Budgeting for Your Next Vehicle
Buying a vehicle has changed so much in the past 15 years. The internet has changed how people make purchases, including cars, by providing more access to information. We can research, make comparisons and price check from the comfort of our home, then go look at the vehicles that seem to match our needs. This is fantastic for consumers because it can save time and money! A consequence of being able to compare prices online means that Dealerships must keep their pricing competitive, not just with other dealerships in town but within all of Canada, and that means there isn’t the mark up...
Read MoreIt’s Never too Early
Yes, it snowed; today it’s raining; most every day is dark and sunless … but … the perfect day is close at hand to raise your spirits! If you’re gardener, whether novice or old hand, save the date for that magical day, SEEDY SATURDAY! Mark it on your calendar now, if it’s not already there … SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1. That’s the day to make sure you visit the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre at 747 Jones Ave. between 10 am and 3:30 pm. when all the space in and around the building will be waiting for you with ‘everything garden’ … experts, information, displays, books, and...
Read MoreDiscovering The Artist Within!
Many moons ago, I remember asking the person standing next to me at an artist’s studio party if he did anything that was artistic. He replied that he didn’tdo anything artistic, because he was only a gardener. I replied that I was also a gardener, but that I experienced gardening as painting in 3D. By considering design, shapes, colours and combinations I would create the garden of my dreams; but as a garden is continually growing and changing it becomes an ongoing living work of art. I have always been envious of artists. They take their talent for granted. It must be the way their...
Read MoreThe Lustre of ZSISKA Jewellery
Nothing leaves a lasting impression like the gift of beautiful jewellery given to express love, friendship, sentiment, or to celebrate special occasions. At PatrYka, we love jewellery’s ability to accent the attire of elegant, fashionable women who know what they want and who like to stand out in the crowd. When we found the ZSISKA Jewellery, we discovered they share our vision and craft truly beautiful, eye-catching pieces. The Founder Siska Schippers was born in Amsterdam and worked as a European gold and silversmith before she decided to make handmade resin jewellery, home decor, and...
Read MoreMedallions of beef,
with wine jus, mushroom and bacon risotto, vegetables, apple tarte Tatin with Chantilly cream. Beef 1½ pounds centre cut fillet of beef Salt and pepper as required 1 tsp oil Have your butcher cut the fillet into 12 thin fillets. If you are doing this yourself, place the fillet into the freezer for 1 hour to firm it up before trying to slice. Pound the slices very gently to ensure they are of even thickness. Over high, heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan large enough to accommodate all of the beef at one time. Season one side of medallions with salt and pepper. Once the oil is...
Read MoreIn the middle of Everywhere
It was December in 2008. My family and I, including kids and dogs piled ourselves and “Christmas” into a borrowed van and headed off on an amazing adventure. We began by driving several hours over a mountain pass. A bit nerve wracked, we arrived safely in the small fishing town of Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in the wilds of Canada. On a big, ‘ol clunky fishing boat, we travelled for several more hours, northwest toward Hot Springs Cove and Cougar Annie’s Garden to a small floating house in a bay somewhere in the middle of Everywhere. In this exquisite...
Read MoreMikulás
December 6th is a day of celebration in Hungary..It is the feast of Saint Nicholas, in Hungarian, Mikulás. Children put their polished shoes filled with hay out on the windowsill for Mikulás’ white horse. Of course they also set out treats for the old Bishop, delivering gifts to good children. At age seven a child is thought to be able to think logically and sequentially. In my seventh year, a mere two weeks before reaching that magic age, mother let me produce some rather crooked cookies for Mikulás. She said he would not mind because he is kind and loves crooked cookies. I was...
Read MoreTake Charge of Your Finances
November was Financial Literacy Month, and this year’s theme is “take charge of your finances!” We’re encouraging new and seasoned investors to take charge by playing more active and engaged roles when it comes to their investments. One way you can become better engaged is by understanding investment fees and charges. Whether you are a DIY investor or you’re working with a registered investment advisor, it’s important to know what you’re paying to buy, sell or hold an investment. This article can help you better understand the structure of investment fees, and how investment...
Read MorePause for thought
Did you know that almost half of the savings you have built up in your RRSP/RRIF (Registered Retirement Savings Plan/Registered Retirement Income Fund) could wind up being paid out in Tax at death. Tax free transfers to a surviving spouse will delay the inevitable, but won’t avoid it. First of all, let’s start at retirement. Say you have an RRSP you have been contributing to for years as you worked, or possibly, as your spouse worked (these contributions could have gone into a spousal plan for you). You can convert to a RRIF at the same time as you retire, but, you are not...
Read MoreLesson Learned
You know how when you’re in a hurry, everything conspires against you? How the lights are always red, and the crosswalks are full of ancient people pushing their walkers at a snail’s pace, so that even when the lights turn green, you’re still stuck at the intersection, waiting for the crosswalk to clear or Christmas to come, whichever happens first? Well, yesterday I was on my way to work, running late, when I realized that I hadn’t had a cup of coffee or eaten breakfast. A sensible person would have kept driving. I am not a sensible person, and I was born hungry, so I stopped at...
Read MoreCommunity Paramedics
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Georgia Nelson the Community Paramedic for Chemainus. Whilst I had heard of the position and seen their vehicles I really had no idea as to the purpose and scope of their role in communities. I felt it would be useful if she could let Island Woman’s readers know exactly what services and support does a Community Paramedic provide. Thank you Georgia. Trish Summerhayes. Publisher. ********************************** I was asked by Trish Summerhayes to write a blurb about my role as a community paramedic. I have been a paramedic for 5 years,...
Read MoreHam and pea soup,
fresh baked bread, blue cheese, candied walnut and pear salad, baked stuffed apples – Serves 4 generously Pea soup 1 pound split peas Pick over the peas to be sure there are no pebbles or other foreign items. Cover with water and let sit overnight, refrigerated. The other option is to cover the peas with boiling water and let them sit for 1 hour. Drain the peas well. 1 ham hock, approximately 900 gm 1 small onion roughly chopped 1 small carrot roughly chopped 2 ribs celery, roughly chopped 8 cups water or enough to cover all of the ingredients 2 bay leaves Place all of the...
Read MoreHappy Halloween!
Here are some financial tips and ‘tricks’ to keep your finances in order. -maximize employment benefits – your employer may match a pension contribution up to a certain percentage, take advantage of your medical and dental insurance while you have it -spend less than you earn – simple, right? Make a budget and stick to it. -don’t automatically sign and send in the mortgage renewal document you receive from your financial institution. Many times, you are able to shop around and get a better rate and/or terms – talk to your mortgage broker. The...
Read MorePole walking
Urban Poling or Nordic Walking? Rhonda Smiley, Cosmetics Manager, Chemainus Pharmasave. 250-324-4488.
Read MoreFood for the Season
Swiss steak, garlic mashed potatoes, oven roast veggies, poached pears – Serves 4 Swiss Steak 2 lb chuck steak Salt and pepper as required Flour as required 1 tablespoon oil Cut the steaks into 8 even pieces. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Dust with flour. Heat the oil in a pan large enough to hold the steaks in a single layer. Add the oil and heat the pan over high heat. As soon as the oil is hot add half of the steaks and sear well on both sides. Remove the steaks and repeat with the remaining steaks. Remove the steaks from the pan. Do not wash the pan. 1 tsp oil 1...
Read MoreWhat’s a business coach?
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or work for a big company, a coach is someone completely focused on your success! What’s that like? Well, a great coach listens for opportunities and sees what you might miss and assists you to keep up the momentum when you need it most, during those difficult business and personal issues, conflicts and change. You also have a mentor for those business challenges or questions, they can provide the timely business tips and know how that you need. A trained coach asks questions that bring out those aha moments that pivot perceptions,...
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