Reflect to Resolve to Improve

Time for a little change of environment. 

With the Christmas decorations away I felt like going a bit funky 

- bold colours and a bohemian influence. 

It feels uplifting and empowering.

Just the way to start new year, especially with my long list of 

learning, dreams and goals all laid out in front of me.

Yes those toes are mine!




Some goals are for dreaming,
or are at least for farther into the future than 2014
as it's always nice to imagine and writing it down adds inspiration in my life.
(Think travel... Egypt)

Others are more immediate and easier,
(stand up straight... 
please call me on this one if you ever see the slouch creep over my shoulders!)
while some take a lot more time and effort!
(learning a language).

I like to categorize my goals by the following titles:
Work/Language/Health/Friends/Family/Travel/Knitting/Financial/
Learn To/Reading List/Just Do It/Visit
and I guess I like it so much I've done just this every year for quite some time.

It is always interesting to look back to see what I managed to accomplish last year as well.
Reviewing can be a good reminder of successes and ideas yet to be fulfilled.
I am proud to say I accomplished my work, financial, friends, family and other goals.
I took good care with my health, too.
However my reading list, knitting list and travel lists were 
only 43%, 57% and 50% met respectively,
and I failed miserably in the language and learn-to sections.

In honest reflection I do think 2013 was a pretty good year over all!

Here's a few goodies in store for 2014:
I want to perfect my home made pasta and bread making.
I want to either (or even better both) finally take my bike tour I've wanted to do for five years
from Passau to Vienna along the Danube, and climb mount Kilimanjaro.
(I must also see some sunshine pretty quickly before my skin actually becomes transparent.)
Language learning should be a little easier with all the foreign pilots at my base, 
so really there's no excuse!
I want to use all my Irish wool acquired over the past summer....

All of those things will be blogged about and I sincerely can't wait to do them!

I'll be looking at everything a little differently this year as well... !!!

I love my new glasses <3

Cross Country Skiing!

It was such a lovely day yesterday (-2 in Canmore and a nearly cloudless sky) 

so I'm especially glad I picked it for my first cross country skiing in a long time.  

Long as in 20 years or so long.  About time I revisit it!

 We (Allison and I) skied at the Nordic Center in Canmore, 

where the trails are groomed for skate skiing and tracks are laid for a more traditional approach, 

rentals for two hours is $20, and $10 for the ticket.

Driving time is about an hour each way so it's quite possible to do prior to afternoon reserve!

I wish I had taken more photos and made the mountains more of a focal point of the backdrop, 

but here's the one shot I did take. I can't decide if I like better in colour or black and white.

A few things around the house:

Another little knitting project completed. 

A gift of time and know-how for a friend who supplied the yarn :)

Below is the first 2014 pasta trial.

A Carbonara. Who can say no to bacon and Parmigiano Reggiano? 

The pasta itself was delicious but it's not yet ideal.

The great thing is that I've found a few people happy to help in the kitchen, 

making the experience not only better but also who would like to share their specialties with me! 

(Just think Brussels and Chocolate!!! And a Galardo pasta enthusiast!!!)

And just for fun:

A Seared Chum Steak; Japanese Flavours

Christmas on High

...and New Years too!

I stopped being such an ice queen, although it's still fun to joke that I am one, and entirely enjoyed my holiday season.  It could have been this napkin that cheered me up.

 Early Christmas on Salt Spring was special as always with my Parents. 

We picked out a cute but not so bushy tree from near the house, which 

I personally chopped down with a chainsaw (Yes, Miss Danger Rose herself) 

which my mom made beautiful with a string of lights and 

all the decorations she's collected over the years.  

Pretty much the same as every year because what's Christmas without traditions? 

 The socks I knit for my Dad fit well and so did the toque for my mom. 

As they were the only two items I knit up this year I was very happy they worked out.

The christmas socks on their blocking hangers:

The toque with buttons freshly sewn on:

Flying on Christmas Eve into the 25th was good for an elf like myself (less exciting for our excessively delayed passengers and my captain... or is that putting it too mildly?!) 

but tiring since we got back into Calgary at 6:30am. 

Christmas Day I was included at a friend's parent's home for the big dinner, which was very nice - particularly the invited part, I thought! 

I cannot really even say how much it means to be included on a special day.

I had no part in these truffles but since I found them to be inspiring in packaging, 

appearance and imagined flavour, I thought I'd include this photo! 

I did have one non-traditional yet completely delicious baking event that involved 

mint and chocolate, 

which can be well backed-up by plenty of tasters who offered their opinion, 

which I will share here with you:

Minty, Chocolaty Brownie Cookies

(a slight modification of Jennifer Pallian's Mint Chocolate Cookies as found on the Internet)

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 3/4 cups sugar, mixing brown and white together

2 eggs

1 lid-full vanilla extract

1 lid-full peppermint extract (could be more if you like)

2 cups flour, all purpose 

1 cup cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp salt

about a cup of chopped mint chocolate squares

(those brown and green layered ones in the grocery store bulk section)

Cream the butter, then with the sugar, then with the eggs and extracts. 

Combine dry ingredients, mix them in well. Add chocolate chunks and stir in.

(It is very dry in Calgary and I added some water to make the dough stick together...

I would be surprised if that would be necessary in other climates...)

Scoop with a melon baller or an ice cream scoop and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

They should be a chewy moist cookie with a tendency to disappear... 

 *******

Following Christmas my best friend, Martina, came out for five days of fun which we spent in 

Calgary and in the mountains, with another friend, Jordan. We made a pretty good trio I'd say. 

The three of us enjoyed a spectacular Rocky experience in a fair amount of snow 

with a good visit and craic in Jasper at the Fenton-Weir's including 

carols on the grand piano, yorkshire puddings of golden goodness, a slide show of the latest african adventure, cuddles with Ozzie and the remote alpine cuteness of Jasper itself. 

Martina spent some time pointing out geological features of the mountains during our drive 

(shhh Jordan and I are learning..!) and taking much better photos than what I have here for you. However our favourite photo must certainly be of us in the old fashioned bathing suits 

we rented to take a dip in the hot springs in Banff!

New Years was a massive martini event. 

The drink list was extensive and the tastes exquisite thanks to the host who was a friend of a friend's, 

which also meant there was a nice mix of friends and now new friends with whom to socialize. 

Below, (not the beginning of the night) is our favourite cocktail of the evening 

- a raspberry and lime delight.

I think I will avoid martinis for some time now and make a list of healthy, 

horizon widening goals for 2014!

Miss Grinch

Not sure what is wrong with me, but I've been grinch-y recently.

I know it's December and according to the history of my life this means 

automatic elf transformation.

(if I wasn't elfin enough to begin with) but for one reason or another: 

Grinch Disaster Ensued...

It could be her head wasn't screwed on just right. 

It could be perhaps, that her shoes were too tight. 

But I think the most likely reason of all, may have been her heart was two sizes too small.

OR 

It could be there was no one to hold her tight.  

It could be perhaps that it was freezing at night.  

But I think the most likely reason of all, may have been that love still hadn't come to call.

I think my heart is plenty big enough... Possibly too big?!

So I put on lots of warm and furry clothing and forced myself to bake. 

And to listen to Christmas music. 

Forced. 

Then I gave up and listened to something else.  I decided country was better.  

Actually it can get pretty sappy, but if a man was dancing with me and singing in my ear

"Your Man" and he honestly felt that way,

I'd drink the sap right up and I'd come around and say,

Baby all I want for Christmas is you!

 But alas, my man still hasn't shown up, called or texted, 

or likely even noticed I'm alive, so to sooth my 'grinchyness' I watched Love Actually...

(My favourite Christmas movie. That and Home Alone.)

And the Grinch, with her grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, 

Sat contemplating life... How could it be so?

It came without trying! It came without much wait! 

It came without worrying or angst it'd be late!

And she puzzled two hours, till her puzzler was sore,

Then the Grinch thought of something she hadn't before!

Maybe Christmas, she thought is about patience,

If I'm going to have to bear to live (part of) my life alone

Even if I grow impatient for a love to call my own

And when I feel that I, I can't go on,

These precious words keep me hanging on,

I remember Mama said,

You can't hurry love,

No you just have to wait,

She said love don't come easy

(Perhaps...) it's a game of give and take.

And she...

She herself.

The Grinch, listened happily to carols while nibbling cookies, 

thinking about the love all around her...

Thinking I need to find, find someone to call mine,

But meanwhile I'll enjoy the Christmas bliss.

That maybe by this time next year,

I'll have have a sweetheart to kiss...

I just knew Christmas had something to do with Motown!

After you watch the aforementioned movies just listen to the Jackson 5 Christmas and 

James Brown's "Santa Claus Go Straight To the Ghetto"

(that isn't a grammatical error just so you know)

and you'll be Christmas warm and fuzzy complete, too!

Just about love for a sec... 

Yes I know what else does this broken record ever talk about...

But still isn't it funny, both peculiar and laughable, that there always will be 

someone out there wanting you, but because they aren't your idea of the right fit, 

you just don't remember or care (sorry) and then complain and cry 

about the fact you have no one to love and no one loves you.  

LOL!

(Okay I sincerely hope I only do this in my head, because that could get annoying fast. 

So apologies to everyone who has had to endure any of my lamenting. 

However, I'll probably do it again!)

Love... Well it's all around.  Just take a look!

Reflection: Mirror, Mind, Me

I think I've been back in Canada long enough now to comment on myself and how it feels.

Canada is home of course.  I believe some places are homier though than others.  

And Calgary is just fine with me. Minus perhaps the minus temperatures!

I went to Vancouver for a birthday celebration. 

It was fun and important, as is the birthday girl, naturally, a truly lovely friend and person!

It was also completely overdue. So glad I went!

But Vancouver itself? 
I had to go to begin to understand... that I might be crazy, but maybe not...
It's possible I'll change my mind. I'll let you know if I do.
This is just the way I see it:

Cool name, nicest airport in the country, best sushi, the one and only Stanley Park, beautiful certainly and the air is fresh, 

but I realize the city is not really for me. 

And it wasn't even raining.

I'm kind of a contrast. Do you know what I mean? No?

I'm a BC girl, I know - but somehow I don't feel like that person is reflected by the biggest city in the province. 

Maybe I'm just an island girl... 

For all those people who can't believe I'd have ever left Vancouver for Calgary and not be dying to move back, firstly that wasn't the sequence of events, and secondly if you replaced Vancouver with North Saanich the question might have some validity. Maybe it's about creed, maybe vision, honesty?

Let's just say, bring on the Noise, bring on the Big, bring on Alberta, my arms are wide open! 

I'll even let all your money talk slip. I love your raw (crude?) nature and your entrepreneurial spirit! (Just let me fly in Econ at Optimum Altitude, don't worry we're still buying your gas) 

One thing I'm loving, here in Calgary, is my home. I finally moved into my room a few days ago. 

What a simple pleasure to turn the last light off from bed! 

And to know that even though it's completely dark, my room looks lovely! 

Now all I need is someone to share it with... Lol. 

No, that's not really an invitation. I already sleep with a pilot every night!

(Sorry that joke is getting old, isn't it?)

I'm missing a song that reminds me of myself at this particular moment in time... Usually I have one.  For example, when I lived in Steveston, it was "She's so California" by Gary Allen, 

and when I moved to Mississauga for the first year at least, 

it was, "The Long Way Around" by the Dixie Chicks. 

Interesting these both happen to be country songs... Coming home I've eased right into 105.3 in the car.  I like my country, and I like it loud!

Friday is time for Two Step. I figure I better learn how to dance properly if I'm here! 
When in Rome...

Nonetheless I need a new song.  Suggestions gladly accepted!

Have you ever noticed when your mind is made aware of something new, all sorts of otherwise unnoticed, unusual and separate things often appear and are randomly related? 

It's kind of odd, the power of thinking, but I love that!

The Highland Photos

I know I promised these photos and I love them, so here they are:

The Highlands!

Behind me is Glencoe. 

It was meant to be a hike but it was more of a mini walk, 

so we went uphill following our own way.

Above is my favourite shot.

I love the width of the lense on this camera and the crispness of the details.

One day I'll get myself one of these!

We were quite lucky with weather, 

though I'd really love to see these mountains without any cloud!

Below is the little river running through Glencoe. 

We walked to the signal point and concluded that a lot must have changed since the history 

of the place because no one could see us from there!

The amazing thing is that none of these photos has been altered either. 

I'm completely photography and photographer impressed!

Saturday Snowshoe

It's taken some effort to have become acclimated... I was surprised how much had to be done after being away for so long, but then again what did I expect? After six months of averting regular responsibilities there was considerable time spent collecting my shipping, unpacking, organizing, appointments, phone calls, parking passes and confounding computer issues... 

amongst about a million other things, or so it felt! 

Anyway, now I'm pretty much caught up, including having added a few flights to warmer parts of the world to my list of experiences. I still want to visit Huatulco, Mexico on my own time as it was even more convincing as viewed from the windscreen.  It's about 500 kms south east of Acapulco, or 270 nautical miles in case you're like me who still can't comprehend estimating most metric measurements, and it's quite lush with sandy crescent shaped bays surrounded by bluffs...  Oh! and did I mention it's probably 30 degrees there at this very moment. (metric temperatures are okay as it turns out!) 

Sorry I forgot to take any pictures... Next time.

At first it was so nice and warm when I returned to Calgary at 23 degrees, but then the temperature plummeted to minus 10 and we've had snow at least four times! In light of the old adage: if you can't beat them, join them, I went out to play in the snowflakes with snowshoes in Kananaskis today. The sun shone until reaching close to the top of the trail where it was rather windy and cold. Nevertheless, a great outing with my niece, who a big fan of the mountains and a great influence as this was her idea. I could have sworn the trail was a loop, and when I checked once returning home, it is! The trouble was someone ahead had broken a trail and I just followed. Next time I'd prefer to snowshoe down a less extreme slope as my wrists are currently begging me to take a long, hot, Epsom salt soak. The upward journey was, as usual my favourite part. Go mountain goat!

I couldn't help myself. I had to try out these cinnamon buns, because who can resist warm, gooey sticky, fresh buns from the oven? Not me. 

I'll save my will power for not eating them all at once, and sharing of course!

I've never had a Cinnabon cinnamon bun before for comparison, however if I make these again, which I likely will, I'll roll the dough thinner so there's more of a coil and more layers to each bun. 

The icing is perfect! I used lemon juice and regular vanilla...

While I was in Montreal, my friend John inspired my curiosity in macarons. 

Making them, and eating them, naturally.

I'd actually never before had one until three days ago! It was totally different than I'd expected. 

It was delicate, delicious and had amazing texture. I thought it would have been dry. 

Glad I was wrong :)  

My kitchen may be going French soon...

Until next time. Xo

Ich Liebe Wien

One last quick trip to Vienna to finish my season off right.

I ate amazing food.  Actually to be more precise I ate Knödel, Topfen, Struddel, Musli, Pumpkin everything, Schnitzel, Würst, Sauerkraut and Xocolat. And I had amazing company.  Martina and John in Vienna. Family of the best kind in Kindberg. Wunderschön!

So great I only took a few pictures. Lol. Just like me. Taking everything in via the eyes.

And look I made mitts! These are cozy thrum handwarmers of Canadian caliber. Thanks Fleece Artist!