Yes, I know, I'm a slacker. I realize it's been quite some time since my last post. But since the focus of my blog is supposed to be about Vancouver I didn't really have much to write about since I was in California. True I could have blathered on about updates concerning health care (I finally found a doctor) or could have mentioned the bomb threats that shut down UBC but I didn't.

Instead I'm going to fill you in on my little trip to sunnier weather. California was great. The weather was warm, the beaches pretty, family and friends are doing well. I met a bunch of new people, played poker (came in third), went hiking (twice), went on a photo outing, ate a Balboa bar on Balboa Island, walked the Hermosa Beach strand, ate sushi (twice), went to the Huntington Library, scanned in photos from the 1930s and 40s of my grandmother growing up, but most of all I got to spend quality time with a good friend as well as my mom and dad.

Pictures below.

For J's birthday we headed 20 minutes north to Grouse Mountain. We boarded the gondola and watched the rain turn to snow during the four minute ride to the top. We decided to give snowshoeing a try, which was a first for both of us. (Yeah, for trying new things!)

Grouse has three snowshoe trails but the only one open (due to avalanche warnings) was a 1 kilometer loop. We trekked along and in true J style he ventured off the groomed trail to see how far his snowshoes would sink into the freshly fallen snow. He even turned his body into a sled, sitting on his bottom, leaning on his back, facing head first, he slid down the hills.

The sun actually peaked through the clouds to brighten the trail and make it a fabulous day for our snow hike.

I can't wait to go again.

"I'm dreaming of a ...

white Christmas." Well, we woke up Christmas morning and it was snowing. Large plump flakes filling up our front yard and covering the street. We headed south to J's cousins for dinner but as we drove the snow became rain and by the time we reached our destination there was nothing falling from the sky.

Karen prepared a turkey and J got to put his carving skills to good use without the electric carving knife. There were also plenty of side dishes and lots of homemade desserts including our white chocolate chip chocolate cookies.

The holidays are a time for family and friends and thankfully we have some family here in the northwest to celebrate with.

Lastly, we didn't have to shovel any snow and the forecast predicts rain soon, so most of the remaining patches will be washed away.

California...

We ventured back to sunny California for some time with friends and family.
It's nice to spend time with people that you don't see very often. The stories are more animated and the laughter is louder.

My annual family gathering comes in early December and the number one thing on the menu is.......CHERRIES!!!

The kids go crazy for cherries. They think that J can magically create them. He places a napkin over a plate (that a waitress has brought earlier) and Ta-Da, bright red cherries appear.
The first thing said to J this year was, "Remember when we had cherries." Oh, the fond memories when your five.

If all memories could be as sweet as a bowl full of cherries.