A Birthday.

Tonight we had the pleasure of attending my friend Justin's birthday party! It was a real treat to see Euna's place (our hostess) all dressed up and near completion after a whole summer of renovations.

She had been looking for a place in Garneau (a neighbourhood near the University) for a long time, and I can see why. She scored majorly with her new place and I think it was worth the wait! Multiple grocery stores mere blocks away. The University LRT and bus station within a 5 minute walk. A café just two doors down and several more eateries to speak of within a stone's throw. She is also only a 10 minute max bike ride from the bungalow so I basically have a new neighbour.

Have I ever mentioned that I don't believe in dream houses? People are sometimes looking for something new or maintenance free when it comes to buying a place, but I've heard of many cases where "new" houses have their own share of headaches.

I know Euna's renovation didn't go entirely according to plan at every turn, but the location of a property can never be changed. So houses come and go and renovations start and stop, but location is location. Houses in bad locations can be tolerated, I think. People get used to it. But when you experience a residence in a wonderful neighbourhood that is so accessible to amenities? It's amazing how much more alive and connected you feel when you can walk to pick up your kids from summer camp, or walk to go rent a movie, or walk to go grab a chai and samosa. Even I am jealous of the location of this house and I love where I live.

Her place is a duplex but you would never know it, from the ridiculous amount of space this split level offers.

Lots of stairs, but it just goes on and on. Or I suppose it would be more accurate to say it goes up and up.

A beautiful place entertain.

And I have such fireplace envy. Though fireplaces are very common in mid-century modern bungalows, Don and I have never had the luxury of having one in either of our bungalows.

But enough about location location location and dwellings that are dwell-like.

How about some salad with dinner?

Dexter says, "yes, please".

Oh, and vegetarians look away. There was so much meat.

And wine. Thanks Jessica, for taking care of that!

And artery clogging fondue.

Nice to see you again, Julianna. The last time I saw her she was picking up her brother (birthday boy) from my place after our new years eve party. I remember she commented that my camera was really nice, but it was actually Raffaella's camera:)

Get ready to 'sup.

Ah, our hostess, Euna.

During dinner the little man managed to spill water all over his shirt. We took it off and let it dry on the back of a chair.

Look at this shirtless ladies man!

Don was very proud to scrape the cheese "scab" from the fondue pot.

Dexter dipped his bread in glasses of water then ate it. Why do the men in my life enjoy eating things that are gross?

Post dinner coffee.

And chocolate birthday cake from col. Mustard's here in town. So very moist and delicious.

Dexter's bed time is usually around 8 pm so it was really surprising that he wasn't all fussy even though he was up well past his bed time. Allow me to introduce Dexter's dinner party babysitter, the iPad.

Warm evenings spent with good people celebrating a friend's birthday are on the top of my "fun things to do" list. It makes it even better when several of the guests in attendance have likewise made excellent location choices when it comes to their dwellings. Who cares, right? But it's strange... it does matter. Where people choose to live says a lot about their values and lifestyle. It's nice to be around people who are like-minded.

I feel out of place when I have to drive 30-40 minutes out to the suburbs and see two cars parked on every garage pad in front two car garages, in addition to the cars lining every inch of street as far as the eye can see. At 7 pm on a week night. But I don't feel out of place when I'm hanging in a neighbourhood where there isn't the constant fear of being run over by a car when you cross the street and jeez, there are actually people out walking. To go to places! These are my kinds of neighbourhoods, and I like what I see and how it makes me feel.