British Columbia’s Fraser Valley is known for its historical roots, agriculturally rich soils, and awe-inspiring vistas. A great weekend getaway for the discerning traveler, the region boasts a plethora of memorable experiences waiting to be had. Begin with your preference of either luxury accommodations, quaint bed and breakfasts, or rustic campsites, add in a breathtaking adventure, a relaxed farm tour, or some fun family entertainment and your trip to the Fraser Valley will be one you’ll want to relive again and again. The communities of Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack are just a stone’s throw away and are sure to charm your socks off.

Winter is a magical season that, although it often doesn’t seem like it, doesn’t actually begin until the winter solstice on December 22nd. Generally, as soon as Halloween is over, and our pumpkins begin to rot, we change gears and plow head-first into the holiday season.

Halloween is a time to dress up as your favourite character. Costumes range from a Disney Princess, Superhero to a Minion. It is also a time to get scared out of your skin from the haunted houses you go to or scary movies you watch! As I little girl, I always loved dressing up. For a couple years in a row, I was a black cat. Why two years in a row as a black cat? I just loved being a black cat so why not wear it as many Halloween’s as possible!

When Cathy Finley and her family moved to a five-acre farm in Langley, the plan was a change of pace—not a total change of career. But two years later she’s left her job in social work and is just trying to keep up with the growth of her new family business, Laurica Farm.

Okay, who’s excited for Thanksgiving? The golden-brown turkey, bursting with the perfect mix of stuffing, plus all the fixin’s – cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, oh the gravy! Wipe the drool off your chin for a moment and consider this – what if turkey dinner didn’t have to be a once or twice a year kind of thing? What if you could eat turkey every day?

Fall is a kaleidoscope of color. From the warm reds and oranges of the changing leaves to the soft pale pinks and purples of fall mums and ornamental cabbages. The garden is very much alive as we move into the autumn season and decorating is so fun to do this time of year.

Here’s something that might blow your mind: alpacas aren’t llamas. Okay, maybe you already knew that, but it’s a common misconception because they look so dang similar. But while they’re from the same family, they’re not the same species. “I just tell people if they have banana ears, they’re llamas,” says Catherine Simpson, who runs Kensington Prairie Farm in Langley, home to 50 alpacas. Alpacas have shorter pointy ears, plus they don’t grow quite as big and they have much softer fleece than their llama cousins. Huh. Now you know.

If you think goat cheese is just the soft, crumbly stuff that comes in a log at the grocery store, you’re missing out on a whole wide world of tasty cheese. Anything you can make from cow milk, you can also make from goat milk, and that’s what has kept Marianne Smith of Langley’s Milner Valley Cheese busy for two decades.

These gift ideas are perfect for the Mom with two green thumbs. Instead of just buying her flowers or taking her out to brunch, why not give her something she’ll enjoy for months to come.