I stepped out across the front stone path in the early morning to take a photo of the impressive, luxury log home in which I slept as blissfully as a hibernating grizzly that night. Sunlight had streamed into the bedroom from behind the poplar forest at Back to Nature Retreat and I was ready to start my day bright and early.

Two of the home’s furry four-legged occupants — one a manx/calico cross and the other a fluffy white Westie — tagged along to scope out the yard. The sun was then cresting over the gabled roof, which was supported by majestic Western Red Cedar beams, and as I bent down to snap a wide angle shot of the entire abode, I was photobombed by the cat as she came in for a snuggle.

Back to Nature Retreat, Water Valley

Owners Stan and Keltie Masters have created a harmonious getaway in Water Valley, Alberta, about 1 hour north west of Calgary. To the east of Highway 22 you have farms and pastures, and to the west near Water Valley, there are green groves of trees on networks of coulees. The couple left Red Deer to follow several passions that all tie into what they love, and what they want their guests to be able to experience. Their home was built by Pioneer Log Homes (aka the Timber Kings) in 2010 and the B&B is a recent venture. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Hit the hottest places to cool down this summer as Vancouver’s outdoor pools open up for the season during the May Long Weekend.

Vancouver Outdoor Pools Open May Long Weekend

Pools at Kitsilano Beach Park, Second Beach in Stanley Park, New Brighton Park, and Hillcrest Centre will open starting May 20th with Maple Grove Pool opening Saturday, June 18th.

“Outdoor pools are cherished by residents. The Park Board is soon beginning the most ambitious review of aquatic services in the last 15 years,” says Vancouver Park Board Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung.

The pools and our local beaches will be open for swimming season, with lifeguards and park rangers will be on duty daily, from Victoria Day to Labour Day. Click here for full pool schedules and swim times.

Water parks are also open this weekend (except at Lumberman’s Arch, which is undergoing repairs and will open in June). All now have push buttons to turn on the water for five minutes at a time. Follow @ParkBoard on Twitter for more info.

Yesterday Krause Berry Farms in Langley opened its doors for another season that will include U-Pick in their berry fields, their farmgate market, bakery, estate winery, restaurants and cooking school.

Krause Berry Farms

While the U-Pick isn’t quite ready yet (the berries pop up in June), you can enjoy the market, bakery and estate winery in the meantime.

The market and bakery are open now, Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and there you’ll find oven-baked breads, buns, berry pies, cookies, shortcakes, gluten free options, roasted corn pizza and other mouth watering treats made daily. When the strawberries are ready, you’ll be able to pick up a mile high pie, and a pie & shortcake rewards card cause you know you’ll be back after that first bite.

Alf Krause first planted 1 acre of strawberries in 1974. Today, Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery has expanded to over 200 acres, growing and producing some of the Fraser Valley’s best berries and vegetables. Owned and operated by Alf & Sandee Krause, their commitment to ethical and sustainable farming has resulted in loyal guests spreading the word and returning year after year.

Shop in the market for country themed gifts, decor items, and Krause’s own line of jams, jellies, preserves. They currently produce over 100 products from what they grow right on the farm in Langley. Opening this summer, the new “Fresh Family Fun Field” will have giant jumping pads, games for all ages, and agri-education mixed with family fun.

Krause Berry Farm is located at 6179-248th Street in Langley. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the latest news about what’s open, and what is fresh from the farm and ready to be enjoyed this season.

I am very honoured to announce that Miss604 has won an international media award from Variety – The Children’s Charity. The award recognizes the outstanding contribution of a media supporter to one of the 42 chapters worldwide, and Miss604 was selected earlier this month at the Variety World Conference in Jersey, UK for my support of Variety BC.

Miss604 Wins Variety International Media Award

Every year at the conference, the tents, or chapters, nominate a partner in a number of categories. This year Variety of BC, Tent 47, nominated Miss604 who was among nominees from other Variety Tents in Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

For the last two years, Miss604 has been the official Social Lounge Sponsor at the Variety BC Show of Hearts Telethon, cross-promoting the television and in-person activity to drive online donations and support. In 2016, I had an amazing team of bloggers from around the Lower Mainland helping me out:

Scott Graham, John Biehler (who did on site 3D printing), Marc Smith, Ariane Colenbrander, Leeann Froese, and Christina Pocock. I want to particularly thank my husband, John Bollwitt, for his unwavering support and spending the last two Valentine’s Days with me and Variety.

Thanks to the efforts of my team, throughout the 22 hour telethon weekend we helped raise awareness online, reaching millions of social media accounts and even trending in Canada on Twitter on a very busy Saturday night and Valentine’s weekend.

The media award recognizes and rewards individuals, companies or corporations who publicize Variety’s charitable efforts for children and in doing so, help Variety raise money to continue and expand their good work. Variety BC also took home the Variety International Award in the $3M+ category; the Presidential Citation (Bill Senghera); and the Corporate Award (Buy-Low Foods).

I am so excited to have had this partnership with Variety over the last two years, and to have been there when the balloons drop on telethon week to see them raise over $6.8M or children in BC. Thank you for reading, re-tweeting, sharing on Facebook, and supporting my efforts throughout the year!

Follow Variety on Twitter and on Facebook to learn more about their work with BC kids throughout the year.

Victoria Day is coming up bringing with it potential beach days, picnics, paddles, forest walks, a hike or two, family getaways, and city sunsets. If you’re sticking around town this May long weekend, here are just a few events and activities to enjoy.

Things to do in Vancouver May Long Weekend

Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green below.

Friday, May 20, 2016
Dale Barltrop and Nicola Benedetti
Walking Tours: Hastings Park and the P.N.E. Fairgrounds
Shipyards Night Market, North Vancouver
Whistler Go Fest
International Summer Night Market
Richmond Night Market
Stanley Park Photo Walk
All Access Tour of BC Place
Fight With a Stick presents Revolutions
Revolver Festival
Pacific Theatre Presents: Wit
Metro Theatre Presents: Towards Zero by Agatha Christie

Saturday, May 21, 2016
New West Craft at River Market
Nature Discovery Walk at Crescent Park
Habitats of Elgin Heritage Park
Coastal City Ballet: Swan Lake
ARTIST TALK: Tike Kerr, Body Language
Dunbar Cold Brew Coffee: Trials and Tribulations
Trout Lake Farmers Market
Dale Barltrop and Nicola Benedetti
Vancouver Comic Arts Festival
Strathcona Park Photo Walk
International Summer Night Market
Richmond Night Market
Whistler Go Fest
All Access Tour of BC Place
Fight With a Stick presents Revolutions
Revolver Festival
Metro Theatre Presents: Towards Zero by Agatha Christie
Pacific Theatre Presents: Wit

Sunday, May 22, 2016
Family Toy and Clothing Sale
The Women of English Bay Historical Walking Tour
Positive and Loving Self-Talk Skills for Children
Hershe Bar, Where the Girls Are
Paint night at The Loft Studios in Downtown Langley
Sunday Paella Series at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Vancouver Culinary Market
Royal Victorian Party
Family Toy and Clothing Sale
Symphony at the Annex
Kitsilano Farmers Market
Vancouver Comic Arts Festival
Gastown Night Photo Walk
International Summer Night Market
Richmond Night Market
Whistler Go Fest
All Access Tour of BC Place
Fight With a Stick presents Revolutions
Revolver Festival
Pacific Theatre Presents: Wit

Monday, May 23 2016
VICTORIA DAY
Victoria Day Family Fun at Sunset CC
26th International Military Band Concert, Surrey
Canada Place Photo Walk
Richmond Night Market
Whistler Go Fest
All Access Tour of BC Place
Pacific Theatre Presents: Wit

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Check out the full May event listings here and if you have an event to include, please send it in by email for a free listing. Follow Miss604 on Twitter for more daily updates.