Snowblower Heaven

After the amount of snow we've had this year and last, we broke down and bought a snow blower. Here's the proud operator, bunny suit and all.

Oh Tannenbaum

The transformative power of the decorative arts is best expressed in the Christmas tree. Before;

After;

Merry Christmas

Jack the cat had a Christmas hang-over early;

Then we moved on to the main event - with brined turkey and punch. The brined turkey turned out very well, I'd use this Canadian Living low sodium recipe again.

The punch was awesome, a recipe I was inspired to use because we had Aperol and the photos were amazing: Easy Does It Baby.

Sunrise: shortest day

As a non-morning person I do get a thrill out of saying to morning people that I've been up since long before dawn...i don't mention that dawn is at 10 am or later.

The Ladies Who Lunch

We were intrepid hunters, gathers, and lunchers. After acquiring the largest luggage available for all my acquisitions on this trip and a few more objects to put in the luggage, we headed to Joe Fortes for lunch. It was a lovely lunch of multiple courses with wine, oysters and dessert.

Fat Duck Mobile

A family friend/relative has his own mobile food truck; the Fat Duck. After Dim Sum yesterday we all trooped up to see him. The dirty rice was delicious even cold.

 The last time Robyn saw this truck it wasn't all tricked out as a food truck. He thinks it looks nice now...

Vancouver Family Dim Sum

We were happy to be able to see some of Christopher's family for Dim Sum in Vancouver's Chinatown Floata Golden Seafood.

Syd's dad Robyn was running the food mill non-stop and Syd was eating everything in sight.

After dim sum Vern took us to MEC and we stopped for a fortifying coffee afterwards

Saturday in Vancouver

There was lunch at a little back street Sushi spot. Their unique rolls were 50-50 flavour wise. We then headed to the Christmas Market to meet Aunt Helen. It was cold, but lovely.

The 29th Floor Incident

We were eating a fabulous surf and turf and wine pairings in our condo when the fire alarm went off. There were looks, discussion, gophers popping out of doors; "are you going?" We eventually took off after much discussion about what to grab - Karen grabbed the Beaujolais Nuveau and not the gamay - and we headed down to the lobby. Happily we are only on the 6th floor and not the 20th floor. We arrived downstairs just in time to witness the 17 or so police officers come in with what appeared to be assault rifles. One officer flashed her badge and asked if anyone was from the 29th floor. We all looked at each other; 'no', 'no', 'no'. Then the officers talked among themselves about getting everyone out of the lobby. We took that as our cue to leave. We wandered a few meters away and started chatting with a passer by who made an excellent drinks suggestion; the Keefer Hotel. That's where the photos were taken. If you get a chance, try their drinks. Bring your gold card though because they are expensive.

Vancouver Sea Wall and Granville Island

We had lovely weather here in Vancouver this morning. We walked to Granville Island along the seawall and enjoyed all it has to offer. 

Public Art Mobile

 

We're Here!

That's our view from the balcony - Science World, sky scrapers, cranes. Very urban.