Summer brings a finely tuned balance of sleep and play, parenting and working, exercising and eating.. okay, well I could be doing better with the exercise part, but I really have been excelling at the eating and drinking. Oh wait! That sounds bad, I really shouldn't be writing about drinking on my blog....
Dear clients: I don't drink a lot I promise.
Okay then.
I am a summer beverage enjoyer. Summer holidays begin and the white wine goes in the fridge, and where as I wouldn't typically order wine with a meal it becomes the most anticipated part. I also tend to eat out more, I am a sucker for an invite to the patio or a late evening dinner invitation.
So, when I can roll eating and drinking into a little work/community support, I am pretty darn happy. I have been hitting quite a few of the 30 day local food challenges, mostly with kids in tow, but this weekend was all mine.
I kicked off the weekend Thursday night, (when you are self-employed you receive a weekend head start, to balance the times you worked day and night,) with dinner at Atlas Cafe with my beautiful friend Lucy. Beaufort Winery, Altas and Prontissima Pasta teamed up to create a memorable evening of pasta specials and wine. The Beaufort Ortega is always my top pick for summer wine, so much so that I haven't tried their other offerings. They were pouring a white wine flight and I sampled their Beaudacious and Pinot Gris, which has pushed the Beaudacious to equal standings as the Ortega. To match the wine, Sarah from Prontissima Pasta was circulating samples and Atlas was offering a variety of pasta specials, including a trio of pastas, which was truly delicious. Seriously Atlas, do you ever go wrong? Your service is always seamless and the food always fulfilling and buzz worthy.
Now, it has come to my attention that not all of you know about Prontissima Pasta. Not to get on my soap box, but come on people!!! It is in Tin Town, otherwise known as Rosewall Crescent and you can also pick their goods up at the Farmers Market. Their pasta is my fave for impressing guests, delivering dinner to a friend in need and making a quick family meal - so you see, you really need to check it out.
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Eating & Drinking my way through the summer
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I guess it is the weather, (because we certainly aren't going to blame the mall-ish friend chinese food I had for lunch,) but I sure feel like I could use a shot of caffeine in the arm.
Maybe yesterday could do a do-over.
I started the day at the Wandering Moose Cafe in Cumberland, the place screams with ambiance and warmth, but yesterday it was abuzz with people and coffee grinds as the 30 Day Local Food Challenge Barista Competition was in full swing.
Later in the day I popped into Beyond the Kitchen Door in downtown Courtenay to say hi to my pal and caterer Dawn McRae of Custom Gourmet. Also as part of the 30 Day Food Challenge she was sampling up some amazing tomato based salsas. The lime tomatillo and curry salsa struck my fancy, and she promised me some of the recipes would be in her next newsletter, you can sigh up by emailing her via her website.
Thanks to everyone who weighed in over on Facebook about appliance purchases, we were really happy to find what we wanted over at the locally owned McConochies.
Dawn McRae:
you are a magician with the camera Karen. Thank you ! these are wonderful and really caught the feeling of the demo.
(07.15.11 @ 10:13 AM)
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Can we do a re-do, I need another hit - baristas come back...
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It seems appropriate timing to do a music post - I have had two people ask me in the last week to share my current musical obsessions and Vancouver Island Music Fest weekend seems like the right time to do it.
So in no specific order here is a tad of what we are playing in the office these days:
1. Good Old War - this band is opening up for Allison Krauss tonight, I googled them awhile back and they have been on heavy rotation since. I am always the gal at a show that seems to be there to see the opening band.
2. Caro Emerald - my friend Lindsey turned me on to this and he probably owes Christine an apology because I listen to it pretty much every day in the office.
3. Beastie Boys - new album is called Hot Sauce Committee, need I say more?
4. Broken Bells - Music I try to sing along with, unsuccessfully, but who cares
5. Taio Cruz - This is so not my musical style, but when your four daughters beg you to put it on your ipod then all sing along with it in the car, how can I resist.
6. The Zolas - a Vancouver Band that makes me happy
7. Emily Spiller - a little hometown love on the list. Emily is making huge waves, and has a fabulous sound and stage precence. If you haven't seen her yet, you should, and then you can also say "I saw her when...."
And what is on your playlist right now?
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Summer Playlist
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Life is busy - I work full-time, John does camp work and is gone half the time, we have four kids. I do most of my work when the girls are at school and pull some long days when John is here. We have a groove and it works for our family.
But then summer comes, and I feel like I have to grab it, all of it, before it shrinks away again.
This is where the flexibility of being self-employed has substantial value. I don't know how those of you who are not self-employed do it. Yes, self-employment comes with late nights and sometimes early morning email sessions and yes, I often go 10 days without a day off, yes, I check my i-phone often, but I get to play on my schedule.
Honestly, I am writing this at 10:43 p.m. Typically I don't blog at night, and when I do I will proof it in the morning - just to be on the safe side. But I love that I can do that, I love that my job and technology allows me to play hooky with my children.
This is what my last four days looked like:
I got up early, made a coffee and moved through about an hour of work. Then I put on the parent, hat get the kids moving for whatever the days plans are. Then, back to the office to squeeze a wee bit more in. Then we are off. The last four days brought: two beach trips, mini-golf, two 30 day local food challenge events a campout, an intense kid-led living room craft session, two bike rides, July 1 festivities, a trip to Benino Gelato, some baking, and dinner with friends. Kids are tucked in by 8:30 and here I am back to work until 11.
Now, not every day is like this, tomorrow I will work in the morning and then again in the afternoon and evening - but I have guaranteed the kids a bike ride in between, because I can and for this I am feeling very grateful today.
Today, (remember I am writing this late at night) we spent the morning at Ashberry Farms on Royston Road picking berries as part of the 30 Day Local Food Challenge - it was heaven, and so is the fresh organic strawberry margarita I am drinking right now.
Lindsey:
I am in love with that top right picture of the barn!
(07.06.11 @ 12:55 PM)
sarah Leakey:
you are amazing Karen, I hope you always know that! xoxo Love, love love your blogs!
(07.06.11 @ 10:17 PM)
Karen McKinnon:
Thanks Sarah, makes me feel better after I just ate half a tub of ice cream - can't wait for our session
(07.12.11 @ 08:21 PM)
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Juicy Summer Days
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Introducing Guest Blogger, Selah McKinnon. Selah is an 8 year-old who enjoys reading, baking, biking, sports and photography.
Karen McKinnon:
Selah I love that we share a passion for photography - I am such a lucky mom
Keltie:
So great Selah! Great photos, and great post :)
(07.03.11 @ 09:23 PM)
Frank:
Wow.. such artistic shots! Nice job Selah!
(07.03.11 @ 09:46 PM)
Sharron:
Selah - you have an excellent photographic eye. These images are terrific!
(07.04.11 @ 06:59 AM)
Robin Rivers:
Selah, your perspective and sense of place are incredible. You captured the day magically. Thank you so much!
(07.04.11 @ 07:52 AM)
Vanessa Falle:
Wow, Selah, you definitely have an eye for creating interesting images. Thanks for sharing these and I hope to see more of your photographic art!! Thanks Karen, for giving Selah the opportunity to let us see a little slice of life from her point of view!
(07.04.11 @ 07:53 AM)
Papa:
Selah, these photos are AWE-some...I want more!!!
(07.04.11 @ 09:06 AM)
Katie:
Sweet logo!!
(07.04.11 @ 11:39 AM)
christine:
I'm telling you, this family just oozes creativity--nice job Selah! (And Sharron and Karen, you can consider yourselves pretty instrumental in this too) Looking forward to seeing more food challenge shots!
(07.04.11 @ 01:04 PM)
Brenda Johima:
Well done, Selah! We have never met before, but I really super LOVE your photography! And what a cool logo you have! :) Really love the variety and creativity in your photos. I'm looking forward to seeing more one day! Very well done. Brenda Johima
(07.05.11 @ 07:38 AM)
Auntie Laura:
Great pics and blog post, Selah.
(07.05.11 @ 09:41 AM)
John :
Very nice pictures Selah. I think you have your mothers eye for seeing what will make a good picture. Even though i didn't go with you I now have a sense of what a great day you had but then when your hanging out with Karen mckinnon what else could you expect. have a wonderful day, see you soon.
(07.06.11 @ 06:43 AM)
selah mckinnon :
posting some more soon
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An 8 year-old's view of the 30 day food challenge
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