Can I just say the weather has been just beautiful here.
Yesterday I walked from one side of downtown to the other. Don't be too impressed, it only took about 4 hours.
My day started by walking though the community garden that is just 3 blocks away. People can claim a small section though the city and plant and maintain it. How nice it must be to live in the city and have a garden.
Shopped a little but only bought lunch and breakfast for the next day. Chatted with some locals who recommended some other areas to investigate. Will be doing that today. I'm getting my long walks in now because next week is expected to be cooler with light rain.
Dinner was at an African restaurant. DH had really delicious lamb kabob's. I had grilled shrimp, which was good but I should have been more adventurous and tried the curry's. There's always next week!

Yesterday was another glorious day so I decided to walked the 45 minutes to Granville Island. The walk it's self is a little crazy because you are walking on a bridge that is not unlike an on ramp for a highway. And at two points you actually cross a lane of car's getting on! Once there the place is pretty phenomenal. It's basically filled with artist shops, galleries and a public market that not only has a huge farmers market, it all so has bakeries, cheese shops, spice shops, meat shops, homemade pasta. And then you have little restaurants that serve anything from curry to hot dogs. It's a foodies paradise! I walked around and took a bunch of pictures, not that you will see them, thanks to google! Then went shopping because I wasn't hungry yet, and I was a bit over whelmed! If only there was something that great where I live!
Come to find out there are 2 bead shops, 2! Both were a bit pricey but I did buy a few things. Girls got to help an artist community! The beads made me hungry so I went back to the food mart which was crazy because it was 12:30. But that worked out cause I just looked for the long lines to find out which restaurants were the best. I went for the fruit and salad place and ordered the lunch special which was a pulled pork pita with choice of 3 salads, lentil, rice and bean and beet. The salads were awesome the pulled pork was just OK, which is what I get for eating the only meat served at a fruit and salad place.
Bought some strawberries and 2 brioche caramel apple cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a few gift. I plan on going back a few times while I'm here.
Dinner was at the Twisted Fork, Tuesday special half price mussels in a tarragon cream sauce with pomme frites on top! Delicious! We will be going back Sunday because the special is prime rib. Lets see if it's as good as mine!

So surprise, Goggle wants to rule the world, and until I stop fighting it and give in I can not add pictures. So maybe later, after a few cocktails!
Yesterday was spent walking around the city getting my barrings and seeing if the places I remember were still there.
I found some old places and some new places. Lush is a wonderful lotion and bath shop, stopped in to get more of their amazing body lotion.
Had lunch at a french crepe place.
Yum, spinach, mushroom, tomato and feta crepe with and ice tea to wash it down. Oh, and I found a nice flower shop and bought some peonies. The ones in my garden were just about to bloom when we left. These make a fine substitute!
Gorgeous day! Didn't even need a sweater!
Dinner was at a highly recommended sushi restaurant, DH who knows good sushi, thought it was average and pricey. I had a sushimi salad that was pretty good, except for the eel that I gave to DH to eat.

Well we arrived safe and sound.
A little longer to get to the airport that expected, but we made the flight.
First stop food! And, foodie that I am, I had it all planned out.
Bandida's a vegan/vegetarian restaurant that comes highly rated.
It was small and packed, we waited 20 minutes, and it was well worth it.

Anyhow, next we drove to Shannon falls, we've been there each time we've been to Vancouver. It is beautiful, and loud.  I like all the ferns and moss and massive trees that surround it.
Checked in to the Wall Centre and got a room with a view and a balcony!!!!!
We didn't even know they had balconies! Again pictures to come. View really is so beautiful it's hard to leave it. But leave we did to have dinner at one of our favorite restaurant from last time we were here. Bin 941, a wine and tapa's restaurant. THE MOST AMAZING FOOD! Homemade lamb kabob, with homemade taziki sauce. Ahi tuna w/deep fried avocado, holy delisiousness!
The best spinach salad I have EVER had w/beets, fried goat cheese, marinated mushrooms. Seriously I want that again, today, for lunch!
Dessert was a deconstructed lemon tart w/homemade short bread cookies and roasted marshmellows. The lemon curd was perfect, not too tart not too sweet. I would eat there every night, if no calories were involved!
And now I am off to purus the city. More later, hopefully with pictures!

Stay tuned peoples! I will soon be in the amazing city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
I plan on showing you the city thru my eyes. Ok, yes there will be a lot of food, but I will be walking everywhere so, food, people, places, and things. I can hardly contain my self!

Pippi got one upped!

Right!? A squirrel in your lap or a deer in your bed?



Look, she only likes the yolks, just like me!

Step Right Up!!

Come one come all, the hawks are back! No, don't be silly, not the Blackhawks, these hawks.


Live TV : Ustream

Feisty baby included, when their not sleeping that is! Click on video window to watch!

There are some very talented people out there!!!

Most of these artists are breaking the law. I love that they are willing to do that to let people see their talent. Click here to see more.
My all time favorite is Banksy, he now has a book out, click on his name to be directed to see his book.

                                                      

This cracks me up :-D :-D :-D

This last one is here in Chicago, maybe Pippi can find it!?
Click here to see more Banksy!!!

There's a Whole Wide World Out There!

I have mentioned before that I'm in a beading group called Beading with Friends that meets once a month at NanC Meinhardt's house. And please do click on her name to see all the amazing things she has created. I am truly fortunate to call her a friend.
But sit down people, because one of the women in the group is Lisa Binkley, world renown quilt artist!
It's was mentioned that she is "famous",  and that didn't surprise me since I see the work she does when we get together, it is exquisite! After chatting with her last week she gave me her website so I could see more of her work. HOLY COW!!!

I'm only showing you this one so you will go to her site and see them up close and personal! I spent most of yesterday inspecting each and every one! Can you find the one with the turtle crawling out of the sea?
She is one of the most genuine, sweet, down to earth people that you will ever meet. I think it comes across in her quilts, wouldn't you say?!
And then... and then! I see that her husband, Ed Binkley is an illustrator, Holy... Mole!

His attention to detail, wow, the way he draws the wrinkles on the faces make you want to try and pinch them.
What incredible artist these two are! Then both have work for sale at really low prices, imho, considering the amount of time that must go into each piece.
Now off with you, go see the beauty that's out there to behold!

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

I'll try not to get too mushy, but I LOVE this boy!

I am so incredibly lucky to spend my life with this guy! He has the best disposition of anyone you will ever meet. He's smart, funny and so generous. He's adorable (as you can see), he make's me laugh more than anyone, ever! When I first met him I knew he was the one for me and he has proven to be so much more!
His birthday, and I get the present! Hope I will share many more birthdays with you baby! Kiss, kiss!

I Ache!

For spring!
It all started with this photo.

Which lead me to this website, don't you just love that name, "Cottage in The Woods"?!

I would so fix this up and live here!

Which lead me to gingerella,

I can think of one person this works for :-)

and all the pretty photo's she has to offer! Monthly, so I will be going back for more!

What can I say, I LOVE PINK!!!

So open the door and come on in, you could lose yourself for awhile!

Fairy Tales aren't Just for Childrens!

Everyones loves a good fairy tale right?! Well "Grimm's Fairy Tales" is one of the most popular ones (well when I was growing up anyways). Besides the stories, the illustrations were amazing. Here are some of my favorites from artist/illustrator Gustaf Tenggren. Click on his name to see more.

Looks like Shirley MacLaine modeled for this one, in one of her previous lives no doubt!

This one would make an awesome tattoo, if your into that sort of thing :-D

The one above is from a book called "East of the Sun and West of the Moon"

Go to the link, you don't have to be a kid to enjoy the art!

Note to self, wait to have DH buy your Christmas present after the holiday!

Not that I don't love the boots he got me, I do, I do, but there are some really fantastic deals out there right now. Boots that I couldn't afford unless they go on sale. And I only say that because I think it is ridiculous to spend $300 on boots. $180 that's much better.
And before I continue let me just say, THESE ARE NOT, NOT THE BOOTS THAT I WOULD WANT TO BUY!!!!!!!!!!!! They are just so ... I don't even know the words to describe them.

First I saw these and thought, well someone probably was pushing a chair in and lost the heel to their boot and said to their self, hey that gives me a great idea!!

Then I saw this one and said to myself, fairies would like boots like these and I like fairies, so maybe there not that ridiculous.



Beside if you got tired of wearing that "Christmas Sweater" every year, this could be a new addition!
Coming across these though, what the???
You know ballerina's would not want to wear them, I'm pretty sure that they can't wait to put on some gym shoes after practicing their plie's all day long.
Oh I know, if you were a want-a-be ballerina or the stand in for the main ballerina, you would want to make sure your toes and calfs were at the ready when needed. So these would be the perfect pair of boot to slosh around in while your waiting for your big break!

All boots found at endless.com. Go and check out that great savings to be had, or have a laugh just browsing!

A Mouse in the House

Sorry to not have posted as much as I would have liked. As I mentioned my boss quit and so the one person that I worked with is now my boss. That means I am the only worker bee. And although I do miss posting here, I must say the days go by so much faster when your busy!
Today I have for you a woman named Maggie Rudy. Click on her name to go to her blog it's full of photo's of mice that she took for her book that's comes out in March named "The house that Mouse built". See aren't they adorable!

Check it out their little basket is made from a poppy pod!
Well what are you waiting for go check out her blog!!!

When is a Painting More Than a Painting?!

I know, I know this is kind of weird, but kind of amazing at the same time, which is right up my alley!

You can find them here, it's called Museum Anatomy by Chadwick & Spector. Spector paints museum paintings from around the world on to Chadwick. I can't paint on a canvas, so can't even imagine painting on a live body!? Oh my Gosh and certain body parts!!!  Don't miss their blog, you can see what's new and even vote on favorites!
Once again an amazing find from Inspire Me Now!

Holy Doll Parts BatMan!!!

Now I know I have fun when I'm sewing my beads together, but this girl must have a blast making her art!
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Morphies to see more she made!! Quite the talented lady, she also paints and draws and make sculptures and mosiacs!! Oh My!
Once again thanks to Margaux Lange for showing us the goods!

Friday night and Saturday morning we got our first batch of snow, and then the temperature dropped to under 30 degree's!! Making it a perfect weekend to stay in and
cook yummy soup,

knit,

and bead,

over and over all weekend long!
I'm leaving out the laundry and the dishes, but you didn't really want pictures of that did you?!

I love this! Go to this site to checkout even more, especially the duck! That one really cracked me up.
I love the name too, "The Otherist", very clever! Oh! Oh my gosh! You can buy them here at their shop!
And for all you curious cat's out there, on Tuesday after work I did what any middle aged woman would do...I lost an hour in a used book store!

The Night is Mine!!!

Once again the DH is staying over night for a customer that's in downstate Illinois, which means, I have the whole house to myself! Yeah! I love coming home late, if I want. I love eating whatever I want for supper (usually popcorn). The thing I don't love is knowing he's not home "watching over" the house as I sleep.
The DH and I are on completely different body clocks. Because I get up oh so early for work at 4:15, I usually go to bed around 8 o'clock. The DH on the other hand is a night owl, occasionally crawling into bed just before my alarm goes off. But that's OK because when I wake up in the middle of the night because I heard something (I'm a very light sleeper), I can fall back asleep knowing he's there to take action, if action is needed. In other words get the raccoon out of the bird food.

Not sure how I'll spend my time after work today. I don't really need to do any shopping, most the Christmas present are bought. I learned along time ago, if you go to the mall just to look, your coming home with "stuff". I don't really need anymore "stuff", unless it's a pair of cowboy boots that is.
I could lose a few hours at Barnes and Noble, but we did that just last week so I'm kind of caught up.
I could just go home and finish knitting my scarf, or figure out what to do next on the necklace I'm beading with "Beading with Friends" at NanC's.
But I'm free to do whatever I want, I want to be adventurous! I want to go somewhere fun, new and exciting!
I guess you'll just have to stay tuned to find out where my freedom leads me!

Another Birthday Shout Out

Today is my sister La's birthday. I'm so happy she was born, for lots of reasons. She is one of the most generous people, ever. So much so that every year for her birthday I try to come up with something to give her that she just can't help but keep! This year, once again I'm hoping my gift will be a "keeper". If what I have planned works out it definitely will be! I'll keep you posted!
If you just happen to mention how wonderful something is, she wants to give it to you, so others have often ended up with gifts meant for her. Not that it's talked about, it would be rude to ask "if you still have the so and so I gave you for your birthday", it's just a given. JW and I were just laughing about it yesterday, at first it used to bother us, but we realize it's just part of her nature. As with all of my sisters they are generous to a fault, it's good to be one of the sisters!
Way back when we were small, I picked on her. A lot. I know with 5 siblings someone is always getting picked on, but I was a jealous snot and picked on her more because I thought she was Momma's favorite. Always wanting to help Mom, clean or cook or whatever, a kiss ass in other words, so I was mean to her. A part of my childhood that I am not at all proud of. Ever so thankful that she doesn't hold a grudge, and has forgiven me for my mean and unkind ways!
Again, now, I realize that was just part of her nature. She is one of the sweetest, most sincere, kind people you will ever meet. Really, she is one of those people that when you meet her you can't help but fall in love with her. It could be because she is unpretentious or her relaxed dispostion, which is amazing all by it's self, since she raised 6 children (and what wonderful children, now adults they are)! She is down to earth and non-judgemental. She loves the simple things in life, money and the riches they bring matter not, more important is the time spent with her kids or friends. She is head strong and tenacious, but she is also a push over.
She has this innocents about her, it's kind of hard to explain, she has this way of looking at you when you are talking to her that lets you know she hears what your saying, kind of like little kids do (sometimes) then you talk to them one on one, if you know what I mean. And it always takes her a minute longer to "get" the joke, which is not to say that she's dumb, because she absolutely is not, it's just that innocents "thing". She always sees the good in people, and hardly ever talks bad about anyone.  Traits I wish I possessed.
I am forever grateful that we did not lose her to cancer, so many years ago, now. Her going threw that taught me not to take my life or my family for granted. That family is most important, spend as much time as you can with them. Wether it's just sitting on the front porch with a glass of tea, or around the table with a good pot of soup. That's where the best memories are.
The best time I will ever have is time spent with my sisters. Talking and laughing like we did when we were young, minus the mean!
Happy Birthday little sis, I love you more than you know.