Li's Blog: December 2009

Here is a quick glimpse of a part of this "best protected boating waters in the world" region...the Canadian Gulf Islands enjoy this closeness to nature!

Power boats, sailboats (especially sailboats!) ply these waters, with an archipeligo of Islands floating in Georgia Strait (now also called by its historic name, the Salish Sea), from the southern tip of Vancouver Island all the way to the northern tip, at Cape Scott.   The Canadian islands are nestled in the lee shore of the larger Vancouver Island, and so they enjoy a "rain shadow" effect.

The Southern Gulf Islands are close relatives of the nearby San Juan Islands grouping, and they both enjoy this temperate microclimate known as "cool Mediterranean". 

Once, returning from delivering a video of a Salt Spring Island property to a potential buyer, now in Friday Harbour on San Juan Island, I had the experience of a lifetime.    It's only about an hour, in a 22 foot boat, with a 50 horse motor, between these two islands.    In Friday Harbour, everyone kept saying:  "have you seen the whales, have you seen the whales?".    No, we hadn't.

On the trip back to Salt Spring, just off the Pender Bluffs (where the photo above was taken), we could see the zodiacs and the orange-suited wet gear of the whale watchers, way off in the distance.    Suddenly, right behind us, there was a "whoosh" sound.  

We cut the motor, and sat there, totally surrounded by what turned out to be 13 whales, an Orca pod that cruised this area on a regular basis...big to baby sized.    We became, for a moment, part of the pod.    They looked at us as they rolled past, heading purposefully north...

I don't think we spoke for a good 20 minutes.    It was amazing....lucky me!

Remember Summer?    It's still out there, and heading our way...we've now started
the slow climb to the longest day of the year, and this beach scene reminds us of those
summer pleasures!    

True Salt Spring Island character charm, in this woodsy three bedroom / two bathroom home,
on the seaside, can be yours. 

Spacious and totally private land, with wonderful trees, easy care
landscaping, pleasing lawn leading to the dock and the sandy beach (swim here!). 

Studio, garage, greenhouse and wonderful sunrises and sunsets. 

The plus? A separate and adjacent title, with oceanview, plus cottage.    

Another plus?   A creekside parcel, also adjacent, with a trail to the beach...all together, it's a 
holding that could be expanded into five parcels, for a pleasing subdivision.    

Call me, for more information on this potential

A wonderfully evocative property!      Enjoy!

December 28, 2009.

As the year closes, it's good to remember all the very fine things that are in our lives, and to remember to practice what is often referred to as "the attitude of gratitude".

In this economic downturn, there have been serious dislocations in many lives. For some, ill health has been in the picture. Life delivers gifts and blows, it seems, with equal abandon, and often both are totally unexpected.

There are always things to be grateful for, even in the midst of trouble and strife. Without being a "pollyanna" about it, it's so important to focus on the strengths and the good things...to make sure that our thoughts are keeping to this sunnier focus. As we think, we receive...it seems to be a truth of the universe.

It doesn't hurt, at this time of year, to write down all the good things we can think about, and to ponder on them. We write down our New Year resolutions, too, don't we?

Gratitude, and a written note to ourselves about opportunities in the New Year...it's an invitation to our better and creative selves.

And your list says?

Here's a treasure of a retreat cottage/home...the best of that Coastal Living lifestyle ethic, and it's in a very premier location on special Salt Spring Island!

Two bedroom home, beside the seaside, with spacious decking and patio areas, to expand summer living pleasures! English Country garden, easy care and very private!

Sunny (s/sw/w exposures), easy access sandstone shoreline (warm ocean swimming, here, too!), plus sunsets to savour.

The plus? Separate guest/studio.

Dramatic ocean vistas, private and quiet area, yet close to all amenities/services (golf, theatre, galleries, restaurants, specialty shops, ferries...yet in its own charming world).

Truly, one of the very best oceanfront opportunities on a stellar Canadian Gulf Island.

www.liread.com/1596.htm

December 23, 2009.

Last minute special items, for your Christmas Gift List? Drop into Frankly Scarlett, J. Mitchell Gallery, Steffich Fine Art Gallery, Starfish Gallery, and to Upstairs Bears, in Grace Point Square. Martinus Gems on Seaview Avenue, Salt Spring Fine Art Gallery on McPhillips Avenue, ArtSpring Gallery, Houseboat on Hereford Avenue, Salty Shop and Mouat's Clothing, Boardwalk Greens, Pegasus Gallery on the Boardwalk. Don't forget Salt Spring Woodworks, at the corner of Upper Ganges and Churchill Roads!

Something chocolate: from Harlan's, or from Chocolate Beach chocolatier. Incredible pastries from Brigitte, at Rendezvous Cafe...including the Yule Log, a traditional French dessert. Gift Certificates from the many fine restaurants in town: Piccolo's, Calvin's Bistro, Bocados Bistro, Auntie Pesto's, Harbour House Hotel, Treehouse Cafe, Rock Salt Cafe, Bruce's Kitchen, Salt Spring Inn, Marketplace Cafe....aren't we lucky, so many choices!

The gift of discovery, through a book: Watermark Books, Volume 2, Salt Spring Books.....

Salt Spring Soap Works, Salt Spring Roasting Company coffee, deli delights from Country Grocer or Thrifty's (gift packaged!). Remember the Food Bank, too, with donations.

Spa retreats...hair salon gift certificates...don't forget the personal studios dotting the Island...treasures here, too.

Shopping local finds many treasures, usually of a unique and "one off" nature, and helps our friends and neighbours in business, too. It's a circle....

Remember to enjoy a cappucino or a latte or a reviving cup of tea...take time for yourself, at this busy time of year.

Where are you? Your dock is waiting!

Prestigious Scott Point location, sunny (s/sw/w), with exceptional panoramic oceanviews, this waterfront property enjoys privacy, too.

Currently, a panabode cottage/home, plus double garage, is on site (rented...good tenants would stay, if desired). This dwelling is at one edge of the property, so is not on the prime building site....live in it while you build your dream, closer to the ocean, and create decking that would flow into the two oceanside decks that currently connect with this superior dock structure.

Property is in "natural state", awaiting your ideas!

A very best buy for exceptional oceanfront, on special Salt Spring Island!

www.liread.com/1432.htm

December 21, 2009.

Catch Roderick Shoolbraid's latest work at Salt Spring Roasting Company...show continues through to end of the month.

Tonight, it's the Community Sing-a-long at ArtSpring...admission is free, but donations to the Food Bank are welcome. Arthur Black, Lost Chords, Campanola Brass, & Vaughan Fulford join the audience for an evening of music, stories and lots of opportunities to share favourite carols. See you there! (Starts at 7 p.m.).

Have you dropped into Upstairs Bears in Grace Point Square? Enjoy the Teddy Bear shop...new, antique, one of a kind, collector's items... they're all gems.

Remember the need, in this economic downturn time, and gift the Food Bank, Copper Kettle, the SPCA, the Wildlife Centre, and the Salvation Army...all good causes! Every little bit helps out, and just choose your preferred recipient...it's the season of sharing....

Christmas is fast approaching. It is a time to be calm, to enjoy time with one's nearest and dearest, and, if that's not possible, to share with those others who may find themselves on their own, this Christmas season. It can be a gift to recreate a Christmas tradition, when the old ones no longer "fit".

Going out to dinner? The Harbour House Hotel is offering traditional Christmas Dinner on the 25th, & check out Rock Salt Cafe, too, in Fulford Village. Christmas Eve dinner at Calvin's Bistro!

I love the French tradition of Reveillon, with the feast on Christmas Eve (looking for a Yule Log? Call Brigitte, at Rendezvous Cafe, for the authentic French version!). The English celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas...the tree goes up on Christmas Eve, and comes down on Twelfth Night (January 6th). Each tradition holds its own special charm...with a Scottish background, New Year's is "the" thing!

Still looking for gifts? Lots of treasures below $20 can be found: Windflower Moon, Frankly Scarlett, Starfish Gallery, Salt Spring Soap Works, Houseboat, Salt Spring Books, Volume 2, Watermark Books, gift certificates at Salt Spring Roasting Company, at Cafe Talia, at Rendezvous Cafe, at Calvin's Bistro, at Harbour House Hotel, at Salt Spring Inn, at T.J. Beans, at Rock Salt Cafe....good food, good company, good cheer!

Catch the Alistair Simm version of A Christmas Carol, or Jimmy Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life, on t.v.

Enjoy carols and seasonal music....

It's the Christmas Season, with its message of Love, Joy, Hope, and Peace.

Enjoy!

December 20, 2009.

Today is the fourth Sunday in the Advent Season, the season of preparation and expectancy in the Christian calendar. One lights a candle for each of the Sundays preceding Christmas Day: the four candles celebrate Love, Joy, Hope, and Peace.

Today, is the candle for Peace.

Regardless of one's personal spiritual belief system, there are many aspects of all traditions that are good to explore.

I find that the Advent moment is a time to reflect on the meanings of those words.

Language can obscure as well as illuminate, and it does no harm at all to consider what Love really means, or what Joy expresses, or what Hope might offer....as for Peace, it is a word that is bandied about, on many occasions, and so it is essential perhaps to truly meditate on the qualities of Peace, and what we can do to individually bring this state of mind about.

Individuals effect change.

Look at Ghandi, who was thrown off a train, in South Africa, and who then went on to preach non-violence as the route to change, and the importance of each individual exemplifying this change...in the end, his philosophy helped to create the modern country of India. Nelson Mandela followed Ghandi's precepts many years later, and ended up helping to create the modern South Africa.

Peace...it is up to each of us, as individuals, to model this concept into reality in our own lives.

The larger world mimics what we do as individuals, I think, and it seems that some of the new ideas in physics now point to this. We, each of us, on our own, affect our world.

Peace...today, I light this final candle of the Advent Season, and ponder....

Superb home, "brand new", wonderful finishing choices and stellar design, and with a wrap around ocean, islands, mountains viewscape. Sunrises and sunsets, here!

The home enjoys the entire panorama of the Southern Gulf Islands, and the Lower Mainland Coast Mountains, plus Mt. Baker's majesty...expansive decking and patio areas amplify summer living pleasures!

Cherry floors plus concrete flooring with a copper hue, radiant infloor heating, dramatic stone feature fireplace in living, custom windows that open completely to the view deck, barbecue and entertainment area on decking for easy entertaining, custom windows and door treatments, a light filled equisite space....

Dream kitchen, spacious pantry with mudroom entry, entertainment dining, dramatic living...many unique features that must be seen! Wonderful master "wing", with exercise area off, plus super ensuite bath (you will love the shower!), with window wall that opens onto the hot tub, on the deck beyond....a powder room of stone and glass, off formal entry foyer.

Garden level offers gallery space for those special paintings and objets, plus engaging guest bed and bath, media room, craft/storage area, plus terrific office (could also be a third guest bedroom). Easy access out to patio area from all principal rooms.

Totally private, in a very quiet area of fine homes, close to all amenities and services, yet in its own serene "world apart". All day sun exposure...morning coffee on your deck and sunsets on your patio...plus six private acres to develop as you wish. A mini-vineyard? Olives? Your own hiking/walking trails? It's all here...bring your dream to fruition.

Amazing and dramatic main entry, with ponds and a whimsical sense of inner and outer unity...this is the very best of the "West Coast Contemporary" ethic, and it's ready to just move into and to enjoy!

Close to lakes and to ocean beaches, and to floatplane or ferry service to Vancouver Island/Victoria or to the Vancouver/Lower Mainland areas.

So beautiful...and it could be yours!

www.liread.com/1627.htm