Community profile: Knotty By Nature

January 12, 2012 //

Sadly, our neighbourhood has lost the amazing fibre store called Knotty By Nature as they have moved to new digs in Fairfield. Not too far away, but no longer just around the corner! I stopped by yesterday whilst on my bike ride. The new shop looks great! Everything one would need for knitting, weaving felting, with friendly knowledgeable staff. 1704 Lillian Road off Fairfield, not far from the Fairfield Shopping Centre.

http://www.kbnfibres.ca/

Knotty By Nature Fibre Arts

KBN has taken a strange drab space and turned it into a bright and cheery shop.

The front window showcases finished items for sale by many community artisans.

Beautiful roving for spinning or felting.

Categories Art, Uncategorized

Your daily Taxicab, and friend

January 12, 2012 //

Met a sweet little cat with a luxurious coat the other night while we were out walking. Also a pic of TC snuggling with GJ.

So snugly!

Sadly, he wouldn't look at the camera; he had the loveliest face!

Categories Taxicab, Uncategorized

Winter bike adventure: Oak Bay

January 11, 2012 //

Yesterday was a perfect winter day: bright with sun and a gathering sky which hinted that snow may be coming (wasn’t). I headed out on la mia bella bicicletta into the busy city. I stuck to the side roads through the neighbourhoods of North Park, Fernwood and Jubilee before crossing the border into Oak Bay. A short stop to take in all the sensual delights at Pure Vanilla Bakery and then onto the Estevan Village. I stopped at the studio of Phyllis Serota for a short visit. Phyllis is preparing for her next show at her studio on February 19. She has just published a book of memoirs of her life called “Painting my life.” I’ve always found that Phyllis’ work feels very intimate, even if the viewer doesn’t know the story in the painting. With her book, she brings the viewer more clearly into her world with a loving, vibrant account of her life thus far. I headed next through the Estevan Village, worth a visit, with many lovely shops and eateries. Just a block from the ocean I rode along the water for a spell and finally wound my way through Oak Bay into Fairfield. The light was already fading by 3 pm so I headed home to meet GJ and go for a short walk and sunset.

http://www.phyllisserota.com/intro.html

http://www.oakbaytourism.com/attractions/shopping/index.htm

My wonderful bicycle.

Phyllis Serota's new book and a lovely article in this month's Focus Magazine.

Heading into Estevan Village.

Estevan Village

Willows Park, Oak Bay

Oak Bay Marina

Sunset at Victoria's Inner Harbour.

Categories Art, Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Your daily Taxicab

January 10, 2012 //

Where is she?!

Of course... in the basket!

Categories Taxicab, Uncategorized

Winter Days: extraordinary sky

January 10, 2012 //

Our first walk around our favourite waterfront route for 2012 enabled me to catch these shots of the beautiful sky. No matter how many times we take this same route we find new sites of wonder. Very lucky to live in such a beautifully extraordinary place.

Traffic in the Straight dwarfed by the immensity of the sky.

Layers of grey and blue, awe inspiring and imposing

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Your year-end Taxicab

January 1, 2012 //

From me, GJ and our darling kitty: Happy New Year! Wishing the world love and peace, abundance and hope, good will among all beings.

Happy Mew Mew!

Categories Taxicab, Uncategorized

2011 in review

January 1, 2012 //

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,600 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 27 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Categories Uncategorized

Winter Adventure, unexpected continuation…

December 28, 2011 //

27 December 2011 Wish I had some pics to show you of todays amazing snowfall. We were supposed to fly home today from Trail, but once we drove there discovered the flight was cancelled. So, since we were right there, we drove up the mountain to the charming town of Rossland. It was dark and snowing so decided not to take any pics. Had an amazing dinner at Drift Izakaya, then the slow drive home through the blizzard. Hats off to R for his superb driving skills!

http://www.rossland.com/home

http://www.rossland.com/directory/driftg_izakaya

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Winter Adventure, Day 6

December 27, 2011 //

26 December 2011 What a magic day of skiing! A new local for me, the Castlegar Nordic Ski Club. Sis and I did the 8km beginner trail with a midway stop at a hut for more marvellous grilled cheese sandwiches. The sky was clear for the 4km to the hut; small birds could be heard in the tree tops. That first leg, Booty’s Trail, had lots of small dips and climbs. The hut was warm and cozy. When we emerged after our delicious lunch, the sky had changed dramatically. We began the second loop, Ben Shaw Trail, just as a few delicate snow flakes began to fall. Home for Christmas dinner leftovers. Perfect day!

http://www.castlegarnordic.ca/home

Just before we arrived at the hut, we crossed a small bridge over this beautiful scene.

Our little sandwiches grilling on the stove in the hut.

The finished product, yum!

Our little luncheon hideaway, Ben Shaw Hut.

The Welcome sign at Ben Shaw Hut.

The beginning of the second leg, Ben Shaw Trail.

Looking back the way we came, Booty's Trail.

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Winter Adventure, Day 5, Merry Christmas

December 26, 2011 //

25 December 2011 Perfect Christmas Day! Another dusting of snow overnight set the stage for a wonderful, relaxing day. Lovely breakfast of Fol Epi panatone and fruit with yogurt. Then we left GJ to put the turkey in the over while the rest of us went tobogganing just next door on the snow-covered golf course. Once we were home, sis and I donned pretty aprons and set about creating the rest of the meal, with the help of the fellas who did not wear pretty aprons. Delicious dinner and restful evening with A Christmas Carol, the old, spooky version. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, good night.