Harley

We wanted to welcome to our family the newest addition: Harley. She is a 5 month old Tortoise DSH, extremely agile, and has the longest tail I've ever seen. She purrs non-stop...and I mean...NON-STOP! Her name suits her prefectly.

We adopted her from the S.P.C.A. here in Victoria and are happy to say she is getting along with Dawg - although they are still getting used to each other. Dawg will have to give up a lot of his territory for this hyper-purring soul!!

Here is Dawg. He's a friendly longer haired kitty also adopted from the S.P.C.A sometime about a year and a half ago. He's probably the most relaxed cat I've ever been around, although he's scared of his own shadow! You can only imagine the affect that Harley has had on him, especially with her strong personality.

We hope to see them both snuggling together soon...as today was almost a success!

Snow covered peaks and cinnamon hearts..

I just spent 4 days in paradise...

Mount Washington was amazing. We spent the time right on the mountain with a view of the slopes. Perfect doesn't even describe the weather - we had sun with just a tiny bit of cloud cover to keep it from being too bright on the fluffy, powdery, fresh snow. The skies were blue with gorgeous wisps of clouds. The temperature was cozy, and never too cold to freeze our toes or too warm to melt the snow. And best of all, I spent it with 12 of my closest friends and the love of my life. I know, I know...I'm rubbing it in...but I am just on top of the world right now and I'm trying to escape the reality of work tomorrow by bathing myself with these memories. So.. here's the cole's notes version in picture form:

 

 

Flower Study

I am lucky enough to almost always have fresh flowers in my house thanks to my love, so since today is a gorgeous day and I had a little time to spare before work - I decided to play around a little bit with the natural light. My subject was less than happy to co-operate, but we managed in the end ;)

Rithet's Bog Conservation Area

       The three kilometer stroll around Rithet's Bog today proved to be fruitful! I have a couple of images that I found interesting, and worth posting, so I hope you guys enjoy them as well :) I love how all of the images have that gloomy, yet very warm and earthy, brown tone to them - so typical of our West Coast winters, but also giving us that hint of Spring. It must be just around the corner, because I already have some flowers peaking in my garden!

 

Free Hiking and Walking Program (here in Victoria and surrounding areas)

So when I was waiting for my fitness class to start yesterday morning, I came across a pamphlet that gets groups of people together and goes for walks/hikes/etc...All programs are free, no registration is required!! I love this, and am absolutely going to take advantage of it. I hope that some of you will find the time to do the same, and explore some of the Island trails with me.

There are three types of walks: "Gentle Walk", "Discovery Walks" and "Sunday Hikes"

Most of these you need a car for, but some have a designated meeting spot somewhere on bus route, and the rest is car pooling. Very efficient, especially since some places charge for parking!  
For more information about these walks: call 250-475-5408, or pick up a pamphlet @ the Commonwealth Rec Centre.

Here is their schedule for the Spring/Summer:
"Please meet in designated areas"

  Gentle Walks

Thursdays, 9:30-11:00am with Karen Reid

1. March 4, 2010:  Colquitz to Hyacinth Park - Meet at Colquitz Creek Park sign near Silver City Theatre at Tillicum Mall.
2. March 11, 2010: Centennial Trail & Blenkinsop Greenway - Meet at parking area on Lochside Trail in front of the Don Mann Excavating, north of McKenzie at Borden.
3. March 18, 2010: McMinn Park to Lohbrunner - Meet at McMinn Park, beside tennis courts, off Maplegrove St.
4. March 25, 2010: Gyro Park to Mystic Vale - Meet at Cadboro Gyro Park, bottom of Sinclair St.
5. April 1, 2010: Lochside Park to Doumac - Meet in Lochside Park parking lot off Cordova Bay Rd, past Mattick's farm.

.... more gentle walks to be updated closer to their time....

  Capital City Discovery Walks

Wednesdays, 9:00-11:00am with Karen Reid

"Meet at designated location at 9:00 am and we will carpool to site"

1. April 28, 2010: Gore Park & Oak Haven Park - Meet at Commonwealth Place parking lot. First left turn into parking lot.
2. May 26, 2010: Thetis Lake & Seymour Hill - Meet at Tillicum Mall, near Montana's Restaurant, Colquitz River. Parking at Thetis lake is $3.00

....more Discovery Walks later....

  Sunday Hikes

Sunday, 1:00-3:30pm with Penny Stevens & Karen Reid

"Although these hikes follow mainly chip trails and pavement, there may be some rough or steep sections so please wear sturdy and supportive footwear"

1. Feb 14, 2010: Lochside Trail to Martindale - Meet at Lochside Park on Lochside Drive, north of Cordova Bay Road, past Mattick's farm.
2. March 14, 2010: Marigold/Panama Flat- Meet beside tennis courts at Hyacinth Park on Marigold, near Interurban.
3. April 11, 2010: Parks of Strawberry Vale & Knockan Hill - Meet at Strawberry Vale Community Centre on West Burnside. Park on the street.

....more hikes in future blogs!....

Hope some of you will be able to take advantage of these free opportunities to see other parts of Victoria you may have not yet discovered. Otherwise, maybe just another excuse to get out of the house and get some fresh air! I always have a hard time gathering people together for a walk or a hike, so this solves my problems haha.

.:Dottie:.

Tea Lovers Unite

So thanks to google's searching for key words in my blog and emails, I found this awesome website with teas and tea-stuff and all sorts of awesome information about all-things-tea.  I am so in love. <3

.:Dottie:.

P.S. Does anyone else watch How I Met Your Mother? Today is their 100th episode and I can't wait to watch it. I finally caught up on all the previous episodes - 4 and a half seasons in  less than a month! Kory and I have been tv-watching-machines!

Walking is good for you..

Especially if you do 10 kilometers of it! Today Jesse and I went for a walk around Elk/Beaver Lakes which is a 10 km trail. It runs along the highway for a short part of it (which is a bit of a bummer) but the rest of it is foresty/lake front gorgeousness! Unfortunately today was a rainy day, which proved awesome for the photographs, but it also wasn't enough to stop Jesse and I from taking a stroll. Enjoy the photos!

 

Today's Inspirations

Lady Gaga Barbie Dolls

How cool is that? I think it's amazing, and potentially a little crazy - but got to give the Barbie doll maker props for being original. I love Lady Gaga.

Silk Road Tea mmmmm

"Jasmine Dragon Tears Green Tea"

My favourite tea of all time, and although overly overpriced at Silk Road, it is soooooooooo good and absolutely worth trying. It is my little secret, but I am willing to share ;) Special Tea's also carries it at a lower cost but same quality. <3 it. 

Fitness & You. Tell me!

So.. - not photo related topic - but... how many of you work out on a regular basis? I started... so I definitely don't call myself a regular, but I find the whole culture of fitness (as that's what it definitely appears to be!) very interesting. I went to my very first fitness class of 2010 today, and the warmth and atmosphere was overwhelming. I can't wait to go back, become a regular: start getting to know my instructor and the ladies that come each week - and really become part of the scene! I know it all sounds very silly and school-like but hey, we only live once!

(Ps. The left hand photograph is not mine, we can thank Google images for it but I'm sorry to say no credits can be given as I'm not sure who the artist is).  Yoga, for instance is very calm and fun... Cardio is crazy non-stop...Kickboxing is some what similar with a kick of bad-ass (haha). There is so much variety out there, that how do you know what is right for you before you start? Trial and error, of course, but otherwise?

                                          

     What do YOU do, and what motivates you to keep going... to love it... and WHY do you like it so much?

As I embark on my many times tried, many times failed attempt at fitness I will keep motivated and see how things turn out - I hope to see results too, other than health improvements. BUT I always love to hear other people's success stories to keep me going - so don't hesitate! (Unsuccessful stories are welcome too, as we all learn from each other's and our own mistakes).

Database, The New Year, and You!

I've been working on creating a database for my photography products, in order to be able to commit to budgets and all that crazy talk. However, it is proving to be a lot harder than I remember - or maybe I just have less patience? Either way, wow are these data bases not fun to produce.

How was everyone's 2009 to 2010 celebrations? Ours was very relaxed and filled with way too much junk food. Let's hope this new year brings everyone happiness, success and most of all, great friends and health.

Off to database world I go! If anyone has any advice, please don't hesitate to pitch in as I'm starting to slowly pull hairs out one-by-one! haha.. uh oh!