Garbage Bin Changes

I've been asked to pass on this information by Linda Garfoot.
It concerns our garbage disposal.

NOOOOOOOO!!!!

This is what our waste container looked like last week.  

This week it is the same.  

Management has brought a new RECYCLE bin in for us.  It is located across and a little up from this location and is labled ( currently) as cardboard only.  Well, that is a mislabel and will be rectified, but needs to be used for the express purpose of RECYCLING. 

I took notes and the following should go into the RECYCLE bin:

WASHED 

plastic jugs, etc., clam shells used for sweets,tin cans,tetra packs, plastic pop and water containers , aluminum pop cans

FLATTENED (more room made) cardboard, newspaper and protection materials from packing.

 The only thing NOT to put in is GLASS.

Grass, tree and garden waste should be taken to the top level of the park (above the Post site) for disposal.  If there are weeds like thistle be sure to dry them out so they will burn and not spread more seed.  We will have a thistle problem ( also broom, yellow iris and English ivy) if we are not very diligent.

Only kitchen waste and glass are to go in the regular garbage. No furniture or electrical appliances, etc.  These can be taken to one of two sites that are free to the public.  One, near Duncan at  Drinkwater Rd. and one between here and Ladysmith on the highway.

  I put  the information here :     http://cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=360

We've all wanted this for a LONG time and we need to use it as intended.  Don't be lazy.  Wash the containers ( less smell for Bears) and flatten the cardboard!

I'm sure most of you have walked over to the Dog Park.  Bill, Myself, Marjean and Jane have been looking after emptying it every Saturday.  I got bags from Linda, as I don't feel we should have to do everything!  When it's your turn, please get a bag from me!

Have a great summer all!

Leslie

MATTERS OF SEASONAL INTEREST

I'd like to invite everyone of our friends here at Chemainus Gardens, long time and new, to join Charles and I at the first opening of the Wednesday Chemainus Farmers Market in the Waterwheel park tomorrow, May 28th.  We'd love to see you there and introduce you to this great venue ( for your own things) and to tell us what you think of what we are doing!  We have our booth for the summer and will be there with Skipper ( in the RV).


This is for those of you who love roses like I do!  I found online a great ( and again it works) solution for powdery mildew.


http://www.growingformarket.com/articles/powdery-mildew-solutions


I was given a rose that had been on a balcony and had powdery mildew on it big time.  It was givento be placed in our little church garden ( St. Michaels All Angels in Chemainus) as a memorial for a beloved husband.  I was dismayed at the extent of damage already incurred, but went online and found the above address.  I thought others would like to try it when the weather gets the roses and the mildew sets in.  I use the 90%water  to10% milk solution with great effect.  You can check out the rose I thought was toast if you are in the Willow Street Cafe having coffee, as Phil Mavis and myself put the mutual garden together this winter.

 Just cuts costs!!  most the solutions don't work that well, and this one for sure does.

Though    BOBBEX  is a great deer deterrent Agnes and Brian bought another one from LEE VALLEY that works longer called  PLANTSKYDD    It lasts through the winter without reapplication and has rave reviews.  I bought some, though I am waiting to apply it.  It has no noticeable smell either!!  It is 100% natural and doesn't hurt animals at all.


Rhododendron and azalea information is at this site:

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/treesshrubs/a/rhodo_azaleas_4.htm


When I first came I had to learn a whole new way of doing gardening, but after 3 years experience, I am finding a lot of joy in doing my own pruning and fertilizing.  The Gardens do not provide this service, neither was it promised.  Just the "main" front area.  I like to care for my own, as I notice most of us do!

Today ( Tuesday) I was delighted to find the gardening crew had begun to clear the pond to look like we left it last year.  I have no problem raking and stuff, but the weedeater is just too heavy for my shoulder.  So these kids ( good cheerful attitudes, too!) started wacking, I joined in with Rick and we raked up the leavings so they wouldn't clutter up the pond.  Now I can see the single white waterlily pads that are across the pond in my view.  Kudos to Management!!

We had the get together last night at Honeymoon Point.  It was really fun and many attended...we got to welcome Heather and Richard who have just moved in and Karen, too.  It's so nice to meet new people!
 Got a note from John and Susan, who had planned to attend, saying it was raining there and then sunny and then rain and they couldn't make up their minds whether it had been cancelled ( weather permitting was the caveat )  I gave them Charles' number to check on the weather HERE next time!  Hope to see them soon, though.

Heather and Richard far right

Here comes Trouble!

Linda and Kelly congratulate Bruce on his birthday ( NOT)

All set for the wieners!

We had a great time of fun.  We'll do it again!

MORE MAY MUESINGS

What a busy month!  The ducklings are in various stages of growth and they are so adorable!

I get a kick out of the male ducks protecting their families as they learn to cross the road or get into the ponds quickly.  They run after anything that gets near and the mothers loudly quack away as the babies run for cover.

 I posted a paper last year about the feeding of the ducks. At one time only one man was to feed the ducks.  Now we all can, but lets try to be responsible and feed them food that is GOOD for them and not harm them with stuff we just want out of our cupboards.

http://birding.about.com/od/birdfeeders/feedingducksbread.htm

On this page the subject is halfway down the page and is an excellent explanation of how duck systems work and how we can help them grow healthy and happy. It's good reading!

We have some wonderful news also:  Danny and Gail (nee Evans) were married on Wednesday the 21st! 
 I heard children laughing and playing down the pond and took my camera to record the activities!

Permission was given to post these photos for the Community

Gail's dress was so pretty and the whole family was very happy!
We all wish them a happy life together and look foreward to a meet and greet time as soon as possible.



Weather permitting, on Monday, May 26, we have our 1st Spring get together and campfire at Honeymoon Point. It is planned for 5:00 and  this time we are asked to bring our own food and plates, cutlery, cups or glasses.  B.Y.O.B. or other drink too. 
And just a reminder : a chair is great to sit in!   Hope we have good weather!!
Please leave pets at home.

Larry Duckworth has also posted a get together for June 7 please look on the board near our mail boxes for time and date. I am not sure whether it is at his site or some other. He is asking for RSVP, as he is providing the Corn.

Because it is such short notice on the Get together, I wanted to post this right away.  Hope everyone is enjoying the Spring!

BEAUTIFUL APRIL

Isn't it beautiful living in the Canadian equivalent of Hawaii??

Everyone has been busy cleaning up yards and taking down and putting up new things.  The air is fresh and clean with the fragrance of the Earth.  Truly New Beginnings!

Karen has published her book:  No Flour, No Sugar, No Salt:  NO PROBLEM.  I have a copy at $20.00 if anyone would like to purchase it before Karen gets home. See me at my house, # 336.

Susan Schultz and John Edmonson  have moved back to Nanaimo and have been missed here with Koa.  It looks like a sale of the unit they were in could happen soon, but if not then Dorothy should be back in the summer.  My very best wishes to John and Susan... maybe Koa just couldn't stand Skippers' attitude anymore.  Hope not!! I mean it was pretty unreasonable, a tiny little barker like him going at Koa!  I used to think Koa was laughing at him with that big happy "grin" of his! 

I wanted to pass on a recipe that I got from a FaceBook that I tried with great results.  I did not use apple cider vinegar, just plain white.  This interesting recipe for weed control ( for pathways and graveled areas like driveways) beats everything on the market. 
    Please let it be known that it is entirely pet friendly and NOT like Roundup!!  I've tried it out in front of my place and it worked overnight.  Saves me the backwork of picking out green weed and grasses.  One word, though, do NOT use it on your lawn!!!! It does work on clover, but it works on grass, too.

My best to everyone, as usual!


Here is the Recipe:

Dandelion Season ==>> NON-toxic Weed Killer Recipe ==>> Good to use in yards with Pets & Children roaming around!

1/2 gallon of Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 c table salt
1/2 tsp Dawn liquid dish soap

Mix above ingredients in a spray bottle.
Spray weeds thoroughly.

1/2 gallon for around $6.40
Works better than Round Up - kills weeds on 1st application.

The Dawn dish soap strips the weed of its protective oils so the vinegar can work with deadly force. Safe for use in yards used by children and pets!!

MARCH..Between the Lion and Lamb

Many happenings this month around the Pond and reaching to other Ponds!!

Waterlily Pond walkway has needed attention for a couple of years, so I have pruned and raked out many of the flowering plants that have been choked under years of neglect.  The bamboo, after the snow, had so bent and cracked that some much needed pruning was done there.  If anyone wants bamboo stakes, I have piled them beside the path for use. Feel free to take some! Just to reassure anyone wondering, I consulted with a horticulturalist and brought her here to look at the bamboo.  Originally it was planted just in certain spots, but it travels underground and she assures me you CANNOT kill it, only tame it with pruning to make it fit the landscape.

./

  

 Many new Park Model homes have come in and are being set up.  Loudly, I might add!  Sometimes the music can be heard up to the top of the Gardens.  Not really restful, but...what can you do??
  Whenever we've had sunny days most are out with rakes getting the winter out of the yard ( no snow around, though). 








Karen Kimmerly has finally got her new cookbook to press and here is her "press release"....

Chemainus Resident  publishes book of  flour-free,salt-free, sugar-free recipes!!!


March is nutrition month and the name of Karen Kimmerly's book pretty much says it all :

No flour, No sugar, No salt.....No Problem!!!

easy as 123 recipes is packed with simple, easy to make, delicious recipes that will help you replace empty calories with healthy nutrient rich meals.

You'll find recipes like   THAI SPICED PUMPKIN SOUP,  CHICKEN MARBELLA,  and my Go to Company dessert 
FLOUR-LESS CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE , says Karen Kimmerly, a retired Medical Laboratory Technologist.   Kimmerly's motivation for publishing her recipes is to share her efforts in fusing good tasty food with the wish to be the healthiest she can be.

 The book retails for $20.00 plus shipping costs.  To order the book or connect with the author:  karenkimmerly@gmail.com

Karen anticipates a book launching when she gets all the books in, so look out for an announcement for  it here when she organizes it.



The dog park is usable.  Skipper and Charlie and "the other" Charlie played about, though most were happy to go free through the "woods".  

The can is usually fairly full.  We managed to get the first one to the dumpster, but it was really too heavy.  Half bags would be better. So far Marjean and Lyle have done it, so we need volunteers ( with dogs that use it) to come on Thursdays to help Lyle get it emptied.
Please let me know if you can help.

Chris Marsh has a new website up.  It is : christophermarshphotography.com

I've checked it out.  If you like good photography, you should too!


So far that's it.  Hope the "away from home" people are doing well and looking foreward to all the changes that have come since they've been away! ( Dave and Jane this means YOU!!) We are all looking foreward to seeing you with the good weather!


Leslie

FEBRUARY SHOCKER

Tell me we weren't all SHOCKED at the amount of snow that fell last weekend!! 

When I woke at 4:00 a.m. to watch the hockey game ( in order to go to church and not wonder what was HAPPENING! or, worse, have someone tell me what DID) it was dark.  After whooping it up upon the close of the game, I was ready to take Skipper out for his morning pressure relief before breakfast and opened the curtains......I closed them again!!

Just a little snow....

Removed in no time....

1. 

But it kept coming down....and down....and down....Monday, Tuesday....finally it stopped. 

Broken trees, especially the willow on Laughing Pond..... but even the upper area was loaded and some broken...

Tuesday it got a little better, but all of it did not go....

 Lanes were clogged, not much was removed, because there is just too much!  I took a walk in the "new section" with Skipper yesterday and was knee deep trying to go completely around!  Sure did remind me of Smithers....
The good news is that Smithers is - 25 and we were +7.....a little to be grateful for!!
 I hope everyone had a good "snow holiday"...I used the time to get caught up on some desk work.  
 Hope all you in the South are suitably impressed with what is going on here....DO NOT  be smug!!  I believe this happened because we sent far too many green and sunny photos out to our friends and family and they all thought DARK THOUGHTS at us....do not be tempted to do the same!! Just joking, of course!

At the Bistro on Tuesday Karen Kimmerly was telling us about a new book she's looking to publish soon.  It is a Healthy cookbook and if you've ever sampled her recipes ( at Christmas or potlucks) you'll know that she is an expert in her field, because everything that is good for you TASTES good! So watch this site for availability. 

   Hope you all have a happy day.  I certainly intend to!

LOTS GOING ON

Last time I wrote there was enough going on, but now it's really booming and things are getting done!

First off, we had the Epicure party with Lynn and it was a great get together.  She had a whole table of sample dips and fruit, cheese, crackers....if you weren't able to come, you missed a lot.  Maybe next time!

MarJean was the winner of the free Hostess gift!   

Then we saw the big earth movers come in and ( hurrah) the Butterfly Pond now has a path for dog owners and walkers to enjoy the looks from that area while taking poochie to the dog park!

Recently we had visitors whose kids thought it fun to take the stone work that Linda Cleft  had put around the garden area near Jane and Dave's place  and chuck them as far as possible onto the ice.  I'm afraid I was angry and shouted at them to stop, as I was busy pruning both bamboo and blackberry canes further down the pond.  They ignored me and continued, until I made to go over and put an end to their inconsiderate actions. They ran off. They were teen girls, I believe.
   Next day I scared some of John and Susan's guests by emerging from the blackberry thicket where I was pruning because I had my pruning clippers and a claw rake one to each side and Susan's poor guests thought I was coming after them with a bow and arrow because the little boy was playing at the ponds' edge.  They were quickly reassured!!  

  With the first scenario  in mind,however,  could we all keep and eye on our visitors?  It is such a lot of work to maintain the Gardens for Linda and she has put a lot of "back work" into putting the various paths in for us!

 I asked John Kelly about bins for dog refuse.  There should be some forthcoming.  Too many bags are being tossed into the forested area on the road over the bridge.  It is unsightly and rude to do, but SOMEONE  is doing it.  Hopefully it is visitors, and not our own people!  With dog pickups it should get better.

So that's all for now...any news beyond my small observations would be welcome!