Grace served us Guiness

Yesterday - Sunday - was another day in paradise. We went out to visit a friend of Yvonne's in Millarsville for lunch. Grace served us Pumpkin soup, her home made bread and Guinness. It was about a 45 minute drive southwest through the foothills with the ever present Rockies in view. Before lunch we went for a walk through the pasture, picking through the dung and met her horse of about 18 years and got stared down by her assorted cows. (The neighbours bull sometimes jumps the fence and has his way with the cows - or so Grace tells me.)

Triy as we might we were unable to get lost - lunch drew us back as if a magnet.

The simple fare was fantastic. Grace bakes bread for Community Natural Foods in Calgary. She served us a hard rye and a wheat along with Gouda and some smoked cheese.

You can see her here preparing to serve the soup.

Uwe and your siding

A friend of mine Uwe Zundel, moved to Calgary fairly recently bringing with him a product that is new to the area called liquid vinyl siding. I've been out of that part of the world for some time (Home renovations, etc) so wasn't aware of the product but if you own a house and have siding, then you may want to find out more. You can find him at Chinook Home Improvement Center (CHIC) - Check out the website: Calgary Liquid Vinyl Siding

Carol goes to Africa

Carol has been to Africa something like forty times.  I think she loves that continent.  If you are going to go on tour somewhere go with someone who is passionate about what they do.  That's Carol.  I met her at the Calgary Home Show - she has a store just outside of Calgary - at Bragg Creek.  It is called Simply Safari.  Carol had a video of her travels over the years in Africa and some in India.  All quite beautiful.  If you are even thinking of going to either of these countries to visit, then call her first.  I believe Carol is from Calgary but more recently moved to Bowen Island in BC - I think she likes the warmer weather.  If nothing else, visit her website Nature Encounters

Thanks for letting me take your picture Carol.

Paul Bicycle Courier

Paul Matheson is a bicycle courier in Calgary.  I'm impressed.  I love cycling and I do it lots but... NOT in the winter.  These guys are tough.  Calgary is often cold and they seem to thrive in it.  Probably just my perception.  When not working he goes for bike rides.  He and his girlfriend have even planned a bike trip from Calgary to Neslon BC this year for the Shambhala Music Festival.

Paul works for On Track Courier Service in Calgary

Mellifluous Maddie

Maddie, wise beyond her years has a calming effect on those near her.  One of those beings that you love to have around.  Home for Maddie is Toronto where she plans to do some acting.  We did a photo shoot yesterday in Calgary near the reservoir as she needed some pictures for the agency.  Maddie is here for a few more days.  If you want to hire her leave a comment with your contact information and I will forward it.

Beautiful Lively Leah

Leah is in Calgary working for ten days.  She's has a booth selling jewelry in one of those big 'membership' stores in Southeast Calgary.  Long days but she has the energy.  Leah has worked successfully in advertising and marketing - a very hard worker, she works and plays hard.  Leah must be a good person as she has two of the most wonderful kids you would ever want to meet!  There was so much going with Leah in a two and half minute photo shoot that I had to include two of her...

Sarah the adventurer

Sarah Manwaring-Jones is an adventurer.  For several years her job was to take people on canoe trips in different remote places in the world.  She would take school kids on a several week trip through the rivers of Labrador or go with a few good friends on a sea kayak trip from Cairns, Australia a 1000 miles to that very northern tip which put them a few miles from Papau New Guinea. 

Sarah now lives a slightly less quiet life teaching Yoga in British Columbia - minutes from the 2010 Olympic Village. You can find Sarah online at: Sarah and Lydia's Blog

I met Sarah at the Calgary Airport on her way back home to the coast after teaching a class in Canmore, Alberta.  We took a few quick pictures while she was waiting for her plane.