Always and Forever

It's our first wedding anniversary! Time for more romance and celebration (bear with us).

While Sandi finishes wrapping a gift for Tim (first photo above), Tim secretly books a room at the luxurious Wedgewood Hotel in Vancouver which abounds with fresh flowers, fine antiques and original works of art from Venice. Perfect for the occasion.

After a little shopping here...

and a little champagne sipping there, we head to West restaurant for dinner. The tasting menus we had were so extraordinary we had to share them with you (below). If there's a food heaven, this is it.

March Tasting Menu

AMUSE BOUCHE

SQUID TEMPURA

QUINOA SALAD, APPLE AND CELERIAC REMOULADE

DUNGENESS CRAB CROQUETTE

SAWMILL BAY MUSSELS, SOYBEAN AND RADISH SALAD

SEAFOOD CHOWDER ESSENCE

HAIDA GWAII SEA URCHIN

TAGLIATELLE, HARD BOILED EGG, SOY, WASABI TOBIKO

HECATE STRAIT SABLEFISH

SAWMILL BAY CLAMS, MAPLE SYRUP GLAZED BACON

BEECH MUSHROOMS, SUNCHOKES

PRE DESSERT

WHOLE WHEAT CHOCOLATE CAKE

TAMARIND CREAM AND HIBISCUS FLOWER ICE CREAM

Chef's Tasting Menu

AMUSE BOUCHE

GALA APPLE AND PARSNIP SOUP

SMOKED SOCKEYE SALMON, CREME FRAICHE, HORSERADISH

THIESSEN FARM QUAIL

ROASTED BREAST, CONFIT LEG, BULGUR WHEAT AND WATERCRESS SALAD, POACHED QUAIL EGG, NATURAL JUS

BBQ PEKING DUCK RISOTTO

BIODYNAMIC 1 YEAR AGED RICE, ABALONE MUSHROOM, SOY SKIN RICOSSA

28 DAY AGED CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF TENDERLOIN

SLOW COOKED SHORT RIB, MUSHROOM AND TRUFFLE FARROTTO WATERCRESS SALAD, SHALLOT AND THYME JUS

PRE DESSERT

PASSIONFRUIT MARINATED PINEAPPLE

BANANA ICE CREAM TART, RICE CUSTARD SAUCE

PUFFED GRAIN GRANOLA

We love being married. The best thing in the world is to be with someone who makes your heart sing. Always and forever... that's how long we'll love each other.

Winter's Muse

Life is a Special Occasion

Here are a few of our reasons why.

VANCOUVER. Snowcapped crags, city-hugging beaches, dense waterfront forests, friendly, laid-back residents, gleaming glass towers, and world-class cuisine.

VIEWS. To be admired everywhere, this one in our backyard, Whistler Mountain.

HEART-SHAPED POTATO. Cupid must be close.

SKIING. Tim is very happy in this photo.

SKIING CROSS-COUNTRY. Even better under the stars.

FRIENDS. FAMILY. Fun.

SUSHI. Japanese art which tastes as good as it looks.

HOT TUBS. No explanation required.

CRYSTAL GOBLETS. They really do make cognac taste better.

A COSY FIRE. Not only does it keep you warm it sets the mood for...

LOVE. The most important of all.

Happy Valentines Day.

Happy Christmas to All

Twas a week before Christmas when all through our house,

many creatures were stirring besides just a mouse.

A noise outside we were sure was a hoof,

was just Scritchy and Scratchy up on the roof.

Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

behind the moving boxes in front of the chair.

One hundred and eighty Santas came out to ski,

with free day passes and hearts full of glee.

On the crest of our street in the new-fallen snow,

we spotted a local letting his hair grow.

For Christmas Tim wanted a cool, new ski jacket,

so St. Nick brought one to suit his age bracket.

To the top of the mountain to dine with our friends,

where the fine wine flows and the fun never ends.

You'll hear us exclaim as we call it a night,

Happy Christmas to all and we hope you will write.

Happy Birthday to Tim

We roll into Vancouver just in time for the birthday boy to be served a blueberry pancake breakfast at Sandi's mom and dad's house.

Brrr-aving the Wild West

Temperatures are in the red in Ogden, Utah.

All the snow and mountains makes Tim smile and itchy to ski but he has a few days to wait yet.

Unluckily, we get a flat tire in Portland, Oregon. Luckily, it happens in the parkade at the gorgeous Benson Hotel where we're staying the night.

Happy Thanksgiving

Day 2 of our cross-country journey finds us at Applebee's Gobble Wobble Party on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio. We have so much to be thankful for...

each other first and foremost, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Michael Jackson.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a modern landmark located on the shore of Lake Erie, dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists in the area of rock music.

We are also thankful for not getting the...

after the Gobble Wobble party.