The joys of retirement...

I love my digital photo frame!

Cooking today while watching a slide show of our 2005 trip to France...it makes all the chopping and dull parts of cooking fun...

King of the house....

First of all he walked over my keyboard messing up my typing, then his tail knocked the printer paper askew, then took my desk chair when I got up for a moment.

Favela Painting Project

What a fabulous idea and so colourful! A "favela" is a slum in Brazilian Portuguese. Artists Haas & Hahn, plus local workers transformed 34 buildings with a massive rainbow vision to inspire residents.


Favela Painting

Thank you, Chris and Susan, for the fabulous wine!

Village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Well, I didn't get any other good people photos but I had to take a photo of this fabulous wine Chris and Susan brought over. Reading up a bit on the 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines it seem it was an excellent year and this particular wine is given a great rating...no surprise!

On our 2002 trip to France, one weekend we went to Avignon and dropped into Chateau-neuf-du-Pape. We did some tasting and then had a great lunch in the village. Just as we entered the restaurant an incredible thunder and lightning storm started and it teemed rain all the time we dined and on the way back until we were about a half hour from Carqueiranne and then of course the sun shone while we headed back to our little paradise.


Port of Carqueiranne.




From JJ Buckley:

All of us at JJ Buckley are just buzzing with excitement as the 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes get closer to arrival. Seldom is there as much anticipation as there is for the arrival of this magnificent vintage. Parker declares 2007 “the greatest vintage I have tasted in my thirty years working in that region”.



2007 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

95+ points Robert Parker: "Still backward and unevolved, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape (75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% other authorized varietals) was aged completely in foudre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a reticent, but burgeoning bouquet of black cherries, plums, black currants, garrigue, lavender, and licorice. One can sense the weight, power, and richness in the mouth, but the tannins are there, and the wine also has very good acids. Consequently, patience will be required, and this is one 2007 where 2-3 years of bottle age is warranted. The wine is capable of lasting 15-20+ years..." (10/09) 93-96 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Inky ruby. Strikingly elegant, hypnotic bouquet of black raspberry, redcurrant, potpourri, garrigue and minerals. Stains the palate with deep red and dark berry flavors and suggestions of smoky minerals, candied flowers and Asian spices. Impeccably balanced wine with a seductive finishing interplay of sweetness, power and precision. This will be a must buy for Rhone freaks." (Jan/Feb '09) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Crackles with an urgency atypical for the vintage, with juniper, cassis bush and tobacco notes that manage to be more prominent than the well of dark plum and currant fruit this has in reserve. Racy and invigorating, with the fruit's sappy intensity offset perfectly by the mouthwatering minerality. Best from 2010 through 2028." ETA End of 2009.

Monique's famous prawns

Fresh spot prawns from Finest-at-Sea and Monique's famous recipe...wow!. I think we were all having too much fun as the other photos of Chris and Susan and ourselves were very blurry...

Works of art stolen in the Paris art heist

"Still Life with Chandelier" - Leger


"The Woman with Fan" by Modigliani


"Olive Tree near Estaque" - Georges Braque
*For some reason this one isn't showing even though it is uploaded.


"Pastoral" by Matisse


"Pigeon with Green Peas" - Picasso

CBC News - Art & Design - Another art heist in France

CBC News - Art & Design - Another art heist in France

Lavash making at Fern's

Yesterday we had a great time making lavash bread at Fern's. Fern is definitely the chef extradordinaire and Carole and I profit from her wonderful creations and we even got a cooking lesson!

We started off with lime daiquiris to keep us refreshed during our hard work then lunch was a wonderful goat cheese concoction over papaya accompanied with rosé wine. To finish, tea on the deck looking at the kayakers and sealife. We were truly spoiled!

Picasso and Matisse stolen from Paris museum in €500 million raid - Telegraph

Picasso and Matisse stolen from Paris museum in €500 million raid - Telegraph

Our bookclub is currently reading "The Art Thief" by Noah Charney so very timely. The author is expert in the art heist field and this is a very engaging mystery so far.

I've been to the Pompidou of course where most of the modern art collection in Paris is but hadn't been to this smaller gallery...definitely get there next time.

Vancouver scenes

Cool car with skull.



Chinese art installation.



I want to try these Raincity Grill Fish and Chips one day.



Painting of the bar in the Sylvia in the bar of the Sylvia...why do things like this please us?



Rollerbladers.

42 years ago....

The cutting of the cake...



All the single ladies and men lined up...Kerry on the left in the check suit, Donna on the right in blue with Roger behind. I think Donna caught the bouquet...?

Katie and David's wedding

The weather was perfect and everything else for this wonderful celebration. It was really great to see people we hadn't seen since we moved to Victoria...Gord (Roger's brother) and his wife, Marnie; Kerry's brother, Marsh; and Kerry's mother, Laurie. Laurie turned 90 recently and looks terrific!

The UBC Botanical Gardens provided a gorgeous setting and a pitch for bocce and croquet(Pat won in "winner takes all" in bocce...). The food was delicious...among many other things a couscous to die for and the music was vibrant and joyful.

Thank you Roger and Kerry for having us share this very special occasion with you.


Kerry, in a traditional Ugandan gown being walked up the aisle by sons, Matt (with Flower Baby, Harmony) and Patrick.



Proud Dad, Roger, and Katie.



Katie and David with their attendants, Margaret and Julius.



Signing the register.


The eating of the cake!



Katie and her friends did these wonderful favours for all of us...what a super idea.



Definitely the cutest wedding guests.



Gramma Laurie with Katie.



Gord, Marnie, and Jim.


Laurie and me.


Son, Marsh, and grandsons Matt and Pat with Laurie.


Katie and brother Pat.

Mini wedding videos

It was just a super wedding celebration and we were so happy to share in Katie and David's very special day!


Mom (in a traditonal Ugandan gown) being escorted up the aisle by sons Matt (holding Harmony) and Patrick.


Dad escorting Katie up the aisle.



Katie and David's first dance.


Son Matt dancing with mom and brother Patrick dancing with Katie



Uganda dancing circle...what fun! David's eldest sister, Nova, is in the yellow traditional Ugandan gown.

Pre-Wedding Dinner at Donna and Neil's

Thank you, Donna and Neil, for a wonderful bar-b-q last night! The weather was fabulous and it was great to meet the other "out-of-towners". Roger, chief chef, did a super job.



Katie and David loved our teapot set!


The Turnell "boys"...


Gramma Kerry with Harmony.


Our hostess, Donna.

Lunch with the mother-of-the-bride...

Kerry and I had a great lunch today sitting outside on the patio of the Sylvia...perfect temperature and view. Delicious calamari to start then fish and chips for me (ling cod...wonderful) and a salmon salad for Kerry. Fun to hear Kerry arranging last minute details and talking to family and friends...lots of excitement for the big day tomorrow!