It's been quiet in these parts lately; I haven't had too much to say.  Except...  this giant bird is sporting some knitting grafitti on its leg, and...

I kind of want a flash drive that looks like a fudgsicle.

I took Victoria Day very literally.  As you can tell, it was a slightly bleak day, but long weekends are meant for some kind of ferry travel.

My americano was indeed fantastico.  Go here if you like coffee.

This was only my second time eating at Rebar.  Shiitake-tofu potstickers over Asian greens and brown rice.  Yum. 

The Fol Epi bakery will have to wait until next time (it's closed on Mondays).  And what do people in Victoria do when the bakery is closed?  Apparently they all descend upon the Royal BC Museum.  However, I'm glad I wasn't put off by the hordes waiting in line.  Once in, the museum didn't feel overly crowded, and I loved it - so worth visiting.  
It was a successful Victoria outing despite the rain and do you know what made it even better?  Getting home with enough time to make apricot-pistachio ice cream.

I just read the following "style tip" in a magazine:  Tuck a lace-overlay top into a pair of matching shorts for a sophisticated romper effect. 
Marie Claire, down what garden path are you leading us?

A few days ago, Tara let me know about a new-ish bakery - Cadeaux - that we need to check out.  While googling reviews for it, I came across a fantastically-inpiring local blog -  the culinary adventures of a greedy guts - and now have a much longer list of restaurants to visit, as well as a resolve to have brunch at West.

At knit night on Thursday, there was talk of making your own ginger beer (apparently very easy), and installing an ipad mount above the sink to make dish washing enjoyable (the best reason for getting an ipad that I've heard).  Tara made an amazing beet dip.

Yesterday after work, Elisa and I went for a drink at  the Gerard Lounge in the Sutton Place Hotel.  It was pleasingly quiet and dark and full of old people.  The complimentary snack consisted of addictive Japanese rice crackers.  It makes me think that old-school hotel bars are where it's at. 

On a completely different note, someone suggested a little while back that I get on Banana Republic's mailing list.  If you like their clothes, please know that you if you subscribe will constantly get coupons in your inbox for 30-40% off their merchandise.  It makes me wonder - why would anyone pay full price there?

And finally, I dare you to listen to Blue Moon and not feel better for having done so.

I've just returned from a week in Arizona with my family.  6 adults, 1 child, 2 vans, and a rented house outside of Cornville (about 20 minutes from Sedona).

Arizona has the best butter packaging.

It also has the Grand Canyon.

Copious amounts of wine and bread were consumed.  As a Canadian in the States, I just can't get over how much cheaper things are, and booze is an excellent example.  Can you see the price sticker?  This bottle of wine retails for about $30 in Canada and we found it for $9.49 at a gas station.

I am looking like a hobo more often than not these days. 

Near the end of the trip I finally started knitting again; because nothing beats 30+ degree heat like making wool socks.  We also did a great hike  - Boynton Canyon Trail - which is well worth doing if you're in the Sedona area (for us it was complete with a rattlesnake sighting and everything). 

Despite being so near Sedona and hearing the word "vortex" again and again, I didn't google it until now and wish we had gone to check one out:  "The vortexes in Sedona are swirling centers of subtle energy coming out from the surface of the earth. ...  The energy resonates with and strengthens  the Inner Being of each person that comes within about a quarter to a half mile of it."  Indeed.  Okay, so we missed a chance to experience vortexes.  But on the plus side, the house that we were staying in had laundry, and it was very rare and exciting to come home from a trip with clean clothes.

Edited to add: turns out, on further reading, that one of the Sedona vortexes was just a little ways off the the  Boynton Canyon trail that we hiked.  We were likely on the perimeter of where you're supposed to be able to feel the vortex's energy.  However, instead of paying attention to energy manifestations, I was thinking things like "this is the exact opposite of a hike in the rainforests of BC" and "hey! there's a rattlesnake!".