Vancouver Island Gatherings.

As I mentioned a bit before, a couple of weeks ago I was carried off to British Columbia to make a promotional video for a Gluten Free Health & Wellness video going on up there.  It was a new, exciting, and terrifying  opportunity - a lot to get done with the 3 weeks I had to work with.  I've been waiting to post until I finally got all of it finished, and I can finally say it's done!  I officially shot, composed, directed, and edited my first real video!   I compiled all of the leftover footage that (largely) wasn't used in the original video to stay inspired and offer a small thank you to all the people that helped me out while I was over there!  They were so patient and kind during the whole thing and I hope this video documents, despite the hectic moments, all of the fun I had while I was out there.

Also, if anyone is interested in the promotional video, here it is!

It's finally done, weeeeeee, now I can really explore Brooklyn!

goldstream

Somehow, in a couple of days I've managed to reasonably settle into my new Brooklyn room.  There are lots of things I'd like to share about this new crazy place I'm living in, not to mention new recipes to post, and birthday gifts to share, but first I have to get *the now* squared away - mostly finishing up this video project so I can feel like any other leisurely photo taking isn't some form of procrastination.

And less than a week ago, I was here, on Vancouver Island.  Our picnic was a set and an excuse to go to Goldstream Provincial Park.  The previous days of being shuttled around and feeling a bit haphazard were immediately quieted here.  The green and redwoods as a backdrop to my lovely friends and colorful food inspired, and I found a zeal for the project that had been missing in the previous days.

 My friends endured the damp cold and the strong smell of dead salmon (an annual winter occurrence in the nearby Goldstream river) for this project and I can't thank them enough for having so much patience as they watched me fumble around this new videographer character.  They brought me coffee in the morning, made delicious meals, and were all around good company.  Every time I'm near them I think what a wonder it is to have found people so far away with such similar interests as my own.

And while I am so excited about all the possibilities that go along with big city living, there have been a few times these last couple of days, where I'm walking around these foreign Brooklyn streets, enduring a bit of culture shock, and I've found myself wishing I was comfortably nested with these sweetie people as my company.

Also, I have promoted her blog countless times, but you should really look at Sophie's space - Wholehearted Eats !  Over the course of knowing her I've watched her blog blossom into a beautiful raw foods haven with countless original and creative, healthy recipes.  It's even more impressive because she manages to maintain her blog and work a full time job!

While you're at it, you should also look at her angelic sister, Hannah's space - Tea and Toast.  She's a busy student, but when she does post her photos and words are the loveliest.  

autumn picnic

...on a knit blanket covered with toast and jam, and surrounded by oranges and reds and yellows.

This ol' wooden house, with the characteristic Vermont red siding, and the hillside view from the window really get me.

things 4 sale

We sold clothes in Seattle town over the weekend, right in the meridian in front of Melissa's home.  With my upcoming move and her ever impending eventual move - we collaborated on a front yard stuff sale.  I brought my lovely Victoria-n friend along as well and it ended up being a fun Washington vacation, more than anything.  I liked the way the yard sale brought everyone in the neighborhood together, in one space.  I enjoyed hearing people's stories as they rummaged through our clothing and books, and watching the children play with Nikita-the-cat as their mom strolled around. It was also fun, the three of us, sharing cherries and farmer's market strawberries along the side, waving at the people who came along.

farm animals by the sea

My lovely friend Sophie, and I were walking down to the beach, when we discovered a petting zoo in the park!  We were met with baby pigs, all of which I wanted to take home (seriously, honestly considered owning a pet pig for an hour or so), alpacas, sheep, and my favorite, baby goats!  I'd always heard that goats will eat *anything* but geez, we were mauled, they found all parts of my outfit delicious, even attempting to chew on my glasses.  

and then it was a few hours laying by the ocean with veggie sticks and sophie's homemade avocado hummus (so good I was eating it with my fingers).  Best day.

bakery friends.

Look at all these fun people I work with.  I think it's rare to say that you really like *everyone* you work with, but I actually do!  Working at Wild Fire sort of feels like being part of a little, quirky family.  We share food in between rounding and shaping doughs, go to the park on our days off, and exchange stories on soup breaks.  I'm already beginning to dread the eventual good-bye that's approaching so quickly, just one month away.

picnic.

I met up with these pretty people at the bakery and we walked down to the corner mediterranean deli to pick up spanokopita and tiropita, the owner was so charmed by us that he gave us free dolmades and hummus and gathered his co-workers to "see what was brightening his day". Carrying our picnic basket and blanket, we then collected fruit and old-fashioned sodas from the downtown market.  Receiving so many smiles from passerby along the way, we took all our goods to a lush park down by the water and shared our fruits and sodas, happily enjoying the beginning of all this springtime weather.