25

Well this is it... Number 25! I have now officially surpassed the number of blogs that I completed last year. I thought it would be nice to have a look back at 2006.

*There are a few mistakes, but I wanted to get this up in a hurry!

Read More

Coffee Tragedy

I have had a coffee tragedy. I busted my portafilter. Can you believe it? I know I've been working out, but come on!!
The reality is if you look closely, it was held together by a threaded bolt. NOT VERY STURDY!! The easiest solution was to replace it. You can see that the replacement is a much improved version of mine.
It's larger and the chrome plating is nicer as well. I purchased it from a store in Vancouver. I was planning on buying it from Caffetech in Edmonton (Where I adopted Silvia from) but the price was about 20 bucks cheaper from Espressotec. They were prompt with shipping and the prices were better.
In addition to the new portafilter, I bought a Marzocco Filter basket

"This extra-capacity (16 gram) double basket holds about 20% more espresso grounds than the standard Rancilio 2-cup commercial filter basket supplied with the Silvia and all other (Rancilio commercial machines). This design has the all-important ridge on the side which keeps the basket securely in place in the Silvia Portafilter; it also features a wider, deeper basket which is compatible with all 58mm tampers including the Reg Barber tamper.

Why would you need this basket? The Rancilio Silvia is a very efficient espresso machine with the capability of delivering beautiful crema under almost any condition and with any espresso coffee bean. The Silvia prefers a professionally ground espresso - meaning a very fine, consistently-grained (under a microscope) ground espresso. If you have a Rancilio Rocky grinder, or other very high-quality burr grinder, this is easy to achieve and this basket is not really necessary, unless you prefer a larger (longer) espresso with the same "body" (thickness).

Store-ground espresso or a "less expensive" home grinders often have difficulty getting a very fine, consistent grind, allowing a too-fast pour time. So if you are having trouble obtaining a slow, syrupy pour, this 16 gram basket will improve your results and your espresso!"

and some of their coffee. I'll let you know how it works with my new "upgrades"...

Read More

Blessed Southern Alberta

Well this weekend Dora ran the Moonlight run! So Hard Core! To add to our weekend of enjoyable weather we went for a long walk through the new subdivision of "West Highland" and took in a few holes of disc golf. Not a bad weekend. I found this interesting house, quite different from the standard "cookie cutter" design that you typically see these days. What do you guys think? A future design for Clan I?

We took Logan out in his fancy stroller, I mean Chariot! The thing cost the same as a chariot. But I must say it was well worth the pretty penny we paid. Luckily, we were able to get it used from some people who know my brother and sister-in-law. Nothing better than a sweet deal.


Heck the kid got a chariot before me?! Wasn't that my idea to build one for Denali?

Oh well, mine will be way cooler... with spikes, high gloss paint, flashing LED's, a 12" Sub and fire breathing horses.... or slow old dogs... well one of the two!

As you can see, he was pretty happy. Took a long time to fall asleep, but he was happy the whole time. It is so much nicer pushing him around in this chariot as compared to his stroller. That thing is a tank and I am totally opposed to the use of military force on an infant. I don't care how loud he screams, no military force!! You know thinking about it I'm not sure but I think we walked for like 7 hours. I must have earned some serious brownie points for that one...

And finally, I must point out that the weather here as been pretty peachy. No rain, no snow, a little wind and warm days. I must gloat as I look at the Vancouver forcast.... But don't just listen to me, look for yourselves.

I don't see the difference, do you see the difference? Holy Crap! Whats it been? Like 45 days of rain or something? All I have to say is who's building the Ark and is there room for that Sasquatch they found in the Enchanted Forest in Tofino?

Read More

20th Annual Moonlight Run

So I thought it would be a good idea to enter the moonlight run this year. You know, lose weight, be active, have fun. Since I'm running the 8k in Victoria, it would be good inspiration...Mom, Eric and I all ran. Of course Eric finished much faster than the ladies with a time of 33 minutes, I'm still really proud of our 46 minutes. Mom and I stuck together and decided to run to the top of the hill from the starting line. Once at the hill we just kept running and running. We did so great! We walked for a bit at the water station and again heading back up the hill. I have to say that I was the slow one at the end. Mom was a running machine and kept me going up that hill. We had such a good time I'm heading into Runner's Soul tomorrow to register us for the Ladies Fest in June. It's an 8k...I'm very excited!! and sore.

Here are a few photos that Mark and Logan took. Two at the start and two at the end. Look for my yellow and blue jacket and green pants. It's blurry, but again, we were FAST and it was dark. Thanks to our cheering section Dad, Mark and Logan. And if you sent happy thoughts for good weather it paid off - thanks to you too!

Read More

Dance Fever

Here are the photos of our dance adventure. Sorry about the blurriness - we were moving fast! For those who are interested the dance studio is Ammena's and it's located above Double D Burgers. Which I have still never eaten at but it sure is fun to dance over!

We start with a little latin step touch...

Then move into a bit of Bollywood and belly dancing - yes that's right, belly dancing. Logan loves to ride the shimmy (is that a technical term? if not, it should be) These are a couple of our new buddies. Little Banana has rockin' punk hair. Not that we are jealous, we're pretty sure that Logan is gonna get hair...eventually...

After all that hip shaking, arm flapping, toe tapping fun we are pretty tired. It's nice that our instructor lets us relax and stretch out on her mats. We have one class left and I think that I am sad that it is almost over. We're gonna have to have dance parties I suppose.

Read More

Preview

Just a quick note to say - Stay Tuned - I have been taking a mom and baby dance class for the past couple of weeks. We have two more classes. I have been meaning to take my camera for a while, so hopefully this will help me remember! So that is what you are staying tuned for, pics of us getting our groove on. Of course it goes without saying that we have a great time and I get sweaty. Which is good, because I need to be in shape. Mom, Eric and I are running in the moonlight run this Saturday. If you could send happy thoughts of good weather (read: no w_nd) it would be much appreciated!!

Read More

Who's the Big Boy Now!

Holly cow! It's been a long time since I've hit the blog. What can I say, things have been hectic at school and at home. We all have our little crisis's eh? Well just a quick update. Logan is 5 months old now! What a big boy! Here's a picture just to show how big he is....

(*he's actually sitting in his bumbo, so it's kind of cheating...)

Read More