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“Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves.” Julia Morgan
I’m on the road again today . . . headed to the Interior and our cabin at the Lake. I have passed by this landmark in Spences Bridge for years and years. Today I finally stopped and used it as a back drop for my 365. I’d love to know more about the history . . . apparently it was built around 1905 to replace the original church that was destroyed in a large landslide at the original townsite across the river. It is apparently unused today.
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“Do you know the Muffin Man?” from the movie Shrek
Mmmmmmmm . . . . baking this morning . . . using up all the zucchini goodness from the garden. I took this shot with my D7000 on a tripod with the oven light on. Can you see me? Gonna freeze me up a bunch of these bad boys to enjoy in the months to come. I did a triple batch of the Zucchini Bread recipe, but made muffins. I did a tray of mini muffin bites as well. Tomorrow I’ll post a picture of the Chocolate Zucchini Brownies that are in the works.
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“Harvest the bounty of rich tradition and amazing possibilities.” Mary Anne Radmacher
We’re just now starting to get a good harvest off of the garden. Peas, carrots, beets (so sweet!) and cherry tomatoes . . . delish! It’s been an odd growing season with a very wet and cool spring, with only recently warm weather in our summer. Never-the-less it’s so nice to pull this out of the garden and cook it for dinner . . .
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“Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers.” Robert Green Ingersoll
One last photo with the Honey Bear . . . we made a visit to see the locals. This Honeybee Center is just a few miles from my house. I wish I could have gotten close to some actual hives. That would have been kind of fun. However the East Coast cousins enjoyed meeting the West Coast cousins. Now, it’s time to put Honey Bear to work doing what he is intended to do . . . sweeten my life! Yum!!
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“Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.” Unknown
A little back-story: my Niece, who lives on Vancouver Island, was married to the love of her life back in June, in a very small, private ceremony performed by a local Marriage Commissioner. I was one of the honored few to be in attendance at that time. The reason they were married in this manner is because he is dying of a very rare and aggressive cancer. It’s a very heart wrenching story, but also at the same time, very heartwarming. I am incredibly proud of how they are both walking this journey hand in hand, working thru every moment together – the good and the bad. They write in their own private journals to each other every day. They are taking each moment for what it is . . . and cherishing what they have in the here and now.
Today we traveled to the Island to celebrate their union, with the family and friends who were not able to be a part of the ceremony in June. It was a lovely catered event, in a lovely back yard garden hosted by some very close friends. He is doing surprisingly well, as they both mingled and enjoyed the evening. We have no idea how long before this invader takes him from us . . . but I am grateful for the moments I’ve been blessed with in the short time I’ve known him.
Unfortunately, we had to travel back to the mainland on the last ferry of the night. I took this shot on the top deck, hoping to catch some of the Perseid Meteor Showers . . . to no avail. There was just too much light pollution from the ferry itself. I did capture the Vancouver skyline however . . . that is my “ghostly” shadow on the right of the photo.
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“I’m a typical middle child. I’m the mediator. The one that makes everything OK, puts their own needs aside to make sure everybody’s happy. It’s hard to change your nature, even with years and years of therapy.” Jennifer Jason Leigh
Oh My Gosh! I read the above quote and thought to myself . . . that is me! Totally me! I am the middle child of seven – two older brothers, one older sister, and three younger sisters. As a child, I mainly just stayed invisible because that was the safest place to be. As I grew older, I found myself being a mediator of sorts . . . the person who always tried to make things ok for everyone. As a result, I grew up a lot of insecurities and no sense of self what so ever. I have worked very hard over the last decade or so to become more confident in who I am, and discovering what it is that makes me tick. I never knew, so how could anyone around me know??
At 60 years of age, I am very much a work in progress but now I know that I have choice, that I have power, that I have value. I hope I can pass this on to my Grandkids through my actions and the way I live my life with accountability and truth. If even a little bit rubs off . . . I have lived my life with purpose.
In today’s photo, I am playing mediator yet again . . . between the New Jersey Honey Bears and my half empty bottle of Agave Nectar. Agave Nectar is not too pleased with the Honey Bear invasion!
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Old Fashioned Raspberry Jam Recipe: Food Network (click for recipe)
There just really is nothing like fresh-picked raspberries thrown in to the pot and cooked up in to yummy raspberry jam! These are pretty much the last of the berries to be picked this year – there may be a few stragglers for a little nibble here and there. But they are pretty much done for the season. I made up a nice double batch of jam to put away for the winter, and to share with a few family and friends. I have frozen some, for smoothies over the course of the next year till we are able to start the cycle all over again.
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“Pooh, promise you won’t forget about me, ever. Not even when I’m a hundred.” Pooh though for a little. “How old shall I be then?” “Ninety-nine.” Pooh nodded. “I promise,” he said. – Christopher Robin & Pooh Bear
I have to say that Honey Bear is really enjoying his new home here north of the border! Today, he and Canada Moose have become fast friends . . . they’re having some quiet time together on the front porch. Who knew a little honey bear from New Jersey could become so right at home here in beautiful British Columbia? We’re so pleased to add him to our family . . .
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Nurture Self 365 