Showing posts with label Fall 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall 2010. Show all posts

Thursday, November 11

How do you remember?

Another gloomy Thursday but it suits best what this day really means to all people in the world. Last year, we managed to go out there despite the cold, windy, wet weather. We drove our way for an hour and a half to commemorate this day, among with other Canadians in Victoria, the Capital of BC. Click here for more photos of the event. Today, we might just watch the event on the projector that my honey had left standing, from last night's late movies and I'm pretty sure, he will tell me the story over and over again.....

I swear I never heard or seen war stories and movies in my life until I got married. The closest reality I could remember getting a grip to a military uniform was being a Captain of  Charlie Company way back when I was in High School. And the reason why I was chosen to handle 2 platoons of hard headed boys of the lowest grade was because (I think....) apparently, I had one of the loudest voices. Period. But I managed to handle those men despite my height and my frequent fainting sessions in the field of heat and wrapped green uniform from head to toe with a heavy pair of boots and sword on my right arm. I remember how I fought with the creamy white silver cleaner every time we held these parade of march battalion just to make that sword shining through the light enough to blind your eye if you were watching. That went on for two years....

Today, if I tell that story to anybody, I'd swear ( holy! I can swear!), all I could see is that look in my honey's dry sense of humour. But hey, guess what? Can do you a proper salute? Can you command a platoon with proper marching and make them behave like real men? Can you salute through a heavy sword or a wooden shotgun? ( I hear him laughing again...) Just a few of the things I learned from that experience.... I still fear the men in uniform esp those with real weapons hanging on their waists. But every time I hear my honey tell me stories about how those men fought the war; and how much he knows about "Normandy"; how his own dad became a Veteran, whom we owe our lives from, this military thing is becoming more and more real to me.

I swear I've seen more real footage with my honey than what I've watched on the tube when I was a little girl with grandpa taking control of the remote: Filipinos' reenactment of the Japanese invasion in the Philippines and stories of my grandma when they used to hide under war bunkers (or hide from some Japanese who were trying to pursue her); and that my mom was born 1944, a very significant war era till this very day. I'm sure many of you have their own war stories and today, of all days in 365 days of every year, WE DO REMEMBER. And my honey's story of his dad, in vehicles and warships with millions of military men, soldiers who fought and died for our rights and our freedoms that we enjoy today, that's how we would commemorate this day.





Sunday, November 7

Pride of Parksville that I am grateful for....

What time is it? Is this the real time? My watch says it's only 5 past noon... but it really doesn't matter. Here on the island, people don't bother about the time. On a sunny cool Sunday like today, with the different colors hanging on those balding trees, spread all over the streets, who cares about the time?
 The NEW Beach Club right downtown Parksville is beaming with happiness. 
 The birds were chirping happily while Mr. Sun conquers the cool weather.
The water was so calm while the seagulls were flying within arms length in search of food at the park .
 The currents of the Englishman river overflow the "top bridge" at this time of year, leaving potholes all over.
Just a few of the things that Parksville is proud of. Things that the locals and tourists alike come back for, over and over again, be it in the summer time or fall. Things that I am proud of myself and had become part of my life for the past 3 years. And the best way to enjoy it is, take time and appreciate.


Monday, October 25

Let's go for brunch!

Off to Tigh-Na-Mara for a Sunday Brunch....
Every corner of this room has its own breakfast specialty.....
This seafood section of cold entree is our most fave, includes all shellfish you can imagine!
But I think that the desert section is the most decorative and the prettiest part of the room.
This is our table and I love watching people coming in while those lovely trees block me from their sight.
mmmmmm.....
 These crabs were so easy to crack, the creamy-carameled oysters were to die for! and we enjoyed 2 servings of this plate each. If it weren't too early in the morning, white wine would have been great match!
 ok, I didn't eat all of these but I was able to wrap them with a tissue I grabbed fr the car earlier-the thief!
 and that raspberry mousse was just the perfect finishing touch!
 See, there are places to go and do on the Island at times like these: windy, cold, wet days in October.

Sunday, October 24

Sunday Pumpkin Patch

Ssssh! Can I tell you a secret?
Did you know that this is the very FIRST time I've been into a "live" pumpkin patch ever,
FIRST TIME EVER IN MY LIFETIME!!!?
Funny part was, we "accidentally" saw this sign by the road after visiting a friend...
as soon as we did a left turn, this is what awaited us.

It was such a beautiful sunny Sunday and the 2nd to the last dry ones we had so far before this wet, cold weather we've been getting on the Island. It totally changed my mood to explore the farm.
The "live" gigantic pumpkins in different shapes and colors explained me
why everyone MUST see a pumpkin patch if given the opportunity.
The corn maze may have been smaller than what we see on the news but still fun.
And if you happen to be here next year, same day,
I promise, I'll take you for a treat plus some of their homemade ice-cream.
Have a great Sunday!

Tuesday, October 12

Thank You!!!

Thank you...
for filling these rooms,
with laughter, stories, beautiful memories;
for joining us,
to eat and drink and enjoy this lovely weekend.


Thank you to "chef" Kevin....
for another "perfect" juicy and tender turkey,
for a creamy mashed " fresh from the farm" potato, with an added "special" flavor;
for beating his own record of "gourmet" breakfast,
with fresh farmed bacon and eggs plus his garlic hash brown potatoes.


and for completing our beautiful, enjoyable "Turkey" dinner,
with this sumptous huge pumpkin pie,
topped with cream and caramel-flavoured ice-cream!

****
But most of all,
THANK YOU
for taking the time and effort to beat the ferry line ups this busy upredictable long weekend,
for dragging yourself from bed and take the effort to feel better,
for giving us the pleasure to be the best hosts we can be,
for spending another treasured moments with us in our little family and our "sweet home".
********




Sunday, October 10

Happy 10-10-10!!!

Fall is definitely in the air down here on the island.....
Summer is bading its goodbye.....
Cooler, wet and I see lots of clouds and colors everywhere! I always feel the urge to this hot drink.....
And can't wait for "turkey dinner"!
Have a great Thanksgiving day Canada! and yay! for the long weekend......