Under the grape vines ...

We had so much under these now bare grape vines. Late night drinks with friends, a magical night with all the candles lit. Family barbecues, shucking peas and beans and  lovely cool shade from the burning sun. 

Til next year!

Sista party

I got to 50 first but my sisters are following ... this time it's Liz's turn. Hard to believe she is now 50 and it was time to celebrate. Julie flew in from Kelowna. Iolanda and I took the bus and ferry to Victoria and Alessia skyped from Australia.

Celebrating birthdays together is now a tradition. Some way or another we try our hardest to get together for sure, once every year, but if the stars, the moons and planets are aligned just right, twice.

Every year we have a great time together with a continuing theme, food and drink. Usually my sister Liz does most of the cooking, afterall, she is the most fabulous cook. Nothing scares her, she will tackle almost any ingredient and cooking method, and she will also come up with some super drinks, again she finds all sorts of  unique spirits and liquers. Did you know there is such a thing as grapefruit liquer and did you know it makes a special glass of sparkling wine extra special? Well Liz knows! She also makes sure that a bottle of champagne is chilling at all times. This gal is full of life and joie de vivre and always ready to pop the cork to celebrate ...

So what to do for this very special sis on her very big birthday? Well we couldn't very well make her cook could we? We decided to all go out for dinner to a French bistro, the Bon Rouge, believe it or not this was the first time in history that we have gone out to eat for dinner. Dinner was fabulous, the restaurant is beautiful and we had a grand time. Could this be a new tradition? Only time will tell.

From left to right, Liz, Julie and Iolanda

Next up will be Julie, she still has a few years before she reaches 50, wonder what we will do? Whatever we decide to do we will have many sista parties between now and then to discuss in great detail what we will eat and drink ... hope you are ready Liz! You have lots of cooking ahead of you. Love you all sisters.

It's cherry time ...

This year the cherries hang in bunches like grapes, so many in our backyard tree. We picked a large bucket without the need of a ladder.  Eat one - pick one, eat one - pick one ... easy picking for now.  I'll now pit the  cherries and then use them at the diner for pies, jam and compote, should be good!

Crafting up a new doll ....

I've been loving the Waldorf doll look and have made a few over the last few months. This little gal started with a really cute face but I ran out of material for the body ... her first little body was way to big for the head

Cut a new body out, in a different material, but ugh it was ugly!  Anyway I could not throw that little face out and yet I was tired of seeing it on my craft table. I managed to finish the doll, she is out of my craft room and I'm happy about that.

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Powell River Garden Tour

The Powell River garden tour is an annual event that I try not too miss. Yesterday some friends and I had the pleasure of seeing, walking and enjoying some lovely gardens. I thought I would take many more pictures but I only took this one! I fell in love with this flower .... which is a shame because I have no idea what it is!

Do you know what this is?

Bear necessities ...

I'm really late with these pictures that I took of a bear in my backyard helping himself to apples ...this happened last fall but yikes I need to post something!

Another late spring...

Well this year's spring is just a little better than last, it seems to be a little drier, just a tad but it's still really cold! We are into May and I still have tulips. Lilacs which are usually ready for Mother's day will likely not show up in time....

But even with less than stellar conditions nature always has something to show ...