Saturday, September 3, 2011

So, is it summer, or what?

I don't think it can make it's mind up right now.

On the one hand, all day today we found ourselves seeking shade at every opportunity. And yet, as always seems to happen early September, it's like someone's flicked a switch and the evenings are suddenly no longer inviting for sitting out on the deck. After weeks of non-stop outdoor living, we are back to eating meals indoors.

Yesterday evening, we were out picking our first blackberries. Something that should have happened a whole month ago.

Then today, we went to the Saanich Fair, which always, to me, signals the end of summer.

What a topsy-turvy season.

The Saanich Fair has become an annual favourite of ours, even though most of it is now familiar and predictable. There's big sheds of livestock, arts and crafts, and all the usual displays you'd find in a country fair...flowers, vegetables, home baking, preserves...as well as a wide assortment of stalls and endless varieties of food stands.



Because we've seen it all before, we asked the kids if they wanted to bother this year. Megan, especially, insisted. Here's why...
She's made friends in past years with some of the goat owners, and spent the whole day helping them out.

Of course, going to fairs like this has its attendant perils. There's always the danger of coming home with rather more than you intended to.

Please welcome two new additions to the family: Midnight and Liquorice.

15 comments:

Stefanie J Pristavu said...

Awesome! Once again, I believe your kids are really lucky!

Elizabeth Rogue said...

The more, the merrier, right? :D

Botanist said...

I'll have to remind them of that, Steph ;D

Elizabeth, as long as they don't start wanting goats and pot-bellied pigs I guess I can't complain :)

David Batista said...

I wish it felt like the end of summer around these parts. Still hot and stickly, although September is my favorite of months. It's when things finally start to cool down. FINALLY! :)

And a big YUM! at those blackberries. Why did it take a month longer this year?

Charmaine Clancy said...

Lol, our family can be a bit like that with the pet adopting, I can barely manage to go down for the local paper without bringing something shaggy and demanding home :)
Wagging Tales - Blog for Writers

Botanist said...

David, the late berries are a sign of the dismal summer we've had up until about mid August (while the rest of the continent has been baking). This side of the Rockies, we might as well be the other side of the world.

Charmaine, as long as the people bringing the fluffies home also deal with the demands, that's all I ask :)

Jean Davis said...

Those blackberries look yummy! The new pets are cute. I hope your kids are more reliable with taking care of their pets themselves than mine are. ;)

Botanist said...

Jean, the blackberries are right now being turned into a mousse (Ali's idea). And the kids are OK but they do need reminding from time to time.

Donna K. Weaver said...

I love the pictures. And those berries look so yummy!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Cutie pets! I bet your kiddles were ecstatic! Here it's cooling down as it nears fall. I love this weather. I wish it stayed 70 F all year round! :/


♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

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klahanie said...

Hi Ian,
Ah, you bring back some wonderful memories for me and my times on the Island. Really nice photos and now I've got this urge for some blackberries.
And summer? I think I'd better not comment on the 'summer' in Britain :)
Take good care,
Gary

Crystal Collier said...

Wait, where do you live? I swear that looks exactly like a county fair I went to seven years ago!

P.S. Condolences on the pests...I mean pets.

Botanist said...

Thanks Donna. Blackberries were indeed delicious.

Elizabeth, looks like we're getting the heatwave that we've been missing all summer. Not sure how long it'll last, but enjoying it while it does.

Gary, the less said about the English summer, the better. We keep in touch with the folks over there and have heard all about it :)

Crystal, I'm just a few miles from Victoria, on Vancouver Island. It would be neat to discover that you've been to the same one, but I bet most of these country fairs look pretty much the same from a distance.

Heather Henry said...

We just picked a bunch of blackberries too. They're sitting in my freezer waiting for me to decide what I'm going to do with them. Any yummy recipes to share? I was thinking jelly but haven't quite decided.

What are the cute little animals you brought home?
Fairs are definitely fun and slightly hazardous. :) Looks like you had a great time.
Happy weekend!

Botanist said...

Wow! This post feels like so long ago now, Heather. Those animals are baby guinea pigs. They have already grown noticeably since this picture was taken.

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