Bowen Island

UBC Botanical Gardens

That 70's Apartment

I found this post waiting in draft mode and thought it deserved to be posted.  My friend Janey took on the challenge of buying a piece of real estate in Vancouver then had it gutted and renovated.  She did most of the gutting herself but before she could remove all aspects of history, I snapped a few mementos of her flat.  Plus the added bonus of little Georgia only a few months old, how could I not post it?  It seems so long ago and is a reminder of how much time has gone by.  

Southlands Heritage Farm

Just when I think I know my city, I find my self in a tucked away corner that I've never been before.   Our friends invited us out to the Southlands Heritage Farm for a barbecue and to watch her do some equestrian training.  It felt like we couldn't be further away from the city, yet we never left the city limits.

Granville Island Marina

 We hung out at the marina a few days ago while we waited for our posy to come back from their sea-dooing trip.  We had a great time exploring the nautical happenings.

Sometimes when I take a photo, I don't realize how much I'm inspired by it until I see it on my computer screen.  I love the blue and grey tones in the photo of Banyan.  Lately I've been finding inspiration in these colours along with many different shades of white and the look of naturally weathered wood. 

Third Beach

  

We finally made it to the beach with our swim suits on!  Despite the fact that summer is pretty much over and school starts next week.  We soaked up some sun and rolled around in the sand.  It would have been the perfect day at the beach except a few minor details.  

I lost my pair of sunglasses that I have been wearing for the past eight years.  I had them tucked safely in the top of my shirt while I washed Banyan off.  I didn't notice my sunglasses drop silently into the water and I didn't notice the current slowly drifting them away.  Now they are probably headed towards the great garbage patch in the middle of the pacific ocean.  I felt like I was leaving a piece of myself at the beach as I packed up my gear and headed home. 

When I got back to the van, I did notice a parking ticket stuck to my windshield. The violation officer apparently gave me a ticket while I was paying for parking and I paid for two hours!  It's not cheap to park at Third Beach.

Feeling slightly frustrated, I still had a great time.  

Banyan and I made sand mounds for the tide to come through and we played soccer on the beach.  He was hilarious running through the waves singing 'pop goes the weasel' completely oblivious to his audience. 

Even little Georgia enjoyed her self, sporting a little sundress and funky sunglasses.

Sunday Picnic

We all went out for a Sunday picnic last week to enjoy the (finally arrived) summer weather.

It was kind of a last minute plan and we really didn't have much in the way of delicious picnic food to bring.  But I did whip up a refreshing elderflower and mint drink to take with us.  

um, can we say gross?

Code!

 Before Little B was in preschool, I use to take him everywhere: art galleries, swimming, museums, parks, the beach!.... now most of my time is spent driving to and from preschool.  One of my most memorable gallery outings was Code 1 Live during the 2010 Cultural Olympiad in Vancouver.  Sadly I can't remember the artist or the name of the interactive light installation but the experience is still vivid in my mind.  Banyan could't get enough of it, I could hardly keep up with him!

Japanese Tea Time

Even though little B is my made in China baby, he has developed a strong palette for Japanese cuisine.  His favourite things to eat consist of miso soup, soba noodle salad and onigiri.  Sometimes I send him to preschool with onigiri triangles and seaweed and he happily puts them together at snack time.  When we go out to eat, he orders an avocado roll, edamame, agadashi tofu, AND his new favourite thing, the single nigiri of salmon eggs.  We have to watch him like a hawk though because he will drink straight from the soy sauce bottle when we're not looking.  

One day we came across a small tea shop near Granville Island that I wish I could remember the name of because it was a beautifully authentic Japanese tea shop.   I have to admit, I became obsessed with the whole tea drinking experience while wandering alone in Kyoto, so I was excited to find this place.  We decided it was a good time to take a break from location scouting and have a nice hot bowl of miso soup and a Japanese sweet.

  I had to include this photo because I love little B's expression.  It makes me smile every time I see it.

Totemo ouishi!