A Year of Joy

By Karen Elgersma | May 01, 2024

As I sat down to write out my resolutions for 2025, I started the way I often do – trying to quit something. You know the drill – quit some unhealthy habit and replace it with a healthy one. While plotting out my grand plan of becoming the world’s healthiest woman I got a text from a friend with a photo clearly taken in the ‘70’s of a bunch of kids on their bikes, who looked to be around 9 or 10, that said;

“Your mom thought you were riding your bike around the block for 8 hours. But in that time you went 5 miles away, explored an abandoned house, jumped over some garage roofs, attempted a Ouija board, built a den in the woods and made your own fire.”

My friend sent this nostalgic image to a group of us who grew up together and we all thought the photo was actually us – the silly texts that ensued from my childhood friends were hilarious. As the day wore on, I started reflecting on my younger self, and I marvelled at how much fun I used to be. How adventurous, and free and silly I was, we were. It made me want to jump into the photo and be a kid again.

So, this year my New Year’s Resolution is simple. I want to have more fun. After having the joy of meeting artist and gallery owner, Kim Pollard, on Pender Island, and hearing her stories behind her food art, I am going to be more intentional about visiting art galleries and meeting the artist behind the art (p.?). I want to go out more this year and enjoy time laughing, talking and indulging in the local food scene. Whether I am having a tasting with friends at one the Island’s cider houses (p.?) or checking out one of the many new foodie establishments that have opened this past year, I want 2025 to be the year that I single handedly re-brand “The Karen,” (By 2026 people I want people to say, “Be a Karen!”)

We are going to continue to add some serious fun, laughter, and joy into everything we do at Edible Vancouver Island in 2025. With our new editor, Elizabeth Nyland on board, and a few other new team members, we are all excited about this next chapter and we are so grateful to have you along for the journey!

May 2025 be filled with laughter, some super silly moments, and a sense of wonder.