Little Baby's All Growed Up

Just as I get done convincing myself that single gray hair was actually a natural highlight and the lines forming on my forehead are just shadows caused by sub-optimal bathroom lighting, a neighbor calls to ask if James and I will be her kids' "emergency contact people." Which means that if her kids are home alone and there is, say, a natural disaster or a scary stranger lurking about or a swallowed Monopoly piece they will, in her words, "run to you for help." At first I was flattered. I thought, hey, this lady trusts me with her kids! She thinks I'm a responsible adult! That can't be bad, right? But then I thought back to my own childhood and my own emergency contact person. Three words: FRUMPY. OLD. LADY. Grownupness isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Dear dishwasher...

Next time you're feeling disgruntled, please just let me know instead of dramatically spewing soapy water all over the kitchen floor. I'm not sure if something's gotten your hoses in a kink or if you're simply having a bad day, but if this behavior continues, I will have no choice but to force you into early retirement and hire a shiny new replacement.

In other news, at the risk of jinxing myself, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I think the long, dark, rainy winter might actually be on its way out. For the first time in months, I drove my Vespa to work today under a clear blue sky wearing only a light jacket with no puffy insulating layers underneath. Is it possible that spring really is springing?? Forget knocking on wood...I'm throwing myself on top of my particle board desk. Immediately.

Road Tripping

Last weekend, James and I and our friends Jeremy and Virginia all piled into our brand new car (yes, the Element finally arrived!!) and headed up to Mt. Washington for a fun-filled weekend of snow sports. It was our first test of what we have determined to be the best road trip car ever, and boy were we right! We stuffed the Element to the gills with snowboards, skis, snowshoes, clothes, games, snacks, beer, and more beer. And there was still plenty of room for four psuedo-adults. And when we tracked snow and mud into every corner of the car, no one batted an eye, because we knew clean-up would be as easy as rinsing our all-season floor mats and tossing them back into the E. We are most definitely in love. Swoon!!!

The weekend was beautiful -- sun, powder, all night dance party (you'll have to ask Jer about that one!) -- and it went off without a hitch, except maybe for some mysterious food poisoning that reared its ugly head after we got home on Sunday night. But no matter. It was worth it. My only regret (aside from eating questionable sushi) is that we forgot to charge our camera battery before leaving home, so I only had enough power to snap one measly photo of the whole weekend. So, without further ado, I present James driving the Element as we headed out of town and up the island to the mountain.


Jer and Vir took more pictures, and if they ever post them on Facebook (hint, hint), I will link to them so you can see just how much fun we had all weekend. Until then, you'll have to use your imagination. Oh, and if you're looking for a place to stay near Mt. Washington, we highly recommend the Forbidden Plateau B&B in Courtenay, BC. Besides preparing incredible homecooked breakfasts, the owners Kim and Lorne were wonderful hosts and made us feel more like friends in their home than paying guests. They hooked us up with snowshoes, gave us all manner of directions, and even accomodated our special dietary preferences on very short notice. And when you stay with them, make sure you ask to feed the chickens and gather the freshly laid eggs. They won't even make fun of you for being a city slicker...at least not until after you check out!

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

Dreams

I have always maintained that I don't like musicals. Something about the way that characters spontanously burst into song really irks me, like when I've got a hair stuck inside my shirt that is tickling me but I just CAN'T FIND IT. But last night I dreamed that I was driving our new car on the highway when I hit a patch of ice and started to spin tilt-a-whirl style down the roadway. And what was going through my head during those last few moments was not how much I would miss my dog or my regrets about missed opportunities or even a slideshow of my happiest memories, but instead the voice of Julie Andrews singing, "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down..." And then I thought, if Mary Poppins is the soundtrack of my death, perhaps I should reconsider my stance on musicals.

While Watching the Food Network

James: Who is this Julia Child person?

Me: Um, only the most famous chef ever.

James: Oh. Never heard of him.

Somebody's Birthday

It's somebody's birthday! And somebody's wife ordered a mini strawberries and cream cake from me. Somebody hasn't picked up the cake yet, but you get a special sneak preview. Aren't you special??

I made two of these mini cakes because it's actually easier than halving my normal cake recipe. In an auspicious twist of fate, my neighbor realized this morning that she had forgotten her mother's birthday today, but her mom will be none the wiser when presented with the extra cake! Don't you just love happy coincidences?

Snuggly Things

Last night was girls' craft night at our house, and what a fun project we picked! Using a coat hanger and some thrift store wool sweaters (which we felted in the washing machine, producing gargantuan fuzz balls, I might add), we made recycled sweater holiday wreaths. Though James initially volunteered to help us cut up the sweaters into neat little squares, it only took a couple of beers before he got bored and complained that his delicate hands were sore from all the hard work. So the girls muscled up and finished the job. Isn't that always the way??

The most impressive part of this project is that, though we were tempted, we entirely avoided the use of the hot glue gun and instead SEWED the holly leaves and hanger covers from sweater scraps and buttons. Sewed by hand. Threaded needles, even. We are awesome, it's true. Here is a picture of my wreath hanging on our red front door. Tres cute, no?

In other news, we're not sure if it's the suddenly cold weather or a natural winter nesting instinct, but Disco's snuggling habits have reached a new all-time high. What was once merely gratuitous nuzzling has now become downright shamless cuddle demanding. Like, for example, when James was lounging on the sofa and Disco decided that, if he wouldn't snuggle her, by god, she was going to snuggle him.

Who needs a toque when you've got a furry creature on your head?? Like I said, shameless.

Holding Strong

How long has it been since you last watched television? James and I are on day three of a self-imposed TV-Free Week, and though James admits to jonesing for an episode of Heroes, we are holding strong. Our reason for ditching the tube, if only temporarily? Well, it had become ubiquitous, ever-present, sometimes switched on only for white noise or as a light source, and often over-used as a tool for winding down after a hard day at work. I've gotta say that, if you're able to use it in moderation, the tube is certainly not the most insidious of vices. But for us it had become like hideous floral wallpaper that we couldn't even see anymore because our eyes had grown so weary from the constant visual assault. We had to turn it off. We had to take a break. And what we've realized is that, with the box unplugged, it's no longer possible to make it through an entire day saying ten or fewer words to one another. We interact. We talk. And what do you know -- we like it!

What Better Motivation then a Marathon?

Ironman has come and gone and the past 3 months have been filled with TV, potato chips and some world class weight gain (almost 30 pounds to be exact!). As big as a life accomplishment that Ironman was it left a really bitter taste in my mouth. As the day got closer I resented the training more and more. I hated the weekends I had to spend on the bike rather then the beach, I hated the constant pain that injury brought and I hated that I was beginning to hate exercise all together. Looking back in our blog we both seemed to be so sick of everything triathlon related we didn't even make a post about finishing Ironman. We both finished with a smile on our faces if you are wondering.

After Ironman I made some attempts to get back into the swing of things but I was just kidding myself. Every time that I thought about exercise I couldn't help but have a flood of negative thoughts come pouring into my mind. So I continued to sit there on the couch in front of the TV letting my waist line get bigger and bigger. I decided that what I need is to ditch the negative emotions that exercise stir up and bring back that amazing feeling of runners high into my life. I need to make working out fun again.

Running was always my favorite. There is something magical about the simplicity of it all. All you need is a pair of shoes and the will to get out the door. So I have decided that 2008 will be a year of running for me. I don't particularly like swimming so I'm just not going to do it for a while. I enjoy biking but every time I think about getting on the bike I'm reminded of the long terrible 8 hour rides of last summer. Next summer I'm going to focus on what I love to do and just leave out the bad stuff. I'll swim when it sounds like fun and not because I have a race looming and I'll get in a long ride when the sun is shining and I can take my time. I need this to be fun again because I don't like where this path on the couch is taking me.

So knowing that running is where I want to focus my time and needing a little extra push to get out the door I've decided to sign up for the Vancouver Marathon on May 4th. I'm actually quite excited. I'm ditching all the time goals for now and I'm just going to run and have a fun race. If all goes well I might get a little more serious and train for the Victoria Marathon in October, but really I have lots of time to figure that out. For now it's time to reverse the weight gain, get my shoes back on my feet and get my ass out the door!

Amen to that!

Might Should Bundle Up

You see that white stuff on the hill outside my window? That's ice. I am not happy about that ice. Now I know that some of you Texans are buried in a wet layer of unseasonable snow and are stumbling through all the curious white stuff in your obligatory Thanksgiving-elasticized-for-eating shorts, utterly bewildered and concerned about the fate of the impending football game, but answer me this: are YOU riding a scooter to work today? Didn't think so.

Makeover

Thanks to a slow Friday, our blog has a new look! You like??

Shaken, Not Stirred

Tonight I discovered that, in the book Casino Royale, there is a recipe for James Bond's favorite Vespa martini. Oh, dear Internet, how did we ever live without you?

Vespa Martini
3 parts Gordon's gin
1 part Russian vodka
1/2 measure of Kina Lillet apertif

Shake, shake, shake until ice cold and serve with a slice of lemon. And next time someone asks you if you would like vodka or gin in your martini, take yours 007 style. But please, don't drink and scoot.

Meet Martini

I've gotten good at sharing. Now, those of you who knew me as a child may be opening your mouths in protest, but before you remind me what a brat I used to be, consider this: I have spent the past ten years of my life living in small spaces (dormitories, cheap apartments, starter condos) and, except for a few brief months of solitude, I have always shared my tiny living space with at least one other person. In such close quarters, even the brattiest of us will eventually give in and learn to share, and I'm proud to say that is exactly what I have done (though my very first roommate probably deserves a gold star for her patience).

It should come as no surprise, then, when I say that James and I are very good at sharing one vehicle. And why shouldn't we be? We live in a small city where it's faster to bike to work than to drive. Our condo is mere blocks from downtown, so walking to meet friends for brunch is a no-brainer. We only own one space in our condo building's underground parking garage, so even if we wanted another car we'd have no place to park it. Like most other things in our life, our car has been shared and shared alike. And we like it that way.

Recently, though, our master plan hit a snag. James is required to have our car at his office all day so that he can zip off to a meeting at a moment's notice. But as I have gotten busier both at work and at home, I too have needed to zip, often at times that conflict with James' work schedule and transportation needs. When our schedules clashed yet again this week and both of our workdays screeched to a grinding halt, we decided we needed a better solution: meet Martini, my brand-spanking-new Vespa motor scooter.

As you can see, Martini is white with a tan seat and shiny chrome trim. Though she is a 2006 model, she was built out of the crate especially for me, and all 60 kilometers on her odometer have been ridden by me (and James, and the scooter shop test drive guy). Her 50cc engine gets me up to a top speed of about 65 km/h (~40 mph), which is just fine for my daily commute on residential roads. When I park Martini, I can store my matching helmet under the seat, and I can easily carry a couple bags of groceries thanks to a nifty little bag hook that pops out of the front of the seat. Martini's gas tank holds about 8 liters of premium unleaded, which costs me a whopping $10, and her gas mileage is ridiculously great. In fact, when I picked up Martini from the Vespa dealer, they gave me a $150 gas card, which they say will easily get me through a year's worth of riding. And one of her best features is that she fits snugly into our underground parking spot alongside our regular car.

Now, I know what you're thinking: isn't it a little cold in Canada to be buying a scooter this time of year?? YES! It most certainly is cold for scooting, but that, my friends, is why Martini was such a great deal. In fact, the price we paid for a new Vespa at this time of year is less than the price we saw advertised for used ones in the spring. So if I look a little chilly, I am. But I can buy lots and lots of mittens and thermal underwear with all the money we saved.

Besides admiring Martini's cuteness and functionality, I have been taking full advantage of my newfound freedom. Yesterday, instead of packing my lunch, I hopped on Martini at lunchtime and scooted along the ocean (brrrr!!!) to Fisherman's Wharf. In the summer, this place is teeming with tourists, but it's much quieter and nicer this time of year. I parked Martini and, after chatting with all of her admirers, warmed up with a steamy bowl of vegetarian chili. Then I walked around the wharf for a while until I spotted three harbor seals splashing around by the fresh fish stand. After chatting with the fishmonger, I learned that these three seals always hang out right next to his fish stand, waiting for the tourists to feed them. To demonstrate how tame they have become, he handed me a stinky bowl of salmon scraps and invited me to play with them and let them eat out of my hands. So, here is one of the seals doing a trick (spinning in circles) for a treat:

And here is another curious seal checking me out from underwater:

And here is another seal (who is apparently blind in one eye) coming up closer to say hello:

In addition to solving our transportation problem, Martini is an absolute blast to drive. Everywhere I go people smile, wave, and toot their horns at me. There aren't too many Vespas around town, so people seem excited to see one scooting by. And why shouldn't they be? Though it's possible that I'm slightly biased, I think Martini is the cutest little scooter in town.

Happy Birthday, Disco!

Yesterday was Disco's second birthday, and though we didn't do too much to celebrate, I think she had a good day. It started with an extra-long snuggle when she first woke up, followed by a leisurely walk where she was allowed to sniff anything and everything she wanted. She also jumped in a lot of mud puddles! On the way back home, we stopped by a friend's house to visit, and Disco had a great time playing and tearing all around her house. Then Disco took a long nap, then she ate a lot of treats, then we played with her toys, and then it was back for another snooze in the pile of dirty laundry that has accumulated in our bedroom. (It's been a busy week, people!) Later that evening, we made a big bowl of Disco's favorite food -- popcorn -- of which she ate an incredible amount. And although she was stinky, we even waited an extra day to give her a bath just so she could have a perfect day free from the annoyances of personal doggie hygeine. If you missed Disco's birthday, never fear. She is still accepting gifts, belly rubs, head scratches, treats, and all around birthday love.

A Word to the Wise

When one cohabitates with a tiny mischief-maker, one should take care to ensure that all delicate personal items have been stored safely away before going out, lest said mischief-maker tear said personal itmes to shreds when left home alone.

On a completely different subject, when one eats alarmingly bright Red Velvet Cupcakes, one should not be surprised when one's poo adopts said hue. (I don't have pictures...you'll have to use your imagination for this one.)

Big Brother Is Eating Cupcakes

Hi everybody! I know, I know, we have a lot to catch up on. And we will, in due time. But for now, I wanted to post some pictures from my latest cupcake job. A manager at the Forest Ministry saw my cupcakes reviewed in The Victoria Vegan and decided to order some for a staff meeting. Unlike other people I've worked with, he did not care at all what flavour the cupcakes were or what they looked like -- he left it entirely up to me. So, here's what I made:


Coffee Break cupcakes: spiced cappuccino cake filled with espresso pastry cream and topped with vanilla buttercream. Finished with a home-baked sprinkle donut on top.



PB&J cupcakes: peanut butter cake filled with preserved raspberries and topped with peanut buttercream. Finished with a fresh, organic raspberry on top.

Boston Cream Pie cupcakes: golden vanilla cake filled with Madagascar vanilla pastry cream and topped with dark chocolate ganache.

And here are some of the cupcakes lined up all nicely in their boxes:

And here are the cupcakes tucked safely inside their boxes, ready to be delivered (note the plethora of kitchen gadgets stored down below):


And finally, a blurry closeup of my signature labels, which I use to seal my cake boxes:


So, if anyone out there needs cupcakes, you just let me know.

Nesting

Even though it's the middle of summer and has been as hot as it gets around Victoria, Disco's new favorite thing is squeezing into nooks and crannies between pillows and swaddling herself in blankets. James and I can hardly stand to wear clothes at all and wish we could crawl inside the freezer, while Disco settles down for a nap as if preparing for winter hibernation. I have no idea how she avoids overheating. Must be some kind of small dog super power.

Holy Moly!

Ironman is officially one month away. Is anyone else as terrified as I am???