Okanagan Abundance

Kyla, Roxanne and I took a road trip up to Kelowna for a weekend of canning. Sarah, who lives there in the summers, had worked her magic at the farmer's Market. She had found lovely, unsprayed peaches (60 lbs), tomatoes (90 lbs), and pickling cukes (40 lbs) for us, along with 60 lbs of organic heirloom tomatoes for herself. The plan was to lounge on the dock and in the boat on Friday (the only forecasted hot day), canning Friday night and all day Saturday, a bit more on Sunday with a break for Kyla, Sarah and I to drive to Okanagan Falls for the Feast of Fields, then home again Monday.

Peaches...my family's favourite winter treat.

Everything ready for pickles (notice our amazing view?)

Heirlooms, getting ready to roast.

Crushed tomatoes, bubbling away.

Sweet success! (literally. we've never tasted such sweet tomatoes)

We took the long way home, packed into Roxy's smallish car, floorboard to roof with boxes of full canning jars, then every other space stuffed with local produce from the farm stands in Keromeos. I love the beautiful scenery on the old highway.

Okanagan Memories: On the Dock

We had a whirlwind weekend in the Okanagan at Sarah and Padra's place. They were kind enough to open their home not only to us, but also to Jay's cousin Dan and his wife and two kids from Edmonton. We holiday together on the Island every summer. This year we met for a weekend in Kelowna before continuing on to Parksville. There were 14 of us in all, so there was much laughter, chaos, and good food (if I do say so myself!). But nothing was broken, and nobody squabbled, and there was luckily a boat big enough for us all!!

Each day found us down on the dock. A double kayak, two longboards, numerous floaties, water fight supplies, and a cooler with cold beer kept us happy and occupied!

A view of the dock from up on the porch

A relaxing float

Jay and Dan out on the longboards.

Maya takes Faire and Kai for a ride.

Johanne finally convinced a pensive Shea to go for a kayak ride. It takes him a while to warm up to trying something new, especially on the water. But he enjoyed it, and was out on the kayak often after this first ride.
Shea and Kai. Ahhh, today, out in a kayak together; before we know it, out in a car (ack!)

Maya

Shade was hard to find at certain times of the day. We made a makeshift cover for Isla (except for these cute little toes that I couldn't resist snapping a photo of!

Okanagan Memories: Out On The Boat

When we weren't on the dock (or eating!), we were out on the boat

Isla and River look out over the water.

Padra and Juma, driving the boat.

Faire and Kai on the tube.

Padra

Dan

Carl up on skis. The beginner ones were so great for the kids.

Check Kai out!

Family

5 of the 8 kids up front (the party section)

Sarah and the star of the weekend, Juma baby. I love this photo!

Me and my girl Sarah, working on our tans. I learned that hanging out over the back edge of the boat is, indeed, a great way to tan your ass and keep cool at the same time. Just so you know ;)

Oh, The Things Kids Think!

See this wonderful view? That is where I'll be sitting soon. I'm in a whirlwind of activity around here, prepping and packing and checking my list.

So this morning Faire asks: "Mom? You know what I'm most excited about in the Okanagan?"

"What?" I ask, thinking she's going to say seeing friends and family, racing along on the boat, or behind it in a tube. Something fun and memory-inspiring, you know?

Her answer: "Sarah's fridge has an ice machine."

Scenes From the Okanagan

Well, I am behind. The kids are back to school and I haven't even posted about our summer. It was agood one. Lots of relaxing (them) and canning/freezing/smoking/etc of local, seasonal treats (me) Good times. We spent much of July "holidaying" with family and friends, and August at home. Now we just have to figure out how to get into the routine of Fall. It's not easy getting out of bed and out the door in the mornings.

Here are some snapshots of our time in the Okanagan with Sarah and Padra and their boys (who now have the addition of a girl!)

(Adding photos to posts is so important to me, but the process is giving me some major grief. Someone who knows this stuff is going to have to share tips and tricks me me. Anyone? Please?? This post took three tries and the damn photos still won't really cooperate. End of rant.)

Jason and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary the day after we arrived. Sarah and Padra kept the kids and sent us to Quail's Gate for dinner. It was absolutely superb. The best meal I've had in a long time. Crab cakes, scallops, steak, lamb...decadent, I tell you. And a great bottle of wine to top it off. And creme brulee because, you know, scallops and steak weren't enough.

Boating is top priority for our kids. Shea is a little more reserved about it all, but Faire always wants to go faster...

Can't forget tubing! Faire would stay in there all day if you let her.

The smoke from the fires in West Kelowna made everything glow and sparkle. So beautiful, but so sad to witness and hear about on the radio.

See you next year, summer house on the lake, to make more memories with one of our favourite families!