I may have already linked to this inspiring blog, but I'll do it again. Take a couple minutes to view her vacation slideshow and tell me you don't want to also go driving around Europe and eat luscious chocolate cake and sip cappucino by the ocean. Wow.

I've just discovered the radio feature on itunes. How fun and so many stations to choose from. Just when I was trying to not spend much time on the computer.
I did some weeding and turning over soil in the garden tonight while the sun was going down. Farley helped me by dancing around on the soil whenever people walked by. Got a compost too and it is set up now.

This plant appeared suddenly the other day. No, sorry, the plant didn't, only the flowers. I don't know what it is, but this picture was taken a few days ago and today the flower has become quite big. Doesn't smell though.

Not the best picture, but there's a lot of lavender here. A big bush of it. It smells nice and I should probably do something with it before it dies off.

Ok, next plant:
This is the little tomato plant that could. We bought it when it was all scraggly and small, and now a few weeks later look at it! Its huge! Just waiting patiently for it to make me some tomatoes. The plant actually smells strongly of tomatoes, so I don't know if this is a good sign or not. You may be able to just make out a tiny basil plant poking it's head out underneath. It has been dwarfed by mister tomato.

There's a lovely lily plant in our backyard which in the last week has started blossoming. Ed and I came home one evening and there were a bunch of buds in the midst of starting to open, in the morning many of them had fully opened. The flowers smell sweet and like Hawaii. I love how plants are sneaky and just when you think a plant has nothing to offer and wonder why someone had planted it in the first place, all of a sudden it says "hey, look at me!"

Aya Kato. I spent quite a while looking at this artist's site. Her images are disturbing and beautiful. Very unusual. Click through the illustrations, you'll be amazed.

I love the artwork of Junko Mizuno-lots of skulls, weird animals. She's put out a collection of Japanese manga style renditions of fairy tales, one is called Cinderalla, another is Hansel and Gretel.

Ed and I went to see Batman Begins in the Imax theatre last night in Langley. It was a neat experience to see a feature film on that big of a screen. I'd only ever seen short space and shark movies in Imax. We passed the Walnut Grove Community centre on the way. I'm always on the hunt for good community centres and when I searched online for this one, here's what I found (click through the other pictures too). Pretty nice hey? It looks really open and bright and what could be nicer than swimming while watching the sunset. The great thing is that it is only a 15 minute drive from our house. I'll give a full report when I've actually visited the place.

I've taken advantage of what little sun we've been offered lately. Ed and I ventured out to Whonnock Lake today (take the virtual tour!), a 15 minute drive from our house. This is a smaller lake with some boggy bits at the edge, but far warmer than the water at Allouette Lake where we went last weekend and almost froze to death under the threatening rain clouds. Anyway, we had a nice swim, I enjoyed a Drumstick ice cream and then we headed home.
I am astounded at the amount of forested areas and outdoor recreation options that Maple Ridge has.

Okay, so Ed and I are in our new house now-two weeks it has been. Why do we feel like we're on vacation and this is someone else's place? I'm wandering around thinking I'd better be careful with everything because we'll be giving it back.
I'm home sick from work today-first sick day I've taken at this job. I've had so much sleep and it has really helped. Our pets are overjoyed that I'm here hanging out with them.
I haven't had much of a chance to enjoy our backyard, so I think I'll go out there and knit or read one of my ten or so books I have out from the library. It just doesn't seem right to watch tv on a nice day.

I'm enjoying some of Snoop Dogg's music lately: Signs (with Justin Timberlake) and Drop it like its Hot. The songs are so catchy and pretty cheesy but good for a breezy summer day.
I listened to Joanna Newsom the other day and was disappointed-I wanted to hear her music after reading the article about her in Venus a while ago. As a fan of the harp, I figured I'd like her, but she sounds like she's trying to be an old woman (I confirmed this suspicion by reading some reviews).

I really enjoy reading Drawn (where I found the link in the previous post). The site is updated all the time which is great.
The newest Bust magazine just came out and I've already perused the music pages and downloaded songs from both Amerie and Scout Niblett who reminds me of Cat Power and Feist-two of my favorites.
Ed and I are moving in much much less than a week and although it should show in the amount of packing we should have done, it doesn't. I'd much rather sit and download music like a lazy thing in front of the computer. I know I will curse myself on Thursday for this.

I've never run across the work of Souther Salazar but I love it. I think of J. Otto Seibold and really crazy children's book illustrations from books my Mom had saved from the 50's and 60's.

I love this pillow (just the right amount of pretty and creepy all in one) found on fabulous Morning Craft. If I happen to run across a spare 80 bucks American I'll buy it.

Ed and I took Farley to have his hair cut today on Main Street and now he looks like Bambi crossed with a terrier, his legs are so long and gangly and sort of fly out to the side when he's running. Anyway, on the way back home after stopping in a few of my favorite clothing stores, we came across a fairly new electric bike store called Voltage Cycles and although not in the market for an electric bike found that they have tons of awesome toys and t-shirts including a bunch of both from Gama-Go. I bought a Gama-Go t-shirt a while back without knowing who they were just because I liked the little ninja cat on it and then was in search for some of their other designs. I was so happy today when I saw them all at this store. I bought a shirt with a big line art dragon breathing fire on it. They also have a bunch of Threadless shirts as well which are hard to find and are all designed by different people competing for best shirt design.

I won't be eating another KFC veggie burger. Word has gotten out through PETA that they torture their chickens. I read both Fast Food Nation and The Food Revolution: How Your Diet can Help Save Your Life and Heal the World a couple of years ago and somehow (naively) thought that because of the exposure that many fast food companies would have changed their practices. Some have, but looks like KFC hasn't and is instead just evil.

There is something tasty and new in the fast food kingdom. KFC is doing a test run of a vegetarian "chicken" burger here in Vancouver. Ed and I tried it and it was very flavourful and a bit crunchy. The patty was much like the Schneider's veggie "chicken" patty which is breaded (and tastes real good with cheese melted on it with pasta sauce over top).

I've been on a big running kick for the past week. I've ran about four times and am loving it. Its really been lifting my spirits to go outside and do a few laps in the park while the evening sun is still glowing. Of course having my Ipod Shuffle along doesn't hurt either.

I am playing with my new Ipod Shuffle that Ed just gave me for my birthday! I love it and am fascinated at how tiny it is and how much information it can hold. I just love miniature things.

I saw this link on Loobylu: people's studio spaces. Fantastic! I love seeing these as I am trying to plan what I want in my art/craft room in the new house. I realize though that every one of these features hardwood floors and mine will have carpet, which obviously will be terrible if I decide to paint or do any sort of messy crafts. Some of the studios shown are so incredibly tidy and organized its ridiculous.
I think the key for any living space as well, is good lighting.

Rats:
Ed has been wanting a pet rat for a while, so he and I bought a couple (two as they get lonely on their own). Although rats used to creep me out-especially their tails, I actually warmed up to the idea of having them once we started trolling all the pet stores. I'll try and post pictures of them soon. Ed's rat is named Inari (yes, after the Japanese tofu/rice pouches) and mine is yet to be named.

Ed and I went to see Born into Brothels today. It was pretty amazing, I'd recommend going to see it.

I am working on a little dark denim pouch which will feature a red and white gingham band, with a white lace style trim peeking out and a deer applique. I'll try posting pictures of the work in progress when I get a chance.
I'm finding that even though I have lots of time this weekend to be doing crafty things and such, I am still not motivated and really just want to lie down and nap. I think I'll try doing something small like making my octopus cross stitch pattern and then hopefully that will motivate me to do other stuff.

This is great too.

I love this online store: Schmancy.
So many crazy toys!

Oh, am I excited for a four day weekend. It shall begin with a bagel and cream cheese then shopping for fun things at the mall.
Not much planned yet but I can tell you that I will be trying to squeeze in as much sleeping and lazing about as possible. I really want to work on some craft projects but what I really want to do is plan out my craft room for the new house.

EEK! This thing is bloody creepy,but as you can see from the many postings on craftser in response to it, other people want to make one too (and so do I...sort of...)!

Pretty. 

I sat in a Smart Car today (picture above) and now I want one.
The thing I find most hilarious about these crazy beasts is that the colour panels can be snapped off by a Smart Car service person and changed to make a whole newly coloured car.

Pretty eggplant which I want to grow in the garden I have been dreaming about.

Ok, so I may have already posted about this a while ago, but it is so damm tasty I have to post about it again. Boursin cheese. It is completely and utterly addictive.

I took advantage of the warm sunny day today to go for a big walk downtown. I took the Aquabus from Granville Island. It felt great to get some sea wind even if it was only for two minutes.
I have been planning a vegetable and herb garden to plant in the backyard of the new house. I do not want radishes as they are evil and gross...but I am willing to try growing eggplant and cucumbers and carrots and lots of lavender.

The following are pictures of the house that Ed and I just bought!

Powder room 

Staircase 

Front/side of house 

Neat site found through Month of Softies.

Ed and I went to a party last night with really good food, and I just had a sudden urge to make cool appetizers to eat while watching the Oscars. For instance, these cherry tomatoes filled with goat cheese and stuffed cucumbers (hollow out cucumber wheels and fill with tomatoes and goat cheese feta and cilantro and some oil and vinager dressing). I've also added crispy baguette pieces with hummous.
I've always thought that making party food takes way too much effort and coordination for my taste. But I have now discovered it is very much like making crafts, where you get really absorbed in the process and making things pretty (especially when bright colours are involved) and the end result is usually impressive. Plus it feels decadent to have such things without having a party.

I've been waiting so long to buy a pair of these John River birch knitting needles. Lovely aren't they? I have been working diligently on the spiderweb capelet in Stitch N Bitch Nation, only to read the postings on Craftster about the changes in the pattern. I am going to have to rip it out and start again...but not without my lovely new birch needles. I'm convinced they'll make all the difference, kind of like a magic wand...maybe they'll even knit the darn thing for me.

I was overjoyed to be walking around outside in the beautiful sun in the middle of February wearing a t-shirt and no coat. Tomorrow will be fabulous as well, getting up to 16 degrees.
I am getting so sick of wearing winter clothes, they feel so heavy and scratchy.

I've almost finished a can of dry roasted madadamias and could eat five more cans. I cannot get over how wonderfully wonderful they are and oh so addictive.

5:45am: We are rudely awakened by the thundering sound of a large van careening down the street and flipping onto its side and a Jeep driving through a chain link fence. I think we've now phoned 911 about 10 times in total for the number of accidents we've heard/seen right outside our apartment window.

Ed and I have been researching buying a house or townhouse within the Lower Mainland. We went for a drive today and managed to eliminate two whole cities due to distance and unattractiveness. I have been checking out the Multiple Listing Site for affordable areas and just for comparison's sake looked at Novia Scotia (where nobody wants to live??) and came across a big 3 bedroom house for $7,900! Shocking.

I love Sara Varon's art. I have her book Sweaterweather and am eagerly awaiting her other publications, one of which is due out this spring. If animals were like humans, this is how I'd imagine they'd be. This is a really nice site too.

I was out for strike duty again today. Brought the big ass thermos full of Creamy Earl Grey tea and a delicious bagel sandwich. We played frisbee and someone brought a camping stove. I must say, I've never before seen picketers actually doing anything other than picket-hoping we won't get in trouble for having fun!
I am quite tired though and surprisingly feel as though I've been in the sun too long-feel slightly sunburned. I'm not complaining though, it was great being outside with beautiful weather today.

Today was so gorgeous and sunny and breezy, so I took a big walk downtown and perused some stores and the library. I spent a while in Le Chateau...their jeans are actually not too bad, didn't buy any, but now I know where to look if I need some. Went into Cheap thrills as well (a favorite store of yesteryear) and now just feel way too old to be in there. I found myself getting angry at their music (someone has butchered one of my favorite Smiths songs: There is a light that never goes out) and being astounded that vinyl purses are now 90 bucks.

I went to the gym today at my work. There is simply no excuse for me not to go. It is free for employees plus there's a great new steamroom and nothing makes my skin feel better than being in a steamroom. I had to muster up an astounding amount of energy to drag myself there, but as usual felt a million times better after. I could literally feel my stress melt away. Then I promptly ate a chocolate bar and felt even better.
I have rented two movies: Ray and Vanity Fair (which I've wanted to see for a while-I've heard the costumes and sets are amazing in that one.)

I forced myself to be calmer at work today. I made tea (Creamy Earl Grey and Yoga tea) in my new little teapot and tried to convince myself that I can only do so much in one day at work and stressing out to a high degree about it won't help me at all.
Course it's hard to practice what you preach.
I ventured into T&T Supermarket after work to get some bin bin crackers (a lovely combo of sweet and sour) and red bean pastries.

This is fun.
This is terrifying.

I may want to make a new felt toy and submit the picture to Month of Softies (from Loobylu).

I have started making a spreadsheet for knitting projects. It'll be an efficient way of keeping track of what needle sizes and yarns I'd use for each custom pattern and how many stitches to cast on etc...I know I will forget and have to go back throught the painful trial and error system I've been working by since now. I don't want to do that anymore.
I bought a cross stitch kit from Smoking Lily today. It is an octopus and I am hoping to stitch it directly onto a t-shirt. I understand that if you do the cross-stitch backwards then it can go directly onto fabric, otherwise It'll have to be on the fabric stuff they include in the kits. Wish me luck.

It snowed again last night. It was sort of lovely and quiet. I miss when I was a kid, walking through the trails behind our property and everything was untouched and fluffy like a movie set. Unfortunately it has all turned to slush today as it rained for the rest of the night.

I am tempted by the new ipod shuffle.

Ok, so it is strike day today and I am trying to see just how many layers of clothing I can fit on myself while still being able to move. I'm at a standstill now though, do I wear my wool ski sweater or a big fleece as the final layer under my coat? I really want to bring this massive 70's green thermos from my mom filled with coffee, because that just seems so "strike" to me-oh and gotta find a barrel.

Wow. This page is really funny.

I've been bullied into creating more posts on my blog (hee hee, just joking leanne!).
Winter snowy coldness makes me inspired to craft and make things and logging those processes will hopefully kick my butt into gear. Although, the only thing I will be making this evening is some macaroni and cheese.
I am now officially engaged (big, big news!). Ed proposed to me on Saturday-I am a very happy girl!!
It is the big strike day tomorrow at work and I must report at 10am sharp to picket. First strike ever and first union ever too. How exciting, but I have to dress really warm as it is damm cold outside to stand for 4 hours. I briefly considered knitting while striking, but I think my hands will me sufficiently mittened.