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It’s never much been known for being a sandy beach, but Goose Spit Park always has the best sun and most gorgeous views. Being that it’s situated on a sandbar, the shores are completely exposed, and the blue sky meets the even bluer ocean on both sides. It felt great to finally spend a day in the sunshine, armed with lime chips, water and yummy coconut oil. Mostly, it was nice to lay alone and listen to the ocean.

Charley and I are about to take a walk around the block as she so loves doing, before I snag a bit more sunshine and head to the Kingfisher Spa for an indulgent pedicure. Tonight our family’s firing up the BBQ with our oldest family friends for some together time. I am sure there are many more photos to come in my kickoff to Summer 2008.

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On an unrelated note, my mom and I once again went to Crown Isle Resort’s Timber Room for dinner last night. Being that it’s a first class golf resort, one would have certain expectations with regard to service. However, if you can believe it or not, the service was even worse than the last time we went in May. The food’s not bad and the environment beautiful, but it certainly doesn’t make up for being completely neglected and forgotten about. We won’t be going back.

I don’t mind the rain; nope, not one bit. While I’d rather be in a skirt and flip flops, I love that the rain outside allows me to do what I love to do inside, guilt-free. Though at work during the day, there’s nothing better than coming home after yoga practice, indulging in an ultra hot bath, toasty warm lemon water, reading, puppy cuddles, legwarmers, a duvet and movies.

One thing I will complain about is the bewildering and unseasonably cold temperatures. It’s June 11 and I am wearing wool tights under my dress pants!

Wool!

In June!

Original Photo: gordonr on Flickr

But I can suck up the princess act and be thankful. The more days and nights the rain falls, the more I can pamper myself in the form of endless hours of Deadwood. I was never much of one for films and stories from the Wild West, but during a weekend at the end of February on which I was very sick, my friend Jack fed me a steady diet of western movies, hot tea and nasty cough syrup. I developed a taste for the genre and have been stuffing myself full of HBO’s Deadwood over the last few weeks.

Unlike other HBO programs, I haven’t experienced any sense of moral direction from this series, nor has it taught me anything of import. Deadwood is simply storytelling at its very best. Though loosely based on the historical gold-mining camp of Deadwood, South Dakota, it’s largely fictional. Many of the characters and establishments, though at one time real, have been exagerrated for entertainment’s sake.

It’s a down and dirty, cuss-filled and smartly written depiction of a time when characters such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane became legends in the making. I am quite sure I can’t get into my legwarmers and hit “play” soon enough. Besides, who needs the sun when this guy cranks up the heat enough for me?

I’m so weird!

The fabulous West Coast has been blessed with amazing sunshine over the last three days, and I couldn’t be more in love with it. I don’t think I’ve worn anything with sleeves since Friday morning on my way to work. Island times have been very good (which goes without saying when I’m with my family and Charley). Yesterday I spent the majority of my time with my aunt and managed to pick up a few things I needed - like a fully stocked first aid kit!

This morning I woke to find the sun pouring directly onto my face through the window, which was much appreciated being that I had plans to visit Kitty Coleman’s Woodland Gardens today for their annual Art & Bloom festival.

Of course I had to bring my little Wiggle Bum with me for the adventure. The sights, sounds, smells and herds of other dogs proved to be a bit overwhelming for her, but I know she had a lot of fun.

I’ve long wished to be a collector of pottery, but for some reason, was always deterred by sticker shock. However, today I found this really beautiful piece to kick off my collection, crafted by a Qualicum Beach-area potter by the name of Darrel Hancock. His claywork is exactly the kind I want to accumulate: simple designs, smooth lines and finishes in the blue and sand colours of the beach. Another plus - his pieces are totally affordable.

After some downtime, my mom and I met up with my aunt at The Timber Room, one of the two dining rooms at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community.

The view was to die for, the warm air was scrumptious on my skin, my cold water shrimp and coconut curry Kohoku rice bowl tasted oh-so-good (and was wonderfully paired with my first glass of chardonnay of the summer season) and the desserts speak for themselves.

The service, on the other hand, left something to be desired.

I’ll let you decide what’s richer: the strawberry-doused New York cheesecake or the gold fire hydrants.

It’s up and at ‘em early tomorrow for your humble narrator. Vancouver is awaiting my return, as are two wonderful puppies. My mom will be joining me for a few days in the city this week, so though my posting will probably be less consistent, expect a log jam of photos from yours truly.

I normally love rain, but this is just depressing. We’re on day two of nothing but cold drizzle in downtown Vancouver. Naturally I’ll be Island-bound for the coming long weekend, but not before dropping the boys off with their Nanny and Papa for a couple days. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the sunshine and warm air promised for the weekend really do make an appearance because I’ve been dying for the chance to rock some flip flops and a new sundress. Mostly I plan on taking it easy and relaxing with Charley, but on Sunday my mom and I are heading out the door and down the street, literally, to Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens for their annual Art and Bloom Festival.

Photo: Kathy Birkett on Flickr (Used With Permission)

Photo: Kathy Birkett on Flickr (Used With Permission)

This is the sixth annual Art & Bloom Festival. The show is focused on presenting a limited variety of art forms. Emphasis will be placed on original works by painters, potters, sculptors, glass blowers, original stained glass designers, garden art and other unique art forms.

Photo: Kathy Birkett on Flickr (Used With Permission)

Photo: Kathy Birkett on Flickr (Used With Permission)

I remember visiting this very same place as a child with my family to pick out Christmas trees. In recent years, it’s been transformed from a Christmas tree farm to an exquisite garden within nature.

Regular admittance to the garden is $6 for adults, $2 for those 5-12 years old and free for toddlers. Rates may vary dependent on the event (ie. Christmas Carols at the Barn), and unfortunately, rates for the Art and Bloom Festival aren’t specified on the website. Luckily enough, dogs are more than welcome on the grounds, provided that they’re leashed and picked up after.

For more information, visit the website. Check back after the weekend for my review and personal photos of the event.

I was running late this morning. I got up at the same time I usually do, but between showering and cleaning up last night’s Chinese leftovers, it was already ten minutes before eight by the time I left for work. My pace was quicker than usual because I didn’t want to be much later than the time I prefer starting at, being 8:00 a.m.

As I scurried up Howe, I rounded onto Dunsmuir and was suddenly hit with an incredibly beautiful realization.

It’s springtime.

Given the weather that British Columbia’s endured over the last week, there are many of you who’d argue with me. However, the broad cherry blossom trees at Dunsmuir and Hornby were plump with blooms. How I had failed to notice these tiny, pink buds on days prior escapes me, but they were there today.

Two days ago, I sent an e-mail to a friend who is experiencing certain grief at the moment. She’s a resilient woman but I felt encouragement was most definitely needed. In the e-mail, I told her that right now is a time of self-awareness. Not just for her or for myself, but for everyone, generally speaking. Most of us aren’t even conscious of that fact.

There’s something very different about this spring than any other I’ve experienced before. Sure, there is growth and change, but that comes with each day of every year. This time around, I am more aware of my surroundings, more aware of the people in my life and what they represent, more aware of my body. I feel almost as though I am on the precipice of something I’ve never before experienced.

Whatever the next 24 hours have in store for each of you, stop to admire the cherry blossoms in your own day. You’ll thank yourself for it.

Though you wouldn’t have guessed by the weather in Vancouver this past Saturday, it’s technically springtime and not long before summer hits. Summertime is something I have come to have hugely mixed feelings about. Many of my childhood memories of July and August are fond and quintessential, filled with slip n’ slides, ice cream trucks, cherry trees, beach days, neon swimsuits, racing bikes up and down the street, lemonade stands, camping and building forts on the patio using blankets and lawn chairs.

The days of summer are no longer what they used to be, with my taste for the time of sunshine soured by living in the city. (Tangent: I am convinced my blog causes me to come off as massively cynical at times). Summertime in Vancouver for “grown-ups” is a completely different game. Now it’s about martinis on patios, frivolous boat cruises, scantily clad men and women cavorting on both beaches and sidewalks and line-ups on hot nights at even hotter nightclubs. Don’t even get me started on the fireworks at English Bay either. It’s as though a certain hedonism emerges when the days heat up; it’s seemingly inexplicable.

Yes, that’s Casey sunning himself on his back at Jericho Beach.

It’s because of this that I almost dare to say that I dread summer. Or perhaps it’s simply because I’ve long been a bigger fan of winter; probably because I prefer jeans and Uggs to shorts and flip flops. Whatever my reasoning, summer is inevitable so here is an attempt at creating a laundry list of things to look forward to in summer 2008 – simple pleasures and exciting endeavours.

Okay, your turn: what are you most looking forward to this summer?

Since everyone and their dog has recently blogged about the minute amount of snow that blanketed Metro Vancouver over the weekend, I’ll share a slice of Vancouver Island with you. Though I was beyond thrilled to dash from my hair appointment to my nail appointment in the falling snow on Saturday, and to wake yesterday to find beautiful flakes falling from the sky, I can only hope that the kind of snow that parts of the Island saw over the last two days will fall again on Christmas Day in the Comox Valley. (And speaking of, might I point out that the joyous occasion is only three weeks away?)

This was what my truck looked like yesterday at 4:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of tempest kat on Flickr

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In honour of four years of keeping Vancouverites aprised of the comings and goings of our wet, wet city, Miss604 is holding a contest that’s open to all readers (whether you’re a blogger or not).

Photo courtesy of Duane Storey on Flickr

Why did I choose to use the same anniversary photo as Becky herself did? I think it’s a terrific photo, so why not?

Anyways, as I was saying, up for grabs are a pair of tickets to an upcoming Vancouver Giants hockey game in addition to two full-day passes (with rentals) at Mount Seymour. To learn more about the contest or how you can enter, visit the contest page.

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As I mentioned on Friday, my work week had been sheer and utter hell. Being as short-staffed as we were, a ridiculous amount of responsibility and expectation had been placed on my shoudlers. Typically the end of the week sees a bit of a reprieve, but this particular Friday was a tremendous exception. By the end of the day, I’d experienced every emotion possible all the while fighting back tears through my gritted teeth. I won’t elaborate.

The only thing getting me through the day was the knowledge that I would, sooner or later, be in my legwarmers, eating take-out and drinking red wine. Or so I thought.

Change of plans. Instead, I was treated to one of the finest new dining establishments that Vancouver has to offer.

Photo courtesy of Urban Mixer on Flickr

Only open for a handful of months, Boneta has quickly established itself as what can be seen as a stellar pinot noir in a chardonnay world. With a harmoniously exciting blend of succulent food, killer service and an ambience that’s worth writing home about, it’s a dining experience that I can promise you won’t soon forget. The menu changes weekly, as do the events, so be sure to check out Boneta’s website for more information. And yes, before you ask, Boneta does have a Facebook group.

Boneta is located at 1 West Cordova in Gastown, Vancouver.
Open late.

Today, Charley’s five-month birthday, also coincidentally happens to be the first Snow Day of the season. I’ve always hoped to be around to see her during her first glimpse of the white stuff in the Comox Valley, but unfortunately I missed it by just a day. Thankfully my mom was home and was fortunate enough to snap some shots.

The verdict: she loves it! Charley couldn’t get enough of the snow and prounced and bounced throughout the flakes while pushing it along the ground with her little snout.

Snow!

At least that’s what’s in Vancouver’s tentative forecast.

Photo courtesy of Duane Storey on Flickr

Vancouver’s residents know that snow is one of the most elusive substances in this city, so when it’s in the forecast, everything seems to turn upside down. As I crossed Hornby along Robson on my lunch break today, a salting truck went by and it perplexed me. Vancouverites have long been made fun of by our eastern counterparts. The seeming inability to deal when the winter skies rip open make us a target for merciless teasing. Though I know that snow is a rarity for us on the “Wet Coast,” I still don’t understand why everyone seems to lose their mind about it.

1) Snow is beautiful and there’s nothing quite so elegant looking as untouched flakes that have fallen on the ground.

2) Snow in the city means a copious amount of snow on the mountains.

3) If it gets really bad (which in Vancouver apparently means about 2″), a snow day equates to a day at home!

With our impending snowcast, are you a lover of the white stuff or do you go looney until it’s melted?

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Being that my birthday is a mere 6 days away, I’m amazed at the level of excitement I feel about it. Not since I was a little girl have I been so excited to celebrate the one day where I can get away with being a little bit of a princess and not be chastised for it.

Photo courtesy of tempest kat on Flickr

I plan on kick-starting Saturday with a luscious peppermint mocha from Starbucks followed by an equisite culinary safari at Urban Fare with my co-chef. After a little bit of food prep, I’m whisking Becky off to have my hair styled before manicures and pedicures at Element Spa For Nails. I haven’t gone “en Français” in far too long, so I made sure to book this appointment weeks in advance. What girl doesn’t deserve a little pampering? Following the royal treatment, I’m donning a fabulous party girl dress before enjoying the evening with fine folks.

Sure it was a little narcissistic and pointless of me to share that with you (ie. “look at me! look at me!”) but hey, who isn’t entitled to get a little excited one day of the year?

You’d had to have been living under a rock over the last 24 hours if you were in southwestern British Columbia and didn’t know that our first massive windstorm of the season passed overhead. My only real concern was whether the ferries would be running or not today because, as always, my boss really needs me in tomorrow. Little did I know the damage done overnight…

My truck was missed by just inches. It’s now 9:28 p.m. and BC Hyrdo has yet to pay a visit to my aunt and mom’s home. They have been without heat, electricity or running water for over 16 hours now.

Our neighbourhood wasn’t the only part of Courtenay affected by the storm. The Puntledge river shared a little love with Lewis Park: