Canada Day
Well I felt the need to share this little blurb although most likely a day late.. as I have been enjoying this Canada day long weekend at one of our 10,000 beautiful lakes here in Saskatchewan. Like most lake front oases here in the Saskatchewan, the cell service here is spotty at best, and when needed down right dysfunctional!
This big beautiful country we live in deserves a massive high five and some supreme love today! Not like it doesn’t serve such tender affections everyday, but today is the day our country sets aside to spread some extra love, and I am So very proud to call Canada my country, and my home.
I am thankful and blessed to have been born into such a great country, that on an average given day, spreads such polite and apologetic, compassion and kindness, that us Canadians are known for it world wide.
Keep spreading the love Canada. It always wins.
With sporadic cell service, a full patriotic heart, and throbbing liver, I bid you adieu
Take off Eh - Bob & Doug Mckenzie would be proud
xx TD
Aruba in August
She was so impressed to find her name spelt right - Somewhere in Aruba
Why August you say? When it is one of the warmest times of year here in Saskatchewan.. Well I'll tell you. It was my sister in laws 50th birthday and my brother in law was dedicated to top her on the surprise birthday party thing she had thrown for his 50th the year before. As the saying goes "It's all in who ya know" and BIL Erwin knew the right people. A great deal on a villa in Aruba was secured, and so the grand scheming and the web of lies commenced...
Somewhere in the Toronto airport district - Reflections looking out a hotel room window the night before our flight. Tomorrow morning it's straight to the Island of Aruba.
Not easy pulling off a top secret major vacay to another country. 4 months of bullshitting, and cross over connecting flights in Toronto.. but we managed. And the surprise birthday in Aruba was, well, with lack of a better word (that my husband happens to loathe), EPIC - There I said it. Sorry honey.
Lucky enough our villa came with a vehicle to use. So after all the excitement wore off we had to get down to some serious business. Like where can a gal stock up on some booze, I mean groceries. Yes, I meant groceries. Technically booze falls into the grocery category, so I feel I have redeemed my reputation and character.
Really can't take these two anywhere.
One of many sunset cocktails, at a one of Aruba's plethora of beach front restaurants - This particular one's name escapes me. But it was delicious and beautiful and perfect.
Aruba - A Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. The Dutch influences can be seen in the local architecture and the languages spoken are English, Dutch, and Spanish, as well as their local tongue, Papiamento which is a blend of Dutch and Spanish.
Speaking of local you will want to try these delicious pockets of deep fried goodness called Pastechi. More of a breakfast or brunch thing it seems. Maybe because they are usually sold out before noon hits. You can find local Pastechi /sandwich stands along the roadsides. Made from scratch hot and fresh - My favourite was the ham and cheese but there are a gazillion different fillings, and I guess you will just have to try them all to find your fav!
I was so impressed by the fact that you can drink the water right out of the tap in Aruba. It was glorious not having to worry about some nasty virus that can deteriorate your liver or some parasite that makes you shit your pants for 2 weeks straight. Free flowing water and ice is a pretty cool thing. Food and alcohol were priced about the same as here in Saskatchewan CA. Or so it seems, until you realized that all prices are in U.S. dollar. Youch. You Canadians know what I mean.
Areas of the island are pristine and calm, and make me want to give a head nod and a big old namaste to mother nature. Other parts are rocky, dry terrain with thunderous crashing waves and riptides. Best admired away from the cliffs edge. Especially when your husband is super annoyed with some smart ass comment you made. Just kidding. I never make smart ass comments.
I now must talk to you about food. Oh glorious food how I adore thee! And the people that prepare it for me. Don't get me wrong, I do love to cook, -and eat-. However I am the "chef" in our household. Which is why it's so damn special when someone else does all the work. There is no shortage of great restaurants on this island paradise.
And last but not least my favourite The Flying Fish Bone. There is plenty of beautiful beach front table seating, or you can reserve a table planted right in the water! So cool - I'm telling you this wheat field dwelling prairie girl was super excited about that one! Amazing meal with feet soaking in the Caribbean, check.
And now I will bombard you with cheesy tourist travel photos from our trip. Your welcome.
Aruba you were so very good to us. Memories that will last a lifetime. And if the financial gods allow, we will be back someday!
Stephanie + Adam
Every little detail of this day made me want to go back and do my wedding day over again. Well maybe not, all over again, But it was perfectly prairie, and perfectly lovely in every way.
These guys were so much fun! Lots of laughs & cheers.
Some last minute speech writing.
Back to the bride I go
Party bus
Congratulations you two! Wishing you forever happiness + endless love
XX-TD
Brooklynn B.
This lovely just wrapped up that life chapter we like to call high school. Bring on the next stage of this life adventure!
A grad photo session
Saskatchewan style
These two have been best friends forever. They made a pact when they were little, to be there for each other on grad day. And so here they are.
Best of buds
We've got cows
These two were such good sports! Thanks for getting lost with me B + C
That laugh is priceless!
Ahhh that smile!
Perfect timing #rain
Adam + Stephanie
It was a cold one this February day, but the sun came out to play, and this couple more than warmed the heart. Adam and Stephanie are so sweet, so cozy, and full of love. They don't even know it, but they exude that feeling of happy and content that more than likely only comes from going through a decade of trials, tribulations, building strength, and growing love.
Steph + Adam
This perfectly unassuming connection all started with a simple friendship, way back in their high school days that eventually grew into something so much more.
10 years, and these two are officially sealing the deal on many more to come.
Cheers to you both - I'll be seeing you in August ;)
Sailor Dan
Famous in his own right, Sailor Dan is kind of a local celebrity around these parts. I had been looking to find this infamous local artist for the sole purpose of a brief photo op. So you could probably imagine my level of happy when he happened to turned up in my neighbourhood mall parking lot. There he was, just standing there, selling his art to some guy in a truck. So I seized the moment and asked if he’d be a willing subject. He graciously agreed.
Sailor Dan & his drawing
We set up a time to meet in an hour or so, because wouldn't you know it, I had my dogs in the back of my truck, and of course no camera. The next hour transpired as such.. High five'd myself - did a happy dance - got a coffee - walked the dogs - drove home - grabbed my camera, and booked it back to the arranged location. Would he bail? Will he be where he said he would be? He didn't, and he was - true to his word.
No surprise someone had recognized him, and commissioned one of his drawings right then and there. So I had some time to shoot this fabled sailor in action.
While he's creating his masterpiece he attracts a bit of attention.
A few admirers stop to say hello.
Chatting up this old Sailor can be a challenge with his gravelly mumbled voice, but he is such an iconic and gentle character it was worth the struggle.
I thank you Sailor Dan, you are a brilliant subject, and a genuinely talented soul.
TD