SUNSHINE GIRL

THE END OF THE WORLD, AGAIN

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

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

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

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

BLUEBERRY NIGHTS

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

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.