24 December 2011   What a wonderful thing to wake up to new snow! I had been trying hard to hide my disappointment at the amount of snow here since we arrived. White tho it was, the magical trees heavy with snow, gentle flakes falling and general winter wonderland was missing. Not anymore. A good bit fell over night and continued most of the day. So beautiful! My sister made the most delicious crèpes for breakfast before we headed back to the Nelson Nordic Club for day two of skiing. Everything I learned two days ago seems to have stuck and I felt far more confident today. The site was even more incredibly breathtaking with all the new snow. We travelled about 6k and I learned how to snow plow. After returning home and a lot of stretching we headed to some friends of sis of a fantastic dinner. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures, but it was delicious. And a delightful family with two gorgeous children. The 2-year-old kept us laughing all evening. Midnight mass for old times sake and off to bed to wait for Santa!

Began the morning in style with delicious crèpes.

Snow was not going to stop the people of Nelson from last minute Holiday shopping!

Quite a different scene at the Nelson Nordic Ski Club this morning with all the new snow. It was quite a bit warmer today and we had a very pleasant ski!

Here I am doing my new favourite thing. I guess it's confirmed that we need to move to a more snowy climate!

On the right of this photo you can see the tracks of an animal left sometime in the night. Sis thought maybe coyote.

My genius sister packed us some grilling cheese sandwiches wrapped in foil which we just popped onto the wood stove in the hut at the end of our ski. They were delicious accompanied by hot apple cider.

23 December 2011   Super fun day today, just poking around the quaint town of Nelson. Shopped a bit (bead store!), ate some breakfast, shopped some more, found all the groceries we need for the next few days. Cold and crisp again today, with the promise of fresh snow as soon as tonight!

http://www.craftconnection.org/

http://www.maplerose.ca/

http://www.abacusbeadsnelson.com/

GJ and my sis as we wander the bustling main street of Nelson.

Hopefully I'll have a chance to take some pics of the town with more snow.

A glimpse of The Big Orange Bridge which takes you north to Kaslo, along side of Lakeside Park.

GJ took this shot a while ago. TC wearing our dearly departed friend Domino’s bow tie and collar. You can tell how she feels about it:

No you didn't!

22 December 2011   Awesome day! I cross country skied for the first time ever! A beautiful day, crisp and mostly clear. My amazing sister and I hit the beginner run at the Nelson Nordic Ski Club and she gave me excellent instruction. We only did two laps of a very easy track, but I’m sure sore today. We’ll go again tomorrow and then we’ll head to the Castlegar Nordic Ski Club for an 8km ski on Boxing Day. Oh boy! Other wonderful things from yesterday were delicious breakfast at The Bent Fork, met some fantastic friends of our family, picked up the turkey at Ellison’s Mercantile which was having customer appreciation night and then absolutely unreal Indian food at Baba’s.

http://www.ellisonsmarket.com/

http://www.nnsc.kics.bc.ca/

Christmas tree at my sis's house in Nelson BC.

Tree close-up: little glass owl.

The setting of my first ski ever: The Nelson Nordic Sk Club.

Cute and kitschy with such good food: The Bent Fork, Nelson BC.

21 December 2011   Off we go to Nelson BC for Christmas with my sister! We had a very flight on Pacific Coastal Airline Victoria-Vancouver-Trail. A dear friend who lives in Salmo picked us up at the airport and we spent the day with him and his lovely family. Arriving at my sister’s house in Nelson in the evening, there was just time to trim the tree before falling into a deep and peaceful sleep. Here are a few pics from day one:

Lovely cats...

adorable dogs...

and wonderful horses!

These Robin's nests were apparently all made by the same bird.

A beautiful table set for an amazing meal!

Homemade baguette, we were so spoiled! (Spoiling didn't stop until we had polished off the chocolate crème brulée.)

Just before they went into the oven: individual lasagnas.

The sweet tree at our friends' house in Salmo. The cut it themselves on their acreage and most of the decorations were made by their two beautiful boys.

Cut through The Bay Centre on my way home yesterday and took these shots for my sis, as I had described these trees to her. They are shots of the Christmas display at the centre of the lowest level. They have taken beautiful cut natural trees and completely covered them in spray snow. A bit sad really; you can still smell the wonderful aroma of the evergreens. Here and there are sweet little bird decorations. Quite elegant overall. (The horse drawn sleigh with spray snow-covered horse was just creepy!)

Little cardinal.

Lovely lanterns.

Tiny owl.

 

Such a lovely day yesterday, mild and sunny. The whole city was buzzing with Yule-tide glee. Off I went to the Laurel Point Inn to view the 3rd Annual Gingerbread Showcase, a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. The harbour was beautiful and calm. Carolers were everywhere practicing for the Figgie Pudding Caroling Contest in Bastion Square. I remembered the time wrong so missed this event. All together a very festive day.

http://www.laurelpoint.com/

The other side of this one was even nicer, but I couldn't get a shot without people in it!

Strange underwater scene with crabs. Beautifully executed.

This one was amazing, especially the turtle; just lovely.

So many favourites!

Loved this one for its delicate simplicity.

This was particularly wonderful and made me think of K & R (tiny deer, bottom right).

Lovely reflections on the water of the Inner Harbour.

Lovely view from the third floor of the Inn at Laurel Point.

TC loves her new toy, lovingly made by our friend Annie. It’s full of nip.

Catnip bunny teddy.

Just before the picture was taken, she was using her toy as a pillow.

GJ had a lovely hair cut with Matty Conrad at Victory today. These photos don’t do justice to this really beautiful place at the new Atrium building in Victoria. The ones on their website are much better! A great new addition to the amazing selection of local businesses here in Victoria which are fueled by passion and creativity.

http://victorybarbers.com/

No doubt gents!

Really nice fixtures and attention to detail.

Belle.

I love good package design and Victory carries many products with lovely packaging.

More cool labels.

Here are some of my favourite seasonal windows and decorations from local businesses in downtown Victoria.

http://www.bonrouge.ca/

http://www.violetteboutique.com/

http://www.rogerschocolates.com/

Fan Tan Gallery; Fisgard Street, Victoria BC.

Bon Rouge; Courtney at Gordon, Victoria BC.

Violette; Government Street, Victoria BC.

The Papery; Fort Street, Victoria BC.

Rogers' Chocolates; Government Street, Victoria BC.

Chinatown at dusk; 500-block Fisgard Street, Victoria BC.