Perks of Work

New Friends! This is Janis. She is simply lovely. We headed over to Fort Langley (which just might be the cutest little area in these parts) for a walk and a coffee, and of course, antiquing.



I bossed Janis into getting quality kitchen utensiles. I did not recommend the pinecone.



For Natasha, who was recently burgled.

31 on 31

As a child, I loved having my birthday on Halloween. I mean, who wouldn't love everyone dressing up and all that candy. At home there was even more excitement: my mom would transform our front entry for the trick-or-treaters, and my dad would dress up to hand out the candy. One of my favourites was when my dad was a lion (picture wizard of oz type) and my mom turned the entry into a jungle. Yep, birthdays of my youth were wonderful.  As an adult, however, I was always glad to work at a school that didn't focus on Halloween. I'm not one of those people that love dressing up. You've got to own it to really carry it off, and I never really wanted to own it. However, Halloween is a pretty big deal at my new school, and as an elementary teacher, I kinda had to dress up. Also, as a neewbie, I didn't want to come off as lame. So here's Miss Universe. Thanks to Erin who Express Posted the sash. "What I'd like most is world peace, and helping old people...on boats."

Anniversary Weekend (a.k.a. the only time I blog is when we go to the states)

Joel and I decided to get away for our first anniversary. Best decision ever. On the advice of Scott and Miriam, we traveled to Port Townsend; a quaint American port town. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for the perfect weekend getaway. 

Ferry ride! I love traveling on ferries when it's daylight (at night you just can't see anything and such a waste of a ride). We traveled 25 minutes across Puget Sound to Port Townsend.

Our quiet and small hotel (just 4 rooms) was off main street, walking distance from everything. Its entrance was hidden between two shops. Joel found it online and they emailed all the information and key codes. It was different to check into a hotel when you're the only ones there.

A local chatted to us as we unloaded and gave us some suggestions for dinner. Later we tried to get into an Italian restaurant, but it was full. From across the street the same local waved us over to a French bistro. He helped us to a table, gave us some of his appetizers. It was kinda hilarious and mostly great.  Later we walked around town. We came across an old stadium where a Friday night football game was being played. There were cheerleaders and an actual band. They only took cash so we couldn't get in.

We spent Saturday exploring the town and the countryside. We started with fresh pastries, tea, and a lovely walk in the rain to the farmer's market. So romantic, I know.

After we wandered to the Carnegie library, then checked out the beautiful buildings and antique shops. Seriously, the town was out-of-control cute. We tried to figure out how we could move there.

The sun broke out in the afternoon, and while on a drive we found a little beach and a path into the forest. 

That evening we went to the sweetest French movie called "The Hedgehog". It was in an old theatre, and reminded me of the first time I saw "Amelie" at the Princess theatre in Edmonton. I think I was sitting with my hands clasped in front of me with happiness (Anne of Green Gables style) the whole time.

As we left the theatre to get pizza, we came across this:

I guess he had to eat, too. (That's a pigeon under his claws)

Before we left Sunday morning we made time to eat brunch at the French bistro. The food was the dream of my life. Dream. Of. My. Life.

On the drive home we took our time. We stopped at Deception Pass and perhaps went to Target. 

Year One

Pretty sure I'm a better person because of him. 

A Bit Tired and Then Some

No exciting adventures to report on this week.  Been too busy avoiding a mental breakdown. Ha! In the words of my dear friend Vicki, it was a "no" week.  Perseverance sure is a nice idea. The reality of it bites. Thank goodness for weekends.

Weekend Getaways and Other Things

One of the things we love about where we live: Target. The first Sunday I had "free" Joel and I went to Bellingham. Right now I really appreciate that I have to cross the border to get there. It makes it exotic. When it opens in Canada I probably won't be as excited to go. But for now it's a dream. Mostly for its thrilling and different products that Joel and I often think Americans are crazy to eat, but then eat ourselves.

I still think Joel is crazy to eat Jack in the Box, but then again I eat Taco Time.

Since coming to B.C. Joel and I have been very fortunate to already know and be able to spend time with quality people. Chris Lauber, an usher at our wedding, (we love Chris) was in Vancouver recently for work. The wonderful Jeremy Zimmerman took us to a great restaurant called Burgoo. It had 7 soups on the menu. I was sold. If you are ever in Vancouver, eat soup there. It also helps to go with lovely people.

This past weekend Joel and took a sweet (although short) trip to see our friend Natasha. I very much needed it. You should have seen me dancing in the kitchen Thursday evening when I realized I had planning all done up to Monday. Although we did watch ridiculous things on the internet, I only have pictures of the fun things we did outside and around town.

1. Walking Pencil in Edmond's Farmer's Market. For my family, it's where that pizza place is that was featured on Eat Street. Tash had a piece and it was delicious.

2. Checking out thrift stores. The best find were the green glasses below. My Grandmother had a whole set of them and I remember drinking milk out of them. Over the years her collection shrank due to clumsy hands and a few years ago she gave me the four she had left. And I found 4 for a mere song in Edmonds! So exciting. Joel and Tash also went with me to several pawn shops to help me with a project I'm starting. I learned to be aggressive with prices, Tash learned that pawn shops can be great places to buy things, and Joel already knew everything.

 3. Peeking at the ocean whenever we wanted was so refreshing. Joel and Tash are two people very dear to me, and being with them is so easy. I want to repeat this weekend getaway soon.

Pretty Light

Towards the end of a rather draining first week at school, Joel suggested we go for a bike ride in what he calls the "pretty light". Joel found a bike and helmut for me on Craigslist, and I was game to try it out.

It is rather pretty, no? We followed a dyke road from Ladner to Tsawassen. It was nothing but farmer fields and oceans on both sides. 

My legs are dying today, but so worth it. Even worth the ride back on the pitch black roads, praying cars didn't hit us. Next time we'll wear reflectors.