Pacific NW Road Trip

I know you're all just dying to hear about my little road trip through the Pacific Northwest, right? (Right?) Well, let me tell you - it was glorious. The weather was the absolute pits ... it poured the entire time ... and there were a few unexpected bumps along the way but overall it was bliss. We drove. We talked. We browsed. We shopped. We stayed at the fabulous Ace Hotel and we ate the most delicious food. Salmon chowder - where have you been all my life? So, so good. And don't even get me started on the delicious-ness that we discovered at some food trucks in Portland. I'll gain 10 pounds just thinking about them.

I took hundreds of photos, all of which I can't wait to scrapbook. My point and shoot camera isn't doing so well these days. The zoom is broken, it's hard to get a clear shot because even the slightest movement causes everything to blur and the grey, overcast weather didn't help either. I played around with different settings and angles and was quite pleased with the results. Despite the crappy camera, I managed to get some really fun shots during our travels. Here are a few of my favorites -  

As much as I enjoyed my time away, it feels great to be back in beautiful Vancouver. I know I'm beyond biased, but British Columbia truly is the best place on earth. *happy sigh*

first Christmas, then this ....

Christmas has always been a big deal for my family. We have TONS of traditions - the candle-lit service on Christmas Eve, opening gifts and stockings together on Christmas morning, having a big yummy breakfast together and then spending the rest of the day prepping for our turkey feast ... a feast that can sometimes include up to 20 guests. I moved to Vancouver from Montreal two years ago, but we've managed to continue the traditions I love and cherish.

This year, though, things will be a little different. With my Dad's passing, none of us are really feeling up to a big celebration. My sister and brother-in-law decided to sneak away to the Caribbean for the holidays. My mom and grandmother opted to stay in Montreal, enjoying a quiet Christmas at home. And Alan and I played around with several ideas (Las Vegas? San Fransisco? Hawaii?) before finally settling on a cozy, Pacific Northwest road trip.

We'll spend Christmas Day with my sister and brother-in-law at their *fabulous* new condo in Whistler and then we're hitting the road for six days of quality time together. Just me, him and a car full of delicious left over Christmas munchies. We're planning to tour Seattle first and then drive down to Portland. The best part? Alan booked reservations for a deluxe room at The Ace Hotel - the super stylish, super hip new hotel chain with locations in Seattle, Portland, NYC and Palm Springs. I've been dying to stay at The Ace and I'm beyond excited about our reservations.

Christmas without my Dad will be difficult and strange, but at least we're doing something fun. No time like the present for making new traditions.

-xo-