We were beautifully snowed in for Christmas this year--but Nana and Grandad caught the slow boat over to Bowen, our friend Jon trekked over to our end of the Island from Bluewater, and Santa made it down the chimney nonetheless; his reindeer even ate the carrot from our Snowman's nose (must have been when Tycho wasn't looking)!
Janie led Adam, Aidan, and Lach in a wonderful recital of a variety of traditional, seasonal, and modern music this Sunday afternoon. This was our pre-Christmas visit with Jane and Merlyn, replete with festive libations, before their visit to Pete and family in Merrye Olde Englande for a month.
Miranda's dear chum (and fellow fashionista) Jada is off to the land of Oz next week, so these girls (a.k.a. cheetah and leopard) had a fabulous playtime and lunch at the Snug cafe before a tearful farewell. Meanwhile, Steve and I are envying Richard and Anne's upcoming six weeks of Australian summer: surf, sand, and even (home of the popular children's show heroes) Wiggle World!
As the fall sailing season draws fast to a close--
Miranda was (wait for it) a princess, and we had the usual complement of trick-or-treaters on Friday. Saturday we spent recovering (and fighting off the flu!)...Sunday was Granddad's birthday, so we had the cousins over from Vancouver to celebrate. Now, it's just starting to sink in: November! In the forecast: fewer rays; cloudy phase; rainy days; wood-stove's blaze; vacant gaze; time to laze...must...wake...up!
Miranda's school chum Jemima and family hosted a wonderful soiree, replete with costumes, pumpkin carving, a huge bonfire, and a yummy al fresco dinner (first time ever hot dogs for M!) Nothing like putting a bunch of preschoolers around a roaring fire, equipped with long, sharp sticks and dressed in flammable costumes! The great thing is, after a few drinks, you don't worry so much...
Sunny days are fewer and farther between as we head into the autumn, but we've settled nicely into a weekly routine. Miranda is "at school" 9AM-3PM each day, and I've been making a habit of walking her to and from, as time and weather permit. This allows me several uninterrupted hours of time to work on my online courses each day (supplemented by a few late nights after she's gone to sleep!), with plenty of time for fun, after-school and on weekends: playdates with Ellie (see also: Hurricaine Ellie post) are a favourite for both of us when I get to play Scrabble with Ellie's dad! (Gil, I'm serving notice of a revenge match)! :D
Yes! I made it in for a long-awaited dip at my favourite Cates Bay beach! Here we are en route down the path to what is, in my view, the best swimming on (or, more accurately, off) Bowen. Nana Lorna (whom we welcomed home from Halifax this weekend) and Miranda ably and nobly lifeguarded while I paddled around blissfully for a numbing and beautiful quarter-hour, accompanied by a few other hardy souls who had the same idea. Nothing like making a splash as the summer wanes into autumn...probably the last time of the season for me! "Summer's Lease" all too brief, as usual...
We lured the Dives family back to our place for fun & frolic after the Deep Bay Block Party, the neighbourhood's annual farewell to summertime. Now it's time for school to start, for the sunlight to change (although not to rain, so far!), for looking back and looking forward. Regrets? Yes, a few. Didn't make it to the East Coast this summer; didn't swim at my favourite beach here on the Island (Cates Bay); didn't read my favourite seasonal novel ("Summer's Lease" by John Mortimer)...Hey, that's not too long a list, after all! I'm going to give myself until September 21st for those last two!
...And we mean that in the nicest possible way! Miranda's "best friend" Ellie came over for a play date, to the delight and amusement of all. The girls had a fabulous game of dress up (everything from princesses to elephants) and managed to empty the entire toy box in record time. Then it was down to the rocket ship and the Bunny Club (located on either side of the driveway, part way down: imagination is required), and a tearful goodbye, with promises to meet up again at the Community Daycare they both attend on weekdays.
Steve's Mom arrived safely from Ottawa, and was soon pressed into service as a craftsmaster with Miranda. Here, they are assembling colourful collages from a kit Nanny brought with her; later, the paints and markers came out for further projects. By coincidence, Nana Lorna (who left for Halifax recently, to visit Uncle Andy and family) is away until the day after Carol leaves, so Miranda is virtually never sans Nanny!
Here we are (Steve behind the camera!) in the deep woods--a mossy, magical, mystical place just moments away from the endless sands at Tlell (where Steve was the pied piper of the sea!)... It was hard to say goodbye, and we all drank from the legendary St. Mary's Spring, the legend being that those who do so will always return to the Islands. 
En route to the Queen Charlotte Islands: the journey included two long ferry rides, one from Port Hardy (on Vancouver Island) to Prince Rupert, and one (next day) from Prince Rupert to Skidegate. Happily, we had reserved cabins, so we had time and space to rest and relax. The "other" Forsters flew from Vancouver to Sandspit, and we all met up in Queen Charlotte "City." 
Miranda has joined her Dad in becoming an avid gardener these days. On Friday, we invited our across-the-road neighbour, Sharon--also an avid gardener--for dinner. I can only admire these green-thumbed enthusiasts! I used to classify my role as "supervisory," but it would be much more accurate to call it "observational." For instance, occasionally, I take a picture! 
We saw seven of the Island's most impressive gardens on the PPP tour, an annual event we intended to take in last year and the year before--and finally got around to attending. Beyond the gardens themselves, there were some spectacular ocean views! And by the end of the day, I have to say, although we love our property, we were, uh, green with envy...
In the spirit of Bridget Jones (subject of this month's Bowen book club, held here at Huckleberry Hill)...
Some 40 souls dropped by to admire the foliage and enjoy each other's company, from destinations as diverse as far-flung Langley and right next door, from ages four months to four score and ten! We started at 3pm and downed the last of the Kressman's and the goldfish crackers (started out more elegant, but you know how these things go) at around 10... Anyone who missed out on this gala event (and, presumably, those who attended it) will be glad to know we plan to do it annually--see you same time, next year!
Linda Murray, my yummy god-mummy, visited us from Napanee, Ontario for a glorious week of sunshine and good times--we stayed here on the Island the whole time, but took more than a few trips down memory lane. Fulfilling Miranda's expectation of a "fairy" godmother, Linda arrived at the airport wearing wings (borrowed from her granddaughter Natalie)! She cooked for us several times--and (pictured here) even took us out to the Tuscany for a scrumptious evening on their outdoor patio. Magical indeed!
We celebrated Father's Day in style at "The Tuscany" in Snug Cove; the next day was Miranda's first ballet recital--photos to come, from Nana's camera. I just finished teaching a short course at UBC so am feeling relatively free & relaxed (when not writing lectures for my online course at Kwantlen)... If we can get some good weather, we might even go sailing off into the sunshine!
Truth be told, I was feeling as blue as these ephemeral poppies when I realized that Steve and I hadn't gone to the trouble of getting each other presents for our anniversary this year; had a wee meltdown accordingly. However, the following weekend brought (thanks to Mom) another opportunity to go out for the evening sans enfant, and we decided to attend a charity event on Saturday night at Bowen Island Community School: a dance and silent auction to benefit a local woman, Rhona, who'd been the custodian there for many years and is now battling breast cancer. 
Cheryl & Raia, Monica & Lenya lunched with us. The girls posed for this charming photo--M is particularly pleased with her "silly face" lately, and very proud of serving me "an egg breakfast in bed" earlier (much earlier!) in the day. Nana L joined us for dinner, and we connected with Nanny C by phone. Happy Day!
Well, actually, we (i.e. Miranda and Wilson, that unknowingly affianced pair--I'm all for arranged marriage, at least when the groom is this cute) are too busy snuffling down those caramilk cones...(adults at our dinner party enjoyed a scrumptious pecan pie, thanks to Carmen)--and once again those good old boys, Steve 'n' Pete, lost somewhere in the sixties and seventies (the forties and fifites would be their AGE, despite their chidlike demeanour...) are creating their own tafel-musik somewhere in the background: LICHAIM, baby!
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She very heroically sat at the front gate with me this morning, selling tickets to the Carnival, while other kids went on pony rides, went wild in the bouncy castle, and had their faces painted. Steve rescued her half way through my volunteer shift and whisked her away to a world of diversions and delights. Aaaaaah! (Photo Credit: Dr. Ho)
As my camera clicked to catch Miranda getting dressed for her first ballet lesson, I was flashing back to all the arts I dabbled in as a child (well, maybe more like bumbled in--albeit happily, and no doubt developing the same talents I use daily in my work as an English teacher): theatre group, figure skating, watercolour painting, classical guitar, piano...and probably more that I don't remember. No doubt the best lesson is that you don't have to be super-talented (although how can I doubt that my child WILL be?!) to have fun and learn...
Meanwhile, I'm amazed, now she's three, how quickly (it seems almost exponentially) she's growing and changing, leaving infancy far behind: even sleeping on her own now (OK, I know most kids do this from the cradle!), and I miss her babyhood sometimes...it's an aching nostalgia tinged with loving pride as I see her moving into her older, independent self. Unknown to her (I hope--well, who am I kidding?), I welcome her moments of sudden reversion to that elemental need for "huggles." Hold me closer, tiny dancer!
