Halloween

On the eve of Halloween, I have crafted my costume (a "serial killer" (cereal killer)), and carved (markered) two tiny pumpkins, fondly known as Little Boo and Baby Boo. Little Boo came to us from "Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm" where we went about a month ago to pick apples. Baby Boo was adopted just days ago, on our visit to Granville Island.


I think we will actually carve Little Boo tomorrow night ... I suspect Baby Boo is just to tiny to safely manipulate a knife.
Mich and I have a bet as to how many seeds are within Little Boo. She threw out a guess of 3, likely more as a joke. I ofcourse took the bet as a challenge, and am going to say 17 (lastnight I said 50, earlier today I said 20, but I will hold at 17). I will even attempt to roast said seeds (I have not endeavoured to do this before). I must admit, though, it will be hard to carve him when he has such a cute face. Oh the guilt, the slaughter.

arrrrr

Lastnight we went to a Pirate-themed Halloween party until the wee hours of the morning. Lots of pirate music and pirate costumes, lots of gold and miscellaneous loot, lots of food, lots of wine and pirate punch.
I've got a pirate-sized hangover today.
(that's big)

arrrrrrrr

Top Five Things about my Saturday

1) Riding the little ferry over to Granville Island
2) Visit to J.J.Bean for Americano, and trip to La Baguette & L'Echalote for fresh-from-oven croissants
3) Miscellaneous stationary purchases at Paper Ya, featuring 4 journals and several hand-made Christmas cards
4) Shopping at the market, and purchase of tiny pumpkin (a.k.a. Little Boo) to decorate and put outside door
5) Romantic dinner for two at the Banana Leaf

Final Comments:
* I *love* the new Imogen Heap CD and Delerium CD.
** Have been trying to use the Elliptical machine at the Fitness Ctr at school. Feel awkward and lumpy as I move about on it. Also, sweating like a banshee. Can't do very long. Think I may have pulled something.
*** Found out I share the same birthday as Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa) - who I adore. Must remember to send a birthday card.

Wishful Thinking...

My motto (in general) is "Life is Good".
As good as it is, I do occassionally find myself engaging in a little wishful thinking. Below are some of the various things I think wishfully about...

Wishful Thinking #1 - the house
I walk by this house every day. It isn't huge. But I love it. Now the price - yikes. These are Vancouver prices - notably higher than the price you'd find for the same home in a nice neighborhood in London, Ontario.

Whishful Thinking #2 - the car
Mine would be yellow (fitting, I think).

Whisful Thinking #3 - the scooter
This model can be 'sooped up to go faster than traditional scooters. Can also ride with 2 ppl. Goodtimes.

Wishful Thinking #4 - the B&B
I like cabin #12 (Jacob's Creek cabin)

Wishful Thinking #5 - true love
Just kidding - I've got that one already!

Fall atlast...

A busy week, with most of the excitement coming by way of a trip to the island to attend a conference. While I could see a trend towards the more hip, nouveau-chic librarians, there was still a good representation of the old-school hair-in-a-bun classic librarian. I enjoyed the luxury of the Sidney Travelodge, and the complimentary continental breakfast. Obviously I am easily impressed.
And today, a glorious fall day... started with coffee, continued with some shopping, a long walk to Stanley Park to pick up some artwork from a local artist, and now home.

Life is good.

Weekend of the Turkey

M & I spent last weekend with her cousin, aunt, and uncle, enjoying a little R & R at a cabin outside of Hope, BC. It was quite the weekend, and seemed to follow a general schedule:

* wake-up
* eat
* read
* eat
* nap
* walk or read
* eat
* walk, read, or TV
* sleep

It was incredible. Truly relaxing. Food, drink, naps. Curling up by the fire with books, magazines, the paper... white wine, red wine, beer... coffee and fresh-from-the-oven pull-apart cinnamon rolls... turkey with all the fixin's... walking on a gorgeous sunny fall day, in a valley surrounded by mountains...
and have you notice that fall (the season) has a smell? Crisp and cool, leaves on the ground, the scent of smoke from the chimneys of most cabins...
I wore my new blue Gap hoodie, which was very well suited to the sunny but cool weather.
I have photodocumented the trip, which can be seen at my flickr site.

The week since has been crazy busy, highlighted with me consuming excess amounts of Cold FX (everyone around here is sickly), stressing over my upcoming cataloging assignment, and madly trying to finish Saturday (Ian McEwen). Thoughts about the book: long. I think I am used to reading a book that is more fast paced. The whole novel takes place in one day (Saturday), and while I did enjoy the beginning and the end (it got really exciting near the end), the middle spent many pages describing things like his squash game, and was just too long-winded and slow.
Next book up: Unless - Carol Shields.

Decaf Non-Fat Caramel Macchiato...

mmmm.

Generally speaking, I don't really like Starbucks coffee.
I find it to be the crap coffee of the coffee world, but because it is so mainstream, people flock to it. Usually, if given the opportunity, I will endulge myself with a coffee from a place called Melriches, located nearby on Davie St.
They make *the* finest Americano I know - strong coffee flavour - with depth to it - and without any bitterness.
Melriches was a common hang out for me in the summer, when I would roll myself out of bed, throw on some clothes and a hat, and trudge up Davie with a book in hand.
It is a relaxed, laid-back coffee shop in the heart of Vancouver's West End. It feels cozy inside, but they have lots of seating, some booths, and local art on the walls. I like to go with a good book, grab an Americano, and nestle into a booth where I can take turns reading and people watching. The Americano gets served with the hot water on the side, so you can add as much or as little as you want... and you can check for yourself to make sure they have poured an espresso shot with good crema.

Now having ranted about the delicious taste sensation that is the Melriches Americano, I bring myself to the reason of my post.
The Starbucks Caramel Macchiato.
That is a weakness for me, if I have to get Starbucks that is. Tonight I have purchased such a drink, and am happily licking off the caramel-topped foam.
I am supposed to be focusing on doing my latest Dewey assignment.
But that is another post waiting to happen... the one where I tell you the exciting life of cataloging and working in a library...