Cherry blossoms ahoy!

Did you check out the sale on my winter stock? Have you checked out the trees, they are going loco! Everywhere I look here in Vancouver, I am amazed that there are so many varieties of cherry blossoming type trees in this city! They usually look so run of the mill and do their leafy tree-thing but when spring comes along, watch out! They turn into tyranny-trees, in full drag glory! Love it! And soon to follow is my favorite part... the blossom snow. To spread out a blanket on a warm afternoon under a tree heavy with scent and dropping blossoms is just heavenly! Lay down and look up into the glorious beauty and let it all rain down in a pink petals shower of love. Love falls into your hair and clothes and onto eyelashes. Throw in a purring cat or happy puppy for company (a fave boy/boi will do in a pinch too!) and a good book and well, does it get any better? Methinks not. Happy...

Spring Sale!

Ah, at last, she is coming closer! The mod to modern Spring sale that is! All remaining sweaters in the online store will be reduced from $138.00 down to $120.00, so keep an eye out.

And Spring herself is getting nearer as well. This is the view from my bedroom window, so lovely!

I have recently read that cases of "snow rage" have been reported in Eastern Canada.
Fisticuffs have been resorted to! Now this is not the Canadian way to resolve our issues. If you refer to our " Polite Canadian Citizen" handbook section 427 subsection 194.4, you will see clearly stated that " in the occurrence of extended winter weather, that all snow related, non-polite exchanges will be resolved with a cup of mint tea and freshly baked chocolate cookies; nuts optional". We were tested on this people!!! What is next, not saying good morning to our bus driver? Not lining up in tidy formations? This is a slippery slope of impolite behavior that makes me frown! Frowning season ended last month as you all know. Now, cookies for all! Isn't that better? Here in Vancouver, we have been golfing, tanning and writing our Haiku about the oncoming Cherry Blossom explosion. Ah, Cherry blossoms, ah!

Swings of Dreams.

I used to play on these swings at this, my elementary school. My best friend Cindy and I used to tie up the two outside swings to play a game using the middle two swings. We called it "Twister". This involved one person getting a lot of height while swinging a circular motion and the other person, usually me, jumping in at an angle and great speed at just the right moment. This resulted with both swings and bodies being flung about very violently as the chains clashed and twisted together. A jolly time! To get the most violent jerking possible took split- second timing and considerable team work. I remember that once, at the most vulnerable moment where we were tightly would together at the top of the twist, some older boys came by and continued to wind us even tighter. Trapped, we screamed and swore as they tortured and twisted us together to where we could not breathe! Luckily they let us go before we blacked out. Pricks! These memories come flooding back when I revisit my fave swing set, with the amazing mountain view, on the grounds of David Livingstone Elementary here in Vancouver. Things seem to take on a clearer perspective when we go back and remember old friends and our half-forgotten dreams for the future. I can still see myself as that 10 year old girl, carefree and with nothing better to do than have pure simple swingset fun with a loving friend on a cold winter afternoon. So go back if you ever get the chance, perhaps to a fave set of monkey bars or sit on a beloved old bike in the family basement, whichever. You can time travel you know, I do! And here is the picture to prove it!

Happy New Year!

New items in the store for the New Year!

Argyle, lace, black roses, cream, gray and pretty beads. Two poncho wraps as well!

I wish everyone all the best in 2008. Peace and love to all.

Michelle

Another kind of Christmas sweater!

Mary, Mary not so contrary. Such a nice girl and a very patient lady is sweet Mary. Cheers my dear for modeling then busing it on a very chillin' evening. You rock!

So, 7 more sweaters and one poncho will be in the store by next week if the computer gods allow. Keep an eye out! Christmas looms large on the horizon, all sparkly and full of promise. And hopefully brings with it a year of peace and perhaps kindness. Wouldn't that be nice? Shall we all try to be just a little sweeter with each other next year? We can do it!

Here, let me make you a nice cup 0f Chai and put on Project Runway to sweeten you up. Ahhh, that's better.

Happy holidays and thanks for another great year! Love to all. Michelle XOX.

Woolie Wonderland!

Ah the snowfullness, gloppy and puffy. Perfect sweater weather. Here in Vancouver it is a rare sight indeed! On Saturday the temperature was just right for a true West Coast snowfall... cold, cold, warm, then rain! The temperature then jumped to + C12 (F 54) on Monday as a "pineapple express" pushed through to melt all of the snowy goodness away. Boo hoo!

Of course the city grinds to a halt. No one can drive , the buses careen down slushy hills and no one here really owns any real winter walking boots. Of course this is Canada, a winter country, but this corner of B.C. never really gets too cold. We have heard on the news that a prairie city, Regina was -30 this past weekend! Cripes! I would convert that but I can't comprehend any temperature that low. Lets just say that the surface of the moon would probably be more hospitable!

So, any snow drives me nuts with happiness and beauty. I stare out the windows and can't sit still because of the magic.

Woolie wonderfulness.

Guess what? This is a half million $ house! Oh yes kids, such is the state of real estate here in Vancouver. But really, the reason I took this picture is that it is one of a few remaining bungalows that seemed to exist only in this neighborhood. The rolling hills in South Vancouver were covered with these cute but tiny homes 20 years ago. It seemed that as one of the last areas of Vancouver to be developed the "Uplands" area was used for military housing, hence these cute boxy houses. I would say that only 20 percent remain. Of course, land is now so valuable these petite beauties are being crushed under looming monster homes. I feel sad about this as they are so sweet and make me think of a more innocent time not so long ago. I can imagine row upon row of these homes and streets crammeds with kids running about until dark. I bet they played games of baseball or street hockey while their moms gossiped over the fences. Now these street are much quieter with the kids firmly locked away inside hunched up in front of a computer screens. Afraid of what the darkness brings. Sad. Goodbye cute tiny houses, I love you.