When we last left our hero.
Oops, I mean had to use the umbrella today, rainy and dreary. I took that as a good opportunity to go to the underground mall. The only thing good about that was when I  came back out the sun was shining! Pretty much the same shops as any other mall. Walked around the shops in Yaletown. Not as many as last time we were here, but I found some trinket's to buy just the same.
Had an Affogotto for lunch. What's an affogotto you ask, it's a scoop of gelato with a shot of espresso poured over it. A perfect lunch for a girl on the go.
Went to dinner at a Japanese tapas bar. We had an amazing appetizer avocado, tuna, tomato mixed with a little soy. Oh, and served with plaintain chips! Brilliant! Also shared ahi tuna sashimi and a sizzling rice bowl. The appetizer was my favorite.

Tuesday slept in because the couple in the room adjacent to ours argued until 1:30 a.m. Ugh.
DH and I planned to meet at the most popular restaurant called ViJ's. It's a contemporary Indian restaurant that people wait hours to get into. So the plan was I would go wait in line until they opened at 5:30 and get in for the first seating. DH would meet me there around 5:30 since that's the time he usually makes it back to the hotel. I get in, get seated, and 15 minutes later get a text from the DH saying class is running late and he would be another 45 minutes! Again, Ugh. So I inform the hostess this new bit of information and offer to sit outside and wait till he arrives, but luckily they let me wait at the table. I ordered a Dark Army, rum, lemon-ginger, mango and a pinch of garam masala. It was wonderful.
The DH showed up a half hour later. Drove like a maniac to get there no doubt.
We had a most unusual but delisious appetizer. Jackfruit in cardamom and cumin curry. I have no idea what the heck jackfruit is except that it is a fruit, but I actually thought they gave us the wrong appetizer. It was tender and stringy and juicey just like short ribs. Asked the waitress and she said yup that was jackfruit! Also had vegetable koftes in an almond marsala and lamb popsicles in a tumeric curry sauce.
I must say this place was just as good as all the hipe. Would come here again and again if we could.

Investigated Gastown. Went to the awesome fabric store called DressSew, didn't buy anything but it has fun looking at all the colors of zippers, elastic, ribbon, and buttons.
Went to La Brasserie for dinner, DH had steak frites, he's so predictable, I had trout cheeks. Very flaky and tender! We each had 2 macroons for dessert. Pistachio was the favorite!

Sunday we decided to walk the sea walk. The inside route so we could see the city. It was a beauty walk on a beautiful day. The walk took us to granville island just in time for lunch! Fish and chips for the DH and crab cakes for me! Yum!!! And we walked the Granville Bridge back to the hotel. I'm glad DH got to feel the craziness of WALKING ON A HIGHWAY!!!! We made it back safe and sound. Rested for a bit then back to the Twisted Fork for Sundays special, Prime Rib! DH said it was just ok, I had the lentil terrine. What, so I ate vegan. It tasted better than the meat!

Ah, finally Saturday and we get to play together the whole day!
We got up early and walked about a mile to Cafe Medina, one of the restaurants that I hi lighted to make sure we check out. The food was as wonderful as expected but really all I want to talk about is the Lavender Latte
I had. I would love to meet the person that thought lavender and coffee would go good together. Whole cow, never would of thunk it but man that was one Delicious cup of jo!
After filling our bellies and walking back to the hotel we drove to our next destination the Lynn Suspension Bridge. Not as long as the Capilano Bridge we went to last time we were here, but the walk in the woods down to twin falls was beautiful. I love walking thru thick lush moss and ferns. The trees were so tall and beautiful! Next we drove to the University of British Columbia
Botanical Garden specifically to walk in the trees. Basically suspension bridges from tree to tree approximately 40ft. above the ground. It was really
fun!
Walked across the street to a "gastro pub" called Relish for dinner. Watched the Blackhawk win their division. Woo Hoo or whatever.

Was a foggy rainy morning. Stayed in and beaded most the day. The beautiful weather came back just in time for dinner. We walked to a Lebanese restaurant called Nuba. Very tasty, not as good as Teta's but still very good.

Lots of walking yesterday! Walked across the Burrard Bridge, up 4th avenue then back down it. Took Fir St. to this amazing bakery call Beaucoup were I stopped and ate lunch. I had an avocado, pear, black radish and endive on a croissant sandwich. Yum! I will be making that one back home. Bought 2 chocolate almond croissant for breakfast. Which I mentioned awhile back to the DH that someone should create. And I was so right, what a great combination! Walked around the south end of Granville avenue for a bit then took the Granville Bridge back to the hotel.
Did a little more walking but it was worth it. Met one of the guys training with the DH for dinner at the Flying Pig. I had beef, the DH had fish and yes they do serve pork there.

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!