Can you believe there are only a handful of days left in 2023? From my corner of the world to yours, I wish you peace, health, and joy as we enter a new year. For me, the holiday season is a time to reconnect, relax, and recharge with loved ones. That’s why in this month’s newsletter, I’ll be sharing ways in which you can make memories with those dear to you on Vancouver Island.
Are you hosting company this Christmas? Between prepping meals and making your home welcoming to guests, there’s a lot to juggle! But don’t worry, there are ways to entertain in style without breaking the bank or breaking a sweat.At the recent Island Living Today talk, Luke Griffin (Chef & Owner at Chefs Course) and Eva Hurly (Design Consultant & Owner at Spaces by Eva) shared time-saving tips that let you fully enjoy the holidays.Some highlights included:
Entertain With Ease
- Making your home inviting through music, lighting, warmth, and natural decor.
- Creating more free time to spend with guests by renting dishes, preparing items ahead of time, and cooking tried-and-true dishes that you know will be delicious.
- For both food and decor, use elements that have special meaning to you and can be repurposed in different ways.
Dive Into Sweet Treats
Please enjoy this holiday recipe courtesy of Chef Luke Griffin, who will also take part in Dine About Mid-Island (Jan 17 to Feb 4, 2024). Serve this lemon curd in tarts, with a meringue, or accompanying raspberries and blueberries. Chef Luke recommends using farm-fresh, organic eggs so the dark yolks will give the curd a bright yellow hue.Lemon Curd5 Egg Yolks1 cups sugar4 Lemons, zested and juiced0.25 lbs Cold cubed butter
On Vancouver Island, we’re blessed to enjoy a mild climate and gorgeous scenery. So why not enjoy a refreshing outdoor walk between your holiday meals? Here are some of my favourite family-friendly walks around Central Vancouver Island.Nanoose Bay
If you and your loved ones are looking for a special getaway, look no further than Tofino.Situated within the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and just a 3-hour drive from my home in Nanoose Bay, it feels like another world where time stands still.
Last month, my husband and I went for a weekend getaway and we came back completely refreshed. We stayed in an oceanfront cabin at Crystal Cove Beach Resort which was also pet-friendly for our dog. We loved sitting by the wood fireplace and going for long walks on the beach.To take in majestic Pacific Ocean views, we visited Wickaninnish Beach, located at the south end of Long Beach within the Pacific Rim National Park. The next time we visit, hopefully the Nuu Chah Nulth Trail will be open. (It was closed for maintenance.) It’s a path of raised wooden boardwalks leading through the dense rainforest towards Florence Beach. The trail passes through a wetland and showcases incredible plants and wildlife.
We also took a 10-minute water taxi to visit the Big Tree Trail. The Big Tree Trail at Wanachus-Hilthuuis (Meares Island) Tribal Park is a historically and culturally significant site as the trail was originally established by Tofino artist, Adrian Dorst, and his friends in 1984, during a time when the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and environmental organizations successfully protested logging on Meares Island. 
You’ll be awe-struck by the old-growth spruce, hemlock, and western cedar trees that are as old as 1,500 years. One of the most famous is the Hanging Garden Tree, with a circumference of 18.3 metres, which was once considered the largest tree of its kind in Canada. Just be careful as you navigate the wooden boardwalk during the rainy (i.e. slippery) season!
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- Combine egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest.
- Stir constantly over a double boiler on medium heat until thick. DO NOT OVER HEAT. Approx 30-40 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and whisk in butter a bit at a time until completely melted.
- Strain and let cool before serving.
Enjoy Refreshing Outdoor Walks
- Moorecroft Regional Park and Beachcomber Regional Park offer breathtaking coastal views.
- Rathtrevor Provincial Park is the ideal destination for beach explorations and trail walks.
- The Qualicum Beach paved promenade provides impressive and accessible beachside views for all members of the family, including four-legged friends.
- Qualicum Beach Heritage Forest is home to 50 acres of rare remnant old-growth forest carrying much local history.
- Stroll through the quaint downtown area (plus, the surrounding trails crisscrossing through town) and support small, local businesses while you’re at it!
- Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park delivers an awe-inspiring stroll through ancient Douglas fir trees.
- Englishman River Falls Park and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park provide views of splendid waterfalls.
A Special Getaway In Tofino
Last month, my husband and I went for a weekend getaway and we came back completely refreshed. We stayed in an oceanfront cabin at Crystal Cove Beach Resort which was also pet-friendly for our dog. We loved sitting by the wood fireplace and going for long walks on the beach.To take in majestic Pacific Ocean views, we visited Wickaninnish Beach, located at the south end of Long Beach within the Pacific Rim National Park. The next time we visit, hopefully the Nuu Chah Nulth Trail will be open. (It was closed for maintenance.) It’s a path of raised wooden boardwalks leading through the dense rainforest towards Florence Beach. The trail passes through a wetland and showcases incredible plants and wildlife.We also took a 10-minute water taxi to visit the Big Tree Trail. The Big Tree Trail at Wanachus-Hilthuuis (Meares Island) Tribal Park is a historically and culturally significant site as the trail was originally established by Tofino artist, Adrian Dorst, and his friends in 1984, during a time when the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and environmental organizations successfully protested logging on Meares Island. You’ll be awe-struck by the old-growth spruce, hemlock, and western cedar trees that are as old as 1,500 years. One of the most famous is the Hanging Garden Tree, with a circumference of 18.3 metres, which was once considered the largest tree of its kind in Canada. Just be careful as you navigate the wooden boardwalk during the rainy (i.e. slippery) season!Housing Market Slows As Expected
The housing market typically slows down at the end of the year heading into the holiday season, and the statistics reflected this in November 2023. The sales of single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses all dropped between October and November. A demand still exists and an active spring will likely ensue. For now, many buyers are focusing on other matters while interest rates stay high. For sellers, the winter is a good time to start a conversation with a realtor to plan for a home sale in 2024.READ MORE