Hello Mary Jane

I had a bit of a nap yesterday after the BC Bloom tasting (post about that soon to come!) and found myself wide awake at 1am, hook and wool in hand crocheting a pair of Mary Jane slippers. They were super easy and took maybe two hours to finish (2 episodes of Mad Men to be exact).

My old slippers were getting kinda ratty, and I hate walking around the house barefoot - you never know what random bit of something my child has dropped/thrown on the floor only to have me find it squished between my toes...gross! And I can't be bothered to find socks, it's been so sunny out lately that I've just been rocking the flip flops and flats.

I knew I had 2 perfect buttons hidden away in my button box, shiny stars!
I seriously think I have a button obsession, I just want to add them to everything!

Happy Mother's Day

I had a fantastic Mothers day! I traded shifts at work so I could have the entire day with my boy.

We went out for breakfast and then headed down to the beach for the day. It was so beautiful and hot out, Fox loved going down to the water and playing with the shells and getting his feet all sandy.

Then we came home and had a delicious dinner with Papa. Had a tubby, read some stories and called it a early night. Perfection! I also called my Mama to wish her a Happy Mothers day and let her know that I made a little something something for her that she'll get when she visits in a week and a half. Nothing to crazy, just made her a card with a little crochet kick. 

I measured and punched some holes around a coloured piece of card I had. Then just crocheted a little border around the edge, added a thoughtful message and voila! Happy Mother's Day Mama!

Tea with T-Rex!

As most of you know I consume an average of 5-10 cups of tea a day, double that if I have a day off. And anyone who is a avid tea or coffee drinker such as myself must have "their cup." It's the one that's just the right size and you know the exact sugar and milk ratio for the perfect taste.

I used to have this awesome cup with this cute shadow city scape on it, then my cat knocked it off the counter and smashed it into a million itty bitty pieces all over my kitchen floor. I was on the hunt forever for another and finally randomly came across it while browsing through Home Sense (I have no idea what I was originally in there for?). As soon as I saw it I knew that was the mug for me. Completely opposite from my previous one - short and fat with a wide mouth. Now it's tall and skinny, and lime green! It's perfect, but the lime green just isn't as exciting as the shadow city. 

I was originally just going to put funky stickers all over it but was hesitant because over time they'd start peeling off in the wash and then it'd just look all gross. Then I remembered seeing something on Pinterest awhile back, and my fantastically crafty friend Nicole over at Gypsy in Jasper recently made one and I thought to myself that's exactly what my sad little cup needs...a sweater!

Well not actually a sweater but a cozy to add a bit of pizzaz and keep my tea hot longer for those times when I forget about it on the windowsill.

This was also a perfect opportunity to use up any scrap wool I had laying around and dive into my button box! And yes, those are T-Rex buttons, I think they're ridiculously cute, yet also acts as a bit of a warning for anyone who tries to steal my cup. 

I love how it turned out, I had to resist the urge not to make cozies for all my cups - juice glass? probably doesn't need one ;)

The Pyramid

"Celebrating nature's perfection" 

A statement very fitting for Summerhill Pyramid Winery. They prize themselves for their organic growing practices (no herbicides or pesticides) and in 2007 officially became Canadian certified organic, which they can proudly display on their bottles. Soon to become BC's first bio-dynamic vineyard (sometime in 2012?), Summerhill practices a method of farming that embodies the ideal of ever-increasing ecological self-sufficiency just as with modern agro-ecology, but includes ethical-spiritual considerations. This type of viticulture perceives the farm as a cohesive, interconnected living system. 

The Summerhill Pyramid is second only to the Great Pyramid of Egypt for alignment and precision. It is built with no ferrous metals, has no electricity inside, and is aligned to true north. The aging period is the final step in the production process where the wine recovers from bottle shock and is infused with the music of the spheres. They age, barrel and finish wines in this geometrically precise Pyramid.

I've had few Summerhill wines at past tastings and don't remember them as being "bad". I've never purchased a bottle due mostly to the fact that it's kind of expensive for something that didn't "blow me out of the water". But my cheapness/patience paid off when they finally put their wine on sale.  Most bottles were at least $5 off. That plus my staff discount made the time ripe. They have quite a selection to choose from, over two dozen, everything from a Sparkling to a Zweigelt. 
I was feeling a white and decided to branch out and got the 2011 Ehrenfelser, a varietal that I knew nothing about. 

I assumed it must of been a German varietal (correct!), and knew it was going to be a little on the sweeter side (also correct!).  It is apparently a cross breed of Riesling and Silvaner that was created Dr. Heinrich Birk in 1929 at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute...what, what?

The wine was fantastic! I couldn't even believe it was wine, it went down so light and sweet. It tasted like it had a slight spritz to it which I figure comes from it being somewhat acidic. Loads of apple and peach flavours, a bit of citrus and tropical fruit. Such a perfect hot sunny day wine. In the end I was actually a little "blown away". Now I have to not only try another Ehrenfelser; but also more Summerhill!

Hillside Cacti

It's a 2 for 1 post today, crochet and wine combined!
My man and I were invited last Tuesday night to my co-worker/super pal Daves house warming party. His cousin has just recently moved to the city and they both just scored this awesome new apartment literally across the ally from his old one, which is also conveniently one block away from my house. Their place is fantastic, full size fridge AND stove (ahhh the things in life you take for granted) more than enough space for 2 people, and a private little backyard patio, I had no hesitation of expressing my jealousy. The party was just what a good party should be, drinks, food, and awesome people. I had a great time, the drinks were especially well deserved cause earlier that day I clocked in about another 3 hours on my chest piece annnnnd it's a little sore - I cannot wait until it's done, it looks so amazing already!

But anyways back to Daves. I already knew I was going to bring him a bottle of wine as a housewarming gift but I felt like it needed a little more "Heather was here" kinda touch. So one afternoon I whipped out my crochet hook, dug through some bags of yarn and made him a happy little cacti. 

I assumed a plant was a pretty traditional house warming gift and I felt a handmade gift was WAY more thoughtful. It turned out so cute and perfect that I wanted to keep it for myself! Needless to say, Dave also loved it, and everyone else who saw it either smiled or laughed which is exactly what I wanted.

As for the wine, I had picked up this particular bottle a few weeks back as it was brand new to the store (Swirl). The man and I had finished half the bottle one night, then the next night after work I took the rest over to Daves. He expressed then how much he enjoyed it so I knew it would be perfect. 

Hillside Wineries signature white, 2011 Muscat Ottonel. Hillside's original owners Bohumir and Vera Klokocka from Czechoslovakia were the first BC winery to produce the grape. Most Eastern European countries used this varietal for dessert wines and some drier whites. That being said when we first opened up it had a wonderful flower bouquet nose. All I could think of was sitting in the grass in the sun on a super hot day, with a glass of this in my hand. The flavours were so light and fresh, citrus with a hint of spice at the end, it was just so lush and delicious! Apparently they only make about 700 cases, and I've already bought 2 bottles so that's like, only 8398 bottles left! This is also my staff pick at Swirl ($20 a pop) AND they just had the Naramata spring release tasting here in Vancouver (I should say New West) as well as a bunch other spring release tastings coming up, and I'm sure this wine will sell out fast!

Happy 4/20!

And in true stoner fashion this post comes 2 days after the actual 4/20

I got extra high and crafty last week and whipped up a couple cute marijuana pins that I wore when I went down town on Friday.

I think they came out great! And I had a awesome time! Every year at the VAG it gets bigger and bigger, and better and better, and this year was no exception. Aunty Jen babysat for the day so me and the man could have some time alone together, we both had the entire day/evening off which is SO rare for us, especially on a Friday. 

I love the whole marijuana culture, everything was super chill and there was lots to see and do, everyone just having a good time. Of course there's the backlash, especially now being a Mum I feel extra judgement sometimes from some people. But you know what? I'm not forcing it on you, I don't do it any where near my kid, and as for the "lazy stoner" stereotype, I am MOST productive when I'm baked, my creativity level's go through the roof, and I become WAY more focused and relaxed. I understand it doesn't have the same effect for everyone, and if it's not for you don't do it, but don't judge others. And besides, you have to admit that these pins are the cutest!

We finished up the day by all 3 of us having a wonderful dinner at one of my favourite vegetarian restaurants here in Vancouver - The Foundation. We got there world famous nachos AND the catered affair platter, which has a little taste of everything. I seriously died and went to heaven it was so darn delicious. I highly recommend a visit if you're ever in the area.

The Wise Men of Gotham

I love a wine that has a good story behind its name! This particular wine comes from Southern Australia, while the name originates from a small town called Gotham just outside Nottingham, England.  Most of the stories surrounding Gotham lead us to believe that the whole village was inhabited by idiots.

A certain more “digestible” story iterates that King John was suppose to move into the neighborhood worrying the villagers of  increasing taxes.  So, in order to fool King John, the inhabitants began acting like; well... fools. When some of the Kings men arrived to check the place out, they reported back with some strange stories. Apparently some of the villagers were attempting to drown an eel they claimed was killing their fish.  Others were moving carts of wood to the side of a barn to “shade it from the sun”.  Some were trying to build a fence around a cuckoo bird they’d heard in a bush thinking it would make springtime last longer. In case you were wondering... the bird flew away.  In the end King John decided to move elsewhere and was convinced the village was indeed full of fools. Problem solved! And so arose the names “The Fools of Gotham” or the “The Wise men of Gotham.” Taken from the story above, these guys call themselves "The Wine Men of Gotham." Haha. Get it!? 

Attracting me instantly to this wine was the fantastic label. The 3 men on the front pay homage to the pranksters of Gotham who acted mad to achieve their ends.  It is beautiful vintage-esque art done by John Jewell Design co.  who specialize in wine labels and also based out of Australia. 

Now, as for the wine itself, this was a 2008 Shiraz/Grenache, and spent 18 months in American oak. The colour was a light blueberry, yet a little more strawberry towards the outside edge. The nose was full of dark berries; blueberry, blackberry, black cherries, a bit of raspberry and a slight earthiness. Right away when it hit my mouth all I could think of was eating spoonfuls of warm homemade blackberry jam.  Velvety and smooth on the palate, all around the wine had a very lush taste and feel with dusty tannins. There was a slightly acidic finish but after letting the wine breathe for ½ an hour or so, it balanced out completely and was extremely enjoyable. And the last (or first) thing to love about this wine, it was like $15!  After hearing all that you would have to be a “fool” not to give this wine a try!