Strange bedfellows

Looks like the kitties have found a warm, comfy place to sleep. I don't think Princess will mind too much!

Last of the season

The last of the pears from our tree, poached and packed in syrup (with cinnamon and nutmeg), waiting to be heated up and served over ice cream.

Little darlin's

Toupie and Binoue watching the world go by outside the screen door. They're indoor kitties (at least for now) but already fascinated by everything they see through the glass and mesh.

Canada Place, glowing

A rare bit of morning sun bathes Canada Place is an otherworldly glow on my last day in Vancouver.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

I went to the Capilano suspension bridge after the last session at the conference. I love heights, and I’m not bothered (normally) by swinging but even I have to admit that it freaked me out. Plus it took forever for my knees to feel normal again after walking (twice) across the shaking/swinging bridge… I really preferred the smaller suspension bridges strung along the Douglas firs in the forest – they called it ‘treetop adventure’ and it really was, just spectacular…

City lights

View of downtown Vancouver, from my hotel room window. In the rain. Obviously, being that it's Vancouver.

Rocky Mountain High

The incomparable Rocky Mountains - from my window seat on the plane to Vancouver.

Little beaver

This year J-man is a Beaver (like a junior cub scout). He looks so sweet and serious in his little uniform!

All this and a 5 1/2 hour ER visit...

I'm being extremely kind and posting the gauze-covered 'before' shot of J-man's latest boo-boo. I did take the 'during shot' (oh yes I did!) with his chin split open like an eyelid and the subcutaneous fat layer visible, and I've even subjected some of my friends and family to it, but I'll refrain from posting it here. Knowing it exists should be enough :)

He was swinging between two tables in his kindergarten class when he lost his grip or something like that and hit the floor face first. All told he's really lucky, nothing broken except skin, no lost teeth, etc. The teacher didn't seem to realize how bad it was but the office ladies did and called me in from work. Of course, they didn't bother telling me he'd need stitches, just that he 'needed me'. Yeah, me and a doctor anyway. He did earn both a frozen fruit popsicle AND dinner at McDonald's for his suffering. And a nice manly soon-to-be-scar.

Random flower shot

Pretty purple flowers (possibly weeds, what do I know about horticulture) growing in the yard, macro style.

Yup, we've lost our marbles

Introducing our two newest additions - Toupie and Binoue (Toupie is the tabby, male we think, Binoue is the calico and female, as all calicos are). 6 week old littermates from C's coworker. I'm terribly allergic to cats, and yet, how could we resist? The bits really needed a pet, and hopefully having two will keep them from being lonely (and destructive) while we're at work. Wish us luck...



(The bits are already desperately in love with these critters)

Just driving by

One of my favourite pastimes during the long ride into work - taking pictures out the window. Today I snapped the sign for the horse track. I've never actually been, but someday I should. I hear they have a great brunch buffet...

Crazy clouds

Crazy clouds at daybreak

Gouging

A more and more common sight as gas prices creep higher and higher...

The secret stories around us

Little J started Beavers today at a local school (Americans will have to click on that link, I don't think you have anything quite the same down there...), and for once it was the princess who was restless. Despite the rapidly approaching dusk I took her outside to play on the play structure, and saw this sign. Curious, I googled the name when I got home.

Kevin's story

How sad, but how sweet that he will be remembered whenever kids play on this playground. A fitting memorial for a life lost too young.

Harvest moon

The full moon closest to the autumnal equinox is called (at least around here) the harvest moon. Incredible how bright it is...

Nature's Bounty

Fresh pears, grown on the tree in my yard, oven roasted with cinnamon, brown sugar and maple syrup. Does it get better than this?

Down at the Copa...

Resourceful little bits that they are - they built their own poolside cabana!

Bumper sticker fun

C and I were cracking up following this car home from work.

Protestors

Protestors on the hill are a common sight, I've seen protests for just about any cause you can imagine. Today though I'm not sure I 'get it'. Today should be about honouring the memory of those who died needlessly and terribly 7 years ago. Today is not the day for this.

Smile

When he was digging a trench to re-route our sump discharge, I begged C to work around an interesting bush planted at the front of our house. It rewarded me by flowering. I have no clue what it is, but it makes me smile.

Glowy pool

I love the pretty blue glow when the pool lights are on at night.

Hmmmm

A cold, wet summer and now the threat of an early fall...

Ribfest - revisited!

Ribfest in Oshawa, Ontario. Our first year trying it out (we go every year in Ottawa, but we didn't even know this one existed!), and lots of my family along for the fun. It was HUGE, way bigger than Ottawa with live bands, a midway and sooooo much food! I sense an annual tradition in the making...

Yuuuuuck

Ugh, the less fun part of country living. I could barely hold the camera to get a shot my hands were shaking so hard. The things I do for my art...

Picture Postcard

Well, it sucks being back at work, but on the upside I can again enjoy lunch time strolls around Parliament Hill and along the Ottawa river.

Watching the boats, with Nepean Point and the National Gallery of Canada in the background.

Happy Labour Day

That's labour with a 'u' for us Canucks.

Spend the day entertaining friends, just the way it should be. Swimming, eating, cards, life is good.