small update

There's only one excuse for my absence: work and lots of it. It's good because I'm doing work that I enjoy, I'm learning lots and I know my stuff so it feels good to be considered an expert. I'm also getting paid handsomely. There's no complaining here. This weekend, I got to take a break from deadlines and enjoyed myself fully. I drank beers and cocktails, took bike rides with friends along the sea wall where we watched all the beautiful holiday lights on on all the sailboats. Vancouver, you are a beautiful city and I'm glad and happy to live here!

During breaks, I've been watching some pretty wonderful documentaries. Like the 11 hour epic of Ken Burns, The Civil War. It packed a full wallop of history that, as a Canadian, I really knew nothing about. It introduced me to the time period, like how eloquent so many people were, how everyone wrote letters and journals and wrote them to be read, and even how people related to having their picture taken. We followed that with another documentary by Ken Burns about Huey Long, a Southern politician with an interesting career. One thing: Ken Burns, seriously, mix up your music next time. It's gettin' old!

Still on a Southern kick, we saw the most incredible documentary from the library. It's called The Order of Myths and it kicked ass. It was so powerful and delved into the issues of race and tradition like no other film I've seen. Highly recommended.

Also, worth a viewing is Surfwise about an unconventional family who raised 9 kids in a 24 ft. camper. I found it inspiring not about raising 9 kids, but about the idea of being mindful.

cyber monday deal

Today in honour of cyber monday (really?) I'm offering free worldwide shipping on my Dutch birthday calendar today only. Sale ends at midnight PST. I only list one at a time, so if it's sold out, just look in my shop for another. Thanks!

shopping mode

I'm totally in shopping mode, well, actually browsing mode. Here are some picks that have been tempting me!

Navy Blue and White Striped Cowl from redbirdstyle.


Doily Clock


Orange Catherine Holm Enamel Pot

crafty around town

I'm pretty excited about these Got Craft postcards (front & back). I designed them for the upcoming holiday market on December 6th and I think they turned out really well. I can't wait until I see the matching posters around telephone poles across Vancouver! And of course, I've got a table at Got Craft so that I can sell my cards & calendars which is always super fun.

And speaking of Vancouver craft fairs, I'll also be at the Western Front benefit Toque this weekend: Friday Nov. 27th and Saturday Nov. 28th. There will be a ton of great local artists and it's always for a very good cause.

keeping the winter chill at bay

It's chilly in our apartment and both Cornelius and I are really stingy about turning on the heat. We keep the heat in our apartment off most of the time, but will end up cranking it in our office since that's where we are most of the day. Most of the heat loss seems to go out of the windows and our windows do seem to let in a lot of chilly air (even with our double-paned windows).

I've been considering getting some heavy lined drapes for our livingroom since always the coldest room in the house. But then I spotted a link on Not Martha about using bubble wrap to help insulate windows during the winter. I liked that it was an easy, inexpensive fix that still let light through.

We ended up installing the bubble wrap (which we purchased at an office supply store) on most windows, but we left one window pane exposed in every room so it would be easy to open the windows or clearly see out of. The difference in temperature is quite noticeable. We can be in the living room watching movies and we don't need to turn on the heat unless it gets really cold. And in our small office where we keep the door closed, we so far have not needed to turn on the heat. It's been pretty amazing for such a small fix!

**UPDATE**
Now that some colder weather has set upon us, we do have the heat on, however, the window covering really does keep the heat in without letting the cold enter. Over all, I'm super impressed, and yes, the pattern is pretty frickin cool.

hollow weiner? hallow whiner?

I'm not one to dress up for Halloween, but today is so beautiful outside and warm, that I was feeling a little bit festive. Lots of orange, black and stripes. Not that I'm going anywhere this evening. We'll do what we always do and have friends over for a scary movie sleepover!

Our movie selection will include the following frightening films:
Bad Ronald
Basket Case
Candyman
The Changeling
Deathdream
Drag Me to Hell
Teeth
The Wicker Man

I should point out that I've seen almost half of this list before (Bad Ronald, Candyman, The Wicker Man and The Changeling), but I'm still excited. Last year we watched Just Before Dawn and Let's Scare Jessica to Death which were pretty awesome, so I hope we pick some winners tonight!

hello autumn!

This weekend we drove out to a farm in Langley and picked out a pumpkin or two. There were chickens, cows and turkeys and it was so great to be out of doors on such a beautiful day! The leaves were out in full colour and even my orange shoe laces seemed to fit right in. We also managed to buy about 10 pounds of apples: some beautiful sour & juicy Sundance and some tart cooking apples called Bramley Seedlings. I've been making fresh applesauce every morning for my toasted oats & yogurt (+ a hit of maple syrup). Delicious!