goldstream

Somehow, in a couple of days I've managed to reasonably settle into my new Brooklyn room.  There are lots of things I'd like to share about this new crazy place I'm living in, not to mention new recipes to post, and birthday gifts to share, but first I have to get *the now* squared away - mostly finishing up this video project so I can feel like any other leisurely photo taking isn't some form of procrastination.

And less than a week ago, I was here, on Vancouver Island.  Our picnic was a set and an excuse to go to Goldstream Provincial Park.  The previous days of being shuttled around and feeling a bit haphazard were immediately quieted here.  The green and redwoods as a backdrop to my lovely friends and colorful food inspired, and I found a zeal for the project that had been missing in the previous days.

 My friends endured the damp cold and the strong smell of dead salmon (an annual winter occurrence in the nearby Goldstream river) for this project and I can't thank them enough for having so much patience as they watched me fumble around this new videographer character.  They brought me coffee in the morning, made delicious meals, and were all around good company.  Every time I'm near them I think what a wonder it is to have found people so far away with such similar interests as my own.

And while I am so excited about all the possibilities that go along with big city living, there have been a few times these last couple of days, where I'm walking around these foreign Brooklyn streets, enduring a bit of culture shock, and I've found myself wishing I was comfortably nested with these sweetie people as my company.

Also, I have promoted her blog countless times, but you should really look at Sophie's space - Wholehearted Eats !  Over the course of knowing her I've watched her blog blossom into a beautiful raw foods haven with countless original and creative, healthy recipes.  It's even more impressive because she manages to maintain her blog and work a full time job!

While you're at it, you should also look at her angelic sister, Hannah's space - Tea and Toast.  She's a busy student, but when she does post her photos and words are the loveliest.  

whirlwind

The year started at a sprint.  My belongings were moved from my familiar apartment in Vermont, to the new, unfamiliar Brooklyn loft.  A small room that overlooks the city, I will cozy it and make it mine in time.  
Just after midnight I journeyed from Brooklyn to the airport to use my small bit of free time before internship to shoot a film for some people back on Vancouver Island, my first ever paid job.  So, here I am.  I got to spend my birthday with my sister and friend on the olympic peninsula and now I am soaking in this wonderful excuse to see all my lovely Victorian friends again, and to see all the moss and grey.

cathedral grove

 At dusk, we stopped along our way to Tofino, parking at the signs marked 'Ancient Forest: Cathedral Grove'.  At that time of night the moss ceremoniously swayed in the trees and the stumps cast shadow figures on the soil.  Hushing our voices, we quietly tread along, listening to the faint voices carried on the breeze,  admiring what we could see of the large dark masses and the grey light seeping in between.  

It was a magical experience.  That night we stayed nearby, in Port Alberni, and I insisted the next morning that we take our coffees and see all the old-growth again, in the early light. 

It wasn't the same eerie, haunting feeling, of the night before, but much more fun.  We intended to only stay for a few minutes, but ended up as children again, playing around for what must have been a couple of hours. 

I pretended that I had grown up in that forest, and had only ever known cedar and redwood, moss and pine.  Or that I should abandon the trip and find a way to live on the mountainside, building myself a canoe to paddle alongside the heritage trees.

And an 800 year old tree!

We eventually had to return to the road, so, I filled my jar with water from the stream, the most cold and crisp water, and tried to make it last the rest of the trip.

Also, the giveaway winner is Emily Sadowski !  Thank- you to everyone who entered!  I hope to keep

giving away awesome handmade and crafted things in the future!

Earth.

On this island it is just me, the kitten, and my hands kneading away at dough.  With new friends traveling to and fro and all familiar faces an ocean away I find stability in the mossy green - snow covered mountains always on the horizon - the redwoods that make you feel so small and young - and the hints of springtime showing up in sprouting buds.

There have been many ferry rides back and forth for the last two weeks, but now I have returned and intend to thoroughly nest and discover in my last 3 months here.  After a bit of time away, when window gazing from the ferry back to Vancouver Island -it really hit me- I am living in British Columbia, and it is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

vancouver island.

It's hard to believe I've only lived here a week.  I'm already feeling like a local biking around the city and I'm mixing and shaping dough without too much instruction.  I spent my day off exploring the seacoast and this place is so beautiful in a way I've never experienced before.  The air smells different, the ocean is a different kind of salty, and there's lots of wildlife I've just never seen before (there are supposed to be orca whales??).  It still doesn't feel like home yet, and I can't help but occasionally miss how comfy I was in Vermont, but I think it will be good here.  I know I wasn't drawn to this area without reason.