A Jumble of Colours
Today I took the morning to spend along a lovely shopping street on the other side of town. No big box stores in this area, just little bakeries, coffee shops, clothes shops and more.
There is very little I enjoy as much as a good newspaper, a cup of coffee and a ramble.
I know I could never live in an area where I had to drive in and out all the time. We checked our car. One month today we filled it up, and it still has 1/4 tank in it. This is the way I love to live: combine errands and fun, walk when I can, and just don't bother about all the running around that comes with living miles from home.
A new condo development is going up in our neighbourhood and a 1 bedroom STARTS at $379,000.00. That is just incredible. So keep it small, keep it central and keep it simple.
A well worn pair of slippers
Sometimes it is fun just to see how long something can last. Thankfully my husband has the rest of his wardrobe in tact. He just tried duct taping these slippers together to see what life he could get out of them.
He finally threw them in the garbage, but not a moment too soon.
Asparagus, front, back and centre
You just can't beat two bunches of young, fresh asparagus for $5. So I won't. We have had asparagus every day for the past week; lightly steamed with a tiny dab of butter and fresh squeezed lemon juice.
One of the many wonders of the city is that when the produce arrives, the competion allows for some very good prices.
We have made a commitment to eat what comes to the produce shops on sale, as much as we can, until it goes out of season. So right now we are munching on apples, asparagus and eggplant. It is in ongoing mystery what is coming next, but we await with anticipation.
Freecycle Thank You
Most big North American cities have a freecycle, an online exchange of free goods. I have given so much away to people who loved what they got and I have picked up so much useful stuff for the home.
I always tell people "shop at freecycle first to see if they have it." I find the most effective trick is simply to list what you want.
Wanted: cast iron frying pan. Willing to pick up.
I have been given nearly everything I have asked for; after all it is someone else's junk.
To find freecycle in your area go to Google and type in Freecycle and your town to see what comes up.
Another wonderful aspect to living in a city that has too much stuff.
Gung Hay Fat Choy
Sometimes I just love living in this city. We walked from home down to Chinatown in Vancouver yesterday. That's about a 30 minute walk, and it is downhill all the way. There we joined the thousands of people there for the Chinese New Year parade. What a riot of sound and colour.
As we munched on our bean rice cakes, bought fresh from the bakery, we saw a parade of World War II veterans, politicians, martial arts specialists, many dragons and lions and hordes of young girls of all ages, all dressed in traditional costume twirling things.
What a riot. We also picked up some Chinese candy and a bit of vegetable for dinner. All this for the huge price of nothing. (except I guess our taxes)
Then we walked uphill back home and left the firecrackers and gongs behind for another year.
What a place to live.
Need Bok Choy NOW
The most amazing thing about living in a city like Vancouver is there is so much Asian food available. From my condo I can walk in any direction and I will hit a lovely produce store within 4 blocks. These shops tend to be open a bit later than other stores, so if you need a Bok Choy and you need it now - it will be there.
Today's lunch is Szechuan tofu in the oven with glass noodles and stir-fried bok choy with garlic. It's easy enough to cook like this in a city with all this produce.
Every time I venture to my little holiday town for a break I am shocked at the prices of vegetables and fruit. It is so high that I load up the car and drive it all the way up the coast full of apples, pears, oranges, bok choy, brocolli and even onions.
So the city makes my life simple by offering such a wonderful variety at such an affordable price.
Love that Auction
There is a marvellous thrift store in the neighbourhood, the YWCA. Every week they take their better items and stick them in the windows and run a silent auction. You might see a vintage pair of roller skates, a collection of China pigs or an antique clock in there with about 30 other items.
You go in the store, ask for the number of the auction and add your bid. It is fun and easy and sometimes things go for a lot and sometimes for a little. The great thing is I get to walk up the road 15 minutes every week to get a glimpse of the new window.
The city has so many wonderful deals and is full of light and colour, even on these rainy winter nights.
