The Magnolia 'Susan' that resides in my yard is now four years old. I had bought it at the VanDusen Garden annual plant sale. Year after year, I look forward to seeing them bloom. I don't know what happened this year but a few buds were fell off early on. Heavy wind and rain maybe?  Magnolias are my favourite spring flower. Their pretty shades of pink are so beautiful and this type of Magnolia has a nice gingery scent to it. Smells divine! But alas! The blooms are fleeting and there are only the top blossoms left. Soon, they too will be gone and I'll have to wait until next year to enjoy the flowers. They are well worth the wait.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Anna Kosturova Warehouse Sale Pop-up 
Friday, April 25 - Sunday April 27 11am - 7pm
Crochet Swimwear, Resortwear and Ready-to-Wear, 434 Columbia Street Vancouver, BC 
Promotions: -Up to 75% off select styles of Crochet Swimwear, Resortwear, Ready-to-Wear, and Silk Tie-dye -Assorted crochet bikini sets $30.00 and up  Payment: Cash preferred, credit is also available

Saturday, April 26, 2014 

Vancouver Police Recovered Bikes and Goods Auction - $10 
Able Auctions,1055 Vernon Drive, Vancouver, BC
9:00am Saturday
Preview Thursday and Friday 11am to 6pm 
THE ONE AND ONLY  ANNUAL VANCOUVER POLICE RECOVERED GOODS AUCTION!    ONE DAY ONLY - SATURDAY APRIL 26TH 2014  9AM SHARP! Bikes will start at 9am sharp. After bikes are finished, rest of the merchandise will be sold.

Vancouver Winter Farmers Market
Fresh, local, organic foods & crafts. 60+ vendors, hot food, music! Rain or Shine!

Victory Gardens Spring Gardening Basics - $20
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
151 W 1st Ave Vancouver, BC
Back by popular demand, Spring Gardening Basics: Victory Gardens hosts this 101 style lecture and demonstrative workshop geared towards getting you started this Spring using all organic gardening practices. You’ll learn the basics of soil, compost, timing and planning, containers, sowing seeds and transplanting. Each participant will receive a pack of organic seeds and some notes on Spring Gardening Basics. Following this workshop, participants will also have the chance to purchase organic seeds, veggie starts and fertilizer.

O.W.L. Spring Open House
10am - 3pm Saturday & Sunday
3800 - 72 Street Delta, BC V4K 3N2
Join us on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th from 10am to 3pm for our open house!!!  This is the only time of the year that the general public is allowed behind the scenes at the O.W.L. facility. You can get the chance to see the care centre as well as some of our rehabilitation cages.  Hungry? Thirsty? The Sweet Pea Pageant Girls will be selling hot dogs, baked goods and beverages. Looking for bird of prey related souvenirs?  Our gift area will also be open on both days. We will have various children’s activities, informative displays, a garage sale and a raffle with some awesome prizes! Hope to see you all here!  *Rehabilitated bird release at 1pm on both days*

Party for the Planet
10am - 9pm
The Plaza at New City Hall 13450 104th Avenue, Surrey, B.C
Join the largest Earth Day celebration in BC on Saturday, April 26, 2014. New City Hall Grand Opening Celebration, tree sale, farmer's alley, food & drinks, eco-crafts, over 50 exhibits.

Bike The Blossoms 
11am-3pm 
South side of John Hendry Park (Trout Lake), 3300 Victoria Drive (@ E 19th Ave.) 
Join Velopalooza for a fun cherry blossom bike ride! PLEASE SIGN A WAIVER BEFORE ATTENDING. Map now posted. Meet on the south side of John Hendry Park (Trout Lake).  https://www.smartwaiver.com/w/5357ff77778ab/web/

Vancouver Earth Day
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Everett Crowley Park  Vancouver, BC, Entrance off Kerr Rd. near E. 64th Ave
Each year more than 6 million Canadians celebrate this worldwide event. Join us on Saturday April 26th at Everett Crowley Park and count yourself in. This annual event has become a community celebration offering free fun for the whole family with lots of planned children's activities. The event will commence 11:00 am and will run to 3:00 pm rain or shine.  Tree planting starts at 11:00 am. Last year, volunteers planted more than 1,000 native trees and shrubs. Restocking the forest with natural species ensures a supply of natural food for birds and wildlife. Our aim is to foster a healthier forest and a healthier planet. 

Anna Kosturova Warehouse Sale Pop-up 
Friday, April 25 - Sunday April 27 11am - 7pm
Crochet Swimwear, Resortwear and Ready-to-Wear, 434 Columbia Street Vancouver, BC 
Promotions: -Up to 75% off select styles of Crochet Swimwear, Resortwear, Ready-to-Wear, and Silk Tie-dye -Assorted crochet bikini sets $30.00 and up  Payment: Cash preferred, credit is also available

Seed, Starter & Supply Sale!
12:00pm - 1:30pm
151 W 1st Ave Vancouver, BC 
Stock up on everything you need for spring & summer gardening at our supply sale! We’ll have a broad selection of organic seeds, starters, fertilizer and some of our own Victory Gardens products, such as: Gardener’s soap, tool aprons and more.

The Studio East Community Flea Market and Bazaar
12pm - 5pm
Studio East 1480 Frances St Vancouver, BC
Come join us for an afternoon of amazing finds and even more amazing people at The Studio East Community Flea Market & Bazaar! From re-worked vintage to the newly handcrafted, you'll be sure to find a medley of distinct and desirable wares from in and around the Eastside community! Vendors: Clutch Jewels * John Lennig (Big Top Sign Arts) * Marie Feiler * Rhubarb to Roses Antiques and Collectibles * Saya Exports * Dark Anachronisms * Anja Mesic * Medicina Designs * Disturbing Art * Suzume * Indigold Arts * Yuri Arajs * Vanessa Green * Sara Triggs * Rocks and Walls * Temple of the Modern Girl * Juliet 925 * Colleen Webber * Drafted Eminence * Ann Meeson * Kagu Designs * Me & You, Body * Tara-Lee Gardner Designs * Sarah Kamer (Hey Look Events) * Remixd Clothing and Collectables * Treehaus Creations * Incense Library * Gypsy Jean * Susan Hansen * Royal Afric * Damiani Fine Foods Inc.

Spring Forward: Production Road x Oollo Tea & Chocolate 
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
990 Nicola Street Vancouver, BC 
A collaboration between Production Road and Oollo Tea. Production Road presents new spring collection of floral print textile home goods and gardening goodies. Oollo Tea presents new spring tea and tea infused raw chocolate tasting menu.   Join us for an relaxing afternoon!

Sunday, April 27, 2014

O.W.L. Spring Open House
10am - 3pm Saturday & Sunday
3800 - 72 Street Delta, BC V4K 3N2
Join us on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th from 10am to 3pm for our open house!!!  This is the only time of the year that the general public is allowed behind the scenes at the O.W.L. facility. You can get the chance to see the care centre as well as some of our rehabilitation cages.  Hungry? Thirsty? The Sweet Pea Pageant Girls will be selling hot dogs, baked goods and beverages. Looking for bird of prey related souvenirs?  Our gift area will also be open on both days. We will have various children’s activities, informative displays, a garage sale and a raffle with some awesome prizes! Hope to see you all here!  *Rehabilitated bird release at 1pm on both days*

VanDusen Serious Plant Sale
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Free admission Plants for every garden, from Perennials, Trees and Shrubs to Natives, Vines, Roses, Vegetables and Herbs.

Earth Day Family Festival
10am - 4pm
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, BC
Come celebrate Earth Day and Save the Frogs Day while cultivating your love of nature in picturesque Lighthouse Park. With eco-tours, arts and crafts, face painting, art contests and conservation groups offering fascinating talks and information, there is something for all members of the family. You might even get a tour of Point Atkinson Lighthouse.

Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital hosts Free Workshop Day  
11am - 4pm
Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital, 105 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Pet owners and animal lovers are encouraged to drop by the hospital to learn more about preventive pet care and get their questions answered by the friendly and knowledgeable hospital staff. The workshop will begin with a free nail trim session for pets at 11:00 am. Following that, there will be a number of essential workshops offered, such as First Aid, Dentistry and Canine Behavior.  There will also be opportunities to learn more about the hospital through their seminars on alternative therapies and vaccine protocol. Plus, tours of the hospital will be offered.

Anna Kosturova Warehouse Sale Pop-up 
Friday, April 25 - Sunday April 27 11am - 7pm
Crochet Swimwear, Resortwear and Ready-to-Wear, 434 Columbia Street Vancouver, BC 
Promotions: -Up to 75% off select styles of Crochet Swimwear, Resortwear, Ready-to-Wear, and Silk Tie-dye -Assorted crochet bikini sets $30.00 and up  Payment: Cash preferred, credit is also available

LOFT Park Royal Spring Styling Party
1:00pm - 2:30pm | Draw at 3pm
LOFT Park Royal, 2002 Park Royal South, West Vancouver
A styling event with LOFT and Alexandra Grant of To Vogue or Bust, Alicia Quan of AliciaFashionista, Jen Tam of Her Waise Choice. A few Vancouver fashion bloggers who are good about giving style advice. They'll be giving away 3 $100 gift cards to give 3 of the event's attendees a chance to put some LOFT in their own wardrobes as well.

Earnest Ice Cream had been around for a while now and I kept hearing lots of good things about them. They started off with a little cart and were so successful, they opened a brick and mortar store on Fraser. I visited them with M.N. and W.W. a couple weeks back. It was a Friday night, 9:30pm and the line was still out the door! It took us about 10 minutes finally reach the counter. They serve ice cream and coffee. $5 for a single scoop which you can have in a waffle cone or in a cup or $7 for a double scoop. I wanted to try the Earl Grey and Whisky Hazelnut. Man, was it delicious! Taste explosion! I especially loved the whisky hazelnut. The only mistake that I made was that I should have ordered that first, then the Earl Grey, because it had a milder taste. The whisky hazelnut flavour overwhelmed the earl grey.

So was it worth the hype? Yes, yes, it was.

A couple of weeks ago, W.W. and I participated in a night of painting at an event called PaintNite. I saw it on Groupon and looked at the paintings and I thought they were pretty nice looking. They host these painting classes all over Vancouver at different restaurants and pubs so that you can eat and drink while painting. You can choose which painting you'd like to attempt and sign up. It costs $25 with the Groupon.



We choose the painting "Fall Sunset" and the event was hosted by artist Stephanie Larson at Mr. Brownstone on Main Street. The reference painting is above. Stephanie guided us step by step on how to recreate this painting.

We each started off with a blank canvas and a plate of paint. Primary colours, black and white. We had to mix colours on our own.


Blending is hard work. My sun ended up off centre. =S

Painting the ground. After this, I got so into painting, I forgot to take more in progress photos. Haha this happens when I'm digitally painting as well. However, in Photoshop you can turn on and off the layers! Can't in real life. And there is no undo button! But I guess it is the imperfections that make art interesting.

PaintNite Facebook

 Tah-dah! My finished painting!

Ooo my paint plate was such a mess at the end. Obviously, my paint mixing skills need some work.

PaintNite Facebook

 The entire class!

PaintNite Facebook

I had a great time; it was nice to relax and paint after work. I thought it was very therapeutic. I may attempt to paint some more on my own!

Friday, April 18, 2014 - Good Friday

Sakura Windows Unveiling Ceremony
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm     
Oppenheimer Park (488 Powell Street) 
Please join us as we unveil the memorial windows to commemorate the history of Japanese Canadians and cherry blossom trees planted in 1977.

Easter Eggstravavganza
Friday, Saturday 1:30pm - 4pm
Sunday 12am - 4pm
International Village Mall, 88 Pender Street West, Vancouver 
Easter Children Craft Table, live music, meeting and photo with the easter bunny, face painting, balloon twisting, mini carnival games

Vancouver Fan Expo - $20
Friday 4pm - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm
Vancouver Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place Vancouver BC
Come out and meet your favourite celebrity or creator and shop for the hottest or most rare in comic books, graphic novels, manga, toys, t-shirts and more! Meet celebrities, go shopping, attend panels and workshops, and  find the newest and hottest in Anime, Manga, Comics, Sci-Fi, Gaming and Horror.

A Taste of Spring - $25
6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
VanDusen Botanical Garden 5251 Oak Street Vancouver
Come and savour an incredible selection of unique wines from around the world during an unforgettable night at the Van Dusen Gardens.  Leave with exclusive deals from Marquis Wine Cellars who will help you bring these wines home.   Proceeds from this event support the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

Saturday, April 19, 2014 

Record Store Day 2014 @ Neptoon Records
8am - 9pm
Neptoon Records, 3561 Main Street, Vancouver
Saturday April 19th, 2014 is Record Store Day! 12 Bands, 320 RSD Releases, Big Sale, Big Party! Featuring: Three Wolf Moon, Johnny de Courcy & The Death Rangers, War Baby, The Highway Kind, Dead Soft, The Flintettes, Mosfett, Khingfisher, Failing, Worshippers, Tim The Mute, and Mesa Luna!

Pt. Grey Chrysanthemum Association Rooted Cuttings Sale  
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
VanDusen Botanical Garden Cedar Room, Admin Bldg. 
$3 per plant cutting Information: Elaine Graham 604-277-6429 

B.C. Fuchsia and Begonia Society Annual Plant, Bake and Craft Sale
9am-3pm   
VanDusen Botanical Garden Floral Hall, 37th Ave and Oak St, Vancouver Plants in Real Time: Check out the Reality of the BC Fuchsia and Begonia Society, Free Admission. Face Painting for Kids of all age. Unique Vendors and items: laughing hand artist : Keith McKellar.  Prize Draws. Home Baking. Refreshments. Great Variety of Plants. Some Hardy Fuchsias. Come Early for Best Selection

Vancouver Winter Farmers Market
Fresh, local, organic foods & crafts. 60+ vendors, hot food, music! Rain or Shine!

EGG-stravaganza at Vancouver Farmers Market
10:00am - 2:00pm
30th and Ontario Street in the East Parking lot and Plaza of Nat Bailey Stadium
We're featuring the wide diversity of birds and eggs available at the Winter Farmers Market on Easter Weekend. Gotta make sure we city people know eggs come from birds, not rabbits...  Look out for: - Natural Easter Egg Dye-ing - Quirky Egg Display - LIVE birds on-site - Egg recipes & info

Great Canadian Craft Easter Craft Showcase - $4 online, $5 at door
April 19 - 21 10am -5pm
Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Join us this Easter Long Weekend and see over 150 talented artisans and crafters from all over The Lower Mainland and BC.  Meet the designers and makers of this amazing showcase as you support local small business!  Partial proceeds go to the Vancouver Food Bank.  First 25 entrants each day receive a FREE swag bag loaded with goodies!  Face painting and Balloon Animals for the Kids.  Children 12 & Under are Free.

Vancouver Fan Expo - $35
Friday 4pm - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm
Vancouver Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place Vancouver BC
Come out and meet your favourite celebrity or creator and shop for the hottest or most rare in comic books, graphic novels, manga, toys, t-shirts and more! Meet celebrities, go shopping, attend panels and workshops, and  find the newest and hottest in Anime, Manga, Comics, Sci-Fi, Gaming and Horror. 

Meet the Maker at West Elm Market
12pm - 5pm
West Elm Market Vancouver 2915 Granville Street
Come out and support our talented local artisans like Elaine and her company Lover's Tempo and Chloe from Knot Tangled!

Easter Eggstravavganza
Friday, Saturday 1:30pm - 4pm
Sunday 12am - 4pm
International Village Mall, 88 Pender Street West, Vancouver 
Easter Children Craft Table, live music, meeting and photo with the easter bunny, face painting, balloon twisting, mini carnival games

Endless Summer: 365 Days of Berries and Fruit in the Garden and Containers - $14
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Phoenix Perennials, 3380 No. 6 Road Richmond, BC
Instructor: Cathy Hiebert |  Do you long for the sweet taste of summer at times of the year when summer is just a faraway dream? Take heart, fellow foodies, you can enjoy the bounty of summer berries and fruit year-round with some simple skills and a little planning. Your instructor Cathy will teach you about the different kinds of fruit and berries you can grow in your garden and in containers on your patio. Then she will teach you different ways to preserve your bounty such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, cherries, and much more. She will discuss preserving through canning, drying and freezing and tell you which processes are best for each particular fruit. She will show you the equipment you will need and demonstrate the different preservation techniques. She will then give you some recipe ideas for using your preserved fruits and berries long after summer has passed

Sunday, April 20, 2014 - Easter Sunday

Great Canadian Craft Easter Craft Showcase - $4 online, $5 at door
April 19 - 21 10am -5pm
Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Join us this Easter Long Weekend and see over 150 talented artisans and crafters from all over The Lower Mainland and BC.  Meet the designers and makers of this amazing showcase as you support local small business!  Partial proceeds go to the Vancouver Food Bank.  First 25 entrants each day receive a FREE swag bag loaded with goodies!  Face painting and Balloon Animals for the Kids.  Children 12 & Under are Free.

Vancouver Fan Expo - $30
Friday 4pm - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm
Vancouver Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place Vancouver BC
Come out and meet your favourite celebrity or creator and shop for the hottest or most rare in comic books, graphic novels, manga, toys, t-shirts and more! Meet celebrities, go shopping, attend panels and workshops, and  find the newest and hottest in Anime, Manga, Comics, Sci-Fi, Gaming and Horror.. 

Baker's Market
11am - 3pm
Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert Street, Vancouver BC
Get your fill of sweet & savoury baked goodies from local bakers and artisans. Inspired by traditional farmers markets in Vancouver, this market is even better since it is indoors with lots of free parking too. You'll find talented budding, professional or home bakers selling fresh artisanal breads, soft German pretzels, butter croissants, chocolate croissants, cupcakes, yummy cookies, hand made chocolates, brownies, Belgian Liege waffles,vegan cupcakes, mini bundt cakes, muffins, gluten-free baked goods and much more!

Easter Eggstravavganza
Friday, Saturday 1:30pm - 4pm
Sunday 12am - 4pm
International Village Mall, 88 Pender Street West, Vancouver 
Easter Children Craft Table, live music, meeting and photo with the easter bunny, face painting, balloon twisting, mini carnival games

Tree Talks and Walks Easter Parade in the West End  
1:30pm to 3:00pm
 Gilford and Haro, grassy knoll one block west of the West End Community Centre, under the ‘Kanzan’ trees    
 Presented by Wendy Cutler, VCBF Cherry Scout Co-ordinator. Wendy has been scouting and documenting the tree locations in these neighbourhoods since the festival began  This walk begins with the singing of Easter Parade, accompanied by ukuleles and you! You may wear your Easter Bonnet for the occasion, and you may play your ukulele. The singing begins at 1:25 sharp

4/20: Smoke Out Vancouver 
4:20pm
750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC
April 20th, is the world-recognized international day of celebration for the planet's estimated 250,000,000 members of the cannabis culture.

Go out and enjoy the cherry blossoms while they last!

Friday, April 11, 2014

The Geekenders Guide to the Galaxy - $15
Doors at 7:00 Show at 7:30 Dancing to the tunes of Geekenders’ DJ Navi until 1:00am  
Cover: $15.00. Strictly 19+
The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac St, Vancouver
In the beginning nightclubs were created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move. Some people believed they were created by some sort of god, but the Geekenders people of Sol 3 firmly believed that the entire idea of nightclubs was, in fact, completely ridiculous and decided to create their own kind of party.  Thus, the Nightclub at the End of the Universe was born.  Join your host, Max Quordlepleen, as you watch a first-class variety show with dancers from all over the galaxy and dance the night away as the universe explodes around you, for your pleasure.


Sakura Illumination
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Sunset Beach Park at Beach and Thurlow near the outdoor hockey rinks
Stuart Ward uses LED and patterned video lights to illuminate a canopy of cherry blossoms with his sensory projection artwork. The single night quality reflects the tempo of the blossoms, and their varying bloom times. The unique experience will create an intangible memory of a time and place never to be duplicated.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Fresh, local, organic foods & crafts. 60+ vendors, hot food, music! Rain or Shine!

Canucks Autism Network Family Festival
10am - 2:30pm
Jack Poole Plaza (Vancouver Convention Centre, Downtown Vancouver) 
This FREE family festival will include the lighting of the cauldron, a fundraising walk, live entertainment, food, exhibitors, a family fun zone, and surprise visits by special guests!

Kerrisdale Antiques Fair - $7
Sat & Sun 10am - 5pm
Kerrisdale Arena, 5670 East Boulevard, Vancouver
Over 250 tables and booths of antiques and collectibles under one roof!
Celebrate Spring 2014
11am - 4pm
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, Burnaby
Enjoy our beautiful Japanese Canadian garden and cherry trees! Celebrate the cherry blossom season with a fun, family-friendly spring festival featuring exciting arts performances by Japanese and Filipino artists. Pre-order a “Sakura Bento” to enjoy in our beautiful gardens: $12.60 Members, $13.65 General ($15.75 on event day).

Sustainability Fair at Whole Foods Market
12pm - 4pm
Whole Foods Market Cambie, 510 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Stop by the store on Saturday, April 12th between 12pm-4pm to see some of our great products and community partners!
 
Vancouver Dahlia Society Tuber Sale
Saturday: 1 - 4 p.m. Sunday: 1 - 4 p.m. 
VanDusen Botanical Garden, Floral Hall, Admin Bldg. 
Free Admission

Tree Talks and Walks Stanley Park   
2:00pm to 3:30pm    
Meet at the Rose Arbour at the Lower Rose Garden, Pipeline Rd, Stanley Park     
Presented by Park Board arborist, Bill Stephen.  This spot will be a focal point to discover many of the beautiful and unusual ornamental trees and plants in Stanley Park’s Shakespeare Garden. It will also discuss some of the history of the park and how the Park Board balances demands of the public with the need for open green space. 

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Kidstuff Swapmeet
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 
Bonsor Recreation Complex, 6550 Bonsor Avenue Burnaby, BC 
Pick up a bargain at Kidstuff Swampmeet! Over 70 tables of the best deals in town! Free Admission.

Kerrisdale Antiques Fair - $7
Sat & Sun 10am - 5pm
Kerrisdale Arena, 5670 East Boulevard, Vancouver
Over 250 tables and booths of antiques and collectibles under one roof!
Spring Perogy Lunch and Bazaar
11:00 am to 3:30 pm
805 East Pender, Vancouver
Delicious Ukrainian Food & Awesome Deals on Gently Used Items!

Cherry Blossom Picnics
11:30 to 12:30pm
Flight Path Park, Richmond
This spring Cherry Blossom Picnics will be popping up all over Vancouver! Festival sponsor, YVR Airport Authority is first to announce hosting a Cherry Blossom Picnic and Tree Talks & Walks in celebration of  150 cherry trees blossoming in Larry Berg Flight Path Park ~ the largest concentration of cherries in Metro Vancouver! Picnic in the park – bring your own picnic and sit on the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s (VCBF) new Petal Mats!  A good time to walk around & take some photos.

Tree Talks and Walks at Larry Berg Flight Path Park, Richmond
1:30 to 2pm in Mandarin, 2pm to 2:30pm in English    
Meet at the globe structure     
Presented by Joseph Lin, director of the Green Club of BC  This walk celebrates the 9th birthday of the 125 Birthday Blossoms. Join the Cherry Blossom Picnic hosted by YVR Airport Authority before or after the walk!

Tree Talks and Walks Queen Elizabeth Park
1:30pm to 3:00pm      
Queen Elizabeth Park, meet at the parking lot (33rd Ave and Cambie) under the west end cherry trees      
Presented by Alex Downie, Supervisor of Vancouver’s Neighborhood Parks, and former Supervisor of Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory.  A guided tree walk highlighting the many exotic and native trees at Queen Elizabeth Park’s arboretum, founded in 1949, contains tree species from around the world. This walk will focus on the ornamental qualities and garden-worthiness of the wide palette of trees we can grow in Vancouver. 

Vancouver Dahlia Society Tuber Sale
Saturday: 1 - 4 p.m. Sunday: 1 - 4 p.m. 
VanDusen Botanical Garden, Floral Hall, Admin Bldg. 
Free Admission

The cafe, PappaRoti held its grand opening last Saturday, treating visitors to complimentary bun.

The "father of all buns" is a coffee-caramel coated bun has its origins in Malaysia.

They have several small round tables surrounding a long table in the centre of the dining area, which was taken when we visited.

The cafe doesn't just serve buns; they provide a wide variety of teas and JJ Bean coffees.

Cute drawings of the topping combos you can get above the ovens.

I liked this wall of words. I'm guessing this is where the buns can be found? There's another small seating area next to here, at the back of the cafe.

One bun costs $3.65 and each topping is $1.25.

 I opted to try the bun with some Nutella.

The bun is placed on a wooden paddle dusted with cocoa powder and any toppings are put on the side. Very nice!

There's not much inside the bun.

I thought the bun tasted very similar to a Chinese pineapple bun though the caramel-coffee coating is more crunchy. It's not as sweet either. The insides tasted a little buttery. Pretty yummy as a snack. The nutella just made it all sweet and that's all I could taste, so I would do without it next time.

PappaRoti is located in downtown Vancouver, on the corner Robson at Nicola.

Last Saturday, Canadian Tire hosted an event at the Vancouver Convention Centre showcasing all their latest and new products in the home, auto and outdoor departments. There were even big name guest speakers such as the Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, Mike Holmes and Jillian and Todd from "Love it or List."

There were a lot of product demos, displays and a few giveaways. It was a lot to go through! Some memorable things:

the Christmas store area,

meeting Emmet from the LEGO movie, the Ninja Turtles, and Barbie princess,

winning the "Reboot with Joe" book at the Cuisineart booth,

drooling over all the KitchenAid mixers,

and nice outdoor furniture displays.

I've posted the rest of the photos on the MashedThoughts Facebook page.

Pirates and Tom Hiddleton! Those were the two immediate thoughts that popped into my head when I first heard about this film. This was the first movie of the Tinklebell direct-to-DVD series that I have ever watched and it is the 6th one that Disney has made in the Fairy franchise. Haha this movie made me want to watch more of the Fairy series.

"The Pirate Fairy", like all the movies previous, is set in Neverland, before the events of "Peter Pan." Zarina (voice of Christina Hendricks), a dust keeper fairy is obsessed with figuring out how fairy dust works. When her experiments on the powerful Blue Pixie Dust land her in hot water with her supervisor, she flees Pixie Hollow. She ends up joining forces with the pirates of Skull Rock, led by a cabin boy named James (voice of Tom Hiddleston), who make her the captain of their ship. Zarina and the pirates come up a plan to steal the Blue Fairy Dust and subsequently switches the talents of Tinker Bell (voice of Mae Whitman) and her friends in the process. Tink and her friends must work together to retrieve the Blue Pixie Dust, which the fairies of Pixie Hollow is dependent upon to be able to fly.  


The movie was pretty entertaining. It delves more into the origins of the characters in "Peter Pan," centred around Captain Hook. Tom Hiddleton is delightful as always. He brings a little bit of Loki in his portrayal of James. The new fairy is pretty cool in her pirate get-up but she never consciously makes a choice to do the right thing; it is the circumstances force her to. It was great to see the origins of Captain Hook and the Crocodile. IT IS SO ADORABLE. The film is 78 min with several special features included:       

• Second Star to the Right: The Legacy of Never Land – Explore Never Land’s history and its endless ability to inspire     
• Croc-u-mentary – “Crocky” and his real-life relatives are the subject of this funny documentary     Deleted Scenes     
• Sing-Along Songs     
• The Making of “The Frigate That Flies” – Go Behind the Scenes with Tom Hiddleton for a close-up look at the recording of this song 

There are two songs in the movie: "Who I Am," sung by Natasha Bedingfield as the introduction song to Zarina, and "The Frigate That Flies, " sung by the pirates. If Tom Hiddleton singing is what you'd like to hear, "The Frigate That Flies" is the song to listen to. I personally like "Who I Am" song more. It's backed by nice strummy music and is about being yourself and showing the world who you are.

“The Pirate Fairy” is currently available in store and the soundtrack available for download on iTunes.