Grand Canyon

I celebrated my 30th in Las Vegas this summer and a good friend of mine and I treated ourselves to an amazing experience - taking a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon. I can't even describe in words how excited we were to take this adventure - unbelievable and unforgettable!

Floral Artisan

Floral Artisan

Beautiful Roses by Floral Artisan

Matthew Freed Pottery

Great coffee or tea mug by Matthew Freed.

Matthew Freed Pottery

Another great piece by Matthew Freed.

Matthew Freed Pottery

Beautiful Matthew Freed Vase with tree detail.

Matthew Freed Pottery

I just finished taking pictures for a very talented Vancouver Artist, Matthew Freed. His pieces are some of the best pottery I've seen.

Braden Hammond Glass - Midnight Collection

Braden's Midnight Collection was inspired by the black diamond hills at Whistler/Blackcomb Mountain. Lori Triolo, a local Vancouver actor, is wearing a Midnight Necklace, Midnight Ring and Signature Black Cuff, all of course by Braden Hammond.

Braden Hammond Glass - Ice Collection

Braden Hammond Glass brings you clear glass jewellery! What a concept...clear necklaces, clear rings, clear cuffs & bracelets, clear beaded earrings...the perfect jewellery for every occassion - they match everything in your wardrobe!! Compliments guaranteed.

Braden Hammond Glass - Signature Collection

Pictured above is Rhiannon wearing Braden Hammond Glass, his signature collection in Tequila Sunrise!

Braden Hammond Glass - Glass Rings!

My absolute favourite piece of jewellery to wear is one of Braden's beautiful glass rings. I love the texture of the glass on my finger... the way they look and feel soothing. I can't leave my house without one on and get compliments on a regular basis, which is also nice!! The Dichro Rings are the most unique in shape and colour and the clear ice ring is good anytime because it goes with absolutely everything!!

Braden Hammond Glass - Silver & Gold Necklaces

I just finished a photo shoot for Braden Hammond Glass today. Pictured above are his beautiful Silver and Gold Glass Necklaces...the silver one is made out of glass and 100% silver and turns out this amazing milky white/yellow/blue colour. The Gold necklace is made with glass and 24K gold and the gold turns out pink/gold in the glass...my favourite necklaces by far!!

Rhubarb Upside Down Cake

This cake is sweet and tangy, perfect for an afternoon treat. (Recipe by Elizabeth Kroeker).

Mini Cheesecake!

I love cheesecake...these little mini cheesccakes are the perfect size to satisfy your cravings! (Recipe by Elizabeth Kroeker)

Baked Alaska...or Baked British Columbia

Strawberry Ice Cream on the inside of this amazing dessert is so delicious. Recipe by Elizabeth Kroeker. (will post when I get it from her!)

Granola Bars that you can't stop eating

4 cups of oats
1 cup of chocolate chips
1 cup of raisins
1 cup of sunflower seeds
1 cup of soy nuts
Add one can SWEETENED condensed milk and mix in a big bowl.
Pat firmly into a bar pan with PARCHMENT paper.
Bake in a preheated oven of 350 degrees for about 24 minutes (top will turn golden brown).
Cool and cut into granola bar sized pieces.
(Recipe by Elizabeth Kroeker)

The Best Black Forest Cake!

Recipe by Elizabeth Kroeker...I don't have the recipe to share yet, but as soon as I get it I'll post it.

YUM!

Lemon Posse With Raspberry Coulis

This is one of my favourite desserts to make and eat! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

Lemon Posse
2 ¼ cups whipping cream
2/3 cup sugar
¼ cup sieved lemon juice (one lemon)
*Bring cream and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, stirring constantly. Set timer for 3 minutes, reduce to a simmer and continue to stir. Take off heat, stir in lemon juice and pour into 6 – 8 ramekins and chill until set, about 4 hours.
*When serving, top with a spoonful of raspberry coulis.
Prep/Cook time: 15 minutes

Raspberry Coulis
300g fresh or frozen raspberries
juice of 1 lemon or lime
1/2 tbsp icing sugar, plus extra to taste
*Place the raspberries in a saucepan and add the lemon or lime juice. Mash gently with a fork or potato masher and sift in the icing sugar, stirring until dissolved.
*When the raspberries are heated and just simmering, pour through a sieve into a bowl, pushing the juice through with a wooden spoon. Taste, adding more sugar if desired, although the coulis should be tart.
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes
(Recipe by Elizabeth Kroeker)

Along the Tracks - Yellow Wheel

Along the Tracks - Quality Produce Building

Along the Tracks - Red Car on Tracks

Along the Tracks - Red Hot!

I absolutely love trains. I think that they are amazing. I love that they were invented so many years ago and we still use them today all over the world.

Quiet Street in Burnaby

There aren't very many people that know about this back street in Burnaby, partly because it doesn't really go anywhere, although I'm certain that it was used more frequently in the past as the pavement isn't that old and there are still street lights, some of which still work. I trekked though the snow for a few days before the day that I took this picture. The only reason that I think that it got plowed was because they were re-piping at the very end and had to get some special equipment in.

Happy New Year!!

Here's to a fantastic 2009 to everyone!