Yuccas are members of the large agave family. Yuccas produce a flower cluster called an inforescence, made up of many individual white flowers hanging downwards in groups from a stalk or spike that can grow up to 6 ft tall. They flower once a year.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Yucca Plants
Yucca plants are drought resistant and can survive for many months without water. This summer I really notice the yucca plants more because a lot of the other plants are having trouble with the lack of rain.
Yuccas are members of the large agave family. Yuccas produce a flower cluster called an inforescence, made up of many individual white flowers hanging downwards in groups from a stalk or spike that can grow up to 6 ft tall. They flower once a year.
Yuccas are members of the large agave family. Yuccas produce a flower cluster called an inforescence, made up of many individual white flowers hanging downwards in groups from a stalk or spike that can grow up to 6 ft tall. They flower once a year.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Taking down trees and chopping firewood on Gabriola Island
We have just finished taking down 8 big cedar trees that were approx. 70ft tall in the back of our house to open our yard up to sunlight and so that we can build a garage when the time comes.
In the front yard we have taken down a clump maple that was 70 ft tall and consisted of 4 main trunks. Some of this maple clump had rotten and during the snowfall last Feb. the tree was bent over with the weight of the heavy snow.
After having the trees limbed and cut, we sold some of the long cedar lengths. The rest Geo and his crew are chopping and splitting for firewood. It looks like at least 10 cords of firewood for next winter.
Our wood stove will be glowing and hot next winter!
In the front yard we have taken down a clump maple that was 70 ft tall and consisted of 4 main trunks. Some of this maple clump had rotten and during the snowfall last Feb. the tree was bent over with the weight of the heavy snow.
After having the trees limbed and cut, we sold some of the long cedar lengths. The rest Geo and his crew are chopping and splitting for firewood. It looks like at least 10 cords of firewood for next winter.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Page's Marina, Gabriola Island
It's chilly and foggy today. We are checking out our boat to make sure it is okay after bringing it up by sea from Victoria.
We have leased a stall from them to keep our boat in year round.
We have leased a stall from them to keep our boat in year round.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Silva Bay, Gabriola Island
Geo and I have taken our boat out for a little run around near Silva Bay. It is interesting watching the float planes landing right close in the marina.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Our Boat on Gabriola Island
We've decided to get a boat as there are so many different islands around here to see and we can get some fishing and prawning in, too.
Magnolia Blossoms Inside
We moved our Magnolia shrub inside in December because of the cold nights. The leaves have come back on it and it has decided to blossom now. It smells incredible.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Rain, Rain, Fog
Rain, Rain, Fog
Rain, rain, fog.
Fog, rain, rain.
Wind, rain, fog.
But still don't need to shovel it.
We decided to get out of the house and so we are taking the ferry to go get groceries and run some errands on the big island.
Rain, rain, fog.
Fog, rain, rain.
Wind, rain, fog.
But still don't need to shovel it.
 |
| Page's Marina |
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Visit to Victoria
We love going to Victoria for a week-end. I especially like taking pictures of the totem poles.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Solar Power on Gabriola Island
People on Gabriola Island are keen to learn about solar power and the possibility to reduce their BC Hydro bills by producing their own power. For a small rural community on an island they are totally aware of the importance of reducing energy demands. Gab Energy is assisting Gabriola residents to source and install their own solar systems.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, B.C.
Today, we travelled up Vancouver Island to Campbell River. The population of Campbell River is 35,000. Here we boarded the ferry to Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island.
Quadra Island is located across from Campbell River on the inside seaway passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland of B.C., on Canada's West Coast.
Quathiaski Cove is the main port for the island. Quadra Island is the largest and most populated of the "Discovery Islands" with a population of 2,700 year round residents.
It's here that the tides of south and north Vancouver Island meet. It's also the borderland between two First Nations groups with entirely different linguistic roots, the Kwakwaka'wakw and the Coast Salish.
It's a rainy day but the scenery is still beautiful.
Quadra Island is located across from Campbell River on the inside seaway passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland of B.C., on Canada's West Coast.
Quathiaski Cove is the main port for the island. Quadra Island is the largest and most populated of the "Discovery Islands" with a population of 2,700 year round residents.
It's here that the tides of south and north Vancouver Island meet. It's also the borderland between two First Nations groups with entirely different linguistic roots, the Kwakwaka'wakw and the Coast Salish.
It's a rainy day but the scenery is still beautiful.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Our Red Japanese Maple Tree on Gabriola Island
Our Red Japanese Maple trees seem to have liked the spot we had chosen for them this summer. Now that it is getting a little colder at night and has been so rainy during the day, I have moved them under the roof to protect them from drowning.
I just love the color of these trees and their shape.
I just love the color of these trees and their shape.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Coombs Market, Coombs, B.C.
Just off of the Alberni Hwy 4, a short drive from Parksville is the "Old Country Market at Coombs." For several years the market has been known for the family of goats up on top of the grass sod roof top. It is a place that I have loved to visit whenever we are on the main island. What started as a roadside stand selling fresh local produce has now expanded to offer delicious local foods, imports, souvenirs and crafts.
This is where I have come to love the Red Japanese Maple tree so much. They have several for sale and growing in pots in the yard.
This is where I have come to love the Red Japanese Maple tree so much. They have several for sale and growing in pots in the yard.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Change
They say "change is good".
From where I sit up in my studio I can see the sold sign out on our driveway. This is huge for us. I have never lived anywhere but in Alberta. We have lived in the Calgary area for the last 20 years and in this home for the last 13 years. Now we are moving to Gabriola Island, BC.
I have spend many hours up in this studio, painting and writing. This has been my retreat and I will miss it.
It is time for change. To leap. To explore. We are going to make a new home and so now we are in the process of moving. What to keep and what to toss. What treasures can we get rid of and not miss. I have made some difficult decisions. In one corner of my studio is a stack of canvases. Work from the last 13 years. Some finished, some not. But not all will fit into the last load and so I take a sharp knife and slit a cross in each one. Good-bye. I should have painted over or tossed some of these years ago! There free at last!
From where I sit up in my studio I can see the sold sign out on our driveway. This is huge for us. I have never lived anywhere but in Alberta. We have lived in the Calgary area for the last 20 years and in this home for the last 13 years. Now we are moving to Gabriola Island, BC.
I have spend many hours up in this studio, painting and writing. This has been my retreat and I will miss it.
It is time for change. To leap. To explore. We are going to make a new home and so now we are in the process of moving. What to keep and what to toss. What treasures can we get rid of and not miss. I have made some difficult decisions. In one corner of my studio is a stack of canvases. Work from the last 13 years. Some finished, some not. But not all will fit into the last load and so I take a sharp knife and slit a cross in each one. Good-bye. I should have painted over or tossed some of these years ago! There free at last!
Friday, July 18, 2014
Gabriola Island ...
If Once You Have Slept on an Island
If once you have slept on an island
You'll never quite be the same;
You may look as you looked the day before
And go by the same old name.
You may bustle about in street and shop,
You may sit at home and sew,
But you'll see blue water and wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.
You may chat with the neighbors of this and that
And close to your fire keep
But you'll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell
And tides beat through your sleep.
Oh, you won't know why, and you can't say how
Such a change upon you came,
But - once you've slept on an island
You'll never quite be the same.
- Rachel Field
If once you have slept on an island
You'll never quite be the same;
You may look as you looked the day before
And go by the same old name.
You may bustle about in street and shop,
You may sit at home and sew,
But you'll see blue water and wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.
You may chat with the neighbors of this and that
And close to your fire keep
But you'll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell
And tides beat through your sleep.
Oh, you won't know why, and you can't say how
Such a change upon you came,
But - once you've slept on an island
You'll never quite be the same.
- Rachel Field
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