winter birch

Now that winter is just around the corner, I figured it would be a good time to introduce a new cork coaster design just in time for the holidays. Here it is... winter birch! Perfect for a nice warm cup of tea, cocoa or glass of red wine. Hmmm... can you tell I am in need of a cozy drink by the fire today... it is so cold out!

in the tree tops

I always wanted a treehouse when I was growing up... perhaps it was after seeing those little Ewoks in the Return of the Jedii movie... only problem was that there were no large trees on my parents property. Fast forward years later, and I got to live out my treehouse dream.... well, sort of. Last week, Roger and I visited the UBC Botanical Garden to venture on the Greenheart Canopy Walkway, which is basically an aerial trail system that hangs up high in the forest tree tops. (You can see me walking on it in the top photo... a bit camouflaged though, since I wore a green jacket that day... oops). It was very cool to see the forest from a higher vantage point, smell the fresh air, and listen to the various birds all around us. The whole trail is very cool, so check it out if you happen to be in Vancouver and ever had treehouse dreams or want to feel like an Ewok.

lost little owl

I often discover something new or strange on my walks around the neighbourhood.... most of the time, I always think... "Argh! If only I had my camera with me!" Behold, this time I actually had the camera! Sitting on the trunk of an old tree, I spotted this cute little owl-y guy. A lost little pouch perched up and looking longingly for its owner. I felt compelled to leave it there, in case someone did come back for it... hopefully they were reunited. Hoot hoot and happy weekend!!

look in the tree

Very high up in a tree top a few blocks from our home, I notice someone has placed a handmade sign that says "LOOK". Hmmm... now does it mean for me to look at the tree top? Or maybe to look past and up in the sky? Or maybe just to look at the sign itself... it is, after all, done in pretty red bubble lettering. Or maybe the tree is trying to reason with everyone it allows to pass by. It could also be looking at me back and thinking, "what are you looking at?" hmmmmm... I wonder how many other people have noticed, stopped and looked?

Whilst on the topic of "looking"... some blog mentions that perhaps you'd like to stop and look at... a thanks to Miriam for including my squirrel-y valentine card on her blog made right guide; thanks to Nat for including my rainy day collage on her blog Adore By Nat; thanks to Teresa of Poppy Place PDX for passing on the Kreativ Blogger Award!; and thanks to Kristin of Dip Your Toes Into Something New for passing on the Sunshine Award. Happy weekend!

tree silhouettes

I got inspired on one of my walks the other day to start taking pics of the tree tops from below... they make such pretty silhouettes against the winter sky... they brighten my day, even if it is grey out. One thing I noticed is that strangers love to stop and take notice of what you are photographing... I think I disappointed quite a few people after they looked up and spotted no sign of a bird, or spectacular "happening" up in the tree. Yes... I am just taking pics of the tree itself, lady... sorry to disappoint. Not sure what to do with these pictures yet... maybe there is a start of an art piece here... not sure.

ps. Just wanted to put out some thanks: to Liz for featuring some Cabin + Cub items on her lovely blog Ambette, Adrienne for featuring my squirrel panel as one of her fancy faves on her cute blog Studio Haus, and Mortira for including my little wooden gift tag set in her sunshine-y post on Inspirational Beading. Many thanks ladies!

sleeping with socks

It is official... we have turned on the heat in our apartment and are flicking on the gas fireplace almost every night and morning. I am now sleeping with socks on. Just when I was getting used to the mild autumn days... it's time to break out the scarves and mittens. Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on your opinion of the white stuff) it has yet to snow here... only crazy deluges of rain and high winds (this is Vancouver for you). There was a short glimmer of sun and sliver of blue sky this morning... it's now gone. Rain, rain, go away.

ps. don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a $20 Cabin + Cub gift certificate... last day to enter is Sunday!