tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28208861171964093182024-02-06T19:40:36.513-08:00sugarlove girlIn which I will attempt a little baking, a little photography, the occasional epiphany and much much more.sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-33009022056125494452011-05-16T17:30:00.000-07:002011-05-16T18:36:49.470-07:00The Salmon House<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So there we were, up to our pits in boxes, boxes, boxes, prior to our impending move. How was it possible for two people to accumulate so very much? While there was more than one bout of me wailing "we'll NEVER be finished!!!", there were a couple of silver linings. One of them was Mister Man's overall excellent demeanor. When I hit the mat with stress, he stepped up to the plate and became the go-to guy. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated this, when I was frequently about T minus two minutes away from a meltdown.....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The other silver lining came in the form of a birthday gift certificate from Paully and Michele. It was a certificate to <a href="http://www.salmonhouse.com/"><b>The Salmon House</b></a> in West Vancouver. Now, despite the fact that my brother, the oceanographer, wouldn't be caught DEAD eating anything from the ocean, he DOES have the good sense not to reflect his freakishness on the rest of us! And so we decided that the Saturday night prior to Thursday's moving day would be a perfect time to drop everything, put on some nice duds (if we could find 'em) and head out for a lovely dinner. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/5719728241_c482ba8fdd.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/5719728241_c482ba8fdd.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/5720257912_e3ee91dc03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/5720257912_e3ee91dc03.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We invited Susan and Diyan to join us as Mister Man and I had just spent several weeks up each other's nostrils as we packed, sorted, purged, organized, and slogged through that hellish mire known as MOVING. So having some friends along made the whole thing more festive! The view was spectacular. Check it out here over Susan G's shoulder.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/5720317276_6b6184b846.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/5720317276_6b6184b846.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As the sun melted into the horizon, so our troubles melted into oblivion.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/5720311938_1b75d47110.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/5720274126_2fa5714b5e_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/5720274126_2fa5714b5e_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of course, this had NOTHING to do with the lovely cocktails.......</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/5720308886_b7094d6c0c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/5720266304_17da960ff6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/5720266304_17da960ff6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/5720310322_0b5107d4de_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/5719711057_26ed8e1a37.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/5719711057_26ed8e1a37.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Or DID it? Here is the moment in which we passed our SPARE KEY to our brand new neighbors: Susan and Diyan). Yes. It's true. We now live about 12 doors away from BBQ Club Headquarters!!!! What a fabulous moment.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/5719745625_a8b379cdb3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/5719740583_e877972beb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/5719702627_8580c6e33a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/5719702627_8580c6e33a.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As each course arrived, our packing hell receded and happiness approached.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/5720281026_fa5ce8c1aa.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/5720281026_fa5ce8c1aa.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/5720277740_65b915642c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/5720277740_65b915642c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The food was delicious, and the service fine. Dinner number 6 helped us crawl over the hump and look towards the future. Thanks brother and sister-in-law! That hit the spot!!!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/5719736365_989b976b1a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/5720284546_e78ce62325.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/5720284546_e78ce62325.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/5720292748_2aebc99130.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-16733073198880331302011-05-15T14:31:00.000-07:002011-05-15T17:34:51.889-07:00Dinners 4, and 5 (and humble apologies for the lapse...)<div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh dear. I just looked at the date of my last post, and I'm a tad embarrassed by the passage of time. I could lie and pretend I was having the same kind of wacky experiences they have on soap operas (coma, abducted by aliens, kidnapped by an evil twin etc. etc.), but the truth of the matter is far more bland... Mister Man and I MOVED!!! Yuppers! We moved on up to the heart of Vancouver. While we are now in a 2 bedroom, we DID have to scale back because we have a little less storage space. So this made the process of packing a little more arduous. HOWEVER, there were moments of light and joy during the dark days of moving. I can say that most of the moments of joy involved the 50 dinners. Funny how food can brighten even the darkest day....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dinner # 4 involved the running posse and one of our old haunts, The Water Street Cafe.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/5720292748_2aebc99130.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/5720292748_2aebc99130.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jan was in fine form!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/5720205076_9c9a138795.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/5720205076_9c9a138795.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tamara's gift included a poem by Ogden Nash, "A Lady Who Thinks She is Thirty".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/5720290238_f08e051e73.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/5720290238_f08e051e73.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dinner #5 was an Indonesian feast, lovingly prepared by Anthony and Shelley. It was a double celebration, as Ms. Lori is ALSO a member of the Aries club. There was much laughter.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/5719755727_c41f2af579.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/5719755727_c41f2af579.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And food that would melt even the most stressed out moving heart. Here <del>Vanna White</del> er Shelley K. models a plate of Bitta Balls. These little morsels are bustin' full o' flavour.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/5719754521_daa981d3a9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/5719754521_daa981d3a9.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/5719654085_c7543a0832.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/5719654085_c7543a0832.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And these were fab too.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/5719664971_9aa53e6627_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/5719664971_9aa53e6627_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What a spread! And these were only the appies.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/5719657839_a10394014a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/5719657839_a10394014a.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The tone of the evening was set with tales that were told by Anthony, of his family's travels from Indonesia to the Netherlands.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/5719755727_c41f2af579.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/5719661483_2d42acfd07_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/5719661483_2d42acfd07_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then, it was on to the main course.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/5719672293_c3ce816eb4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/5719672293_c3ce816eb4.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/5720228918_7606ff7751.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/5720228918_7606ff7751.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/5720311938_1b75d47110.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/5720311938_1b75d47110.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's what my plate looked like - overflowing with goodness.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/5720310322_0b5107d4de_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/5720310322_0b5107d4de_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Everyone was having such fun.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/5720308886_b7094d6c0c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/5720308886_b7094d6c0c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/5719738069_13c361de64.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/5719738069_13c361de64.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.... Until Anthony brought on the dessert. DURIAN!!! (Yes the famed fruit which is banned from airplanes. If you go to La Casa Gelato, the durian gelato is covered up for fear of offending people with it's odorous odor. It kind of smells like damp gym socks.) Lori looks on in horror. Mister Man gnaws his nails.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/5719745625_a8b379cdb3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/5719745625_a8b379cdb3.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anthony presents the thorny fruit.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/5720236480_c0b758f5d9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/5720236480_c0b758f5d9.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He begins the dissection.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/5719683145_7a181fc690_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/5719683145_7a181fc690_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have to admit, it DOES kind of resemble an alien autopsy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/5719679545_d929aaf47d.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/5719679545_d929aaf47d.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I mean, I've watched season one of Fringe..... and this COULD be something in Walter's lab!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/5720303548_5f47c2688e_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/5720303548_5f47c2688e_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We each get "a seed".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/5720246854_f6465ff719.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/5720246854_f6465ff719.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shayne seems.... uncertain.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/5719739445_9c18f608ed.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/5719739445_9c18f608ed.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man is afeared.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/5720302128_03ecf8e517.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/5720302128_03ecf8e517.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lori is downright revolted!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/5719740583_e877972beb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/5719740583_e877972beb.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I actually enjoyed mine! It was kind of like a mango with the texture of soft cheese.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/5720250362_6c1f9ed5e3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/5720250362_6c1f9ed5e3.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anthony is the one who clearly loved his. He licked it clean!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/5719736365_989b976b1a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/5719736365_989b976b1a.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The evening ended with this concoction. I was uncertain at first, but it was delicious over ice!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/5720253914_38da764f14_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/5720253914_38da764f14_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Two fabulous evenings during some stressful days. I have to say that we LOVE our new home and I promise photos soon.</span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-66099462141229311222011-04-18T21:05:00.000-07:002011-04-18T22:48:02.644-07:00The View From Here Isn't So Bad After All<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So off we went to Harrison Hot Springs so that I could turn 50 with a modicum of grace (and a whole lotta wine). </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh - and the best husband in the world. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And - and a handful of really lovely friends. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh! and my brand new iPad2 (see above "the best husband in the world")</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(I would post a photo of it, but that would just be showing off)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5620670419_958f155617.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5620670419_958f155617.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I finally figured out how I want to mark this momentous birthday. Rather than having a large, blow out birthday party involving a whole slough of people, I decided that I wanted to spend the next many months having small gatherings. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">50 dinners. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yup. THAT'S what I want.... so that I can actually spend meaningful, one on one time with people.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And in reality, they don't actually have to be dinners. I guess what I REALLY want is 50 gatherings with all of the amazing people in my life.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The first dinner was a lunch. Mister Man and I drove out to the Fraser Valley, where Bob 'n Mer had prepared a lovely lunch for us. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5620629377_5ae397c4ee.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5620629377_5ae397c4ee.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5621220506_d8dd8a9c8c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5621220506_d8dd8a9c8c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I really appreciated it. Even though Mister Man brought me my favourite birthday breakfast (coffee and chocolate cake) in bed, AND followed that up with 5 musical birthday cards (including an accordion playing chicken that played the chicken dance when you cracked it open), I still felt an awful ache when I didn't get to talk to the Mums.... But being surrounded by love helped soothe the ache. And soon, we were pulling into one of my favourite places in BC.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5620638963_9734e36fa4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5620638963_9734e36fa4.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5621223074_37c1197e0b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5621223074_37c1197e0b.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man kind of looks like he belongs here, doesn't he?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5633819668_363f1b8ba1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5633819668_363f1b8ba1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We checked in, and much to our delight, we discovered that there was a rather special convention happening right under our noses...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5621221686_e13800d053.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5621221686_e13800d053.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 500px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh bless us all. There was a SASQUATCH convention happening in our hotel!!! The Sasquatch Summit!! While the admission was a little steep, we were confident in our ability to soak up the Sasquatch vibes that were floating around our heads. So we headed up to our room where a bottle of champagne was cooling on ice.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5621207748_3b48c314e8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5621207748_3b48c314e8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If I'd known that turning 50 would be like this, I might not have been dragging my heels.... We finished our champers and headed out for a stroll.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5621234150_782847912b_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5621234150_782847912b_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5621225304_12cbbcd45a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5621225304_12cbbcd45a.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5620644577_2258a5f12c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5620644577_2258a5f12c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This wasn't our hotel, but I kind of loved the retro vibe....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5620642695_f9be0d9ba6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5620642695_f9be0d9ba6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5620651997_dcf2274a42.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5620651997_dcf2274a42.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And we decided to wait for Annie and Lara over drinks in the bar. Mister Man ordered this beer. It's as big as his head!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5620623861_5f8b8b788b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5620623861_5f8b8b788b.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And soon after we'd settled, Annie and Lara joined us. After having beverages, we headed out to the local Schnitzel House for birthday dinner #2. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5620647887_7747de0fb9_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5620647887_7747de0fb9_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5633250869_b3e24a37c9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5633250869_b3e24a37c9.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dinner was delicious. How they get that pork schnitzel to be so thin and crispy, I'll never know. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What I DO know is that following up dinner with a soak in the hot springs relaxed us all. I wanted to bring my camera down to the hot spring. I also wanted to bring my iPad (along with my "waterproof case"). Okay, the waterproof case was just an extra large zip lock baggie.... Mister Man implied that if I (a rather clumsy girl at the best of times) was to go sit in the hot springs with all of my rather valuable electronics...well, he'd be forced to take all of my toys away from me. Suffice it to say that I have no photos of the hot springs....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5621256918_55ff7afbae.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5621256918_55ff7afbae.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The next day saw a leisurely breakfast, a soak in the hot springs, and several heated rounds of Quiddler. We also spent some time shopping in the Sasquatch convention store. Annie scored.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5621242138_3033e2d84e.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5621242138_3033e2d84e.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And Lara, happily scored in Quiddler.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5620656219_5fc4b31971.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5620656219_5fc4b31971.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our games were framed by the arrival of Susan and Diyan, </span></span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/lauraleeschultz/custom-songs-f-i-f-t-y"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">who had commissioned a song for me for my special day</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. A SONG, people!! I have a song that was written for me!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5620627327_a656c77161_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5620627327_a656c77161_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And after we all had a plunge in the hot springs, we followed up with a round of Scattegories and beverages in our room before we all rushed away and got ready for Dinner # 3</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in The Copper Room. We all got a bit tarted up.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5633854998_3124ce2214_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5633854998_3124ce2214_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5621251134_1ed03107d8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5621251134_1ed03107d8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And after dinner, we digested in the pool. Now I realize that you're supposed to wait an hour before swimming, but one can hardly say that "laying in the pool like a bloated whale" is even remotely related to "swimming". Oh what fun we had. The next morning saw Mister Man and Diyan slipping away to go Sasquatch hunting. And hey - they'd managed to pick up lots of leads (and maps) from the Sasquatch convention. Some of us chose to stay back so that we could lay about in the tub and do absolutely nothing.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5621253526_9d9b020c91.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Following breakfast, we had a massive game of Quiddler in the lobby.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5621253526_9d9b020c91.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5621253526_9d9b020c91.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do you think they just let me win because it was my birthday?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5621247984_78a9419498.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5621247984_78a9419498.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But moments after the ridiculously high score by moi, I glanced up o see this truly post modern image in front of me. Yes, gentle readers, they are ALL reading their cell phones. Dear God, I still remember the day before cell phones....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5633866970_0d2c63b983_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And what I remember even more than the day before cell phones, is this amazing birthday. Dear friends and family - you DO take the sting out of this thing called aging..... Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.</span></span></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-57147948853335242552011-04-07T20:31:00.000-07:002011-04-07T23:50:31.568-07:00I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm sitting here on the eve of my birthday with Mister Man and a lovely glass of vino - looking back, gazing forward. And whoa-ho-ho, it's a doozy of a birthday. I'm about to roll over into a new decade. I now have to bid adieu to my 40's and *gulp* walk through the door that says "All ye who are 50, enter here". Yikes. How did that even happen? Wasn't I just 23 years old and completely irresponsible? And now I'm one hour away from the big five zero. Life. *snort of derision*</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of course the magnitude of this is amplified by the recent loss of the Mums. I can't imagine not speaking to her tomorrow - not hearing her voice croon in my ear and her laughter as I grump about getting creaky and not reading her birthday letter which was always so beautifully sentimental (I do come by it honestly).... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's all been a bit surreal in the past few weeks and the only thing that's helped me get through each day are the amazing family members and friends who have poured nothing but vats of love into my universe.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First of all, before we left Newfoundland, a group of friends in Vancouver got together and put together the most amazing care package, filled with supportive and loving notes and all kinds of delectable goodies. They sent it priority post to Torbay, Newfoundland, and I can't tell you how much I appreciated the moment during the return flight home when I opened a package of pink grapefruit gummy bears. For a few brief moments, everything seemed right with the universe.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I went back to work, my amazing and loving colleagues had put together another care package. And they understood my initial need to stay close to my desk and hardly speak above a whisper. They were so supportive....</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5590821897_b6f54c9b71.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5590821897_b6f54c9b71.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 374px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then, bit by bit, we started getting back to our life here. We headed downtown one night to see Diyan's video installation playing on a large outdoor screen on Granville Street.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5599393057_b89333174f_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 240px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5599393057_b89333174f_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5590943987_2754009765_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5590943987_2754009765_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We were SO proud!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5591444182_a3c72a5b5e.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5591444182_a3c72a5b5e.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5590838047_4dc75d878c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5590838047_4dc75d878c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And bit by bit, we could travel further afield (though the homing chip in my brain is still might intense, and most nights I just want to be home with Mister Man). One night we ventured out to White Rock for a candlelight dinner in honour of Earth Hour. We ate like royalty and painted with light.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5591548954_ecf62ff50d_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5591548954_ecf62ff50d_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5591477478_8bf49a9da6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5590963845_c1dea2ef5c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5590963845_c1dea2ef5c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5590890445_c0a75c8a09.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And the next morning, we headed out with Lori and Shayne for a fabulous breakfast at a local diner.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5590960091_2532c75576_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5590960091_2532c75576_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lori looks a tad concerned because Mister Man ordered Haggis (and it wasn't even Robbie Burns day!)</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5591444182_a3c72a5b5e.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5591491128_a1fdb59e81_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5591491128_a1fdb59e81_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We went to BBQ Club.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I was even the featured BBQ chef (and for those who know me, you know I don't have a CLUE about the BBQ, so I chose to do the only thing I know how to do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5590948641_de43250af4_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5590948641_de43250af4_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yep. Them there's DAWGS....</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5590861235_86b0287bdb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5590861235_86b0287bdb.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5600020628_6a97ac0145.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5600020628_6a97ac0145.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5591543828_9110a2a097_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5591543828_9110a2a097_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5599453877_de33d3f089.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5599453877_de33d3f089.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 363px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But it turned out rather deliciously...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5591542152_4c5bb1f1f0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5591542152_4c5bb1f1f0.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And that's where I am at 11:46 on the eve of my birthday. I can say that friends and family have pulled me through - and for that, I am profoundly grateful.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">See you in the next decade.</span></div></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-153752707922046912011-03-23T20:25:00.000-07:002011-03-23T22:30:02.489-07:00Remembering Rose Lee<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dear World,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This post is the most difficult I've written yet. I don't even know where to start....... because, on February 17, 2011, the most beautiful mother in the world died: My mother. Rose Lee. The Mums.....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">She suffered a catastrophic stroke in the wee hours of the morning on February 15th and passed away on Thursday afternoon, surrounded by family members. And, frankly the world hasn't been the same since. I've written this post a thousand times in my head, and yet, now that I'm able to actually write it, I find myself strangely silenced by her loss. For days on end, I tried to pretend it wasn't true. I mean, she did live thousands of miles away, so maybe the silence was simply because we hadn't managed to connect because of the time zone change.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But then the reality of what had happened would kick me in the teeth, and I'd find myself sitting at my desk/in my car/lying in bed/ etc, with tears rolling down my face and an ache in my chest that felt like I'd swallowed a rock.... And THEN I'd think back on what transpired during that week, and my intellectual self knew that she'd gone without suffering too much. And she left this world with a roomful of us standing around holding her hand, telling her we loved her. And we were all there for each other during the hard times leading up to and following her death. And friends and family from far away reached across the country - and wrapped us all in love. For that, I'm eternally grateful.....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When we had the memorial for her on Monday, February 21, my brother Paul and I were incapable of speaking aloud. Mister Man stepped up to the plate and delivered a beautiful eulogy. Michele read a gorgeous poem. My brother and I put together a slide presentation of photos and text. We set it to music: an amazing version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, by the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mountainapplecompany"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Somewhere Over the Rainbow by the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And this is what we said ...</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Rose Lee Snelgrove 1933-2011</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5455913195_fca30c2143_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 202px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our Amazing Mother</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How do you say good bye </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">to a wonderful mother</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">who gave us everything?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When it's too painful to say the words aloud</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Images help tell the story</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">of a young girl from Port-Aux-Basques</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5475195416_24c6a75320_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 334px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5475190162_4dc227751f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/5474594527_3edbbbc9cf_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/5474594527_3edbbbc9cf_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5474606221_03eb3d6d06_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 407px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5475208198_d78eb3db03.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5474615513_d84c045c9f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5474594997_9e0e595135.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5474609013_1b3ca68f01_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 189px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Who grew into a beautiful woman</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5475211348_93075a6704.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And an amazing mother</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5474579799_b89eb48e17.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5474579799_b89eb48e17.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 475px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5474580219_ed3033ed11.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5474580219_ed3033ed11.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 371px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5474612911_9e644e73d2_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 166px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Who made so many meals</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">with an extra large serving of love</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5475270978_b28400f358_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 113px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A fierce protector and advocate,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a confidante</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and sage advisor</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5474604633_f799cac1b4_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 168px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A mother to more than just her children</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5474660687_44c9b2294b_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 157px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5475202468_3107fa7509.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 357px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5474594143_b9be590da6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5475258506_8365963641.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 272px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5475197372_4f271e7111_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5475279162_84918b17d8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5475249582_fb7b4b3923.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 349px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">An Auntie and a friend to many,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">always cheerful, always kind,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">always there for us</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5474586485_023c9d19f4_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 161px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5474684909_a4cbe63444.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5475248162_76eb6db8a6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 335px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A bridge fiend</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5475195118_fd844529c3_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A world traveller</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5474585463_138b3383cc.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5475279990_d09ddcbab2.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5474592615_6da43b3234.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5474652783_32779d24cb.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 324px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5474584261_0dd701e011_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 151px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">An adventurous spirit with an adventurous palate</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5474683193_bee919c7e6_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5475219748_3973445328.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A sweet woman with a sweet tooth</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5475243340_c4643b1e12.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 229px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We can't say goodbye because the thought of a world without her</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">is so hard to imagine</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5475278868_8d2cb1e2e4_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 140px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5474681077_f4489c4a6b_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5474671279_79438d4d2c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But now we will have to imagine her in our world....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and think of what she would say</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5475234268_f2ce96eccb_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5475277324_21c45df0f2.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5475246338_b7388293c7.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5475251648_8ff8710bf8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And how she would laugh</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5474660287_2d05756f31.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5474676755_fe385ca1e6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5475280302_01c754e26c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And how much she loves us</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5474665649_d4b36c43e9_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5475274532_f306d196e7_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5474651357_5d3c3bb8e0.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5474678843_1f05241b4f_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5474667401_3151fe1aa3_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5475227952_73e0ec4f1d_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5475223058_6057827604.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We won't say goodbye because we can't</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5475260492_a351739472.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5474644159_cd4285dc70_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5475193536_d53ceea56e_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 157px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We won't forget</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5474603313_c15d8a5f0f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mother, Rose Lee, Auntie, Friend</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5475273102_e1a9b22080.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Always loved,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">She lives on in all of us.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5475189518_297f97a8fc_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 164px; " /></span></span></span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-57341412761119679412011-02-13T06:15:00.000-08:002011-02-14T08:12:25.237-08:00As Time Goes By<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Another busy week has flown by and in honour of the passage of time, I thought I'd post some of the photos I took when we attended Ukrainian New Year's celebration, Malanka. Stacy, our host, scored a fabulous table for us.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5423971778_e5d8335a64.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5423971778_e5d8335a64.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We got to hang out with new friends.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5423387351_feedc5bcc5.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5423387351_feedc5bcc5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And the table provided a fabulous view when the traditional dancers showed us their moves.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5424021310_e5cb438deb_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5424021310_e5cb438deb_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I love this photo.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5424024220_71db198a82.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5424024220_71db198a82.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The room was filled with adorable kids.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5423375447_a1bc9a601b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5423375447_a1bc9a601b.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This little guy was busy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5423381481_4d649cdb86.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5423381481_4d649cdb86.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And this little girl had the most piercing gaze. She was SO not impressed with me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5423423853_9b2605fe6a.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5423423853_9b2605fe6a.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 500px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But when they got together,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5423422881_90af894249.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5423422881_90af894249.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They were pretty darn cute.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5423425567_87d46d93b1.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5423425567_87d46d93b1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5424029430_74eb3fb1a3.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5424029430_74eb3fb1a3.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 494px; height: 500px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The girl with the blonde hair had the most spirit though. She spent the whole night doing this:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5424013492_8e5119975e.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5424013492_8e5119975e.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.... running back and forth between the band and the kids, cuttin' a rug, and making us all smile. Now THAT'S the way to ring in the new year. </span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-92116186371736612182011-02-06T17:51:00.000-08:002011-02-06T18:49:55.308-08:00PuSh<div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">There's been an amazing international performance festival happening in Vancouver these past few weeks, called the PuSh Festival. And while we haven't had an opportunity to see LOTS, we have been able to catch a couple of shows by local companies. The first was a site specific, ambulatory show by </span></span><a href="http://www.bocadellupo.com/lamarea.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Boca del Lupo</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, called La Marea (The Tide). Mister Man and I headed out one Thursday night, along with Shayne and Lori to wander the streets of Gastown. Essentially, nine scenes unfold in storefronts, windows and (sometimes literally) on the street. Each scene lasts ten minutes and all scenes are performed concurrently, with each being repeated ten times. We moved from scene to scene, putting together our own narrative. Sometimes, the results were quite startling. This is from their website:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">At night and in real time, moving from the pavement to illuminated windows, from balconies to café terraces, La Marea presents nine different stories-the secret stories and private emotions that bring Gastown to vivid life before your eyes. Without seeming to be aware that they are being observed by the audience, we hear the character's thoughts and see them carrying out day-to-day actions. The work does not rely on spoken text but instead makes use of projected subtitles to reveal the characters' thoughts and life-story.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Mister Man and I arrived a little early, so we wandered around. The stage was set. And here are some of the images I snapped.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5414655323_ce04e7a89b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5414655323_ce04e7a89b.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I was ready, camera poised....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5414646071_d32fc17c26_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5414646071_d32fc17c26_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/5415308698_88123ffb0e.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/5415308698_88123ffb0e.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A volunteer helps some audience members navigate a map of the performance.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5415261020_9175978a20.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5415261020_9175978a20.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The evening was clear, so it was a perfect night to wander the streets, peering into other people's thoughts, circumstances, and literally, into their worlds..... Some stories were duets.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5415309102_5453aaed13.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5415309102_5453aaed13.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5414700485_2335b55831.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5414700485_2335b55831.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Some were solos.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5414705691_c9e6980d78.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5414705691_c9e6980d78.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Some were about missed opportunities and love lost.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5415312772_67ac1c3298.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5415312772_67ac1c3298.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/5414703135_b021f4397e.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/5414703135_b021f4397e.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5415314652_1e4e4390e7.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5415314652_1e4e4390e7.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 351px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And some were about love gained.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/5415316746_22b653d31c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 332px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/5415316746_22b653d31c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The audience rushed from scene to scene every ten minutes.</span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/5414669771_fa51e80b15.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/5414669771_fa51e80b15.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/5414665687_39e25899bd.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/5414665687_39e25899bd.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And then stood, suspended in our shared cocoon of voyeurism.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/5414686755_e4acf02ac4.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/5414686755_e4acf02ac4.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5414705691_c9e6980d78.jpg"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5415314652_1e4e4390e7.jpg"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/5414703135_b021f4397e.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Sometimes, the actors were close enough to touch...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5415299154_643a94c113.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5415299154_643a94c113.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">But instead, we read their thoughts and watched them struggle.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5415302014_ecf5027588.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5415302014_ecf5027588.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5414676503_bfb285c552_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5414676503_bfb285c552_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/5415293526_33f261dde1.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/5415293526_33f261dde1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My favourite piece took place in the window of a second floor window where we watch a man stand on the sidelines of a party as music pumps out into the street.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5415272392_68a4bab474.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5415272392_68a4bab474.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5414700485_2335b55831.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 326px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5414702147_cc0deeabc2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">His performance was quite riveting and I was so pleased that Lori and Shayne were with us. We went for a glass of wine after the performance and talked about what we'd seen.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5415283954_42ba7fd3f8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 332px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5415283954_42ba7fd3f8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Then, a few nights ago, Mister Man and I also attended</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><a href="http://pushfestival.ca/shows/podplays-%E2%80%93-the-quartet/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">PodPlays</span></span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">produced by Neworld Theatre and Playwright's Theatre Centre, in which audience members download a podcast to your mP3 player, prior to going to the show. And then, you're sent off on a guided narrative experience as a voice leads you through the streets of the downtown eastside. From their website:</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 16px; "><p style="padding-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">PodPlays-The Quartet</span></span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> is a series of site-specific radio plays that take participants on a walk through the geography of the city and the urban obsessions of four of its residents. Much like you would listen to an audio guide in a museum, audience members load the plays onto portable media players and are guided on a walk by narration that combines story, music and directional cues. This is an intimate theatrical experience that will reveal a Vancouver you won't find in the tourist brochures.</span></span></span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">"We are interested in redrawing the map, tracing the liminal space between here and there and overlaying history, dimension, geography, fact, imagination, sound and motion."</span></span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> – Adrienne Wong</span></span></span></p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Unfortunately, yours truly forgot her camera. Nor did I have my nifty iPhone with it's camera. So I am sadly lacking in any image to accompany this part of the post. I can tell you that it was really interesting to be directed through the streets "walk briskly towards the little brick building on the next corner.....Now stop. Stand between the black lamppost and the brick house. Look down...." It made me look at these streets I've traveled so many times before, in a completely new light. And I loved that experience.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My only regret is that I didn't see more of PuSh this year. But last night, we went to a birthday dinner and Susan G. and I made a pinky pact: next year, we're buying passes to the PuSh Festival because I want a bigger slice of the action.</span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-56540810402501056892011-01-29T09:06:00.000-08:002011-01-29T12:11:10.484-08:00Before the Month Closes<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; font-size: small; ">Let me show you how we ushered in the jolly month of January. We actually had 2 new year's celebrations, this year!! The first celebration involved a road trip on New Year's Eve with 2 of our favourite people, in which we visited another 2 of our favourite people and one of our favourite dogs in our second favourite country. En route to Seattle, we stopped at a diner in Bellingham for lunch.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5392406400_6fda2eac7f_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5392406400_6fda2eac7f_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Annie actually got carded when she ordered a beverage to go with her corned beef. We were all pretty impressed. Clearly Annie was too.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5392344560_c8dc801a78_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5392344560_c8dc801a78_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Before long, we were hanging out with Paul and Lisa, and Tessie the wonder dog. It was New Year's Eve and we were feeling fine.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5391811771_8b005aa5c8.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5391811771_8b005aa5c8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We decided to head out to a local dog-friendly bar, so that Tessie could be by our side as we looked back on last year.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5392408646_4ba2c055f9_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5392408646_4ba2c055f9_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 239px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was a pool table at the bar. And, well, one thing led to another, and before we knew it, we were all chalking up our tips. (Um. Clearly, I know NOTHING about pool. Unlike Miss Pants below.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5392349168_5024cbffba.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5392349168_5024cbffba.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was a bit afeared of her fierceness!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5391809991_e6eafaf516.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5391809991_e6eafaf516.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 360px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">However, perhaps because of our guardian angel (aka the moose), I somehow managed to actually knock a few of those balls right into the pocket!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5391758231_9b38718539.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5391758231_9b38718539.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All that athleticism worked up an appetite, which was a good thing, because our new year's feast came from the Northlake Tavern. I swear that each of these pizzas weighed about 8 pounds!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5391762491_935321f54f.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5391762491_935321f54f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then, it was time for the games. It was Scattegories all the way. Here we are in the war room now. Lisa looks pretty serious.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5392414394_a759b9678c_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But Mister Man is dressed for battle!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5392416374_638ecb3fe9_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5392416374_638ecb3fe9_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While Annie looks a bit flummoxed by it all!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5392418520_3e1cc5e70b_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5392418520_3e1cc5e70b_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We watched the ball drop in Times Square, and then we all went to bed out of it. (New Year's doesn't hold the same "stay up all night" thrill that it once did....) Early to bed, early to rise = waking up to a glorious sky.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5392366834_1820bbc3c5.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5391769869_8ec8e5335d.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5391769869_8ec8e5335d.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; font-size: small; ">And what better way to start the new year? The only thing that could top the sunrise, was breakfast at The Portage Bay Cafe, followed by a visit to Mister Man's fave location of ALL time - The Science Fiction Hall of Fame and Experience Music Project.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5391775951_de90ebf817.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5391775951_de90ebf817.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5392421448_7c78258070.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5392421448_7c78258070.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The entrance way to the Science Fiction Museum made Mister Man's electrician's heart go pitter pat.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5391774387_b6a4538178.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh Mister Man, you are such an uber geek!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5391822827_986207c75f.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5391822827_986207c75f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 442px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On our way out, we stopped for a photo shoot. If we ever release an album, I think we all know what's going on the cover:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5392419904_578e7f715f.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5392419904_578e7f715f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But what should we NAME our band??? All that looking around the exhibit halls made us thirsty, so we headed to what is quickly becoming a new year's day tradition - </span></span><b><a href="http://sugarlovegirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/easing-into-new-year.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ivar's</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">where we shared appetizers and beverages and a whole host o' laughs.</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5391788945_b3bea2a393_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5391788945_b3bea2a393_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5391785343_ce1ebfe57d_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5391785343_ce1ebfe57d_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5392381290_fa063f14b8.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5392381290_fa063f14b8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While we enjoyed our appies and beverages, the sun made a glorious departure.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5392424444_84f2e50dfb_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On the way out of Ivar's, Lara picked up one of the traditional pacific northwest paper masks they had for the kids. The mask, coupled with the ties from her winter hat, made for a fabulous juxtaposition.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5391792373_ec31efdfd1.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5391792373_ec31efdfd1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5392426894_fdc4c9b7dc.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5392426894_fdc4c9b7dc.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The next day included a visit to </span><a href="http://sugarlovegirl.blogspot.com/2009/11/bedrock-and-im-not-talking-about-home.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bedrock Industries</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, one of my all-time favourite spots. I shot this image through a glass prism and the abstract quality of it really appeals to me.... it sort of functions as a metaphor for the year to come. I don't know what's going to happen, but the future is very enticing indeed....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5392404042_c12c2c6e15.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5392404042_c12c2c6e15.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-62147726517208756172011-01-26T21:02:00.000-08:002011-01-26T21:04:51.916-08:00Fort Night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5387005926_f57785d70a.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5387005926_f57785d70a.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Okay. You're probably thinking the above is a typo - that I meant 'fortnight' as in 'two weeks from now'. But really, I meant Fort Night. As in a night in which children (and adults alike) get together to make forts out of blankets, so that they can share spooky stories under the cover of darkness.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It all started when Lori, Shayne, Shelley, Anthony, Mister Man and I thought we should have a weekend getaway in the new abode of Shayne and Lori. From there, Lori thought it might be fun to build forts - like we did when we were kids. And then we could crawl into those forts and tell ghost stories! So plans were put in place: a pot luck, overnighter in which forts would be built and stories would be exchanged. The potluck was amazing. Lori made cedar plank salmon. We all made dishes to appear in supporting roles.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5386979308_70f13b9c87.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shelley skewered delicious morsels for the chocolate fountain.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5386807922_a5b88b5bc8.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5386807922_a5b88b5bc8.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was an evening of laughter and friendship.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5391619997_678da2616d.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 496px; " /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5387011456_4643b3db4c.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5387011456_4643b3db4c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5386775942_019ed653a5.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5386775942_019ed653a5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5386749200_15abd66b87.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5386749200_15abd66b87.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5386763438_7bf1aa7790.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5386763438_7bf1aa7790.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5386184193_c505f41fbf.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5386184193_c505f41fbf.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And Guitar Hero.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5392236764_cd41affbe3_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5392236764_cd41affbe3_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5386379609_95ce77abc0.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Note Mister Man's "helping hand")</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5392232740_fd2e8f2527.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5392232740_fd2e8f2527.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then, when darkness fell, we built one heckuva fort.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5387000170_70ea1f50c5_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5387000170_70ea1f50c5_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5386223581_90d0e194f4_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5386223581_90d0e194f4_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5386817410_1a54343a26.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5386817410_1a54343a26.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 496px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5392243236_c5a287a3b5_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5392243236_c5a287a3b5_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 239px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5386392667_261069c6c3.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5386392667_261069c6c3.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then.... And THEN, gentle reader, came the best moment of all: the moment in which we all crawled into the fort.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5386947452_198a551b20.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5386947452_198a551b20.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And frightened the POOP out of each other with spooky stories.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5386952904_f8acbf3ea4_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5386952904_f8acbf3ea4_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was everything we thought it would be. I felt like I'd slid backwards in time to a summer's night in the 70's when scary stories were told in hushed voices by a group of kids who were huddled around a flashlight, desperately trying to frighten the life out of each other.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5386960076_02544f1819_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5386960076_02544f1819_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was a fabulous evening, that was capped off by a wonderful morning. </span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5386947452_198a551b20.jpg"></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5391657823_ee62169a95.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5391657823_ee62169a95.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Though I DID notice when I was editing photos, that Shayne's hand was reaching over to steal a slice of bacon off my breakfast plate.....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ah, friends. You have to love 'em....</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-88073532795718864682011-01-21T17:47:00.000-08:002011-01-21T18:25:34.208-08:00Hot from the Desert<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5365853893_9f3e123696.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As we slog through the January rain, and day after day of endless grey skies, I have to remind myself that, not even a month ago, I was hanging out in the desert. And it was glorious. So, I went back and picked through my photos, plucking out the ones that I thought might lift you out of the winter doldrums and catapult you into a place where things are dry, not drenched. Can't you just feel the sun beating down on you now?</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5365882191_fc46a826f0.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; font-size: small; ">We visited a ghost town that was full of nifty textures and colours.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5365874095_76b8f2e502.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5365874095_76b8f2e502.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5365810465_4835174a22.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5365810465_4835174a22.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5365805337_1f8cb47d25_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5365805337_1f8cb47d25_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5365815957_7c4b199198_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5365815957_7c4b199198_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5365882191_fc46a826f0.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The following message could be adopted for general use, don't you think?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5366491930_50d8ed5617.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5366491930_50d8ed5617.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man complied.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5365880125_4e727ac64e.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was much to photograph.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5366481838_29bc238ac7.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5366481838_29bc238ac7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Old mines 'n stuff.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5365871411_9d65acf0a6_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5365871411_9d65acf0a6_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5365864509_dd112ffe65.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5365864509_dd112ffe65.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5365866109_a619efae75.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5365866109_a619efae75.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wildlife!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5365853893_9f3e123696.jpg"></a></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5365856015_3b42a93f32_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5365856015_3b42a93f32_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5365851189_22a2d0832a.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5365851189_22a2d0832a.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Family in the old west....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5365858179_9524025caf.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5365858179_9524025caf.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5365862167_2fdced692c.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5365862167_2fdced692c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A taste of home!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5366437598_b8a4b6e641.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5366437598_b8a4b6e641.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of course Mister Man found the bar.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5365841955_150aa51116.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5365841955_150aa51116.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5365841955_150aa51116.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5366460490_f437a3fe4c_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5366460490_f437a3fe4c_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And, in homage to Kids in the Hall, Mister Man "squished the head" of the horizon. He's got the whole world in his hands. Indeed.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5365795547_ac5ab0e7ed_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5365795547_ac5ab0e7ed_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I shot this looking through the eyeball end of a telescope. It kind of reminds me of a perfect ending in an old-school western.... Giddy up.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5366411918_35de6fc510_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5366411918_35de6fc510_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-14985998637809866082011-01-17T19:51:00.000-08:002011-01-17T21:10:56.454-08:00Signs and Such<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; font-size: small; ">The other day, the news was abuzz with reports of planetary realignment which, in turn, led to a whole lot of upheaval in the astrological world. So all of a sudden, we were faced with the notion that we might be living under a new sign. And THAT got me to thinking about some of the fabulous signs Mister Man and I saw in Arizona.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This one was one of my favourite images. An answer box. Now wouldn't that be grand when you're having a bit of a conundrum?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5350464553_1592dcdb14.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This one made me giggle:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5350484815_7cf15fd186_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5350484815_7cf15fd186_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Let's take a closer look:</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5350504775_a082d3e2e1.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5350484815_7cf15fd186.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5350484815_7cf15fd186.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gran Especial </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">pantys</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">... interesting. Or how about this one?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5351104682_f26789b0ca.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5351104682_f26789b0ca.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In fact, this place was bursting with signage. Some of which was indeed, perplexing.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5351108822_bb186668dd.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5351108822_bb186668dd.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Let's push in on this for a closer look, shall we?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5366218632_11742a4a7b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5366218632_11742a4a7b.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So it was puzzling to see the liquor stand a few hundred meters away.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5351111130_abb44ecc60_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5351111130_abb44ecc60_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5351111130_abb44ecc60.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5351111130_abb44ecc60.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The market was full of partial </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">mannequins</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. They were all "poised" with their bottoms thrust out towards us, as if they were perched there with their hand on their knees....</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5350482617_bb902f3a05_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5350482617_bb902f3a05_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then there were the male equivalents of the mannequins. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5350493579_ac611c6c3b.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5350493579_ac611c6c3b.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And these weren't really signs... but I believe they are hugely symbolic of our American adventure.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5350499733_18ba5a0442.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Not that anyone landed in jail or anything. Nope. They were too busy playing on the rides, having fun.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5351089162_b7c3400dea.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5351089162_b7c3400dea.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5351111130_abb44ecc60.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But the thing that tickled me most, was watching Mister Man enjoy himself.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5366218632_11742a4a7b.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5351072640_d7edd45da7_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5351072640_d7edd45da7_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5351108822_bb186668dd.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 500px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5365627129_c44d6e4f77.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5350464553_1592dcdb14.jpg"></a></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-91968291160702615522011-01-12T07:49:00.000-08:002011-01-12T18:34:33.932-08:00Oh Ina! (Cranberry and Apple Cake with Andrew, Tamara and Cassandra)<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Over the holidays, we spent a lovely evening with Andrew and Tamara. They had a special out-of-town visitor: Cassandra!!! Yay!! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5348303470_dd3cd1c05b_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While Andrew was in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on a most amazing fish stew, the dogs were waiting for the cheese scraps to hit the floor....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5348277292_dc9b5e2895.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then there was the moment of realization in which the dogs knew that there'd be no cheese scraps in their future. Don't they look like the saddest pups in the world?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5347689647_8afb99322b.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5347689647_8afb99322b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man wasn't sad though. No siree. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5347670955_f104d75758_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5347670955_f104d75758_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He knew that Andrew's delicious fish stew was close at hand.</span></span></div></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5348298910_ee3cdd43f0_m.jpg"></a></span></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5348298910_ee3cdd43f0_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5348298910_ee3cdd43f0_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And for dessert, I wanted to make something that was both seasonal and not too OTT. My brother and sister-in-law gave me the newest Ina Garten cookbook for Christmas, and inside the covers, I found the perfect recipe for a post Christmas meal: Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5347682141_9c8a592d40.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5347682141_9c8a592d40.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And you know what? It WAS easy!! And it was delicious. Here's the lovely Cassandra now, modeling the first bite.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5347684891_5ea05a60fe.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5347684891_5ea05a60fe.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And here's the first bite before it found its way into the lovely Cassandra's mouth. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5348287976_cac5859878.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5348287976_cac5859878.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yum. And so easy!! Here's what you need to make <b>Ina Garten's Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake</b>:</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5347682141_9c8a592d40.jpg"></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and medium-diced</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 1/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup sour cream</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 cup all-purpose flour</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 teaspoon kosher salt</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And here's what you do with it:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="instructions" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.</span></span></p><p class="instructions" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="instructions" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Combine the cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.</span></span></p><p class="instructions" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="instructions" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. With the mixer on medium, add 1 cup of the granulated sugar, the butter, vanilla, and sour cream and beat just until combined. On low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.</span></span></p><p class="instructions" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pour the fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch glass pie plate. Pour the batter over the fruit, covering it completely. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a tooth-pick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean and the fruit is bubbling around the edges. Serve warm or at room temperature. Or even better, serve it with vanilla ice cream!!! This really is ridiculously easy. And yummy to boot!</span></span></p></div></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-41039209343945021122011-01-11T11:34:00.000-08:002011-01-11T19:49:12.301-08:00What Do They Prove on the Proving Grounds?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5329448984_d21236306d.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5329448984_d21236306d.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5329398276_013e508eeb_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; "></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5329398276_013e508eeb_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; "></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5329398276_013e508eeb_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; "></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love visiting the States. There's always lots to do, and sometimes, it really DOES feel like you're in another country. Take, for example, our drive around the outskirts of Yuma, which took us to the Yuma Proving Grounds. Now, I'd never heard the phrase "proving grounds", and I imagined that it might be a space in which you settle an argument with your brother.... kind of like seeing the Wizard of Oz! You know, a guy behind the curtain offers up pithy little lozenges of answers that end up settling that knock 'em down, drag 'em out fight. But no. The proving grounds are where the U.S. Army tests military weapons and tactics. It was both fascinating and completely terrifying.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was an outdoor museum by the side of the road. Here's what we saw.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5329404788_dbda482773.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5329404788_dbda482773.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5328807907_148d32b519.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5328807907_148d32b519.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5329400524_2afe6dd1fc_m.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There were tanks:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5328798239_0759f12531_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5328798239_0759f12531_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5329398276_013e508eeb_m.jpg"></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The tanks were from all different eras in history and were deployed in various wars...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5329398276_013e508eeb_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5329398276_013e508eeb_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And there were nuclear warheads too.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5328792139_501441a754_m.jpg"></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5328792139_501441a754_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5328792139_501441a754_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And this missile is called "Honest John". (Not to be confused with the smaller "Little John")<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5329398276_013e508eeb_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5329406720_79e9b80649_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5329406720_79e9b80649_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I dunno. It was strange. Very strange....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5329400524_2afe6dd1fc_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5329400524_2afe6dd1fc_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-47890781410958859212011-01-07T21:55:00.000-08:002011-01-08T10:14:52.956-08:00Some Other Stuff We Did While in the U.S. of A.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, serif;font-size:small;">Bob and Merilee were hosts extraordinaire. They didn't want us to think that they spent their retirement days doing nothing, so they made sure that we got to see all aspects of their life of leisure. Let me tell you that a life of leisure is a BUSY life!! There is much to do, and even more to see. So on Christmas morning, we leapt out of bed to discover that Santa HAD managed to find a way in (despite the lack of fireplaces).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The sun was beating down upon us, and it was pretty toasty in the sun. We had a moment of silence for our friends back home who were slogging away in the cold and rain....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5329317100_63ea0cd83f_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And then, we got on with the task at hand (which was to make a Christmas breakfast already!!) I mean, we had to prepare for this: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5328711809_67380d4395_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(which occurs every day) (in case you can't see it, it's the sign that hangs in front of Bob 'n Merilee's trailer. And yes, it DOES say HAPPY HOUR.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But, who WOULDN'T be happy knowing that breakfast would consist of this:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5328695033_472f69ebf9_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And this:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5329311838_9ac7483f2e_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(The PBR or Pabst Blue Ribbon was Mister Man's idea)..... So Bob cooked the bacon and hash browns outside.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5328689347_d4995085d6.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5328689347_d4995085d6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And then, we sat down and enjoyed our breakfast. Mister Man got this awesome t-shirt from Santa. His expression kind of matches the content of the shirt, but I guess that's what happens when you stand between a Mister Man and his breakfast..... (don't tell him, but this face always makes me giggle insi</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">de...)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5328723841_bb0779a276_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And then we set out to see how people pass their time in the desert in winter. It turns out that some folks like to play on the sand dunes. And while it was a quiet day on the slopes, there were still a few folks who were vroom vrooming their way to the top.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5329429190_591d1ac9aa.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was kind of spectacular out there - all wide open and monochromatic.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5329431854_302da8995a_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5328823785_e221a156fb.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And the glare from that big yellow glow-y thing in the sky made everyone pose like this:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5328832515_ccbfc9c4b1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5329440978_7e5bcb05c7.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Best of all, if Mister Man and Merilee ever decide to release an album, I've got the cover shot.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5329446606_7e94257fa1_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5329446606_7e94257fa1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And then, we went exploring (after we paused to rest and worship that is!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5329369458_696b69192f.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5329369458_696b69192f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">First we paused at a teeny-tiny chapel. In fact, it might be the smallest church in the world!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5329374768_67a5a8dfbe.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5329374768_67a5a8dfbe.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5329421240_a7c5fd5794.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5329421240_a7c5fd5794.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5329378322_c0554182a6.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5329378322_c0554182a6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And then, we visited the bridge to nowhere. Seriously. Rumour has it that it was a model bridge that was built to test the construction for the Golden Gate Bridge.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5328752909_7fdb65b3dc_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5328752909_7fdb65b3dc_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5329450770_7ee42bcbdc.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5329450770_7ee42bcbdc.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Um. Yeah. I guess it's closed!! It doesn't even go to nowhere Alaska!! But it sure made for some great photo ops!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5328812101_a54f57d125.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5328812101_a54f57d125.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5329425012_2ef48b6a45_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5329425012_2ef48b6a45_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5329346112_a403bdd43f.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5329346112_a403bdd43f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5328746995_0bea36d03f.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5328746995_0bea36d03f.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, serif;font-size:small;">I couldn't quite figure out what this message meant....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5328741731_4f658dff6a.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5328741731_4f658dff6a.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And it was only a matter of time before Mister Man turned into Mountain Man.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5328816301_0cc2be10b5.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5328816301_0cc2be10b5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But when you've got contrasting landscapes like this, who could blame him?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5329383508_c46267570e.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5329383508_c46267570e.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'll tell you another thing. I could get used to this lack of white on the ground!! It was the most unique Christmas Day I'd ever experienced!!!!</span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-27613589034979265712011-01-05T06:05:00.000-08:002011-01-05T20:00:01.721-08:00Let There be Light!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5323040252_5aed536eb1_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5323040252_5aed536eb1_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know that Christmas may seem all last week to you now, but, I still feel compelled to over share some more details about our Christmas vacation in Arizona. (I have mentioned that it's my favourite time of year, haven't I???) After dins on Christmas eve, we were hustled out the door and escorted to the 55th Street Christmas Light Show and Soup Supper. Okay. There wasn't actually a soup supper, but there's always next year!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[SIDEBAR STORY: When I was a kid, local churches in St. John's, Newfoundland would do "turkey teas" and "soup suppers" as fundraisers. I fondly recall my father arriving home from George Street United Church with a cardboard box full of "turkey tea suppers", in which cold cuts were piled up on a paper plate, along with an ice cream scoop of potato salad, and a frightening glob of green jello with bits of carrot floating in it.... etc. YOU get the picture.] In any event, there was no soup supper at the 55th Street Christmas Light Show, but there were a lot of lovely lights.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5323141988_cd16b4e9b5.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5323141988_cd16b4e9b5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There were several clues that, no doubt about it, we were in America. First of all, who knew that Santa rode a quad?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5307070849_f695253ce5.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5307070849_f695253ce5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Or that snowmen could be made from sagebrush?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5323098892_4a6c5fb90f_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5323098892_4a6c5fb90f_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 228px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then, there were the sobering reminders of where we were.... (the sign on the left of the Christmas light display says "Support Our Troops")</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5323151880_a149128f61_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5323151880_a149128f61_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But there were also whimsical reminders of December in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere, in which the weather outside can be frightful...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5322548545_fc5dedc81d.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5322548545_fc5dedc81d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5322403579_d81391a8c3_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5322403579_d81391a8c3_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5323321421_8277fcc509_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5323321421_8277fcc509_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 175px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And there were even delightful little displays that involved mechanical components. This Santa snored and wiggled his toes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5322527799_8cc22b8e3f_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5322527799_8cc22b8e3f_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5322523297_59e7391b97.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5322523297_59e7391b97.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But the REAL highlight of the night was getting to spend some time with Buddy the dog. Apparently, he LOVES this time of year in which he gets to be the centre of attention night after night, appearing in costume as a reindeer.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5323098892_4a6c5fb90f_m.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5323123974_cc24fd6062.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5323123974_cc24fd6062.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And you thought Rudolph was the star of the show!!</span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-47237174727941937782011-01-03T21:17:00.000-08:002011-01-03T21:58:17.337-08:00Christmas in the Desert<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5307167663_977055ee21_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5307167663_977055ee21_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man and I headed South for the holidays. You see, his folks winter in Arizona and we decided we'd join them for the festivities. We landed in Phoenix on Christmas Eve, rented a car, and headed for Yuma.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5307702938_4b92d445fd.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5307702938_4b92d445fd.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Neither of us had really been to the desert before, so we weren't prepared for the gorgeous wide open skies and vistas that could melt even the hardest heart. It was an amazing drive.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5307632880_9b96e3a4b4.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5307632880_9b96e3a4b4.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5307185485_5ba7c35eba.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5307185485_5ba7c35eba.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">En route to Yuma, we pulled into a place called "Dateland" in which they - well, yes, they grow dates. When we got out to stretch our little legs, we noticed this sign:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5307154283_f66952d302_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5307154283_f66952d302_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sure enough, there was a stand of date trees out back (a gaggle of date trees?)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5307140659_4df743a577.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5307140659_4df743a577.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I don't know about you, but the minute a sign features the phrase "world famous", my curiosity is peaked..... Date shakes?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5307156199_130df4f826_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5307156199_130df4f826_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It seemed like if we didn't try one, we MIGHT be missing out on something.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5307067183_7a61715c61.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5307067183_7a61715c61.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And that proved to be an astute judgement and an auspicious start for our holiday. They were DELICIOUS. Who'd a thunk that tossing a handful of ground up dates into a milkshake would be as tasty? (despite the rather mysterious "hot" warning on the lid...!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5307836114_15ef640899.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5307836114_15ef640899.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now rejuvenated with the sugary goodness of the date milkshake, we drove into the sunset. Literally.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5307842840_7fcef77ecf_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5307842840_7fcef77ecf_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5307191755_62ee31e277.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5307191755_62ee31e277.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5307798154_714af4beb7.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5307798154_714af4beb7.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5307813628_b22bb70276.jpg"></a></span></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5307201443_d749c92882.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5307201443_d749c92882.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">And before we knew it, we'd met up with Bob 'n Mer and we were whisked off to their wee community of snowbirds (AKA Canadians who fly south for the winter).</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5307813628_b22bb70276.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5307813628_b22bb70276.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">As sunset descended, we shared a lovely dinner with Mister Man's folks before embarking on our Christmas eve adventure (in which we went in search of a spectacular show of festive lights.) There was no doubt about it: our holiday was off to a rip roarin' start.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5307215963_350e572cc8_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5307215963_350e572cc8_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-32717425225440988902010-12-30T09:15:00.000-08:002010-12-30T13:30:50.668-08:00It's a BBQ Club Christmas!!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have we ever got some catchin' up to do.... As I thought, the interwebs connection in Arizona wasn't a happening thing, so I'm going to have to step back in the past and share the shenanigans of the BBQ Club Christmas.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We decided we'd do a "white elephant" gift exchange, in which numbers are issued to all participants in the gifting frenzy. Number 1 has first pick of the parcels, number 2 can pick from the pile or steal number 1's gift and so on, and so on... It all starts with a big o'l pile o' gifts.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5272503975_b798dceaa5_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then it's about the shaking, poking, and prodding. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5273151300_591e30fd01.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 451px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the hopes that Saint Nick might have brought you a hand-sewn lamb chop!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5272517491_b1acc0af7b_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 201px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And a promissory note for visions of future deliciousness!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5273131278_3c49b80bf4.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I can assure you that Diyan's Challah is NOT to be trifled with! It's delicious. And how do I know this? Maybe because she served it on this special day of the BBQ club!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5272530877_7218fc9953.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know Ms. Susan is pleased as punch here. From the look on Diyan's face, Susan MAY have just uttered something delightfully outrageous!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5273149426_cba1d72d98.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 383px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And the opening of gifts COULD lead to the acquisition of one helluva an ugly (and highly coveted) Christmas sweater!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5273117644_e061aca46a_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5273117644_e061aca46a_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And the acquisition of such a sweater MAY lead to fun with Photoshop!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5284942918_cb34ce8d6a_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 240px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5284942918_cb34ce8d6a_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I do know we enjoyed a fabulous steak dinner.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5272503975_b798dceaa5_m.jpg"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5273117644_e061aca46a_m.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5273153064_0ec19cd88a_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5273153064_0ec19cd88a_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">....complete with homemade apple pie!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5273144294_a12f7479be_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5273144294_a12f7479be_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5272539775_d3c0816cfd_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5272539775_d3c0816cfd_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And that leads me to the thing that we always find ourselves uttering when we spend time together:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5272512659_131b7b669d_m.jpg"></a></span></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5272512659_131b7b669d_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5272512659_131b7b669d_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In fact, Diyan designed us a crest. We're thinking of getting matching tattoos!!</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5307194791_3bc020e1fd_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy Holidays from the BBQ Club!!</span></span></div></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-1230907372694170172010-12-24T08:08:00.000-08:002010-12-24T09:25:44.330-08:00It's A Whistler Wonderland<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5272334195_8096df1a71.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man and I are sitting here at YVR, waiting for a flight that will take us to Arizona, where we'll get to spend the festivities with Bob 'n Mer, and see a real bona fide desert!! In celebration, I thought I'd post about an experience that's on the other side of the scale in terms of weather. A few weeks ago, Mister Man and I headed up to Whistler where we planned to see some of the Whistler Film Festival with Ms. Annie and Ms. Lara. When we weren't eating, drinking or seeing flicks, I had an opportunity to take the Lens Baby Scout out for a spin.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5272322509_18739a5564.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5272322509_18739a5564.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5272946348_92c9320b55.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5272946348_92c9320b55.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How I LOVE this lens!!! I also brought the </span></span><a href="http://sugarlovegirl.blogspot.com/2010/12/sisterhood-of-traveling-sweater.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">traveling sweater </span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">along for an adventure. And one morning, I slipped away to take the sweater on an adventure. Unfortunately, it was difficult to take a decent photo of me in the sweater. I am not a contortionist. Though perhaps if I had a better attitude about yoga, I could become bendy like a Russian gymnast.... Sadly, on this Sunday morning, I could only manage this: (but it still serves as proof none-the-less). </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5272935418_bc6b68aa2e.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5272935418_bc6b68aa2e.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There were many memorable moments over the course of the weekend, but two in particular stand out. As three of us were still mending from that brutal flu/cold thingie that was going around, we decided that we'd have our OWN film festival one night: The Film Festival of the Pajamas. We decided we needed something not too challenging so we chose "Toy Story 3", and then, Annie, Lara and I slipped into our jam jams. There are two photos from this night that are worth mentioning. One of them was taken by Mister Man and it featured the three of us SOBBING at the end of the film. It is FAR too sad a photo to bring down your festive vibe, so I'll leave you with this one:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5284918092_9070f2b503_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5284918092_9070f2b503_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Because really, what's better than a spa? Even if it IS the DIY variety.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Over the next few days, I don't know if I'll be able to find a wireless connection, so if not, I hope you all have a really lovely holiday. Here's to delicious food and laughter and family and fun.</span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-60221972409063612222010-12-22T21:00:00.000-08:002010-12-22T21:07:30.924-08:00The Birth of an Artist (or Three)<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5272961696_d78201e68c_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5272961696_d78201e68c_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Tis the season to embrace the </span></span><a href="http://www.groupon.com/subscriptions/new?utm_content=2s307&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search&utm_term=groupon&d=British_Columbia_-_Vancouver&g=Groupon&m=e&k_clickID=34651e8b-2028-dba9-fb02-000056ba2b01"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Groupon</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. (and for those of you who aren't a part of the Groupon phenomenon, it's a great way to try things you may NOT have tried without the benefit of a really kick ass deal.) So when Lori bought a Groupon for an amazing little joint here in Vancouver called </span></span><a href="http://www.raw-canvas.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Raw Canvas</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, I coulda popped with joy. You see, Raw Canvas is a local lounge in which you can sip a glass of vino, chow down on a little charcuterie and make like Frida Kahlo. Yup. With the purchase of a canvas, comes all the paint you need to create your masterpiece, PLUS a very authentic painting smock, an easel and brushes, palettes, blending knives and all manner of other nifty painting paraphernalia. The front of the lounge is dedicated to drinking and eating. The back of the joint is where all the magic happens. They call it "the pit."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5272956688_90131ee996.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5272956688_90131ee996.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'll admit that for someone like myself who wept through drawing classes when I was in the film program at an art school, painting seemed a tad daunting. However, there was something SO appealing about the thought of smearing glorious colour all over a piece of taught canvas. And with the aid of a glass or two of wine, and the support of good friends... well.... I may have found my calling! (or not)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Susan was the first to join us. (The irony here is that the only REAL artist amongst us is Susan's partner Diyan, who was at home marking the portfolios of her art students!!!) Ha!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5272951590_29c30fc195.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5272951590_29c30fc195.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then, along came Shayne and Lori. Shayne and Susan decided that we needed a peanut gallery, so they gallantly agreed to hang on the sidelines cheering us on and offering helpful tips and encouraging words. In the meantime, Mister Man and Lori stepped up to the plate with a modicum of anxiety and a whole heap of excitement. Painting? How hard could it be?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5272965814_0041fb8a5b.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5272965814_0041fb8a5b.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 481px; height: 500px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5272970060_6793cf60d5.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5272970060_6793cf60d5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Why here's a glimpse of the peanut gallery now!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5272404805_69c621b4bc.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5272404805_69c621b4bc.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lori bares her soul...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5272408911_60734a5718.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5272408911_60734a5718.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man demands his space.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5272417405_b34282ecac_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5272417405_b34282ecac_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then, before we knew it, our canvasses were full, our aspirations of becoming art stars were nipped in the bud and we were almost ready for dinner!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5273046842_0afa1d6da6.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5273046842_0afa1d6da6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man's work of art told the story of Icarus, a man who flew too close to the sun.... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5272425927_b7f5d71a87.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5272425927_b7f5d71a87.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 496px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I went for abstraction (it seemed less frightening that way).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5272443047_c1b6781cc6.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5272443047_c1b6781cc6.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lori didn't want me to publish a photo of hers, but I can tell you that I really liked it.... I can also tell you that painting really helps one to work up an appetite! So it's a darn good thing we ended up at </span></span><a href="http://www.campagnolorestaurant.ca/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Campagnolo</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on Main St. And as a bonus, Diyan joined us. Okay, I guess now is as good a time as any to confess that, prior to leaving Raw Canvas, we EMAILED photos of our paintings to Diyan while she was still home marking, and begged her to critique our masterpieces. She was very kind... Anyhoo - onwards and upwards to the celebratory meal.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5272454819_625bffd097.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5272454819_625bffd097.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 326px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Susan and Diyan had eaten at Campagnolo the night before, so they were our "tour guides" when it came to the menu. In fact, the staff recognized them and greeted them like they were family!! So we set about studying the menu. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5272446985_d01966e8e3.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5272446985_d01966e8e3.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5273059616_4086b95ac9.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5273059616_4086b95ac9.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 399px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The food was extraordinary.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5272468933_3cde6579e9_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5272468933_3cde6579e9_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5273082532_ab714e33eb.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5273082532_ab714e33eb.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5273104364_f48378a4aa_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5273104364_f48378a4aa_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5272486797_0baae04403_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5272486797_0baae04403_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5272482715_9ee0f7286d_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5272482715_9ee0f7286d_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5272478461_786b7a40ce_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5272478461_786b7a40ce_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5272490961_f439ff4753.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5272490961_f439ff4753.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5273082532_ab714e33eb.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Right to the last crumb.... And then, it was time to tuck our tired artistic souls into bed. We were spent!!</span></span></div></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-46011991139872270982010-12-20T17:05:00.000-08:002010-12-20T17:51:42.555-08:00A Jaunt to Seattle<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5267703599_7c97d117a0_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the weeks leading up to the season, we slipped down to Seattle to do a little holiday shopping. As always, we had a delightful time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Lisa and Tessie and I went for a walk in the chilly air. Tessie is SUCH a good dog. After the main event (in which the pup was covered in muck), and despite the freezing wind, she made her way to the hose and let Lisa wash her down.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5267707549_198ae996d4.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We went shopping at a local import food shop and enjoyed the fabulous bins in which they keep their herbs, spices and other dry goods.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5268304722_1b835d4f8a.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5268304722_1b835d4f8a.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5268291446_c648955a35.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5268291446_c648955a35.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5267704979_16bb7fa105.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5267704979_16bb7fa105.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 327px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Paully took us on a tour of his work place where we enjoyed the sign on his door.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5268311262_419340021d_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5268311262_419340021d_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And, as always, we went for some fabulous meals, including brunch at this place....</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5268315304_9b14d8fc8f_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5268315304_9b14d8fc8f_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.... where both Mister Man and Paully had some strange reactions to their libations.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5268272232_d8e4243f3d_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5268272232_d8e4243f3d_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5268277254_1d6e56f487.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5268277254_1d6e56f487.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But it WAS Sunday after all, so maybe that explains Mister Man's beatific pose....</span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-72074529430552434332010-12-18T18:16:00.000-08:002010-12-18T20:57:52.963-08:00A Glimpse of a Life in Three Acts<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mister Man and I are heading south this festive season, to spend a few days with Bob 'n Mer in Arizona. So, in a moment of utter practicality, we decided we wouldn't go to the trouble of putting our tree up this year, (or any holiday decor for that matter), seeing as how we wouldn't be here on the day and all. Consequently, my heart hasn't done its usual holiday flip flop upon entering our wee home, because I haven't been greeted with a show of tiny twinkle lights and little festive figgers.... However, it IS my favourite time of year, and despite the paucity of Christmas paraphernalia in our home, there have been some gorgeous moments over the past couple of weeks that are absolutely blog-worthy. And so, without further ado, here in 3 Acts, are some images of what's inspired me of late....</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Act 1</div></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A lovely vision in Whistler</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5272330837_6165430174_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; font-size: small; ">Act 2</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A stunning sunset</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5273108604_8c32f231bc.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Act 3</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">..... in which a most wonderful husband sneaks home after work, puts up the tree despite our attempt at practicality, and surprises me when I walk through the door with a beautiful blast of the season. Even the Shaw Yule Log was aglow (as was my heart)... How I love this festive season. How I love Mister Man for lighting up my life.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5272558807_8ea290b564.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 367px; " /></span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-49998090220915320992010-12-13T12:17:00.000-08:002010-12-18T21:12:52.602-08:00O Canada! Welcoming Diyan!!<div align="justify"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you've felt a new tingle in the Canadian air of late, it's probably because a whole bunch of folks were recently made Canadian citizens here in Vancouver. And ONE of them was our dearly beloved pal Diyan. Why, here she is now - ever the early bird, sitting in her seat waiting for the ceremony to begin.</span></span></span></div><p><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5244130082_30cbd6868e.jpg" border="0" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Not only was this momentous event cause for celebration, but it provided AMPLE reason for some of us to slip away from our day jobs to witness the event.</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5247248923_b1b79235ce.jpg" border="0" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">We were armed with iPhones, digital SLRs and video cameras.</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5244135214_03e2eb8f0b.jpg" border="0" /> <span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, serif;font-size:small;">Of course, we were posting play-by-play messages on the interwebs.... Ah technology!!</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5247828752_3c8c6eaefa.jpg" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">After all, it's not everyday that one gets to see a friend join our ranks as we all bustle with national pride!</span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5247827866_2a2fafdc87.jpg" border="0" /> <span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, serif;font-size:small;">The crowd awaits their new Canadian status....</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5247234209_d6261b67b4.jpg" border="0" /> <span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, serif;font-size:small;">We weren't allowed to shoot the proceedings, but we WERE allowed to leap up like proud parents and snap away once the deed was done! Did some of us shed tears during the ceremony? In the words of one American conservative "you betcha!" I've altered the colour on this one (note Canadian spelling of COLOUR -it was, after all, a CANADIAN citizenship ceremony.) But this was taken moments after the swearing in...... the arrow points the way to our gal. The New Canadian.</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5252407462_56af9293ba.jpg" border="0" /><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5247231309_f1c73bc825.jpg" border="0" /> <span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, serif;font-size:small;">Newly minted:</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5247233249_d8aa47a706.jpg" border="0" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">With lovely sister:</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5247841974_c5367c217c.jpg" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">With proud partner:</span></div></span></span><p></p><p><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 640px; cursor: pointer; height: 425px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5247237925_c2f88de197_z.jpg" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></p><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">This made me cry a little.</span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5247236263_57e6a4d2f0.jpg" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">So did this. And I don't even KNOW these people!</span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5247844710_7a127f4da0.jpg" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">With Her Majesty, the Queen:</span></div></span></span><p></p><p><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 240px; cursor: pointer; height: 159px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5247240887_34d3ca8563_m.jpg" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></p><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">And later that night, Susan hosted a New Canadian Party for Diyan in which Mister Man got to play his Canadian song set on his iPod.</span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span></span></span></span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5247850002_9357f16fc2.jpg" border="0" /><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5251791739_25d53d1d31.jpg" border="0" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">And Diyan - well, she got to dress up. And you have to love ANY occasion in which you get to don the red and white.....</span></div></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5247245295_dbf4dc4a7f.jpg"><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 332px; " alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5247245295_dbf4dc4a7f.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, serif;font-size:small;">O Canada!!!</span></div></span><p></p>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-9719257184252794302010-12-11T11:13:00.000-08:002010-12-11T12:11:04.821-08:00Hopscotch<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5252314864_d84636f390.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A few weeks back, we packed up our troubles in our old kit bag, and made our way to Hopscotch, an annual scotch and beer festival here.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5251676191_930104fbcf.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5251682211_3c82409d15.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5251682211_3c82409d15.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So how does one play Hopscotch? You gather some of your favourite people (Annie and Lara and Karen and Kathrine) and you head on down to the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station. You pick up your scotch tasting glass and you buy some "tasting chips" (which look like poker chips, but they'll be buying you tastes of some of the finest scotch from around the world....) And then you sip your way from booth to booth.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5252311366_46ac3b63d1_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5251688333_f68b8efcbf.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was so much flavour in this room: from peet-y scotch that tasted like it had just been scooped from the moors and mountains of Scotland to smooth, smooth scotch that would give Chet Baker a run for his money with the smooth factor. And we got to sample to our hearts' content!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5251695167_d5d3587c10.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5251695167_d5d3587c10.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5251710645_f724cd0c27.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5251710645_f724cd0c27.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh yum!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5252314864_d84636f390.jpg"></a></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5252304510_f86fca7f7a_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5252304510_f86fca7f7a_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Still my fave....</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5252307298_87aedb0820.jpg"></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5252307298_87aedb0820.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5252307298_87aedb0820.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was much exchanging of notes....</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5251644157_ca8778f87e_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5251644157_ca8778f87e_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And laughter....</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5251663515_bb62bcfe60_m.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 150px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5251663515_bb62bcfe60_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5243488979_20e2228c16_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5243488979_20e2228c16_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And love....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5244080968_6e0265d036.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5244080968_6e0265d036.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And that glorious glow that is brought on by an excellent game of hopscotch...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5243498823_622a5b7922.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5243498823_622a5b7922.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></span></span></div></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-89444517749139252202010-12-03T11:13:00.000-08:002010-12-03T13:08:27.236-08:00The Sisterhood of the Traveling Sweater<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It's from the sickbed that I write this catch-up post. Some sort of buggy flu/cold </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">thingie</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> has been running up and down the corridor at work, taking us out one by one. So my good blogging intentions were replaced instead by a hacking cough and an "icky" feeling that was followed by being horizontal and sweaty.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">But I'm happy to report that I'm on the mend, so please accept this belated post from moi to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">toi</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A few weeks ago, the BBQ Club gathered. Mister Man was in charge of the main course. He decided he'd do pork chops. He picked out some fine specimens at <del>Whole</del><del><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Paycheque</del></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> - I mean Whole Foods, and set about </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">brining</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> them. We arrived at the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Grossyjadis</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> (our pet name for Susan and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Diyan</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">) and were serenaded by Ms. Susan herself, who has been taking guitar lessons. Okay, she may only know one song so far, but it's a great song!! Isn't she adorable?</span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5224678731_6ef0519908.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5224678731_6ef0519908.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Mister Man hit the grill. What you CAN'T see this in this photo, is that his </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">camouflage</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> hat is adorned with a built-in light on the brim...... He is nothing but classy!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5225294604_26562caf97.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 332px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5225294604_26562caf97.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">As we waited for dinner, Susan brought out the most recent acquisitions from her mom. (We can't WAIT to meet the world-famous Ann G. who will be arriving in July!!!) Ann G. is a knitter. And she makes some extraordinary sweaters and such.... </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Recently, she sent a package to Susan and Diyan that contained a GORGEOUS sweater. There was only one hitch. The sweater seemed a little large for our tiny friend Susan.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5229814942_9b2cc514a5.jpg"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5229814942_9b2cc514a5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 500px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I know it's common for our mothers to think of us daughters as larger than life.... So maybe that explains it! We decided that we should ALL try on the sweater for size. Perhaps it was meant to be for ONE OF US!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5224678731_6ef0519908.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Vanessa put it on and showed us her best Tyra pose.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5224688179_7e3112ca80.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5224688179_7e3112ca80.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Then Mister Man tried it on.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5224719777_dec05ced27_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5224719777_dec05ced27_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5229814942_9b2cc514a5.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Then E. tried it on (while Vanessa modeled another item that was made for Diyan).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5225286680_37fe032931.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5225286680_37fe032931.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Then it was my turn. (Pardon the funky colour...) Here, Ms. E. is modeling an item that gave us all a great deal of pleasure as we played with the many ways in which it could be worn. And we decided that we would TAKE TURNS wearing the sweater. We would each take it for one month, and have the pleasure of wearing it and taking it on adventures. I am the first member of the sisterhood to wear the sweater, so you can anticipate a sisterhood of the traveling sweater post soon!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5224738035_e2be4171e4_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Now back to the white thingie..... Part "shrug", part "scarf", what could it be?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5225290740_e46c133db4.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5225290740_e46c133db4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And how should it be worn?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5225333944_c8038bd507.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5225333944_c8038bd507.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">or???</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5224734577_60583814ee.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5224734577_60583814ee.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Okay, okay - we know it should be worn like this:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5225335198_a35c7a5c1c.jpg"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5225335198_a35c7a5c1c.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And then, it was time for the main event. V and E seem fairly fixated on the table.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5224704831_6258932f78_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">As do S and D.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5224709971_bbd7f892c6_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Of COURSE they were chomping at the bit! Who wouldn't??</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5225309094_b89f8d3168.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">We finished the evening off with V and E's Bananas Foster. What a wonderful, filling winter dinner...</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5225335198_a35c7a5c1c.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5224729491_234d9d503b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And I, for one, was a little relieved that the sisterhood of the traveling sweater featured a slightly oversized garment....</span></span></div></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820886117196409318.post-23944248004799995092010-11-24T18:30:00.000-08:002010-11-24T22:08:29.553-08:00What We Did this Canadian Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5124856373_76238f3ff3.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5124856373_76238f3ff3.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tomorrow, our American friends and family will celebrate American Thanksgiving. I thought it might be fitting to share a little about how we spent our Canadian Thanksgiving this year (which actually included time with American friends!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dinner was the usual spectacular fare that's offered up at the parents of Mister Man (AKA Bob 'n <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mer</span>). Most of the Mister Man clan were on hand to enjoy the turkey and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fixin's</span> and the laughter that always manages to fill the room on such auspicious occasions. And when the last dish had been washed and put away, we sat down with a cup of tea and watched our niece, Andie, work her magic with some beads. You see, Lisa had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hankerin</span>' for some new baubles, so right in front of our very eyes, she commissioned Andie to make her a necklace. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1204/5125459530_f83e2ce648.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px; " src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1204/5125459530_f83e2ce648.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The concentration on Andie's face was intense.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1261/5124859415_25cf4c66ec_m.jpg"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1261/5124859415_25cf4c66ec_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5124856373_76238f3ff3.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was matched only by the expression of sheer joy on Lisa's face.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/5124862807_2ca51019d0_m.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px; " src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/5124862807_2ca51019d0_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Somehow, in all the excitement, I forgot to take a photo of Lisa WEARING her new work of art, but I DID manage to snag a photo of the work in progress, moments before it was finished.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5205567345_153a884ff5.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It continues to bring joy to Lisa. I know this for a fact, as I saw her wearing it just days ago! If you are celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, may joy surround you...... (like a necklace made with love by a fabulous niece).</span></span></div>sugarlovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08211355524707181843noreply@blogger.com0