An early Steveston Christmas greeting!

Some of you will be going through this front door in the coming weeks.

You will be hugging Christmas cards and parcels as you figure out whether you have enough days till December 25th.

I was walking past this beloved landmark when I decided to deck it out in seasonal decorations and see what happens.

First I came up with a postcard:



Then I added a dolly and a couple of parcels and made up a Christmas art card:



If you like them and want to send them out to spread some Christmas cheer, they are available for sale.

I will be participating in the South Arm Community Association Christmas Craft Fair on November 19th and the Steveston Community Centre Christmas Craft Fair on November 26th.

If you can't make it on both days, no worries - just email me through this website and we can make it happen.

Hope to see you at the fair!

If not, let's plan to bump into each other in the post office.

Bare Basics: silk, lace, and a lot of spirit

Looking into Bare Basics' front windows is like peeking into the pages of the Victoria Secret's catalog.

Only better.

You still get to see some lovey lacy lingerie, but without the gorgeous models that make you feel, well, less than perfect.

There is nothing judgmental about a set of mannequins. And you can actually imagine yourself wearing the same things that they do, well, may be not the more skimpy ones. Not me, anyway.



Those belong on long and lean ladies, like this one...



I find Bare Basics' window displays very pleasing to the eyes.



One in particular, really lit the entire village's imagination. Was it just the 2010 Olympics spirit that had its grip on all of us British Columbians?



I may be biased but, I think that Bare Basics' display trumped all the others. Who else could have expressed our pride and hope with nothing more than feather boas and lace.

Chickens lend their charm to London Farm scene

I was asked to add another facade to my Stevestonlife heritage building collection.

London Historical Farm is a sprawling 4.06 acre site that includes gardens, a barn, a small museum, a sprinkling of chickens, and of course, the stately farmhouse itself.

Behind the front gate, this white structure is graced with ornate pillars, tall windows, and a porch that suggests warm conversations over tea and freshly baked scones. In my imagination at least.

I arrived on location on a cold spring morning, to scout the area and take some photos.I trudged back and forth and around the building, trying to find the best angle for my pictures and avoid trampling on some terra cota pots littering the ground.

Moisture from the rain-soaked grass soon seeped through my shoes and socks. My hair grew damp. And it was only with great reluctance that I peeled my right glove off so I could press on the shutter button.

And press I did.

Snap, snap, snap, went the camera, as my nose and fingertips edged ever closer to total numbness and paralysis.

Back at home, a few weeks later, I finished applying the last dots and dashes and stepped back from the picture for a final inspection. Yes, the farmhouse appeared complete, with all the details in place. But, for some reason, it appeard dull and lifeless.

I cycled through all the photos I took that day and the answer leapt out at me. Of course, the chickens!



With renewed vigor, I added the clucking, pecking, and jostling group of hens and the proud rooster that kept on giving me the "What in tarnation are you doing?" look. To show that I bore him no resentment, I graciously pencilled him in, in the place of honour no less - perched prominently and authoritatively on the porch railing.



Only then did the London Farm scene come alive - with colourful blossoms springing up in the tidy flowerbed and chickens huddled over spilled seeds in the front yard. Charming!