Another rainy gray day on the south coast.... Marcello the Bunny did something so funny last night. I opened the dishwasher and he hopped on. Maybe he thought he was going for a ride somewhere. He is so hilarious!

Marcello is a very chill rabbit - I can vacuum right up to him and he doesn't move. But the other day (while he was lounging on the back deck) Lorenzo whistled for the boys to come home. Marcello completely lost it - he tore into the kitchen at breakneck speed, spinning and skidding on the hardwood floor, ran into the living room, stamped his feet, ran around the couch and stamped his feet, and this went on for about two minutes. He was so angry! I guess the human whistle pushed him over the edge.

Therefore, when he chose the dishwasher door as his new perch, how could I say no? 
Look at that face! 

It's been a long time since I last wrote. I'll have to re-cap two separate trips to the cottage. 

On April 26th, Lorenzo & I took the U-Haul over, loaded up with all our cottage furnishings - beds, mattresses, night stands, lamps, appliances, pictures, mirrors, dishes, etc. 

The place was rather a mess...

All I remember of that trip was working non-stop until about 11pm for two nights. We didn't watch a movie, or play Scrabble, or do anything enjoyable. It was just work - assembling beds, hauling in the mattresses, cleaning, etc. I washed the hardwood floors, put clean linens on the beds, washed windows, etc. 

Lorenzo put the big happy knobs on the cabinets...

..and they look really nice....

He installed the dining room light...

and installed the kitchen shelves...

I'm not exactly pleased with the shelves. The bottom shelf should always be parallel to the bottom of any adjacent cabinet. It has to be balanced. In this kitchen, they had to be placed too high on the wall for my liking due to an electrical outlet. Oh well...

We carried in the washer and dryer but Lorenzo couldn't install the washer because one of the connecting hoses had a slight leak. So many jobs went this way - what should have been straight-forward would turn into a huge fiasco. And we forgot to bring the rails for the top bunk, so that didn't get done either.

On the second (last) day, we loaded up the truck with all the tools we no longer need...

Lots of sorting through boxes of wires, gadgets, and miscellaneous crap...

I covered up the ugly leather couches with fleece blankets and pillows from Ikea. They don't look half bad now...

And then we staggered home. We showed up around noon and everyone was sleeping. Our three kids were not exactly perfect angels while we were gone - even though we had a family member stay here. We were not impressed at all. My house needed vacuuming. The bunny-box hadn't been emptied. The stove was sticky. Loads of laundry were piled up in the basement waiting for my attention. I was just drained - and very ticked off. When I was their age, my parents would have returned to a house that gleamed. Why is this? Better trained? Or was it fear? In any case, we decided that they'd have to come with us on the next trip.

This occurred on Friday. We pulled the kids out of school, packed up the dog, the rabbit, bags of food, and a bunch of other stuff, and took the 10am ferry. When we arrived, it began to pour rain. The kids unloaded the truck at breakneck speed and once it was all in the cottage, I made a pot of coffee and brought out the scones we'd picked up at the bakery....Our first family meal in the renovated cottage. My daughter hadn't seen anything since we'd purchased it two years ago and she just ran around exclaiming - she was just thrilled with everything.

The next few days were spent assembling the top-bunk of the bunkbed which entailed three trips to the hardware store, installing the kitchen lights, mowing the lawn, putting up hooks, etc. Lorenzo is still recovering from hernia surgery and wasn't supposed to be doing any heavy lifting, so I had to haul his heavy tool bag around. I'd say, "Step aside, weak man!" I installed the mirrors for the closet doors by myself and it was kind of nice not being interfered with. He was impressed, which made me feel useful.

My cousin and his wife were there also, and one day he scooped up the boys and took them crabbing on his boat. We also had a lovely dinner at their house on Saturday night - roast beef, prawns, corn on the cob, baked potatoes...what a feast. Afterward, we sat around the fire playing guitars and chatting. What else...? The kids walked down the road to my aunt & uncle's who said the kids were welcome to use their pool table which turned out to be a god-send. I guess our cottage is boring. No pool table, no ocean view, just two parents who never stop working, it seems. It was nice to make a big bacon & egg breakfast in my kitchen, though. 

The weather wasn't very good - drizzly rain with periodic sunny patches - but it was still nice to be there. I can't get over the bird-song. I'd just sit on the porch and listen....

We got the boys to haul the old stinky couch off the porch and throw it into the pile of stuff to be carted away...My younger son didn't want his picture taken. Oh well!

Keep going, boys...

My daughter brought her guitar case (see above) but forgot to add her guitar. I swear, I have to think of everything. The sun came out just in time for a nice dinner at the Springwater....this is my younger son. He ate two entire entrees....

Here's my weak husband - the one who made me do all the heavy lifting...

On the last day, my cousin's wife and I went to the Fernhill Centre which has two very nice stores. There used to be a great little restaurant called the Wild Fennel but it closed down last year, unfortunately. They made the best peanut-butter pie you've ever tasted. And buffalo burgers! We were really sad when they closed the doors...

The Tree Frog is a clothing store which sells beautiful things made from organic cotton and bamboo. Sweaters, tops, dresses, leggings; apparel for both men and women. Organic soaps and homemade candles, interesting jewelry and scarves, carved wood boxes, etc. Everything is gorgeous, but we didn't buy anything. This store smells so good - of lavender and cedarwood and other lovely things. You walk in and you just feel happy.

Next store to this is the Envisions Gallery which sells locally made pottery, crafts, glass-works, etc. Beautiful things - I bought a fish to hang on the wall. This is probably my favourite gallery - it is even more impressive than galleries on the mainland...

Then all of us met up for lunch. That was the only leisure on the entire trip!


I took a few pictures but I don't want to post them yet. It was hard to set up good shots with four people around, the dog, the rabbit, and hoodies and shoes lying all over the place. We've worked so hard for two years and I want the final pictures to do it justice. And there's a few more little things that need to get done.

The plan was to stay on Mayne Island until Monday evening, but our three annoying teenagers acted as though they were being condemned to a sensory-deprivation chamber. It was really, really, annoying. So we changed our ferry reservation and returned on Sunday night instead. Lorenzo and I were right choked about it, but there is no joy in dragging three complaining kids around. On the whole, they were good - I can't complain, really. They just wanted to be with their friends doing the things that teenagers do. It's a tough age....for us.

On Monday, which was Victoria Day, I did a ton of laundry, washed the hardwood floors, cleaned and cleaned....I was so tired I felt like I was going to crack into a million pieces. Right now, I am under the weather. Sore throat, aching bones. My left wrist, which was just starting to heal, is in pain again. I'd like to sleep for three days straight. I have never been a morning person, but on Mayne Island I wake up practically at the crack of dawn, wide awake. It's pretty incredible for someone like me. But as soon as I'm back in the city, I never feel truly rested. I slept really well at the cottage - no bad dreams - just a deep, restful sleep every night. I can't wait to go back, just for that reason alone.

So, that's it. This weekend, Lorenzo and I have a long list of things to do around here. I might get started on some painting and I have an antique sewing machine I've been meaning to refinish. It never ends...  Owning two homes is a lot of work; I don't think I really imagined how tiring this would be. At least we've crossed the finish line - it feels good.

Ciao for now.

The U-Haul truck has been loaded and so has our truck - we're taking two vehicles to Mayne Island.  If we run out of time and everything isn't done, I'll stay on by myself.
I spent the day wrapping up some art work to bring over, cleaning the basement (which is empty, practically) and packing up last minute stuff. It's hard to believe that we're actually moving into our cottage....

The night after my last entry, our younger son woke us up in the middle of the night. It has been so long since any of our kids have woken us up that I was totally confused for a moment. He said he was in pain - he was holding his ear and he started pacing the living room. Luckily, I still had some pain-killers from when I had my dental surgery. I gave him one, filled his ear with olive oil again, and he passed out. I told him I'd be taking him to the clinic when it opens at 8-am. I couldn't get back to sleep after that; I was almost waiting for his ear to burst which happened when he was about 8 years old. The next day I had a headache so severe I could hardly function - I think everyone is under the weather right now.

The next day my son insisted on going to school. I was really ticked off about this. He came home looking awful so I took him in and the doctor said he has a bad ear infection. All this week he's had soccer tryouts and refused to miss any of them; he's a trooper. My daughter isn't well either - coughing, sore throat, runny nose.  But she goes to school regardless. My oldest son, however, is fit as a fiddle. Glowing with health. But somehow he couldn't manage to get out of bed this morning; at 10-am he sauntered into the kitchen and gave me a heart attack. I'm losing patience with this boy. The other night he was still up at 1:30 in the morning, sitting on the basement couch listening to music. Living with three teenagers is really trying....I am worried about leaving them when they aren't well. I think Lorenzo will come home as soon as the heavy lifting is done and the lights are installed. I can do the rest on my own. 

Someone once said that having children means that your heart exists on the outside of your body. It is so true. They are always, always in your thoughts - you're never truly free of it and I don't think it matters how old they are. If Lorenzo is here, I feel fine about leaving - but when it's both of us leaving, I have real anxiety. Mayne Island is a long way away - an ocean separates us which is kind of disturbing.

Anyway, my older son is deeply offended that his cousin is coming to stay while we're gone. He thinks he's a model of exemplary behaviour. Reliable and trustworthy. I'll believe that when he gets himself to school on time....


Well, that's it for now. 

        Boys washing the dishes. Mayne Island - 2009

Last Thursday, I packed my things to head to the cottage. The plan was to leave Friday morning and spend the weekend scouring the floors & windows and getting everything sparkly clean. In my basket I had the requisite three jugs of Vancouver water, tea, old rags, and my favourite cleaning potion...

I love this stuff - I use it on hardwood floors, painted wood, leather, etc. It's lovely smelling too - and environmentally friendly, apparently.

Anyway, Friday morning came and went and somehow I was still here. Postponed my departure for the evening but when the rains came pounding down I didn't want to leave the cozy sanctuary of my home. Set my alarm for Saturday morning. Slept in and talked myself into having a headache. More rain and wind - stood looking out the window and everything outside looked gray and bleak. Put the kettle on and considered my options. Wrist still felt a bit sore, maybe I should wait. Sunday became the new goal: I resolved to take the 11am ferry and get to work! Then Lorenzo casually mentioned that if I waited until Monday, the ferry costs would be much cheaper. Sounded good to me - poured another cup of tea and curled up with my book. By Sunday night it just seemed like a really dumb idea all around.

So we decided to bail on the whole thing, rent a trailer, and head over the following Friday. I'd spend this week getting things packed up and preparing the house for our absence. For some reason, I just couldn't face being there alone. And it didn't help that Lorenzo was talking about wolf spiders hiding in the wood stack outside....ready to pounce!

Yesterday I began making phone calls but unfortunately there were no trailers to be found. Not one. I guess it's end-of-the-month moving time for everyone. So we rented a truck, and we're picking it up tomorrow...

On Sunday, my daughter and I went to Sears and ordered a double mattress and two twin mattresses. And I discovered that Sears can ship to Mayne Island - the Home Hardware is an official Sears distribution centre. And then I saw these great couches on sale....

It has been about fourteen years since Lorenzo and I bought any new living-room furniture, so I felt entitled I guess. He liked them, so I put them on the charge card and arranged to have them shipped over with the mattresses...

They are soft, supple Natuzzi leather and on sale for 50% off until the end of June. I could just imagine how spectacular they'd look against the hardwood floors. A whole vision appeared before me: There we are - jazz music tinkling in the background, a glass of red wine, fire crackling in the stove, candles flickering on the mantle, and there - in the centre of it all - these gorgeous Natuzzi leather couches! A little dash of Italian design on Mayne Island! I enter the scene, wearing something silky and sophisticated - Lorenzo is composing something on the piano....

Woke up this morning and realized I'd been imagining someone else's life.

Who the hell puts white leather couches in a cottage? Suddenly I had visions of chasing my kids away from them, worrying about wood-smoke and finger prints; fretting over every tiny stain and wrinkle. Dog scratches and bunny fluff. Everyone is miserable and scared to sit down.

Gloom descended on my sparkling fantasy. Reality is, I have three kids and two pets and everything in my life is sticky.

With a sad heart, I called Sears and cancelled them. The cottage gets the hideous brown boat from the basement...it's wrinkly and lumpy....I hate it. It's like a big brown ghastly barge and there's rips and tears from when Sachie was a pup. I'll have to get very creative with this one...

Then I pondered over the fact that the mattresses I purchased wouldn't be arriving on Mayne until early June. I decided that I wanted the cottage to be set up by the time we leave on Sunday. Every bed made, every last little thing put in its place. The thought of leaving with yet more work to do in the future made me antsy. So I called Sears and cancelled the mattresses because I needed mattresses right now. When I get a bee in my bonnet, look out. But where to find mattresses at a moment's notice?

I remembered that the Salvation Army sells new mattresses. I called around, and the New Westminster location had what I needed. My son was horrified. He figured they'd be used....you know, bed-bug infested mattresses that someone dragged out of an East End crack house...

I explained to him that it's illegal for any company to sell used mattresses under the Health Canada Act. I called Lorenzo about my plan and he yelled, "I'm not buying used mattresses!" Veins bursting in his head.

Anyway, after he came home from work we hitched his little trailer onto the truck, headed into New West and bought three perfectly acceptable, brand new, pillow-top mattresses for a few hundred bucks. This is a very impressive thrift store - I saw all kinds of interesting things but we had to pick our son up from soccer...

I have to mention this: years ago, when Lorenzo first went into business for himself, he had to go to Edmonton. It was winter-time and the temperature there was minus-30. He didn't have a winter coat and we couldn't afford to buy one. So I went to the Salvation Army. I found a beautiful, Humphrey Bogart-type men's dress coat. Merino wool and cashmere, silk lining, triple-stitched pockets. Made in Italy. Price? $28.

My father trained to be a tailor in Italy. He examined the coat and said, "This would cost about two thousand dollars to have made right now." Lorenzo wasn't keen on wearing a used coat (because he's a snob) but it fit him beautifully - he looked so handsome in it, and he said he was warm as toast on his trip. Thrift stores are amazing - you never know what you'll find.

Today I sorted out linens, pillows, duvets and duvet covers, mattress protectors, etc. and put everything into labelled garbage bags.

So, tomorrow the truck will be here, and we'll be finally loading up a year's worth of clutter and Craigslist finds. Our basement is going to be empty! Yay! I've arranged for my niece to stay and police the teens while we're gone, everything is going to get done, and I'm really, really excited about this.

Around 10pm, my daughter mentioned that she isn't feeling well - her throat is sore. My younger son informed me that he can't hear out of his right ear. We already had this checked out a few weeks ago and the stupid doctor gave him nasal spray. Anyway, I filled his ear with warm olive oil and tomorrow I'm taking him up to the clinic. I can see it now: The trip to Mayne Island gets thwarted again.....

I'm reading such a riveting book right now...

I'm halfway through, and right now Ernest Shackleton's crew has been stranded in the antarctic for two years. Two years living on penguins and seal blubber, battling frost-bite and despair. I cannot fathom how anyone could ever sign up for something like this...it is mind-boggling to me. But what a great read this is. I'm an arm-chair adventurist.

I think this is the longest I've gone without a post. The reason is, there is no cottage news to deliver. It seems that all of the urgency has completely dissipated - it's pretty much done, so we've been enjoying a much-needed respite. Having Lorenzo home for the past several weekends has been so nice - and almost strange; I've been so used to him being gone that it seemed like we were on holidays. We could actually make plans and do things together. We've had friends over for dinner, gone grocery shopping together, watched tv, etc. in other words, all the things that normal people do.

And then our oldest son turned 16 two days ago, so there were preparations involved for that. It is really odd looking at this tall boy and having to accept the fact that he's only two years from legal adulthood. I cannot wrap my mind around it. Last week, he challenged me to a left-handed arm wrestle. (I'm left-handed, he is not). About six months ago, I flattened him with my left arm. In just six short months, he has grown about seven inches and gained super-human strength. Before I even had a chance to engage my arm, we heard a loud "crunch" - like someone crushing a small handful of potato chips. That was my left wrist. The days of frolicking with my boys are over - I always get hurt. I iced my wrist on and off in the days following but it is still not healed. My son felt terrible. So, it's official: I'm weaker and shorter than these two punks. Strange.... But now I never hesitate to get them to do stuff for me, so that's kind of nice. I'll just pretend that I'm too feeble to manage....sit on the couch eating bon-bons, cradling my injured wrist for the next ten years.

On Monday morning, Lorenzo left for the interior to visit all the customers he's been neglecting since the cottage reno began. I was worried that he'd encounter a blizzard somewhere, but so far the clear weather has held out. I had a lot of apprehension before he left. He was waking up at 4:30am so I left him a note, urging him to take the truck just in case. Instead, he took his hybrid and did not seem concerned. He'll be home on Thursday. 

The nice thing about him being gone is the ease with which dinner is approached. Yesterday, he missed glorious "Pancake Tuesday," which I know he doesn't mind as he's too Italian to understand the joys of eating breakfast for dinner. 

When we were first married he was actually appalled by the idea of bacon & eggs past 9-am. I remember accusing Lorenzo of being snob - and reminding him that if his ancestors had been on the Titanic, they'd have been in steerage. He fired back, "Oh, and your family were aristocrats!" I've never forgotten that - I laughed so hard. In any case, the kids love Pancake Tuesday as do their friends. Sometimes I've had to double the recipe - and I always use buttermilk which makes such a difference. The thing is, it is very tiring coming up with a new meal every single day. Pancake Tuesday is like my little vacation - one bowl, one pan, throw some fruit on the table and you're done...

What else....I am itching to get over to Mayne Island and might leave later in the week, I'm not sure. With my wrist being sore, I don't have the same strength. And I'd want to start bringing some smaller furniture over and all the boxes with odds & ends, etc. Also, the floors and windows need to be thoroughly cleaned. Didn't realize how much an injured wrist can slow you down. Maybe I should have it looked at....my hand is a bit numb and tingly which probably isn't a good thing.

*     *     *     *

I've been meaning to get a "No Soliciting" sign for my front door. Yesterday, the door-bell rang - dog went bonkers. It was two young men representing "Weed Man" offering to sign me up for a free consultation. They wanted my phone number. I told them that I'm not interested and then one of them said,"If they call, you don't have to sign up for anything but we'll still get our five-dollar commission. Can you help us out?" So I gave them my phone number. I have compassion for young people just trying to make a living but I don't support lawn pesticides.

An hour later, it was the Girl Guides selling cookies. There's nothing worse than being confronted with a cute tot on the porch with their hopeful parent standing in the background. I never have cash on me, so had to decline. But even if I did, I might have said no, because they contain palm oil. Palm oil is the cheapest oil on the planet and it's saturated. But worse, is that rain forests - which contain the planet's most bio-diverse ecosystems - are being mowed down to allow space for palm plantations. Palm oil is found in everything from soap to granola bars and it's bad - for us and for the planet. Therefore, I don't support Girl Guide cookies.

A few hours later, another knock on the door. By this time, I was getting ticked off. A woman holding a clip-board identified herself as a canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society. I told her that I do not support the Canadian Cancer Society. She blinked a few times and said, "May is cancer awareness month."  Think about this for a minute: can you think of a single person you know who hasn't had some experience with the disease? It's practically an epidemic.  It's like having "Rain Awareness Month" for Vancouverites. Imagine someone canvassing for "Cancer Oblivion Awareness." To raise awareness for people who are oblivious to cancer. 

In any case, this woman was not interested in knowing my reasons for declining support which was a relief, actually - discussing big pharma and the multi-billion dollar cancer machine with someone working for the agency is akin to discussing the possible non-existence of god with a Jehovah's Witness. Also, I'm tired of this "raising awareness" all the time. I am fully aware of cancer: it took my mum, several aunts and uncles, my husband's mum, my neighbour's son, and my best friend in grade four, just to name a few. I'm aware of cancer. 

Last month, two fellows from Iran were canvassing for the Red Cross. I told them I don't support the Red Cross. Man, I sound like such a cranky old bag. I support nothing! Bugger off! Anyway, the Red Cross has been under fire for financial mismanagement for years now. They received two billion dollars for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Where did it all go? People are still living in shacks with no running water. I just think it's always a bad thing when non-profits become bloated international bureaucracies; I'd rather donate to community food banks or local environmental groups. And I have to mention that it bothered me greatly when the Red Cross refused a one million dollar donation from the Dixie Chicks because they voiced their disapproval of the war in Iraq. 

So, I need a sign....

But I don't like the thought of sticking something this unattractive on my nice front door. This one is perfect: Who's going to doubt it?

*     *     *     *

BC is gearing up for another election and by all accounts, the Liberals are out and the NDP is in. I chose not to run in this election and my neighbourhood is being represented by a friend of mine in the Green Party. I wish her all the best. I've got to dig up my Green Party signs and get them to her asap. My main reason for not running this time is because Lorenzo is having hernia surgery on May 8th, and he'll need my support. He's not supposed to do any lifting or engage in anything strenuous for about six weeks; if I were gone all the time I know he'd end up injuring himself. I'd find him climbing a ladder or scurrying around with the leaf blower....chasing that one lone pine needle down the sidewalk...

Well, that's my boring blog for today!

Cranky Lady signs off....

My cottage-weary husband returned home on Thursday morning and went straight to his work to do up the payroll. Around 3pm he came through the door. I had a little surprise for him. We'd been talking about getting a small bistro table for our sundeck. For years we had admired cast-iron pedestal bases that we'd occasionally see in cafes but never in retail shops. I was scouring Craigslist on Tuesday night and saw exactly what I'd been looking for...

The guy was moving to San Francisco and was asking $120. I wasn't interested in the table top or the chairs - just the pedestal base. On-line, I have seen these sell for about $300. (US funds) not including shipping, handling, etc. I called him right away and the next afternoon I drove down to East Vancouver and we managed to squeeze it into my car. The table weighed a ton. Brought it home, lugged it onto the deck, and cleaned it thoroughly with dish soap and baking soda...

A few days prior, while waiting for my son to have his drum lesson, I walked into Micheal's Craft Store. They had these cool seeded glass candle holders. They were 40% off and ended up being $10. each...

When Lorenzo came home, I served us chilled white wine on our new little patio table...

He was so pleased - he calls it our "cafe." Every now and then he'll say, "Coming out to the cafe?" There's something about sitting at a small table with someone that is very inducive to conversation. Anyway, we sat in the beautiful sunshine and he expressed his profound relief that the cottage is done. Done!!!  He wore an expression of disbelief and his eyes filled with tears - we were almost in a state of shock. So we toasted our fun-filled future on Mayne Island, drank wine and talked about renting a truck, getting our furniture over, and all the other tiny details left to do. Then the kids came home who were very happy to see their Dad...

*     *     *

Vancouver is a crazy place. A week ago, it snowed. I was going outside in a heavy coat and boots. Now, it's warm and spring is in the air; trees are in bloom, the birds are singing and people are mowing their lawns. On Thursday night Lorenzo and I were feeling very "springy" and decided to walk down to our favourite restaurant, La Villetta.  It sits on the corner of Hastings and Ingleton and it's been in our neighbourhood for decades...

Lorenzo is Italian and I'm half Italian, which makes us extremely picky about Italian food. People will rave about some restaurant that we think is terrible. We are constantly biting our tongues because we don't want to appear as food snobs. For this reason, we eat Italian at home. La Villetta, however,  is an exception - their veal parmigiana is the best I've ever eaten outside of Italy. So that is what I had, with a  lovely green salad with the most delicious vinaigrette ever.  Usually when we go there Lorenzo has Osso Bucco - he is convinced no one does it as well. The owner bakes his own bread too, and it's just to die for. I'm eating low-carb these days, but I still had to stick my face into the basket. There is no smell as heavenly as fresh baked bread. 
La Villetta is a small friendly place and has become our home-away-from home. And it's only a block away! What a nice evening.... 

The next day the kids all took off with their friends. Since it was such a nice sunny day, we headed into Gastown which is one of my favourite places in the city and only about a 15 minute drive from our house. It was established in the mid-1800's and was the first downtown core of Vancouver...

When I was a little kid, one of my uncles owned The Blarney Stone pub as well as the Spinning Wheel Pub. My other uncle owned The Savoy jazz club. So I grew up kind of thinking that my family owned Gastown. Anyway, we strolled around and in celebration of finishing the cottage, we headed into Fluevog Shoes...

John Fluevog is a Vancouver original and his footwear was put on the international map by Madonna who began wearing his funky books in the 1980's....

His Gastown shop is amazing - he took over what was once an alley in-between two buildings and somehow fashioned a retail space using steel girders and glass. It's a remarkable feat of design and engineering; Lorenzo and I found ourselves staring upward while we were there.  

I don't know how I could have lived in Vancouver my whole life and never venture into Fluevog. The shoes are absolutely delightful and they're sturdily made with chunky heels and heavy rubber soles - even the dressy pumps look like you could chase a cab in them if you had to. The reason we went there, was because we ducked in on St. Patrick's Day on our way to the Irish Heather Pub. I spied a pair of black shoes that reminded me of my old Irish dancing hard-shoes...

They're called "Hopefuls."  I tried a pair on and did a happy dance and bought them on the spot. A few days later I realized they were too small, so yesterday I exchanged them for a size up. I can't believe how comfortable they are. I've always been cheap when it comes to clothing myself, but I've decided never to wear crappy uncomfortable shoes again. I just love these...

I made Lorenzo get a pair too, so he bought these...

They're called "Michael" and they look so cool on him....

After weeks and months of relentless rain and gray depressing weather, it was as if the city had been reborn. I've seen many parts of the world and I can honestly say that few places are as beautiful as Vancouver on a sunny day....a sunny day, mind you. On a rainy day, you just want to stick your head in the oven. 

This is the "Big Ben" steam clock...

We walked all over Gastown and ventured into an Aboriginal art gallery. We saw this little print by Sue Coleman. It's called, "Night Owl." It's just a 9 x 12 art card and was only $14.  I think it will look cute in the hallway at the cottage...

I love her paintings. Here are a few samples of hers that I cannot afford:

                                           "Blue Heron"

                                       "Killer Whales"

                                                "Wolf"




All of this traipsing around Gastown made us hungry so we popped into "Brioche. " I had forgotten how wonderful the food is...

Located at 401 West Cordova, it's one of those tiny little places that you often forget exist. Lorenzo and I hadn't been there for at least a year and a half...

We know the owner, Eduardo, who hails from Sicily. He was excited to see us as he'd been wanting to contact Lorenzo about casters he needs in his kitchen. Anyway, I told him that I'm off carbs, so he brought me a salad that was amazing. He makes his own mayonnaise, uses the finest bacon I've ever tasted, tosses in a few prawns and grilled tomatoes...this is the perfect meal for me. It was hard not eating the giant chunk of crispy bread that came with it...

Lorenzo asked Eduardo to bring him anything. Out came a plate of spaghetti with a rack of lamb...

I tasted the sauce and nearly passed out. Indescribably good - hints of anise and cinnamon; a fragrant rich concoction that I could have eaten by the bowlful. What a delightful little restaurant. If you're in Vancouver and you get hungry, please go to Brioche. You will not be sorry! He told us to come back and try his Cioppino and his baked eggplant.

Eduardo refused to let us pay the bill which made us feel terrible - he did this the last time we were there. Lorenzo says he's going to set him up with the best stainless steel casters for his equipment. Free of charge, of course. Brioche used to be a lunch-only establishment, but now he's open for dinner. I can't imagine a nicer evening;  Gastown is magical in the dark...

After our lunch, happy and stuffed, we decided to head home. We passed a shop I've always meant to go into called "Iron Accents" on West 2nd. So we popped in.

We got chatting to the owner - Murray - and get this: he got married on Mayne Island many years ago. Usually people ask, "Where's Mayne Island?" So that was kind of fun. His store is filled with iron baker's racks, planters, trellises, wall decor - you name it. I spied a very cute side table. I loved the black/brown patina and the way it was held together with these collapsible supports. It holds a removable metal tray on top which was an added interest. It was only $60. So we bought it....

I've been pricing iron hooks for the cottage and they're usually around $10-$12 each. Murray had these huge, heavy iron hooks for $4. So I bought six of them for the bathroom...

A while back, I was thinking of getting a vintage tin sign to hang on the space above the stove at the cottage. We don't have a back-splash so I wanted to put something there. I saw one on-line that I really liked but it costs $35. (US) not including shipping, etc.

I thought this was so whimsical - and I liked the shape of the eggs because they reminded me of the giant knobs I'll be installing onto the cupboards  But $35. was just too much to pay in my opinion. Murray had three tin sings in his store and I bought one for $12. I think it will look very homey...

Today Lorenzo cleaned all the gutters, I worked around the house and made dinner, the kids took off again with their friends. We went for a long walk with the dog and, of course, we talked about houses. We'll stop in front of a house and Lorenzo will say, "How the hell did that pass code? The upper deck is completely crooked."  We admire the older homes, the ones with leaded windows and wood mullions. Old homes just seem to blend into the surroundings better than new homes - there's something humble about them. Sadly, on our walks we always stumble upon what is referred to as a "Vancouver Special." When we were growing up, they were called "Italian Specials" by sneering non-Italians. I suppose political correctness influenced a name-change. Despite being well constructed, they are boxy and boring and a blight on the urban landscape. Not Italy's finest hour, surely...

What saddens me is what got torn down to build one of these horrible looking things. How many gorgeous old homes were razed to make room for something so unappealing and so lacking in charm, warmth, and character? It should not have been allowed. And because they're so bloody sturdy and well-made, they'll probably be a permanent fixture in our city for the next hundred years.

A few years ago, our neighbours three doors down sold their beautiful character home. In my opinion, it was one of the loveliest houses in the area. Every time I walked my dog, I smiled. I felt truly grateful to be sharing my street with something so delightful...

The buyers tore it down and built a massive monster home. It is a looming dark structure that lacks a single redeeming feature. And it has enough outdoor accent lighting to illuminate a sports arena. You walk past at night and you're blinded. Clearly, they've never heard of global warming. I've never spoken to them - I'm still too upset about the house they tore down. Once these older homes are gone, they're gone forever. And even when new homes attempt a "character" type of design, you can always tell they're new. That was a really sad day for me - I wish I had snapped up all their garden plants, at least...

Well, tomorrow is Easter. Happy long weekend everyone. Ciao for now!