Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas from Mr Cooper

Soon Santa will be dead and Christmas will be over.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thankful

Thanksgiving prep is well on its way. Turkey in the smoker, pumpkin pies in oven, apple pie waiting in fridge.

Friday, November 01, 2013

Halloween 2013

Palm Springs beauty queens!

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!

The girls are OUT tonight!

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Autumn harvest

This picture is corny. 

Monday, October 14, 2013

Twenty-four years

Happy 24th Anniversary to us! Here we are 24 years ago when we first met and fell in love. See, I can still pass for 29.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

And... we're back.

Finally back in Palm Springs, settling back into our groove. And by groove, I mean "OH MY GOD I NEED COFFEE!"

Friday, September 27, 2013

The devil made him do it

Mr Cooper is not a fan of rainy days trapped indoors.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The perfect pear/pair

A very special thank you to our friends Richard and Christine who had us over for dinner on Monday and made the most beautiful (AND tasty!) pear tart.

Give a hoot

Went for a walk in the woods yesterday and well, I'm a guy, and I needed to pee. I stepped off the trail to take of the situation. Midway through, I felt like I was being watched. I looked up and saw this guy. Very thankful it wasn't a bear.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

He's learning...

Caught "red pawed".

Monday, September 16, 2013

A bad sign

It's time to head south.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

4 Layer Coconut Cake

4 layer coconut cake, recipe from Bobby Flay. Totally low calorie... except for the 2.5 lbs of butter.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Blueberry pie

Homemade blueberry pie / tarte aux myrtille. In Canada, my pie is bilingual.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Jammin'

Raspberry/rhubarb jam today. 20 jars. (Also 14 jars of blueberry jam, after the pickles.)

It's Pickle Day!

Monday, July 08, 2013

Thanks!

Thanks Calgary, we'll be back! 

Saturday, July 06, 2013

Friday, July 05, 2013

Hokey Pokey

You put you right foot in, you put your right foot out... That's what it's all about! 

Stampede

They've had the high water, I guess we're bringing Hell? 

It begins...

"Cruise Canada"

Um... Okay. (Glacier National Park)

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Not interested

Mr Cooper says, "So this is what it's like to be in the zoo."

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

How'd I get outside?!?

It was breezy on the hour and a half hike tonight.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Good morning!

My morning view (as long as there's no rain) in Kamloops.

Sunday, June 02, 2013

Super fresh strawberries!

Super fresh strawberries, slightly old parents. 

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Make your own caption

Biggest/Little

Adios, Reno, arrivederci! #roadtrip2013 

Monday, May 06, 2013

Bodie #2

The old school house.

Bodie ghost town

The road to Bodie was finally open when we were driving by. It's truly an amazing place to visit.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

South before North

An hour before we leave, Mr Cooper won't get out of the car.  Take Me! Take Me! Take Me!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Winter makes a comeback

Woken up early this morning by the sound of the snowplow in Mammoth. 

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Town loop

Out for a walk with those guys again.

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Monday, April 08, 2013

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Pushy!

Somebody pushed me out of bed last night. I'm not going to name names (ahem, Mr Cooper), but this photo was taken just after. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

It's never too late

Today the Supreme Court of the United States is hearing arguments on the whether same sex couples in California can be denied the right to marriage.  Tomorrow the same court will hear arguments on whether the federal government can deny same sex couples federal benefits.  Then we all sit back and wait until June, July or maybe even November to find out what they decided.

Fantastic America, keep up the good work.  I'm keen to know the answer BUT, I'll be reading all about it from my future home in Canada.

Canada has already approved same sex marriage.  Canada is where I got married 8 years ago.  Canada is ready to accept my petition to live legally in the same country as my husband.  And after 23 years together, 8 years legally married, quite frankly we are ready to have that stabilty and acceptance.

Don't get me wrong, I love America.  I love my friends and family here. I very rarely experience discrimination in my day to day life.  And yet, discrimination is an overlay to everything I do every day.

Even though my husband has been in this country legally for over 20 years, the federal government provides no way for me to sponsor him to live here permanently.  Every tax season we pay more.  Every border crossing we are not a family. Every visa renewal means we pay a bonus dollar amount that no straight couple has to pay just to live together.

I see the tide is turning.  I am excited for the future.  But I can't wait any longer. Starting in May we are establishing our primary residence in Canada and will see America for extended visits in the future.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Riddle

What's black & white and walked all over town?

.... MR COOPER!

Out on the town

Mr Cooper & Miss Skinny are now walking friends. Mr Cooper doesn't have as many friends as he should. 

Friday, March 08, 2013

Mr Cooper in a coat

It's as if his eyes say, "Please tell me this isn't going to wind up on the Internet." Poor Mr Cooper. 

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Storms a'coming!

As the sun sets, a storm blows in over Mammoth Mountain, completely obliterating it from view. 

Monday, February 25, 2013

WHEEEeeeeEEEE!!!!

Being an adult is overrated.

I scream!

It's bigger than my head!

Manzanar

Manzanar Japanese internment camp. 11,070 Japanese Americans lived here from March 1942 and November 1945. 

Post hiking

Today's hiking crew, post hike. At Convict Lake, CA. Mr Cooper is worn out!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

An outdoor adventure

Bloody Mountain reflected in Convict Lake.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Recycle here

"ASS, PLASTIC, ALUMINUM".

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

What's for dinner?

Homemade cinnamon rolls!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Then & Now

In 5 short months, I no longer recognize my life, or myself.