1000 Words

Like many, I have been a daily user of social networking websites for the past four or five years. Photo sharing is one of my favourite aspects of these online worlds. In looking back at the hundreds of photos I have been tagged in and uploaded, a smile appears on my face in thinking of all the fantastic memories these pictures capture.

Here are some photos of my travels to Western Europe in 2004. I was studying politics, history and discourse analysis at my university's campus in Old Harlow, England. On weekend trips and midterm break, my classmates and I jetted across the continent on RyanAir. Upon arrival, we continually found excitement and energy in the creativity and history of our various stops. This blog is about thinking about how I want to live my life. I believe part of that process is reflecting on the joyous experiences of my past.

Powerscourt Gardens, Enniskerry, Ireland.

Nice, France.

Rome, Italy.

Stockholm, Sweden.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese and bagels have become a lunchtime staple for me. As someone always on the hunt for a new recipe, I took the time to check out the recipe website advertised on the label of my herb and onion cream cheese a few days ago. While navigating Cooking with Philly, I came and came across a fun quiz for dessert lovers. This cheesecake customizer allows you to choose between baked and no-bake concoctions, and a variety of pan sizes, crusts, cream cheeses and flavours. The result of my preferences? Citrus Cheesecake Cupcakes!

To try them yourself, see the recipe below.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 5 hours (including refrigeration) Makes: 16 servings

Ingredients

Crust: 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp margarine

Batter: 500 g softened light cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream (optional), 2 tbsp grated orange peel and 2 tbsp orange juice

Instructions

Crust:

Preheat oven to 325 F. Mix graham cracker crumbs and margarine. Press evenly into the bottoms of 12 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake for 7 minutes.

Batter:

Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer until well blended. Mix in orange peel and orange juice. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Spoon batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each two-thirds full.

Baking:

Bake for 25 minutes or until centres are almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate for at lease 4 hours before serving. Top with a piece of mandarin orange before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

If you happen to be tempted by the quiz, I'd love to hear all about your personalized cheesecake.

McKernan Belgravia

Last night, while meandering the narrow roads of Allendale, Parkallen and McKernan back to our own neighbourhood, Garneau, Greg and I mused about the status of the McKernan Belgravia LRT station. Its existence opens up a whole new range of residential living opportunities for those who love their proximity to Whyte Avenue, but would also like to have a (somewhat) affordable backyard.

I'd caught rumours about town that the station is fully functional but will not become operational for another few months as a cost saving measure for the city. Instead of blindly believing the rumours, I've done a little digging on the municipal website. According to a December 18, 2008 construction update, the only remaining work is clean up, installation of shelter glass and landscaping. McKernan Belgravia will be operational on April 26, 2009!

For more information click here.

I am looking forward to being able to take the LRT into a residential neighbourhood to support a cute coffee shop and bookstore that sit on 76th Avenue. It would make a great after work stop followed by a walk back to Garneau.

Grande Plié

In recent months, I have begun having vivid dreams. At least a few mornings a week, I awaken with the recollection that I have pieced conscious and unconscious thoughts from the day prior together into a theatrical production.

In November I dreamt of ballet and dancing. It is important that I be clear here; I have no rhythm and my only experience in ballet is from classes taken in kindergarten and first grade. This experience is twenty years stale now. All the next day, I kept thinking of ballet and how I'd like to try my hand at dance lessons once again.

A scan of the yellow pages, a snowy visit to Etoile Dance Shoppe (a wonderful ballet store just northwest of the Gallery District at 10990 124 Street), assistance from my mother in sewing the shoe straps on correctly, and I was prepared to embark on my new hobby - ballet.

Earlier this month, I began taking adult beginner lessons at a non-profit dance studio in Edmonton called Dance Alberta. I wear a leotard and pink tights. I pile my hair high on my head. I look as much like a ballerina as one could reasonably expect. That is until I start moving. Ballet is a difficult art form! I am not as flexible as my yoga classes led me to believe. I have limited arm/feet coordination. I seldom point the correct foot forward. I have difficulty remembering all the positions.

In spite of all of these challenges, I am thoroughly enjoying learning something new and having an opportunity to meet new people in my new city.

Janvier

Have you ever stumbled upon a treasure that has unexpectedly become the envy of those around you?

When I started a new job in August, the walls of my office were a prefab grey. It was as if they were begging for colour. Noticing the starkness of my newly constructed office, a colleague recommended I scour a pile of discarded artwork down the hall. An abandoned office was strewn with paintings, prints and photographs that had been removed in recent renovations and had yet to find new homes.

In addition to two fruit and wine still life pictures with great colour but narrow appeal, I selected a cartoon-esque poppy print and the most wonderful graphic spill of colour on a white page. I was immediately drawn to the latter, but the origins of the painting were then unknown to me.

The artist, as I would come to be told, was Alex Janvier. Janvier is an Aboriginal artist of Dene Suline and Sautleaux descent from Alberta, a graduate of the Alberta College of Art in Calgary and a former lecturer in fine art at the University of Alberta. For those of you interested in comparisons, he cites his influences as Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee. His work is a reflection of the challenges and celebrations of life.

This painting has been the launching pad for many conversations at my office. Apparently many had wondered where "the Janvier" had disappeared. I feel grateful to say it sits adjacent to my monitor and provides endless enjoyment as I go about my day.

You Are Where You Eat

Since Greg and I began living in Edmonton together this past summer, we've been scouting restaurants with a penchant for good food and a warm atmosphere. Notable finds include (not surprisingly) Culina, Delux Burger, Sugar Bowl, Leva and Blue Plate Diner. While ordering spring rolls for lunch a few weeks ago at the Wild Tangerine Mobile Cuisine shop in Manulife downtown, I noticed a pamphlet for Original Fare Dot Com. Original Fare is a collection of independent restaurants committed to culinary diversity. A number of my favourite haunts are members. As a result, the remaining membership has been added to our list of must visit restaurants.

If you too are in search of a similar dining experience, one with originality and local flavour, the next two weeks are a great time to check out the Edmonton food scene. Between January 19-22 and 26-29, Fork Fest will be held. Patrons of a number of local restaurants can dine on multi-course creations for $20 or $35. For a full list of participating independents and their kitchen's offerings, click here.

To me, Fork Fest seems to be a great way to support local business in a time of economic decline, while keeping the midweek doldrums at bay with a delicious meal out.

Bonjour Tout Le Monde

I prefer to wear horizontal stripes over anything else.

My new found playground is the flat prairie of Western Canada, where the terrain mirrors the clean lines I adore in my Saturday striped t-shirts.

This blog is the journey into crafting a stylish, sustainable, sunny and simple life. I find myself in Edmonton, but this journey could begin anywhere. I hope you'll join me for all the truck stops, family diners and lookouts along this roadtrip.