support.

So so true.  Really liked this article I came across, talking about those times when you just feel like you're just given too much & you can't handle it. 

I've often felt that sometimes life can just feel overwhelming, and it can be difficult to understand why certain events in my life happen, or why I meet the people I do.  I know that I sometimes find it hard to have faith in the plans God has for me.  But I think for me, faith is partly shown through the people I meet, the situations we meet through, and how we influence & support one another.  I just don’t know if words can ever express how blessed I feel, to have some of the people in my life that I do... or even did.  It's all contributed.

fintry etc.

Spent a long weekend away at Fintry Provincial Park, just north of Kelowna.  One of the most randomly planned camping trips I've had haha - we stayed in a yurt, with our site just along Lake Okanagan :)  It was wonderful to get away with close friends - a trip of new camping experiences, "quick walks" before lunch, floating in the lake, good food, & lots of laughter :)

Been spending time this long weekend also with lovely with friends & family, whilst tearing apart my apartment.  Summer has been so busy, so I haven't had much "catch-up" time to take care of my own personal projects.  Cleaning/purging/organizing helps me feel much more in control of my life for some reason, so it feels good to take this weekend to chill & get these things taken care of before the school year gets going again.

This summer has been so good to me - more moments I'll remember.

chilliwack lake.

Natural cooler :)

Spent last weekend at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park with my sister.  We were lucky enough to get one of the last 10 spots, with beautiful tree cover & beside some pretty chill fishermen.  It'd been too long since we'd gone camping together - it was a perfect way to re-centre before a busy 2 months.

Family, campfire, forest, lake, sand, beer, stars.  Bliss.

the hobbit.

Went to see The Hobbit last weekend. After finally reading the book last year, and then watching the Lord of the Rings over the holiday break, I was totally in the mood for this!  I loved remembering parts of the book, and seeing how the stories connected.  I didn't mind the changes & additions, as I feel it didn't detract from the movie.  I'll admit I did find the increased frame rate a tad distracting for closer shots, but the panoramas were beautiful.

Also made me miss New Zealand.  It was fun seeing Hobbiton & remembering how we were standing in some of the same spots on our trip :)

Good movie - looking forward to the next ones.

end of year.

Started watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy last night, my first time really sitting down to watch them since purchasing the extended edition DVD's many years ago.  I'd forgotten how much I love these movies, along with some things they represent.  This post I came across - Life Lessons Learned from Lord of the Rings & the Hobbit - touched on a few things that I try to keep in mind in my life, and want to continue into the new year. 

It's so easy to focus on relatively small negatives and be distracted from a world full of amazing and supportive positives.  I feel so blessed to have the family, friends & opportunities that I do, and want to try to always remember how much love there is in my life. 

2012 was a challenging year, full of many changes.  I wanted it to be a year of growth, and I think it has been, though unexpected in some respects.  2013 is shaping up to be another busy year, and I hope that I can be strong, and make the most of everything.

merry christmas.

Warmest wishes to all my friends & family this Christmas season <3

lindsey stirling.

Went to see Lindsey Stirling at the Rio last night. 

I hadn't heard of her before my sister asked if I wanted to see her show, but I watched her videos and I'm so glad I went.  Her violin playing, her arrangements & compositions, how she mixes with non-classical music - so amazing and beautiful.

homies.

Hah - very true.  This made me think of a few people in my life.  Sometimes I wonder how I'm so fortunate to have such great homies, and really hope that I am one when they need it too.

rossland.

Returned from an extra-long weekend to Rossland.  Mixed emotions, as it had been 9 years since we had last visited as a family, and the first time without my father.  My aunt & uncle were wonderful hosts, and it was a very enjoyable weekend. 

At the same time, it brings up emotions that I'd rather not deal with, but that's all the more reason to face forward.

canada day.

Spent Canada Day at my sister's with my Mum.  Sorted through travel photos, chatted, & made lots of food.  Artichoke dip, deviled eggs (my first time!), and then garlic bread, mushrooms, bell peppers, corn, & bacon-wrapped filets on the BBQ.  Most while drinking mojitos using the mint we bought at the garden centre a few months back.

Nice relaxing day, with a lot of great quality time & food.  Yummm :)

memories.

June is always just a bit more rough.

vandusen.

Used my Tourism Vancouver Passport to go to VanDusen Botanical Garden today with Marina.  I'd only ever been to the garden during the lights at Christmas, so it was nice to see it in daylight and for free haha.  Still a bit early for most things to be in bloom, but it was really nice to just take our time walking around, taking pictures, chatting, and just enjoying the time.

I've been missing nature.  Looking forward to my long weekend away to Guelph.

garden centres.

Super cute hedgehog to put in my future garden.

Went to a few garden centres with Marina yesterday.  She wants to put some containers on her balcony, so asked for my "expertise" haha.  Even with the rainy Saturday afternoon, it was really fun.  Browsing all the plants available (& tasting herbs), looking at pots, figuring out what could go together.  Hope we can do it again as Spring approaches!

Originally we were just looking for her... but I ended up buying a "Lucky Bean Plant", and since we had a coupon for GardenWorks I decided to attempt my kitchen mini-herb garden.  Excited to put it together next week at Mummi's :)

hunger games.

Watched The Hunger Games today with E.  I read this trilogy while we were on vacation, and the first was definitely my favourite, so I went into the movie slightly wary, trying to not make my expectations too high. 

A movie adaptation is always challenging, especially with such a complex book.  It was an interesting spin on the story and I think it did a pretty good job with what it could do in 2.5 hours or so.  Glad I watched it, and am definitely looking forward to the next one.

Peetaaaa <3.  Hahaha.

pavlova.

When we were on vacation in New Zealand, we tried their classic dessert - pavlova.  It's basically meringue with fresh fruit and whipped cream... and it is delicious.  Definitely my favourite dessert there.  In New Zealand & Australia, there is a debate as to which country was actually the true inventor (one of many rivalries).

Last week, Elysia and I decided to try a pub called Moose's Down Under before we went to the hockey game, and saw this written on the dessert board!  It was equally as yummy.

Nice surprise :)

these things take time.

Introduced to this band, and particularly this song, by my sister - she sometimes knows exactly what I need.

afternoon tea.

Went for afternoon tea at the Fairmont last weekend with my sister.  It's usually pretty expensive so it was really nice to have a Dealfind coupon to treat ourselves.  Was relaxing to be served well, drink good tea, and eat many tasty foods.  Didn't look like much at first, and we purposely didn't eat anything beforehand just in case... but we still had to concede and bring a few treats back home.  At one point it took us 25 minutes to get up the willpower to take a bite of lemon tart haha.

It's important to me to spend time with people that are precious in my life, and really get to enjoy quality moments like these.

tale as old as time.

Another great classic Disney movie watched in theatres over the weekend.  I think it is less about the effect of 3D, and more about the nostalgia for me.  Although the ballroom scene was definitely beautiful.

Love.

muppets.

Went to go watch this movie with my sister on Thursday - I love Muppets.  Between the Christmas specials and stuff like this, it just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.  Just a really fun, feel-good movie.

And I am totally not ashamed to admit I teared-up multiple times while watching :)

merry christmas.

Wishing my friends & family all the best for the holiday season <3