Journal

Notes on fabrics, mending, makers and the seasons on the coast.

Beach walks in wool, market apples and a front-row seat for the first storm: the small pleasures of autumn on the Gulf Islands.

Squash, apples, kale and mushrooms from the farm stand, cooked into plant-forward comfort food with one surprise in each dish.

When, where and how deep to plant spring bulbs on the wet West Coast, with choices that feed early bees and survive the deer.

A look at Vancouver candle and soap maker Woodlot, why small-batch scent suits a slower home, and how to burn a candle properly.

Practical ways to get the whole family outdoors without screens, from low-tide walks to driftwood forts and a basket by the door.

Canada's only native broadleaf evergreen sheds its bark every summer and thrives on bare rock. There is something to learn from that.

Wear it hard, wash it cold and seldom, mend it early. A practical guide to making one pair of raw denim jeans last for years.

Four fabrics that all get called eco-friendly, what each one really is, and the trade-offs the hang tag tends to leave out.

The difference between "Made in Canada" and "Product of Canada", why most garments carry a qualifier, and what to ask a maker.