First Week of June

WARNING ... Lots of Stella pictures. :)

Monday, June 1st

The sun is back out although a little breezy. The plane was flying again early this morning, spraying for the gypsy moths. Woke us up at 5:15 am.

Today some of the kids will be back in school. We shall see how the coronavirus numbers behave with this. Watching the news for Vancouver, traffic is still light in comparison to pre-Covid so I suspect a lot of people still working from home and not as many kids going to school.

There was a huge protest at the Vancouver Art Gallery yesterday regarding the killing of that poor black guy in the states. Certainly no social distancing there. Hopefully that does not flare up cases in the lower mainland. A reporter mentioned that he has covered rally's at the Art Gallery for many years and this was the largest one he had ever seen! Nope, no social distancing. I do agree with the protest though, enough is enough with the racial discrimination everywhere. Fortunately our protesters were respectful and peaceful unlike in Seattle, Washington.

VANCOUVER -- Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Vancouver Art Gallery Sunday, waving signs and chanting their support of the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd, the unarmed black man killed by police in Minneapolis last week.



There is a new subdivision going in up behind ours next to the park. Apparently there will be 49 houses/duplexes in there. It sure has not taken them long to mow down the trees and move a lot of dirt around. Fortunately we are screened somewhat with the trees along the forest trail outside our fence. Their access road will be some distance away from our gate as well.

Across the lake from us, the First Nations subdivision/condos, site is still in the process of moving dump truck loads of dirt. They seem to have taken down quite a bit of the hillside to make flat areas to build. It's been about 2 months now, and they are still trucking away dirt. They have 2 or 3 excavators working as well. The trees along the lake provide pretty good screening for us though. The plan is also for a small marina and a second beach. They have limited space so I'm sure it will be quite small. The floats for the pilings were dropped off a few weeks ago so We can see it will be quite small.This is the only access the Cowichan Band has to the lake. I believe the condos will be sold but the land underneath will be leased. The also have plans for a health centre and coffee shop.

Ray and I spent the day just "putzing around" eventually sitting outside in the front out of the wind.

Tuesday, woke up to clouds and wind. The forecasted rain is definitely on it's way for today. It started at 8am and stopped around 4pm. Mostly drizzly all day. Ray spent time in his shop and I made a seafood chowder for lunch and of course kitchen cleanup. That was our day. :)

Garrett's little Stella and Kira sleeping.

Wednesday we were out the door at 7:30 am to take the motorhome into Freightliner for it's oil change and generator service and general check up. Glad it's done for another year or so. Dropped it off at the end of Highway 18 and then Ray jumped in the car with me and we headed to Jason and Kristi's house in Nanaimo.

After checking out there new gardens etc. Jason took Ray to a "man's tool shop" and Kristi and I headed to Costco. My first time there since Covid. The store was not too busy going in but a bit of a lineup at the checkouts on the way up.  That they manage quite well with 6 foot distancing and lines on the floor.

After shopping Kristi and I ordered sushi from our favourite place Nori's right beside Costco and brought it home to share with the boys. After a lunch it was time to head back home to the lake. A great day.

Baby Stella is doing fabulous according to the Public Health Nurse. She has gained considerable weight since her birth 2 1/2 weeks ago. She is now 5.5 pounds, another pound heavier. She is putting on 30 grams a day instead of the 20 grams expected. Both Kat and Garrett are figuring it out that she probably has a little reflux so now are elevating her head while she sleeps one or the other is up with her all the time. She doesn't fuss anymore sleeping in her nest. Garrett has the top end raised up with towels.

Tummy Time.

I'm watching you Dad!

Here she is all tucked in sleeping in her sleep nest. Such a cutie.

Thursday morning, clouds again with showers in the forecast so I guess Ray will be in his shop and I will be puttering in the kitchen. I ended up heading to Duncan to pick up some items ... mainly corn on the cob as that is my contribution to our "Nova Scotia Lobster Boil" at Roy and June's tomorrow night with Darryl and Pat for Junes's birthday. Definitely looking forward to this.

Stella:

No more pictures Daddy!

Story time with Mommy.

I decided to cook a "pub style" meal tonight. Chicken wings with Teriyaki Sauce on one set and Sweet Chili Sauce on the other. Yumm.

Everytime we tried to sit outside it would start showering ... so finally the sun came out after dinner and we sat in the sunbeams on the deck for a bit to finish our day.

Friday morning was sunny with clouds. This morning after having a video chat with Garrett and Stella I made a batch of peach jam for Ray and a peach pie. Now the house smells wonderful. Better than "Eau De Dog"!!!

Garrett took Stella and Kira out for a walk to the river this morning. Enjoyed by all.

Look at her chubby cheeks!

Nap time for Garrett and his girls.

Tonight it's Lobsterfest at Roy and June's for her birthday. Stay tuned.

The last days of May and walk to Stocking Creek Waterfall.

Tuesday, May 26th

Finally the weather is improving and they are calling for sun with clouds and temps of 21C. Cloudy this morning though and breezy out on the lake. By 9am though the wind stopped and the lake was flat calm. After Ray did his bit in the workshop and I did my chores I suggested we take the boat out for a ride for the first time this season. I packed a lunch and off we went.

We cruised past Honeymoon Bay to Caycuse and just floated listening to tunes having lunch. There were a couple of base jumpers that launched themselves from the top of the mountain above Youbou. Too far away to take a picture of them though.

The Kyle Family in Squamish is settling in with Stella. Biggest problem was getting her wrapped tight enough so she stays on her back. Fortunately they received a gift yesterday of a sleep sack to try and control her legs. lol She sure has a "rubber neck". She is actually laying on her back with her head turned completely to the side.

She was fussy so I think Garrett will spend a lot of time cuddling her so Mommy can sleep.

Wednesday was a spectacular sunny day. Ray did a run into Duncan to pick up Freya's meds and a few other things while I prepped for our smoked lamb roast on the Traeger. Once he was back he played in his shop while I propped up my foot. It's getting better but not smart to push it yet. The afternoon we sat outside and I froze my foot on and off in the lake. :) Another fabulous day.

One of our neighbours in our little subdivision came in his helicopter for a short visit in the afternoon. Now we know why he made a deck in the middle of his extra lot! It will make for a short commute from Victoria. lol

So nice out that Roy and June next door, finally launched their boat for the summer and Darryl launched his Hobie Cat for the first time this year.

And off Darryl goes on his first sail of the season.

Baby Stella:

Maybe this one will stop her from rolling over. :)

All good!

I smoked a lamb shoulder roast for dinner with a red wine reduction, greek salad and stuffed bacon and cream cheese mushrooms. Yumm. Everything turned out really well.

Thursday, a cloudy start but by 7:30 am the sun was breaking through, temporarily. The lake flat calm. Maybe fishing later today after chores. Ray started off downstairs in his man cave while I dealt with the kitchen dishes. Finally my foot is feeling better.

At lunch I packed us up a cooler and we decided to try fishing for a couple of hours, testing out our new gear. We didn't catch anything (we did not expect to lol) and had a great time floating in the lake in the lovely warm sunshine.

While we were fishing, Jason was busy filling up Kristi's new planters he built for her fruit bushes.

In Squamish Garrett got them all in their first family picture.

Stella has managed to roll from her back to her side with ease and back again. On her belly she can lift her head up and to the side already. A very strong little baby.

After boating it was time to hang out on the dock for awhile as it was quite warm today at 26C. We had better enjoy it as by Saturday it is going to rain.

My sun baby.

May 29th

Friday morning light clouds again but warm out. No dew last night. Ray back in his shop constructing 2 more planters for Garrett and Kat that we will take over to Squamish when we visit in a week and a half. Can't wait to get my hands on that little bundle of joy. Garrett took Stella for her first stroller ride this morning that we had bought them. Kira is finally starting to get interested in this little person.

What is this thing that is still here!

Friday morning after Ray's time in his shop and me making scones and tidying up the kitchen it was decided that we needed to go on a bit of a road trip as we have pretty much been staying home. Ray and I decided on going to Ladysmith, picking up KFC and drove down to Ladysmith's Transfer Beach to eat. A fabulous view for lunch.

After Ray took a few pictures we hopped back in the car and headed to our next destination, Stocking Creek Falls which is located down the old highway in Saltair. We did about a 2km walk, there and back. It was a beautiful trail through huge second growth trees.

Ray even managed to spot some trout in the creek.

The hardest part of the trail was all the stairs down to the viewing platform to the waterfall but we took it slow and easy. We met up with a few small groups of people on the trails but everyone was really respectful of physical distancing so it was nice. This trail also connects with the Cowichan Valley Trail which is part of the Trans Canada Trail.

Entry to the Cowichan Valley Trail/Trans Canada Trail

A great outing and leftover chicken for dinner too.

Saturday, a bit cloudy and it's supposed to rain later this afternoon. Boat cover put back on in case. :) Today is a shopping day in Duncan, so not too much happening here. After our jaunt to Duncan we were back home by 12:30 in time for guess what???? more KFC leftovers. :) The rest of the afternoon we both puttered around, Ray in the workshop and me in the kitchen.

Today's Stella pictures:

Very expressive hands.

Sending kisses.

Here is another of Ray's projects ... a clamp rack and a moving platform for his belt sander. Everything is on wheels so he can easily move things around.

We invited Roy and June, our neighbours over for a Happy Hour at 4 pm on our sundeck under the gazebo as it was supposed to rain. It was nice to share wine and munchies for about 3 hours. Snacks became dinner. :) As usual I forgot to take a picture though. lol Thanks for the smoked salmon, Darryl. He gave me a package a couple weeks ago, it was delicious.



Sunday May 31st ... Last day of May, where did the month go?

The forecasted rain never appeared here at the lake but the lower mainland got pasted all day yesterday, according to my friend Dianne. This morning we woke to clouds and a bit breezy. Probably an inside day although they are calling for some sun this afternoon.

There was a post on my Lake Cowichan Facebook page for fresh strawberries. I ordered 10 pounds of fresh strawberries for me and 10 for Roy and June. They are coming from Saanichton, in the Victoria area and are being delivered to the house. Great service. The growers have to find other ways to sell their produce with Covid. They are picked in the morning and delivered in the afternoon. You can get fresher than that!

Kat sent us a picture of Garrett having his first story time with Stella. Our good friend Delle Booth, a retired teacher, sent them two books to begin with.

I spent the morning cooking our lobster for dinner. Ray shelled them for me after they were cooked and then I made the seafood stock with the shells for our Lobster Risotto for dinner.

My lobster cracker! lol

A little work for Ray and a lot more work for me. :)

Ta Da  Lobster Risotto.

Tomorrow's job is getting them prepped and into the freezer for jam. Small berries but very sweet.

Well that was another week and the end of May. Where did the time go. Hopefully June sees the coronavirus numbers go down and we can get back to a little more normalcy.