Up early for the day, so we decided to head to Skaha Lake and use the outdoor gym. It’s pretty good, and we plan on using it more often. Then we hit the beach for a our packed brunch. Avocado egg salad on English muffins, a salad of lettuce, tomato and cucumber. It was a great way to start the day!
We woke up to a dreary drizzly day. Low clouds packed with droplets of refreshing rain covered the valley. So we decided to walk. We took a path through town, not even 2 blocks from the house and we had already nibbled on some tasty growing treats. And then we came to the channel, a man made water way flowing Okanagan lake into Skaha lake. With out any expectation of finding anything to forage we came across a ton of mustard plants, wild rose bushes, pineapple camomile and finally a Saskatoon berry bush bursting at the seams with ripe berries! We stood in the rain plucking the berries for about 10-15 minutes before we had collected about 3 pounds! We left the unripe berries to ripen and the over ripe ones for the birds! We spotted a swamp containing some cat tails which we plan to go back for. And before we left our short journey we cashed in on an even riper Saskatoon berry bush! The lot was about 10 pounds total before we headed home for some much need lunch!
Josh and I cooked together tonight to create an exceptional meal. We were also lucky enough to have generous neighbours with a garden! We plucked some patty pan squash and their tender blossoms, lettuce, basil and day lily buds. Then we seared up some lamb chops and made an Heirloom tomato Greek salad. A dinner fit for kings and queens!
We got an invite to our friend Jessica’s birthday party and needed to bring something to share. Both of us were stuck at El Catrin all day so there was no chance to go shopping and make something extensive plus we wanted to be outside and enjoy the sunshine. Our solution, pick up some cold Cariboo and hit the KVR for a stroll/forage. Immediately we found Lambsquarter, mustard, honeysuckle, rose petals, Saskatoon berries and wild chamomile. After 25-30 minutes spent baking in the sun and harvesting our finds we were off to the house to combine, mix and create a salad for our good friends. Good friends deserve good food. It was simple really. Most good things are. We made a dressing by steeping the chamomile in honey and then combining it with coconut oil. It was out of this world!! We are pretty sure everyone at the party agreed.
Saw some beauty old cars tonight as they paraded by down Main Street and Lakeshore. Stone loved the fire trucks, Josh was stoked on the 60’s sports cars, and I swoon over the 50’s fords. Neat little event in Penticton, runs all weekend.
I have been trying to find the infamous “Naramata Beer Run” for a couple years and I have finally met the right crew that knows the trail. Even better is they have a posse of rad shuttling vehicles to do it with. I met this crew thru a friend at Baldy, Mr. Wes Boehlke introduced me to Sean and Linnette Gratton (who happen to live right around the corner) and we have since teamed up for a couple rides. New trail every time. Sean is a trail builder in the area and both he and his wife are connected with the penticton cycling association. So they are good people to know if ya know what I mean. Also joining us on the ride was Kurt, one of the owners of Freedom bike shop. Man am I lucky he did as I broke my chain on the first peddle stroke. Luckily, Kurt has a full repair kit so after 10 minutes and some swearing and a couple beers we hit the trail. WOW!! That pretty much sums it up. Skinnies, gaps, jumps and heaps of steeps make NBR my new favourite ride in the area. The only downside to the ride was the fact I had a HUGE crash off a 10/15ft booter. A Charlie horse, scrapes, bruises and a few blown seals on my front forks was the end result. Oh well. That’s all part of it. The bike is in the shop for repairs and I should be back on the trails next week. Next time with the gopro to get some real footage.
JS
Got the pleasure of Aussie Scott’s company for dinner and piña coladas at El Catrin tonight! Josh cooked us up a fantastic plate of chicken tacos and roasted corn on the cob! Perfect end to a sweet day off!
Josh and I got to join our neighbours Shaun and Lynette last night at their house for some grub, bike talk and beers! Cooked up some steaks, pork loin, roast corn and sautéed mushrooms! We spoiled ourselves with some NBC After Dark.
Had a little sleep in this morning, till 7! And are now enjoying a lovely nutritious breakfast. Bacon prices are through the roof right now, so avocado and roasted tomatoes will have to do.
Another work week begins. Getting loads of prep done for the weekend with Josh’s help. Though there seems to be a permanent soccer watching crowd at El Catrin, it’s poring rain outside and still not very busy. Josh is only mildly distracted by the game.
I’ve been getting my creative on at work and home.
Oh, and Josh made breakfast, it was sooooo yummy!
h
A bit of a tag team effort. Shay cut and sautéed the shrooms while I pickled onions and cut the corn. A bit o mixing with cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper and viola! Delicious
Shayna&Shulman 