it was my birthday

woke up on my birthday morning with the company of one tiny cinnamon loaf who had made a nest on my belly in the night. of all the places in the entire apartment, that is where she chose to sleep. a pretty good way to wake up.



birthday itself was pretty good. had a few people over on saturday.



there were a few young'uns earlier in the night



wish i had taken more photos, always. most of my favourites showed up. some didn't, some couldn't.



then for actual birthday, delicious drinks after a delicious birthday dinner.





another year. some things change, some stay the same.

special thing

had a super chill hang with karen after work on friday. we needed to catch up. i am lucky to have that girl in my life. hi karen! you're the best and i love you.

venue: 416 snack bar. reason: it's the best. here is their scallop ceviche special thing. it was real nice.



and the other special thing (the girl, not the yorkshire pudding, although i'm sure that was special too).



taxi!



taxi WITH COTTON CANDY! even better.



saturday was for being cozy. i like the one night out, one night in format. that way you have one weekend day at least where you can get up early and be a productive member of society. both of mine were like that actually.



that heart on the door is a milagro, an amulet. you use it to invite divine intervention for what it represents. i could not say for sure if it works. an old friend (my ex ex) gave it to me. i leave it for you to decide what that means in terms of its effectiveness haha.



early to bed means getting a run in. loving the west end rail path for this. a nice, cozy, feels like -15 run where you don't dare take your hand out of your glove for one second lest your fingers get so cold that you won't be able to heat them back up and will have to run with your hands in your pockets. not that these photos are proof of that happening or anything. no, i don't have fancy running gloves with touch-screen enabled fingertips. that's cheese money.





i saw the path from the other side on saturday when i went to the backyard axe-throwing league event space, it's around the corner, kind of behind the building below. there is a video of one of my many bull's eyes. i've never had the feeling of being good at something physical, i've never had a sport that i was actually good at. what a trip that was. there was disbelief all around, mostly mine.



i walked in thinking "well this is going to be embarrassing" and left feeling like a warrior. needless to say i have emailed them about going to their main location to try it again. the feeling of the axe leaving your hands and hearing the satisfying CHUNK of it splitting into the wood is exhilarating. especially when it goes where you want it to go. like into a zombie's head. or an orc, obv.



from one fence to another. hello, i am a horned owl and i will look you right in the eyes as the -20 degree wind chill ruffles my fluffed-up feathers in slow motion. i will blink slowly, one eye at a time while you stand, mouth agape at my beauty. visit him and other beauties here.

i got a dream it don't ever come true

living room is where i want to be. fur face agrees.



progress on the recipe project.



beauty of a box. saw it ages ago and never stopped thinking about it. finally went back to get it.



progress on the curtain project too. much softer than the venetian blinds. i need a cozy space, there are no two ways about it.



small-faced bear also likes my new kitchen rug. she's finally hanging out in the kitchen, which i love because i spend  a lot of time in there.



drinking a glass of water.



had some very special ladies over for some baking. made a huge batch of granola.



there were about two more of these. it's expensive to make but so worth it cause you know exactly what's in it.



something else you should eat: black bean/sweet potato thingies.



can of black beans, diced onion and garlic, fresh thyme, one egg, some cooked sweet potato. mash it up, make it into burger shaped thingies, bake em.



wake up it's monday, you can do it.



cozy couch time, you can do that too.



dinner with this guy and his lovely mama. "FOLLOW ME!!!"



how can i even? you're so fast!



here's how. this is the only way to keep up with him, and luckily my favourite way to travel.

there are trees and they let me sit beneath

hello small plant. you are very stubborn. i like that about you. i also like the purple light coming from the south across the lake.



we did some of this. the lake was safe but it still makes me nervous. ever read The Skating Party? or seen The Good Son? scarred me for life. a few -25 nights made me feel better about it. but it's a deep lake.



oh sparkling slivers of sun. this is when i was like 'WE MUST GO NOW!' because the sun was sort of out and you have to go into the woods when the sun is out. it's a rule.







obsessed with shadow stripes





the path





someone small was visiting the gazebo





just a granite fireplace in the woods. the rest of the house long gone.



this is how you do it.







say hi to these folks.



#fitnessselfie the latest thing apparently. i think i'll just keep dressing like a dork while going to the gym four/five days a week and not think too much about it. i have nothing to prove except how awesome this sweatshirt that my sister gave me is. sister love.



i guess this could also be qualified as a #fitnessselfie because i am on a walk. but there is no nike logo so you almost wouldn't even know!



my mom found these boots for me. she had some just like them when i was growing up and i was obsessed.



excited to see how that film comes out. branches, snow, light, shadow. make me a cocktail.



eerie rocks in the depths.



new years eve. mike and jana in the woods.



we stood here and enjoyed the sun on our faces like the sun-starved forest elves that we are.



just the best feeling, being here. i can feel that sunlight, can you?



mike and jana play crokinole.



and then we drank too much and danced with funny hats on etc.

new years day. time for an epic jaunt up to the highest point on the property. pick up your hangovers and let's get moving.





fill the first day of the year with your favourite things and you're bound to have a good one. i believe it.



mike and jana on the lake.



and then we packed up and went home. that was sad. but it's waiting for me. i can feel it.