Winter Wonderland

My mom and I drove up to my cottage, Golden Mile Chalet, on Thursday and were surprised by the amount of snow along the Crowsnest Highway this early in the season.  It was strikingly beautiful -- and seemed almost fake -- as if a Hollywood film crew had come in and done its magic to make it all appear too perfect. 

I had hoped to arrive in time to attend an Oliver Chamber of Commerce Networking event at a local art gallery.  Unfortunately I arrived with only 30 minutes remaining and as I walked in, an incredibly handsome, tall blond man who looked to be in his late thirties/early 40s was just leaving.  DAM!   I did however meet Heather the owner of Cantelope Annie's a fabulous deli in the middle of town, the owner of the gallery, and several woman from Burrowing Owl who were the wine sponsors for the event.  Yum!!!  They were incredibly nice; Michelle from Burrowing Owl invited me to join them for dinner at the Toasted Oak and then for a wine tasting comparing BC and Aussie wine afterwards.  I would have loved to, but didn't want to leave my mom home alone.  I'm definitely going to the next mixer, which I hope falls prior to another wine tasting :)

Kinship
On Friday it snowed all day here.  Fortunately I had rented a SUV, as we wouldn't have lasted long in my Ghia.  We spent the afternoon shopping in Penticton for supplies and then went to the Summerland Festival of Lights.  It was very well done.  There were throngs of people, I don't know how big Summerland is, but I think every resident was there!  The downtown streets were blocked off, there were two stages set up for bands, and the roads were lined with local vendors selling a variety of wares and food. Plus all the nearby shops were open late.  My mom treated me to a fabulous dinner at the Vanilla Pod.  We split a caesar salad, sable fish with roasted squash, and goat cheese tarts made with white and dark chocolate drizzled with a blueberry coulis, all paired with a Pinot Noir from Golden Mile.  Yes, you read correctly, Golden Mile.  The waitress convinced me that their wines no longer sucked.  The winery is under new ownership, and has a new winemaker, and she was right, it was pretty good.  Particularly for the reasonable price point.  Afterwards we joined in the festivities with a fabulous Celtic band, Kinship,  playing the last set, with tons of local kids onstage dancing.

Silvertone
Yesterday I finally found a tv to fit inside my groovy old 1950s Silvertone tv.  It took forever to remove the guts from the old television and to figure out a way to fit the new tv inside the old cabinet.  [sigh -- I would have infinitely preferred for a man to do this].  In any event, it's now done and the VCR set up, so guests can now enjoy movies if they so choose.  I'm going home this afternoon and didn't get half the things accomplished that I wanted to (such as chutney and jam making with apples from my trees).  There never seems to be enough time here.  I hope to come back in January, to get some painting done and try boarding at Apex. 

Comments

[Mother]

My Vancouver November 2005 trip was memorable in spite of my having only one hand to help out with -- thanks for the trip through gorgeous canyon country to get to your Okanagan cottage. Canada is so beautiful but my heart grieves for all the douglasfir dying from beetle infestation (warmer winters have allowed them to proliferate.) Rycroft house in Shaunnesy was spectacular in its Christmas finery. Enjoyed the fine young men in their kilts at Summerland (celtic band), wonder if they've thawed out yet. Your cottage was an oasis of tranquillity and beauty--thanks for the memories, sweetie, Mum

[jane MacFadden]

Thanks for your wondeful comment on my little shop - Cantaloupe Annie's. i don't know who heather is but i am the owner of cantaloupe annie's and can only hope that it was i that you met and that my midlife menapausal brain has wrongfully deleted the memory. if you are back in oliver please drop in so we can get (re)aquainted. happy trails! jane

[Lori Lynn]

Hi Jane, sorry to get your name wrong. I'll definitely stop by the next time I'm in town. I love your deli :) Lori