So, I had a fairly good day today. Dixon is in Kelowna for three days so I am bonding with the animals. I found a job online that I applied for, fingers crossed.
At 9pm I was sitting in the living room, cat asleep on my lap and the dog sprawled out on the floor, the smooth jazz station gently wafting from the tele as I played solitaire on my i-Pod. Suddenly a song came on that grabbed me by the ears and wouldn't let go - Angel Eyes by KD Lang. Gorgeous voice, superb orchestration, sultry saxophone and elegant strings. When it was over I sprung to the computer and summoned i-Tunes for a search. There she was with that song, part of a tribute album to Ella Fitzgerald. Sixteen songs and a bonus booklet for only $9.99. Beside Ms. Lang there is Chaka Kahn, Diana Krall, Gladys Knight, Etta James, Linda Rondstatd, Michael Buble, Natalie Cole and Queen Latifah! Most are favorites of mine (I swear there is a black woman in me somewhere!!). I simply could not pass up this selection and am now listening to these wonderful voices. Ain't life grand!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Can you get THIS in the US??
Well, I found my dream car du jour - the 1991 Nissan Figaro. These were made in VERY limited numbers, less than 20,000, for the Japanese market only. I found a company in Vancouver that imports them and sells them for $12-13,000. What a bargain!!
Here are some details:
The Figaro was introduced at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under the slogan "Back to the Future". It was built by a Nissan special projects group called Pike Factory, who also produced other niche automobiles such as the Be-1, Pao and S-Cargo. Only four colours were available: Topaz Mist, Emerald Green, Pale Aqua and Lapis Grey. The least popular was Topaz Mist, which now has become the most sought-after version.
The Figaro was equipped with leather seats, air conditioning, CD player and a open roof. It was designed by Shoji Takahashi, who won a design competition with the car.
The engine was Nissan's MA10ET, a turbocharged 1.0 L (987 cc) I4.
Only 8,000 were originally available with an additional 12,000 added to production numbers to meet demand.
Now I really have to get a job so I can get one of these! Maybe it's mid-life crisis but I am smitten for SURE!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Trip into the city.
Well, with the LONG weekend here we decided to take a trip into Victoria to get some shopping done. We are on the lookout for patio furniture for our deck but can't seem to find a higher set so that we can see over the railing. I suppose it isn't that big of a deal, seeing that the panels in the rail are GLASS and we can see right through them, but we were looking for higher perches from which to enjoy food, drink and the view. We were told to try Sears but alas all they had were the standard height tables and chairs. I've now started researching possibilities that are locally manufactured and will let you know what we find.
We also checked out the Sears Garden Center, something that I have NEVER seen in the States, and their selection wasn't too bad but of course they were still ramping up for the season so there was a lot of empty space yet to be filled with goodies of green. We wandered about in Hillside Mall, looking for info on cell phone service, and as usual were overwhelmed with the myriad of choices from the different providers. YIKES, it is as bad as in the States, but one thing I noticed is that usually voicemail tends to be in an extra cost package, not standard. We are leaning to Rogers due to our rural location and their larger number of towers out our way.
We were then off to Finest at Sea seafood emporium in Victoria. It is run by a local fisherman and he sells in the shop what his eight boats catch every day at sea. We heard they had BC sashimi-grade albacore tuna and they certainly do. A recent article in the local paper stated that the flavor of this local tuna is supposed to be fantastic so we splurged and picked up a pound to try for a special dinner tonight. We love our tuna seasoned and seared on the George Foreman indoor grill - just a bit of olive oil on each side and some chipotle and we are good to go!
After the fish store, which did NOT burn down by the way, just an out building behind did, we were off to Chinatown and Silk Road Tea Company on Government Street to try to find Dixon some Cinnamon Tea. He really enjoyed a particular blend back in the States that came from Mrs. Kelly's tea company in Minneapolis but we have not been able to find a similar product since our arrival in BC. Silk Road has a fantastic selection of teas but alas no Cinnamon tea so our search continues.
The trip into Victoria was a delight for the visual senses as there are blooming trees EVERYWHERE, more than I have ever seen in a city before. No matter what street or neighborhood we found ourselves there were trees in bloom, sometimes as far down the road as they eye could see! It truly is a fantastic sight and I would urge you to not miss it if possible. Sorry to say my camera was at home. Spring seems to come a bit earlier in Victoria than out in the hills of Sooke so there are not too many trees abloom out in our area, yet. We have 2-300 daffodils in bloom in the yard and some Hyacinth and I noticed the same blooms all over Victoria. The sunny weather seemed to have the populace out in full force also as there were loads of people everywhere we went. Douglas St. was a madhouse of traffic, something I usually see during the work week, and there were mobs of people in downtown Victoria, particularly around the Empress Hotel and the inner harbor.
Today, if the weather stays clear, we are off to Whiffen Spit with the dog for a romp along the sea.
I hope this finds you all well and stay tuned......
We also checked out the Sears Garden Center, something that I have NEVER seen in the States, and their selection wasn't too bad but of course they were still ramping up for the season so there was a lot of empty space yet to be filled with goodies of green. We wandered about in Hillside Mall, looking for info on cell phone service, and as usual were overwhelmed with the myriad of choices from the different providers. YIKES, it is as bad as in the States, but one thing I noticed is that usually voicemail tends to be in an extra cost package, not standard. We are leaning to Rogers due to our rural location and their larger number of towers out our way.
We were then off to Finest at Sea seafood emporium in Victoria. It is run by a local fisherman and he sells in the shop what his eight boats catch every day at sea. We heard they had BC sashimi-grade albacore tuna and they certainly do. A recent article in the local paper stated that the flavor of this local tuna is supposed to be fantastic so we splurged and picked up a pound to try for a special dinner tonight. We love our tuna seasoned and seared on the George Foreman indoor grill - just a bit of olive oil on each side and some chipotle and we are good to go!
After the fish store, which did NOT burn down by the way, just an out building behind did, we were off to Chinatown and Silk Road Tea Company on Government Street to try to find Dixon some Cinnamon Tea. He really enjoyed a particular blend back in the States that came from Mrs. Kelly's tea company in Minneapolis but we have not been able to find a similar product since our arrival in BC. Silk Road has a fantastic selection of teas but alas no Cinnamon tea so our search continues.
The trip into Victoria was a delight for the visual senses as there are blooming trees EVERYWHERE, more than I have ever seen in a city before. No matter what street or neighborhood we found ourselves there were trees in bloom, sometimes as far down the road as they eye could see! It truly is a fantastic sight and I would urge you to not miss it if possible. Sorry to say my camera was at home. Spring seems to come a bit earlier in Victoria than out in the hills of Sooke so there are not too many trees abloom out in our area, yet. We have 2-300 daffodils in bloom in the yard and some Hyacinth and I noticed the same blooms all over Victoria. The sunny weather seemed to have the populace out in full force also as there were loads of people everywhere we went. Douglas St. was a madhouse of traffic, something I usually see during the work week, and there were mobs of people in downtown Victoria, particularly around the Empress Hotel and the inner harbor.
Today, if the weather stays clear, we are off to Whiffen Spit with the dog for a romp along the sea.
I hope this finds you all well and stay tuned......
Monday, March 17, 2008
More of the garden...
Daffodils
Unknown in the rock garden.
Sedum emerging.
Not sure what this is but I like it.
Grass left from last year but still looks nice.
Lenten Rose. (Hellebore)
Lenten Rose (Hellebore)
Cool color!
Mass of Creeping Thyme on the rock wall.
Sedum in the rock garden.Wednesday, March 12, 2008
SPRING!!
Some Daffodils in a pot that the previous owners left for us.
Hyacinths in the garden.
Huge Pink Magnolia just about ready to bloom.
Fatsia Japonica!
Lenten Rose.Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sit back and enjoy....
Ella and Louis...what more could one ask for? One of my favorites, I hope you enjoy it too.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Vancouver Island Info.
I found this info about Vancouver Island online and thought I'd share.
The Island is named for George Vancouver, a British officer who explored the region in the 1790's and was the first to circumnavigate the island.
In satellite photos, Vancouver Island looks like a large battleship, which has rammed into the Washington State coastline. The battleship is about 300 miles long and about 40 miles wide. It's the largest island on the western side of the Americas and is approximately 32,134 km2 (12,407 mi2). It's the world's 43rd largest island. It's slightly smaller than Taiwan and slightly larger than Sicily, Italy. The island is Canada's 11th largest island and second most populated, trailing the Island of Montreal, in Québec, which has a population density that's more than two hundred times greater than Vancouver Island's.
The island is divided between a more rugged, wetter west coast and a more gently rolling, drier east coast by a mountain range named, oddly enough, the "Vancouver Island Range". These mountains extend the nearly the length of the island. Their highest peak is Golden Hinde, sitting at 2,195 meters (7,201 feet), the 18th highest peak in British Columbia. It's located in Strathcona Provincial Park and is part of an area includes the only glaciers on the island, the largest of which is called the Comox Glacier.
The mountains create a rain shadow effect for the island, providing a wide variation in precipitation. The west coast is considerably wetter than the east coast. Averages range from 665 cm (261 inches) at Henderson Lake (making it the wettest spot in North America) to 63 cm (24 inches) at the driest weather station, in the Provincial capital of Victoria.
The rugged, wet west coast shoreline is mostly an unpopulated wilderness and is, in many places, mountainous. It contains many fjords, bays and inlets. It's called "The Graveyard of the Pacific", because more than 60 ships have wrecked off its shores, in stormy or foggy weather. A hiking trail, the "West Coast Trail", parallels a portion of the southern coastline and its origin date back to the 1800's, when it was used as a life-line for shipwreck victims. It boasted a telegraph line and patrol cabins, allowing survivors to travel through the impenetrable forest. In 1973, the trail was included in the Pacific Rim National Park and is now a world-class hiking trail, which is included in Peter Potterfield's book, "Classic Hikes of the World, 23 Breathtaking Treks".
The more gently rolling, eastern shore, has been turned into some of the most productive farmland in British Columbia. Both the north and south tip of the island is predominated by rolling hills, which were shaped by the retreating glaciers, at the culmination of the last ice age.
The island is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Georgia, a narrow body of water teeming with marine life: salmon, seal, killer whales (Orca) and birds. The Strait is filled with scattered islands known as the Gulf Islands (the Canadian version of the San Juan Islands, which lie on the United States side). Both island groups are popular sailing and recreation destinations.
Passenger and automobile ferries connect Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands to the mainland. In Canada, ferry service is provided by BC Ferries and in the U.S.A., ferry service is provided by Washington State Ferries.
Climate, Flora and Fauna
Often called the "Hawaii of the North", Vancouver Island has the mildest climate in all of Canada. The climate is stabilized by the Pacific Ocean and is warmed by the "Japan Current".
One doesn't think "Greece", when thinking about Vancouver Island climate, but it's a known fact that the Victoria area, on the southeastern tip of the Island, is the northernmost example of a Mediterranean climate. This speaks volumes to the fact that the mountains, ocean currents and prevailing winds all conspire to create numerous micro-climates on the island, making it difficult to characterize the island as a whole, or even with the climate on the British Columbia mainland.
However, during summertime, it is reliably warm and sunny, across the island, with frequent ocean breezes. Temperatures reach average highs in the mid 20's °C (70-80°F) and evenings are generally cool. During winter months, average temperatures, along the coast, never dip much below 0°C (32°F). The graph shown here, contains temperature and precipitation averages, for the island as a whole.
Snowfall is variable. While the coastal areas only receive a dusting of snow, each year, which doesn't stay on the ground long, the mountains can receive many feet, which remain all season. Snow skiing is a popular wintertime activity, as there are two resorts on the island (Mt. Washington & Mt. Cain). Mt. Washington's snow-pack is often deeper than anywhere else in B.C. and is the second-busiest winter recreation destination in the Province, trailing only Whistler-Blackcomb, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. With the temperate coastal climate, it's possible to mountain-bike in the morning and then enjoy a 360-degree panorama, with ocean views, while snow skiing in the afternoon.
Vancouver island lies in a temperate rain forest biome. The south and east part of the island is characterized by Douglas-fir and western red cedar trees and is the more populated portion of the island. The northern and western portions of the island are home to conifers. These are the "big trees" often associated with the B.C. coast, including: hemlock, western red cedar, yellow cedar, Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce and western white pine. Some of the biggest trees in the world can be found here. Not surprisingly, logging has, historically, played a big role in the island's economy, along with fishing.
MacMillan Provincial Park and Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park are but two of 150 government-designated parks on the island. These two parks hold some of the largest stands of Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce in the world. MacMillan Park contains Cathedral Grove, one of the the most accessible stands of giant Douglas-fir trees in British Columbia. It's right along the Tofino Highway 4 (also called the Pacific Rim Highway) between Parksville and Port Alberni. This same road continues on to the west coast sister ports of Tofino and Ucluelet, which is the route one would take to get to the Pacific Rim National Park. These old-growth forests hold trees, some of which are over 1,000 years old and are a popular tourist attraction.
The island also supports a lush ground cover, made up of ferns, salal, mosses, lichens, berry bushes and many flowering shrubs. The warmer south, contains ecosystems that contain Arbutus trees and the more rare, Garry Oak.
Sea otters abound in the waters off Vancouver Island and near Nuchatlitz Inlet, sea kayakers can spot rafts of 20 to 100 of the playful, furry, and affable creatures.
Regarding wildlife, Vancouver Island is home to many of the same species as found on the mainland, with some interesting exceptions. The island doesn't have any grizzly bears, porcupines, moose or coyotes, despite the fact that these animals are common on the mainland. The island is home to Canada's only population of Roosevelt elk and also the endogenous Vancouver Island Marmot. It also has one of the densest population of cougars in North America.
The beauty and diversity of Vancouver Island extends offshore, as the surrounding waters are filled with marine life, some 3000 species of plants and animals. These include five different species of salmon, halibut, cod, herring, shrimp and prawns, which support a large commercial and sport fishing industry. Whether you're on a whale watching expedition, kayaking or just riding a ferry from the mainland, it's possible to sight a whale: killer whale (orca), gray whale, minke whales and humpback whales all swim in these waters. You might spot a Dall porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin, California sea lion, Stellar sea lion, harbor seals, elephant seals, sea otter or bald eagles. Marine diversity and beauty extends underwater as well, making Vancouver Island a scuba diving paradise. Clear waters provide excellent visibility, artificial reefs (created by sinking decommissioned navy ships) and a multitude of invertebrate life all help to make Vancouver Island North America's top diving destination.
Vancouver Island offers a cornucopia of adventure, living and working possibilities.
The Island is named for George Vancouver, a British officer who explored the region in the 1790's and was the first to circumnavigate the island.
In satellite photos, Vancouver Island looks like a large battleship, which has rammed into the Washington State coastline. The battleship is about 300 miles long and about 40 miles wide. It's the largest island on the western side of the Americas and is approximately 32,134 km2 (12,407 mi2). It's the world's 43rd largest island. It's slightly smaller than Taiwan and slightly larger than Sicily, Italy. The island is Canada's 11th largest island and second most populated, trailing the Island of Montreal, in Québec, which has a population density that's more than two hundred times greater than Vancouver Island's.
The island is divided between a more rugged, wetter west coast and a more gently rolling, drier east coast by a mountain range named, oddly enough, the "Vancouver Island Range". These mountains extend the nearly the length of the island. Their highest peak is Golden Hinde, sitting at 2,195 meters (7,201 feet), the 18th highest peak in British Columbia. It's located in Strathcona Provincial Park and is part of an area includes the only glaciers on the island, the largest of which is called the Comox Glacier.
The mountains create a rain shadow effect for the island, providing a wide variation in precipitation. The west coast is considerably wetter than the east coast. Averages range from 665 cm (261 inches) at Henderson Lake (making it the wettest spot in North America) to 63 cm (24 inches) at the driest weather station, in the Provincial capital of Victoria.
The rugged, wet west coast shoreline is mostly an unpopulated wilderness and is, in many places, mountainous. It contains many fjords, bays and inlets. It's called "The Graveyard of the Pacific", because more than 60 ships have wrecked off its shores, in stormy or foggy weather. A hiking trail, the "West Coast Trail", parallels a portion of the southern coastline and its origin date back to the 1800's, when it was used as a life-line for shipwreck victims. It boasted a telegraph line and patrol cabins, allowing survivors to travel through the impenetrable forest. In 1973, the trail was included in the Pacific Rim National Park and is now a world-class hiking trail, which is included in Peter Potterfield's book, "Classic Hikes of the World, 23 Breathtaking Treks".
The more gently rolling, eastern shore, has been turned into some of the most productive farmland in British Columbia. Both the north and south tip of the island is predominated by rolling hills, which were shaped by the retreating glaciers, at the culmination of the last ice age.
The island is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Georgia, a narrow body of water teeming with marine life: salmon, seal, killer whales (Orca) and birds. The Strait is filled with scattered islands known as the Gulf Islands (the Canadian version of the San Juan Islands, which lie on the United States side). Both island groups are popular sailing and recreation destinations.
Passenger and automobile ferries connect Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands to the mainland. In Canada, ferry service is provided by BC Ferries and in the U.S.A., ferry service is provided by Washington State Ferries.
Climate, Flora and Fauna
Often called the "Hawaii of the North", Vancouver Island has the mildest climate in all of Canada. The climate is stabilized by the Pacific Ocean and is warmed by the "Japan Current".
One doesn't think "Greece", when thinking about Vancouver Island climate, but it's a known fact that the Victoria area, on the southeastern tip of the Island, is the northernmost example of a Mediterranean climate. This speaks volumes to the fact that the mountains, ocean currents and prevailing winds all conspire to create numerous micro-climates on the island, making it difficult to characterize the island as a whole, or even with the climate on the British Columbia mainland.
However, during summertime, it is reliably warm and sunny, across the island, with frequent ocean breezes. Temperatures reach average highs in the mid 20's °C (70-80°F) and evenings are generally cool. During winter months, average temperatures, along the coast, never dip much below 0°C (32°F). The graph shown here, contains temperature and precipitation averages, for the island as a whole.
Snowfall is variable. While the coastal areas only receive a dusting of snow, each year, which doesn't stay on the ground long, the mountains can receive many feet, which remain all season. Snow skiing is a popular wintertime activity, as there are two resorts on the island (Mt. Washington & Mt. Cain). Mt. Washington's snow-pack is often deeper than anywhere else in B.C. and is the second-busiest winter recreation destination in the Province, trailing only Whistler-Blackcomb, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. With the temperate coastal climate, it's possible to mountain-bike in the morning and then enjoy a 360-degree panorama, with ocean views, while snow skiing in the afternoon.
Vancouver island lies in a temperate rain forest biome. The south and east part of the island is characterized by Douglas-fir and western red cedar trees and is the more populated portion of the island. The northern and western portions of the island are home to conifers. These are the "big trees" often associated with the B.C. coast, including: hemlock, western red cedar, yellow cedar, Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce and western white pine. Some of the biggest trees in the world can be found here. Not surprisingly, logging has, historically, played a big role in the island's economy, along with fishing.
MacMillan Provincial Park and Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park are but two of 150 government-designated parks on the island. These two parks hold some of the largest stands of Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce in the world. MacMillan Park contains Cathedral Grove, one of the the most accessible stands of giant Douglas-fir trees in British Columbia. It's right along the Tofino Highway 4 (also called the Pacific Rim Highway) between Parksville and Port Alberni. This same road continues on to the west coast sister ports of Tofino and Ucluelet, which is the route one would take to get to the Pacific Rim National Park. These old-growth forests hold trees, some of which are over 1,000 years old and are a popular tourist attraction.
The island also supports a lush ground cover, made up of ferns, salal, mosses, lichens, berry bushes and many flowering shrubs. The warmer south, contains ecosystems that contain Arbutus trees and the more rare, Garry Oak.
Sea otters abound in the waters off Vancouver Island and near Nuchatlitz Inlet, sea kayakers can spot rafts of 20 to 100 of the playful, furry, and affable creatures.
Regarding wildlife, Vancouver Island is home to many of the same species as found on the mainland, with some interesting exceptions. The island doesn't have any grizzly bears, porcupines, moose or coyotes, despite the fact that these animals are common on the mainland. The island is home to Canada's only population of Roosevelt elk and also the endogenous Vancouver Island Marmot. It also has one of the densest population of cougars in North America.
The beauty and diversity of Vancouver Island extends offshore, as the surrounding waters are filled with marine life, some 3000 species of plants and animals. These include five different species of salmon, halibut, cod, herring, shrimp and prawns, which support a large commercial and sport fishing industry. Whether you're on a whale watching expedition, kayaking or just riding a ferry from the mainland, it's possible to sight a whale: killer whale (orca), gray whale, minke whales and humpback whales all swim in these waters. You might spot a Dall porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin, California sea lion, Stellar sea lion, harbor seals, elephant seals, sea otter or bald eagles. Marine diversity and beauty extends underwater as well, making Vancouver Island a scuba diving paradise. Clear waters provide excellent visibility, artificial reefs (created by sinking decommissioned navy ships) and a multitude of invertebrate life all help to make Vancouver Island North America's top diving destination.
Vancouver Island offers a cornucopia of adventure, living and working possibilities.
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