poplar road

Outside the snow is Vancouverish enough to stick to every twig and leaf, a fresh three inches that started while we were at an office Christmas party last night to add to the icy stuff that hasn’t left since the first fall on November 18th. It’s prettier now, but by this afternoon it could be a muddy bog out there, ugh.

To beat the winter blues, I’ve just spent a few hours this weekend back in the height of summer, enjoying the photos from our UNniversary 2010 gathering. (That’s yours truly at left.) 2010 has been an extremely busy year for us with projects at home, travels for holidays and visits with friends, and overtime in our challenging jobs. I have a lot on my plate this weekend (reapplying for my job, cleaning and decorating my house for the holidays, helping Richard with basement renos), but the guilt over not getting my blog updated is killing me, so while it’s still pitch black and silent – up at 5 again today for some reason – I thought I’d at least get the UNAnny pics up.

This year’s UNEvent was wonderful, a great turnout of our friends again despite the distance and even busier lives on the part of our guests and their growing families. The odd summer rains held off long enough for a great day at the river on the Saturday and a special construction project Sunday, and made for a lush new lawn to entertain our friends on. (I never did do a proper reveal of our new landscaping, but pay attention to these photos and you’ll get the gist.) Richard’s food was one of the highlights as usual, and since I spent most of Saturday in the river myself, joined in on badminton, and tried to spend some quality time with all of my surrogate nieces and nephews, I didn’t pick up my camera as much this year except when the food came out. And I admit I wasn’t last in line for dinner every night this year, either! Or dessert…. Did I mention we got a soft serve ice cream machine for the occasion? Two words: sundae bar. Mmmm.

Early risers Kahlyn and Anika in the Saturday AM hush.

Our landscaping facelift was a hit. Look, a lawn!

A flat spot for badminton, and the girls saw a perfect stage above.

Washing station: the guys built a sink, complete with hot water!

Most of our guests made up here Friday afternoon and evening, which is a treat for us both because we get a little extra help with preparing the yard and the outdoor kitchen, and we squeeze in a few more hours of visiting. Rob helped me set my new solar lights around the garden to light our new stone steps, and someone had the great idea to string Christmas lights around the canopy over the cooking/serving area. We had burrito night on Friday as usual, which keeps nicely for any late arrivals who didn’t get dinner on the road. Somebody helped Richard make the requisite salsa, but I was outside greeting a steady stream of guests and missed the work in the kitchen. Later a night-owl few of us chatted around the patio table, catching up and waiting for Chris and Dagny’s arrival, last of the Friday-nighters.

Lightweight that I am after a full day like that, I was in bed before they made it here, so it wasn’t until morning that I saw their surprise – the new addition to Richard’s outdoor kitchen, at left. Gorgeous, and just the right size to fit in between the grill and fryer. No more carrying giant pots of boiling water out the kitchen and across the deck! Thank you, Chris!

As usual on the Saturday morning, excitement has me out of bed early, tidying up the kitchen and making sure the early risers find the coffee pot and supplies. The first ones up are always the parents, chasing after their young ones who haven’t quite got their bearings yet. After four years of holding this gathering with most of the same families each time, with kids of similar ages, I’m always so thrilled that the kids can see each other again after a year has gone by, and settle back into the friendships of the past summer so quickly. And they grow so fast! I watched the big sisters position their little brothers with props and lines to say for an impromptu play – the pier of rock and gravel sticking out into the lawn from the upper part of the yard just begged to be a stage – and remembered summers with my cousins on the Island, doing much the same thing. (I’ll help get the play off the ground next summer, girls!) I can’t express just how much we value having everyone come together at our home, and knit our circle of friends that much closer together. Of course, most of you just come for the food!

Lunch on Saturday is a simple affair, then off to the river.

Hot dogs, salads, raw veggies, and a fridge full of bevvies.

The rascals found the stash of vanilla cream soda.

Kahlyn and Bob’s vehicle is roomy enough for extra river-goers.

A smoky day was nicer at the river.

River mud isn’t quite as good as beach sand, but it’ll do.

Cute swimsuit, Lulu piglet!

Ben makes a splash.

Baby says, “Let’s chill”.

Baby says, “Let’s eat!”.

Our neighbours join us for pulled pork night.

Spice rubbed pork, smoked for hours, finished in the BBQ.

With Chilliwack corn and caramelized onions.

Hm, potato, coleslaw, Mediterranean, or veg & tortellini?

Richard forgot to write down the salad recipes again.

Our local guests arrived – welcome, UNAnny newbies!

Our outdoor setup gets better and better.

New places to sit… and climb?

Saturday night is our pulled pork dinner, where our campers from the coast (a small group this year) are joined by local guests. At left, the sundae bar makes UNniversary newbie Jen a very happy pregnant lady. I think she’ll be back next year! (Congrats and welcome to baby Logan at Thanksgiving, by the way.)

Richard added smoked brisket to the menu this year, and Pam brought fresh Chilliwack corn. I was done my photos and waiting in line when I saw Warren, whose family drove out from Vernon to spend the day with us, struggling feebly to rescue his corn on the cob from the vat of butter it had fallen into, LOL. Although I think Marcus, above, takes the trophy for best corn enjoyment of the evening. Richard outdid himself with the food as usual, although his excellent grilled veggie and tortellini Taste of Summer Salad had to be reinvented, because although it was a huge hit last summer, he forgot to write down the recipe. I found every photo I had of it so he could identify what was in it!

I tried very hard not to over-eat this year. I managed only one helping of the pulled pork, but then the soft serve machine got going…. Richard found the used machine on a sales trip up north, and picked up soft serve “milk” at the local dairy in Kamloops. The first run was too soft thanks to the hot day, but at the end of the night it was working just fine for second helpings. And again after burger night Sunday, and as our guests packed up on Monday morning… Yum.

Josh is doubly wide-eyed at the Sundae Bar.

The soft-serve machine is brilliant!

From sundaes Saturday night, to pancakes Sunday AM.

A lazy Sunday morning watching the kids.

Danaeya and Olivia get wings, and find a perch.

Andrew’s thinking, I’m gonna kick big sister’s butt.

A hilarious water fight ensued.

I think the big sisters are winning.

Bob wades in – look out!

Rick crawls his 4x4 – a mini copy of Big Bird.

Sunday night we enjoyed burgers, more salads and fresh cut fries.

One last project, in a thundershower: new steps to the deck.

Monday, everyone packed up after breakfast – see you next year!

By the way, since we've already had people ask, next year's BC Day holiday falls on August 1st, so mark your calendars for the 2011 UNniversary, Friday, July 29th to Monday, August 1st. And in the meantime, enjoy the bustle and colour of your preparations for Christmas. After 9 hours to get this post up, I'm going back to doing just that. After I take a photo of all this new snow. Cheers!