Thursday, May 29, 2008

Cute cat pic...

Here's how I found Chloe and Cleo sleeping this afternoon - they just LOVE the sun on our bed at that time of day:




I guess it's cute cat pic week here in blogland :)

Latest pics o' the house.

Teresa

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Google Desktop...

Does anyone out there in Blogland use Google Desktop? If so, have you had any security issues with it since the last big problem was reported last year?

I really would like to be able to use this tool, but am absolutely paranoid about exposing my computer to major risks. I know, I know - just BEING on the internet is a risk these days, but do the benefits of this software outweigh those risks?

Feedback on this would be very much appreciated.

Other than the above, I'm working away steadily on my latest contract work. And when not doing that, playing with a slightly different version of the opening of my completed ms, What the Heart Remembers after an online brainstorming session with my critique partners late last week.

On the home front, I'm watching my recently planted garden start to grow and wondering when I'll see the bear we now know passes right by the house (there is a giant bear poop on the section of driveway outside the kitchen window).

How 'bout everyone else - anything new?

Teresa

Currently Reading: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Sunday walk...

Sunday was a beautiful day, so we headed off on the motorcycle to a local park for a walk. Chapman Creek is a popular spot, so we were surprised to find the parking lot mostly empty. We set out and I discovered I had to stop fairly frequently to snap photos. Here are a few of them:







Sean



b/w photo of the rapids:



carved face:



Me:



On our return journey, we encountered evidence of a bear:



I also saw bear poop, but figured no-one needs to see a pic of that *g*.

Further along the trail we found the bear itself! It was across a small field, so it was quite safe to capture it digitally (click on the photo to enlarge it - you can see the bear's snout quite clearly):



After that excitement, we returned to the parking lot where Sean suggested we walk into Davis Bay for gelato (made here on the Coast). Never one to turn the opportunity to eat gelato on a warm, summery day, I agreed and we trotted off to share a medium cup of Wild & Reckless (vanilla with raspberry and ripples of chocolate). From there we walked back to the bike along the beach and rode home, with a quick detour down to the beach at Roberts Creek.

All in all, a successful outing. If you'd like to see more of my photos from the walk (and aren't on Facebook, where I've posted an album), email me privately and I'll send you a link :)

Teresa

Currently Reading
: The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch
Link of the Day: Davis Bay

Monday, May 19, 2008

Meet the goslings...

Every year for the last few years, a pair of geese has spent the spring on my in-laws' property. My in-laws named them Gregory and Grace. With the exception of last year, they have always tried to raise a small family, with varying degrees of success - the coyote and bobcat generally do all in their power to frustrate those efforts.

The latest batch of goslings hatched last week and are now paraded around for all to see. Grace and Gregory are quite at home and as long as we don't get uncomfortably close, they're quite willing for us to inspect their family.

I took some pics of them yesterday (you may have to click on the photos for the full-sized ones to see them properly).

Here they are down on the lower lawn:



and here they are later near the llama field:



I had gone to see them with my m-i-l when the llamas heard us (they're very curious about everything) and came to see what we were doing. Grace and Gregory were NOT thrilled by this turn of events. They quickly marshalled the family and moved away:



though one little one was a little behind and had to scoot to catch up as the llamas got closer:



Dusty got distracted by another noise, but baby Moonbeam (now 2) and older sister Elvira (3) seemed disappointed the visitors had chosen to move on:



Instead of heading back to the lake, G & G decided to explore the driveway with their brood:



Later yesterday evening, we saw them all again - back by the dock. There were a few anxious minutes as we counted goslings and for a while, could only see four. But when they retreated to the water and embarked once more, we noticed all five were there :)

With entertainment like this, who needs television?

Teresa

Currently Reading: The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch

Friday, May 16, 2008

Gardening...

Finally! Yep - the weather here has at last improved the point where we're able to start working on our garden. Can't do much this year, but at least we were able to get started on our little rock garden at the front of the house:


It felt so good to get outside and dig in the soil again. Now let's just hope I chose the right things for that area - they should work, but with gardening, one can never be certain what will and won't do well. If all goes as planned, we'll have some nice ground cover and pretty flowers within a month or two :)

It's a long weekend here in Canada and to celebrate, we're having friends over for a bbq tonight - while the weather holds! It's supposed to be warm and sunny - yay!

Other than that, we have no other big plans, though I'm hoping to convince Sean to go for a hike at Chapman Creek.

What are your plans for the weekend?


Teresa

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland...

I finished it last night and wow, what a fantastic read! As with her Josephine B series, Sandra brings her setting to life and peoples it with wonderful, fully fleshed characters. Louise de la Vallière (aka Petite) is a sympathetic heroine, grounded in her time while her lover, Louis XIV, is complicated and fascinating. Seeing him develop into The Sun King, while also remaining lover and father to Petite and their children, is one of the highlights of the book. The story follows Petite from her childhood through to the end of her affair with Louis and it's a fascinating journey, as she learns to navigate the intricacies and dangers of Court life while remaining true to herself.

I highly recommend this intriguing and compelling novel to all who love fine fiction.

Teresa

Friday, May 09, 2008

Where I've been all week...

Well, that makes it sound more exciting than it is. Sean's been on vacation, so I've been spending time with him doing work outside (picking rocks off the septic field, picking up roots, sticks and other debris off our parking area etc. Fun stuff like that :) Well, actually, it's not as bad as it sounds. Monday was especially nice and so is today.

I'm also doing more contract work.

Sean is off for one more week, so don't expect many updates till the week after next. It's great having him home - a girl could get used to it!!

So, how has your week been?

Teresa

Saturday, May 03, 2008

For your researching pleasure...

In researching a little historical detail, I recently came across a couple of pages of research links I hadn't seen before. Being the generous soul I am, I figured I'd share :)

Research Links at Once Upon A Romance
April Kihlstrom's Research Links
Gaelen Foley's Research Links

This one's not new to me, but I figured I'd post it anyway:
Deb's Historical Research Page

Enjoy!!

Teresa

Currently Reading: Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland