An ‘At home’ Camping Weekend.

The plan was to take the pontoon boat with the kids and grandkids and find a camping spot.

Two things changed our minds – the high water on Harrison Lake (no beaches!) and the August long weekend.

We had no desire to fight for a camping spot.

So we “camped” at home. We might even have tented had the forecast not been for rain.

As it was – we slept well in our comfy beds and had all the fun of a camping weekend.

dirtbiking

slip ‘n slide

Hot dog roast with PopPop showing us how he can roast 7 at one time and a picnic!

Fishing – yes they caught one (small)

Ready aim…… FIRE!

and Hiking at Bridal Veil Falls.

The weekend ended with a marshmallow roast at Uncle Rick and Auntie Adele's and yummy s'mores. (Have you ever tried them with peanut butter cups?)

What more could one ask of a camping weekend?

Photo Journal - July12-18

And what were the highlights of a week in July?

A boat ride to a friend's cabin and a weekend there with good friends. Breakfast on the patio - Long Island, Harrison Lake.

Jerome, a young man from Belgium, met on the beach at the
Harrison Festival of the Arts, whom we hosted overnight.
A stranger met, a friend made.
A brave fellow to tackle a year long bicycle trip across Canada.
Travel safely Jerome.


Mmmm.. fresh locally grown raspberries and Okanagan apricots.
made into jam.


A precious grandprincess, enjoying the early morning sunshine.

Baby B's first taste of plums and raspberries

- oh yeah - bring it on!An excited grandboy piloting the boat by himself.

A waterfight between grandboy and his PopPop.

Grandson N loving the (cold!) water.

A warm cuddle after a swim.

Wondeful patterns in the rocks on the beach made by the action of the waves.Baby B's delighted giggles - oh how he loves his Daddy!

Watching a moth (?) probing the flowers for it's evening meal.

Enjoying the trellis Harv built for me. My Honeysuckle and Trumpet Vine now have a beautiful place to climb.

Close ups of my garden

My garden is not perfect but looking at the flowers close up reveals the Creator in all His Majesty. I am in awe of God's creative imagination. There is no way in my mind to reconcile the beauty, complexity and interdependance of the world around me with anything but God the Creator of Heaven and Earth. No random collision of molecules, no exploding atoms, not the wildest imagination of man or woman, could create the colours, shapes, textures, smells and incredible detail of the world around us.

I praise You, my Creator,

and give thanks to You for this beauty

that fills my senses and feeds my soul

and is a constant reminder

of Your love for me.

Psalm 104:24 O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In your wisdom you have made them all. (NLT)

Psalm 111: 2-4 How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! Everything He does
reveals His glory. How can we forget the wonders He performs?

Psalm 145: 5-6 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness
no one can fathom.

Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they were created...

Hydrangea



Coleus and Sweet Potato Vine

Dahlia



Daylily

Honeysuckle







Stargazer lilies
in bud

Geranium


Pink Astilbe



Campanula

A Recipe for a Summer's Day.

Take: A hot sunny afternoon in July

Add: 1- 24 foot pontoon boat
several good friends
Place boat in a 50 mile long lake (Harrison Lake will do fine). Invite friends aboard.

Add : breathtaking scenery
refreshing summer breezes
cold drinks
snack food.

Set sail on lake. Take in the scenery, enjoy the cooling summer breezes, distribute cold drinks and snacks to taste. Be sure not to plan any activities. This could spoil the whole recipe.

When a quiet cove comes into view, glide on to the shore, .

set up the umbrella, and take a nap.

Later, Add: meat for the BBQ

2 or 3 really great salads

a bottle of wine

Finally finish it all off with:

a luscious dessert

coffee

When the sun goes down, set sail for home

This recipe will satisfy even the most jaded appetites.