Lately

The 17 pounds of blueberries we picked.

In the massive blueberry bushes.

Mike in a bit of a clearing.

Our weekend was filled with blueberry picking, Honeyland in Pitt Meadows, and backyard discussions of who we'd have lunch with and what we'd discuss and why we are still "Christian".

We also had the oppertunity to be involved in a focus group for our church and it was great experience. I loved hearing everyone's opinions and desires regarding "church" and what that could look like, finding that I/we aren't alone in some of our ideas/ideals. In the end, it was a couple of hours well spent and it was a valuable experience with something that felt very grass-roots.

Last night we took in the RCMP Muscial Ride and it was amazing. Mike hadn't been since he was 8 and I think I last went sometime in my late teens/early twenties. We're looking forward to this weekend when we'll be off to Whistler to take in some music with friends.

Summer is winding down (just a few weeks left until Dave! [Matthews Band]) but fall looks to be exciting and the prospect of settling into "routine"-whatever that will look like-is palatable.

It's been awhile. I've sat down many times to tickle the keyboard and get something down on virtual paper but have drawn a virtual blank.

So far this summer, there has been a wedding, an epic graduation party (Mike is done his ECE schooling and is currently working on his 3rd and last practicum, one friend has completed her BA, and another has completed her masters-congrats to all!), raspberry picking (a first for Mike), a successfully renewed passport, trips to Alouette and Pitt Lake, a friend's CD release show, and a spattering of stuff I'm sure I've missed.

We have a Kings of Leon concert, Whistler music festival, and Dave Matthews Band at The Gorge on the up-and-coming docket with the possibility of much more mayhem.

Mike's 2nd cousins wedding. We only took a picture of ourselves...whoops!

At Alouette with the nephew (and sister & brother-in-law).

My first attempt at canning this afternoon. The 2 jars on the left have already sealed--success! The jars are housing Japanese cherry plums from the in-law's tree. I can already taste it on my oatmeal in the winter, a slight reminder and hope of the summer to come during the cold mid-winter. I feel very domestic in a Little House on the Prairie kind of way and have hopes of canning some other delights...how Laura Ingalls of me.

I've just realized that canning might be my latest "creative" endeavour. I've been aching to get back into something creative. Making flashcards does not count or my cup would overflow. Ideally, I hope to get back to writing but, having not done much at all in the past 2 years, it's quite daunting to pick up the pen. I'm working my way there and, strange but true, I think canning might be my latest stepping stone.