Ah, autumn! Along with the crisp air of autumn comes the chance to discover new things in your own backyard: the new colours in the trees, the tasty seasonal treats at the farmers markets, and a late-blooming plant in your garden that you never knew was there. The other day I had my own autumn discovery when I stumbled upon the Milseán Chocolate Shoppe in the quiet farming community of Aldergrove, BC. I’m a born and raised British Columbian, but I had no idea this local jewel existed. One bite of their award-winning Demerara Butter Crunch and I understood why the locals would want to keep this place hidden – it’s a secret that’s too good to share. With Christmas fewer than three months away, I loaded up on unique treats and goodies that will make the perfect stocking stuffers for friends and family.
The Milseán Chocolate Shoppe has inspired the November issue of Story Starters – after all, it’s never too early to start thinking about the holiday season. So, start making a list (and checking it twice) of all the reasons to visit Vancouver, Coast & Mountains this winter. Enjoy!
When you think of Santa Claus, the image of St. Nicholas from Clement Clarke Moore’s famous poem immediately comes to mind: He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to be Santa Claus? Not the real Santa Claus, of course, but one of the hundreds of helpers who work as seasonal Santa Claus characters each year to help out the Big Guy in Red. How do they get into this gig? Is it true that you have to attend Santa School? How do you stay calm when crying tots, sneezers and screamers are all in a day’s work? Meet Lloyd, the long-time seasonal Santa during Heritage Christmas at the Burnaby Village Museum. Each year, the Museum hosts visits from Father Christmas (a more English 1920s version of Santa Claus). With his own long snow white hair and beard, Lloyd is a favourite amongst the little visitors – he even wears the traditional long red robe & cap trimmed in real fur. Visit the Burnaby Village Museum to meet Lloyd and you’ll immediately see his passion for people and true love of the holiday season: even Lloyd’s gold-rimmed glasses can’t hide the twinkle in his eyes. To meet Lloyd, or for more details on Heritage Christmas at the Burnaby Village Museum, visit www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.
Whether she’s your mother, sister, daughter, co-worker, aunt, friend or wife, after all she’s done for you she deserves something extra special for Christmas this year. The Chilliwack Circle Farm Tour has all sorts of creative gift ideas for the wonderful women in your life. At Greendale Pottery you’ll find a great selection of functional stoneware in a vibrant glaze colors and textures. Artist Holly McKeen has a self-proclaimed passion for clay, and her stunning Crystalline-glazed porcelain pottery pieces are spectacular. Next door, the Rustic Soap Co. sells a variety of natural soap, bath & body care products that are all handmade on site using original recipes. Think delicious Christmas flavours like candy cane, spiced orange, and chocolate cinnamon. From here, you’re a quick hop, skip and a jump away from Chilliwack River Valley Natural Honey (for natural unpasturized honey flavoured with blueberries, wildflower and maple) and Anita's Certified Organic Grain & Flour Mill (for certified organic, kosher grains and healthy, delicious recipes).Make a day of it and bring her shopping in Chilliwack with you – sure, women like to be surprised. But we like shopping more! Visit www.circlefarmtour.com for details and locations.
Visit historic Ladner on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6, 2008 and you’ll see far more than three ships come sailing in – the Ladner Carol Ships festival is back to delight the crowds. Over two days, seasonally decorated fishing vessels and pleasure boats, some with choirs on board, sail slowly along the Fraser River from Wellington Point to the Ladner Government Wharf. There they are greeted by Ladnerites and others who have paraded from celebrations in the Village Square to greet them and sing carols with the large choir performing on the wharf. Anyone can join in the festival, but for a front row seat we recommend booking yourself an overnight stay at The Duck Inn, a romantic waterfront hideaway. Both cottages at The Duck Inn (The Water Garden sleeps two and Willow Cottage has room for a family) are perched on pilings at the edge of the Fraser River in Ladner. Visit www.duckinn.net to book your room today. Better get practicing those Christmas carols…
There’s no better place to spend Christmas morning than unwrapping your gifts by the warmth of the natural stone fireplace in a beautiful log cabin, as snow falls softly outside the window. This is the scene at Hemlock Hollow Bed & Breakfast in the Hemlock Valley, a scenic 30 minute drive from Harrison Hot Springs. There are three rooms for you to choose from: the Wilderness Room (which has a charming rustic feel) the Frontier Room (which will make you feel like you’re in the old Wild West) or the Bear Den (which is a private suite with full kitchen). Right on your doorstep is the Hemlock Valley Ski Resort, one of the best kept secrets in the British Columbian lower mainland. The Hemlock Valley consistently has one of the best snowfalls in south western BC. Need one more reason to visit? Just in time for the Christmas season, Hemlock Hollow is adding a gift gallery. Plenty of snow, log cabin coziness, and unique gifts… oh my! For more details visit www.hemlockhollow.ca.
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, there’s no better winter destination for you than beautiful Whistler. Lucky for you, travel to this snowy winter wonderland is about to get a whole lot easier with Whistler Air Services’ luxury air and limo transport charter service direct from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Whistler. New for 2009, you can sit back and take in amazing sights of Howe Sound and the mountain peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park on this 30 minute flight from YVR to Pemberton airport. Then, climb into an executive class limousine for transport and baggage assistance direct to the door of your Whistler accommodation. You’ll take two hours off travel time, which means there’s plenty of time for playing in the fluffy white stuff. For details visit www.whistlerair.ca.
