Taking Time To Enjoy The View

 There is nothing like a sunny, Spring day walking on the beach with a warm coffee or hot chocolate. No matter what may be going on in your life you can’t help but take a few deep breaths and truly relax. You can sit, stroll, jog or run and the beach will wrap around you with it’s salty sea air & ocean noises.

 We are so fortunate to live in an area where access to the beach is plentiful and it is never more than a few minutes away….really, anyone in Qualicum Beach could have a sign like this one in their yard…..

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Photographs taken by my daughter Kaylie Knutson.

From Sea to Ski…

One of the great things about living in Qualicum Beach is we are only 1 short hour away from Mt. Washington, a ski resort with a snow fall average of 36 feet, one of the highest  in North America. With Alpine skiing & snowboarding, Nordic skiing, Tubing, Lessons for all ages & levels, lodging, restaurants and night life, the mountain has something for everyone.

Yesterday we started our adventure by leaving the house at 7:30am with the van loaded, kids excited and Steve & I in search of a coffee shop along the way that was open (who knew this would be so difficult on a Sunday?)! The road up the mountain is paved and clear of snow, making it a really nice drive. As we reach the parking area of the mountain it starts to snow and we are hoping it will be an o.k. day for the kids because it is their first time snowboarding. The staff in the rental area are really helpful and before we know it the kids are in their gear and headed out the door with “Sam”, an Australian sounding instructor……this by the way goes against all my ‘protective Mother’ instincts. I mean, sending my 3 babies off on to a busy mountain with a total stranger….anyway, I did get over it as soon as Steve & I were strapped in to our skis and headed down the hill. 

On the first ride up the chair lift I felt like a child to excited to wait…hurry up chair, go faster! What freedom to be shwooshing our way down the mountain without a care in the world….no kids, no work, no household  chores….it was really close to heaven. I’m a wee bit embarrassed to admit I even told Steve to not stop as we passed the kids in their lessons! I was afraid one of them would ‘need Mom’ because they were frustrated with their attempt to snowboard.  I figured that if that was the case, they could tough it out for another hour or so! Little did I know the kids were having an absolute blast and according to their instructor they picked it up quickly. 

After a quick lunch in the lodge (listening to our 11 year old, say “can we go back out now” every 2 minutes) we met up with friends who had also come up from Qualicum to do a half day of skiing. The husbands headed off for harder runs while us Moms stayed on the green runs with the 6 kids. I was really impressed how they all stayed together and helped each other out. It made me realize once again how big my kids are getting and it excites me to see the adventures we can have with them as they grow.

 After the Dads returned, my friend and I head up for a few bigger runs. Unfortunately the fog started to roll in and we had to cut our ‘free time’ short. We met up with the Dads & kids for a final run back to the lodge. What a day! Everyone was exhausted but had smiles from ear to ear! We  head for home  and decide to take the more scenic drive along the ocean. Part way home we notice something interesting in the water so we pull over to have a look and are surprised to find 78 very large sea lions resting on a floating pipe. I have never seen so many laying together in such an odd spot and it was really neat for the kids to be only about 30 feet from them.

As we are relaxing at home and recapping the days adventure, it makes me so happy to hear my one son say “I’m going to still be doing this when I’m Dads age”.  🙂 That’s what’s all about right? Exposing our kids to different things in life so they can hopefully find their passion. Even if it ends up they don’t do it for a long time, it at least shows them that trying new things isn’t scary, it’s exciting!

For more about Mt.Washington check out their website at: www.mountwashington.ca

Royal LePage…Putting Abuse Out Of Commission.

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention and education programs.

Because we believe in the importance of giving back to the community, Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have our own charitable foundation. All of the administrative costs of the Shelter Foundation are underwritten so that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to helping our cause.

Royal LePage real estate agents and their clients are working to create safer homes and safer communities by contributing more than $10 million since 1999 to help women and children across Canada. Through donating a portion of their commission on the purchase or sale of your property, our agents are helping bring hope and provide shelter for those who need it most.

Our brokers, agents and staff also provide volunteer time and in-kind goods, and hold special community events to help raise funds and awareness to end family violence for more than 30,000 women and children who take refuge in a shelter each year.

To read brave stories of hope from families whose lives have been touched by abuse or to learn more about domestic violence, please visit us at www.shelterfoundation.ca.

May 14, 2011 is our next big fund raiser…..the Royal Lepage National Garage Sale. Where ever you may live, in Canada, contact your local Royal LePage office to see if they are participating and if they are, where you can donate your saleable used items!

Please enjoy the below video showing last years Qualicum Beach event!

 

 

Landscaping….For Use & Re-Sale

The sun streamed through the windows this morning inviting us out to play.  Cleaning out the shed, pulling out the deck furniture (ok, I am being optimistic my long lost friend ‘the sun’ is going to stick around), and the kids on their bikes…very quickly the sweat shirts came off and we were enjoying soaking up the vitamin D. This glorious day got me thinking about getting the garden ready and fixing up the yard. Here are some things to think about if you are newly landscaping or if you are thinking about doing some outdoor renovations.

A properly installed and maintained landscape can yield a 100 to 200% return on investment at resale.  These tips will help you plan for your landscaping needs with a focus on resale value:

• Function – Showcase your home’s exterior with a manicured assortment of healthy grasses, trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and ornamental features
• Design – Plan to best utilize space and environmental conditions with consideration for changing lifestyle needs, maintenance requirements and your home’s exterior aesthetic
• Grasses – Choose appropriate varieties for your climate and soil conditions and keep it lush with a regime of seeding, watering, feeding, weeding and mowing 5-6 cm in height
• Trees & Shrubs – Plant what will thrive in your current conditions and position them to benefit home and garden aesthetics, taking care not to block entrances or street views
• Plants & Flowers – Mix annuals and perennials in mulched and weed-free beds as well as mobile containers of vibrant colour, avoiding plants toxic to pets or irritating to skin
• Ornamentation – Strategically place a subtle few complimentary features like arbours, decorative stone, planters, privacy screens, bird baths and décor items
• Lighting – Set a mood, highlight garden features and enjoy your space after dark with any combination of hardwired spot lights and lanterns, string lights, solars and torches
• Outdoor Rooms – Create and furnish distinctive spaces in your landscape for a variety of purposes including meal preparation, dining, socializing, relaxing and family play
• Fencing – Educate yourself on available materials and styles, choosing a durable option that protects your privacy and garden, and compliments your home’s aesthetic
• Storage – Organize garden tools and store furniture over winter months in a secure, durable and complimentary structure or in available spaces such as under a porch

If you desire assistance, interview a couple of landscapers, ensuring they are licensed where applicable, insured and agreeable to obtaining any required permits. With proper planning, your maintained landscape will provide you with a lifetime of pleasure and enjoyment.

Porches & Patios: Optimize No Matter What Size

 

Spring has sprung, (or will any day now!) and the time to prepare your outdoor space has come.  Whether you own a small porch, balcony, or a full-size patio, now is the time to get it ready for warmer weather and welcoming guests.

Beautify a Balcony
A balcony can be transformed into a cozy oasis with little work, and little expense.  Get the ground in shape for bare feet by covering it with outdoor carpeting or rattan mats.  For low-cost comfort, choose a chair or lounger with weather resistant cushions and add a small table for placing books or drinks. The use of planters to create balcony gardens is becoming more & more popular. They are a great source of fresh veggies & herbs but also adds great colour to your space. Top it all off with an interesting bird feeder, a small water fountain, or some wind chimes for interest and relaxation.

Personalize Porches
If front porches could speak, they should say “welcome”.  Choose simple furniture that is inviting and relaxing such as rocking chairs or compact swing gliders.  Put one or two large planters or urns near the entrance to your porch or home to greet visitors and use them to make a statement with seasonal arrangements that reflect your personal style.  Add colour with bright containers of flowers until spring colours emerge from the garden view.  Complete your work of art with the one thing every porch needs… a welcome mat!

 

Perk Up Patios                                
Patios are a place to escape from the bustle and activity of the home.  To help you get a little closer to nature, consider adding an arbor over your patio.  Attach climbing plants or vines around your arbor and scatter container plants of seasonal colour to soften your hardscape.  Stepping stones angled away from your patio adds dimension, even in the smallest of areas.  Add a birdbath or water fountain for tranquility and your patio haven becomes the ideal spot for relaxing solo or a serene backdrop for entertaining.

To spring ahead, think ahead.  Start sprucing up your outdoors now and you’ll extend your enjoyment right through to the warm, sunny days of summer.

Driving To Work…

In my first blog I mentioned  how lucky I feel every time I drive along the beach on my way in to town. I then remembered this photo I took one day last fall while driving along Qualicum Beach. It’s funny, I know on the Island we have become so used to seeing deer…most of us see them in our yard often if not daily, especially if we have planted anything remotely yummy to these little guys, but seeing them strolling along the beach actually made me pull over to have a look. I was on my way to take pictures of a house I had just listed, so I was very excited when I realized I had my camera with me. I think what topped it off was the young Eagle sitting on the rock behind them, almost as if he too was surprised to see them there.

Begining of something wonderful….

I have decided to blog….How did I get started on this crazy adventure? My MOM. Who would have thought that the woman  I at one time had to teach how to use a VCR (over & over) would be the one to introduce me to this high-tech, new age form of communication! Once again she amazes me & I know how lucky I am to have her.

 I am excited to share with everyone my love for the amazing area I live in; as well as offer my thoughts &  knowledge of the Real Estate world. I feel very lucky to have lived my entire life in the sea-side town of Qualicum Beach. As a kid it was full of days running around with the neighbourhood kids playing  kick the can, hunting for golf balls & selling them back to the golfers (along with lemonade of course!), riding bikes and endless summer days at the beach. As an adult life in Qualicum Beach consists of watching my own children enjoy similar simple pleasures, golfing (and buying my many lost balls back from the local kids!), boating, and one of may favourite summer activities: weenie roasts at the beach with friends. 

I feel lucky every day as I drive along the ocean on my way to work. I even have a hard time calling my job ‘work’…..work is something people dread, something they can’t wait to be done…..I love selling homes, I love working with people.  I choose to call my blog “Real Estate My Way” because I’m really not in this profession to just sell houses. I am here to find my clients a home…a home that they will love. I think the fact that clients ask my husband & I for dinner, and some have our daughter babysit for them, shows I am doing things right…..doing it MY way….I don’t need to be the biggest, but I strive to be the best. There is a difference and the two do not always go hand in hand.

Ah! first ever blog done! It feels great and I can not wait to get in to this further and share so much!