I am heading off on a road trip to Vancouver (starting with a stop with a family we love) through the Rocky Mountains (visiting sister one way and brother-in-law on the return) and to the Prairies (my grandparents, an uncle & cousin and an old highschool pal).  I am leaving some art behind for the group art show that starts next week, so check it out if you are on Gabriola!  In the meantime, I leave you with this piece that I also created alongside my art show pieces.  It is titled “Expanding her Territory” and it seems kind of fitting as I EXPAND my record for road tripping with small children to over 3000 km return!

I plan to swim and laugh and feast and create and connect and relax and explore.  Sounds like summer to me!  I hope that you are also enjoying some summer holiday adventures!  I will be back in August to share some of our highlights.

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.    Inspired by Soulemama.  

Please feel free to share your photographic moments,                                                    leave a link in the comments section for all to find and see.

I have been working (playing) on two paintings for a group art show that opens later this month. “It’s a Dog’s Life, That’s Why Cats have Nine” is a Mixed Media Group Show that will be on display at Gabriola Artworks from July 26th.  Each artist involved has to create two piece, one related to dogs, the other to cats.  Here’s a sneak peek at my critters…they seem to be “taking off” quite nicely…

So I am trying to go off sugar AGAIN….the last time I went off for nearly a week right after indulging in a day of baking (and eating) cakes!  I had a party to go to, a newly thrifted cake platter (with lid!) and a fancy upcycled cake platter that started out as a thrifted plate and a bowl.  Don’t you love how it got decked out in style for my friend’s birthday by our mutual friend Mariko McCrae of Feedlot Studios?

After the party, I went into sugar free mode but could not quite let my new cake platter go….and so, it found a job holding letter writing fancies in an attempt to entice my girls to pen some pals.  Today, a pile of nearly finished letters full of artwork and photos are sitting on the tray…..beautiful in so many ways!

I stopped in the other day to see Jane and noticed that her birthday cake platter was holding markers and crayons on her dining table.  I think we might be on to something! Though I have to admit, my sugar cravings still remain….

Check out all the thrifted treats I found along with the long sought after cake platter….I might have to post about my recent thrift store finds soon, there have been some great ones lately!

This post is making me think a bit too much about that Rebar chocolate cake recipe….. …better sign off But before I do, here is a better look at the cake platter I made at drop in pottery at Feedlot Studios.  It is shown here in a traditional role and just happens to be holding the cupcakes that made me break from my last sugar fast.

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.    Inspired by Soulemama.  

Please feel free to share your photographic moments,                                                    leave a link in the comments section for all to find and see.