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I’ve spent the last two days playing tour guide to two friends in town from Prince George. Nothing helps me get past Friday night drinking like Saturday morning brunch. I took our three-man wolfpack (yes, we recycled jokes from The Hangover – don’t pretend you never have) to the Templeton on Granville. I adore the Templeton. Angela and Pat adored the Templeton too.

We took turns ordering and once it was Angela’s turn, I was instantly in awe. “I’ll have a coffee, some water, the New Denver Omelet and a chocolate milkshake.” It was 9:00 a.m., we were slightly hungover and each had empty stomachs. Any girl that can order a chocolate milkshake under such conditions gets my respect.

Let me be honest: I love food and my appetite does not shame me. I believe that milkshakes, mochas and pumpkin pie are pointless without a mountain of whipped cream. Chips always go better with dip. If you make me pancakes on a Saturday morning, I’ll smother them with butter and syrup before devouring the entire stack. Were I to live in France, I’d be nothing short of fat since I’d consume nothing other than chocolate, cheese, red wine and parisian bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Obviously the value of balanced eating can’t be overlooked – and believe me, this girl loves her vegetables. But wouldn’t you rather be five pounds heavier and not neglect the good stuff? The concept is simple: eat what you love and love what you eat. Foodies unite.

They say it only takes one time to get you hooked. This couldn’t be more true of my love affair with the Phoenix Suns. Before last year, I hadn’t seen a live NBA game since the Grizzlies still hailed from Vancouver. And now, when it’s game night, nothing else matters. When I’m not updating the game status on my Twitter, I’m shouting and cheering at my computer screen. This girl’s taken a fast and furious ride down a slippery slope.

Without further adieu (and in no particular order), I present to you my top ten reasons for pledging allegiance to the purple…

10. Hometown Pride – Being that Vancouver no longer has a team to call its own, it makes the most sense to cheer for a team whose star player calls Vancouver Island home. Though Steve Nash was born in South Africa, Victoria is where he was raised and the charity work he personally takes part in benefits communities in both Arizona and British Columbia.

9. I Got Game – The first time I picked up a basketball was in junior high and it’s a sport I’ve played off and on since. While it may surprise you, I can nail baskets with incredible ease. Being 5’9″ might have something to do with it. Somehow I believe this makes me a legit fan.

8. Tweet Me, Baby – Sports stars have long been admired from afar, but the Phoenix Suns have a strong online presence, allowing their fans to interact with each other and with some of the players. You can find Amar’e Stoudemire, Grant Hill, Steve Nash, Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and coach Alvin Gentry on Twitter – each providing regular updates and sometimes running contests. In December the Suns held their first-ever Tweet-up prior to a game at the US Airways Center that was attended by Stoudemire.

7. Mind-Blowing Skills – With one of the NBA’s current best three-point shooters (Jared Dudley) and the best free-throw shooter (Steve Nash), every game is filled with moments where I ask myself “did that just happen?” One of this team’s greatest skills is their ball-handling ability with passing so fast you’ll miss it if you blink.

6. The Coach With The Most – When Alvin Gentry took the helm in May of 2009, he successfully turned the ship around and helped give the Phoenix Suns one of the best season starts they’ve seen in recent history. He knows his players, he knows the plays and he’s earned their respect. While his presence on the sideline may be intimidating to the best of them, I can’t help but laugh when I see Gentry stifling his Cheshire cat grin when the Suns are dominating on the court.

5. Dunks – Have you seen Amar’e Stoudemire dunk the ball?

4. The One And Only – Being a girl living in a city where hockey reigns supreme, it takes a bit of guts to buck the trend and cheer on basketball instead. But let’s be honest… hockey is for boys who are so afraid of getting hurt they pile on the padding. Basketball is for men who are tough enough to get bashed, banged and burned on the hardwood.

3. A Whole Lotta Heart – The Suns love the game they play. They work as a team, pass as a team, score as a team and none of them really monopolize the plays. And nothing beats a beaming smile from Dragic when he hits another three.

2. The Yummy Factor – I wouldn’t be a red-blooded female if I didn’t point out the obvious. Planet Orange is certainly home to some magically babelicious basketball players. I’d be more than happy to play towel girl to the bespectacled Stoudemire or Lou Amundson. Trust. Me.

1. It Takes A Village – It’s no secret that professional sports generate big bucks. While a lot of that money ends up lining executive suit pockets, the Phoenix Suns are one team that gives back to the very community that makes them who they are. The team has an actual, regulated charity board that’s been operating for more than two decades and now puts over $1 million dollars annually back into boys and girls’ clubs, food banks, sports programs and other worthy causes.

There is a special place on Vancouver Island, a place so incredibly unique that it seems almost magical. Winding pathways make their way between some of the oldest fir trees on the entire Earth, trees so tall they create a canopy that nearly entirely blocks out the blue sky above.

Photo: iGrrl on Flickr

Photo: Phillie Casablanca on Flickr

The park is certainly one of those “don’t blink or you’ll miss it” attractions, straddling a small stretch of Highway 4 roughly half-way between the communities of Qualicum and Port Alberni – a 20-minute drive from either direction. Known officially as MacMillan Provincial Park, it covers 301 hectares, including the shores of Cameron Lake and adjacent Cameron River.

Map: Cathedral Grove

Photo: oinegue on Flickr

It goes without saying that the old growth Douglas Fir trees are certainly the primary attraction to Cathedral Grove, some of which are more than 800 years old. The largest recorded tree in the park checks in at an astounding 76 metres (228 feet) with a 9-foot diametre and a circumference of 9 metres! Because of the precarious situations these ancient mammoths can cause, it’s not unusual to see the park entirely closed on windy days.

Photo: HomeExchange

Photo: tom hartley on Flickr

In the 1920s and 1930s, the land on which the park sits was a popular stop for tourists en route to or from Port Alberni. In 1929 a petition was put forth by the citizens of Vancouver Island and The Associated Boards of Trade of Vancouver Island to preserve the forest surrounding Cameron Lake. 15 years later, H.R. MacMillan donated a further 136 hectares of land, accounting for the park space that is used and enjoyed today.

Cathedral Grove – 1941
Photo: BC Archives – Forest Services (via Cathedral Grove Online)

Photo: ecstaticist on Flickr

Unfortunately, like many other parks of Vancouver Island, the logging industry has marred much of the surrounding landscape. The forestry line stretches right up to the park boundary, making it a virtual island of trees in the middle of a clear-cut. This has posed a significant threat to what remains of Cathedral Grove, as the protective wind barrier no longer exists, making the ancient growth susceptible to extensive wind damage.

Photo: anfearglas on Flickr

Photo: RightAntler on Flickr

Much to the thanks of various conservation groups, Cathedral Grove is still very much a thriving ecosystem. Home to more than simply trees, the park is also no stranger to woodpeckers, owls, insects, reptiles, amphibians, deer, elk, black bear and cougar. Cameron River contains no less than rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.

Photo: jemerson4 on Flickr

Photo: pnay_gem on Flickr

When making your way across Vancouver Island, or simply looking for a day’s adventure, Cathedral Grove is a place that should not be missed. Hiking is available on the pathways on both sides of Highway 4 and leashed dogs are permitted. Please remember to respect the natural environment, stay on the trail system to avoid any damage to the flora and fauna and take all your garbage with you. How much longer this park will be around for to enjoy is up to you and me.

Photo: saltyseadog on Flickr

Cathedral Grove at MacMillan Provincial Park is located 16 kilometres east of Port Alberni and 25 kilometres west of Qualicum. From Highway 19 and Highway 19A take the exit to head west on Highway 4 toward Port Alberni; limited parking is available on both sides of the highway. Please visit the BC Parks website for further information.

Being that I’ve made trips to both Canadian Tire and Ikea in the last week in an effort to create some order out of chaos in my apartment, it was interesting that I received an e-mail from a reader two days ago. She wanted to know how I keep my home clean and clutter-free. Want to know a secret? Up until today, it definitely wasn’t clutter-free.

Aside from the bathroom, my 434 square-foot apartment was busting at the seams. I had cereal boxes and mixing bowls stacked on top of my fridge, no drawer wide enough for a cutlery tray, all my spices were balanced on the top edge of my stove and a dogpile of shoes was hangin’ out in the closet.

You know how most kitchens have a junk drawer? I had three. All my cupboards were crammed with pots, pans, packages and plastic containers. Each time I’d quickly shut one, I’d breathe a quick prayer hoping that it wouldn’t pop open and spill its contents.

All that changed today. The truth is, whether you’re a Monica or a hoarder or somewhere in between, when your apartment is this short on space, organization solutions are a must. I’m a minimalist by nature so the process was an easy one for me.

Keep only what you need or use on a very regular basis in your space. If you don’t use it or need it, throw it in storage or get rid of it entirely.

The smaller the space, the greater the waste. Just because a surface is empty doesn’t mean you have to utilize it. Storing items on window ledges, the tops of bookcases or, in my case, the top edge of the stove only lends to making the space look more cluttered.

I’ve learned that there really is a place for every item, but sometimes you have to think outside of the box. And sometimes you need to bring new (furniture) boxes into your space. I completely adore the metal rack I picked up for less than $100. A small investment can make the biggest difference.

I swear the space in my kitchen has doubled. Cooking and baking will be fun again (and even more fun once I buy myself a KitchenAid stand mixer very soon).

A minimalist space doesn’t have to be short on personality. These frames were only a few dollars each at Ikea and allow me to showcase a few of my favourites. I’m also big into colour and fabric. While almost a year later, I still haven’t decided on a piece of art for above my couch, my apartment is still warm and inviting with a few plush throws and cushy pillows.

My foyer closet, while spacious, was a disaster zone. Cookware, shoes, lighbulbs, a candle stash, tools, towels and laundry supplies and whatever else you can imagine were taking over. A hanging ironing board, hanging shoe caddy and proper bins for everything have made a world of difference.

And finally – finally – I have all my CDs and DVDs within reach of my fingertips in the Drona boxes from Ikea. Perfectly enough, their dimensions accommodate both forms of media in large volumes.

Any questions?

Question No. 1: If you were to recommend a good camera to me, which would it be? The trip to New York that Rebecca and I are taking is coming up fast with a little over four months until departure. My Canon PowerShot SD1000 is getting old (and the lack of photo quality shows), so I want to upgrade before we leave. I don’t need anything terribly tricked-out and don’t want to spend more than $500. DSLR would be nice but it’s not a deal-breaker. I just want the ability to take crisp, colourful and focused photos. Awesome zoom would be a nice bonus.

Photo: CoffeeGeek on Flickr

Question No. 2: Who wants to shoot hoops with me? While this question is mostly directed at those of you that I actually know rather than randomly, I’m open to the possibility of pick-up games if enough people are interested. I recently bought myself an outdoor ball and want to hit the courts under the Cambie Street Bridge once these monsoons leave Vancouver. I’ve been playing since junior high, will dribble dizzying circles around you and make you sweat for the ball, but I promise it’ll be fun. Who’s in?

Photo: chillihead on Flickr

It’s been a long while since your last lurk into my bathroom. For a girl who can get ready at the start of the day in the blink of an eye, I admittedly have a lot of “stuff” with which to do so. Some of it almost never gets used, some of it only comes out for special occasions and other items I can’t live without. We’ve all got our favourites. Here are a few of mine…

I’m very particular when it comes to body moisturizers. Naturally they need to smell as though they’d taste equally delicious, but endurance is important. I require something that will keep my skin supple all day and the Body Shop’s body butter does just that. It’s not unusual for me to go through a jar each month. Brazil Nut is my pony.

Never one to give powder a chance, I always assumed it would be messy and leave unsightly residue in my hair and on my skin. Not so, and I’ve discovered Sugar Leaf powder from Barefoot Venus. Locally made and infused with red fruit, peach and vanilla essences, this subtle product is quickly becoming my daily perfume replacement.

Despite how much I love Lush’s bubble bars, $8 doesn’t go a long way. Many other drugstore bubble baths are made with far too many chemically-produced fragrances – even the supposed naturally scented ones. Thankfully some are designed for more delicate skin and are far less abrasive. Life brand from Shopper’s Drug Mart has created this lavender and chamomile bubble bath designed to lull babies to sleep at the end of the day. They must be doing something right because I too fell asleep in the tub on the weekend.

My quest for skincare seems to be an eternal one, but I somehow always end up back with my old pal, Clinique. It’s dermatological formulated and approved and never fails to leave my skin feeling clean and refreshed. You can’t top a classic.

Months ago when my hair was breaking all over my crown and sending me into a frantic panic, I wasted no time in fixing my hair – and keeping it that way. Prior to that, I’d been skimping out on my usual dousing of Bumble & bumble.’s Tonic spray. To ensure that me and my hair never again break up, this daily dose of vitamins, minerals and essential extracts is a non-negotiable.

You’ve probably heard your girlfriends mention them. Maybe you’ve even considered buying a pair of Tweezerman tweezers. Yes, they are worth it.

Anyone who has ever gone shopping with me in an attempt to purchase body wash knows first-hand how arduous I find the task each time. I do want something moisturizing but I don’t want a cleansing cream. I do want something that lathers but I don’t want a soap-based wash that strips my skin. And don’t even get me started on how many body washes overpower with their scent bouquets. I was elated to discover Neutrogena’s Rainbath Deep Moisture body wash with butters of cocoa, mango and shea.

What would I find in your bathroom?

If someone wanted to pay me to stay in the kitchen all day to bake, create, cook, chop, simmer, roast, blend, decorate, sprinkle, melt and frost simply for fun, I’d happily accept. Until that day, I do it for nothing more than spreading joy to people I appreciate through tantalizing treats. Food brings everyone together.

Martha knows what’s what when it comes to cookies, but I took a shot at her Rosemary Butter Cookies with a little bit of skepticism.

As a kid, I was constantly sneaking butter and sugar from the bowl when my mom made cookies.

Using fresh and real ingredients is a must. I picked organic rosemary over dried. I should also take this opportunity to remind you that margarine has no place in the kitchen. It is, in my opinion, a sacrilege in creating cuisine.

After forming the dough into two logs, I rolled and wrapped the dough in parchment paper, froze the logs for an hour before brushing in egg whites and sugar. With the dough frozen, making delicate slices was simple with a good utility knife.

After a quick trip to the oven, these sweetly crusted cookies danced perfectly with the rosemary and coarse salt inside. Simply amazing.

Next up was a big tray of ooey-gooey brownies laced with walnuts. Melting butter is a step I enjoy, simply because it means I don’t need to give my arm a workout by whipping solid butter into a sugary fluff.

Brownies are one of the easiest things to make, so after blending the rest of the ingredients in a bowl (ingredients most of us already have in our kitchens), the tray made its way to the oven.

While I’m sure they would’ve been great as-is, I was of the opinion that a wispy layer of chocolate frosting certainly couldn’t hurt. Spreading it on when the brownies are still warm is much more conducive to an even layer.

Santa managed to nearly triple the number of baking supplies and tools in my possession, including some Wilton stencils. Using a flour sifter, I dusted these designs onto the set frosting.

Don’t you wish some blogs were scratch and sniff?

While 2009 probably won’t win any “Best Of…” awards from yours truly, I can’t say it wasn’t jam-packed with memorable events, milestones, personal triumphs and more good times than I can stuff into a blog post.

I kicked off the year in usual low-key fashion but wasted no time getting my year on.

Feeding into our insatiable thirst for gun-play, Amy and I officially formed Team Extreme Pistol. To date, our chapter has yet to hold its first meeting.

Rebecca‘s got the first birthday of the year, so a few of her nearest and dearest gathered at the Opus to clink glasses.

Birthday number two belongs to Amy, so Alissa, Lindsay and I dragged the birthday girl to Las Margaritas for tequila and pitchers of margaritas.

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than shredding the slopes of Mount Washington? I didn’t think so.

Some friendships were built for adventure and my friendship with Chelsea is one of those friendships. At the end of February we embraced the rain and hit the border for a hike and a raid on American candy in Point Roberts.

I spent a good chunk of March packing up my apartment after deciding to ditch the West End for newer digs in a pet-friendly building. I wish I remembered more of the end of that month, but it ended in a drunken love fest when Raymi took over Vancouver.

Mmmmaybe a bit awkward at first, but not really.

Beer helps, eh hosers?

I sobered up from that epic, whisky-soaked weekend just in time to welcome the birth of my first niece. On April 3, 2009, Sienna Lynn was born to my brother and his girlfriend Laura.

Shortly before that, three friends and I packed a tarp burrito three times in a pick-up truck and moved all my prized possessions to a new apartment.

The carpet, pre-dog.

Sometimes timing in life seems nothing short of immaculate. At three years old and full of both love and anxiety, I brought Jordy into his forever home on April 19.

He is nothing short of amazing.

One area in which 2009 certainly excelled was friendships. While some were lost, many more were gained.

(By the way, Andrea, I think we are long overdue for a Blizzard date.)

Each time the BC-SPCA holds an open house, I’m there with bells on. John, Rebecca and I stopped in during the May open house and said hello to our furry friends and our buddy, Special Constable Angie.

C’mon… you know you want to help and donate.

Simple as it may be, one of summer’s highlights was certainly this killer salad from Milestone’s paired with raspberry mojitos. My friends and I found ourselves on their patio more than a handful of times.

In June I dragged Andrea to Vancouver Island for her first visit in many, many years. No trip is complete without a sampling of Island Farms ice cream from the Coombs Old Country Market.

We love animals.

On the ferry we met Beth, the sweetest Rottweiler you’ve never met.

After how many years in Vancouver, I finally took in my first Canadians game.

Peanuts aside, when old friends get together, there’s more catching up going on than watching baseball.

While our fun times are many, one of my favourite days with Rebecca (and a few other fantastic people) was our Sins of the City Tour with the Vancouver Police Museum. We even found ourselves underground in a former Chinatown opium den at one point.

Come July, Rebecca and I traded our rain boots in for aqua sox when we took in a girls’ weekend on Vancouver Island in Parksville-Qualicum.

When we weren’t paddling our kayaks, we were indulging in luxurious spa treatments, lounging in the Grotto pool, dining on unbelievable food, wandering picturesque parks and whacking mini golf clubs. I’d go back and do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Refreshed much?

There’s nothing more important in this life than family – whether it’s the one you’re born into or the one you make for yourself. Needless to say, I was so happy that my brother, his girlfriend and baby Sienna made the move from Dawson Creek back to the Comox Valley.

Spending a summer with them all was priceless!

While it was a big jump out of my comfort zone, I’ve slipped into the role of doting auntie with far more ease than I gave myself credit for.

It’s not surprising to say that my own fur baby made more than a world of difference in my life since April. What was most fascinating to me was to see how much he had grown – quite literally – since adoption day. Though his personality has made leaps and bounds by shining through and his anxiety is almost non-existent, his body has grown too. Perhaps a lack of love stunted his physical growth, but since April he’s put on three pounds of muscle and a few inches of height. Or maybe his proud and happy heart just causes him to stand a little taller than he used to…

Vancouver Island holds many gems in its folds, but few seem to shine quite as bright as the West Coast. My mom had never been to Tofino, despite living on Vancouver Island for more than forty years, so the time was now.

Despite the fact that it was the month of August, cold temperatures kept me shivering the entire time.

I decided that next time I go, I’m taking someone that I can stay in bed all day with when the sun decides to hide.

I love wine – a lot. When Mount Washington held it’s annual wine festival, I grabbed Laura and we made our way up the mountain.

I’ll take five of everything, please.

August’s fun didn’t end there. For the first time ever, I took in the Big Time Out Festival in Cumberland. While it was Sam Roberts and his band that I was itching to see, I discovered some great new music with some great old friends.

Making your way to the top of the Grouse Grind is a rite of passage for Vancouverites. It was a rite, however, I had yet to claim. The same went for Craig, so we spent a sunny Sunday trekking to a gorgeous view of the city.

The hike was, uh, fun, but my favourite part was meeting the rescued grizzly bears at the top.

For two years now, I’ve made a point in raising funds for the BC-SPCA through their annual Paws For A Cause walk. This year my generous readers donated more than $1,300 to benefit the Comox Valley branch!

Jordy made some new friends but Charley was a bit more cautious.

October is all about Halloween. Since we hadn’t been to Playland in over a year, Rebecca and I found some thrills at the PNE’s Fright Nights. She even dared to enter one of the haunted houses with me!

We both fell in love…

…and on the big day, we gathered with a few of our friends for an exclusive party in the City of Vancouver’s former morgue.

It was a pretty tasty time for all of us.

What’s that saying some cynical blog readers abide by? “If there are no pictures, it didn’t happen.” While that could be true in some cases, I really did travel to Phoenix in November to spend a few days with an old friend.

I landed on Veterans’ Day and we went straight to the US Airways Center to catch the Phoenix Suns slaughter the New Orleans Hornets. Sadly, this was the only picture I took the entire time I was there. Pictures or no pictures, I had an incredibly memorable time.

Christmas rushed in and it was so nice to be able to trim the tree with my brother and his family for the first time in three years.

Before it was time to get merry, it was time to get happy as I celebrated my birthday with a few friends, strong whisky and an utterly fabulous pair of heels.

Pepper and I washed back our fair share of martinis, including the Sour Grinch.

I’ll take any chance to bake I can get! To get ready for holiday entertaining, Rebecca and I spent an entire day in the kitchen blending, stirring, rolling, baking and icing.

Don’t ask…

I won’t deny that it’s a bit cliché to spend time reflecting on the past and considering the future as the calendar rolls over, but it’s a moment not to be missed. While I am happy to see much of this year pass, I am beyond thrilled at the possibilities that 2010 holds for me and for my life. As I enter the next 12 months, it’s my desire to consider things from an outside perspective.

I recently read a captivating book that really helped me examine who I am, what I’ve been through, what I go through and the impact I can have on other peoples’ lives. Questioning what happens to us is a natural (albeit narcissistic) part of the process as humans, and it can be difficult to look outside of ourselves. We can ask any number of questions, wondering why things may have had to impact us, but neglect to ask how the effect we in turn have had on others. Sometimes life doesn’t happen to us; sometimes we happen to life. Sometimes the why has nothing to do with each of us but instead pertains to others. Sometimes life chooses us to stand in the gap for the sake of our family, our friends or even perfect strangers.

My sage and simple advice to each of you is this:

Find joy.

Keep joy.

Give joy to others.

Watch basketball.