Day Trip to Seattle

I was just talking to my mom, who was saying that she can tell when I'm really busy with work because my blog doesn't change. So hopefully, this post means that I'm finally getting some more time to not think about work.

Our reason for going to Seattle was to see the Picasso exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) that was showing a collection from the Musee National Picasso in Paris. It was quite an amazing collection running from the early 1900s to the 1970s and contained paintings, sculptures, sketches, and photographs. It was a bit overwhelming, but by the time we reached the end of the exhibit, I also didn't want it to end, and wanted to see more of his work.

Here are some examples of highlights for me:

The Acrobat (Jan. 1918) 

Oil on canvas.

Two women running on the beach (The Race) Summer 1922

Gouache on plywood

This painting is very famous. It was smaller than I thought it would be and more beautiful that I thought it would be. His work is so vibrant to me. I had no idea there could be so much life in his work.

SAM was absolutely packed! We bought tickets online two weeks ago for a 12:00 pm entry. They give you a 20 minute window for entry and then after that you lose out. By the time we arrived at 12:15, the 12:20 line-up was already queued to the back of the hall. Fortunately, we were still able to enter in the 12:00 block and could walk right into the gallery. 

Even though we had to manoeuvre through the crowds to look at the exhibit, it was well worth it. Perhaps I would have spent longer there without the crowds, but I saw everything I wanted to see. 

I didn't really want to look at the other exhibits after seeing Picasso's work. I felt like I had taken enough in. However, on our way out we did come across these really wonderful photographs by Amy Blakemore and stopped to look at those.

While our reason to go to Seattle was to see the Picasso exhibit, one of the highlights of the day was going to the Flying Apron Bakery. I bought their cookbook not long ago because they specialize in vegan and gluten free goodies. I have already feature some of their cookies on my blog.

We left for Seattle early Sunday morning so we could go to the bakery first and have a good coffee (no such thing as bad coffee in Seattle it seems) and a delicious baked goodie from Flying Apron. It did not disappoint. In fact, I loved it! The interior is so warm and welcoming. It's one of those spaces where you feel at home. The interior has several large heavy wooden tables and lots of chairs and benches. 

The baked goods are all organic, gluten free, and vegan. They use very wholesome ingredients so you not only feel like you're getting a treat, but you know you're getting really good food as well. 

I love the sign because it says in brackets "obviously it's not about what you can't eat." I should have a t-shirt that says that! 

db had a cinnamon bun and a cappuccino, while I had a berry scone and a decaf espresso. I forgot to take pictures of our food, but that's okay. I at least got some pics of the bakery itself. 

We also ordered some baked goods to bring home: the house bread which was sweet potato & rosemary on Sunday,  a dark chocolate muffin, a pecan maple muffin, a linzer cookie, and an apple turnover. All I can say is so far so good. For some reason I just want to make a rich, strong coffee to go with their baked goods. The two seem suited to one another.

smart pot bellied pigs at Hearts On Noses Sanctuary

We're having a fundraiser at karmavore for Hearts on Noses pig sanctuary in Maple Ridge. The woman who runs it is amazing, and does most of the work herself. She needs all the help she can get I'm sure!
Anywho...I loved this video with all of the tails wagging. Pigs are such adorable animals. I love them.

Happy New Year!

I'm back...well sort of. I never really went away.

I feel like I've been doing nothing but going to and from work in the dark and spending my days running around the store trying to get things done, which includes adjusting to my new role at work. I've been chasing people down, managing staff, helping customers, and in general dealing with the Xmas rush. The lower level of the store is still not complete, but it's the closest it has ever been. On Friday (New Year's Eve) we opened the grocery, and the deli will open most likely tomorrow. The lower mainland's first vegan deli. It's pretty exciting.  I have to say that I'm a little bit terrified. When I look at the work involved on paper, it all seems like it will go so smoothly. The reality will be a little bumpier until we get into a new routine.

On top of it all there is still staff to settle in, and we've got to hire at least one more person, maybe two to ensure we get the coverage that we need.

***

I hope everyone had a good holiday. My family spoiled me, as did db. It was nice to have 3 days off at Christmas. I did wake up Christmas morning with a cold (what a nice gift!) that delayed our Christmas meal until boxing day, but it did mean that I got to spend the day on the couch doing absolutely nothing. I tried going to Wildlife Rescue on Monday, but my cold was still making me miserable so I had to leave early.

Yesterday, I went out for my long run and after about 30 minutes of slogging along (I wasn't having a good running day), I saw what looked like an injured Varied Thrush.

It was hopping along the sidewalk trying to avoid me. I slowed to a walk and watched the bird try to avoid me. It couldn't fly up over the wall that it was trying to get over. It seemed to be able to fly low to the ground, but not for very long. It kept landing in the Cotoneaster waiting for me to leave. I knew I had to catch it and take it to Wildlife Rescue, and eventually I got the chance to cover it with my running jacket and I held on to him and called db to come and rescue us.

db brought a shoebox and I placed the thrush inside the box on a small towel, and poked a few airholes in the box while we drove to Wildlife Rescue. Once there I dropped the thrush off, knowing I'd be able to check up on his status when I go in for my shift today.

Since we were at Burnaby Lake, I decided to finish my run there. db waited for me and then we drove home. When I got home there was a message from the staff at Wildlife Rescue informing me that they think the thrush has conjunctivitis and that they hoped I had washed my hands, and to make sure I put my jacket into the wash right away since it's highly contagious.

Hmm...I went for a run after saving the bird. I did put my gloves on and I was pretty aware that I hadn't washed my hands while I was running so I was careful not to touch my face. I did take my jacket into the laundry almost immediately because I knew the bird had soiled the jacket and I'm very careful with the cats whenever I come home from Wildlife Rescue because of all the sick and injured wildlife. So far I have no signs of anything so I'm hoping that even though I didn't wash my hands until home, I at least am careful.

I'm about to head to Wildlife Rescue now, so maybe I'll follow with an update for you on the bird's progress.