Playing Tourist

'MOON SHELLS' - PHOTOART BY MICKI FINDLAY

I love this island. No matter how many times I explore, I always find something new and wonderful. I have been asked by my relatives on the mainland why we don't move there and save ourselves the ferry expense. I tried that once and was miserable. My heart is here and always will be.

I spent this Wednesday with a dear friend and we just hopped in the car and went wherever the spirit moved us. We found a fantastic art gallery in Union Bay called 'Sea-Change Open Studio'. My friend and I were amazed at the unique and innovative creations we saw there, all hand-fashioned by a very talented husband and wife team. The outside is even amazing with funky chairs fashioned out of driftwood and whimsical and dramatic sculptures made from scavenged beach items and clay. What a treat! This photo of the moon shells was taken there. I hope to post a few more from there in the near future.

So we kept on driving, stopping at anything that tweaked our interest. When we talked about whether we should turn around and come home, we decided we weren't quite ready to so off we travelled right up to Campbell River. I discovered that I love Campbell River and realized that I hadn't even been there before. It's a much larger town than I had thought it would be with ocean views, boats and fishing everywhere you go. Definitely my kind of place.

I do love this island and I plan to stay here for a long, long time.

SNOW? AGAIN?

OUR GRASS IS GONE AGAIN

I gotta tell you... I am not normally one to complain about the weather but this is just getting silly! My husband told me to look outside. I said no. He said "It's snowing." I said, "It is not."
(A little denial perhaps?) Denial definitely has its place. But you can only lie to yourself for so long before it catches up to you. I am not a big 'out-in-my-yard kind of person' but even I am getting a mild case of cabin fever. My cat is not impressed either. Jasmine only stays out long enough to... well, you know... and then runs back in faster than you can say her name. I can't say I blame her. My cat is adorable, by the way. I think I will have to dedicate a blog post to her one of these days. She actually owns our home. We just live here.

Well I wish I had a sea story to share with you today but it's too flipping cold to go to the beach! Man! I did manage to get there last week though. I went to Chemainus and had a wonderful day. After a completely enjoyable visit with a good friend, I went down to the beach and collected tons of little pieces of driftwood and some sea glass. And I took some photos; some of them good, some not so good. But the sun was shining and I was actually not freezing to death, for a change. And then I went around to some of the quaint little shops in Chemainus to get inspired with ideas and, of course, enjoyed a delightful piece of cheesecake and a good, strong cup of Americano coffee. Mmmmmm! There is nothing so bad in life that a piece of cheesecake and a good cup of coffee can't cure.

My son Matthew loves his coffee, too. But he is serious about it... he doesn't mess around. He makes espresso and man, I gotta tell you, it truly separates the men from the boys! I could never quite understand people who drink weak coffee. If you can't taste it why even bother? If done properly, it's almost a religion. And my son does it properly! One day, if I am ever rich, I will buy my son his own Dutch Brother's Coffee Franchise. I think he would like that. Their coffee kept me awake at the wheel for 12 hours straight when I had to get home from Oregon to BC.

Okay, I better go and practice my singing telegram for tomorrow morning. It's a phone telegram so I don't even have to get out of my pj's if I don't want to. How cool is that? Not until I ship off a parcel from a sale we got today, that is. And then off to the art gallery to do my shift there. All of the artists there take 3 x four hour shifts a month and that is how the gallery stays open. Great idea if you ask me. I am happy to say that I just sold another photo there.

Signing off for today...don't look out the window. Try some good, healthy denial.

A CONTEST!

"TELL US YOUR SEA STORY" - CONTEST

Do you have an inspirational story that involves the sea? Do you have any special memories that took place by the sea? Send us your stories by visiting our shop and scrolling down to 'Contact A2Sea Creations' (on the right-hand side of our shop page.) Add your story there and walla!

The winner will be announced on April 15th (entry deadline is April 13th) and will receive a ready-to-frame 8x10 photo of their choice (with matting and archival-safe backing) by Vancouver Island Photographer, Micki Findlay. To view photos go to our new Photography Shop and pick your favorite!

The winner's name will be posted with an announcement on our blog and their story will be featured. When you submit your story/stories, please add a note saying that we have permission to publish your story. Also, if you have an Etsy shop or other website you would like to promote, (family-friendly please) add your link to your story.

Best of luck everyone!

OUR NEW PHOTOGRAPHY SHOP IS OPEN

OUR NEW PHOTOGRAPHY SHOP

Well, our new photography shop is open and ready for business! It only took me until 5:00 this morning but it's done! I'm feeling a little weary today... gee, I wonder why. But I have to say, it was fun getting it up and running, even though, I admit, I nodded off a few times in my chair while doing it. So if the site says anything odd, you will know why.

There 19 photos up for sale and I will be adding to our shop regularly so it is well worth checking back from time to time. Primarily we are featuring ocean-themed photography but in the near future, there will be a wider variety of scenes and subjects to choose from.

Well, I would write more but I am not too zippy today, as you can well imagine. Do stop by our new shop and take a gander. Soon, I will unveil our new contest so keep your eyes peeled! I do love a good contest!

Okay... nightie night. Zzzzzzzzz........

A2Sea Creations
A2Sea Photography