If you know anything about Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books, you know about the Frasers, and the Murrays. Well, I wish I could report that I had dinner with Jamie and Claire recently, but these Frasers are very much rooted in this century.

Recently my husband was asked to speak at a dinner commemorating the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, hosted by the 78th Fraser Highlanders, a Historical Regiment. Like Jamie Fraser, their lineage is traced back to the Old Fox – Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat (in fiction, the grandfather of Jamie Fraser).  

Looking for a spooktacular fun family event? Or are you a recreational runner who wants to crush a PB … while wearing a creative costume? The Peace Arch Hospital Foundation’s annual Great Pumpkin Run/ Walk offers you a chance to be active and to also give back to our community by registering for a 1k or 5k run or walk.

September means the start of a new year for many. School is starting again for those of us with kids, or even new university semesters for people who are still pursuing their education. With every fresh start comes feelings of motivation and determination.

Every September I go through an incredible phase of extreme-organization. My multitasking abilities seem to surge. Everything in the house gets cleaned. Random drawers get opened and organized for the first time in ages. I even manage to stick to a meal-prepping schedule for a while!

It’s never too late to start a summer family tradition

One of my favourite parts about summer are the fresh fruit stands that pop up all over the Fraser Valley, especially in Abbotsford. Did you know that we are apparently the raspberry capital of the world? This was news to me.

What better way to commemorate this achievement than by making fresh raspberry jam?!

I swear if I received a dollar for every time someone asked me “why do you live in Abbotsford,” I’d be rich… okay maybe not rich, but I’d have a good chunk of money to possibly afford to move.

To be completely honest, I personally never thought I’d still be living in Abbotsford and raising my son here. I originally moved to The Valley (from North Delta) back in August of 2009, after being accepted to the University of the Fraser Valley’s English program. At that time there was no such thing as Highstreet Mall, our bus system was flawed, and all I wanted to do was pass my N drivers test.

Two weeks ago, we were showing our visitors around Fort Langley, stopping first at the National Historic Site then over to the Langley Centennial Museum to see an exhibit on WW1. As we approached the museum, I noticed some of the railings and trees had been covered with what could best be described as scarfs! Odd for such a hot time of year.

What I didn’t realize was that the Langley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild had a new exhibition inside – Fiber Arts A-Z.

As September is now upon us (seriously where has this year gone?), with kids heading back to school and instilling the routines once again, we are left with only a few short weeks of warm weather. If it were up to me summer would be a year round season and snow would simply not exist.

If you’re anything like me and in-need of some last minute activities to do and enjoy in the Fraser Valley before the weather turns, here are my suggestions: