Birthday Breakfast By Candlelight

One of the pleasures of the north on this shortest day is breakfast by candlelight. Rest assured, it was not some ungodly hour of the morning when this delightful repast occurred, it was a very civilized 9:30am, and still dark. The birthday boy was his usual sweet self and made eggnog lattes and the bacon and potatoes. I did the eggs and the dishes.

All the joy of the season to you all. And hold this precious thought close; the days are getting longer.

Vancouver Visit: Food of the Gods, Miko Sushi

The delicious Japanese fare was so good, that there's no photos after the drinks arrived. All I can say is that you should go and enjoy! I had herring roe on kelp for the first time ever, sake in a wooden cup/box and some amazing grilled mackerel. 

Vancouver Visit; Food of the Gods HONs

A Vancouver staple, HONs is always a must do. This time I think we excelled - rock salt shrimp and rock salt smelt were highlights for me. The noodles were an 'also ran' the Chinese broccoli with garlic lovely.

Vancouver Visit: Food of the Gods Bao Bei

We've had some wonderfully epic meals here in Vancouver on this visit. Thanks to some excellent recommendations from a work mate we arrived hungry at Bao Bei on Keefer St. It is kooky and eclectic with fabulous signature cocktails and smart wait staff - not everyone wants a cocktail that has only alcohol or a soup with bread in it. We did! There was a dish of butterflied herring that was divine, a desert with fresh persimmon and a finishing cocktail of bitter digestif qualities.

Cold Spell

Its been a busy November, craft sales have kept me on the go. The weather had been particularly nice, well, not nice, but not cold and windy the way it usually is in November. That all changed today. A North wind blew in overnight and it is still going strong. The only bright spark has been the City of Whitehorse putting up the holiday lights early and lighting them up in the dark of morning. It was a much more pleasant commute with those light burning bright.

Hallowe'en 2014

We had a grand total of 76 kids this evening trick or treating here at our home in Whitehorse. Christopher says that's almost the largest number ever. Unfortunately we still have candy left... we're sure Sarah's office is looking forward to the candy... lots of skinny lawyers and support staff there.

Favourite costume of the night - Coca Cola vending machine with electrical cord for tail!

Favourite thing from a little one... "Happy... (wipe drippy nose with arm)... Halloween!!!"

First Snow Fall 2014

It is an ill wind that blows no good as my Nana would have said. I caught a cold which kept me off my bicycle this morning for the first and epic snowfall this autumn. It was raining at first, then swiftly changed to heavy, wet snow. The kind of snow that fizzes as it drops, and muffles all sound. Lovely to watch from the living room with a cup of ginger lemon tea.

Just Starting as the Sun Tries to Rise

A few hours later

An hour after that with Christopher in the background shaking the heavy snow off our trees

Trees still have their leaves, so the heavy snow could break their branches

Halifax Public Garden

Annapolis Valley

We love the Annapolis Valley!  We have picked out our retirement winery location and properties already.  The fresh food, local bubbly, sunshine and ocean are all amazing.

 The View from the sunroom...

 We love the Fiat 500C!

 Wineries and sheep... what more can you say?

 The Annapolis Royal Farmer's Market was awesome!

 Donna loved the Fiat too!

 Fresh scallops, lobster, tomatoes, cheese and fruit... yeah baby!

Illes Aux Marines

This lovely iles off the harbour of St. Pierre is part of the `patrimony`of the area. This island served to protect St. Pierre`s harbour from storms and as a home for up to 700 inshore fishermen in the late 1890`s. The most fascinating part of the island for me was the laundry - the women all collectively washed their lanudry. Not something I`ve seen in other Atlantic Canadian communities. It appears to be a uniquely Francophone cultural practise. Also interesting was that these Francophone fishermen dried their salt cod direclty on sun heated rocks, whereas in the rest of Newfoundland, the salted cod would be laid on `flakes` or wooden drying racks. Photos to follow...

St. Pierre Hikes

You`ll have to wait for faster uploads, but the hiking here is just great. It is all very much like hiking in the arctic or alpine because there are no trees at all. We were very much enjoying our sunny hike until the storm clouds rolled in. There are no photos of the torrential downpour because Christopher was afraid the camera would suffer a drowning. Before the skies opened we saw lovely alpine and bog plants without any bugs to bother us.