On this day we really felt like locals. D took a break from work so we could walk to get additional groceries in the rain.

The dinner table was all set.

The place looked really comfy and cozy in the rain.

Of the fifty plus people in my immediate family (that is my siblings, their partners and their children), very few do not live in Winnipeg or at Lester Beach. But Eric and Meg knew that they could work from anywhere and had an adventurous spirit when they moved to Vancouver a number of years ago. They have a place just across from where we stayed, in Yaletown. They love the neighbourhood and have made many friends.

For most of the rest of the that day, I got ready for their arrival. Turned out that they really like charcuterie. This course was a big hit.

D and I are a pretty good cooking team. He grilled shrimp and asparagus for us to stack onto a plate of fresh pasta. We publicly joke that our timing in the kitchen/grill is often off. Typically D Yells “10 minutes” to me when I have everything already on the table. This night though, I was the guilty party. Everything was done on the grill but because I was in an unfamiliar kitchen, when I pulled out a pot large enough for pasta, it turned out to be a cast iron one. The water took no less than 20 minutes to boil! But all was well in the end.

Meg and I enjoyed our processco and the guys their craft beer. We were content.

We had splurged and purchased an apple tart (so big that I would call it a pie). We all enjoyed a little treat and then I thought, what am I going to do with the rest of this pie? I asked Eric and Meg and Meg declined saying that they had lots of treats in the house. I have to tell you, that sending leftovers home with my family is a love language for me. I think this is acquired from Sister #2 who often feeds as many people the second day, as when she invites people over for dinner. After a slight hesitation, Eric said that he would love to take the tart home. Yahoo, my heart sang!

Our families all connected for Thanksgiving dinner that weekend, so it was lovely to have a beautiful thanksgiving of our own. I was thankful for so many things- a loving family and delicious food being the top of my list!

Kath’s quote: “Our homes may be far apart, but our hearts are as close as always.”– Authour unknown

Love never fails.

We loved everything about our False Creek condo. We had hosted the owners at our home in the city this summer, while we were still enjoying the lake. On top of all the amenities, sunrise was a wonderfully reflective experience.

D was hard at work that day, but the view made things more pleasant for him.

The pathway along False Creek is an excellent place for a stroll. At the eastern end of the “creek” (it’s really an inlet not a creek) is a geodesic dome that houses Science World. We walked there on D’s lunch hour.

On the southern shore of False Creek is Granville Island Market. It is Vancouver’s public market and meeting place. We browsed the market stalls, cafes and unique souvenir spots. We also spied a couple of their artisans in their shops and studios. We had arrived by water taxi. We bought fixins to have my great nephew and his partner over for supper the next day.

Above are a couple of twilight shots and then we enjoyed Happy Hour on our balcony. Check out that view behind me!

Kath’s quote: “You know that you are in love when the two of you can go grocery shopping together”. -Woody Harrelson

Love never fails.

Our view on the way to Vancouver from Whistler.

We stopped for brunch at the Crabapple Cafe in Brackendale. Fabulous food!

We were down the road from the Watershed Grill that doubles for Jack’s Bar in Virgin River. You may recognize the pics above from the opening credits of Virgin River.

We made another scenic stop. Now I know the stretch of highway where all the Subaru commercials are shot!

We appreciated the beautiful red Japanese maples in downtown Vancouver.

We spotted this peculiarly shaped skyrise.

We were immediately smitten by our home exchange condo on False Creek. The first thing I did was pull out a lawn chair and sit on a grassy noll in front of our condo building. I enjoyed watching the passer byers as much as I enjoyed the warmth of the sun.

Kath’s quote: “May the warmth of the sun, and God’s promise that it shall rise again tomorrow, brighten your darkest night.” -authour unknown

Love never fails.

Nancy who drives the route to Whistler quite often, stopped at the Shannon Falls for us to enjoy. It was a lovely break in the drive and so beautiful.

We stayed at a great condo.

The annual flowers were still flourishing.

A tour around the Whistler townsite.

D and I at the Winter Olympic site.

There was a 50 km run between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains that stopped and started at the Olympic site.

We three having warm up drinks at La Bocca.

That evening we had a casual dinner at a Conde Nast and Michelin star place called Nita Lake Resort.

Kath’s quote: “A restaurant should remove you from the mundane burdens of everyday life and transport you to another world.” – Danny Meyer

Love never fails.

Crescent Beach was a more urban scene for us (as compared to Pender). We enjoyed the shops and cafes.

This was my view from bed.

On D’s lunch hour, we walked the beach path

and home via Nancy’s street. This garage was at ground level but the house was way up high. Imagine carrying groceries….

When we arrived home it was time for reading and tea. True story: I intended to read my Kobo but I had a nap outside instead.

That evening we had Happy Hour apps for our dinner at the Cactus Club. I had never been to a Cactus Club. I liked it a lot, it was full of men. Pictured above is a fried chicken slider.

Truffle fries – yum. (We have started making them since we got home).

And shrimp crunch rolls!

The next day we had a great morning walk at Blackie Spit Trail then along Crescent Beach. The 150 acres of land was purchased in 1871 by Scotsman, Walter Blackie, New Westminster’s first blacksmith. Blackie, who paid $50 for it, became the first European resident of the area, which became known as ‘Blackie’s Spit.

The homes reminded me of our honeymoon in Cape Cod.

It rained later that day, so we spent a cozy final afternoon in our Air BnB

and then had dinner at Nancy’s beautiful home. We were off to Whistler in the morning!

Kath’s quote: “You can have more than one home. You can carry your roots with you, and decide where they grow“. Henning Mankell

Love never fails.