We are starting to do things for the second time these days, now that we have passed our first Salt Spring Anniversary. We know a little more, we have ideas about what to expect and we come prepared.

Last year we left the Salt Spring Island Fall fair full of ideas, and passionate about staying on the island. We were so keen to dive into life here, to feel confident that we fit, to know that we could stay.  We were 10 days old, we were still nervous and unsure. We never knew the right place to park.

This year?  Well, this year it was a little different.

THe kids were nose deep into 4H. Bunnies and chickens and coolers of snacks accompanied us, along with camp chairs and a hefty wad of cash.

And it was perfect.

It was chaos. And it was exhausting, and hilarious and we were filled with pride.

Both girls brought their rescue rabbits and went home with Blue (or rainbow) ribbons from 4H.  They participated in the pet parade, where I had to leap into the ring to chase down the escaping rabbit…. do you know how hard it is to catch a rabbit on the run?  Add to that 50 people watching the spectacle. . .

We rode rides, we played games and we ate, ate, ate.  We ate hearty, delicious, fresh cooked food. We snacked on treats while we scouted out the best looking (and sounding) rooster.

We stayed from dawn till dusk, and felt fully immersed in the event. We felt a part of the island, and a part of the fair.

We saw everything, and nothing was rushed.

Just like life here now. . . there is time for everything, there is time to enjoy life, work, and each other.

And as only the island can deliver, the kids ran wild, bare footed and smiling. They ate crepes for dinner and were splashed as they rode the swing rides. They were part wild. . . and fully contented and comfortable.

We are here, and it feels fabulous now. We are a part of this.

for good.