A day late, but let me start by saying: Happy Birthday Ryan! The big 1-6.  He can officially commence the process of obtaining his drivers license, if he so wishes, and aging!  Just kidding Ryan, you have but a few more years to go before that.  And speaking of aging, as for today: Happy Birthday dad!

I’m certainly jealous as they’ll both be celebrating with the relatives on the beaches of Tofino, BC, the gorgeous West Coast of Vancouver Island.

But Thursday night we collectively celebrated 60% of the (immediate) family’s Birthdays.

A dinner out at a fantastic restaurant.  Amazing food, great location, and… they’re environmentally friendly?  That was news.

It started as an over-all good day including some shopping and lounging in the sun with Matthew, my youngest sibling.  We then biked from James Bay, past Thetis Lake and as far as Colwood at the Highway #14 crossing of the Galloping Goose trail.  A quick 13km or so trek, Matthew’s first time on that part of the trail, and he did superbly!

We dined at My Chosen Café.  A rustic, homey little spot located in Metchosin.  Dinner was highly enjoyable.  The whole family, including (cousin and good friends) Aimee and Dylan, all there for some good laughs.  And as it turns out- the restaurant is keen on keeping things green.

My Chosen Café is taking part in one of the CRD’s composting pilot projects.  These projects were first introduced, so far with much success, in the residential areas of Oak Bay and View Royal.  It was extended after a year when it saw over 400 tonnes of waste diverted from the landfill.  Domestic food waste is picked up from residential areas- and now restaurants, apparently- and transported to a composting facility.  Simple as that, they even supply you with the free compostable bags.

The restaurant has it’s weekly pick-up, and our waitress explained that this time a couple of years ago they were letting cans, bottles, paper, and all pile up in multiple trash bags.  My, how things have changed.

Cheers to Ryan and dad- Happy Birthdays!