:)

A simple smiley!

Because I'm simply excited. Will be picking up S and hubby at the Tsawwassen ferry. They weren't able to get the cruise that will dock here at Vancouver, so they opted for the one that will stop at Victoria.

Kare-kare and kalderata waiting for them already. And embutido and lumpiang shanghai. I like rellenong bangus so I have this visit as an excuse to order (much as I can prepare this, I'd rather not...too much fuss).

We're planning to go downtown later. Meet-up with some highschool friends at night.
Whistler tomorrow. Quite a tight sched but I don't mind. I know I'll enjoy the visit. I just hope the sky will clear a bit. (Sunshine please..)

Goodbye, Robert?

Ojai Foods may well be on its way to redemption with the discovery of new found treasure at Narrow Lake. But this is the season's finale, it can't be without any hanging questions for the viewers.

Saul's hands bloodied and didn't want Kevin to touch him. Afflicted with something contagious?

Wanting a Hawaiian wedding ceremony for Justin and Rebecca, Holly, a few minutes after, lost consciousness. Will she make it to the next season?

But the biggest question:
Is it really goodbye to Senator Robert McCallister (played by still good-looking Rob Lowe)? He was badly hurt -- blood dripping, fading and then stared off at a distance.

If this is indeed the end for Robert, then I must say the send-off for him was fitting. Dignified..controlled hysterics (which is not the norm with Walker family). And will surely miss him next season.

Stay tuned for Brothers & Sisters Season 5.

Hostas In The Making

April 2

Two weeks after (April 18)

March 10

Two more weeks and it'll be full grown. Need to put egg shells this weekend to deter the slugs. Or should I use beer or ground coffee?

Flowers Grown Wrong

Silly me! Or rather ignorant me. I thought something went wrong with the tulips I've been waiting to bloom. A week ago, I noticed that 4 stems have multiple blooms. This observation is in addition to about 15 white buds I saw. I planted purple ones so what I saw growing in the garden plot were a bit unusual. I attributed the latter observation to the fact that I planted the bulbs way too late (January). However, the multiple blooms are more of a mystery to me.

I told Nola about the multiple blooms and she was surprised herself. She's been gardening and even worked in a nursery and this was the first time she heard about that. She said with a smile, "Your tulips are mutating." To which I replied, "Yes, mutant tulips!"

How the blooms look like

After planting the freesia and acidanthera corms this morning, I got the pile of planting instruction guides of the plants I currently have in the garden. And surprise..... I didn't only plant purple tulips. I also planted 12 Double Late Angelique and 10 Fringed Blue Heron. I totally forgot these infos!!!!! I then remembered that I even positioned the bulbs according to their blooming height. That's one mystery solved.

What about the "mutating" issue? I surfed the net a few minutes ago and learned that there are some tulip varieties with multiple blooms. Nothing specific though if it's the Angelique or Blue Heron. So there's no mystery. Just silly, ignorant me -- an aspiring gardener learning the ropes of gardening one step at a time.

Looking Forward To......

S passing by Vancouver. Ah...finally will be able to meet her husband.

Right now I'm trying to come up with a list of places to go. And I don't have their exact visiting dates. LOL! That's how mightily excited this mouse is.

Definitely on the agenda:
Gastown
Olympic Cauldron
Harbour Lookout!
Stanley Park

These are all in downtown Vancouver so we'll just go to these places in one sweep. On their first day or the second, not sure yet.

Tentative on the list:
Lynn Canyon
Queen Elizabeth Park
Fort Langley
White Rock
Steveston Village

Left out the wine tour, Whistler, Victoria, Robson shopping, Lonsdale Quay and Ambleside. We'll just decide in a few days or so... but it wouldn't hurt if they can extend. *wink*.

Patiently Waiting

Lizette posted this on her Facebook status. I think I have an idea what she's referring to. As Tnet said... patiently is the keyword. Ha! Clue!!!!

How I wish I could say the same. I'm waiting as well. But patiently...um...ummm. I need more than patience regarding this.

Loving the Weather

I'm not a "sun" person. It's not by choice...my system just can't function well with heat. Which is why migrating to Canada is a logical step for me.

And indeed, the weather here in Vancouver suits me. Mild winter, mild summer. Although the summer heat can still affect me in a negative way, at least there's no -20 winter days as Alberta nor humid summer months of Toronto. Rainfall in the winter is common but this rainfall is just Philippine's drizzle. I can live with that. Especially so that this precipitation is a big contributing factor to the lush environment.

It's May 1 today -- halfway through spring. It was a bit cloudy and there was a bit of nip in the morning but the sky cleared before mid-day. Sun shining brightly as I write but the temp's only 11 degrees. Superb! And tonight, it'll be balmy until the sun sets sometime 8pm.

For visitors to this lovely city it might seem too much for a day. Unpredictable, some might even say. But it's what makes Vancouver more interesting. I cope, as most Vancouverites do, by layering clothes and checking The Weather Network http://www.theweathernetwork.com/ on Ch 18 before heading out.