August 2011 Update

 Sunset over the Fraser Valley

 Fountain Ridge

 It's been a cool summer but the scenery never fails to impress us!

Pinto and Pela on the deck.

It's been a pretty busy period throughout this month. I've started working at the Lillooet Wellness Centre as the Office Assistant. This has been a great job for me to make my way back into the work force. As well, this is a very positive atmosphere to work in, with a emphasis on well-being. I get great discounts on massage and acupuncture appointments! I have begun to visit a physio-therapist to help rectify my sciatica issue that has only deteriorated over the last several weeks. Walking has been difficult for me so I have been cycling instead - 5 km a day on flat ground with the dogs, plus plenty of core strengthening exercises and stretching.

I have continued canning and drying apricots. All in all I have dried 40 lbs of apricots and canned pickled cucumbers, dill carrots and dill green beans.

Tracey at the back of the garden near an Apricot Tree

Green Beans from the garden.

My 4'x8' apricot drying rack: as they dried I pitted more and placed them on the rack.

I now have Saskatoon Berry wine in the primary fermentor which will be racked into a carboy shortly.  I will post photos in the near future.
The garden has been a little disappointing this year. Most of my Black Krim Tomatoes have succumbed to blossom end rot. I don't get it - I've given them lots of calcium and kept the garden well watered. Perhaps the plants are too close together. I will not give up on this variety and will try something different next year.  Some of my tomatoes do not resemble Black Krims, and the plants are a much lighter shade of green.  These are also the plants that are most prone to the blossom end rot... perhaps a different variety has made it into my seed packet.  I should contact Saltspring Island Seed Co. to see if they know anything about this.

Salmon are definitely running well this year.  I have been out everyday so far this season.  Here's a picture of two Sockeye I caught on the first day of the season.  I hope to catch 20 Sockeye this year.  Pinks are running this year as well.  I have no number I hope to catch, but I am sure there will be plenty (they are expecting 30 million in the Fraser River this year!).  I plan to LOX smoke some of the Pinks and can them.  A local Stat'limc fellow told me that Pinks are best canned for eating.  He recommended 1/2 tsp of vinegar and a tsp of sea salt in each jar... I will try this.  I will probably can most of the Sockeye as well as we found this to be the most convenient way to store and use them.  Tracey and I installed a wash basin sink in our downstairs mud room.  This compliments the toilet that has been recently installed.  Last week we bought some lumber and built a shelving unit and counter top.  This will serve as an area for me to clean my fish, canning, and making wine/beer.  Photos to follow once everything is painted