Pizza Dream

Tonight, the dream of the gluten-free cheeseless pizza pie is no longer a dream!  I do my best to create the pizza of my dreams, and it receives high acclaim by my co-consumers.  Success!  Next time will be even better!

And it goes fantastically with some Italian red.

July 25 - July 30

The blog takes a summer hiatus - just like everyone else in this town!

Mom and I ride our bikes out to Boyle Point Provincial Park on Sunday.  A beautiful day for a ride, warm enough to break a sweat and make mom desire ice cream on the way back.

Earthling with a Throttle

This is Moto-Marc to ground control ----
I'm rev-ving up the Veeessspa----
And I'm zooming in the most peculiar waa-hay----

I love Marc's stance in this photo.  He has this signature wide-footed, arms out, action stance.  You can't tell if he's going to flap is arms, try and wrestle with you or run off in a sprint. Either way, he's ready baby!

We rev up our Vespas, courtesy of my parents' friend and Denman resident Keith, and go for a cruise around the island.  Keith assures us that nobody goes for a 'scoot', they go for a 'cruise.

Beachside Shelter

The cottage on Denman Island that my parents have rented for 10 days.  My Aunt and I manage to make it up for friday night despite SEVERAL skews in the plan (flight delays, no reservation, almost missing the ferry, oh my!).  Hello, weekend - I'm ready.

4 on 1

My friend Sue brings her litter of 4 vizsla puppies over to my parent's yard to explore a new place and play with Ogre-sized Szikra.  Sue's puppies are 8 weeks younger, but only a third the size of Szikra.  They are "fresh" to the world.  Szikra doesn't mind and puts all her energy into trying to roughhouse with the young redheads - some of whom find the clunky, smashing movements of Szikra too scary and come running back to us.

Afterwards we sit on the deck and attempt to get a semi-good photo of some of the brood.  Nigel tries to contain the Squigglers on his lap and this was my best picture effort!

Peach Coloured Glasses

Sunday's surprise bouquet is still blooming and looking beautiful this morning.  Peach coloured roses - I like :)

Picnic Time

We tie the Hungarian Princess up at a safe distance so that her Spark won't send sand into our take out sushi dinner at Jericho Beach.  It worked!  We run around with her once we're done eating and make the sand fly.

The Newest Employee

Szikra is making waves at the office with her good looks and her affable personality.  Dogs are 'not allowed' at work, but she's allowed to come quasi-regularly.  We just have to skirt the watchful eyes of front desk security!!  With behavior like this, so far so good!

Mr. Wonderful

Some days just aren't as good as other days... But then your boyfriend comes over with a gorgeous, giant bouquet of flowers and makes you dinner :)

Sleepy Time

Szikra looks for a home to take a nap at Nigel's place.  The next best thing is a tipped over laundry basket.  She won't be able to do this for much longer...

Salmonberry, Suprise!

Luc gives Szikra her first Salmonberry surprise while we walk the Endowment Lands.  Tasty!

A Pittance

The cookie sheet upon the roasting pan of cherries that were pitted tonight.  Hands are stained red, the garbage is full of pits, and the cherry trees from Nigel's farm in Lillooet are only slightly less laden.  Cherry ____ here I come!

Red Butts

Szikra and her brother absolutely do not sit still for a picture when they are around one another.  There is play to be had, and tails to be wagged!

Folk Fest Prep

Pre-Jericho Park being trampled in the annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

The Nose Knows

This Nose knows it's time for bed.  Sweet dreams schnozzer.

Boot Greasin'

The Before (left) and the After (right) boot greasin' of my new kicks.  Aw, yeah - boots and I are gonna love each other for years to come :)

I picked these babies up in the U.S.A. when I got Szikra.  Yes, the dog and the boots match (it has become apparent that I have a thing for rusty coloured things).

Andrea 2-7 | Vancouver 1-2-5

We celebrate Andrea's birthday by having a picnic down at Kits beach.  A beautiful day!  We top it off by biking down to Stanley Park to take in Vancouver's 125th birthday free concert festivities.  Summer :)

Beef Knuckle for Your Teething?

I got Szikra some new things to chew on today...  The alternative is her going through my dirty laundry, shoes, or underwear basket to find something better than her toys that she's had long enough to get bored of.  I opt for THE knuckle.  This and a green ball with legs that squeaks and has an irregular bounce.  The guy at the store assures me it will last and that it's a popular item.

I also load up on a value pack of 'beef pizzle' chews.  Even Snoop Dogg will tell you that a dried up beef penis is wack shit.  [Insert unflattering joke about my female dog loving beef pizzle here].  When I tell the guy at the store that I didn't want to give her the chews at first because the idea is so gross he laughs and say that the grosser the item the more the dogs usually like it.  He also jokes that there are enough dried parts of animals in the store to put together a whole cow.  I thought that was pretty funny.

New Abode Dinner

Dinner in the new place is complete with babies, puppies and foreigners.  A great time!  Elaine, Luc, Kelly, Sara, Nigel, Camille, Tara.  Salmon feast cooked by the Aussies who accommodate the group's unbelievable amount of allergies/intolerances.  Success!

Brunch-fast

I meet Nigel, Kelly and Sara for brunch downtown on my lunch break.  Perfect after a concert the night before! We go to Cafe Medina on Beatty street, which is delicious but is very slow.  A good bite if you have no set schedule to keep.  The company, however, was exquisite :)

Toots!

Myself, Nigel, Nat, Sheena, Jeff, Mel, and Kelly and Sara witness Toots and the Maytals at the Commdore.  What a great venue - I've never seen a bad show here.  Extra great tonight that Kelly and Sara were able to get last minute door tickets.  Ya mon!

Post-dinner Walk

Mom and dad cook dinner tonight to celebrate the return of Kelly and Sara.  We take Szikra for a walk after dinner to help the digestion of our gluttony...  So happy to see these girls after 2 years!

The Aussies Are Here!

A visit from Kelly and Sara my Australian compatriots - finally! We haven't been together since a ski trip on my university spring break in 2009.  I cook up a feast to celebrate: cod with caper-butter sauce, bbq moose with soy-citrus-garlic marinade, bbq portabellas, asparagus and tomatoes, and some rice.  Cheers, big ears!!

You're a Tired One Mrs.Ginch

Szikra thinks my underwear basket is a good place to go to sleep as I putter around my room.  I allow it because she'll grow out of it soon anyways, so it won't last long.  Very funny though :)

Bird Day!

I celebrate Canada Day by introducing Szikra to birds.  She's on it!!  She gets into it right away - success!  And so much fun to watch :)

Later on we go to a BBQ at Sheena and Jeff's.