Olive Us

Hello, hello, hello my Lovelies.

Long time no see.........or read! BAD blogger...bad, bad blogger!!! Someone give me a swift kick in the butt please.

So much to do, so little time in the day. I'd like to tell you that I've been busy but really??? I must stop using "BUSY" as an excuse...everyone is busy...it's December for crying out loud.

No...I've just been neglectful and I apologize for that.

But on a more positive note, the reason why I'm coming out of hiding is to share a fantastic little, local discovery with you all. Now all of my non-Vernon readers I apologise again, for getting you all excited, but maybe you can find a place like this somewhere near you. 

A few weeks ago I gathered up some of my favourite ladies and took a trek out of my snowy covered cave to Vernon to take a boo at a new little store I've been itching to check out.

Located right on main street (30th Avenue), Olive Us is an Olive oil and vinegar tasting room dedicated to bringing Vernonites some gastronomic goodness.

Now I've experienced wine tastings, beer tastings, chocolate tastings and even honey tastings but nothing compares to the wake up call your taste buds get with a balsamic vinegar tasting. And don't even get me started on the olive oils!!

Oh the joy!!

I've been to similar stores in Kelowna and Armstrong, both stores selling products of equal quality and price range; but the folks at Olive Us have created a store that is both beautiful to look at and comfortable to browse in. 

I could have stayed there all day, it's truly like the Wonka chocolate factory for adults.

The proprietors Janet and Ray have done amazing things with the space,  keeping the decor neutral and truly letting their product shine..literally, in their stainless steel urns.

Even their packaging has been carefully selected to match the decor, making their products the star of the show.

Gift sets are thoughtfully selected with different themes and flavour profiles, making gift giving a breeze as all the hard work is done for you.

This is definitely one of those stores that you could spent an hour or two in without realizing it. Bring a friend and get lost in tasting and sampling to you hearts content. 

The store is well stocked with other food items such as flavoured salts and beautifully packaged pastas and decorative bottles for your goodies.

So after your Christmas hangover has subsided and you are feeling up to hitting downtown, do yourself a favour and stop in to see the folks at Olive Us, tell them Kylie sent you!! 

I'll probably be there somewhere in a corner sampling their products to find my new favourite for the month.

The Pumpkin Patch...the happiest place on earth.

I love that there are little patches of awesomeness scattered all over this little valley of ours. You just have to get out there, talk to people and go find them. We were lucky enough the first year we moved to the Okanagan to have some fantastic tour guides who were always up for an adventure and appreciated the thrill of sharing new places with us. One of the most memorable places being the Pumpkin Patch in Armstrong. We have lived here for almost 10 years now and have never missed a year without a trip to this place. 

Last week I managed to sneak an early peek at the patch the day after opening, I was in need of some spaghetti squash and the prices are definitely right at the Pumpkin patch. $1 per squash sure beats out Superstore prices any day.

 

The property is pet friendly, kid friendly....and it even supplies a porta potty for, well.....you know.

There are squashes and pumpkins of all shapes, varieties and sizes. Ornamental corn and free corn stalks for decorating the abode for thanksgiving and halloween.

I plan to take the kids to get their pumpkins for jack o lanterns soon, its a little early yet.

Stay tuned for pictures to come!!!!!!

As you can see, between three ladies we went a little hog wild with the squash. But there are plans for coconut butternut soup, spaghetti squash casserole and much, much more. I thought we showed great restraint at the time....thats a lot of squash!!! But I know I will be back for more before long.

  

There really isn't much to complain about as far as the scenery goes, there were no crowds to deal with.  No impulse purchases (aside from the excessive amount of squash), no rides to tempt your children into throwing a tantrum if they don't get one. Just plain old pumpkin hunting fun. 

We really could not have picked a more beautiful day.

 So with the minivan loaded up full of squash, ladies and kids we follow the pumpkin lined road back out through the field. Its almost like following the yellow brick road, but prettier.

 

The owners operate on an honour system here. You simply pull up to their wonderfully decorated house, ring the door bell and hand them your cash.

Head back onto St Annes road through more pumpkins.

And say bye until next year.....or next week, because we all know that you can never have enough pumpkin!!!!!

http://armstrongpumpkinpatch.com

I'm baaaaaaaack!

Can you believe it has been over nine months since I posted on my blog? Boy oh boy, I could have gotten knocked up and popped out a baby and you would have all been none the wiser!
Truly, I though about posting some random pics with me and a baby to see who was paying attention...but eh.....who can be bothered with that?

So, I have to give props to my wonderful hubby and kids for my early birthday present as today's spontaneous blog post is proudly bought to you by my tribe and apple Canada. You guessed it....or maybe you didn't.
I finally have a functioning computer!!! Yippee, early birthday presents rock my world.
No more ipad for me baby, I've hit the big times with my new MacBook Air. Oh sweet laptop, how I covet thee.

Hot diggity, we have so much to catch up on. My kids have grown so much in the last year; Zoe started grade 8 (high school over here in Canada). My baby is all grow'd up and there is nothing I can do about it, except stalk her and read her ipad messages like a crazy woman. That will have to do for now.

The house is still a work in progress, but there have been changes and there will be more to come. You will be happy to learn that we finally have deck railing, the roof is finished and so is our court battle with the roofers. Just a few of the many reason why I make regular visits to the hairdresser to dye my constant supply of new grey hairs!!

I've been learning lots at work, I still love my job and cant think of a better match for me.
I'm still addicted to making jam, even though I said "no more" I still get strange looks at Walmart when cashing out with a cart full of jars...I just want to scream, "doesn't anyone preserve their food anymore? Quit staring!"

Ive been trying lots of new recipes, I can't wait to share with you. Hubby and I are trying to give up wheat and white sugar........lord help us. Its been a challenging month so far...you'll be hearing me whine and complain about it in the near future.

I know there's more...so much more to tell you. Are you still there???? Did I scare you all off?
You know, I get rambling and sometimes I forget that at this point..until I hit the publish button, I really am just talking to myself.

Anywho, lets chat soon.

Kylie Jayne