Our First Official Christmas on the Coast...

Our tree...(found these vintage decorations in our crawlspace)

Our front porch (this beautiful 'glider' sled and set of skis were also left here!)

stormy seas...

taken from geo's cell phone - friday the 13th.
not an unlucky day by any stretch!

yesterday at the beach...

the beach heals my soul! so blessed to live so close!

How Was Your Weekend?

This weekend George and I tuckled in.
We had about 50 trick or treaters (after being warned of 100's) so have a LOT of candy left over.

Sunday turned out to be beautiful and warm so we headed off to Robert's Creek beach. Such a great day!

Check out my flickr page for some more pix.
Hope you had a lovely weekend!

Can you get any more Coastal?

On the Threshold...

2 weeks ago Friday, I was invited to attend a meeting of a newly formed choir here on the coast. It's called the Threshold Choir. I had heard a bit about it from a friend who had been and googled it to learn its' history, etc. but...could not have imagined the power, healing and magic of these voices joined in song all focused on one purpose. The songs chosen are picked/written for their nurturing words/melodies to provide comfort and inspiration for someone who is "struggling: some with living, some with dying." As you can see if you visit the website, one of the purposes of the group choir is to prepare for a time when 2 to 3 people might be asked to sing for someone in need. I don't know when I would be ready to make that step - but just being in that room for 1 night (with the opportunity to sit in the middle of the room and be sung to), changed my life and made me vibrate with energy like I've never felt before. These choirs are popping up all over and one is being formed in Vancouver as we speak. Have a listen. I can't wait to go again tomorrow night! What song fills your heart?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR0v_vlBVCg

A day at the beach...

so needed and appreciated!

my aunt and my dad...

I love this pic!

back to me...

It's so easy to lose yourself in this crazy, busy world. My life since we moved to Gibsons has been amazing! So many great things happening, people visiting, stores opening:) And then, yesterday, I stopped for an hour. I went for a reiki treatment which I've never had before. It was very comforting and relaxing. She said, you can fall asleep if you want and I thought, thanks, but I want to stay awake and enjoy every moment. Ha! I must have fallen asleep at least 20 times throughout the treatment. It was such a special, sacred and safe space to just be in the moment and relax. It's all about energy and healing. I realized that I haven't taken the time to just be in this place - take the time to just be quiet and still in the world. My George is away for a few days and I thought I'd get so much done but all I want to do (outside of work) is be quiet, lay in my bed, listen to the froggies and rain outside my window and rest. I guess it was time! I hope you're having a fantastic Friday!

a snapshot...

Toast to the Bride...

I'm not the greatest public speaker and mostly because I'm a crier. I can't even think about speaking in public and I get all welled up. Imagine having to speak/toast one of your best friends in front of all the people that she loves and cares about. Not easy but - I was so honored to be asked. Not just to speak but to be a big part of such an important day in Barbie's life. As I hope I mentioned in my speach, Barb has that ability to surround herself with love. She's incredibly patient, kind and supportive. The feeling of warmth and love generating from the group of people surrounding her on her wedding day touched my heart - and I know it touched hers. It was their turn to give back to someone who has been there - with a kind ear, solid shoulder and warm hugs. Oh, and did I mention it was also her birthday?
To Barbie!

the girls and the pretty car!

what a great day! still recuperating - will post more soon!

Barbie's Shower...

What a lovely evening! Only a week until the wedding. Send all your good weather energy...

Asked and Answered...

Dear Chatelaine Magazine,
Re: Urban Jungle Fashion Feature - September 2009
As a long-time subscriber to Chatelaine, I value and appreciate the way the magazine highlights different perspectives and points of view. However, as a size 18 curvy and petite (5'2") woman, I am often disappointed by your fashion features. I was curious when I saw that you were starting to include a "plus-size" option but instantly dismayed to see that your "plus-size" choices usually go up to a size 16 (size 15 in this issue) or XL (typically the same size range of the other body styles you feature). Any modern woman knows that the definition of "plus-size" means sizes that at least go up to 24. I know these options exist. I own them and wear them. Here in Vancouver, many of the more popular local designers have learned the benefit of being inclusive in their sizing. I believe that to inspire women to wear, be creative with and enjoy fashion, you need to give them realistic options. A size 20 woman may also be "pear" shaped. A "petite" woman (usually defines height, not size) may be a size 2 or 18. We've all heard the fashion rules so many times we could probably list them off in our sleep. As a magazine that celebrates all women from all perspectives and walks of life, isn't it time to start encouraging us all to break those rules, take risks and realize that fashion can be fun and liberating? Aren't those the women that we all notice and admire anyway?
Lorna Ketler

reply...
Lorna,
Thank you so much for your letter. I just wanted to personally apologize for the misunderstanding. The linen pant is actually available in a size 14–22 and the jacket was as well with a long sleeve. This was obviously an error on our part and by no means did we mean to offend or patronize our readers.
We'll do our best to avoid the issue in the future and again, I apologize.
Kate
-- Kate DaleyAssistant Style Editor
Chatelaine magazine
One Mount Pleasant Road, 8th Floor
Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5T
: 416.764.3954F: 416.764.2431
www.chatelaine.com

Bean at the Beach...

Life is good!

One more weekend down...

Feeling a bit unsettled this week. Lots of things happening (see here for details) and I'm feeling a bit out of control. Nothing I can't handle. It seems to happen once in a while. One thing that made me feel better today was finally getting my hair cut. It probably wasn't that long according to most people but to me, I'm used to having my hair pretty short and it was driving me a bit crazy. Better now. Didn't go too short as I'm going to get it coloured before the wedding and my hair dresser needs something to hold on to:)
This past weekend we had our great friends Lorraine and Greg over for some golf, food, wine and crazy card playing. Lorraine and I have known each other since elementary school and we've shared a lot of good times over the years. It was great catching up. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. So much fun! The last time they were here we golfed too but it was soooo cold and almost snowing so - this time was much more enjoyable.
(you can see more pix on my facebook or flickr pages)
Tomorrow we're back in the city (or 'town' as they call it from here) and this weekend have more friends visiting with our god-dog, Bean! Can't wait.

evening at robert's creek

the posts are coming...

i got a new camera on the weekend! my old one broke about a month ago. i was considering taking the leap into something bigger with more options but loved my old one so much. just being able to always have it in my purse whenever i was ready to capture the moment (and i thought the picture quality was really pretty good!). so, this is just a new and improved version - bigger zoom, more pixels and some other updates. and...it's a really pretty blue:)
i haven't been inspired to blog because i haven't been able to take any pictures so...look out - i'll be back soon with some updates.
in the meantime, check out this site/workshop. i'm considering signing up for the fall course. looks pretty fun and inspiring!http://www.mondobeyondo.org/index.html

Another weekend on the Coast...

It was a jam-packed weekend...again! Friday night our good friend, Doug, flew over from Nanaimo and we made our now regular jaunt down to Smitty's Oyster Bar for a delectable feast. Saturday, Barb made her way over to be part of the live radio event happening down at the Lane. I got interviewed live twice on the radio which was great promo for Bodacious - there was also fantastic live music by Verna Chan and her crew. George and Doug headed out on the boat for a 3 hour tour.
It was really hot and we were all pretty much done, so we headed down to the newly licensed Black Bean coffee shop for some cold coronas and snacks with new and old friends. So much fun, sitting outside on a hot summer day looking at the ocean view.
Saturday's dinner was at home - our now infamous maui rib tacos with homemade guacamole. So yummy - if I do say so myself! ...and then the badminton challenge was on. Always good for a laugh - especially when the boys try to get the birdie off the roof ("we used to do this in university!")!
Sunday we breakfasted at Molly's Reach, and headed down to veg at our beach for awhile. Barb had to get back to the city earlier and Doug flew home to Nanaimo in the later afternoon. This weekend - we'll be driving Big Momma in the Sea Cavalcade parade.
Now, when am I supposed to get the housework done???
Check out my facebook page for more pix since every time I try to download pictures here, my computer crashes. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Bean...about a month ago

he's quite a bit bigger now. pretty cute, huh?

Lazy Sunday...

Hello friends! George just asked me why I don't blog any more so I thought I'd post an update on my whirlwind life these days. Things are moving fast and furious down at Molly's Lane where we set up a Bodacious booth in April. Last week I moved into an even larger space and on September 1st, we'll be setting up in the largest available space there as the woman who is currently there is vacating. I think it's almost as big as our Vancouver store and much less expensive so...very exciting and a great new challenge! In the meantime, I'm trying to get the word out here on the coast that we're here. Yesterday, that meant a first ever fashion show with a new friend/co-vendor, Verna (who's also been kicking my butt at boot camp:). Here are some pix for you.


We've also been enjoying getting to know some new friends. We've had a few weekends in between guests which left some time to actually get to know some locals. Lots of events including Gibsons Jazzfest, Sunshine Coast Youth Idol, frequenting the oyster bar down at Gibsons Harbour called Smitty's, and last night after the fashion show, we shared some wine, dancing and laughs with friends while listening to music in the park. So much better than I could have even hoped! Last weekend we even managed to go for a couple of quick dips in the ocean with my brother and his family. (quick because it was freakin' cold!!!) We've found our new favourite spot down at Robert's Creek beach and I can't wait to have a sunset dinner there sometime soon. Today however, is a dedicated lazy Sunday. A bit of housecleaning just so I can enjoy being here but that's about it. We did get to meet our new god-puppy (we're the god/dog-parents), Bean, this afternoon just after our lovely friends picked him up. Wheaton/poodle cross - soooo cute!

And that's about it - for now. How the heck are you?