Stanley Park

One of my favourite Christmas traditions - Bright Nights at Stanley Park

Vancouver Aquarium

summertime and the livin' is easy

Tomorrow is the first day of summer. Do you have anything fun planned? Do you like to travel this time of year or stay closer to home and take advantage of the good weather here? Just please don't call it a "staycation", that expression makes me vomit a little in my mouth every single time I hear it uttered.
Personally, I love to explore B.C. during the summer and save our international travelling for when the weather takes a nosedive here (Nov. through Apr. par example ). What are you most excited about this summer?
Here's some fun local things to do in the great outdoors:
Farmer's Markets - fresh, local, supportive
Baseball games at Nat Bailey  - friends, hot dogs (veggie or mystery), beer, sunshine, yes please
Wine tasting! Sorry, I realize putting an exclamation mark after it detracts from its inherent class, but I get quite excited about our BC wineries
Camping - you love it or hate it. I think it usually depends if you grew up camping or not. Outdoor cooking, campfires, hiking, all washed down with s'mores? Oh diggity.
Hiking -bliss(ters)
outdoor movies
outdoor concerts  & festivals
water sports (paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing)
weekend getaways - the best time of year to explore our beautiful province
patio dining & picnics - so, food basically
riding bikes around Stanley Park
downhill biking at Whistler - love!
These are just some of my favourite summer activities. For a lot of people it is also the beloved golf season. I don't pretend to know anything about golfing - the first time I tried it, I got my very first shot onto the green and thought, well this sport is clearly too easy for me and then I think I spent the rest of the day saying "Mulligan!" So I appreciate those who play the game.
Whatever you love, fill up your calendar and savour this season!

Vancouver Aquarium

The P.N.E.

We had such an awesome day walking around the PNE (or in my case, waddling around). Even though I couldn't go on the rides, there was so much to see and do. I highly recommend catching live shows like the Evolution of Extreme or the Peking Acrobats. (In the photos above, you'll see one of the Peking Acrobats about to do a handstand on a stack of chairs balancing on four bottles that are sitting on a table - I couldn't breathe watching it!) Every night there are also free live music shows. Tonight's was Hall & Oates. I was too wiped out to last until 8 after all the walking during the day, but I would have loved to have caught a little Maneater action. Ah the awesome cheesiness of the 80s. 

If you feel like checking out the PNE this weekend, here are a few tips to save you some cashola:

Get your tickets in advance - either online here or at your local 7-11. If you get there early enough, you can score free street parking by Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary school, mapped out here. If you have to pay to park, it's much cheaper to park with one of the local families instead of using the PNE parking lots. You are allowed to bring in your own food and drinks to the fair. It's a big money saver. We brought a backpack with our own bottled water and iced tea - most drinks on site average $4 a bottle. After all, your money should be saved for more important things, like mini donuts. $5 for two bags. Money, very well spent. :) I hope you have a great long weekend! 

after the riots

Back in June, our beautiful city was catapulted into spotlight for all the wrong reasons thanks to a group of drunken hooligans who used our amazing Vancouver Canucks run for the Stanley cup as an excuse to destroy everything in their paths. We were in Hawaii the next morning and were in a state of shock and sadness seeing the bombardment of articles from Vancouver with endless photos of vandalism, looting, cars lit on fire - it didn't look like home at all. It looked like a war torn nation. I couldn't believe that something that had been so positive for the city - the Canucks pulling through round after exciting round to make it all the way to the final match up, cars decorated proudly with Canucks flags, friends planning events together to celebrate the journey - all to be destroyed on the final night by those who used the "mob mentality" as an excuse to just vandalize the city. Store owners terrified and passionately trying to defend their merchandise as hoards of people smashed their way in, ransacking their establishments and running proudly back into the streets to show off their stolen merchandise. The images were endless and completely disgusting. I also whole heartedly believe that the police should have been better prepared seeing as though we had been through this the last time the Canucks made it to the finals. We know history repeats itself and should have learned from last time. During that night, the whole city seemed wildly out of control. But today, seven weeks after the riot,  when I was walking around the sunny streets and saw this boarded up window at Chapters, filled with positive messages about our beautiful city - I was so moved. These are the real Vancouverites. This is what this city is all about. 

the newly re-vamped Hotel Georgia

why i love where i live

It was one of those extraordinarily sunny, crisp winter days. The kind where you walk briskly with that fresh rosy glow in your cheeks. This is the beautiful site I got to see while grabbing lunch today. As cheesy as it sounds, U2's song 'Beautiful Day' kept going through my mind as I stared at the fresh snow on the mountains. We're off to visit great friends tonight for some vino and laughs.  I hope you have a fantastic Friday! 

city slickin

Van Dusen Gardens

There is something so romantic about strolling through a park lit up with Christmas lights, sipping hot apple cider and walking glove in glove. 

Stanley Park, Vancouver

St. Paul's Hospital - Vancouver

Gastown, Vancouver