In the Woods - Mosaic Monday

It has been one week since I last posted to my journal. We have had some serious rainfall these past few days on the west coast and experienced a rather exciting lightning storm on Friday evening - lots of activity in our sky lately. I rather enjoyed watching the storm - with some trepidation - but was happy to be indoors. Our poor little cat was tightly curled up under our dining room table, nestled securely on her favourite pillow - she did not enjoy the storm!

The skies cleared enough on Sunday that we were able to get outside and explore the little forest park which is a minute's walk from our property. There are many trails that meander through the park and which lead this way....and that way....up hills.....and down hills. There is a marvelous view from the top of the hill, where one can sit and look down upon Gary oaks and evergreen trees, the town of Sidney and the Patricia Bay inlet and the outer islands. The park is very typical of our west coast with ferns, cedars, arbutus, firs and abundant plant life with wildflowers that are quite impressive during the early Spring; also, for mushroom fans, it is a photographer's paradise. I admit that I am a little squeamish around fungi but am impressed by the variety of shapes, sizes and colours of mushrooms that seem to grow in the oddest of places. I love the wispy fairy-like lichen that hangs from fine branches and the emerald green moss that coats bare branches. I have a few photos that I will post for this journal entry. My intention was to take photos of pine cones and cedar boughs as we are nearing the Christmas season. The scent of cedar in the woods and the colours of the trees and natural vegetation fills me with such a wonderful 'Christmassy' feeling - the spirit of Christmas becomes so alive to me in such a natural environment.

Please check out the Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

Here is a recipe I would like to share which comes from the CBC radio (All Points West), hosted by Jo-Ann Roberts with her special guest Troy Townsin. Every Monday afternoon I eagerly listen for his new recipes (I am usually in the midst of driving home so cannot write them down - fortunately their website has all of Troy's recipes which are printable).

Walnut and Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Chardonnay Butter
(from Troy Townsin) - click here for printable recipe

Thank you for viewing! Michelle

The Arbutus sheds its red bark to reveal smooth texture underneath
click link here to read about the Arbutus tree

Photo Collages

I have been having fun lately putting together a group of collages with a few of my older photos - some of which can been seen throughout this blog. These pictures I took on Savary Island, it is a magical place with amazing plant life and beautiful old-growth trees. I have taken hundreds of photos there over the years and will probably take hundreds more in the years to come. Please note the 'nude beach' sign is for 'fun' only - the locals of Savary Island have some interesting signs posted throughout the island! I wish I had more photos of their locally made street signs as they are quite charming - my favourite sign on Savary reads "please drive slowly, Grandparents playing".

The island is almost tropical with white sandy beaches (you can read about it in my previous posts) - and is lush with vegetation. The month of May is a beautiful time of year to visit the island as it becomes so green and lush with new plants, the Spanish broom is in bloom, wildflowers and floxglove are bursting forth and the verdant forests and meadows almost glow and shimmer in the sunlight. The tall green grasses and billowing ferns adorn pathways and small narrow roadways. Towering old cedars and firs stand like wise and proud old souls, truly worthy of such veneration and respect. Our First Nations people were once established on this island and were able to live from the fish and plant life here - how serene and healthy a lifestyle.

I cannot capture the full beauty of this island with my photos but they do offer a small glimpse.

Thank you. Michelle