Your Cute for the Day

I'll be the big spoon, you can be the little spoon

Upward facing Panda

How cute! They are so cute I just can't stand it. I wanna eat thier little faces and paws.  Omnomnomnom...

[picture credits]

Eating Life

Albert Adrià’s falling chocolate trunk filled with frozen chocolate powder, on a forest floor of lime-and-mint yogurt, with almond praline, puffed quinoa, and green-pistachio streusel [via]

amazing. Too beautiful to eat. Too stunning not too.

Wine

I love this photo that a fellow blogger took while on a trip to Paris.

an over-flowing wine bottle recycling bin.

As Megan said "...overflowing with what were sure to be happy memories." 

[Hat Tip to Bon Bon Rose Girls]

Little Green Frog

Oh-AH went the little green frog one day and we all went Oh-oh-AHHHHH

Fishy Days are a Head

"I'd be surprised if this didn't confuse you"

~Brian Dumbledore



If I were an artist and this were my showing I wouldn't know what to tell you about this picture. It took me 2 minutes to create in Microsoft Paint and the caption doesn't mean anything to me. Actually, I don't even think it makes sense.

I might try and sell it to you for $5 (size) 8x10 but more than likly I'd give it to you for free because I know you. If you work downtown I might even courier it to you and you might not even know it.

I like the look of the orange, blue and green. The green thing is a fish head. I can see it, can you?

Okay, enough of a break. Time to get back to work.

(I think my combo of love and spring fever had finally gotten the best of me)

I Always Forget that Paint is my Friend

sometimes I get distracted at work and I go and play in Paint

Christmas with Steve

DYI: Steve Style

I once had a roommate named Steve, he was fantastic and I was sad the day he moved out. Sure, his furniture wasn't my style and he never ate the food I cooked. But we were good friends and those were good times.

Our first Christmas together was interesting. He asked me if I wanted a Christmas Tree and I said No. What's the point? We have nothing and we weren't allowed real ones in the condo (fire hazard) and I just didn't think we had room to store a fake one. Plus, we had to buy ornaments and there was a big computer desk taking up the whole front room. I just wasn't in to it.

One day (maybe a Sunday??), I was playing one of my computer games (which, I must add I had been playing for the whole day) and Steve came home. I noticed him walk in the door, I said "Hi" and just kept playing. He had bags of stuff, I think he had gone to Zellers and bought a bunch of cereal for the Mustard Seed (Steve had a charity at the time called Zombie Squad and he would do all kinds of wonderful, good karma things). I remember Steve moving about and doing stuff but that was about all I noticed until about 4 hours later when I lifted my eyes from the computer screen and noticed...

A Christmas tree had been set up and decorated in the front room. The same room that I was in playing my computer game. It's not that I couldn't see, of course I could see. I was just really into my game. I yelped at Steve but I guess he had also left for the night (This is why I need to be careful with how much computer game playing I do, I could loose a whole weekend and not even notice). Upon further inspection I noticed that it had been decorated with those little Winnie the Pooh cellphone charms that you get from the dispensers that are always sitting at the doorways of any department store. The star was Kane's mask from one of Steve's WWE toys. Or maybe it was Demolition's.. I don't remember because I use to change all their clothes around so it's all one big cross dressing mess in my mind now. I think there may have even have been a set of ear phones draped across the tree as garland.

CORRECTION: They were Ear Plugs and he also put a Count bookmark on the tree. But that was a the year after. See picture. One was never taken from the first year.

It was funny and so tacky but I loved that he did that even though I said "No Christmas Tree". A few days later when I was working on wrapping my Christmas Presents (it's an all day event that includes a glue gun and all kinds of bits) and took what I had left over and decorated the tree properly. Leaving the Winnie the Pooh ornaments in place I added colored balls, glittery stars and beaded garland making it actually look like a Christmas tree.

We put all our presents around it (Steve went to Kelowna for Christmas, I went to my parents) and I made sure my Menorah was close by (yes, I light one every year- and it's not because I am Jewish). The following year was much the same. I came home from work one day to find that fake Christmas tree set up in the front room in all it's delight (see picture) letting me know that Steve wanted to set up Christmas. I'd take it all apart and decorate it my way and start putting presents under.

This year I didn't bother with a tree, I made Steve take the tree with him when he left and I have all the Winnie the Pooh cell phone charms handing on my wall at work. I'll do the tree thing later, when I have a place that I am sharing with someone. Maybe it will be a mini tree or a real tree or a fake tree or one I have made out of hangyballs from the ceiling. Doesn't matter. The whole thing makes me laugh and is a fond memory in the back of my mind and I don't know WHY I am talking about this now, in April with Christmas no where in sight.

Confession: I Found a Horcrux

True Story. Don't tell Voldermort.

One horcux found in accessory department at Forever 21.

[photo credit: Laura Barrett and her iPhone]

Doing Life In A Dress

There are 2 things in life that have never stopped me:

High Heels

and

Dresses

I can do it all in high heels and a dress- sometimes I choose to sometimes I don't but never in my life has it ever stopped me from doing the things I want to do.

That's me at the bottom embarking on my great wall climbing adventure.

King or errr... Queen of the world. I made it to the top and repelled my way to the bottom.

like this- whee! Look at those dirty feet... only acceptable at Folk Fest.

This was a free standing wall to climb in the family center of the Folk Fest. I spent about an hour playing with bubbles and than was asked if I wanted to climb the wall. At first I thought it was only for kids but they told me no- so I did it. I had a great time! I've always been a little monkey so climbing this was like second nature to me. I was wearing my bikini bottoms under my dress so I was good to go and did not pull a Britney.

So that's a taste of what I can do in a dress, you should see my climb rocks in heals.

Photo Credit to Laura B.

I Am A Rig Pig

Joanne (left), myself (middle) and Edith (right). Grabbing ropes and getting dirty.

So, anyone who knows me knows that I have been ridiculously busy since June. Summer has been flying by and I've been having the time of my life. Even with long hours at the office and lack of involvement in some aspects of my life- it's been worth it.

I did a little traveling around to some (sorry to say this) ugly places of Alberta- though Alberta is looking pretty good with all the rain we've been getting. Everything is actually lush and green. It's stunning! The times that I needed nice weather I got it and as for all the hiking I do, I don't mind a little rain.

Last night I had my first Funk Fusion Dance Class- it was excellent. I swear I am the worst dancer in the class but I also think I had the most fun. I sweated it up with a bunch of strangers who became friends by the end of  1 1/2 hours. I'm looking forward with massive amounts of excitement to next weeks class. Today, I'm not as stiff as I thought I would be. I didn't stretch as much as I should have after class- we went so long that we didn't get time for a good group stretch. I just did some yoga when I got home.

I have another busy month ahead of me leading into September when I start schooling at the University of Calgary. Eek. I need to find some time to take holidays soon. Otherwise I'll end up with the whole month of December off which would be nice but unfair to the rest of the people in my group.

Lots of stuff happening which is good... there are also some changes in my personal life which have been coming up over the last few months. I hope that it continues to happen and that other things take heed and join the change train.

Anyway, it's Friday and I have to start going through my stuff and preparing for a garage sale in 2 weeks which will be hosted at my parents place. My objective is to get rid of as much as I can. Not that I have a lot of stuff but there is some clutter around that I don't need and someone else might love. I'm going to try and apply the 6 month rule.

Edith and I - fitting right in with our high heels and long hair. It's what all the riggers wear.

Wild Flowers: Early Spring in Alberta

It happens in the spring when the green starts to pop through the snow and life started to come the the hills of south western Alberta. Every weekend I'd wander out and take pictures as color started to grow. My goal was to take as many pictures of difference species of wild flowers and identify them (geeky, I know but I don't care).

I can't decided if I want to do a whole big post or identify each flower individually. I guess I will start with the 3 early blooms of spring and see where that takes me.

The Prairie Crocus

As soon as the snow melts these are the first blooms you will see. A sure sign that spring is finally on the way. Large mauve flowers with bright yellow centers are always a welcome site because they tend to decorate the undisturbed land with much appreciated color. There is a legend about how the Prairie Crocus got its fur from the Blackfoot First Nations Tribe. The poisonous properties of the prairie crocus were used to advantage by First Nations Peoples. A poultice made from the plant was used as a counter-irritant to treat rheumatism or other muscular pains. Prairie crocus was also used to stop nosebleeds and draw out infection in cuts and boils. First Peoples knew the plant was dangerous if taken internally. The blooms open during the day and close at night.

**

Bearberry or Kinnikinnick

Another welcomed sign of green come from the easy to find Bearberry of Kinnikinnick. The tiny little soft pink bell shaped blooms usually arrive between May and June. Eventually they turn into little red berries which bears love (hence the name BearBerry). The berries stay on the branches almost year round and are loaded with carbohydrates which is vital to the survival of many animals in the forest. The name Kinnikinnick means "mixture" in Algonkian languages and is used to refer to any of several plants mixed with tobacco as extenders. Dry, ground leaves of bearberry were mixed with the reddish bark of red-osier dogwood and smoked as a tobacco substitute by First Nations People. The leaves were mixed with commercial tobacco once tobacco became available. Although the berries are too dry to eat alone, several northwest First Nations tribes mixed them with fat or boiled them in soups.

**

Golden Bean or Buffalo Bean

Generally this flower is called a Golden Bean but I grew up calling it Buffalo Bean. The name 'buffalo bean' shows us the First Nations Peoples' knowledge of phenology. They used its flowering time to indicate that buffalo bulls were ready for the spring hunt. Though a member of the pea family Golden bean contains poisonous alkaloids that may cause children to become very ill and is suspected of causing death in livestock. You can look but don't eat! Blooms arrive in May and last through June. An early blooming plant, with the dandelion it helps to keep fields and sunny slopes of roads and cut-banks predominantly yellow until buttercups and other flowers take over in June.

**

So, these are the heads of color we see first thing when air starts to turn warm, the days get a little longer and the country side starts it great thaw. As I post these pictures it is the middle of summer and they are bland compared to the jewels that are currently peppering the mountain and the hills. But at the time that the pictures were taken they seemed fresh and exciting in amongst the dull dry earth.

Information borrowed from Plant Watch Alberta

If you are viewing this on Facebook becasue it feeds into it from my Blogger Account you may not be able to see the flowers. You will have to click on Original Post.

Urban Hike

A few months ago I went for a walk in my neighbourhood.

These are some of the things I found.

Walking Canvases

back alley art

Inner City Elegance- apparently.

Spring brings color

$2700.00 damage deposit needed to live here- on top of rent.

Looking Up

Feather on the wall

Meet Chaarlee

My mum said she wasn't going to do it but she did. She brought home a puppy after a trip to see her favorite breeder in the United States. My parents haven't had a puppy in the house for 8 years so they kind of forgot what it's like. Lucky for them, Chaarlee (Yes, Charlie but spelt Chaarlee.) is a doll even though he is built like a tank and tough like one too.

Yes, my ear is a little green.

It's from my tattoo, I'm hard core that way.

This stick is my biggest achievement yet!

With their wild enthusiasm and value for the small things in life, puppies have the ability to put a smile on almost any face. There is a lot that people can learn from animals most importantly the capability to enjoy the simple things in life and acceptance. Vital to any happy existence- I think.

Take a break from your life today and go hug a puppy!

Calgary In Spring

I haven't been posting much recently mostly because the city is in full bloom and I can't get enough of being outside. Here are some pictures I took last week of an area just outside of downtown Calgary called Kensington. Now that I look at them a lot more has come to life, most of the trees in my area have a full dressing of leaves. The air is so deliciously fragrant with blossoms and fresh sap.

Who wouldn't want to live in a little character house #732?

My BFF's 3 legged cat, Tripod.

Down the back lane

I'm not sure what these little faces are but they are everywhere

This one looks like Chewie from Starwars

I'm not sure if this if function or fashion. It all goes so well together

Longer sunlight nights are a delight

Who wants a white picket fence when they can have a periwinkle blue one

This house is adorable

It even comes with a bike on the peak of the roof.

and a Gargoyle tree out front

These little guys have a watchful eye. They even get dressed up in Santa Hats over Christmas.

 

Hello Spring, so lovely to have you join us. It's been too long since I've seen you- hope you stay a while!

What does spring look like in your neighbourhood?

Though The Learning Camera Lense

I'm a lucky girl and got a new digital SLR for my Birthday/Christmas. It's been important for me to learn to use it so I take it just about everywhere with me (well, just about any adventure). I don't really know what the heck I am doing but I'm enjoying it. Especially on the off chance that I actually catch a good picture. I would like to share a few of my pictures over the last few months with you. Mostly they are of the area west of Calgary- towards the mountains.

Sunset from Nose Hill in Calgary

Grey Jay or Whisky Jack

The only time you will catch me getting this close to a Wasp nest.

Laura and her oldest dog, Kuma

Kuma watching the sun go down

Sun fading out behind the Rockey Mountains

Calgary's foggy winter amounted to a lot of frost on the trees. This is the Elbow River near my place.

Frozen wonderland

Sun set from the Highway 22X

First sign of regrowth after the winter: Kinnikinnick

Buffalo Bean wildflower- usually the second to show it's pretty little flowers after the Crocus

New green leaves on the Aspens- just burst open this week.

Wild Crocus- the first flower of spring

I went off the regular path into a more secluded area- Looking up into the trees I notice a giant nest that seems to be that of a Hawk or Eagle. It looked a bit old so I didn't think much of it till I saw this "little" (I was a ways away from it) head poke out. Mama Great Grey Owl looking after her nest. Such a special site, a first for me.

That's the end- for now....