Outer Island R&R
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
What a Year!
Time has gone by since my last entry and have we been BUSY!!! We have sure packed a lot into the past year...
After coming down from the high of our incredible wedding last September, Jed and I found out that we would be expecting our first baby in July!! That was incredible news and put the wheels in motion for many projects around here. Pressure was on to push ahead on our new home and time was quickly passing. Jed turned his focus on the house and pulled a terrific crew together to help out.
The winter months flew by in a frenzy of activity and progress. The new house framing was finished, sided, windows and gorgeous doors were put in. Then the huge task of painting all of the buildings took place. For a solid month the painters worked solidly on the new house, the Farmhouse, the Quince Cottage, the chicken brooder, the horse barn, the pool shed and pump house. After that, we even had them repaint the tennis court!! The whole place looks fresh and new and beautiful. We are not quite in the new house but it sure is getting closer!
We realized that with our busy schedule and baby arriving that Jed and I should be sure that we got our honeymoon in before it was too late. So, in February we left the building crew behind and headed to Costa Rica for 2 weeks. We had such a great time. We were fortunate enough to have family friends that live there so we were pampered and toured around to some amazing places. The people of Costa Rica are wonderful, the countryside breathtaking and the jungle's incredibly fascinating.
The most exciting event of the year was the arrival of our first child, Kalena (Pron. Kalayna)Rachelle on June 17th at 8:30 am. She arrived safely at St. Josephe's Hospital in Comox, 3 weeks early at 6.5 lbs. She is a real joy and growing far too quickly. We are loving our jobs as parents and starting to sort out how to keep up with all of our other responsibilities as well. Thanks to the great support from my parents, we are managing very well. Its been a busy summer with the baby, lots of company, full bookings for the accomodations, many tree jobs for Jed and of course on-going house building. After the season winds down, I think we will be in need for some R&R ourselves....
Monday, September 27, 2004
Well, we did it!
Our big day finally came for us - September 18, 2004 will definitely remain in our minds as the most special day of our lives. A fantasy wedding really, and it was all very surreal for us and we are still taking it all in.
Its hard to say what the most special moment was - there were so many amazing things going on all at once. Being able to spend time with our closest friends and family was certainly a highlight. The big surprise of the day was the appearance of my German parents (from a high school exchange trip) who convinced me that they could not make it over for the wedding. Then, as I walked down the path to the oak tree, there they were. It was then very difficult to concentrate on the task at hand - the ceremony!
Being the outdoors people that we are, Jed and I wanted to be married under a beautiful oak tree in our pasture. That was the most important thing to us and the weather leading up to the day was horrible. Cold, rainy, windy. We had a couple of sleepless nights worrying about it, but towards the end of the week we had resigned ourselves to the fact that the wedding would be wet and cold. Getting married in the reception tent was not our idea of the perfect wedding, but really, it's supposed to be about the ceremony, not the setting right? The morning of the wedding, we awoke to more rain, but by 10:00 am or so, it started to clear a bit. By 2:00, it was sunny and the ceremony was at 3:00!! In fact, it was a gorgeous day!
My father and I arrived by horse and buggy (talk about a fantasy come true) to drive across our field to meet the wedding party. We had three flower girls - my niece Brielle, Jed's niece Caitlyn and Dove, our mini donkey. The three of them stole the show, which to my relief, took the pressure and focus off me!! I was so nervous about entering, but the setting was so amazing and the girls (including the bridesmaids) looked so beautiful walking ahead of me towards the tree that I forgot to be nervous. It became a very emotional time. Seeing Jed for the first time in his tux just about did me in! My 5 year old nephew stood at Jed's side in his tux and I've never seen anything like it (didn't know they made tux's that small). All of the groomsmen looked incredible!
We made it through the ceremony with lots of laughs (Dove decided to eat the isle flowers while we did the signing) and then Jed and I made our exit by horse and buggy. Then it was back for photos and joining the guests at the reception tent in our orchard for pre-dinner cocktails and greetings. The evening then turned into a great celebration with incredible food (thank you, thank you, thank you Ben!!), very touching speeches, an embarrassing moment of the bride falling off her chair at the head table, and dancing, dancing, dancing.
It's hard to believe it's all over. It was one of those days that you just never wanted to end. It takes months of preparation and then its all over. Friends came early and stayed afterwards so we did manage to make it all last as long as possible. Its been a couple of weeks of clean up and we are starting to settle into the day to day again. Getting caught up on things is first, and then diving into finishing our house is the next main priority. The construction has been held up for a long time for so many reasons but it looks like now is our time. We will give it our best shot and do as much as we can to get us a nice home to settle in to. Afterall, It is time to nest now isn't it???
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Long overdue update
Well, too much time has past since my last entry. This winter went by in a blur with so many activities and life-lessons on the go. We are making great strides towards our addition - it looks really great and we can't wait to see the final result. Jed is determined to do the building as well as his arborist work - which is very busy. He's been a bit under the weather so juggling all his work has been tough. We have absolutely amazing friends who have come together and helped us with some really big building days -concrete pours, framing days, roofing days. We couldn't have done it without them. Big thanks goes out to Stephen, Larry, Kees, Tim & my dad Jim. HUGE thanks to all the wives who loaned out their significant others on our behalf. We are truly grateful!! This building process has sure been an eye-opener for me. I've learned that you really can't let your excitement get ahead of you - it is definitely a process and everything takes a whole lot longer than you think it might. It's looking great though.
The gardens are looking great around here!! We had a much earlier start to things this year and it has really paid off. We are swimming in raspberries, have gorged on lettuce, spinach & radishes and are now starting on peas, artichokes, strawberries, squash flower (yummy battered and fried). Blueberries will be ready any day and we have new potatoes ready. What a great time of year.
So the big on the farm is the arrival of our latest member - Dove. Dove is a miniature donkey who stands 30 inches to her back and about the cutest thing you've ever seen. She has an amazing personality and incredibly sweet and gentle. How did we end up with such a creature? Well, believe it or not, Jed has a thing for miniature donkeys and has always wanted one. So, as a wedding present, I got him one. She had to come a bit early so I couldn't wait until our wedding day but he was thrilled!! I'm sure it's a romantic gift somehow! She is a real hit with everyone!! We discovered the other day that her whole nose fits inside my horses nostril! And her hoofs are about the size of a toonie - just slightly bigger!)
Well, we are now completely booked up for guest accommodation until September!!! How great that is! So, now it's on to wedding plans. The big day is only a couple of months away so we'd better get cracking!
Here's to a wonderful summer for all.
Monday, March 01, 2004
In Memory of Lava
Things are rather sad on the farm today as we report the loss of one of our mascots, Lava. Those of you who have been here will remember Lava the rabbit. Sadly, she died yesterday after complications from a routine spay. We had hoped that by having her spayed, she would live even more freely and be able to be put with her son in the same run. We feel terrible that it didn't work out that way. She received the very best care but she had unrelated problems during surgery and could not recover.
Lava first came to Outer Island three years ago. She was an Easter gift to me from Jed and I chuckled at the time that I was a grown person with a bunny. I don't think any of us really expected to get so attached to her, but she was really a delight. She had a large pen out in the orchard under a walnut tree so that she always had shade and her pen always had fresh grass. Folks will remember how friendly she was and how she would run up to the fence, stand up against it and push her nose through it to touch you. Really she was hoping for some kind of treat. Last year she surprised us with a kit of 10 bunnies - one of which we kept and named Ah AH (Hawaiian for a type of Lava). She was a lot of fun and is missed.
On a happier note, the sun is shining and I worked in greenhouse and garden today in a T-shirt. Things are starting to come up and my seed order should be here any day now. Our house addition is underway it really feels like things are happening.
Monday, February 23, 2004
Saturday, February 21, 2004
Spring has sprung
What a great week we've had. It has been incredibly busy but with so much going on, one can't help but feel energized. Spring is in the air with crocus's and daffodil's starting to pop up all around us. As I sit and write this, a dozen or more Red Winged Black Birds are raiding the bird feeder, having scared off all of the chickadees. I just came in from letting the horses out into the field for a play. Soon, I will venture out to take the dog to the beach.
As I mentioned, we've had a very busy week. Jed and I had my niece and nephew here for the week, they are 4 1/2 and 7. While Jed worked very hard at getting the foundation in for our addition, I spent my days with the kids. We helped Jed build, took the pony for rides around the neighbourhood, did the chores each morning and evening, demolished the hen-house and burned the remains in preparation for a new/better house, let the bunny out by mistake, did some house keeping to get ready for guests, took the dogs for a long swim at the beach, made Valentine gifts, cards & cookies, painted T-shirts, built a tree house, went out with friends for Valentines Day dinner, rode our bikes, watched movies and had the occasional nap.
It's feels very quiet around here now - kids are gone and we are back to work. My cousin came for a visit the day Jed took the kids back to Vancouver. She was able to stay for a few days so we unwound from our busy week by taking walks to Helliwell Park, and getting out on the boat to see the Sea Lions and Eagles off Norris Rocks. So beautiful.
The concrete will be here Monday for the foundation and then we are in full building mode by the end of the week. We are so excited. We've had several guests lately too, who seem to be loving the Hornby spring time. Just sent my seasonal seed order off too - can't wait for them to arrive!
Saturday, January 31, 2004
blogging
Until recently I didn't know what a blogger was (and truthfully, I still don't know why it's called a blogger). But by writing this note, I am in fact blogging. A news letter so to speak. I thought it would be a fun thing to put on the website as a bit of a journal of our day to day and certainly interesting events. My intention was to give folks a feel for what we are like and to give a glimpse into what life on Hornby and on a farm is like. Many readers already know us so appreciate the updates on what we are doing around here. Others, of course, haven't met us yet and I worry that perhaps my writing is too 'personal'. But again, the intention of this to give insight into our island life and family activities.
On that note, it was Jim's birthday a couple of days ago and I found a great new recipe. I embellished it a bit of course but here is the gist of it - of course, home grown potatoes are the secret ingredient!:
Potato Cakes with Green Onions and Sesame Seeds
3 medium unpeeled and washed potatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/3 cup fresh cilantro - chopped
3 cloves garlic - minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger (peeled)
salt and pepper
1 egg
sesame oil
sesame seeds
vegetable oil
Cook potatoes in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and cool slightly, then peel.
Cut potatoes into chunks and place in medium sized bowl. Add the green onions, cilantro, garlic, ginger, and salt and pepper to taste. Mash potatoes until blended. Mix in the egg.
Form Mixture into eight patties - each about 3/4 inch thick. Drizzle with sesame oil over both sides and sprinkle with sesame seeds (both sides). Heat vegi oil and a couple of drops of sesame oil in a non-stick skillet. Add patties and cook until golden brown (approx. 3 mins. each side).
enjoy!
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Weather
Well, Christmas and New Years has come and gone and things have been busy around here! Those folks who are Hornby followers are already making their summer plans. I am thrilled with the response to our new set up. Things are booking up already!
Today is the first in about a week or so that things have warmed up outside and that there is no sign of ice or snow. Although I find it really beautiful when there is snow here, it makes life a bit tougher. We were able to take in a stranded local woman who's plumbing completely froze up. She was able to get things sorted out the next day but took refuge with us for a night. Its amazing how unprepared we 'westerners' can be when the cold hits. We just aren't used to it. We have so many buildings on the property that we stay very busy making sure the animals have fresh water, that the pipes don't freeze (and some did any way) and of course making sure all the woodstoves are burning. Somehow, though, it's part of the romance of country living. And it never lasts too long in these parts. I must say though that the snow is much more fun than our usual rain.
Saturday, December 20, 2003
New Beginnings
As the festive season approaches I find myself, as many do, reflecting on the past year and the incredible life we are so fortunate to have here. And this year has been one of many new beginnings for us.
Those of you who have stayed with us or know us will be familiar with the key players in this story. For those who don't know us, we are not complicated, we are merely a two household family working together on business and farming ventures. Jed and I (Karen) live at the R&R, while Jim and Pauline (Karen's parents) live at their "retirement" home next to the R&R.
Earlier last spring, after several years on commuting, Jed officially cut his ties to Vancouver and moved to Hornby to join the Outer Island crew. His fear of passing up full time Arborist work in the city was soon alleviated - he is now very busy with some large tree jobs and construction. A man of his talents is also a huge asset to our farm. His energy and knowledge have made a big difference in our crops and overall health and quality of our agricultural developments. He seems to be thriving.
Spring and early summer were quite quiet for tourism on Hornby but of course kicked in to full gear by July. This lull afforded Jed and I the chance to have my niece (6) and nephew (4) for 10 days while the rest of the family was away at a Hockey Tournament. We had such a fun time - the first time in the 9 seasons that I have been on Hornby that I felt like I was on a summer vacation. There is not enough space available to mention all of the exciting trips that Jim and Pauline took this year. I can mention that they are off to Costa Rica in February though. That retirement life they have always hoped for has finally started for them.
Shortly after the kids left, Lava (our rabbit) surprised us with 10 fuzzy bunnies. The surprise wasn't so much the fact that one day they weren't there and the next there were 10 two week old babies (she had kept them hidden in a den underneath her house) running around her pen. The big surprise was that as far as we knew she was a he! Apparently not.
The end of July brought with it another surprise arrival of a 6 week old Golden Retriever pup. Those of you who know my beloved Dylan, know that he had reached a great old age of 16 and his inevitable passing was hastening. My sister managed to talk my parents and Jed into introducing a new pup into my life. She was the littlest thing and welcomed immediately. I named her Marley to keep the "Bob" theme of Bob Dylan and Bob Marley. Dylan thought she was pretty cute too and although he couldn't play with her much I did catch them in the occasional cuddle. He was happy. Very sadly, Dylan passed away two weeks later - at peace and knowing that I am well looked after now by Jed and Marley. I miss him more than I can say. And now, although I'd like to say the Marley is MY dog, it seems that she and Jed have a pretty special bond. I must say though, that it is a delight to see Jed turn into mush around her. She has brought us a lot of joy.
November 21st marked a huge new beginning, when Jed got down on his knees and asked for my hand in marriage! After getting the go-ahead from Jim, he surprised me that evening, after being away for a week working in Vancouver. What an amazing day. We are really looking forward to our future together. We are hoping for a September wedding and will finalize a date once we get through the Christmas rush.
The close of 2003 and start of 2004 also brings new beginnings for Outer Island R&R. This coming season marks the 10th year of business for Outer Island and after great reflection and watching as our clients' needs and desires change with the times, we have realized that what really seems to make our guests' visits very special to them is the feeling of experiencing our country lifestyle first hand. Our cozy cottage has become a favourite retreat for small families. So starting in 2004, the main B&B building, now called the Farm House will be available as a self contained unit with full kitchen facilities. Now guests can come with the whole family and have their own home away from home. Of course, our popular Outer Island breakfasts will still be available upon request but guests can experience Outer Island in privacy with their family or friends. Individual rooms and B&B accommodations will be available September - June for shorter stays and smaller groups.
Well, Christmas is just around the corner and the new year will be upon us before we know it. From our family to yours, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Karen, Jed, Jim, Pauline and all the furry critters at Outer Island.
