There are many unique characteristics of this city. I plan to review them in a series of posts. I offer this as a guide and as a keepsake of my impressions of this city that I now call home.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Monday, June 21, 2010
First Day of Summer
Today is my first first day of summer here in Victoria. I have been keeping up with photos and adventures. I've been awful about keeping this blog updated with all of it.
My ex-pat adventures will soon be coming to a halt as I become a "Landed Immigrant" and will be able to return to the workforce. I've enjoyed my leisurely time at home and around this great town. I've been volunteering with gusto at the Castle, lunching and coffee shop hanging with friends, and learning a few new dishes.
My adventures have been crafty, culinary, academic and educational. Should this current level of energy stay, I will update this blog with entries about the Castle, my new recipes and my garden.
Wish me luck and continued productivity!
My ex-pat adventures will soon be coming to a halt as I become a "Landed Immigrant" and will be able to return to the workforce. I've enjoyed my leisurely time at home and around this great town. I've been volunteering with gusto at the Castle, lunching and coffee shop hanging with friends, and learning a few new dishes.
My adventures have been crafty, culinary, academic and educational. Should this current level of energy stay, I will update this blog with entries about the Castle, my new recipes and my garden.
Wish me luck and continued productivity!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Facebook Fan Page
I am working on a page for Facebook while I work on my photo taking skills. Above is the widget that should take you to the page.
Yesterday I took my pieces to the castle where I volunteer. My pieces will go on display there starting today! I also have booked another show which will be on December 3 at Camosun College. I am excited that my work is being so well received!
I will work on this post a bit more later. The changing weather is giving me headaches and I have to get ready for my volunteer shift at the castle.
Later!
-LT
Saturday, November 7, 2009
New Toy
It is called Fimo Liquid. I have been reading about it for years on various craft and instructional blogs, but have never tried it. After a wonderful lunch with my sister in law, we walked, in the rain, to the local art supply store where I bought this polymer clay "glue". I am excited to try it for making dragon wings and to use it to set the sequins and small stones in my other creatures.
I made three penguins last night and started on a fourth. I have been using my supplies of rhinestones and sequins that have fallen off some of my cheaper costume jewelry. I had one pair of pretty earrings that had pink and green stones that were slowly falling off. Now, one of those stones lies happily in one of my abstract pieces, while the others are living on a penguin.
Pictures later!
-L to the T
I made three penguins last night and started on a fourth. I have been using my supplies of rhinestones and sequins that have fallen off some of my cheaper costume jewelry. I had one pair of pretty earrings that had pink and green stones that were slowly falling off. Now, one of those stones lies happily in one of my abstract pieces, while the others are living on a penguin.
Pictures later!
-L to the T
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Goal for the day
With the craft show less than two weeks away, my goal is to have five dragons completed today.
I also have two new ideas for pieces. One is based on a beautiful flower pin I bought over the weekend in Saltspring Island, and the other came from my fingertips playing with the clay. Pictures later!
This evening I will prepare a new dish of Salmon Pot Pie. Last night was Enchilada Pie. Pies and casseroles are fantastic food for chilly weather and reheat well the next day for lunch.
Have a wonderful day!
I also have two new ideas for pieces. One is based on a beautiful flower pin I bought over the weekend in Saltspring Island, and the other came from my fingertips playing with the clay. Pictures later!
This evening I will prepare a new dish of Salmon Pot Pie. Last night was Enchilada Pie. Pies and casseroles are fantastic food for chilly weather and reheat well the next day for lunch.
Have a wonderful day!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
It's On!!
Today I booked my first craft show in over four years. The last one I did was at the Ocean Beach People's Co-Op, an organic, fair trade and all sorts of awesomeness grocery store.
Not much made it up here from San Diego. This evening I am sorting through my supplies and finished pieces to help me decide what to sell.
Once I make that decision I can start designing my display. If I stick with the Santa Shells I'll have a christmas tree cut-out with hooks all over it to hang the various ornaments. If I sell my dragons, I'd like to make a cut out that looks like a large flame. I may sell a variety of my works instead, in which case I'll need a more generic display.
Tomorrow I will post some pictures of my pieces and keep the blog updated with my progress.
Let the season begin!
Not much made it up here from San Diego. This evening I am sorting through my supplies and finished pieces to help me decide what to sell.
Once I make that decision I can start designing my display. If I stick with the Santa Shells I'll have a christmas tree cut-out with hooks all over it to hang the various ornaments. If I sell my dragons, I'd like to make a cut out that looks like a large flame. I may sell a variety of my works instead, in which case I'll need a more generic display.
Tomorrow I will post some pictures of my pieces and keep the blog updated with my progress.
Let the season begin!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Exploring V Town
Oh, my poor little blog! It fell to the wayside during the drive up to Canada and the two week trip to Scotland. The nightly unloading and the morning reloading of the truck and the eight hour time difference sapped all creative energy!
My husband started his new job this past Tuesday, thus leaving me all alone!! Granted, this was the plan. Fantasizing about being a housewife during awful days at work would get me through to happy hour. The reality is, well, pretty dull! I am working on alternatives to couch sitting and channel surfing.
On Wednesday I ventured out to Shine Cafe, a fantastic breakfast and lunch place with an awesome staff. I've only been there once before. I ordered to Nemo, which is eggs benedict with wild salmon instead of ham, and avocado sliced on top. Yummers! On this visit I ordered the same thing.
Aside from the food and service, another thing I love about this place is that they offer half orders for two dollars less. Half orders! Being a light eater, I cringe at the serving sizes of most places. I hate wasting food. Hate it. Not all food is good for take away, so, unless the husband finishes it off for me, the food goes to waste.
While I was there I saw a woman with the most amazing hairstlye. It was a long haired mohawk with spider webs shaved into the side of her head. Loves it! So often I want to take a picture of the amazing things I see here, but I'm scared to ask permission! Granted, someone with hair like that would probably love to have their picture taken! I sure do!
Sitting there in the cafe by myself, I was struck by my lack of creative energy. How can I be in a rut when I only just got out of one? I've just gone through a huge transition. I've left my good, though not great, job. I've left my state in a time of crisis and I've left my country. Although, Victoria is very much like the better parts of California and the West Coast, it is different. I can't out my finger on it! Perhaps it is not the location that is so different, it is the life.
Life is different now.
Later that day I ventured to the closest grocery store which is 0.8 miles away. The way there is down hill and can be done in about three songs on my MP3 player. The way back, laden with groceries, feels like 8 miles! I have a large backpack that held a large orange juice, fresh wild salmon and various other groceries. I bought a bag of Smarties, which here are like M and M's, not the sweet little sugar wafers, for fuel!
I broiled the wild salmon and served it with a salad from the local market. Here's a tip about Newman's Own salad dressing... there is not flow control top! Sadly, my beautiful salad got DRENCHED in dressing! I poured the excess onto my salmon, yum, but the salad was ruined. So, be warned!
Yesterday I walked to the downtown area of Victoria. The tourists are in full swing! The area was full of music from the buskers performing on the streets. Though some of them perform to closely together, making it difficult to enjoy just one artist, so you may as well just enjoy the symphony of the city and let it all pour over you much like an open mouthed salad dressing.
The heat was also in full swing. I got a bit burned on the trip. I enjoyed a lemonade on the water front, but it was not cold enough. I stopped at a tourist trap to get two scoops of gelatto on an ice cream cone.
My husband started his new job this past Tuesday, thus leaving me all alone!! Granted, this was the plan. Fantasizing about being a housewife during awful days at work would get me through to happy hour. The reality is, well, pretty dull! I am working on alternatives to couch sitting and channel surfing.
On Wednesday I ventured out to Shine Cafe, a fantastic breakfast and lunch place with an awesome staff. I've only been there once before. I ordered to Nemo, which is eggs benedict with wild salmon instead of ham, and avocado sliced on top. Yummers! On this visit I ordered the same thing.
Aside from the food and service, another thing I love about this place is that they offer half orders for two dollars less. Half orders! Being a light eater, I cringe at the serving sizes of most places. I hate wasting food. Hate it. Not all food is good for take away, so, unless the husband finishes it off for me, the food goes to waste.
While I was there I saw a woman with the most amazing hairstlye. It was a long haired mohawk with spider webs shaved into the side of her head. Loves it! So often I want to take a picture of the amazing things I see here, but I'm scared to ask permission! Granted, someone with hair like that would probably love to have their picture taken! I sure do!
Sitting there in the cafe by myself, I was struck by my lack of creative energy. How can I be in a rut when I only just got out of one? I've just gone through a huge transition. I've left my good, though not great, job. I've left my state in a time of crisis and I've left my country. Although, Victoria is very much like the better parts of California and the West Coast, it is different. I can't out my finger on it! Perhaps it is not the location that is so different, it is the life.
Life is different now.
Later that day I ventured to the closest grocery store which is 0.8 miles away. The way there is down hill and can be done in about three songs on my MP3 player. The way back, laden with groceries, feels like 8 miles! I have a large backpack that held a large orange juice, fresh wild salmon and various other groceries. I bought a bag of Smarties, which here are like M and M's, not the sweet little sugar wafers, for fuel!
I broiled the wild salmon and served it with a salad from the local market. Here's a tip about Newman's Own salad dressing... there is not flow control top! Sadly, my beautiful salad got DRENCHED in dressing! I poured the excess onto my salmon, yum, but the salad was ruined. So, be warned!
Yesterday I walked to the downtown area of Victoria. The tourists are in full swing! The area was full of music from the buskers performing on the streets. Though some of them perform to closely together, making it difficult to enjoy just one artist, so you may as well just enjoy the symphony of the city and let it all pour over you much like an open mouthed salad dressing.
The heat was also in full swing. I got a bit burned on the trip. I enjoyed a lemonade on the water front, but it was not cold enough. I stopped at a tourist trap to get two scoops of gelatto on an ice cream cone.
I was tempted to go to Starbucks for an icy frappucino, but I couldn't when there were all these other little shops to support. Next time, though, I'll skip that gelatto place... it cost the same as two venti frapps... ouch! I'm all about supporting small business, but I'll have to wait until I'm bringing in some more money!
My craft show is in mid November. I'll have to work on cranking out some pieces. Since it is a holiday show, I'll work on my holiday themed oranaments more than my creatures. However, if, once I get my fingers working I feel a little dragon that wants to come out of the clay, I'll let her out!
Today I will hit the grocery store again once I figure out what to make for dinner. I feel very guilty about not working, so I want to have a dinner ready for him when he gets home. Tonight I think I will try to make Gazpacho and add tofu for substance. I have a cookbook called "The Moosewood Cookbook" written by a bunch of hippies from New England. My mom has been using it since I was a kid, so it is very special to me to be able to feed my little family with it. I have peppers from my family's garden, and I think I may have some zucchini left from the garden as well.
Keep it chill!
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