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When choosing where to ring in the New Year, a few “musts” have to be considered – including a champagne toast, fun people and a lot of laughter. A few kisses at midnight can’t hurt either.

Deciding where to go might be easier than choosing what to wear, but if you haven’t chosen a place to commence your countdown, Relish GastroPub & Bar has just the ticket. Two tickets, in fact.

Photo: Anders Adermark on Flickr

A long-time staple of downtown Vancouver’s nightlife, Relish is shaping up to be the place to spend New Year’s Eve. Featuring an exuberant countdown, free champagne when the calender rolls over, dancing and celebration all night long with DJ Rock, Relish’s New Year’s Eve Party won’t disappoint and you can be there. I have a pair of tickets valued at $60 to give away to one lucky winner. Here’s how you can enter:

1. Leave a comment below (1 entry)

2. Post the following on Twitter (1 entry):

RT to win a pair of New Year’s Eve party tickets from @relishthepub and @keiraanne http://tinyurl.com/2ujlono

I’ll draw one winner at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 30th. Good luck!

I’m always in a slight state of amazement when another year draws to a close. As a child, a year seemed like an eternity. As an adult, a year passes by in a blink.

2010 held new adventures, new milestones, new people and new life lessons. If anything, it was a year filled with incredible experiences and fun memories of watching both my niece and Jordy grow older – a year that will be hard to top. From the Olympic Winter Games and concerts to trips to Victoria, New York City and (some) points in between, it’s hard to believe how much I’ve packed into one year!

It should be no surprise that I’m highly anticipating 2011 with excitment! But for now, with no rhyme or reason, I present to you some of my favourite photos, moments, memories and faces from 2010.

Photo: © Snap Weddings

Photo: © Snap Weddings

As you read this, yours truly is on a ferry en route to Vancouver Island for Christmas with my family. The blog will be on a brief hiatus until the New Year, giving me time to focus on the little things. Here’s wishing you and yours the merriest of Christmases and a most fabulous New Year!

With lakes, rivers, marshes, flat lands, mountains, hills, beaches, ocean water, streams, forests and an abundance of varied and fascinating flora, fauna and wildlife, the Comox Valley is a biological smorgasbord of some of Mother Nature’s finest work.

The diversity found in the Comox Valley is entirely precious and the Comox Valley Land Trust through the Comox Valley Conservation Strategy (CVCS) has made it their mission to protect the Valley’s constantly evolving ecosystem.

Why conservation? Over the last two decades, the Comox Valley’s highly sensitive ecosystem has suffered a loss that exceeds 42%. Today only 16% of the Comox Valley’s land is protected – a stake that’s mainly held in Strathcona Provincial Park.

By identifying the Valley’s most critical ecosystems, the CVCS plans to reverse the direction of loss and instead restore and protect the land. There are five areas within the Comox Valley ecosystem that have been identified as being top priorities:

• riparian areas (strips of land that border bodies of water such as rivers and lakes)
• sensitive zones such as old growth forests and marshlands
• upland wildlife corridors that are home to varied species – including habitats and reservoirs
• critical watersheds, primarily the Browns river and Tsable river
• Courtenay Estuary

Having called the Comox Valley my home since I was only two-years-old, it’s quite easy to take for granted the natural beauty that is outside our front doors. However, a quick glance at the receding Comox Glacier or the bald mountainsides from clear-cutting will verify the fact that the face and shape of the local ecosystem is very much at risk. Ripple effects can be profound.

The CVCS aims to engage local politicians, relevant community-based organizations and any others with a specific interest in preserving the Comox Valley’s natural environment. Environmental information and research, capacity building, education programs, workshops and community outreach are only a small number of ways the CVCS is making an impact in the community.

Putting an emphasis and focus on the positive effects of conservation, protection and restoration may create the push necessary to see these changes in this generation’s lifetime. The CVCS’s goals will ultimately improve the quality of life for the community’s residents, provide greater and “free” air and water quality, aid in the overall development and positive growth of the Comox Valley and boost some of the draws that local industries, such as tourism, depend on.

For more information regarding the CVCS and to find out how you can get involved, please visit the Comox Valley Conservation Strategy online. Here you’ll also find expanded information on the benefits, the goals and the strategy itself. The CVCS can also be found on Facebook and YouTube. Follow the Comox Valley Land Trust on Twitter.

Four evenings, four pounds of butter and dozens upon dozens of cookies later, I can finally say that my Christmas baking is finished for the season! Much of it has been shared with friends and co-workers but there’s more than enough to come home to the Island with me later this week.

After all’s said and done, I created red velvet cupcakes, caramel popcorn, nuts n’ bolts, marbled almond bark with Callebaut chocolate, shortbread with grated lime rinds and chopped dried cranberries and more mini Reese peanut butter cup cookies than you can imagine…

Every great chef needs a dependable sous-chef. I can’t say Jordy did much but he makes for an excellent activity supervisor.

“Not now… I need to teach Rudolph who’s boss!”

It looks like it will be a very delicious Christmas indeed!

The annual Christmas baking battle is set to begin in my kitchen in a matter of hours and I can safely say that, this year, I’m well-armed and ready to tackle my long list of must-makes. Much in thanks to a most excellent birthday gift from John Biehler, it all begins with one adorably covet-worthy apron. Did I mention that I love that it has pockets and bows? I suspect my newest toy will come in handy also.

Photo: © Snap Weddings

After a trip last night to Superstore, my kitchen is stocked with five pounds of butter plus flour, white sugar, brown sugar, icing sugar, berry sugar, white chocolate, milk chocolate, almonds, cream cheese, peanuts, eggs, mini Reese peanut butter cups, marshmallows, peanut butter and a truckload of ingredients necessary to whip up insanely good batches of nuts n’ bolts. My wallet is $103.72 lighter.

Round 1 kicks off tonight with a batch of homemade caramel popcorn and luscious red velvet cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting. Friday sets the stage for Round 2 with nuts n’ bolts and marbled almond bark with toasted almond chunks. The final round wraps up on Saturday with peanut butter cup cookies and buttery Scottish shortbread. To celebrate my triumphant win in the kitchen, the guy and I are toasting with rum and eggnog and a viewing à deux of Home Alone 2: Lost In New York that evening by the Christmas tree. There may be sampling involved.

Over the last several years, the responsibility of baking has been passed on to me from my mom and aunt, along with the epic turkey dinner we I make each year. To be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Something tells me I’ll have a hard time sleeping tonight, filled with excitement over the baking and cooking that awaits me in the coming week.

You tell me: what are some of your favourite baked Christmas treats? Which holiday traditions are you responsible for in your family?

In 1873, a cemetery was created off the shores of what is now the Fairfield neighbourhood of Victoria. Since that time, it has become one of the most fascinating cemeteries in all of British Columbia, being that it’s the final resting place of some prolific Canadians that helped shape our Province and country.

In the early 1900s, a seawall was built along the shores of Ross Bay Cemetery. Erosion from the ocean was damaging the cemetery, and old tales tell of coffins and bones being swept to sea.

I first learned of Ross Bay Cemetery earlier this fall while researching some of Vancouver Island’s supposed haunted spots. When Rebecca and I began planning our girls’ trip to the Island, I brought up the idea of visiting the cemetery – an idea she was quickly on board with.

Before the trip, I was given a copy of Awake and Dreaming by Victoria-based author Kit Pearson. Much of the story takes place in and around Ross Bay Cemetery, so before visiting, I had an idea in my mind of what it would be like.

I think perhaps what surprised me most was how quiet and calm the cemetery was. As Rebecca and I braved the bitter cold, we found ourselves weaving up and down the pathways, reading headstones, fixing flower pots that had fallen over and considering those that had gone long before us. Before we realized it, nearly two hours had passed.

Rather than the uncomfortable experience I was expecting, spending time at Ross Bay Cemetery was wholly peaceful.

Ross Bay Cemetery has been a full cemetery for several decades, with mothers, fathers, grandparents, those who lost their lives to illness in the late 1800s and those who died fighting for our country in the First and Second World Wars. There are tributes, statues, anchors and even some graves left mostly unmarked.

Home to many famous – and infamous – Canadians, this cemetery is where you’ll find the likes of Sir James Douglas, William “Billy” Barker, James Dunsmuir, John Robson and painter Sophie Pemberton.

Perhaps one of the best-known and most-loved Canadians to be found at Ross Bay Cemetery is none other than Emily Carr. The impact her work has made, and still has today, was clear to see. Visitors often leave pens, sketch pencils or paintbrushes by her grave which is marked with prose written by Emily.

- Emily Carr

Those wishing to visit Ross Bay Cemetery will find it at 1516 Fairfield Road in Victoria. The Old Cemeteries Society regularly offers walking tours of the cemetery for a small fee. If you’d like to go it alone, you can also download the self-guided tour map. Please also take a moment to visit Miss604 for more in-depth information about famous Vancouverites buried at Ross Bay Cemetery.

Most of us are incredibly fortunate enough year-round to have a roof over our heads and food on our tables. With the current state of the economy both globally and on Vancouver Island, a trip to the grocery store is a luxury for some. Our communities’ food banks are working in high gear to fill a demand that greatly outweighs the supply.

Photo: Times Colonist

The Mustard Seed Food Bank in Greater Victoria is Vancouver Island’s largest food bank serving over 7,000 people monthly. However, a local report mentioned a jump in that number to 8,000 in September and similar demand is expected this month during the Christmas season. [source]

This increase in demand is widespread across the Island with food banks scrambling while cash and food donations are down across the board by almost 50%. Please consider donating to your community’s food bank and help fill bellies this Christmas. Below is a list of some of Vancouver Island’s food banks from north to south; contact your local municipal government if your community isn’t listed below.

Port Hardy Harvest Food Bank
7120 Market Street
Port Hardy, BC
(250) 902-0332

Campbell River and District Food Bank Society
1671 Petersen Road
Campbell River, BC
(250) 286-3226

Comox Valley Food Bank
B-1755 13th Street
Courtenay, BC
(250) 338-0615

Food Bank on the Edge Society
(serving Ucluelet and Tofino)
272 Main Street
Ucluelet, BC
(250) 726-6909

Parksville Community Food Bank [website]
886 Wembley Road
Parksville, BC
(250) 248-8793

Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank of Nanaimo[website]
1009 Farquhar Street
Nanaimo, BC
(250) 754-8347

Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank
9814 Willow Street
Chemainus, BC
(250) 246-3455

Cowichan Valley Basket Society Food Bank [website]
5810 Garden Street
Duncan, BC
(250) 746-1566

Sooke Food Bank Society
2037 Eustace Road
Sooke, BC
(250) 642-7046

Westshore Food Bank [website]
(serving View Royal, Langford, Colwood, Highlands, Metchosin)
761 Station Avenue
Langford, BC
(250) 474-4443

The Mustard Seed Food Bank [website]
625 Queens Avenue
Victoria, BC
(250) 953-1575

Soon the Island’s West Coasters will have a beer that they can call their very own. Tofino Brewing Company – a three-man team getting set to bring craft brews to the surf town – will be opening their doors in the very near future.

Photo: Nicole Cho on Flickr

Tofino Brewing Company is looking forward to bringing a freshness to the brewery scene that only Tofino can create. David Woodward, who has gained a reputation in the brewery community with his work at Whistler Brewhouse, specializes in ales and has a few planned for the official launch. While my man on the inside couldn’t give me an exact opening date, I have no doubt that this will be a welcome and delicious addition to the budding culinary scene on the West Coast.

You can find Tofino Brewing Company on their website and on Facebook. To stay up-to-date with their latest information, you can also follow Tofino Brewing Company on Twitter.

Christmas has officially arrived in Victoria and merriment is in full swing as we count down the days. With little more than two weeks to go, there are a number of ways to invoke the festive spirit that’s fun for the whole family.

Photo: Deddeda Stemler for Tourism Victoria

Festival of Trees Empress Hotel through to January 3, 2011

Victoria’s famed Fairmont Empress Hotel plays host to a winter wonderland of beautifully decorated trees in this annual fundraiser to benefit BC Children’s Hospital. Over six dozen trees are provided by sponsoring businesses in the Victoria area – come out and vote for your favourite! [Website]

The Magic of Christmas Butchart Gardens through to January 6, 2011

For more than 100 years, this lush green space has been creating memories, but perhaps never more so than at Christmas. The Butchart Gardens are open 365 days a year – including Christmas Day – and features live music, caroling, ice skating (with skate rentals available) and thousands upon thousands of twinkling lights. [Website]

Ghosts of Christmas Past Walking Tour Friday and Saturday nights until December 18, 2010

Victoria’s lively and sometimes spooky past comes alive in this walking tour that takes those daring enough through some of Victoria’s most famous supernatural hot spots. The tour includes Christmas-themed stories and a stop in at the site of the 1890 Christmas Eve assassination at Victoria’s Roman Catholic cathedral. [Website]

Photo: Greg Bate on Flickr

Winter Farmer’s Market Market Square on the third Saturday of each month until March, 2011

If you’re having a hard time finding the most perfect or unique gift for the “foodie” on your list, look no further. Featuring local produce, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, the Vancouver Island Salt Company, live music and much, much more, discovering the Winter Farmer’s Market promises to chase your winter blues away. [Website]

For more information on these and other fun family events, visit Tourism Victoria’s website. You can also find them on Facebook or follow Tourism Victoria on Twitter.

There’s a lot of pressure and expectation that goes along with turning 30. For many, the birthday represents turning a whole decade older. For this gal it’s simply another year. That’s not to say, however, that I didn’t make sure that I kicked off the next year of my life in high style with some amazing friends and one fantastic guy.

The only claim to fame that matters to me is that I now share an age bracket with Angelina Jolie rather than Lady Gaga. Hooray!

Photo: © Snap Weddings

From a trip to the Christmas Market with Ashley and Tania followed by early morning eggs benny, to a manicure and pedicure at Cranberries Spa with my darling Rebecca and endless hours in Mari’s magic chair at The Lounge Hair Studio, the entire day was nothing short of perfection.

I owe a huge, gracious and humbled thank you to all the amazing people who either wished me well or even joined me at The Refinery for tasty eats and incredible libations.

Ashley was kind and sweet enough to create a collection of photos from the weekend. You can view her sugary-sweet slide show here.