dennis)!  Rick greeted me at the door when I arrived with Charlie.  Many nearby neighbors were already relaxing in the shade of the gazebo....including our oldest continuous residents, Dick and Irene Stanton.  Gil and Dorothy were there,  as well as Cathy Trollip.


Gail, Linda (visiting) Maureen
Charlie, Corina, Trevor






  On the setting up side, more shade had to be provided in order for everyone to be comfortable so Corina and Trevor along with Charlie set up another pavilion for guests



 As usual the decor was so very pretty and drinks and cups etc provided. The drinks were ice cold and were very refreshing under a blazing sun!

We could choose from a variety of drinks, including refreshers and beer... No one went away thirsty.







 Because everyone was invited we met a few new homeowners, but not a lot.  I know it takes awhile to really join the Community when you first arrive, but do take the time and trouble!  It is invariably fun and you always find a group that suits your taste....from there it could lead to weekly meetups or coffee in town together, walking or riding with a person just as interested as yourself



 
Donna, Dorothy, Cathy
Wanda chats with Elaine and Tony with Hettie

                                                            


Kirk, Gavin, Dennis









Corina!



















 Then came the cake!  It was just beautiful, as you can see






Birthday boys in action....

Diana is toasted for her cutting up the cake


Sharon, Elaine and Dorothy

Kelly, Jim and Jeanne
 Everyone had a lot of fun and it was good to gather where the sun was warm and friends were surrounding you.


Garden news:

 
Fresh from the berry bed..


tiny peeper frog
As the sun rises in August

cukes and strawberries .. fresh!

Some of you met me in the garden compound on early mornings in August as I weeded through the garden and did needed clipping and planting.  Whenever I could I would get up BEFORE the work crews arrived to work on stage 5 and 6 in order to enjoy the peace of the morning.
Many mornings I met the local rabbits looking to get in and failing, so lippy lipping about finding lots in the surrounds near the pond and footpath.  This picture was so cute, as this bunny had diligently searched for some hole in the fence, and, not finding it, looking about for another place to raid!







 Flickers punctuated the morning air with their tapping sound while doves cooed softly...
I've learned that doves are usually closer than you might imagine when you hear them... !
I personally enjoy the very early hours of the day and I was happy to greet many of you while I was getting ready to weed.  It was a big job, as this years tiny weeds are next years alder grove!  By taking a section at a time I managed to keep the area ( except inside the greenhouse) pretty weed free.  Others in the Garden Club also joined in, pulling around their own beds.  It looks very nice, though now harvest is upon us! There were many donations of plants for future years:
thornless blackberries, raspberries and blueberries in particular. The blackberries were tasty and a delight to pick.... Though the strawberries were privately cultivated, I now know exactly how to get the BIG berries! Some of my "rescue plants" now have a place in the compound, as some of the roses from St. Michaels Church, where I'm the gardener, were not able to grow due to more deer activity in town.  So they got potted up for the gardeners to see and enjoy as they work!


 And now the latest from September

This is what the Work Yard now looks like...very different from previous years!


Now begins the paving of phase 5, much to the delight of residents there!  It's tough to live in a construction zone and with the dry weather this summer, it was VERY dusty.
 Trust me that we've all lived through it, some more than others, but all experienced before moving in!
Diana Groves' new home!
Making a house a home....


and doesn't it look great to see paved driveways?



dredging the Butterfly Pond

Second house arrival in phase 6



What a view in about a year!

Butterfly Pond, cleared of debris of years




New library center Pat welcomes new neighbors
Meet a few of your new neighbors!  At a Meet and Greet in the Pavilion on Sunday afternoon we gathered to meet new neighbors and welcome them, as well as friends that we're making as we walk dogs, hike or work in town



Bob and M

Maureen,  , Esther and Bev


Bonnie, Corina and Trevor

Ken

Erv and Lorna

Linda and Wendy greet new neighbor


Always a lovely display of baked goods and salty snacks

Dennis and Charlie


Donna with Pat, Shelley and Lorraine


Chris and Corina, Trevor and  Colin with Koleen, Erv and Lorna

?, Lena, ?, Heather and  Elaine 

 Now we'll continue to meet others and share the beauty of our Garden Home....


Cheers!
Walking home after a great meet and greet...












JULY AND AUGUST the dog days of summer...

 By July the garden at Chemainus Garden was in full swing.  New beds were constructed that weren't claimed. Many pros...