Family day at the Victoria gallery Nov 15

Join the gallery for a day of hands-on art making for children and their families inspired by the current exhibition West Coast Modernism exploring abstraction, cubism, modern architecture, and more.

Spooks n’ Spokes Ghost Ride – October 30

The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition is running a Spooks n’ Spokes Ghost Ride – October 30

This easy 20 kilometre night ride on Friday, October 30 will teach you about the spirits who live in some of the castles and finest homes of Victoria.  Riders are encouraged to wear costumes and decorate their bikes! The ride departs from the fountain at Centennial Square at 6:30 p.m. and ends there at about 9:00 p.m.

You must have front and rear lights for your bike to participate!

all details: http://www.gvcc.bc.ca/

Celebrate the apple season

Spartan apple sorbet

making apple rings from spartans: notice the pink flecks!

local apples

selection of apples picked locally

Apple season is in full swing and we are thoroughly enjoying it.  I used to think that I disliked apples. The slightly dry and powdery texture and watery taste I experienced did nothing for me. But a trip to the Edmonton farmers markets a few years ago transformed my opinions. I realized that what I HATE is the apples sold at large chain grocery stores. Since that revelation I have happily discovered more apple delights. As a volunteer fruit picker with the Lifecycles fruit tree project I have picked giant apples (perfect for apple butter), winter banana apples (also perfect for sauce or apple butter or apple rings), small tart crab apples (perfect for blackberry and apple preserve),  spartans with  pink flecked white flesh (perfect for munching, sauce or sorbet)  and many more wondrous varieties. Apple celebrations continue this Sunday Sep 27 at Sea Cider: http://harbourliving.ca/event/apple-day/

Salt Spring Island Fall Fair

Cake decorating

Fall vegetables

Fall fair chicken wings

Last weekend we checked out the Sooke Fall fair. It took me back to my childhood years living in the country. There was the baking and the knitting, some of it beautiful but much of it in colours and styles that, well let me just say I would never pick. There were pale yellow cardigans, patchwork jackets in all shades of purple and mauve, and pale pink acrylic adult toques. Um. Then there was the pumpkins and zucchinis which were fascinating in their shapes and sizes.  And of course there was music and chickens, and preserves and music. This coming weekend we are checking out the Salt Spring Fall Fair which I’ve been told is a lot of fun. Apparently there is: “a Zucchini race; pies are lined up with little bites taken out of them (jury reports); and pigs are running around with prizes attached to their bums.” Who could miss that?! For all the details see:

http://www.saltspringmarket.com/salt_spring_island/fallfair.htm

Check out a fall fair!

This is the month to attend some old style country, agricultural fairs. This labour day long weekennd Saanich is holding its fall fair (see http://www.saanichfair.ca/ for details). Sooke is holding their fall fair on Sep 12 & 13th fair (see http://www.sookefallfair.ca/). The Sooke fair took me back to my childhood years living in the country. There was the baking and the knitting, some of it beautiful but much of it in colours and styles that, well let me just say I would never pick. There were pale yellow cardigans, patchwork jackets in all shades of purple and mauve, and pale pink acrylic adult toques. Um. Then there was the pumpkins and zucchinis which were fascinating in their shapes and sizes.  And of course there was music and chickens, and preserves and music. This coming weekend we are checking out the Salt Spring Fall Fair which I’ve been told is a lot of fun. Apparently there is: “a Zucchini race; pies are lined up with little bites taken out of them (jury reports); and pigs are running around with prizes attached to their bums.” Who could miss that?! For all the details see:

http://www.saltspringmarket.com/salt_spring_island/fallfair.htm

On the same weekend is the Luxton Fall Fair which is apparently the oldest fair on the island. To find out all the details check out their website (Sep 18, 18 -20 http://www.luxtonfair.ca/).

pick blackberries!

I love picking blackberries and there are tonnes of good picking spots on the Island. (UVic campus, out around Hatley castle and Royal Roads). I find that – despite the thorns ! – its a very relaxing way to spend a few hours on a sunny afternoon. It is also fun to make a day out of it. Sometimes we pack a picnic and bringing along a few friends.  There are lots of ways to use blackberries. Add them to fruit smoothies, add them to natural yogurt or your morning cereal, or make blackberry pies or jam. Or here are some more unusual ways to use blackberries:

Spiked blackberry lemonade

3 lemons

4 cups blackberries

1 cup berry sugar

1 cup ice cold water

2 cans soda water

2/3 cup gin or vodka

Add juiced lemons,  berries, ¾ cup sugar and 1 cup water to blender. Blend until pureed. Taste and blend in remaining sugar if necessary. Strain berry mixture through a fine sieve into a pitcher, add vodka (or gin) if using. Put in the refrigerator to cool. Add soda water just prior to serving

Blackberry mouse

2 c. packed fresh blackberries

1 envelope. unflavored gelatin

2 tbsp. cold water

1/3 c. plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar

1/4 c. water

2 egg whites

1-1/2 c. whipping cream

Blackberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Puree blackberries in a food processor or blender. Strain through a fine strainer to remove seeds. Soften gelatin in 2 tablespoons cold water. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, place blackberries, sugar and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Mix into gelatin mixture. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into berry mixture. Beat cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into berries. Pour mousse into 4 to 6 individual serving glasses, or a decorative bowl. Garnish with fresh blackberries if desired. Chill in refrigerator for 3 hours or until ready to serve.

Massaged kale with blackberries salad

Massage kale with olive oil and salt to break it down. Sprinkle blackberries, pumpkin seeds and some shaved pecorino or crumbled goat cheese on top. Serve immediately!

Seventh Annual Fairfield Artists Studio Tour April 24&25

Tour — April 25 & 26 from 11 – 4 p.m.
Gala Opening — Friday April 24, 7-9 p.m. (Garry Oak Room, 1335 Thurlow Road)

This walking tour will let you see inside the private studios of 50 artists living in Fairfield. You can see pictures of their artwork on this site: http://www.galendavison.com/fast_2009.htm

There will also be group shows Saturday April 25th and Sunday April 26th – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  at:

• Fairfield Community Association, 1330 Fairfield Road
• Garry Oak Room, 1335 Thurlow Road
• Fairfield United Church, 1303 Fairfield Road
• Fairfield New Horizon, 380 Cook Street

Opening celebration and group show

Friday April 24th, 7 p.m. in the Garry Oak Room – 1335 Thurlow Road

Both tour and group show are FREE to the public!

Be A Tourist in Your Own Town- March 4th – 8th

Be A Tourist in Your Own Town

59 venues are participating this years Annual Be A Tourist in your own Home Town line-up. This is a great event for those watching their budget. During this period it is  free to get into many attractions including the Victoria Art gallery (usually $12 per adult!).

For a list of attractions check out:

http://www.attractionsvictoria.com/be-a-tourist/index.html

Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival Saturday, February 7th, 2009

Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival

Since moving to Victoria two years ago I’ve become what Harbour news calls a big “picker-maker”. I make jam, quince paste, jellies, cordial, preseves, dried fruits and I pick black berries and (with lifecycles) apples, pears, and quince.  So this maple syrup festival (Saturday, February 7th, 2009  10:00 AM to 4:30 PM) caught my eye. Sounds like a lot of fun and very interesting.

BC Forest Discovery Centre 2892 Drinkwater Road, Duncan

More details:   http://bcforestmuseum.impgroup.bc.ca/?special-events,48

Chinese New Year: SUnday Feb 1

Head down to China town for celebrations of Chinese New Year/Spring festival. At noon, “in the square next to Capital Regional District headquarters in Chinatown, there will be an historic photo display, as well as a variety of performances including colourful folk dancers, martial arts demonstrations and the popular Lion Dance.” http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/victorianews/community/38172974.html

If you want to learn more about Chinese new year you can learn more on this UVic web-page: http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html Until this year I hadn’t realized that Chinese NY was such a complex festival.

UPDATE:

The Chinese New Year parade was excellent. Apparently it attracted more people this year than any other year. Good to see everyone out and out about!