local delights

I have been meaning to share some of the local delights we get to enjoy here in the Okanagan. I am mainly doing this so that I remember when visitors come out, but who knows, the Okanagan is a popular summer destination so you may benefit from this too. I did brainstorm a few, but have forgotten most so more will be included as I remember/discover them. I don't have much time at present so I will just leave you with one little delight.

Stuart Park Skating Rink

Now, this isn't always a skating rink so the link will not always show it...  Stuart Park is a park along Okanagan Lake here in town. In the summer there is a roller skating area and in the winter this is flooded and turned into an ice rink. It is open for free public skating from 06:00 - 23:00 throughout the winter months (which, in Kelowna, are from late November until late February). The park is right down town and the ice is well maintained.

I have yet to skate at Stuart Park.  I don't own skates, but that is no longer a valid excuse as this year they added skate rentals on the premises. Erik, however, regularly heads on out and skates for an hour or two. He did this more often when we lived within walking distance of the park, but he still manages to get out there.

So, if you ever find yourself lucky enough to spend Christmas in Kelowna, I'd recommend you head out to Stuart Park to enjoy some lakeside skating.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

*** *** *** ***

:: right now ::

Right now, I am... 

:: laying on our yellow couch in my yellow robe snuggled up under a blanket.

:: enjoying the fire and the fact that a little switch turns it on and off. I adore real wood fires, but our gas fireplace suits me just fine for now. Convenient and cozy.  

:: wishing Erik were home with me. We've been working opposite shifts since returning home and this will continue through the weekend. I worked Christmas day, he worked Christmas night. He works boxing day. I work boxing night. Same on and so forth

:: wrapping my mother's birthday gift. It was her birthday yesterday, but I was unable to visit with her so we are celebrating a bit belated.  

:: procrastinating cleaning my kitchen. There are quite a few dishes piled on the counters which require washing and putting away, but cozy-ing up by the fire is much more appealing. 

:: watching Downton Abbey. Sort of. I have been told it is good. 

:: lighting beeswax candles all round my living room. They're from here. I love love love them. Love them. 

:: crossing my fingers hoping our tree lasts a while longer. Needles seem to fall off when I merely look at it. I try keep my tree as long as possible -- sometime through January. It makes the living room delightfully gezellig. 

:: savoring the smell of said Christmas tree. 

:: watching the trees blowing in the wind. It's blustery out there and I am so thankful to be indoors. 

:: telling myself that cookies don't count as breakfast. 

:: thinking it is time to pick up another book -- it has been far too long since I've read something. Especially something of substance.  

:: wishing I had more knitting projects to work on. I just finished a few things and already miss having many options to pick up. 

:: craving pumpkin spice pancakes. 

:: searching for my favourite recipe for pumpkin pancakes. Still. 

:: remembering where we were last year at this time -- Huacachina, Peru. Yes, we were starting Our Grand Adventure just over a year ago. 

:: gearing up for my "Year in Review". 

:: holding my breath until our hard drive gets here. We sent it to Vancouver after the data couldn't be recovered here. It ended up costing an incredible amount of money to retrieve the photos, but we are told only 100 files could not be recovered. I will see it when I believe it. If my travel photos are returned then it will be worth every penny. 

:: waiting until my photos are returned to actually start my yearly re-cap. 

:: wishing you a wonderful day, wherever you are!!

Merriment.

I love spending time with my in-law's. I am extremely blessed to have married into such a wonderful family. I wish we lived closer so we could spend more time together, but we do the best we can. Visits are never long enough and I never feel ready to leave. But leave we must.

It is interesting to share a holiday with another family. I know this is my family, but I'm talking about participating in traditions that are different than what you grew up with.  I thoroughly enjoy the Olson Family traditions and I enjoy how the experience encourages me to reflect on the Jansen Family traditions.


We went out far too often when we were in Western Washington. We made too many trips into town because we'd done hardly any shopping before we made our way to the coast. We were ill-prepared for the festivities. Thankfully this gave us a chance to visit a few of my favourite shops in the area -- the top two being the shop at the convent and the co-op. Both are delightful and I can't help but sigh and relax the moment I walk in.

We took in a movie (the Hobbit… ugh), ate at a couple favourite restaurants, chatted, and enjoyed being together. I thoroughly enjoyed knitting close to the fire -- there are few things better than that. Erik and I ate way too much all week long, which I only mildly regretted.

My father-in-law makes the most delicious swedish meatballs. My mother-in-law makes the yummiest lefsa. My sister-in-law makes the perfect santa. And there are always plenty of presents to go around. Erik and I were spoiled... as we always are.


Erik's family eats Christmas dinner by candlelight -- a tradition I adore. Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli, raspberry-pineapple jello salad, olives, and pickles. Yummmm. I enjoy all the Olson Family traditions, not just the candlelight and menu, but I do love those too.

More on that some other time.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

From me and mine,

to you and yours,

Merry Christmas!

the predator.

Erik has been fishing for Sockeye Salmon in Alaska every summer for the past 13 years. That, my friends, is half of my lifetime. He spends three weeks on a boat with three grown boys. During this time he lives on a little boat with the aforementioned boys.

It has always been difficult for me to understand what fishing life is like. I can only imagine how sick I would be if I was stuck on a boat for three weeks straight. And I know I would be a grumpy bear if you woke me up at 03:00 and dragged me out into the cold to pick fish out of a net. 

The boat Erik fishes on, the Predator, is in Western Washington being fixed/upgraded so I had a chance to see it. I had a chance to see Erik's home away from home. Erik took us on board and showed us the cramped quarters he stays in -- I could barely turn around in the focsle/fo'c'sle so I have no idea how four grown boys manage to do it. It would be most unpleasant.

Erik danced around the deck while the rest of us were careful not to slip. I imagine he is as comfortable on water as he is on land. He was proud of the steel shell-of-a-boat and obviously fond of the time he spends in Alaska. It was fun to see him share that part of his life with us.


 I am glad I never need to join Erik fishing in Alaska. I don't know how long I would survive… or how long those around me would survive. I'm not particularly thrilled about being cold and I hear it is downright chilly in those parts. I feel I now have a better sense of what life in Alaska is like… at least what living on a boat looks like. Thanks, but no thanks. 

The Greatest Gift... Other than Jesus.

I love all my gifts -- I always do. This year, however, I got the greatest gift. My sister-in-law happens to be a brilliant artist and she graciously gave me a stunning piece of art. I was absolutely tickled. Entirely delighted. It is lovely, lovely, lovely. I cannot wait to frame it and hang it in my home.
Poor Jaybird though... I will now be asking for artwork every single year.

Home for the Holidays

We are spending some time at the in-law's house in Western Washington. Erik and I both work next week so we came down on Tuesday to spend time with the family. This is the first time we have stayed for more than three consecutive nights in years. We usually arrive late at night, stay for the next day or two and leave mid-morning. This time we are here for five nights and it is delightful.

I have much to write about, but for now I am going to get back to my knitting. I promise to return soon.

Tree Hunting

Erik and I went tree hunting on Wednesday. We drove to a friend's uncle's property a ways away to find our tree. We went a couple years ago with said friend and his family, but sadly had to search on our own this time.

I took along some knitting to pass the time in the car. I suffer from motion sickness so I took many breaks, but it felt so nice to have my hands working away. I'm making a little blanket which I am already particularly fond of. I splurged and got some lovely madelinetosh yarn for it, but don't feel guilty because it is that wonderful. And it's only a baby blanket so it isn't that much yarn.

I love warmth but I forgot how much I do enjoy a cool winter day -- at least from the comfort of a warm car. I also love road trips (especially mini road trips) and spending time with Erik (obviously).

It was surprisingly cool out so our fingers froze quite quickly, but Erik probably appreciated that as I chose a tree more speedily. This benefited him as he didn't have to drag the tree as far because we didn't get as deep into the forest.

We took our traditional photo-before-the-tree-is-cut. And then Erik cut down the tree and hauled it out.



We (and I use the word "we" quite liberally) had the frustrating task of attaching said tree to the roof of our little car for the long drive home… We (again "we") only had to stop once to adjust as we had a new rope that stretched out a little bit (as expected).

It was a lovely little morning and I cannot wait to finish decorating my home now!