Sunsets and Summer is finally here maybe! July 3 - 17

Saturday night what a beautiful sunset ... the calm before the rain.

Sunday afternoon the predicted rain arrived. Terrible drives for people after the long weekend. We heard the town siren 3 times during the afternoon signifying emergencies. 

Tuesday actually is a pretty nice day and our Motorhome finally got the detailing we've been waiting to have done since April.

Super shiny.

We dragged out the picnic table to have lunch on the back lawn.

Not a bad view for our lunch.

I cooked a small brisket on the smoker today and I think I have finally "cracked the code". It cooked in a reasonable amount of time and was so moist. This was the last piece in my freezer that was shrink wrapped and 2 years old. Definitely time to use it up. I bought a whole brisket 2 years ago for $65 and I checked yesterday at Superstore, this same smaller piece I cooked is now $60. Wow have beef prices skyrocketed.

Thursday and Friday, pretty quiet as well. Looks like we might finally get a stretch of summerlike weather. With all the clouds we are getting treated to some pretty sunsets though. Last night's, Thursday, is even better than the one a few days ago.

Saturday morning we decided to head into Chemainus and visit their big street market happening today. There's not much we were interested in, but I did pick up this adorable backpack for Amelia when she starts daycare this fall to carry her treasures. (This is our first outing since we got Covid and are no longer contagious.)

This mural is on the back side of the Chemainus Theatre.

Here is a view down the street with part of the market. This was at 9:30 in the morning. Definitely well-attended.

After an hour's wandering, we decided to go for brunch at the Haida Way Restaurant on the highway. Not the best choice. It used to be great but not today.

Before heading home, we decided to stop at Fuller Lake. We have never actually driven down the road to it in all our years on the island, today is the day. Apparently it's a good little fishing lake as they stock it with trout. There is a small swimming area and they have a couple of lifeguards. A great little community park with tennis courts as well.

Back home shortly after lunch. The rest of the afternoon spent in the yard and on the dock when the sun came out. A little boat traffic on the lake but certainly not what we are used to by this time of year.

Still waiting for the consistent sunny days and warm weather. Maybe next week. :) That was pretty much it for our non-exciting week. lol The time still seems to pass by pretty quick for not doing very much.

Monday was a stellar day. The first really warm day we had. Ray was able to paint the boxes on the dock, I played in my garden a bit before we both sat down at the dock for the afternoon and even went into the water a bit. Ray is sure improving his tan quickly now with the warmer weather.

Tuesday morning we drove to the Highway 18 Junction, where we met up with Jason and Amelia. We switched vehicles and Ray took Jason's truck. Amelia and Jason both had appointments in Victoria so I took the car so we could fit into parking places. lol 

She did really good, but we did have a few tears as she kept getting woken up every time she tried to sleep getting in and out of the car for the next appointment.  Downtown Victoria is not very "baby friendly" as far as putting her on the ground to play so she had to make due with inside the car. :) Ray picked me up at 3 pm at Highway 18 Junction, where we switched vehicles again. Back home it was down to the dock for an hour.

The motorhome and car back into P & R Truck Service for getting the new springs installed on the rear jack and also getting the airbrake system adjusted between the two. I stayed home as our irrigation guy is coming to fix a leak in a line along the driveway. Another lovely day but breezy.

On Thursday I managed to contact Tiffin Service in Red Bay Alabama to have them call P & R truck to figure out this warning WIF (Water in Fuel) light. Apparently there is a second filter to replace that no one here knew about. Fingers crossed they get it figured out soon.

Amelia's laugh is so infectious. 

She is also walking on her own quite well.

Friday morning our online ordered sockeye and halibut came from Walcan Tide to Table really early. They sell restaurant quality seafood products online. 

This is what 5 lbs of fresh halibut looks like. 

 

Finished processing the 10 pounds of sockeye and 5 pounds of halibut by 8:30 am. We then headed to Nanaimo for a Costco run. We didn't stop and visit Jason as he seems to have a cold and I don't want to get sick for my party next weekend. :) The predicted rain showed up just as we were heading back home from Nanaimo. 

Later in the afternoon we were invited over to Darryl and Pat's for dinner with 2 other couples. The guys just returned from a 2 day fishing trip at Nootka Sound and brought back quite a bit of salmon so that what was on the menu. Great few hours spent before the other two couples headed back to Victoria.

L to R Darryl, Bruce, Sonia, Jerry, Ray, Doris and Pat.

Thanks for a wonderful dinner guys. 

Our other granddaughter Stella is also growing like a weed. This is Stella's first camping trip.

Best buddies, Stella and Charlotte.

Today rain showers came on and off all morning and wind and clouds for the afternoon. Not a very nice day, so I spent it in my kitchen. On the menu tonight is Bart's Fanbloodytastic Halibut. A recipe I got from Ray's old boss. Macadamia nut crusted halibut with a spicy mango chutney sauce. Turned out fabulous.

Sunday another wet morning. It would be nice if the weather would get nicer but there is promise for the rest of the week after today. Spent the day doing laundry and making butter chicken with naan bread for Ray. Not my "cup of tea" but he said it was the best!

Weather to improve starting tomorrow. Yeah! Here is a picture of how high the lake is for July 17th! Shows how much rain fell here this spring.

This is how high it was last year around this time, lots of room for Freya to rest.