Advent - Day 1

Nothing like starting the advent season by sorting almost $2,000 worth of Purdy's chocolates for a local fundraiser.

A new take on ADVENTS & post its

When Dec. 1 rolls around, we immediately hunt around for the kids advent calendars so they can begin celebrating the magic of the season.  They open the little "windows" leading up to Christmas, the windows remind me of post in notes, just saying a little something.  So this year, I've decided I would share a little insight in our (the Lynch's) Live with you over the 25 advent days.
It's our 25 day "post-it"advent celebration!

'Tis the Season

     It's holiday time, and there seems to be no better way to celebrate than giving back...  We love this community we live in so we are spreading the joy this holiday season...  On behalf of our clients we've been busy filling donations for a couple of  Christmas Good Samaritan boxes...  In our creative life we've been busy making donations for  the fundraiser for the Gabriola Elementary School, as well as cookies for the famous cookie walk.  In hopes to bring one of our clients a fabulous Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, we purchased raffle tickets for all of our clients actively listed for sales - names, and even if they don't win - there is a silver lining that all the funding goes to the school.  December 1st will mark the convoy of lit up fire trucks that will make there way collecting food & toy donations for PHC and families here on the island and we'll be in the support vehicle collecting the totes - so we hope to see you out there!  Being passionate about gardening, but never having enought time, we've also put together a donation for our friends at the Gabriola Garden Club - as many of the gardens we all get to enjoy.  This community is amazing - thanks Gabriola for all your support throughout the year, and for all you do to make this home!

The GYM @ Twin Beaches

It's been a bit wet on the trails lately and when the rain pours in the morning I sometimes reconsider my plan to put on my runners and step outside.  I've been contemplating a gym membership but because I love to be in the outdoors, I've kept putting it off. Yesterday, after I finished a course my husband picked me up with this punch card to the gym @ Twin Beaches on Gabriola.  As you can see I haven't used it yet, but it looks like a great gym that I look forward to going to.

Gabriola's coffee culture

We are lucky to have some fantastic places to sit and have a tea, coffee or hot chocolate with friends.  On rainy afternoons, we like to make a little stop and sit down at Mad Rona's.  It's a beautiful, upscale coffee bar with great coffee, lots of atmosphere and delicious baked treats as well as soups and sandwiches.  Next time your feeling like a little treat or catching up with friends, I'd suggest a stop here.  My kids we're pretty ecstatic to see their hot chocolates coming out with orange sprinkles and chocolate syrup on top of the whip cream (there's also a great little green space right outside in case they hit the sugar wall).

The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department recognizes that there are families on Gabriola that could use a little more help this year so we are conducting Christmas Food and Toy drive. Donations will go to the Christmas Bureau for families on the island.

On December 1st, Fire Fighters will be dressing up some of our trucks to make them a little more festive, and at 5:30pm we depart north hall to drive around the island in a Christmas convoy of lighted trucks, music and candy canes for those who come out to see...

us!

On our route, we will be picking up from clearly marked totes distributed to various locations around the island. Totes will be set out before 9am the morning of the 'parade' so there will be plenty of time to drop something in one during the day. We will be printing and posting a map of the route and pick up points shortly!

Requested donations include new, unwrapped toys for infants, youth and teens, including books, games, sports equipment, arts and crafts kits, cars and trucks, dolls etc.

The greatest needs for nonperishable food include: canned meals, canned meat, cereal, dry beans, fruit (canned or fresh), pasta, peanut butter, rice, soups etc. in original packaging. Turkey vouchers can also be purchased at Village Foods.  Thanks for participating!

A walk in the Elder Cedar Nature Reserve

The Elder Cedar Nature Reserve is located just off North Road in the southern end of Gabriola, near Degnen Rd.  There is a walking loop that leads you through the the forest wetland and some rare species.   The terrain is fairly level, with a small bridge and stepping stones to cross the stream, it is single track trails and they ask that you walk carefully and stay on the paths.  We recently walked the trails and it's approximately a 25 minute walk.