Duck Daze

With is being a balmy +7 outside, Joel and I decided there was no better way to spend the day than with ducks at the Riffel Bird Sanctuary. Joel and I had never been west of Ladner and it was beautiful. After a quick stop for some local honey, then a short trip behind the turnip truck, and we arrived.

Scott and Miriam thoughtfully brought along bird seed. Well, at least the ducks thought it was thoughtful. I was pretty sure if any of us tripped, we'd have ducks all over us. I might have been ridiculously happy here. I love birds. LOVE them.

 These guys were a little scary. These herons could literally peck your eye out. Note the gloves Scott wore to feed them. Those beaks spear fish. And fingers if you're not careful.

The trails were gorgeous and full of Joel's "nice light". I think I'd like to go running here if I didn't have to worry about stepping on ducks (and if I actually was a runner).

I'm pretty sure the best part of the day was picking up 2 ducks. Hey, if you saw their little round bodies waddling, you'd do it too.

He's One of a Kind

Whenever doppelganger profile pictures circulate around facebook, I pretend that it’s totally lame and tell myself I’m too cool for that. But really, I am envious of all those people who look like someone famous. I have no idea why I am envious. I mean, what’s to gain from it? And yet I AM envious and try to scan my brain for famous people I resemble, but no one comes to mind. Then I marry someone who looks like so many people. So to get my fill of celebrity resemblances, here’s my tribute to Joel: the man of a many doppelgangers!

To start it off, here’s the original. Isn’t he cute?

And now onto the look-a-likes. I think the first is my favourite. Perhaps it's what I think Joel looked like when he was younger. Skandar Keynes from the Narnia series.

This next one depends on the picture. This is Lukas Haas. Back in the day he was in the Harrison Ford movie "The Witness". We'll pretend that I'm Drew Barrymore.

Brett McKenzie. Need I say more?

I'll be honest that when I first saw this next one, I totally thought for a minute it was Joel and he has a secret hobby. Charles Hamelin, Canadian speed skater.

The Prince of Egypt. Hahahahahaha.














Can you think of any I'm missing?

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.