Why yes.

I find abundance very reassuring. In a country where no one is afraid of excess, I suspect that you know what I mean. Since moving back to Vancouver, I have lived in small Hong Kong style condos , where there has been little space for an abundance of anything. Visiting other, more grown-up houses, I found myself noticing that a house with a well-stocked cupboard feels altogether more substantial and grounded — as if people actually lived there rather than perched, which is how I always felt in my Hong Kong / New Vancouver style condo.

But in my current town home, there is a kitchen that by Vancouver standards is fairly roomy. When a case of San Pellegrino arrived the other day I realized that if I organized these bottles, then my home would start to feel more like the houses I envy. I also had an epiphany - I could be one of THOSE people that actually buy a case of wine they like. A whole case of wine. in my house. Imagine that!

Since my log basket purchase, I have, naturally, been seeing really good baskets all over the place — for a lot less money, of course! On a visit to Restoration Hardware the other day I found very chic wicker baskets. Now I have one in the kitchen with the bottles all lined up in it. Under my butcher block bar is another basket , purchased at Victoria Ironworks that is stocked with small bottles of tonic water, something I like to have plenty of. In the bathroom, a retro tin tub is heaped with rolls of toilet paper, another thing that I like to have lots of, and the tote eliminates the need for toilet paper holders, which I personally think suck.

And it’s not just about abundance; it’s also about order. I think that is why we get so excited by Martha Stewart and her laundry rooms — it certainly isn’t about doing the washing and ironing! It’s about the comfort that order gives us: shelves stacked with fluffy white towels; large glass jars of laundry powder with metal scoops; smaller jam jars of buttons; and so on. Order — and the ability to reach for things as you need them, rather than constantly running out — is a good thing. And these areas of the house are relatively easy places to achieve it. I can’t tell you how good being able to say "yes, I have as much Mineral water as you like," and I also know my guests won't have to go searching for fresh T.P. when visiting my commode.

Looking beyond the surface

Some vegetables are easy to love. Carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers in season? These are no-brainers.

Summer vegetables are like those young women who wear tank tops with nothing left to the imagination and their skirts cut too high. It’s easy to see what those have to offer.

But winter vegetables, all the knobbly roots? They’re like the smart girl in school, the one with her own sense of style: thrift-store button-down shirts; old skirts, old jewlery, funny glasses. You think she’s too weird for your time. But when she starts talking, and you find out she’s a smart ass, and she doesn’t give a damn if you even like her. Suddenly, she’s far more attractive than that other one.

Summer vegetables are like modern movies. Winter vegetables are witty-banter movies from the 1930s, where dialogue and long looks smoldered. The kiss in that final scene was far sexier than too much skin, any day.

(I don’t where this came from. I’m just going to leave it.)

Really? Shut up!

When you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche

So that is who those judgemental eyes belong to - I thought it was my mother. Ha!

In such a silly mood today - maybe it is all the pain killers or the fact that it is gorgeous outside and i am all numbed out on
T3's. Woo hoo!

Also, did you know you can follow your fave celeb's on Twitter? Seriously - I know know how Simon Pegg feels about blue cheese, etc.... (If it is actually Simon). Don't know if this is a good or bad thing, but damn entertaining.

Apparently I have 1 blog follower (Sending out major props Paco!!) and that's it. - hahahah. awesome! Question is, how do you attract more blog traffic to your site? anyone? anyone?

I am going to have a nap.

C.

Frenching... with toast, bananas and blueberries

Lazy Monday afternoon.


Wine: 2005 Bouchard Aine & Fils (Bourgone Region) Pinot Noir.

Banana & Blueberry French toast - or Gorgeous French Toast.

All you have to do is get two nice slices of toast and butter (yes, gasp! butter, which itself is the secret to life I have been told) them on both sides.

In a small bowl, mash up 1 or 2 ripe bananas. when mashed, mix in a handful of blueberries.

Beat a couple of naughty eggs (the naughtier the better I always say) in a large bowl with a couple of small teaspoons of sugar and 1 tsp of really really really good vanilla - the fake stuff is a huge non.

Dip both sides of the bread in the mixture - let the excess drip off and place in your preheated and buttered frying pan.
Put a few tablespoons of the banana mixture onto the bread and spread evenly while it is frying.

Dip another buttered slice of bread into the mixture (as above) and place on top of the first piece and press down so that the fruit is pressed into the bread (don't worry, it will all cook through).

Flip to ensure even cooking. Once the bread is golden and slight crispy, serve with a dollop of creme fraiche or whipped cream, and any left over fruit mixture.

Best served with a a glass of my favourite wine (mentioned above) in your pj's with your dog looking up at you longingly for a bite.

Mon dieu! Quelle orgasmic!

lions, tigers and bears...oh my!

List time. List time! It's list time again.

running out of ice
no clean face cloths
laziness
bitchy Batista's
grumpy people in general
dirty (unclean) library books
smelly elevators
ugly cars
waking up late
rushing off
feigning happiness
rather being somewhere else
apathy
realizing at 7am that you have run out of espresso beans
frizzy hair
when a sales person says "it is the most popular.. or best seller..."
getting called ma'am
hearing other people through walls
wind-shield wipers on an expensive car that don't work for shit.
grocery bill from whole foods
putting on a brave face
being told you are wrong when actually they are factually incorrect
not being said no to - just not said anything to
having your black berry vibrate at 3am and 4am and 6am on Sunday - hell any day
knowing everything and nothing at the same time
hobbits
team building exercises
corporate lunches
people that spit in public
economy class anything
sumpy Chinese grocery stores
dirty sidewalks
cheap hotel bed spreads
neon coloured clothing
one size that does not fit all
condo sales people
unwashed masses

ban underwear

If anybody actually reads this I am home. I almost grabbed onto the last palm tree I saw and refused to check into Westjet for the flight, but alas my time and pocket book were both running out so I had to come back. sigh.

Not much to write. Friends to see - gifts to distribute and jet lag to get over. I need to stop saying Aloha and Mahalo, and begrudgingly remove the flip flops and actually wear underpants again. Seriously - I packed 8 pairs of underpants and only wore one on the flight there and one on the flight back...usually I don't have enough and have to do laundry. I loved living in assorted bathing suits and dresses. Bra and under panties just don't cut it.

First and foremost a visit from the parental units to bestow them with chocolate covered macadamia nuts,
tacky t-shirts and coconut monkeys.

Second of all I have already been to the Italian supermarket, and making a killer batch of baked ziti and Italian sausage for dinner. Need some home made comfort food stat. Too much island pineapple.

Anyone care to join me? I may decide to go commando!


C.

Calling out from the middle of the Pacific

Here I am. smack dab in the middle of the pacific ocean on the island of Maui.
I have been here nearly 10 days. 10 glorious pineapple eating, swim suit wearing, sun tan (and assorted sun burns) having, swimming, whale watching, days of nearly pure bliss. Oh guess what? I have been smiling for 10 days. Pretty rad!

I am happy that I decided to take this holiday, but not happy that I have to share it with the loudest group of North American holiday makers situated in the time-share next to my hotel. They party all night, and then the woman gets up and screams at the tropical birds to "shut up" at 6:30 am.
Seriously lady, like that is going to work! Oh and PS who the hell decided to date you? You have so much class. hahahah.

I admit, this sends me into semi-sleepy giggles on a daily basis. I don't know what is worse, the birds screeching for some lovin' at 6am or, the crazed red-neck drunk screaming at them.

Oh, and neighbour, ps, I don't care what US football team you like. No I don't care how big your last husband's wiener was/is.. and I think your drunken singing to that shitty Sammay Hagar (sp)you blast out of your crappy time share you got sucked into purchasing is lame! I just want to chill out and drink with my friends, possibly read a book and actualy sleep in this expensive hotel room I saved up for.

Don't laugh. I am on Island time - 10pm to me is 1am to those on the west coast, and anybody who has been here knows that on the island you get up early, and Maui midnight is around 9pm. sounds awful but it kinda works.

Speaking of midnight - it is nearly 9pm, and I am tired from a day at the beach chasing waves on my rented boogie board.

Mahalo!

Ps - miss you all
xoxoxox

Beast

Rain Friday night and I am Having some friends over for dinner tonight - am I crazy? I leave tomorrow ha!
Wines of red are on the table, wines of white ilk are in the refrigerator. Ice has been made. mineral water is
chilling.

Menu:
Mustard encrusted Prime Rib
home made bread (yes, I am crazy, but I baked today)
Asparagus spears
Yorkshire pudding (for my English chums)
beautiful 3 peppercorn roast gravy
Assorted red / white wines or a pint of Guinness.

Desert? None planned, but I am sure somebody will bring along something.

Savour the irony of this with me for a moment. I am not at all hungry. Haven't been hungry in about 12 days or so. Went out with my friend for a late night coffee, and he kept asking me what was wrong. He took me to my fav. desert/coffee place and there were rows and rows of cheesecake, pecan pies, chocolate cakes, tarts...and I was not at all interested.

Life is what I am hungry for theses days - and I like it!

Energy drain

I have so much to share for some reason, yet I am being hyper-critical of self this morning and it is really
making me tired. I am questioning everything, and nothing. I am finding raw beauty in strange places.
I am feeling like something in me is being woken up - like I have been sleeping for a long time.

It is so exhausting, but in a good way. I think I am just overwhelmed with raw feelings, sounds, sights, experiences.
It feels really cliche to put this down, but it is what is going on with me.

The worst of this is that I am holding back. Holding back what I am feeling and transforming these into a character in
the book I am attempting to write. I think I am afraid to share what I am holding back as it is far to overwhelming to share just yet. Not ready.

This I do want to share.. These photos that my grandfather gave to me. They are from Italy - he brought them back in 1960 something when he went home for a visit. Theses hung in the little alcove between the entrance way and living room of my grandparent's bungalow forever. I can remember being fascinated by these little photos when I was very young. "where is that" I would as my grandfather - "that, is where you come from, it is home, it is family, it is you".

There is a little chip on one of the frames. 9 year old Caprice did that. I remember this making my grandfather angry. "you just bought the set" he said as he picked it up off the floor of their east Vancouver home.

I still love these paintings. There is no date, no artist name, and I wonder about who painted them. When I look at them I can hear the busy streets of Rome and Florence. I can smell the pungent espresso, hear the people shouting, feel the warm Mediterranean air, smell the lemon and fig trees, feel the cool Italian cotton sheets brush across my skin as I wake up to the sounds of birds singing in the terrace below.

I want to share that with you today.