treat bag

I have always wanted to get a laptop bag from my friend Sasha's Etsy shop Track and Field, but never had the laptop to put it in. Well, hooray for me... I finally got one (yes, the laptop AND the cute little bag too). I had to get the matryoshka patterned one... it makes me smile every time I open it... and the smile keeps going once I start typing and working on my new silver friend too! It's like a back-to-school gift for myself... uh, despite the fact of being out of school for some years now... heehee.

chocolate sweet, less the wheat

I am totally not a baker... love to cook, but still haven't really gotten into the baking. So when my sister's birthday dinner came up, and a wheat free desert option was a must, I volunteered to make the cake?! My memory of a store bought wheat free cake at a work function years ago left me with memories of a dry and inedible cake that everyone politely moved around their plates or smuggled into their napkins, so I figured I would spare my sis the same culinary torture. Anyhoo, rather than start from scratch (since, yes, it has already been established, I don't really bake), I thought I would try a store bought wheat-free cake mix.... and lo and behold, it was really good! And yes, please don't make fun of my amateur cake decor... that unfortunately, I had to do from scratch!

underwater adventure

So have you ever had one of those weeks where work deadlines seem to not just trickle in, but pour in all at the same time? Yes, that was my past three weeks, actually, hence the lack of blog updating... very bad, I know. But now things are a bit calmer, so I am back to posting again! Ok, enough blah, blah, blah about work.... some cute pics to share today of our recent trip to the Vancouver Aquarium. Jasper loooooooved it.... although I am pretty sure he would have been happy as a clam (sorry, I had to go there) sitting in front of just one tank for the whole time.

dining in shangri-la

Warning - looking at these food pics may cause you to lick your computer screen or drool in hunger! Yesterday, I was treated by the hubby for an awesome lunch at Market at the the Shangri-La Hotel (the tallest building in Vancouver, FYI)... and it was oooooh soooo gooood. A little salmon sashimi with tomato and basil dressing to start, a brie topped truffle burger (sorry, my pic of it didn't turn out), and a summer berry sangria sorbet to finish.... oh yes, and all accompanied with an apricot mint mojito (hey it was our wedding anniversary weekend, so a little indulgence was called for). I am getting hungry just looking at these pics again and reminiscing after only one day... sigh.

ferry go round

Over the weekend, we ventured on the ferry over to Mayne Island for a friend's wedding (congrats Heather and Stefan!). I love taking the ferry on a sunny summer day... there is something very serene about the open air and calm waters. Even though it was only a 2 hour ride, for a few brief moments it felt like we were on a mini cruise (well, minus the buffets, entertainment, spas and shuffle board). Hmmm... I think the warm sea air really got to my head there.

mmmmmmm.... mmmufffins

Oh, so many great recipe ideas everyone has posted! Thanks! So, as you can see from the pictures, I decided to make classic blueberry muffins.... hmmm and it seemed to have not made much of a dent to the blueberry stockpile we picked on the weekend (I even put in more than the recipe called for). I think, I will have to make something else.... don't worry, this won't be turning into a blueberry cooking blog anytime soon.

true blue

Got back to some childhood roots this weekend and went blueberry picking. Although I must admit, as a child my harvesting wasn't very efficient (there was more eating going on than actual picking). Now that I have to crouch down to get to the berries, believe me, the harvesting went by a whole lot faster. Now I just have to figure out what to make with all these blue goodies... ideas?