persuasion

WEARING THE SKY

2010-12-09T23:22:00.002-07:00

Elizabeth,

You should teach me how to make scarves like these by Maria Alexandra Vettese.
Doesn't it remind you of one of my favorite childhood books?

{As seen on Oh Joy!}

HOT CAT

2010-12-07T09:01:00.002-07:00

Cleo's discovered the joys of radiators. Wish I could laze around all day next to a heat source.

Oops, I woke her up.

THE 3RD OF DECEMBER

2010-12-03T05:00:00.001-07:00

Today is a very special day because it marks one year of amazing challenges and accomplishments for my dear sister, Elizabeth. Today is her birthday and I want to wish her the very happiest from across the country.

Elizabeth you are an amazing person. In one year you have done so much (which I have listed off in your card, which hopefully arrived this morning) and I find constant inspiration from you, as I have my entire life.

I went through all the photos of you I had from this past year and there were so many good ones! I wanted to make a slide show -- but I simply do not approve of over-the-top embarrassment on birthdays. So please have a happy birthday, drink champagne, eat the most decadent food and RELAX!

I love you,
Your sister

BUSY BUSY BUSY

2010-11-30T08:16:00.002-07:00

Sorry about the total lack of posts. Mary and I are both working all the time, she at her million jobs and over-the-top homemaking (sorry Mary, but you're just so good at everything), and me as I prepare for Smart Design Mart here in Montreal.

As you can probably tell from the image above, Smart Mart is a curated showing of some very talented designers and craftspeople from in and around Montreal. It opens this Friday (my Birthday!!!) and I'm rushing like mad over the next three days to finish sewing styles, print business cards, complete the clothing rack and table I built and take a bath at some point, hopefully. I'm lucky and happy to be a part of the event but it means this week is basically a write-off for me. Hopefully if you're in town you'll stop on by Friday, Saturday or Sunday to say hello.

If you'd like to see what I'm up to please visit my other blog, ursaminorstudio.blogspot.com, or check out my Etsy shop *here* for new clothing styles as I make them.

And don't forget to visit Mary at her seriously beautiful blog Mary Hudson (aka anemone, honey) if you'd like a study in ideal living.

A NEW CAKE

2010-11-16T06:31:00.000-07:00

Something happens to me when RB's on band tour. About halfway through the time he's gone I find myself NEEDING indulgence. But then I have this little inner conflict were one side of me is like 'mmmmm, cake would be good!' and then the other side says 'but elizabeth! you can't eat a whole cake yourself!' So I usually push these thoughts out of my head until about the three week point where I finally break down and have to make 8 batches of cookies or something. Of course, it's timed perfectly cause I can pretend that I only made whatever sweet confection I did in anticipation of RB's arrival. Ha!

Sorry baby, it's really all about me.

So on Sunday I tried out this new ginger cake recipe that you can find here. Let's take a look at the mise en place, shall we?:

This cake contains flour, a bit of sugar, cinnamon, black pepper & cloves, water, vegetable oil, eggs, molasses, baking powder and 4 oz fresh grated ginger.

I don't own a kitchen scale so I really just faked what I thought four ounces might be (I tried to imagine four shot glasses). Anyway, there was a lot of ginger-peeling and ginger-grating going on until I felt like I'd accumulated enough.

Mixing+ melting+ creaming + an hour later:

And the verdict? Well, I think this is a rather nice little cake. I could've upped the ginger content quite a bit without the flavour becoming overpowering, nevertheless the cake was lovely and moist and tasted delicious. It's really not very sweet at all and so would work great as a base for, say, a rich cream cheese icing (which I don't like) or maybe a quick salted caramel sauce and spiced whipped cream (which I do like, very much).

Go forth and make cake.

they say it's your birthday....

2010-11-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

We could say a thousand embarrassing things about how amazing we find you and how we both wish we were there to help you celebrate "Hudson style" but how about we just leave it at: we love you. Happy Birthday big/little bro.

DEAR ELIZABETH:

2010-11-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

I think it's time for us to plan another sister trip, don't you?
Here's some ideas of mine:

Prince Edward Island

{photo from HSien's flickr}

Savannah, Georgia

{photo from terryballard's flickr}

Cinque Terre

{photo from noah*75's flickr}

Madagascar

{photo from Ze Eduardo's flickr}

Okay, where do you want to go?

IT'S A YOUTUBE KINDOF DANCE NIGHT

2010-11-06T20:58:00.000-06:00

Holy splits!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS

2010-11-05T11:09:00.000-06:00

We're sorry we aren't there, but have a good one. Go fishing?

Love,

your daughters.

BLENHEIM

2010-11-02T10:57:00.000-06:00

Looking back to April to some England photos this morning. I really do need to sort through them once and for all -- I've put it off so long that I might as well go back and take some new shots.

Photographs from Blenheim Palace.

SPOOOOOOKIEST COOKIES.

2010-10-31T10:44:00.002-06:00

It was a dark and chocolate night....

Cleo and I needed a treat last night. This year we're spending halloween all on our lonesome since R is away on band tour and my dress-up friends are visiting New York, boo hoo for us. Lucky these cookies help soothe a couple lonely girls while also containing the requisite orange and black of the season. Essentially just chocolate chip cookies with the addition of sweet/sour, chewy dried apricots, these babies have quickly become my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe of all.

First start with some good chocolate. I like to use super dark, bitter bars but regular chocolate chips work fine and I've even used chopped-up leftover chocolate truffles at christmas which made for some truly amazing cookies.

Next some apricots. The best kind to use are the brown, wrinkly organic ones which have not been treated with sulpher dioxide, but my little local grocery only had the plump sunmaid variety. Oh well, the colour's right.

Chop up 1 1/2 - 2 cups of chocolate and 1/2 cup dried apricots.

Measure out 2 cups of flour and add 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt. Meanwhile melt 3/4 cup butter (you could certainly use margerine but I use butter because butteriness is next to godliness) and let it cool slightly. To the melted butter add 1 cup packed brown sugar. Beat an egg and add to the sugar/butter mixture (+ an extra yolk if you have one, if not don't worry about it). Also add 1TB of vanilla (and PLEASE, if anyone is going to Mexico in the near future, I am almost out of vanilla and in desperate need of more. Bring home vanilla!). Beat lightly.

Add dry ingredients to the wet until just combined and gently mix in chocolate and apricots. Oh, and you should've pre-heated your oven to 325 and lined some cookie sheets with parchment. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets, spaced at least 1 1/2" apart and cook for 12 minutes. You should end up with about 16-18 cookies.

And if you're like me, you'll eat them for breakfast the next morning. Be like me, do the breakfast cookie thing, it's fantastic. On the other hand, DO NOT be like me if you feel the urge to watch Paranormal Activity right before bed the day before halloween. Watching a film about a demonic presence literally making things go bump in the night when you're home alone for two weeks in a relatively new apartment? And it's 100 years old? And the plumbing's not great? And you've just turned the furnace on for the first time? Yeah, great idea dummy.

A DISH BEST SERVED BLOODY

2010-10-29T13:57:00.005-06:00

There is a certain sort of film I like more than most any other. Perhaps it stems from my fierce sagittarian pursuit of justice, or maybe it has to do with vicariously avenging petty wrongs committed me in my bullied youth. Could be I'm just really insecure, good at remembering every negative in life and equipped with an ever-present thirst for power, POWER!

Whatever the case, my favorite story in film is often that of pure, unflinching revenge.

I adore She-devil, The Witches of Eastwick is like candy to me. The scene in Braveheart where William Wallace slits the English lord's throat delights. I've seen the Bourne trilogy a million times and Once Upon a Time in the West is a personal favorite (the soundtrack is on constant rotation in my studio.) Taken was fantastic, who doesn't love a good middle-aged ass-kicking, and Oldboy? genius insanity. Phantom of the Pardise pairs high camp tragedy with complementary brutal retaliation and Straws Dogs is a violent fantasy of vengeance. The list goes on and on.

However in my book the world's best revenge film remains Brian de Palma's 1976 classic Carrie, aka: the greatest revenge story ever told. Every element is there: teenage angst, religious fanaticism, maudlin emotional highs and painful pubertal lows, oh, did I mention telekinesis?
In honor of Halloween, and just cause it makes me happy, here's the entire climatic finale via our friends at youtube, enjoy:

HALIFAX MINI-BREAK

2010-10-28T11:18:00.003-06:00

R and I enjoyed a mini-break in Halifax last weekend while his band, The Famines, participated in the Halifax Pop Explosion. 28 hours of driving for 35 hours of visiting time, retarded right? Anyway, it was really nice to go back to Halifax, however short the stay. I hadn't been there since 1999 when I visited a friend attending NSCAD......and whoosh, seems 11 years of my life flew by just like that.

We stayed with friends of Garrett's, Zane and Alexis, who have a fantastic condo in a 100 year old schoolhouse just across the water on the Dalhousie side. Zane owns a really special cafe called 'Two If By Sea' a few blocks away from their house and we were treated to amazing homemade croissants and perfect americanos both mornings of our stay.

As with most port cities, my favorite time was spent with my honey, wandering along the wharf, smelling the sea, watching the boats sail by.

Gulls.

Gull snacks.

Mmmmm. Breakfast Seafood.

And, of course, shenanigans.

Necessary Evils

2010-10-21T11:06:00.003-06:00

Ever since we moved out to Montreal people have been telling me what to expect in the winter. It's cold, wet, dark, grey, sleety, icy, bone-chilling, evil. They'll tell me this over and over till I'm like, OK, I get it, it's gonna be hell. Their response is always 'no, you don't even get it'.

Now, I know that I'm spoiled coming from Alberta with it's dry, sunny, snowy winters, and I know that Montreal winter is gonna be a shock and I'll probably just stay inside for four months straight, but dudes, I'm queen of the pessimistic imagination, I GET it.

So anyway, I bought new boots in preparation, I needed to in fact as I gave all my winter boots away before I left Edmonton. I actually ordered them online from LL Bean which kindof makes me feel like a super-nerd, but they just seemed like the perfect thing to make a wet and freezing winter palatable. And hey, did you know that LL Beans come in AA widths? Well now you do! So now I'm basically just waiting for a chance to wear them, though I'm told that the real snow doesn't start here till Christmas. In the meantime they've become my new work slippers as I refuse to turn on the heat till November.

I feel like Martha Stewart and I should be trekking through the back 40 or something.

A NEW ADDITION

2010-10-18T11:50:00.001-06:00

The bf and I got a new kitten yesterday. We are in love. Our adult cat Ruby is not, but she'll get there.

JOYRIDE

2010-10-13T09:27:00.004-06:00

So as Mary mentioned, the two of us, as well as the hubby and the bro, enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with the Shanks and Galway families just east of Kingston this past Saturday. The food was delish and it was lovely to spend time with a side of the family we rarely get to see, even if they are merciless teasers. The best part of the visit though? Golf cart joyride, of course! RB, Patrick, Mary and I borrowed two golf carts and rode them all over the family golf course, so much fun!

The golf course and clubhouse themselves are very beautiful - rustic and rolling and green.

We started out with Mary and Patrick in one cart, and RB and myself in the other.

And then we switched.

And then, wait for it, Mary took the wheel. This is the first time Mary has driven.... EVER! Look how much fun she's having.

Afterward we walked across the street to Ruth and Keith's farm where we explored the barn and met a friendly sheepdog. It was just a beautiful day.

MONTREAL + FAMILY

2010-10-12T09:42:00.005-06:00

This year's Thanksgiving holiday I was lucky enough to get to spend time at Elizabeth and RB's new apartment in Montreal. It was my first time in Montreal and was made extra special because our brother was also able to make it down. Our thanksgiving dinner was spent at our second (?) cousin's Golf course near Kingston, Ontario and we will have some fun photos of that to share with you soon. Elizabeth and RB were great hosts, taking us on fun walking and driving tours of Montreal's highlights. (Thank-you!)

These photos are from us walking around the old Expo '67 grounds.

(Elizabeth showing us all how she can fit between the bars)

LITTLE GEMS

2010-10-07T10:41:00.002-06:00

Mary's visiting Montreal from Vancouver right now and we took advantage of the grey, rainy weather yesterday to have a little sunshine party at home. First we trekked north to Jean Talon market in search of strawberries and peaches, then home again for lazy afternoon jam making and scary movie viewing. I use the term 'jam' loosely as our end product is much more a strawberry preserve, still, sweet, sunshiney and delicious. Ain't we domestic?

GIFTS WE GIVE OURSELVES

2010-10-05T08:10:00.002-06:00

This past weekend was the Puces Pop festival, a large arts and crafts fair run concurrently with Pop Montreal. Raymond participated in the sale and ended up selling out of his brand new New Yorker print, it was insane. The place was packed from the moment the doors opened in the morning till the day's end at 6pm, holy claustrophobia.

There were a ton of people selling numerous treasures including this gift I bought myself, a little handcrafted oxidized silver and pyrite ring designed by Marie Khediguian under her label Markhed. As soon as I saw it I knew this piece was for me, it's the perfect blend of delicate and hard, upscale and hand-forged. Ever wanna buy me jewellery? make sure it's mean, make sure it's organic and make sure it's simple, simple, simple. What I especially love about this piece is that Marie lets the materials speak for themselves. She recognizes the strength in lack of frills or perfection, the details remain the nature of the metals/minerals themselves; as my friend Carmen stated, 'it's goooood'.

CELEBRATION

2010-10-03T23:05:00.002-06:00

There was a beautiful fireworks display lighting up the Vancouver sky tonight and I simply could not understand why....until I remembered it was our Poppa's birthday. Happy Birthday Red, we love you and apparently all of Vancouver does too.

MY HOOD

2010-10-01T08:38:00.003-06:00

R and I are lucky to live on a fantastic street in a truly interesting neighborhood in Montreal. Next door to us live a family whose 93-year-old patriarch was born in the house where his grown children still live. Our own building is cooperatively owned by a group of individuals who bought it 30 years ago after coveting it from their then-apartment across the street. Three of those original owners still live here and Robert, the owner of our apartment, maintains a studio in the old stables out back despite having recently moved to a house further north. This is an area rich with history, family and friendship. There is a unique intermingling of age, language, outlook and interests and many play an active role in this community.

Currently our alley is home to a magical photo exhibition, Laterna Magica, by artist (and neighbor) Loren Williams. Ms. Williams canvassed residents of two Plateau streets for photographs of the neighborhood from their own family archives. Some images are mounted on board and hung throughout the alleyway, others are displayed backlit in windows of current residents, best viewed after 7pm when the sun has gone down. Altogether it makes for a fascinating glimpse into our neighborhood over the course of many decades (and I'm sure a trip down memory lane for many).

For example, then:

and now:

One fence hosts a series of little doors which open to reveal knotholes:

Which on further inspection show former residents of the back gardens held within:

A series of historic postcards mounted on board show idyllic scenes of Parc La Fontaine, just one block away from our house:

An archive map from the turn of the century, can you find where we live?

The carriage house/stables behind our building as they stand today:

And a photograph of former inhabitants:

At night the backlit photos take on a somewhat eerie quality, reminding one of lives lived and ended in these very streets, these homes.

Totally fascinating.

HARVEST

2010-09-30T06:37:00.001-06:00

After work yesterday I went down to the last day of the Main Street farmer's market. I tried to avoid buying too much, but as always that was impossible. Everything there was so perfect. The harvest season is such a great time of year. Being on the west coast it's a little different than on the prairies (it last longer here, for one) and there seems to be a greater variety of fresh produce and also a greater appreciation for all the amazing things we can grow right here in the Lower Mainland.

The bounty.

HEAVY THINGS I HAVE CARRIED IN RECENT DAYS

2010-09-24T10:02:00.003-06:00

Ok, I had some help.

I bought this Consew industrial machine for a really great price after Genevieve forwarded me the craigslist ad a couple weeks ago. R and I drove down to the south shore to pick it up but it had been sitting in our van ever since - there was just no way the two of us could get it up our 33 front steps alone. Finally this past Wednesday our friend Chris came to the rescue and the three of us hauled the damn heavy monster up these:

And these:

And, worst of all, these narrow little wedges of steps right at the top, ugh:

Second, R and I bought a dresser yesterday, something I've been in dire need of ever since we moved here nearly two months ago. I had precise specifications for the sort of dresser I wanted - a tallboy, narrow and with at least 4 drawers, raised off the floor and with extra storage for all the little jewels and junk I leave lying all over the house. I'd been eyeing up this old beast for awhile and finally brought it home yesterday afternoon.

If refinished it could be a really beautiful, simple piece. Chances are slim I'll get around to that anytime soon, but at least my clothes are off the floor and I have myriad surfaces, nooks and drawers to store my treasures.

Hooray to useful purchases!, even if one must break their back to get them up the stairs.

NORTH VAN

2010-09-21T06:45:00.000-06:00

The only good thing about a wedding installation this past weekend was the view on the way back to Vancouver.

STANLEY RACCOON

2010-09-20T06:47:00.000-06:00

The bf and I went for a walk downtown and through Stanley Park on Saturday. It was leisurely and the weather was beautiful, plus the park was full of disturbingly domesticated raccoons and geese. Cute! We wouldn't have fed them anyway, but especially not after observing the Swan Tamer -- an elderly woman who clearly invested a substantial amount of her days at the park making sure the birds behaved themselves and ate the proper food. We witnessed her educating a a young boy on why not to feed the birds bread, shortly after she had scolded one of the swans for being a bully. It was remarkable.

THE CLINK

2010-09-13T06:57:00.002-06:00

My camera is in the Canon county lock-up, ie. the repair shop, for the next week or two. I've become so addicted to having a camera with me at all times that this separation is way harder than expected. Anyway, you can probably anticipate somewhat sporadic posts from me in days to come, at least until I'm with camera once again.

Here is what I've been up to over the past week (just pretend there are accompanying photos):
- Went to a free music festival at the old port on Sunday past
- Ran errands, including a trip to my favorite new leather shop, collecting materials for some consignment items I'll be making special for Nokomis and Victoire (stay tuned over at Ursa Minor)
- Saw Casablanca in a special showing on the big screen (still such! a! good! movie!, Bogart is a total babe)
- Drove out to Wakefield QC for a visit with R's mom and brother and watched The Burning Hell play at the local venue
- Drove into Ottawa for lunch and *finally* met lovely Regine at the beautiful new location of Katie's and her store, Victoire.
- Entertained R's mom as a guest at our home and went on various long walks everywhere until our legs fell apart
- Attended the AIDS Wolf CD release party and got drunk and chatty with a new friend
- Ate a lot of food

I know, I know, the details of my life are just fascinating. Ok, I'm going to go look for my old, broken digital camera now or, perhaps, invest in a disposable. Tiny attention span! Must have pictures!

SMOG AND SUNSETS

2010-09-09T09:45:00.001-06:00

At least poor air quality makes for a colourful display, right?

LOVELY BIRTHDAY BRUNCH

2010-09-02T07:00:00.002-06:00

I threw a small birthday brunch for a girlfriend last weekend and it was my favorite sort of simple food. I then followed it up with the richest most ridiculous cake I could think of from a Tartlette recipe and an afternoon at the Vancouver flea market. I love days off.

GLIMPSES OF THE HOME LIFE

2010-09-01T07:09:00.001-06:00

Wednesday morning in our living room, enjoying early coffee with Marilyn and the cat. The weather in Montreal is so hot these days that my laundry will dry on the line within minutes. This makes waking up early imperative for getting any work done. I think an afternoon of reading in the park sounds nice, maybe underneath a shady tree.

One day soon I'm going to buy two little wire chairs to put in our living room, I already have my eye on them. And then someday, when the time is right, a kitchen table will find me. And another day, very much in the future, I'm going to recover all my furniture in shades of grey.

THE PERFECT GREY

2010-08-31T07:46:00.000-06:00

Zac Posen called grey 'the most elegant neutral', a statement with which I wholeheartedly agree. Long one of my favorite colours, I thought that perfectly pale dove grey would be the ideal shade for our new bedroom.

So I bought a color called 'twilight' (so lame, I know) and brought it home to try it out. Of course when I painted a sample patch both R and I found it way too dark (I forgot to follow my own rule of ALWAYS go a shade lighter than you think you should). Anyway, I ended up mixing the colour I had with some white paint we had sitting around until I found that perfect grey. Genevieve's BF Jon was kind enough to help me paint the bedroom (along with the studio, raymond's studio and a wall in our living room, what a trooper) and voila! my dream dream-shade.

Of course, like much of the rest of our house, there's still a lot to do. I don't have a dresser so all my clothes are presently piled in a trunk on the floor. A chair would be nice, a half-curtain over the window is essential (hello high-density living!) and I hope to hang some more art (maybe a mirror?) soon. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

THE NEW FESTIVAL CITY

2010-08-30T08:54:00.004-06:00

My friends Carli-ann & Mike and their daughter Astrid were visiting from Victoria this weekend and we all took advantage of the lovely weather on Saturday to check out two Montreal festivals.

The first was Pointe a Calliere's 18th century public market down near the port in old Montreal. Costumed vendors sold bread and cheese, wine, fruit, pottery, vinegars, wool, woven goods, etc. It was my first visit to old Montreal and the setting could not have been more perfect.

I love how their jackets part at the back to reveal their red tail-feathers.

Later on that evening we trekked north to La Tohu, the national circus school and home to Cirque du Soleil. We went to watch the burning of La Falla, a giant 10 metre high sculpture created by a team of local artists and signifying the end of summer.

First, little fireworks went off all around the sculpture.

Until the entire thing exploded into light.

And eventually caught fire.

And we watched as the whole creation burned to the ground.

It reminds me of something out of Spinal Tap.

And finally, when there was hardly any sculpture left to burn, a giant fireworks display lit up the sky above.

Fun, fun, good clean fun.

BASIL OVERLOAD

2010-08-27T09:24:00.002-06:00

Basil is so cheap right now it's hard to decide what to do with it, but in the spirit of preparing for the winter I figured I should freeze (in mass amounts) one of my favorite foods: pesto.

If you have been living a very terrible life and have never made pesto before don't worry because it is so simple. Yesterday I made a large quantity in the food processor, but I have also used small blending attachments for my immersion blender, a mortar and pestle, and I have pre-chopped and then mixed in a bowl -- all approaches worked just fine. The ratio depends on your own tastes but a good starting point is:

-1 large bunch (like one of the two shown above) basil
-juice of half a lemon
-1-2 garlic cloves
-1/3 cup olive oil (more or less as necessary)
-1-2 Tbsp lightly roasted pine nuts
-3-4 Tbsp roasted walnuts (optional, but you should really add them, they are delicious and nutritious and a staple in parts of Italy. I like to add them at the end so they are a bit bigger and crunchier)
-salt and pepper
-Parmesan, finely grated (optional)
(The amount created in my food processor below was from using three and a half bunches of basil)

Then you could make a meal something like this one, or you could use it on potatoes, or on sandwiches, or on top of soups instead of cream/yogurt. Or with poached eggs for breakfast....
...excuse me please.

MAJESTIC PAPER BIRDS

2010-08-26T06:12:00.000-06:00

I came across the work of Sydney-based artist Anna-Wili Highfield when checking out the Australian blog, shipbuilding. All of the sculptures shown here are created out of paper and copper pipe. Anna's pieces are so thoughtfully constructed and yet display a sense of calm and simplicity. She has managed to capture the very nature of each animal, where there is mystery and sentiments deep within that humans can only struggle to comprehend.

But really I just think they are pretty and I would like one horse head please.

THREE YEARS

2010-08-25T06:21:00.002-06:00

Today RB and I have been married three years. The funny part? With all the upheaval in our lives as of late we both would've completely forgotten our anniversary if my father hadn't mentioned it on the phone Monday night. Go us.

I love you RB, happy anniversary.

PAINT IT BLACK

2010-08-24T14:21:00.000-06:00

Ever since my mom helped me paint my bedroom black in highschool I've wanted to splash enveloping, rich & cozy ebony paint over my walls again - I've just been waiting for the right walls I guess.

Enter our Montreal kitchen. When we moved in the back wall was painted green, which was fine, but I'm so sick of colour, colour everywhere and find myself craving simple white & grey & black and nothing else.

So I painted it black, and I love it. I want to paint everything black. I used chalkboard paint and am still toying with the idea of painting the entire wall above the stove black and getting R to do a large drawing on it. Whaddya think?

It still needs a lot of work, we'll have to get new appliances eventually and some fresh flowers/art wouldn't hurt either. One thing at a time though right?

URSA MINOR STUDIO

2010-08-23T07:11:00.002-06:00

I've decided to start another blog to document and share my studio practice & to show off my new clothing line, URSA MINOR.

As I've been getting this new line together over the past few months I've really missed sharing my progress/successes/adventures/failures with a group of peers. Throughout this time I've struggled deciding whether to launch my collection uber-professionally or in a more organic manner, showing pieces as they develop. I've finally decided that, for now, I want to be able to reveal my work on a more regular basis, to dwell on the process and the product and to build a community around me. What this means for the seasonal/selling format of my line I'm not yet sure (though you'll be the first to know.)

So I invite you to come visit me over at URSA MINOR STUDIO whenever you want to see what I'm up to professionally/creatively. I won't promise that I'll post often, but I do promise to show-and-tell (most) all about my work and probably ask for advice too. Visit often!

And, of course, I'll continue to post life-related items regularly right here on Persuasion.

CAKE REVOLUTION (NOT 18th CENTURY FRANCE)

2010-08-20T06:54:00.001-06:00

100 Layer Cake highlighted these cakes by Magpie's Cake last week and they are simply dreamy. I'm not sure I would ever even want a wedding cake, let alone something so dramatic as these.... but maybe I could just have one for a party sometime? So what if they start at $10 a slice -- art (even the edible variety) is worth it, right?

GINKGO

2010-08-19T06:40:00.000-06:00

Some people dream of great careers, or families, or having ponies, or I don't know, world peace, but I dream of Ginkgos. I hope one day I can plant one of these prehistoric beasts and watch it grow. The trees have been around for millions of years and are extremely resilient to disease and other naturally occurring threats. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 six Ginkgo trees were some of the only survivors within a 2km radius.

Have you ever seen leaves so beautiful? In the fall the whole tree will become a beautiful shade of golden yellow and then *poof* within hours all the leaves will drop. I can't wait for Autumn!

COOL, CLEAN AND GREEN

2010-08-18T12:02:00.005-06:00

Montreal makes me want to eat clean, simple food. Perhaps it's the humidity that has me craving greens and grains and fruit and strong coffee. Perhaps it's the proximity of a lovely little grocery store just around the corner that has me cooking so simply. It's so easy to stop in, pick up whatever looks fresh & delicious, toss together a simple summer lunch and then do it all over again for dinner.

I've also been reading Rachel Eats a lot lately, a favorite food blog written by a UK ex-pat living in Italy. She has a way of making food seem so wholesome, so delectable, so simple and precious and nourishing - the Italian way I suppose. I'm inspired by these simple blends of simple ingredients which transform lowly lettuce, for instance, into something quite special indeed. These things make me happy:

Fresh picked greens,

& sunflower sprouts,

With crisp English cucumbers,

Lots of fresh parsley,

Creamy avocado,

And cool, silky herbed tofu with sea salt,

Tossed together with lemon and tahini and I'm in heaven.

And then I replaced the ballcock on our toilet - cause that's just the sort of renaissance girl I am.

GONE SWIMMING

2010-08-17T11:11:00.002-06:00

And by 'gone' I mean our minds. Genevieve and I polished off one bottle of pink champagne, one bottle of rose and were steadily downing another of chardonnay when we decided a swim in the pond was a good idea.

It seems like a decidedly less-good-idea this morning, downright gross in fact. But boy was it fun at the time.

ALSO GOOD

2010-08-14T08:20:00.001-06:00

One can't go wrong with books and breakfast on the cool front balcony.

A FAVOURITE FEATURE

2010-08-12T05:42:00.003-06:00

This is the skylight in my new bathroom. It floods the entire room with light which spills into the hallway beyond until the sun goes down. And look, it sits almost directly above this:

Call me spoiled, I can take it. But first I must go have a bath.

ADVENTURE CAT

2010-08-10T18:59:00.002-06:00

We did it. We drove 3000 km across the country and arrived in Montreal last night. And now we live here, so weird.

Maybe not such an adventure cat afterall.

TO THE FARM

2010-08-08T09:41:00.001-06:00

I'm off to Vancouver Island tonight! So much to do -- I'll see you all in a few days.

CHOCOLATE, PLEASE

2010-08-06T07:10:00.001-06:00

These photos are by an Australian photographer currently living in Vancouver, you can see her blog, Mocking Bird here. This table setting reminds me so much of Bubo in Barcelona, (one of our favorites).
I cannot believe I have yet to go to the Thomas Haas cafe. I love the many chocolate bars they produce (I have almost tried them all) and these photos bring me back to a few happy mornings in Europe. I think I need to go sit and have a cappuccino and a croissant (okay and a piece of cake!) very soon.

DOLPHINS, FROM ITALY

2010-08-04T10:28:00.002-06:00

Good morning! It's still morning, right? The lovely Elizabeth will be traveling the next few days with RB, making their way to their new lives in Montreal. I can't wait to see photos of the new apartment when it's all set up and get a visual for the neighbourhood. Their new neighbour happens to be a good friend of mine, so I hope he has some time to show them any secret spots they don't already know about. In the meantime, here are some Italian dolphins, from while I was in Genova. You can see more ocean-life shots (and some photos of the beautiful harbour) at anemone, honey.

UNFORSEEN FIND

2010-07-30T23:50:00.002-06:00

In a desperate attempt to make sure we have enough room in the U-Haul for, oh, I dunno, our bed? R and I re-opened all the boxes of books we'd already packed to re-evaluate the "book situation." Because no one but no one needs to drive 11 boxes of books across the country, seriously.

Anyway, as I was packing up the 'donate' pile i took another look at this copy of John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath and realized that it's an original 1939 edition. Which, as R looked up, would be worth $4500 with its dust cover (don't get too excited, we don't have the dust cover). So, yeah, we made room for it in the 'keep' box.

Eat your heart out, Mary.

A DAY AT THE RACES

2010-07-29T01:54:00.000-06:00

Surprise! I couldn't go more than two days without posting. Silly me for thinking I could do otherwise.

Last night Laurel and I went to the horse races at Northlands. Every horse I bet on lost. Weirdly I "won" with every pick I didn't spend money on, go figure. And so goes gambling, I suppose.

Laurel and I both enjoyed the fantastic beasts much more than the races themselves and maybe left wishing that we'd just gone for a horseride through the rivervalley instead. Nevertheless, a delightful time.

Afterward I convinced Laurel to take a ride on the tilt-a-whirl ( my very favourite!) and to try her first ever corndog. Success all round.

What a wonderful date with a most delicious friend.

A GOOD TIME FOR A NAP

2010-07-28T13:28:00.001-06:00

I think this room was made special for me. I generally feel that the more white in decor, the better, but I love the warm gold tones with the dusty purple in this bedroom, it feels so peaceful. That mix of colour gives a nice warm in the winter, cool in the summer feel too. Oh and there's a giant M, for Mary.

Image found on Lynne's blog, tea for joy.

A LOVE OF CHERRIES

2010-07-28T07:37:00.000-06:00

I can honestly say that I bought these cherries simply because I thought the leaves attached were so pretty. I certainly did not need any more cherries, still I ate all of these the day I got them and have since gone out to buy even more. Vancouver is positively gorgeous right now and I am stocking my fridge full of fruit (and my pantry full of coffee and popcorn) for when mine and Elizabeth's mother comes out to visit me here on the coast. She and her husband will be here in a few hours -- I can't wait! (I hope they brought their walking shoes!)

HECTIC

2010-07-27T13:28:00.002-06:00

Between packing for the move, trying to see everyone I love, going away parties, band parties, retirement parties and keeping on top of my demanding temporary alcoholism schedule, I'm pooped. Not to mention the promise of horse races, fancy restaurants, the best summer festival in Edmonton and more fun fun fun! than any sane person should be able to handle in a week. Needless to say, you can expect a sharp decrease in posts by me starting.............................now!

In the meantime enjoy this pretty little flower from Mom's garden. See you soon.

THE OLD PAWS BETWEEN THE LEGS TRICK

2010-07-23T07:18:00.001-06:00

It's been almost two weeks since we posted a cat photo, so here you go.

MIDSUMMER AT MOM'S

2010-07-22T08:45:00.002-06:00

If Mom's garden seemed lush way back in June, July finds it positively luxurious. A heavenly green mess of ambrosial scents, hues, shapes and textures. Like a painting. Like an ancient family quilt.

Mary's so lucky she's inherited this spectacular green thumb.

THE BIRDS AND THE BEES

2010-07-21T21:42:00.003-06:00

There is a small ledge behind Raymond's second floor studio which, besides holding a large A/C unit for the storefront below, has become home to a family of pigeons. For the longest time R & I couldn't figure out what attracted the pigeons to this particular spot, then one day we startled Papa bird who revealed two little pigeon eggs beneath him.

Mama and Papa took turns watching over their makeshift nest and finally two little pigeon babies were born late last week. I'll need to take more photos next time I have my camera at the studio.

NUTSA MODEBADZE

2010-07-20T10:48:00.002-06:00

These Nutsa Modebadze bags from Russia have been making the rounds on the old internets lately and I, for one, am hooked. If only I could figure out where to buy them.

Their austere simplicity, supple materials and disheveled elegance render them ideal for someone like me who cherishes simple, supple, disheveled and elegant.

See more here and let me know if you can figure out where I can get my hands on one.

UP FOR GRABS

2010-07-19T14:16:00.004-06:00

Our yard sale went fabulously thanks to everyone who came by. We had a blast and I think Raymond has discovered a new calling. The only item we still need to find a home for is our 6' x 6' Ikea 'Expedit' bookshelf. You probably know the one, 25 small squares within a large square frame. We just bought it a year or so ago and it's still in perfect condition, you can see more about it here.

We're asking $100 but are open to negotiation - oh, and we'll deliver it to you too.

If you're interested please leave a comment or email me, hrhliz@hotmail.com.

BEAT THE HEAT, PART TWO

2010-07-17T07:43:00.000-06:00

May I suggest after heading down to the yard sale that you make yourself a tomato, bocconcini, and basil salad and that you also make a spinach, snow pea, cucumber and mixed bean sprouts salad and then that you cover them both in oil and vinegar and lemon juice and then that you enjoy them together?

F*CK ART, LET'S FART!

2010-07-15T16:28:00.000-06:00

I absolutely hate selling art. Either I love something I've made and find it really hard to part with or I hate something I've made and find it really embarrassing to part with. Anyhoodle, I can't keep it all so I'm selling what I have at very discounted prices.

And some of it I'll simply destroy and pretend it never existed at all.

Drawing blocks. $10 each, though I'd probably cut ya a deal.

Five little collages on masonite from a million years ago. 10 bucks a piece.

Soft limb painting. I'm open to offers.....

Little limb drawings. I still kindof love these so I'm going to ask $20 each and if they don't sell, yay me, I'll just keep 'em.

Embroidered eyes and stuffed tears. What the hell was I even making in art school? Anyway, an eye and a tear for $5, maybe?

Miscellaneous soft-sculpture paintings. Again, make me an offer.

TECHNICALLY IT'S A YARD SALE

2010-07-15T13:44:00.004-06:00

Sally stitch and I have been through a lot together, she's witnessed me at my sartorial best and worst and, throughout, has remained a loyal & supportive friend. Unfortunately we just don't have room for her anymore. Hopefully she'll find someone new to love. -SOLD-

I still love this pretty little clock that I bought in Montreal 4 years ago but the time has come for it to find a new wall to hang on. I'll even throw in a fresh battery. $10.

I've had this mini set of drawers since I moved away from home 13 (!) years ago. It's perfect for holding all of your miscellaneous junk. I'll think of a price later.

THE STATE OF OUR LIVING ROOM

2010-07-15T11:24:00.003-06:00

This Saturday and Sunday is our garage sale where we get rid of EVERYTHING!!! Ok, not everything, but all this stuff and more and more and more. We've sectioned off a tiny corner of the living room to actually live in, otherwise it's a war zone (the cat loves it.)

I'll post some photos of gems we're parting with throughout today and tomorrow. The sale is at our house, 7625-115 st, Saturday and Sunday between 10-5. Stop on by and tell all your buddies too!

DECADENCE

2010-07-14T07:09:00.000-06:00

Over the top! R and I were gifted brunch for two at the Hotel Macdonald when we were married nearly three years ago but, somehow, could never find time to visit before now. We finally made it out this past Sunday and, of course, the whole experience was simply divine. I can never eat a ton of food in one sitting so buffets kindof don't make sense for me but the buffet brunch that the Hotel Mac puts on is such an experience that it's totally worth the insane price tag. The selection of food is amazing, a beautiful feast for the eyes as well as the tongue, and the empire ballroom and outdoor terrace & gardens make you feel like you're on vacation in some magical wonderland. Obviously, I could get used to Sunday brunches like this (in case anyone anywhere is taking note.)

Assorted muffins, danishes, pastries and croissants

Pate and terrine

Numerous different salads and dressings

Gravlax smoked salmon with capers

Mussels with tomato, peppers and basil

Cheese!!!

Cold cuts

Briney delights

Self explanatory

Other items included roasted potatoes, eggs florentine, roasted vegetables, bison stew, sweet chicken chili, poached salmon in an orange ginger cream sauce, peel and eat shrimp, a made-to-your-specs omelette station, fruit and vegetable platters, a make-your-own crepe station, peach parfait, apple and wheatgrass smoothies......the list goes on.

My first plate: Broccoli cream soup, gravlax, salmon roulade, smoked whitefish (which was so yummy), seafood salad, mussels and spicy salami.

My second plate: Crispy bacon and sasauge, eggs benedict, caramelized banana french toast with brie and spring greens with raspberry dressing.

R's second plate: 7-grain risotto, baked penne pasta, spinach with blue cheese dressing and crackers & cheese.

For dessert R had a slice of pecan flan and an insanely soft, chocolately, mocha cake concoction. They both looked amazing (everything did) but I was pretty full and decided to go for watermelon, walnuts, cheese, shrimp and a nanaimo bar. They kindof look weird all together on one plate but whatever, they tasted amazing. Oh, did I mention that brunch included bottomless mimosas?

I am so going back for more, cost be damned. Perhaps at Christmas, anyone interested??

PUTTING THE POET LAUREATE TO BED

2010-07-13T16:39:00.000-06:00

A 10-part photographic essay about a beloved friend.

It was a good weekend.

BEACH BABIES

2010-07-13T09:33:00.005-06:00

I'm almost done putting up my Barcelona photos over on anemone (and then it's on to Italy!) I only recently realized how long it has taken me to display all my trip photos -- what can I say? It's just so nice outside, it's a real pity to sit on the computer after 9am.

STREET PARTY STRATHCONA STYLE

2010-07-13T07:39:00.003-06:00

SOSfest ended with a bang in the form of a huge Strathcona street party between 103 and 104 streets along Whyte avenue. Shout Out Out Out Out played the last set of the evening and had the crowd smiling and dancing and elated that things like this can happen in Edmonton. I certainly left feeling high on life.

Then some of us decided to keep the party going after the rest of the crowd dispersed. Shenanigans ensued (what else?)

BEAT THE HEAT

2010-07-12T06:38:00.000-06:00

Make an avocado smoothie, eat fresh blueberries and spend some quality time with the cat on the balcony.

SECRET SHOWS + SHENANIGANS

2010-07-11T10:29:00.003-06:00

After Women wrapped up their set at the Empress on Friday night there was a secret show under the Mckernan/Belgravia LRT station. It was one of those slightly enchanted, spontaneous events that no one seems to plan or know about, but everyone you love magically materializes for. The cops eventually shut it down (it was three thirty in the morning after all) but it was pretty sweet while it lasted.

The human mic stand:

SUNSHINE GIRL

2010-07-10T11:02:00.000-06:00

THE END OF THE WORLD, AGAIN

2010-07-09T13:47:00.003-06:00

Last time I visited the end of the world was in the Fall, just as the river was beginning to freeze up and all the trees were bare. Contrarily, today was a mess of lush greenery and beating sun.

Some new graffiti has appeared, some disappeared and the hole in the chainlink fence has been repaired. Otherwise it's gloriously the same and remains the perfect secret spot for an illegal picnic.

CHARMED LIFE

2010-07-08T12:15:00.004-06:00

Today R and I are beginning to tear our house apart in an attempt to get organized for the yard sale we'll be having (more on that later) and, of course, our move (which is in less than a month now, yikes!)

He's currently out getting boxes and so I'm listening to Rush and slacking off, what else?

I think I've found a new too-cute-to-be-true obsession in the work of Elsa Mora, an amazing papercutter and doll maker living in the United States. Some examples of her work:

{all images from here and here}

Had I met Elsita when I was 11 I think she would have been my soulmate.

Ok, back to work.....

ISLAND WATERS

2010-07-06T07:06:00.000-06:00

The quiet waters of Chemainus, BC on a Saturday afternoon.
This is where the ferries head out to Thetis Island and Kuper Island.

Red sky at night, sailor's delight -- on the ferry ride home from Vancouver Island.

THE STORM AND AFTER

2010-07-05T20:31:00.004-06:00

A tiny, intense Alberta storm. Five rough minutes of drenching rain and hammering hail before endless peaceful sunshine.

BLUEBERRY NIGHTS

2010-07-04T12:00:00.006-06:00

Blueberries at the market! I was so excited that I bought a whole flat.

I wasn't good for much this weekend. I haven't been sleeping very well as I wait for my ears to heal and the pillow to become comfortable once again. Just to make matters worse I developed one of those bizarre pains in my neck and shoulder that means I can't turn my head to the left. Like, at all. Bike riding has become rather dangerous. (Perhaps I shouldn't sleep on the floor at the studio amongst Garrett's drum set anymore - thanks for nothing Canada Day.) To top it all off I cut the hell out of my palm yesterday morning while slicing the last of the Montreal bagels. Now I'm sporting a huge gauze bandage across my wrist which makes me look as though I've just been released from suicide watch at Alberta hospital. What does this mean?

Anyway, to make myself feel a little more like a whole person I made spaghetti alle vongole last night for dinner and finished with this delicious blueberry crumble.

I was planning to eat this vanilla custard I made alongside the finished dessert but, impetuously, spread it over the bottom crust instead. I'm just WACKY that way!

It was yummy: sugar, flour, butter, berries, lemon and vanilla - how could you go wrong?

BACK ALLEY GARDENS

2010-07-01T09:47:00.003-06:00

Snapped some photos of back alley gardens in the neighborhood while taking a break from work yesterday. I love their pop of colour and perfume against the hard, hot concrete.

Oh, and Happy Canada day everyone. Go enjoy the sunshine.

TRUTH

2010-06-30T06:55:00.000-06:00

The sun sets into my room every night.

WHAT I DID MONDAY

2010-06-29T07:19:00.000-06:00

First step towards total earlobe domination, two brand spanking new holes (in each ear!)

Also visited the dentist for the first time in six years, who knew flossing everyday could add seven years to your life? It was self-punishment-for-a-good-cause day.

OUT WITH THE OLD

2010-06-27T16:51:00.006-06:00

This recent trip to Montreal, for any who might not already know, wasn't just another vacation (though it seems I've been doing a lot of that lately). This time RB and I flew out of Edmonton with a purpose: to look for and find an apartment in Montreal. Because, you see, we're moving out east. Like, in a month.

Of course leaving Edmonton will be hard, all my friends and family and memories live here. Nevertheless, I'm excited about the move and what it means for us. Being in a new city feels invigorating, it gives me a chance to re-invent myself and take a hard look at my life, at the baggage I've been carrying, at who I am and how I can be better. It gives me an excuse for adventure and discovery and to push & challenge myself like I don't feel I do much of in Edmonton these days.

On a more superficial level it forces me to downsize and get rid of all this stuff I've been carrying around for years. To cleanse myself of junk and then re-fill my home, piece by piece, with lasting things that i love. No more ikea quick-fixes or half-functional hand-me-downs. A (mostly) clean slate.

Of course just to torture myself before the move, I did stop by the antique mall this weekend with an eye to furnishing our new home. You know, just as space and money become precious.

Surely we could find room in our U-haul for one or both of these Bertoia chairs? Admittedly these are pricey suckers but, c'mon, they're modern classics!

And what of this wild boar's head from Pennsylvania? Beautiful in it's disgusting glory. Guess how far RB would let me get into the house with this gem? Yeah, not very.

Who doesn't need an antique planetarium orrery? I mean, this is useful stuff.

Likewise this Boss-themed jukebox.

Ok, I don't really want or need a Boss-themed jukebox, but I thought a certain someone might appreciate it.

MARCHE JEAN-TALON

2010-06-27T16:00:00.005-06:00

While visiting Montreal last week RB and I stayed at our friend Jeff's house, just a few blocks away from the wonderful Jean-Talon outdoor market. The Marche Jean-Talon is a paradise of fresh, local foods: seasonal fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, live lobster, maple syrup, sugar pie, flowers, herbs and plants, ice cream, olives, nuts and savory middle eastern pastries. Stalls selling fresh wares are set up outside and surrounded by small specialty fruit shops, fromageries, Mexican taquerias, bakeries, fishmongers and Romanian butchers. Guess who was in heaven?

For under $10 we made a delicious dinner of sauteed baby potatoes, grilled asparagus with fresh garlic, homemade basil pesto, and a sweet salad of baby greens. Oh, and I bought a just-baked sugar maple pie which we then decimated in short order. Yummy, yummy Montreal.

TO GENEVIEVE'S HOUSE WE GO

2010-06-24T09:17:00.003-06:00

I'm in Montreal right now, visiting friends and taking care of some business. Tuesday night RB and I visited Genevieve and Jon and Pipi at their new apartment in NDG. I love their place, it's big and bright and open and sure to be conducive to all manner of creativity. I (for one) had a lot of fun and I think Raymond reveled in his new role as Pipi's godfather.

Here kitty kitty.....

We ended up staying the night and dragged our butts home early the next morning after waking to glorious sunshine and less-than-glorious rush-hour traffic.

Hopefully we can see Jon and Genevieve again today to celebrate St Jean Baptiste Day!

SARAH WINWARD

2010-06-23T07:08:00.000-06:00

This funeral spray by the Salt Lake City designer Sarah Winward is amazing. So inspiring and nice to see. I love how fluid and natural it is. The flower choices are so clever and inventive and I love the colours of it all. Very glad to have found this talented floral designer.
Thanks to Chelsea of {Frolic!} for the great find.

I CAN CALL YOU BETTY

2010-06-22T23:27:00.003-06:00

Elizabeth and I have very similar tastes in a lot of things. I especially know that in the matter of Paul Simon I can speak for both of us (just look at Elizabeth's profile photo) and proclaim his brilliance. I've been listening to our Graceland LP over and over all week. I've been going on and on to anyone who will listen about all the monumental aspects of this unique album. Just watch these two performances from his '87 concert in South Africa. (Then go to YouTube and watch all the other videos from that concert)
Would I be right to imagine that this album only further fueled (if not stimulated in the first place) your obsessions with Africa, Elizabeth?

I'm currently practicing my Paul Simon dance moves for a co-worker's birthday party on Thursday -- it's going to be amazing. Hand gestures!

TO DAD

2010-06-20T08:24:00.000-06:00

Have a great day, we love you.
xo
Mary & Elizabeth.

LADURÉE

2010-06-16T10:53:00.002-06:00

I should show you some of the things I bought for myself while we were in Europe, but here are the little thank-yous I got for my co-workers. World famous Ladurée macarons. Of course since I was in Paris at the beginning of the trip, I waited and actually bought them from Harrods in London (same thing!) It was such a beautiful, feminine cafe -- I had to go back and buy some for myself too.

The flavours I had for myself were: lily of the valley (not shown in this one, but they were a very light green colour), chocolate, rose, coffee, orange blossom, and of course, pistachio. I would like some more s'il vous plaît.

MAKE IT WORK

2010-06-15T16:02:00.002-06:00

The past few weeks have been a real struggle. Not only have I been spending an excessive amount of time by myself, but I'm right in the midst of drafting my Spring 2011 collection and it's been killing me. The same problems I always encounter with a new collection are still prevalent - straying too far from my original concept, trying to find small sample quantities of notions etc. without having to plunk down a ton of cash for many more than I need, over-thinking everything & not trusting my instincts, the overwhelming fear of cutting sample fabric before I'm really ready to, the overwhelming fear of spending money, trying to make too many things, losing focus......

This time has been extra hard what with R out of town and Genevieve, my ever-trusted critic, having moved recently to Montreal. It really has been a lonely, slogging immersion in the creative process which, I've realized, is not entirely healthy for me. People often ask me how the collection is coming along and I catch myself thinking "goddamn you, how dare you even deign to ask when you know I'm in the plodding depths of creative despair?" Of course this rivals my other favorite thought which is "goddamn you, how dare you not even bother to ask when you know I'm in the plodding depths of creative despair?" Feelings are confusing.

R finally got home on the weekend and I'm starting to feel better about things. Even keeping a regular schedule again helps. Monday I had a great day of drafting and I'm beginning to feel like a collection is finally emerging from this creative no man's land I've been swimming in for weeks. So I say.

My Patterns are always such a mess when I'm through with them. Of course some people don't care, they'll sleep on anything:

MAL-A-GA

2010-06-14T09:54:00.002-06:00

Malaga photos are going up this week! Alacazba today and botanical gardens to follow -- over at anemone, honey.

STREETCAR

2010-06-10T07:09:00.000-06:00

Edmonton's finest form of transit -- and cheap too!

SPRINGTIME AT MOM'S

2010-06-09T09:44:00.003-06:00

My mother's backyard this past weekend was more lush than than you could imagine, given the prairie weather. It was so nice to go home and see everyone. I love wandering around back there and letting her show me all her growing seedlings and changing landscapes.

They have been eating fresh spinach and lettuce for the last two months thanks to their new home-made cold frames! Quite the feat when you consider it was still snowing infrequently up until a couple weeks ago.

All the many construction projects of the back yard are finally almost complete, which means this year they get to just sit back and watch it all grow.

DISTANT LANDS

2010-06-08T08:38:00.003-06:00

I put the first of my Morocco photos up on anemone, honey. Go check them out!
-Mary

SUNDAY SUPPER

2010-06-07T13:44:00.002-06:00

I was going to go to my Mom's house for dinner Sunday but decided to stay home and cook instead. I had some left-over caviar from pizza I made earlier in the week so, obviously, I threw myself a blini party.

I love food that you get to assemble as you go. Perhaps later this week I'll throw myself a tamaki party.

FAMILY TIME

2010-06-06T11:14:00.007-06:00

Saturday was our Nana and Poppa's 60th wedding anniversary. We drove out to Camrose for a BBQ celebration with friends and family and enjoyed a laughter-filled afternoon in the prairie sunshine. It was the perfect day for a party.

I love the story of Red and Fran's romance. He, a young veterinary student in Guleph, she the college receptionist. They got married the day he graduated and honeymooned on the way back to his family's Alberta farm (running out of money and subsisting off of oranges along the way, so I've heard.) I know too little of their story, I wish I had it all written here in front of me. Poppa still tells of the first time he saw her and how she was the sweetest thing he'd ever seen. He knew that he was going to marry her someday. I've talked with my mom recently and often about the very exquisite and obvious love these two shared (and share), Poppa coming home from work tired and dirty, Nana cooking away in the kitchen for a large family and various drop-in friends; he would still always pull her away, sit her down on his lap like a girl and kiss and hold her, openly cherish her like a first love. To me they are the example of marital bliss - best friends, clever communicators, sublime sparring partners and always, delightfully, affectionate.

Mary came to town for the event and I got a deliciously rare chance to hang out with her and our brother Patrick at the same time. Funny how in this context I regress once again into a sly bully, Patrick becomes my clever henchman and then Mary shoots us both down with her confidence and wit. Dammit, she never was good at giving in.

The sibs:

P. Huddy wearing my sunglasses over his glasses. Charmed.

The fam.

UNDERCOVER

2010-06-01T07:06:00.003-06:00

Okay so we don't make the best private eyes.
Liz and I had to catch some of the many law enforcement officers we saw in Europe. I only wish we had captured more photos for you, but I didn't want to risk getting yelled at by a cop -- or in the case of the Spanish (bottom photo) I didn't want to get too many dinner invites.

P.s. The Paris cops were seriously bad ass.

Update!

I'm going to hijack Mary's post to add this photo of the cop at the Eiffel Tour. He soooo knows I'm taking his picture despite my attempt to be discreet.

FARMERS MARKET SEASON!

2010-05-31T09:57:00.002-06:00

The seasonal Vancouver Farmers Markets are officially up and running. My co-worker picked up these beauties for me at the East Van location, by Trout Lake, on Saturday. I think I'll send the bf to the first day of the Main Street location on Wednesday after work as well.

FAVA FLAVOUR

2010-05-28T07:04:00.001-06:00

I was feeling inspired by two things last night: fava beans and tuna. Knowing me, this led to far too many ideas and flavours all being thrown together, but I think it worked out all right in the end.

The easiest way to eat fresh fava beans requires the most work. You need to remove the beans from their pods and then blanch them. Once this is done, you can remove the fava beans from their tough outer shells, or if you like you can leave them on... it's not going to kill you. The beans can be eaten raw or cooked up any way you can imagine.

Beautiful albacore tuna loin.

I decided to create a crust on top of my tuna steaks, that I let sit and marinate into the tuna for a couple hours before cooking.

I ground together: sesame oil, tahini, pine nuts, cashews, sesame seeds, salt, pepper, basil, ginger, and juniper berries. The juniper berries can have a strong flavour if you're not used to it, but it worked really well with the tuna and the other flavours.

Before and after.

I had put the fava beans in with the potatoes for the last few minutes to cook a little. Then I tossed both together with a lemon, dijon, asiago, basil, chive, and olive oil dressing. Topped it off with toasted pine nuts and sesame seeds.

I threw the tuna into a very hot oven once the potatoes were done. After a couple minutes I switched to the broiler. I wanted the tuna to have a nice brown crust on top, but didn't want to over cook the fish.

You should make this.

AT THE ZOO

2010-05-27T08:56:00.001-06:00

"Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo / I do believe it, I do believe it's true"

Seeing Elizabeth off in Barcelona was both emotional and exhilarating. I was suddenly completely off the grid; completely anonymous and independent. Immediately after saying goodbye to Liz I needed to book my train ticket for Carcassonne, France -- surely the French rail strike would not still be dragging on, right?

Turns out the French like to strike.

Okay so I'm stranded in Barcelona and all my exit options are expiring as quickly as I can find them. What to do? Get the hell out of the party hostel, book a gorgeous hotel room (with a bit of luck and homeless wandering around the city) start making plans for an extended stay and go to the zoo.

General zoo controversy aside, the Barcelona zoo was quite nice; many of the areas were well set up for the species they housed and others were in the process of expansion. It was a chilly day and most of the animals were up and about. I was able to wander around for hours, not having to butcher Spanish for anyone. Yes, I suppose there is some irony to be found with me using my brand new freedom to visit animals in enclosures - but I was able to forget my travel worries and have a nice calm and quiet day. Just me and the animals.

WHO RAISED THIS CAT ANYWAY?

2010-05-26T17:25:00.002-06:00

Cleo's new favorite place to sleep. Hey, when you wanna nest, you wanna nest - who am I to judge?

WANNA KEEP MY PLACE IN THE OLD WORLD

2010-05-25T14:47:00.006-06:00

What is it about Russian flavours that just slay me lately? That tangy sour, wholesome sweet and briny salt are all that I crave. Heaven would be a fully stocked caviar bar - oh, that I were so lucky!

I started a new aquafit class this morning and was absolutely starving when it was done. I've made a promise to behave myself while R is out of town and treat my body well (that means wine breakfasts are out) so I decided to make a Kasha and Summer Bean salad for lunch. Delicious roasted beets and blanched green beans mixed with kasha, sunflower seeds and an aromatic lemon dill vinaigrette. I topped it off with a hard boiled egg but might eat the leftovers tomorrow with a little feta. Food food food food food food food food food. It's called a one track mind.

Oh, ps. The ladies of aquafit? Universally awesome. I have, like, seven new best friends and three lunch invitations despite the fact they all have 50 years on me. I'm like their pet.

OOPS I CUT IT AGAIN

2010-05-21T21:32:00.004-06:00

There are things in life I have trouble committing to: exercise regimes, for one, certain foods such as mushrooms and offal - both forever gross. Primarily though, I have issues with my hair. I just can't commit for long.

I cut my bangs in San Francisco (after months of saying I wasn't going to) and promptly dyed it very dark again when I got home.

Ho hum, at least I'm consistent in my inconsistency.

WHERE'S MARY?

2010-05-21T07:12:00.001-06:00

Have you wondered where Mary's been for the past few weeks? Well, she returned home safely from her trip and I'm sure has been eager to post about it. Unfortunately Ruby threw up on her laptop so she's been without a computer for two weeks. Oh cats.

Let's hope she can get a new computer soon!

In the meantime, here's pretty Cleo to tide you over who (perfectly timed, of course) threw up on my bed just last night. She's lucky she's so cute.

PICNIC KINDA PARTY

2010-05-20T13:47:00.003-06:00

Tuesday was so beautiful, the temperature was above 30, the wind was light and the sun was shining. RB and I took advantage of the lovely weather by going for a picnic in the park. Fun fun fun. I can't wait till real summer is upon us and every day feels like this one did.

SAN FRAN MOTLEY CREW

2010-05-19T10:47:00.003-06:00

I was really bad about taking photos on our trip to San Francisco. Although we did numerous amazing things, saw some great shows and ate non-stop, I seem to have no record of that part of the trip. I do, however, have many photos of fish (live ones).....

It was a really nice vacation and so good for RB and I to get away together. San Francisco is a beautiful city, totally foodie spoiled and full of endless attractions. We really enjoyed our time and made some great new friends too.

Here's my motley assembly of San Fran photos.

Raymond ordered the biggest dosa I've ever seen at Udupi Palace. This man is crazy and I love him.

The only photo I took at Alcatraz. Nice work Hudson.

And now home again.

INTERNATIONAL ORANGE

2010-05-18T12:02:00.000-06:00