macrame and playa

loving these hanging pots.  i didn’t think shopping in tulum was going to be on my list of things to do with all the eating, exploring, and sunning that would be happening but i might have to find something like these beautiful macrame hanging pots – i already have the perfect spot for it.  i assume macrame is a form of spanish art...  crossing my fingers!

image from website

i am looking forward to packing our bags and heading to tulum. all i can think about are fish tacos, sun, mayan ruins and the ocean. i will be happy to report back on april 10th-ish.  adios amigos!  have a lovely week!

stefan and i in mexico in 2002 (kai in utero)

march break

kai's homework last night was to write about his spring break so i thought i would do the same with this post. 

here in vancouver, march break was 2 weeks, making any child happy, including mine.  for working parents this can present a bit of a childcare challenge but i was fortunate enough and so glad to be able to take the time off work. i most enjoy spending time with kai when that is my only focus, no chores to distract me, and he has my undivided attention.  it’s pretty fun.  to take advantage of this time, kai and i created a bucket list of things we wanted to do.  we accomplished the entire list, including a mini renovation of his bedroom. 

we started the week with a swim. hillcrest pool is a new facility that includes a 50m pool, diving boards, and an amazing leisure pool with a lazy river.  we worried it would be too busy but instead kai and i spent almost three hours submerged in the water with very few others around us.

image from website

we watched the lorax; an adorable movie with a wonderful and i think, powerful, environmental message.  it's unfortunate that its theme, 40 years later, still rings true today.  it was such a delightful film. we also watched hugo which takes you on a spectacular adventure. In the middle of watching kai says, ‘this is a really cool movie mom’.  If you haven’t seen either, do so.

lounging at home in pjs and going out for donuts and cakes was most fun too!

       

kai finished the first week off with his papa (while i was in seattle).  they spent some time on a blissfully quiet mountain skiing and whiling away many hours at the science centre's lego exhibit.  and if you have visited stefan’s blog, you will also know that they ate very well.  i love that they get to hang out.  kai adores his papa and when he asked me if i would be going away again, i tried not to take it personally.  he gets so much of my time that spending one on one time with papa is a good thing.  but i'm sure he missed me just a little bit, of course.

during the second week, kai participated in circus camp; reinforcing the skills he is learning during the year long program.  he was unicycling, juggling, human pyramiding, and tumbling.  they put on a a great show at the end of the week. but guess what?  i forgot my camera.  while most other parents had their fancy cameras and zoom lenses, i took photos with the iphone (note to self, don’t zoom in because the quality of the photos will be horrible).  here are the few fuzzy ones i took:



 

while kai was at circus i was working on his bedroom's mini renovation (photos to follow soon) and hanging out with friends for tea and window shopping (well, we probably spent monies too). 

this was our first week back to school and work.  we are both getting used to going to bed at a reasonable hour (no more late nights) again. it was a good two weeks.

where stefan is tonight

refuel is hosting a late night pig out!  dinner starts at 11pm and on the menu is everything pig.  it is being hosted at a secret location (i cannot disclose, stefan has vowed me to silence).  he must bring his own plate, cutlery, and beer mug.  sounds all very cool, yes? 

refuel is stefan's all time favourite restaurant.  it closed its doors on march 24th much to stefan's sadness. so, we of course went for dinner during their last week of service.  we all had the potato and leek soup, very rich and delicious - the chef shared the recipe with us, so nice!  stefan and kai then devoured meat dishes while i enjoyed a tuna salad.  for dessert, we indulged in their famous peanut and chocolate parfait.  this is an amazing dessert.  i hope it shows up on the menu in one of their other restaurants.  or maybe chef rob can share its recipe too?  thank you refuel for bringing such pleasure to my hubby, he will miss you.





i heart converse

converse are my go to sneaker; i LOVE them!!!  with the warmer weather finally arriving i have been wearing mine more frequently.  i have owned a pair of converse since i was a teenager.  they definitely rule among all ages.  you can't help but feel like a cute french woman running her errands about the city when wearing them.  apparently french women love their converse too; i am told they are everywhere in paris.

these women sure look cute wearing their converse with dresses/skirts!  i don't think i could work it quite like them.  photos from the sartorialist; a photographer that snaps candid photos of fashionable people on the street.

i need a purple pair for summer.  i have looked around but haven't had any luck yet.  so, if you spot a size 4 classic converse sneaker in dark purple please send me a message!

weekend pics

we had gorgeous weather this weekend.  it truly felt like spring.  sun was shining, lots of people outdoors, daffodils in the ground (and vase) and family to enjoy it with.  melanie (my sister-in-law) and her oldest child, ruben, came for a weekend visit.  we managed to pack in alot in just 2 nights and 2 days.

we snowshoed in the sunshine.  i believe it was the clearest day i have had on grouse mountain this season.  it was so lovely to be outside.  the boys, kai and his cousin, managed the uphill climb to the very top, i was impressed.  and what's a romp in the snow without a snowball fight or two - the boys loved it.  as did the adults!

 

 

 

 

that hill ahead was one of two more to the very top

taking a rest before the final trek to the very top

finally, at the very top

sliding down the hills was a nice reward and lots of fun, of course

 

my favourite picture

i have noticed two things always happen when melanie visits.  one, we end up at granville island. two, we eat dessert.  both are always welcome.

we have been loving mangoes lately!

dessert from thomas haas

kai and his cousin ruben got on famously.  lots of playmobile and lego fun as well as loads of silliness.  i loved having the extra energy in the house.

 

i got some girl time too. melanie accompanied me to the theatre, we saw the importance of being earnest. it made fun of the late victorian social ways; it was very entertaining. we also managed to fit in a yoga class.

other happenings this weekend included the most delicious soup.  stefan has made the most delicious meals from the magazine cooks illustrated and it is here that he found the italian wedding soup recipe.  i have eaten many bowls of this soup at traditional italian weddings and although not quite the same it is a wonderful interpretation of the soup.  the broth smelled and tasted flavourful, not surprising as it was made from onions, fennel, garlic, and a load of other stuff. once the broth ingredients were removed, kale and pasta were added to cook in the pot of broth.  stefan finished it off with my mom's homemade meatballs.  we happily devoured it.