Vancouver Island Mamas

[vanislandmama]

Just moved to the Island from Vancouver. We are currently in Mill Bay. Loving the Cowichan Valley vibe. Would love to meet some more mamas! Anybody out there???

[almadianna]

moved to the Canada tribe.

[kimmom]

We are in the Cowichan Valley too, just north of Duncan, PM me if you want to chat more

[weliveintheforest]

Hi! We are about to move to the Duncan area next month and I would love to meet up with you ladies some time.

[Piglet68]

Just noticed this thread is about 6 months old, but if you are out there we are in Duncan. We just moved here from Vancouver 4 months ago and are loving life in the Cowichan Valley!

It would be great to see you again, Sheila!

[weliveintheforest]

thanks Mariah... is there a knitting group?

[Annie Mac]

A group where I am!
Hello everyone! I'm currently in Victoria, but we are moving to Duncan Nov 1st. We just moved back to the Island last year, I've been away for a number of years, and would love to meet other mamas in the area.

[Annie Mac]

Happy Canada Day all! Anyone doing anything special today?

[Ellp]

Just noticed this thread... I'm not from the Island, but we will be there next week for the Island music fest in Courteney. Anyone here going?

[weliveintheforest]

no, I wish! Next year I hope.

We didn't do anything special for Canada day, did you, Annie Mac?

[Annie Mac]

No Musicfest for me this year either. There were a few years that I volunteered, but this year I have a new baby and the thought of having to juggle everyone's needs AND attend a festival didn't sound fun. Plus, I'd have to pay full cover instead of volunteering. Yikes! But I do love it, maybe next year. They get some fantastic people in.

And Forest: No. I didn't do anything there either. I'm not a crowd person, so I just played it very low key and hung around the house. My DH is away on business, so the baby and I napped throughout the day and didn't even bother getting out of our jammies I was thankful that we didn't hear the fireworks noise. For the last couple years, we've been living in the U.S., and the 4th of July would traumatize my poor dog. Literally for months after the 4th, she'd startle and run at any loud cracking noise. Poor, poor PTSD pooch

[Village Mama]

Every time we drive down to Vic I am eyeing the cowichan Valley area. It sure has changed in the past decade or so! I can see why people are moving to the area!

Not heading to Musicfest ourselves!... Between the cost of the festivals and 2 kiddos who can't handle crowds, it is just too much! I am holding out for the Big Time Out. I have friends who live on the border of the park and get free tickets. A couple of years back I slapped headphones on the boys which seemed to really help, and it is literally just down the road and easy to go back and forth to recharge! Anyone coming up for that? Broken Social Scene was just confirmed as added to the lineup!

[Piglet68]

We laid low on Canada Day, too. We're going to a music festival in Pemberton at the end of the month (Bonfire). We've been going for years now and look forward to seeing old friends. But I was a bit bummed to see that it is happening the same weekend as the Islands Folk Fest. I thought that would be fun to see and it's right here in Duncan.

[Orikai]

I live in Victoria, but my DS (20 mnths) and I head up to visit my sister in Nanaimo a few times a month. Would love to stop for lunch on the way sometime and meet some other Van Island mamas! Anyone been to True Grain bakery? Dying to give it a try!

[Annie Mac]

Hello VI-ers! I really hope this thread doesn't flop. I like knowing there are others like me out there, and if it could be transformed into a real life meeting, so much the better!

So, a gardening question(s) for those of you in the know: In November, we will be moving to a house with a yard (mixed shade and sun when there is sun) & I would like to start composting and growing some of my own food. I have yet to be successful in this arena, mostly because I historically just haven't given the plants the attention (and the fertilizer) they need, but I'd really like to try again. Can I start a compost in November? Cold, wet November? Or should I wait until next spring? What's the best container? One of those plastic ones, or a more breathable wooden structure, or...? And how about plants...is there anything I can start in the winter, like bulbs or something? Or is it just too late in the season? If it is too late, is there anything I can do to the soil/yard to help prepare it for the spring? Thanks!

[Piglet68]

Hi Annie, I would highly recommend the book "Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades". The author describes how to get a compost bin started. You can do it for November if you start saving green matter now and drying it (grass clippings, leaves in the fall, etc). Get a place where you can spread them out and let them dry, then pack them in yard waste bags (or something else) and bring them to your new place where you can mix up a starter batch (layering with soil, and green waste). As for veggies I know there are things you can do in winter but I'm only a beginner myself. The book is really specific for our region.

[Piglet68]

Orikai, I get my flour from True Grain. Their spelt baguettes are marvellous! Next door is Hilary's cheese and just down the street is Udder Guys ice cream store (and old-school candies like the kind we grew up with). They make their own ice cream from all natural ingredients. They even roast their own coconuts for their coconut ice cream. All this is in Cowichan Bay which is a lovely little seaside village. We get our chickens from Cowichan Bay farms just up the road from the "main strip" - free range chickens straight from the farm store! I've discovered that if you are into eating local, you can't do better than the Cowichan.

[Annie Mac]

Thanks Piglet! That looks like a great book. I have wishlisted it with Amazon so I have a quick link. And I agree, that strip in Cowichan Bay is great, some great food and a lovely atmosphere.

[Autumn Mama]

Hi Mariah and other island locavores...!! Here's a plug for another great place sourcing local ingrediens and featuring items made in-store with local island ingredients...my nephew recently opened an artisan deli called Markt, and it's in north Nanaimo, in Rutherford.

He has travelled throughout Europe cooking in some great restaurants after attending Dubrulle Culinary School, about 10 years ago, and his stuff (charcuterie, sausages (from island pork), soup stocks are all amazing! He really knows food and how to make it.

[Annie Mac]

I got the veggie book from the library to check it out before I buy it. I love it! Even if I wasn't planning a garden, I would like it. I especially like the part about thinking like a plant.

We are now actively looking for a house in the Duncan area. We have a short list of favourites and are going to look at them next week! So excited!