Cute Cow and a Time Tunnel

It's been a very busy day here in sunny Castlegar.  Jose and I were up before dawn to shoot a beautiful garden for Canadian Gardening.  The homeowners, Caroline and Darcy, have cattle as well. At first, I thought this cow was very cute until he started to pee with wild abandon.  I thought a hose was left running. Really. This was at 7am, on an empty stomach.  Probably a good thing, when I think about it.

   

Caroline, told us that they never buy any meat as they basically eat their cows. Fair enough. I eat fish, but I no longer eat mammals or birds,  just not my thing these days. So when she was describing how a cow ends up in their freezer, I had a vivid picture of it in my head and still do. One day a cow is wandering around, chewing cud (is that the word), the next day he's in their freezer. It all takes place on their property. I won't share anymore details. Why am I so thrown off by this? How did I imagine hamburgers were created? I've now forgiven the cow for his rather crass behaviour. 

After all of that, we drove to Nelson.  It was like stepping into a time tunnel. It's a beautiful town.  I especially loved the West Arm Bridge, and the retro Dairy Queen. Very "Happy Days". Jose kindly waited for me while I pulled out my old Kodak duaflex and other assorted lens, on the side of the road.  

Now, must go find dinner and, possibly, a dairy queen.

  

West Arm Bridge built 1957

A fabulous Dairy Queen built in the 50's

On the Road

What a day. I started making frames, with my brother David, for several large pieces of artwork for Habit Lounge.  It reopens tomorrow, so time is ticking. After several cuts with the Ryobi mitre saw, it broke. Well done. Day over.  Sorry Nigel (owner of broken mitre saw). 

Now that I feel I've been no help with those frames, as luck would have it, I'm off to Castlegar tomorrow for a shoot with Canadian Gardening. I've included a shot of Highway 3 in B.C.  Love that road.  Will try to blog while away.

Have a lovely Sunday!   

 

Paul Smith Is Right

According to Paul Smith, you really can find inspiration in everything.  

These little party place cards were discovered buried in a bunch of  junk in my mom's storage space.  She doesn't know why she has them (that is the running theme of her storage space), but I'm happy she does.  They appear to be from the 60's and kind of brittle.  

I have now been inspired to have some green tea and plan a Japanese Sake party.   I've also decided to never, ever, have a storage space.

Menu Tasting at Habit

Last night, the chef and owners of Habit (I'm related to a number of them) had a menu tasting. Modern Canadian food is how they describe the menu. Lots of wine and fantastic food, made for a bit of a sleep in this morning.  I took a few shots, then decided I should put the camera down and just eat and drink.

Habit reopens this Sunday - finally.  Rob, my husband, has been busy creating artwork for the walls as well as a paper mache deer head.  It's all looking great, but I'll be happy when it's done and we're not tripping over piles of orange tissue paper, and tubes of acrylics!  

See you at Habit!

Salt Cod Cakes

Lamb and Pork meatloaf

Veggie Shepherd's Pie

Buck the deer head

A Sneak Peek at the Cross

I just got home from another fantastic shoot with the gang at The Cross, a beautiful home store here in Vancouver.  We were working on their new website to be launched very soon.  

Darci and Stephanie just returned from a buying trip in NYC.  Boxes are now arriving daily, it seems. Lots of fabulous new stock…can’t wait until it’s all unpacked. 

The Cross will be taking part in the IDSwest show September 17 -  20.   They’ve been asked to do the media lounge as well.  Very exciting.  Stephanie Vogler took me to the old car repair shop, where the media lounge and their own show space are being created.  Roxanne was just pasting up another strip of wallpaper.  I can't wait to see the final result....it will be stunning!

If you’re in Vancouver, don’t miss the IDSwest show.  It’s gets better every year.

Latitude

I just learned that some images I took, of Latitude restaurant, will be featured in an international book of best bars.  Pretty exciting!  I've included a couple of samples. More details to come soon.

Latitude is a new restaurant, owned and operated by my brother Larry Nicolay and his partner Lisa Henderson.  It's received rave reviews for the incredible menu as well as the decor, designed by Evoke International Design.

Annika at Little Mountain

Recently I had a day out with my niece Annika. I told her that I wanted to go and check out some buildings that were boarded up and all the tenants had to move out. Annika was sad that all the kids had to move and leave their "fun slide" and "springy thing".

This site is called the Little Mountain Site and the property is owned by the Province of B.C. Hmmm. Makes me wonder what will happen. This was much needed low income housing. Apparently all the tenants were found accommodation. Must look into that, actually.