Girls and Bicycles

Public Transit Fosters Personality.

2012-01-27T01:54:00.000-07:00

Public transit fostering personality... at least that's what I think!

Dexter and I motored on foot down to the train station where we caught the LRT downtown to the library for some singing and signing. Fun times! Dexter plays in the kids area afterward and we take out books to enjoy for the rest of the week. Did I mention that it's all free?

The train ride is an integral part of the outing. D likes to announce each stop and to imitate other passengers on the train (today it was somebody who was napping with a scrunchy face). On the way back home we even ran into our friend, Jason! The train was crowded so I stuck the stroller in an empty space behind my seat, where Dexter proceeded to show some ladies his Thomas book from the library while I got caught up with my gentleman friend.

Whether it's somebody you know or some random interaction, the train is always more social than when we have to drive. I like that Dexter is learning how to get around the city on his own two feet (or in this case, 4-wheels of his stroller). I am also happy for the low-impact cardio for me at the same time, and the unexpected social visits are equally welcome.

Road Rash - Abstract

2012-01-25T09:18:00.004-07:00

Some of you may know that I finally completed my Masters degree last year, after several years of hacking away at it part-time while working full-time and more recently, having had Dexter. Phew!

It was a relief to get my final paper completed and out of the way. I suppose it's what most grad programs would refer to as a thesis, but Athabasca University has things structured differently, which meant my paper was classified as a "project". As a result, I believe the length of my work is much shorter than average.

I figured since the winter here is so cold and dismal, I could publish bits of it at a time up here since I am not out on the bike on a daily basis like I am in the warmer months.

I'm not entirely sure how to divide the work up in a way that makes sense in a non-academic context. It's in MLA format, so I figure I will just include the Works Cited with every post, and at the end of the series of posts I can include the Bibliography as well. My academic writing voice isn't actually all that academic in tone, but hopefully it reads alright. I like to use large quotations, and because of the formatting limitations from my document to blogger, I've just dealt with my large quotations by putting them in italics. They're originally supposed to be indented.

The pictures featured in the posts were not originally included in my submitted work, they're just included here to make the posts look bikey.

So without further ado, here is the abstract for Road Rash: A Literature Review of Cycling on a Car-Continent, by yours truly. I'll publish a new section weekly until we've wrapped it all up.

Abstract:

There is a general North American characterization of bicycling as dangerous and cyclists as daredevils, or at the very least there is a perception that bicycling is widespread as a recreational activity but not so popular as transportation. The pervasive car culture in North America also marginalizes cyclists, making the shift in how we think about transportation all the more difficult. However, there is also a new school of bicycle advocacy emerging in various blogs and urban cycling magazines focusing on every day biking. These are helping push the agenda of bicycle commuting by portraying the activity as normal, modern, and fun, on a continent where the norm is usually travel via car for the large majority who can afford it.

Winter Bike at 22 Weeks.

2012-01-24T01:14:00.004-07:00

We finally had a break in the icy weather, which meant the perfect opportunity to bike out to lady brunch! After the cold snap, -13C (which I think is approximately 7F) felt perfectly balmy. By the time I got to the Sugarbowl, I had my parka unzipped to help regulate my internal temperature.

No particularly special gear. Boots, leggings, sleeveless top, chunky cardigan, winter bike and winter helmet.

My winter bike's studded tires make getting to brunch super easy. There isn't much in the way of needing to correct the way I ride on ice and snow, the studs offer excellent traction.

Worked up an appetite for my french toast, and ate my Sunday brunch amidst other Sugarbowl regulars.

I've been wearing my little glove liners.

Underneath my edit mitts.

I have zero finger-frost!

To make sure the toes stay cozy, I also wear wooly socks.

Inside my boots.

Once I arrived home, Dougal and I went out for some additional cardio.

He doesn't fancy boots.

Other than the crazy cold week, being out on the bike feels much like it did before. Obviously at this point in the pregnancy people always assume I have stopped riding because of my growing bump. I usually just remind them that sitting on a saddle and pedaling is way faster and less cumbersome than walking. It's super low impact and I like that I can go my own pace, it's easy to ramp it up or scale it down depending on how I'm feeling and my energy levels.

Balance still feels fine and swinging a leg over the saddle remains unproblematic. So, it's pedaling and coasting as usual!

Cycling While Pregnant: Q&A with Hannah

2012-01-23T08:29:00.001-07:00

As part of my collaboration with S from Simply Bike, we have been gathering some Q&A's from other cycling ladies out there. Ladies, thanks for sharing!

Here is Hannah, on her Brompton at around 24 weeks pregnant

Name: Hannah K

Age: 33

Location: Philadelphia (and Baltimore)

Cycling for how many years: Six and a half in Baltimore

Favorite part about cycling: I love not being beholden to bus timetables! I decide when I’m leaving the house and I don’t have to wait to transfer. Also, parking a bike is so easy, as opposed to when I would drive to work (and it’s free!). I also love the exercise I get as an added benefit.

Bike(s) you ride: Right now I mostly ride my new Brompton; in Philly I recently switched from my Surly Traveler’s Check to my mom’s old Peugeot that I converted to a 3 speed a couple years ago since it’s more upright.

What three words sum up your cycling experience while being pregnant: Independence, healthy, easy.

How did being pregnant affect your approach to cycling or your daily commute: We found out I was pregnant the weekend that we moved from Baltimore to Philadelphia. I had already planned on using the Brompton and Amtrak to get to and from the office and to get around while in Baltimore 3 days a week. Fortunately during the first trimester I was feeling great and the commute was easy – 15 minutes from my house in Philly to the train station, just over an hour on the train, and then another 15 minutes to the office. I really like that the Philly portion is 95% on the Schuylkill bike path – it feels quite safe since there are no cars, but I found myself worrying a little bit about traffic in Baltimore. In the end cycling is the fastest and most convenient way to get around and my route in Baltimore is one that I’ve been doing for the last five years, so it feels familiar and relatively safe. I’d say that other than making sure I take the lane and making myself highly visible (yellow jacket, extra blinky) I use the same level of caution as before.

What (if anything) surprised you about cycling while pregnant: How easy it’s been!

How did your family and friends react to you cycling while pregnant: My husband is an avid cyclist and very supportive, but he’s been good about helping me think through alternative strategies if conditions aren’t great or once I get quite big. My family as well – both my parents bike to their university jobs in a very-flat Midwestern college town, so while I’m sure they have concerns, they trust me. Now that I’m showing, a few people at work keep asking if I’m still biking – one woman even said “isn’t your balance off?” and while that may be true, it’s not in the side-to-side axis!

What (if any) special accommodations did you require to continue cycling throughout your pregnancy: I did stop riding my ‘racing’ style bike to my appointments and around Philly once my belly got in the way; now I take the mixte or the Brompton.

What would you say to another woman interested in cycling while pregnant? What have you taken away from the experience: So far, cycling has been the best option for me to be mobile in my new commute – much faster than waiting for the bus! As long as you’re confident about your cycling ability and your road safety precautions there’s no reason not to try it. But go with what is comfortable for you – not everyone I know is comfortable cycling in Baltimore even when they’re not pregnant, but knowing which routes tend to have the fewest cars or where there are protected lanes or plenty of room can do wonders for your sense of security. Also, take the lane, signal and stay out of the door zone!

In addition to cycling, what other activities helped you stay fit and active during your pregnancy: I was running a bit at the beginning, and now at 23 weeks I’m doing weekly prenatal yoga. I walk our dog around a large park on most of the days that I’m home which is a great excuse to be outside and roaming.

The Man That Got Away

2012-01-20T14:36:00.005-07:00

THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY movie trailer from Trevor Anderson on Vimeo.

In the weeks after getting back from winter vacation, all Chiveson family members have been hunkering down to get caught up with all things work and house-related. Then, just as we're starting to get back on track, we get hit with a chilly week of -20C and colder weather. Brrr!

The cold spell really isn't so bad, if it weren't for having zero time to do anything extracurricular.

After this lull in activity and general hibernation, I was excited to receive some exciting news regarding my dear Bryce Kulak's movie premiere! It will actually be premiering (and the only Canadian short accepted) at the 62nd Berlinale Film Festival! It's crazy to think that Bryce was just here this past summer working on this project with director and producer, Trevor Anderson.

So if you want to come and see the Edmonton premiere, you can help the project out by purchasing the soundtrack, and receive an invite. You'll get to hear the 6 original songs that Bryce was rehearsing over and over again here at the bungalow.

Also, Bryce is paying his own way to the festival (indie movie budgets don't stretch that far) and will be performing in a fundraiser concert in Toronto, on Thursday January 26th. Go enjoy the show and help out a home-grown artist if you're in the neighbourhood!

In other event-related local stuff, I was also pleased to see that Latitude 53 is hosting a winter rooftop party in February. See you there in your outerwear?

And finally, if you're a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, you should join me at The Mikado!

We'll see if I can find something both formal, pregnancy-friendly, cold-friendly, and bicycle-friendly to wear.

Stay warm for now, and I'll see you out on the town soon enough!

Guest Post by Simply Bike: Cycling While Pregnant!

2012-01-18T13:45:00.004-07:00

We cycling Mamas have gotta stick together, so when S offered to help contribute some thoughts on cycling while pregnant I jumped at the opportunity to have her featured here on G&B.

I am now hanging out in week 21 of pregnancy, and you will hopefully see more posts of me cycling with my bump as soon as the weather goes back under -20C. At this point in time my chain is actually stuck to its gear!

For now, thanks to S for providing G&B with a much needed infusion of cycling.

{Dec. 2010, cycling at 8 weeks pregnant}

Hi! I'm S. and I am the author behind Simply Bike. I was thrilled when Miss Sarah asked me to contribute a regular series of guest posts on cycling while pregnant as the subject is near and dear to me: I was cycling with my own little bun in the oven not that long ago. My daughter just turned five months old this January and it often feels like it was just yesterday that I was riding my bike with her still in my bourgeoning baby belly, excitedly awaiting her arrival.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Miss Sarah asked me to reflect on some of the thoughts I had while cycling as a pregnant woman and I think I will start at the beginning; the first trimester.

{Jan. 2011, cycling at 12 weeks pregnant}

The first trimester was a wonderful time for cycling for me. My body was still relatively unmarked by the pregnancy and I only suffered from mild nausea mostly in the evenings. It was winter and cold, and the fresh, crisp air felt good. I was often tired but cycling offered me a way to stay active and fit in spite of that since it felt less strenuous than running. Looking back on that first trimester, I can only remember feeling able and excited.

As my body changed and my belly grew, I had to increasingly make accommodations to stay comfortable and safe on the road. But that first trimester was unmarked by those concerns: I was ecstatic to be growing new life inside of me and I relished each day on my bike, in my changing yet still very much familiar body.

{Feb. 2011, cycling at 3.5 months pregnant}

My advice for new moms-to-be who are interested in cycling or continuing with an exercise regime during pregnancy is as follows: First, check with your health care provider to make sure you are cleared for exercising, and second, listen to your gut. I heard from so many people who either cheered me on and lauded my efforts to stay active, or expressed concern at best and scorn in the more extreme cases. The pregnant body is a public body in our culture and even strangers feel comfortable giving pregnant women their unsolicited advice. But here is my unsolicited advice for you: don’t get bogged down by the myriad of opinions expressed by others who are not you and who do not know how you. Staying fit and active is healthy for both you and the baby and if your body is giving you the green light to walk, run, cycle, swim, etc, then listen to it and do what feels good to you and the baby.

I’m thankful that I had a very supportive husband and some wonderful midwives who encouraged me to stay active and fit. And if I’d only known then, in those first couple of months, that I would be propelling my pregnant body forward with an extra 20, 30, and ultimately, 40 lbs by the end of it, I think I would have relished those first unencumbered weeks even more. First trimester cycling = a great way to set the stage for a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Happy cycling!
S.

When in Cuba...

2012-01-12T21:30:00.005-07:00

You go on fun catamaran rides on the ocean.

Then you chill out on the beach at Cayo Blanco.

And in the evenings after dinner, you continue to relax with other indulgences.

It was sad to stay away from all the mojitos, but I was happy to leave the cigar smoking to the gentlemen. I got by with virgin pions coladas, fizzy water, and cinnamon coffees!

Cuban.

2012-01-12T01:39:00.003-07:00

More photo-blogging!

Being from the prairies, I am very appreciative of pretty skies. It's always weird to be somewhere that is constantly overcast and grey. Although Edmonton can get pretty cold and snowy at times, we are often treated to nice sky.

This made me especially appreciate the sun when it came out halfway through our vacation. The first couple of days were surprisingly cold!

Off the resort and into town we saw bikes.

And in the fields, there were more bikes.

I rode a horse for the first time.

This is the uncommonly relaxed vacation Don.

And vacation Miss Sarah!

We took a little speed boat out on the Canimar river.

Had a tasty local lunch and spotted a teeny tiny lizard.

These are some houses we spotted in Matanzas.

And we also went swimming in a cave!

Even though it was super duper fun to be hanging out doing adventurous things in a sunny location, there is something equally sweet about making french toast and having breakfast with my little Dexter on a Thursday morning.

Havana.

2012-01-10T21:16:00.007-07:00

I am going to be super lazy and let these photos speak for themselves. I'll leave the details of Havana to you and Wikipedia! Lots of work, childcare, and getting caught up leave me little time to spin fun narratives - so you just get a photo journal.

It was my second time in Havana and it was great! It's a wonderfully old city with tons of history and lots of vintage cars.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:02:00.005-07:00

Oh my, there has been a lapse in blogging!

Right after new years I ran away to Cuba for a week so I've been MIA in general, but it's definitely time to get back in the saddle. I'll have more pictures of vacation in a few days, where my eco-friendly form of transit came in the form of a sail boat. Ironically, there are no pictures of the sail boat since the small contraption we were sailing was no place for a regular camera.

Let's rewind, however, to new years eve!

We had a small and leisurely dinner with a few friends.

Dexter and Leanne iced a cake together.

Then we got to work on some gougeres.

Dexter initiated a dance party.

More snacks came out of the kitchen, in the form of asparagus and mushroom crostini with quail eggs.

Sable showed up.

And Crystal too.

And now from the UK, Charlie and Emma.

After a soup and salad, I delegated a team to do ravioli.

From scratch.

There was milling about and lots cell phone new years wishes.

And of course, lots of chatting about what was notable in 2011 and what we're looking forward to in 2012.

Happy New Year!

Road Rash - Introduction

2012-01-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Road Rash: A Literature Review of Cycling on a Car-Continent

The first understanding I had when doing a literature review of North American bicycle transportation is that such texts, scholarly or otherwise, are sparse. This is in contrast to literature on sport or recreational cycling, of which there is plenty, but which is not our subject.

Only in the last three to four years have texts related to cycling lifestyle become more pronounced. Academic writing on bicycling culture is sparse, and this is all the more apparent when looking for a specifically North American perspective on bicycling. However, the writing that is available on life with bicycles reveals an interesting divide between the success of cycling in some European countries and the struggle for some North American cities to likewise transform their car-oriented habits. In short, it proved difficult to do a literature review on North American writing on cycling culture without continually being brought back to texts that referred to European bike culture. Much of the North American writing on cycling is either on the topic of European models of cycling (such as some choice cities in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany) or commentary on how North American bike culture compares to or is different from European models. Of course there are exceptions to the rule.

There are flourishing biking cities in North America such as Vancouver and Portland, and there are also some cities in the aforementioned European countries that have challenges with their cycling goals. This literature review will refer to the general rule as opposed to the exceptions in an effort to highlight the current overall status of bicycle transportation in North America.

______________________________________________________

Works Cited

Basset, David Rowland., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter. "Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 5 (2008): 795-814. Print.

Brackett, Dorothy. "Bicycling and Self Esteem." Weblog post. Let's Go Ride A Bike. 18 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Burgueño, Meli. Bikes and The City. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Byrne, David. Bicycle Diaries. New York: Viking, 2009. Print.

Chan, Sarah. Web log post. Girls and Bicycles. Web. 15 May 2010.
.

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Bike Helmet Protest in Melbourne." Web log post. Copenhagenize. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 28 Aug. 2010. .

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Cycle Chic Origins." Cycle Chic™ - The Original from Copenhagen. Web. 16 Aug. 2010. .

"Cycling in the Netherlands." Ministerie Van Verkeer En Waterstaat. Web. 24 May 2010.
.

Davies, Julian. "Family Biking Ages & Stages." Web log post. Totcycle. 26 June 2009. Web. 21 May 2010. .

Dennis, J., B. Potter, T. Ramsay, and R. Zarychanski. "The Effects of Provincial Bicycle Helmet Legislation on Helmet Use and Bicycle Ridership in Canada." Injury Prevention. 2010. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .

Feucht, Dave. "Portland Bicycle Plan 2010." Web log post. Portlandize. 4 Feb. 2010.
Web. 27 May 2010. .

Fincham, Ben. "Bicycle Messengers: Image, Identity and Community." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Gill, M., and M. Goldacre. "Seasonal Variation in Hospital Admission for Road Traffic Injuries in England: Analysis of Hospital Statistics." Injury Preventon. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. .

Gotschi, Thomas, and Kevin Mills. "Active Transportation for America." Rails to Trails
Conservatory. Web. 24 May 2010. .

North Carolina School of Public Health. "Active Living by Design and Public Health." 8-80 Cities. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Halbur, Tim. "Women, Transit, and the Perception of Safety | Planetizen." Planetizen |
Urban Planning, Design and Development Network. 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 27 May
2010. .

Horton, Dave. "Fear of Cycling." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

"I Love Riding in the City." Urban Velo May 2010: 14-34. Print.

Kay, Jane Holtz. Asphalt Nation. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.

Looft, Sandra. Simply Bike. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Mackintosh, Philip G., and Glen Norcliffe. "Men, Women and the Bicycle: Gender and
Social Geography of Cycling in the Late Nineteenth Century." Cycling and
Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England:
Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Maples, Jeff. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State UP, 2009. Print.

Martinelli, Deandria. Los Angeles Cycle Chic. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Masoner, Richard. "Q&A with Eben Oliver Weiss Aka Bike Snob
NYC." Momentum May 2010: 26-27. Print.

O'Brien, Catherine. "A Footprint of Delight, Exploring Sustainable Happiness." NCBW
Forum Article (2006). Web. 25 May 2010.
.

Parkin, John, Tim Ryley, and Tim Jones. "Barriers to Cycling: An Exploration of Quantitative Analyses." Ed. Paul Rosen and Peter Cox. Cycling and Society. Ed. Dave Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. "Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany." Transport Reviews 28.4 (2008): 495-528. Web.

Scott, Todd. "Detroit." Momentum May 2010. Print.
Skinner, David, and Paul Rosen. "Hell Is Other Cyclists: Rethinking Transport and Identity." Cycling and Society. By Peter Cox and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Spinner, Justin. "Cycling the City: Non-Place and the Sensory Construction of Meaning
in a Mobile Practice." Ed. Dave Horton. Cycling and Society. Ed. Peter Cox and
David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Vanderbilt, Tom. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us). New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

Wesson, D., D. Stephens, K. Lam, D. Parsons, L. Spence, and P. Parkin. "Trends in Pediatric and Adult Bicycling Deaths Before and After Passage of a Bicycle Helmet Law -- Wesson Et Al. 122 (3): 605 -- Pediatrics." Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. 2008. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Williams, Martha. Bike Fancy. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Wilson, David Gordon, Jim Papadopoulos, and Frank Rowland. Whitt. Bicycling
Science. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT, 2004. Print.

Wilson, Mighk. "Bicycling Is Better » Which Cycling Politics: Doom or Possibility?"
Bicycling Is Better. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Wood, Daniel B. "On the Rise in American Cities: the Car-free Zone / The Christian
Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com." The Christian Science Monitor –
CSMonitor.com. 2 May 2007. Web. 27 May 2010. .

NYE Family Bike.

2011-12-31T15:19:00.003-07:00

These days if you want to bike while there is still sun out, you had better go around noon. We wanted to take advantage of the light and take the whole family on a Dougal off leash excursion (that is 3 minutes away on bike, but there is lots of fun off-roading you can do once you reach the off leash area).

So Dexter went into his Chariot.

Don insisted on installing his Chariot hitch onto his new winter bike so that I would not have to tow in the heavy wind (what a gentleman).

Speaking of which, here is his new winter ride! I don't get all excited about technical stuff, and I generally don't get too excited about mountain bikes either. However, Don is much more likely to go into the river valley and on trails with the dog than I am. And he rides a lot harder too. I am more of a super-leisurely, flat-surface cyclist myself. Just goes to show that cycling can be as high or low impact as you want it to be.

He is rocking a Karate Monkey by Surly.

The guys at redbike really pimped his ride, with a black & white colour scheme.

I'd love to tell you more details about the brakes, shifters, handlebars, studded tires, rims, etc... but like I said, I would have no clue what I am talking about. I'm sure I can get Don to recite me these facts at a later date.

For now, it turns Don into a winter biking machine!

All ready to take scruffy Dougal out.

The roads are still pretty non-snowy. Though, they are plenty icy (that is all the shiny stuff).

When we get to the park, we unleash the beast.

And after a bunch of off-road for Don and on-road for me (the Chariot seems to fare very well off-road), Dougal gets put back on the leash for more neighbourhood riding.

I wore my new coat from L.L. Bean.

It's a little big on me, which suits me fine during pregnancy and for layering. The sleeves are a bit long, but that also means it's ideal for biking because I get zero draft. It's wind-proof, warm, and has pockets to boot! Basically, it's a step down in warmth from my parka, but a step up from some of my more fashionable winter coats. And it's super casual, which is perfect for grocery runs or taking the dog out.

Is it specialized winter cycling wear? Nope. Do I wear it while cycling? Yes.

So now we're back at the house preparing for dinner tonight. Hope you all have a wonderful NYE filled with celebration and hopefully a little biking. It's the tried and true Miss Sarah combo for a successful day!

NYE Preparations.

2011-12-30T16:52:00.003-07:00

Haven't been biking or blogging too much, since we have been wholly consumed with house projects. This is what happens when you already have no time. Vacation time becomes get 'er done time.

We are hoping that this is our last holiday embarking on big and time consuming indoor projects. I think the normal thing to do is actually hire people and pay them to do the work. We're just so handy dandy around here. We really ask for it. Yay for us.

Now, the good news is the end is in sight! And we're super excited to have a very low key new year's eve around here, with just a few friends over for a late supper.

I took time this afternoon to do a trial run of this non-alcoholic Mandarin Punch in the NY Times. It was really easy and TASTY.

Just make an infused simple syrup.

Add juice.

And more citrus!

I use the mix with club soda, but I've got several bottles of bubbles on hand for spiked Mandarin Punch.

I also dug out all the stuffs required to set the table.

A mixture of antique Limoges, and both new and old wine glasses.

Ta da!

Leanne and I will be busy in the kitchen tomorrow, with other friends bringing in apps and drinks. I am looking forward to making my guests give their thoughts and accounts on the past year, and eager to hear what everybody is thinking about looking forward to in 2012.

Open Bungalow.

2011-12-27T04:32:00.002-07:00

My doctor told me that last time I was pregnant with Dexter (Dexter and baby no-name have almost the exact same timing) I gained 8 pounds in one month.

It was over Christmas time.

But who can deny oneself all the treats? I love treats.

We had lots of treats at our open bungalow last week, where people drop by to say Merry Christmas and have a drink.

Like Tom here.

At one point Larissa (right) taught Dexter how to use tongs to get the ice out of the bucket.

It made him feel incredibly accomplished.

Even though he was super modest about it all. Classic auntie Leanne & Dexter moment there, btw.

And ever charming, Dexter's ice bucket skills capture the hearts of many.

I am so pleased to report that having a kid doesn't always have to cramp one's party-style. In fact, having the little dude around just adds a new element of entertainment to our gatherings. I think the bungalow is now more fun than ever.

Holiday Family Time.

2011-12-26T04:29:00.001-07:00

The day before Christmas we went out for groceries. Since there is so much entertaining it always feels like I am buying groceries. The fridge is full, but soon after it's empty again.

I was also given a little jar of caramel bourbon vanilla sauce, which I have discovered, is crazy delicious with oatmeal. I have approximately a week to consume it all and we were out of oatmeal. Clearly, getting hot cereal was a priority of mine. I didn't feel like eating honey nut cheerios for Christmas breakfast.

I told Don of my grocery intentions, and he suggested we all ride together as a family. Dougal too!

We hitched up the trailer to winter Kona. Don just had a new winter bike built up, but his trailer hitch hasn't been put on yet, so I was left with the towing duties.

It was a good work out! Plus, I was super over dressed. It wasn't even cold.

When we reached the Sunterra, we ran into Oliver.

He and Don were all excited about Don's winter ride, and Oliver took it for a spin.

Nothing like spending some quality time doing ordinary things with my boys.

Oliver happened to finish shopping the same time as us, and he lives in our neighbourhood too, so we all biked home together! That's what I love about biking, the quality family time, and also the unexpected friend-time you often stumble upon.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T15:01:00.002-07:00

Hello readers, Merry Christmas!

Things here at the bungalow are low key and festive.

We opened presents.

Dexter got down to business too.

I made the mistake of giving Dexter LEGO to unwrap too soon. After the LEGO, we had to stop opening presents altogether so that he and Don could build it and play with it.

He is a lucky little dude, with all his new toys and treats. We also built up a gigantic train track for him. And we've all be obsessed with playing with the Zoob building toy that Dan & Leanne got for the little man.

Fun!

After Dexter gets up from his nap we're meeting up with the rest of the Chan clan for some too-loud English/Chinese bantering, and my dad going gaga over the grand kids:)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve.

2011-12-24T16:27:00.003-07:00

T'was a few days before Christmas when I was out with winter Kona. We had to pick up a few groceries and meet Chrissy for lunch.

There were presents I had to exchange with aforementioned lady friend.

Chrissy and I have been best friends for 26 years:) And not just the "for old times sake" kind of friends, we're talking the real deal!

In lieu of all the turkey and such we knew lay in our futures, we had some bento box lunch.

Later on, Dexter got to open up some early Christmas presents from Grandma & Grandpa Iveson.

Presents make the little guy pretty happy.

OMG - a new passenger train!

And lots of new tracks too, with fun switches and stuff.

These days we have been packed with cleaning, home-improvement projects (we always seem to be scrambling with this stuff before entertaining - mostly because we never have time when we're in full swing with work), hosting, and Dextering.

Yes, I sometimes use Dexter's name as a verb.

Usually I am 100% into holiday mode, but I think my pregnancy induced lack of immune system is definitely casting a shadow on things. I can't have a prolonged conversation without my sinuses filling up with fluids, and I can't get any of my house chores done without the accompaniment of a dull throbbing in my head. Not being accustomed to being sick, this most certainly cramps my style.

I am hopeful that a few more good sleeps will remedy this situation!

It's been amazing to spend some time together as a family, even if I'm sick and we're super busy. Don, Dexter, and I are actually eating meals together! It's pretty rare and I am not taking it for granted.

So I hope you guys have some family time and relaxation time in store for today and tomorrow. T'is definitely the season to take it easy, and I'll try my best to take my own advice:)

Happy Holidays!

Party {Stretch} Party {Yawn} Party {Smile}

2011-12-19T15:21:00.003-07:00

Oh my, it's that time of year again. So many parties! Don't get me wrong. I love myself a party. It's just that all this stuff always lands around budget time for Don. In addition to the extra work hours, we have a whole bunch of boring house stuff to do. And on top of it all, Don and I are both sick.

But, we're working away and hopefully that will mean more rest... next week?

In any case, even when tired and sick, it's still nice to celebrate a birthday that features Reese Peanut Butter Cupcakes! Luckily, my taste buds are still alive and working.

Chris' birthday was casual and fun. I found myself a nice spot on the couch and admired the rest of the apartment from there. It's the opposite of circulating, but it works!

After a while, it was time to head over to red star to drop in on a Next Gen Party. It was semi-work related for Don.

For a bunch of us, we just needed some supper!

Hey, Thomas!

Dan stole my camera, which meant I got to see surprise photos of myself when I did my import today. The blue light illuminating my face is from my phone.

See?

That's my new necklace from Kiko.

And here is Alex and his bow tie.

There was a third party too, but by that point I was so tired that my camera stayed in the bag. It was a nice Christmas-y affair where Don sampled a bit of scotch and I somehow missed out on some epic samosas:(

In any case, t'is definitely the season for being overworked and over-scheduled. But, each day we're getting closer and closer to house projects wrapping up and I am super duper looking forward to the parties that we're hosting here at the bungalow!

Is Christmas time crazy for you guys too?

Belgravian Caroling.

2011-12-11T22:08:00.004-07:00

On the weekend we had the pleasure of attending the most amazing brunch in the neighbourhood, which also doubled as a carolling party led by yours truly.

The benefits to having brunch 3 blocks away, is that the walk is short.

We actually had to look twice to see the address of the place, because there were no cars parked out front despite there being tons of families in attendance. Everybody walked.

So much care was put into the occasion.

Dexter was a big fan of this fantastic little ornament. There are these little candles and it spins round and round.

Our hosts were amazing and laid out a delicious spread of turkey (best I have ever had), smoked salmon, quiches, croissants, roasty potatoes, salads... YUM. Writing about it now is giving me cravings.

What a festive house!

I got to meet a lot of new (to me) neighbours and put a lot of parents to kids I have seen at the park. Here is Glenn, the child-wrangler (you can sort of see Dexter hanging out on the couch in the back).

The carolling went swimmingly. Never having played for that crowd before, or on that piano, I wasn't sure what to expect. Everybody sang loud and happy, and it was so much fun I am quite convinced that this needs to become an annual tradition.

I know I harp on my neighbourhood a lot, about how it's awesome and my neighbours are rad? Well, I came home from brunch to find these goodies on my porch!

So I made up a tea tray.

New and beautiful tea set was a birthday gift from my friend, Rosie.

The cat creamer I bought at Henry's here in Edmonton. I seriously love this thing.

So I had some super Belgravian times! Some of it out with the neighbours and some of it here at home. It was local to the max. No car required.

Unit B.

2011-12-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

On Friday night Leanne and I took the train downtown to crash the Unit B open house party. Lisa (who you've all seen on this blog a bunch of times) has recently moved into a new office space on 104 Street (my favourite street in Edmonton since I was 16). She and her co-office habitants were throwing a little party to celebrate the new space - Yay!

On the train, we all had different things on our laps. Leanne had a tin of her super brownies (with cardamon and pistachios on top).

I had my purse (my own tin of cookies was on the floor, sandwiched between my feet).

The guy beside us was holding this (cutting board?):

At the party, things were busy and hoppin'

Crowded! But I managed to circulate my cookies, anyway.

I like a challenge.

Oh, and here is Justin looking really serious. He's one of the Unit B mates, running his show on 104 Street.

Don actually got to stop by after council! It's been budget time lately, so we haven't been seeing much of him in general. Why he is giving Alex and Leanne a thumbs up, I do not know...

Speaking of Leanne, here she is chatting it up with Dave and Kyla.

The view outside, from inside Lisa's office.

And the view inside, from outside. That's Erin there, hanging out at Lisa's desk.

Speaking of which, her desk is made out of an old door from her 1949 bungalow!

R-A-D.

Here is the lady herself, taking a break from all the mingles.

Oh, and another Miss Sarah (Jackson) stopped by too. She is a designer and illustrator.

Lookin' good! Especially that calendar by Gabe Wong over there.

Congrats to the occupants of Unit B - may the new year bring you much fun and business!

Butterdome Craft Sale!

2011-12-10T11:30:00.004-07:00

I was very sad to miss the Butterdome Craft sale last year - but made a point to schedule a visit into the calendar this year. There is a very different demographic from this craft fair to the other more indie ones I've been visiting, but frankly, I find the moms & pops (literally) quality of the Butterdome really novel and charming.

So what if I'm not buying the fleece vests with cartoon cows on them? Or the paintings with mystical wolves in lush landscapes? I'm still absolutely down with the different food stuffs, the jewelry, wooden toys for kids, and there is this leather stall that is pretty awesome too!

In fact, I bought Leanne and I these name necklaces, with a the very Albertan touch of a lasso. Now when she is hanging out in the streets of New York in the new year, she will always have a touch of Alberta with her. Think of it as a modern spin on the friendship necklace!

We purchased them in irony (the papa of the couple can make any name, on the spot), but they actually look pretty fly.

I made out with lots of other purchases which I can't show you. But three full bags and my purse all fit into my rear basket.

We threw Lisa's lap top case in the back too when we were walking over to the other side of campus for lunch. Lisa had taken the bus and Leanne had walked. Although both methods of transport are low-impact (environment-wise), the bike still has the virtue of comfortably transporting one's cargo without straining back or shoulders.

What I'm trying to say is although many think of biking as a big commitment, it's actually very easy and conducive to us lazy people who don't like to carry things long distances, and who don't like sitting around in traffic and dealing with parking.

As always, the trusty parka was out in full glory, even though it wasn't super cold. Something about the down in a parka is just light enough while undone, and also heavy enough when done up.

Cycling into the heart of the University area was actually slightly treacherous, since I forgot that lots of non-University and non-hospital craft patrons were heading there in their cars. This meant people were confused about where to turn for parking, which lane ends, watching out for the masses of pedestrians (very student-heavy traffic), and uh... general motor-vehicle operation confusion.

So I took up a whole lane (was moving the same speed as traffic anyway), and rang my bell a lot, and made sure I was visible. The sweetest part was when I was past the befuddled traffic, and just locked up right near the entrance.

And I wasn't even the only winter cyclist out there, I biked past several fellow cyclists both on my way there and back!

Musicians on LRT.

2011-12-09T06:09:00.001-07:00

Several weeks ago I was on my way downtown for a dinner. Sable happened to take the train too since she had a choir performance. We decided to catch the ride downtown together.

She had to carry her choir uniform with her.

And it was cute, because on my way home later I saw another group of musicians on the platform.

Lots of musicians taking the train. Myself included!

It's nice to have company.

Treats!

2011-12-08T20:20:00.003-07:00

Oh, I love this time of year!

Twinkly lights and sparkly things always make me happy, and it's even sweeter when my fantastic little students show up to lessons with beautiful homemade treats.

With my name on it.

Why buy your teacher a box of truffles from the store?

When you can make your own!

Yummy.

Buying presents local is definitely fab, but making your own is simply the best. What a lovely gesture, full of flavour and love.

Light Flurries.

2011-12-07T03:11:00.002-07:00

Temperatures continue to be quite fair, despite the snow, and I am (again) ever-thankful for studded tires on the mountain bike. When it comes to changing terrain (bare pavement, weird hidden icy bumps and ruts, crunchy and slushy snow piles) the mountain bike isn't just comfy, it's also super fun to ride!

My studs aren't the ones that are all over the tires, they're mostly on the outer edges, so they're the kind that just catch you if you're slipping a little.

I had a fantastic tea time with my neighbour, and got to see her amazingly tiny and adorable new baby! Walking just around the corner to see a lady friend was pretty fly. My travel time by foot was under a minute.

Afterward, I came home to whip up a latté and go see another lady friend on her coffee break at work. I was very proud at my genius travel mug contraption.

At this point it had started snowing a little. Big flakes!

After lots of lady visiting, it was time to come home and take the scruffy Dougal for a bike ride-run around the 'hood.

The snow doesn't seem to phase him either.

So far this winter has been very kind. Today I wore little glove liners like these under my Edit Mittens. It did the trick! Though, I've seen some SUPER puffy down ones that look crazy warm, but they're so huge they don't really play nice with the sleeves on my parka, so I had to pass.

And always, I've got the essential winter-cycling footwear.

On Monday.

2011-12-05T22:11:00.004-07:00

On Monday Miss Sarah wears a sweater with a bow on it.

When she goes out, she always puts a parka over top.

It's very warm. Especially with the fuzzy hood that goes over top.

Perfect for riding around in the snow, though it wasn't even that cold.

When Miss Sarah meets up with a friend for lunch, she sees that he has his own winter-wear. Pedestrians have to keep their extremities toasty.

Miss Sarah's own mitts get stuffed into her purse.

But the mitts go back on when it's time to crunch some snow with studded tires.

So Miss Sarah bikes, and lunches, and picks up groceries for dinner. That's the sort of thing that Miss Sarah does on a Monday. On a bike. Even when in the winter.

Life doesn't stop because of a little ice on the road!

Memory of Summer.

2011-11-30T00:22:00.000-07:00

Raffaella recently posted these photos of me & Pashley this past summer. I believe we were wandering around Whyte ave, during SOS Fest.

I am so glad this picture with Justin Bieber turned out.

Cheese!

The days of no coats and Pashley riding are over for now. All hail parka and winter kona!

First Winter Bike Ride!

2011-11-28T14:20:00.002-07:00

Nothing earth shattering to report, just took winter Kona out for her first spin this year. We haven't had too much snow, but with the wacky rain we had yesterday (which is generally all frozen today), I was very thankful for the studded tires.

Temperatures weren't cold, so that wasn't really an issue. Just put on the parka and started pedaling.

Today's bike ride is brought to you by Don, who very kindly pumped up my tires for me.

One other thing to note: I really keep my winter saddle low! Low enough so that I can get a solid toe down to deploy the tripod, in the event of bailing out. Riding that way on my Pashley would be super weird, but on the winter bike (mountain bike) it's very comfortable.

Had lunch with a lady friend, picked up a bag of groceries. All that normal stuff.

How is winter riding treating you guys?

The Royal Bison.

2011-11-26T18:10:00.002-07:00

I heard the Royal Bison was superb fun today, and super busy too.

I didn't arrive to represent at our little table until later in the afternoon, but it was fun to chat bikes and food with those of you I met!

There were tons of other excellent offerings too, so I will go on my shopping rounds tomorrow.

Come visit!

Velo Fare + Royal Bison

2011-11-23T21:29:00.002-07:00

Remember the cookbook project Leanne and I were working on over the summer? It's finally done and in print!

If you're in Edmonton this weekend (26th and 27th), come by our table at the Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair and say hello! Velo Fare is retailing at $25 and Leanne's own cookbook, From Scratch, will also be available at $30. It's at 8426 Gateway Blvd and promises to have tons of unique gift ideas for you and yours.

I'll be teaching piano until around 3 pm on Saturday, so I'll only catch you if you come later. But, Leanne and friends will be representing our table on my behalf. I'll be there all day Sunday. Hope to see you there!

About a block away (on Saturday the 26th) the Handmade Mafia craft sale is happening too, so you can do double duty in the shop local department.

I know a lot of you readers aren't in Edmonton, so if you want a hard copy of the book, you can order your own right here.

And, here is also a full PDF, as an early Xmas gift from Miss Sarah & Leanne to you! We never set out to do this as a money making scheme. It was all out of love for food, friends, and bikes. Whether you buy a hard copy and want an additional digital version, or you live faraway and this is just easier for you, the most important thing for us is that you enjoy what we have created and share it with those you love. Enjoy!

Reflections on Young Motherhood.

2011-11-22T10:07:00.005-07:00

I know what you're thinking, "28 is young to have a baby?!"

It really isn't. But I got to thinking about this whole mom thing after reading S's recent post about life with a new baby.

I had Dexter when I was 28 and although biologically that's a perfectly fine age to have a baby, I told most people that amongst my peers, it felt like being a much younger pregnant lady. Of course, I met lots of moms after Dexter was born, but I never felt like I fit in there either.

So on the one hand I was this big pregnant girl with the moving alien bump, having to fend off repeated comments about how massive everybody thought I was (people would double-take several times a day, every day). Again, I think this might have had something to do with the masses of parents I would see on a weekly basis, back when I was teaching at a music school.

Among my close friends, nobody really stopped to notice I was pregnant, and it was business as usual - which is a good thing!

On the other hand, once I had the baby and I was around other new parents, I didn't feel the same degree of connection that I could see the other ladies forming. I think a lot of that had to do with work and other circumstances. I went back to work after 3 months of summer off and all the other ladies had a year of mat leave. So that meant lots of fun classes and excursions, while I was coordinating child-care and teaching over 60 students a week. My wacky schedule made it difficult to participate in lots of the mommy things that were going on. That, and my disinterest in certain sorts of activities that require several different mommies driving halfway across town to meet up somewhere. Also, I was generally too caught up with day to day stuff like getting groceries or doing laundry in and around my students.

For a long time I felt like a weird hybrid. Still hanging out with the same friends and going and doing the same things, but always arriving late and leaving early, depending on Dexter's disposition. Then I found normal baby-talk really boring too. Do I worry that Dexter isn't developing properly? No. Have I purchased this super duper make-your-kid-smarter toy yet? No. Is the breastfeeding and waking and changes making me insane? No.

I often found lots of the mom talk to be sort of negative. Lots of complaining! And I realize that it's probably a result of being alone with a baby much of the time, and obviously one would seek to find comfort in others who are experiencing the same thing. And don't get me wrong, I am often complaining about stuff too, but usually not baby stuff.

I found that taking care of Dexter wasn't very difficult. It helps that he is really chilled out, and he slept a lot and would also sleep in his stroller on-the-go. That gave me a lot of freedom and mobility. Plus, living along a convenient bus route and close the train made it easy to take him out without missing my bike. I wasn't just left with the option of taking Dougal out and enjoying nature walks, I could get groceries and visit friends on foot! Makes a big difference when you can conveniently coordinate being out in the city.

But, I didn't absolutely fit in with all my peers either. Time management has always been something I am really into. It has always been difficult to make plans with people who aren't very organized, because I never had too much flexibility. This became even more apparent when Dexter arrived. Now it's even more unlikely that I am able to attend a party when issued an invite via text the day before. Sorry! And dinner parties where you arrive at 6 pm with the baby, but dinner isn't served until 9 pm? Not so good for us anymore.

Since those early days of feeling sort of displaced, I have since come to embrace having a diverse set of friends to share my new young-mom life with.

There are great advantages to having people hang out with you, who aren't scheduled to the same degree that you are. We host a lot of friends over at the bungalow because it's very convenient for us. It was not uncommon for a friend to be sitting on a step stool in the bathroom, with a glass of wine, while I give Dexter a bath. Actually, my friends are so well-trained with Dexter-care that oftentimes THEY just administer the bath themselves!

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you might wonder how I manage to have the time to get out and do... all that stuff. It's only possible because I am comfortable delegating Dexter duty to others. It's a conscious choice that we live in Edmonton and didn't move away to a bigger city. We wanted to be near grandparents, who are a great help to us. And it's not uncommon for Dexter to get babysitting from our friends too (I work Saturdays). So you don't have to do it all yourself, if you have options. I think living in the same city as my parents has done immeasurable good for my balance of work and life with Dexter. Life would be very different if I didn't have the massive support system that I've created.

No matter which way a mom chooses to get it all done, my advice is always to do whatever works for you. Everybody's life is different, and the same goes for expectations. It took me a while to figure out where I stood with managing the various aspects of being a self-employed new mom married to a guy with a 60-80 hr a week job, and a good friend too. But I'm feeling much more comfortable and at home with my not-really-fitting-in perfectly in any one place. In fact, I have come to enjoy it. Most importantly, it's my life. And I like it!

Life with a new baby is... new. Every new mama will find her stride and her peers (regardless of whether it's the sort of thing that would work for me or not), and it's important to put the pieces in place to create whatever balance new mama needs. I think one of the best pieces of advice I got was: happy mommy, happy baby. It's true!

I've learned not to fret so much about what I'm doing the same or not the same as other moms. Dexter is growing up to be such a fine little gentleman, and I'm feeling great too. It might be a work in progress and things are always changing (adaptation is the name of the game), but having a little dude around is a wonderful opportunity, lots of fun, and the best life-enrichment program I could have imagined.

Being a "young" 28 yr old new mom? It was the best decision I've ever made. Even if it made me feel like a weirdo for a while. I've come to realize, it wasn't Dexter who made me a weirdo. I've always been a bit off the beaten path. And that's okay!

Refinery.

2011-11-20T21:42:00.005-07:00

Though I have been to exhibit opening parties at the AGA, I had yet to attend one of their Refinery late night art parties... until this past Saturday. It was an absolute blast! Drinks, snow cones, burlesque performances, temporary installations in addition to the regular exhibits, DJs, and lots of people ready for a fun time.

The dress code for the evening was "Lumberjack Formal". This basically meant that nobody really knew what was going on. Though, a general theme of The North seemed to prevail amongst the attendees, resulting in the general proliferation of plaids and furs in attire.

Since none of my plaid currently fits, I decided to go as a fancy arctic fox, with that crazy hat I have.

The evening's artistic director, Fish Griwkowsky, was very fine in a top hat.

And we saw these amazing bearded folks (now I am dying for one of those crochet beards)!

Amidst all the mixing and mingling, we did end up spending a considerable amount of time in Ragnar Kjartansson's installation, The End.

But then it was back to the northern ladies and gents.

And my fancy shoes.

The music was dance inducing.

Though people were crawling all over every floor.

And I got selected to participate in the costume competition! I didn't win, but it was fun to get chosen.

Ran into lots of friends.

Enjoyed girly chit chat while chomping on bags of popcorn.

People-watched.

Dancing in the stairwell.

And finally it was time to take the elevator down into the LRT station, where we got back to our parked car, piled our friends in, and I (designated pregnant driver) gave folks a lift home to the south side. Late late at night, in dresses and heels, in -20C weather... the carpool makes a lot of sense.

The next Refinery party should be some time in the new year. Perhaps I'll see you there? Next time I have to wear flats, for extended dance opportunities.

Stay warm!

Make It!

2011-11-18T21:39:00.002-07:00

I missed last year's Make It! craft show, so I made sure to hit it this year.

Even though I got a few gifts for friends, I basically ended up getting a bunch of gifts for myself. Oops.

If you're in Edmonton over the weekend, please try to make it out! It's great to meet the vendors themselves and I feel like the whole shopping experience is so much more authentic. All your money goes to the vendor's little business. It's a good thing!

Like those adorable cards up there from A La Carte. She has a fantastic collection of stationary. There was a pack of cards that featured print-pressed bicycles from India.

I also picked up a pair of edit mittens too, since all three paris of mitts I currently own have been orphaned (only 1 left from each pair). I figured these purposefully mismatched mitts made out of recycled sweaters would do the trick. I'm not sure if you guys know, but Edmonton is currently very COLD.

Now that my bangs are long enough, I'm rarely without a bobby pin to keep it all off my face. This Whimsical Elements bobbies are made of vintage buttons and fabric!

And I was happy to add to my Toodlebunny collection.

I also picked up some gifts from Bang Bang Bijoux too.

The Make It! show is faraway, but we took the edge off by carpooling. So grab a friend and go get some holiday prezzies for you and those you love.

Remember When...

2011-11-18T01:40:00.002-07:00

I was large and in charge while pregnant with Dexter? Well prepare yourself for Miss Sarah with baby bump the sequel, since I am currently pregnant with baby #2.

So every post you have read about me riding in the last 12 weeks? That's right, riding while pregnant. I can't say I'm looking forward to some of the quirks of being pregnant, which is the vast array of advice you get. What I've learned from the first time around is that you really have to take it all with a grain of salt, boil it down to the lowest common denominator, and just take the helpful stuff.

Now, I'll preface my stories by saying I probably have more exposure to moms than most people, since I teach so many kids.

I remember this one mom who found out I rode my bike while I was 20ish weeks, and she flicked me on my forehead. Like, flicked her finger... ON MY FACE. It was not cool.

And there was another mom who advised me to go to the mall more often, so I could walk around and get cardio. What?!

The first time I was pregnant, it was always surprising to hear from people what they thought I could do to stay healthy for 40 weeks. Most people suggest walking and swimming as safe activities. And although swimming sounds awful nice, getting to a pool and getting changed and processed, really doesn't fit into my busy schedule.

I do walk, almost every day, with Dougal. And of course there is the riding.

Like most cycling mamas will tell you, you've really got to talk to your own doctor and know your own body before you do any strenuous exercise (though I don't fine biking very strenuous) while pregnant. If it doesn't feel good, then stop.

Luckily, other than more rapid weight gain this time around, I feel much the same as with Dexter - which is absolutely normal.

That means I'll be riding until it no longer feels fine. Last time, it was until the day before my water broke and I went to the hospital. This time... who knows?

So here's to another 28ish weeks of riding with the bump!

Pashley + Snow.

2011-11-15T20:32:00.004-07:00

Yes, it's cold. But there are a few precious hours in the afternoon that are filled with sunshine!

I had initially planned to take the winter bike out today, but after a failed attempt at pumping up the tires (this seems to be something I am perennially bad at), I was running late and faced the choice of driving or riding a non-winter bike.

I took the Pashley.

We ran some errands in Old Strathcona, and I went to my acupuncture appointment (seriously, my guy does wonders).

Afterward, I biked a few blocks over to Leanne's and picked her up for our bento lunch date (we walked).

Post lunch, I cycled over to the Cross Cancer institute to meet another fine lady friend for her late lunch break at work. I had already eaten, but I still make fine company.

Anybody who hangs out with me over the winter will get used to the sight of my gloves and stuff in an overturned helmet whenever we are indoors.

It breaks my heart a little when pretty Pashley gets all gummed up with snow like this.

C'est la vie! Bikes are for riding. So we should ride them, even if there is sticky snow on the ground.

Though, the Pashley does have lovely brakes for winter.

Afterward, I came home and walked the dog and shovelled our walk. Lots of exercise, no gym. It's the Miss Sarah way!

Winter Helmet.

2011-11-14T22:02:00.002-07:00

I've been getting lots of inquiries about my winter helmet! It's not much different than wearing a toque underneath your normal helmet, but I like the tight seal around my head and ears. Plus, the back of the helmet has this clip that keeps my goggles in place when I am riding in severe cold.

I bought mine online, and was reminded of the site when a reader sent me a link to Empire. That's where Don and I got ours from! Though, I do believe they carry Bern at MEC as well (I don't think they had my size with the liner back when I was looking).

Thought I would let you know, since I see they are on sale too. Mine has a brim and an air vent on top (some of them don't have a vent).

Happy winter riding!

2 Coats, Nice Ride.

2011-11-12T21:25:00.005-07:00

Don and I were toying with the idea of riding our winter bikes the other night, since the freezing rain meant potential yucky ice. Still, it wasn't super snowy so we just took the regular bikes. I have been biding time with bringing out the parka by layering up underneath one of my fall coats. I am happy to report that I enjoyed very cozy evening riding with one jacket on underneath my heavier jacket. Perfect!

I can't say I have the same warm and fuzzy feelings about how early it is when the sun goes down now:(

We rode over to the Bothy for some food and fun.

Nice mix of fizzy.

But the boys decided to get into the sampling of scotch.

The Bothy may be a sort of scotch and wine bar, but the food is YUMMY.

Every time I get out on the bike in the cold weather I feel amazing. Both because I love the fresh air and exercise, and because I am continually surprised at how it doesn't feel that cold once I get going.

A few extra layers and some body heat generated from locomotion really make me stop and think about how lucky I am to be mobile and healthy enough to get where I need to go with my own energy. It puts things into perspective! And it feels oh-so-nice. We may live in a winter city, but it's still way to soon to hang up the pedals.

Winter is Here.

2011-11-05T12:11:00.004-06:00

Last night, I spent a good portion of time tearing apart our front closet, looking for the ear flap insert for my Bern helmet. We are finally having temperatures below freezing, and my ears needed protection!

Luckily, warm head and ears are only a few snaps away.

Other cold weather preparations included finding my slightly heavier insulated gloves (though I'll just need to upgrade to mitts very soon).

I unearthed a heavier coat.

Found my old faithful books. This is our 6th winter together!

And put on a sparkly sweater over my winter staple of long-sleeved t-shirts.

Wrapped it all up with a heavy shawl that I fold into a thick scarf.

Rode during our 5ish pm sunset, to dinner at Corso32.

Admittedly, I had hesitations about riding. Relatively speaking, it was cold. But thinking about it the other way, I reminded myself that -20C is usually my cut off. There was no wind or snow... so really, not riding was sort of a lost opportunity. I just need to ensure I had time to dig out all my winter stuff! And I'm really happy I did it. The ride was really crisp and invigorating, which was a pick-me-up after my usual Friday afternoon fatigue.

I also saw lots of other cyclists too, all sporting face and neck warmers, and balaclavas too! Everybody is bundled up, but that doesn't stop us from doing the courteous nod when we pass each other.

I dined with my lady friends.

We had snacks and treats and I threw down on some ravioli which photographed very poorly.

Raffaella was kind enough to snap a photo. I haven't been in much of a mood for self-photography lately, which is why you haven't seen any pictures of me and the bike for a long time.

It may be freezing, but a few extra layers and items keep me on the bike... for now.

Halloweeny Lunch.

2011-11-01T14:10:00.001-06:00

Earlier this week, before all the evening Halloweeny action, Pashley and I went out to lunch at Leva.

I was impressed by their pumpkin!

And it was great to get caught up with my lady friend... who is also featured on page 62 of this month's Avenue magazine!

These days are growing colder, but when you live so close to "stuff", it's not a big deal to take a chilly 12 minute bike ride. In fact, it's a great way to enjoy fall! You spend about 2 minutes feeling cold and pedaling along, then you're all warm and happy that you made it out.

It also makes you hungry, so you end up eating a whole margherita pizza by yourself.

Trick or Treat!

2011-10-31T21:24:00.004-06:00

Oh yeah, that's Fireman Dexter up there, ready to go!

I tried to prevail upon him that wearing a toque and his firefighter's hat would be in keeping with his costume, but he refused me and insisted on wearing the lumberjack hat instead. A very Canadian firefighter!

Before we could hit up some houses for candy, we first had to get daddy from the garage. Dexter always tries to ring the bike bell when he is in there.

Our house has a few happy touches of Halloween cheer - there is an adorable origami Halloween tree hanging out in the dining room. My student's mom made it as a gift for Dexter. So cute!

Since we don't get hundreds of kids on Halloween night, I decided we were going to become the house that gives out full-sized candy bars. Remember how awesome those houses were when you were kids? I want the awesome rep.

And there were no-nuts options too.

Once we starting making the rounds, I was thoroughly impressed at some of the stellar pumpkins out there!

Don did the guided trick or treating, and I took the photos.

This was our simple pumpkin. I didn't have a lot of time so it's a little lame, but it does look like Dexter when he says, "Ohhh YEAH."

So Dexter was totally into the whole experience.

He was particularly into the lights in all the pumpkins.

Light! Light! Light!

Our neighbours do a wicked job with decorations.

Some even used their own gargoyle children as house decorations.

Death Star pumpkin, anyone?

My two boys.

Dexter admires Halloween lights (he finally consented to wearing the hat).

And on the way home he waves at some friends.

So great to see kids and parents prowling around our neighbourhood.

That's community, right there!

Double Date!

2011-10-30T04:38:00.002-06:00

I am turning into a big baby, and all I feel is cold cold cold! I love the sunny days we've been treated to, but the wind. The wind is rough for me. These days I don't step outside of the house without a the old faithful biggie scarf and gloves. Insulated gloves.

This photo was actually taken on our way home when we transferred from the train to the bikes. Earlier in the day I had actually just walked the same distance, but I was wearing flats and not heels. For those instances with mobility impairing footwear, the bike is perfect for me.

We met up with Jason and Leisha for a double dinner date at MRKT! A very suitable end to a very busy week. The dining room is a warm oasis of wood and shiny lights, which is a fine accompaniment to wine and cheese.

Yum yum yummy yum.

I knew we were planning to have dinner at MRKT all week, and all I craved was beef brisket.

Though I stole a fair portion of Don's pork pasta.

It turns out our date companions also took the train, so after dinner we all strolled over to the station, found some seats together, and chatted the whole way home.

Leisha hated every photo I took of her, so you only get to see a photo of her gloves and knits.

Don and I tried to inspire them by cheesing it up smiles-style.

See? We all have those pictures out there where are faces look all bumpy and weird. C'est la vie.

Hope you guys had your own yummy week-end meals with a nice unwind. Stay warm!

Street Car Lunch.

2011-10-29T05:40:00.001-06:00

Today, Dexter and I rode our neighbourhood bus over to Old Strathcona, to meet Don and some colleagues for a special street car ride and luncheon! I decided to be a bold mommy and not take a stroller. Dexter kept a pretty good walking pace from the bus stop to the street car - I just kept telling him we were going to see his daddy and he came running.

Once we arrived and boarded the street car, Dexter got himself a seat, and positioned his favourite gorilla toy.

Generous volunteers of the Edmonton Radial Railway Society gave some information on the history of street cars in Edmonton. Plus, they conducted our ride!

Dexter was making a little too much noise. This is what his face looks like when mama deals out a little discipline.

But soon enough we were on our way! Thumbs up, gorilla friend.

Our street car stopped in the middle of the high level bridge. Good thing nobody had a phobia of heights.

Then it was time to get up and party!

We ate delicious sandwiches and cookies from elm café. Dexter likes the BLT and the roasted beet sammies, and ginger snap cookies.

What a wonderful way to spend the lunch hour! And it was a treat for Dexter to ride both new and old forms of Edmonton's public transport.

Ding ding!

Dexter's New Hat.

2011-10-28T18:06:00.002-06:00

Winters are a pretty serious thing here in Edmonton, that's why I didn't hesitate to get Dexter this rad new hat with ear flaps!

I think the lumberjack look suits the little D very well. Too bad he won't be attending the AGA Refinery party in November.

The new hat also lends itself well to keeping a little head warm on a windy day, waiting for the train to arrive.

Don had a very busy week at work and as a result, didn't get a chance to see the little D for a few days. So Dexter and I decided to crash city hall and go have lunch with dad at the office!

Little D was very pleased to provide entertainment.

And I'm so lucky that I don't have to use the elevators with the stroller anymore. I just fold up the umbrella stroller and Dexter can slowly handle the stairs himself. This new toddler independence suits me very well. Generally, I feel as though increased mobility just makes life so much more convenient.

I hope Dexter will stay quick and mobile, with all this early training. There is a certain joy to getting somewhere yourself, and I am happy the little D enjoys active transportation as much as I do. I mean, who is going to give up the chance to ride trains with their mama?

Lazy Photographer.

2011-10-26T02:41:00.001-06:00

I've been super lazy with taking photos lately. Sort of a waste, when I go through the trouble of lugging the camera around everywhere. I just keep forgetting that I have it. Or I think to take a photo, but I'm on my way somewhere and am too busy. So... you get two really boring photos!

Up above is when I was locked up near Planet Organic to meet Zoe for a delicious lunch of vermicelli the other day. She and I were delighted to discover we are both wearing very 1960s coats these days. Mine is navy, from MUJI. Hers is camel, from Oak + Fort.

Down below is my seasoned travel mug full of home-pulled latté with honey. I haven't ridden around with this Xmas themed travel mug since school days! I've still yet to install my cup holder on the Pashley, so what I usually do is not fill the mug up all the way, and squish it into the basket with my purse. The reason I use this Xmas mug is because it's the most spill-proof of all the go-cups I own. Very festive. And practical.

And yes, back in the day it was not uncommon to have some coffee gurgles on my bag and books. Luckily, zero leakage today.

I rode with a ferocious head wind over to the Cross Cancer institute, where my best friend is finally off mat leave and back at work. I was happy to visit with her while she took her lunch and I had coffee and cookies.

Nice thing about the head wind is that it became a wicked tail wind on the way home. Very welcome after my previous huffing and puffing.

These days, biking requires scarf and gloves, but I am really enjoying the crispy sunshiny days!

Carpool-O-Rama

2011-10-24T10:11:00.006-06:00

Admittedly, there are certain destinations that I don't like biking to. And I also tend to stay away from cycling with Dexter if we're farther away from home and we are guaranteed to be out past his bedtime. So the other night, we carpooled! Picked up two of our dinner companions on the way to Chinatown for a fundraiser dinner for Edmonton's Chinese Garden.

At a red light I stared longingly out the car window at the fine lady above, on what looked like her Devinci Paris. She and I are helmet and saddle sisters too!

Then I looked out the other window and saw another cycling dude who was eager to be photographed.

I haven't been to a Chinese banquet in a while, so I was eager for all 11ish courses. The key is to pace yourself.

We were lucky enough to be treated to lion dance!

Dexter was very fun and charming, even though he kept wanting to go hang out with the seafood in the aquarium.

The many courses of food were paraded out, one by one.

And Dexter helped his dad deliver greetings.

If I'm going to drive the car on an evening out, I'd rather it be filled with 5 people instead of 2. The bike would have been a better post-meal constitutional, but with an expiring Dexter at the end of the evening, it was nice to just whiz home and put the dude to bed.

I promised him we will bike tomorrow!

Friday Date Night.

2011-10-22T12:42:00.008-06:00

Date night with Don consisted of satisfying a craving for some Japanese food.

I love sunomono salad, amongst other things.

Even though I'm thirsty after riding, I still prefer tea over cold water.

Don has a weakness for tuna, both spicy and non.

Then we coasted over to the University campus where we ascended the stairs to Myer Horowitz Theatre, to attend a Massey Lecture by Adam Gopnik!

Back in the day I would come up here to eat lunch sometimes.

You can listen to these lectures on the CBC starting the week of November 7th, or you can just go online and stream there here. You can listen to past lectures too! Don's favourite is the Martin Luther King. Mine is Thomas King.

Afterward, it was time to ride over to Whyte, to attend a very special party for a very special friend.

The place was packed! So much that I have been drinking hot water with lemon and honey all day today, to regenerate my voice after an evening of loud-talking. Crowds aside, it was fun to see lots of friendly faces.

And luckily we had time to make our little presentation of a gift for our friend Dan, the guest of honour.

After the hot and boisterous party, we were treated to quiet streets and bike lanes all the way home.

Bikes, food, brain exercise, and some social exercise. Don even held my hand for a while during the lecture, until I took it back because it was getting sweaty.

It was a very successful date night!

Chillin' with Little D.

2011-10-21T08:18:00.001-06:00

Since I was accustomed to teaching kids 3 and up for so many years, I always assumed I would be into "real" kids and not babies. I had no idea what I thought of infants, because I had so little experience with them. And even though I don't consider myself a "baby person", I can definitely say that having your own baby is totally fascinating, even if you're not the kind of person to go bonkers over a gurgling little bébé.

So even though I really loved taking care of D when he was all tiny, it's all sorts of awesome that he is now older and taller and all robust! He is super entertaining and extra charming these days.

I took him in the Madsen on a few errands of mine.

I dropped him off to hang out with Dan and Leanne while I attended an appointment, and was lucky enough for my friends to come help me load up afterward. Dan even brought down his tire pump to give me some air when I had complained about being horrible at pumping up tires earlier.

I was even sent off with epic chocolate chip cookies. In exchange for my friends babysitting for me... do you guys see how that's 2 kinds of awesome? I am indeed a lucky ducky.

Then we were off to lunch at a café with another friend. Dexter was equipped with a little train from his Thomas collection, and was happy to eat his snacks and treats while mama got caught up with her lady friend.

And we had a most lovely ride home too. Having a mobile little gentleman around the house is the bomb. He is such a delight to take on outings and to have around. Biking by myself may be faster, but biking with Dexter makes my heart all big and happy.

Dexter's Scooter.

2011-10-19T08:14:00.000-06:00

When Dexter rides his little scooter around the house he does this measured gliding thing. It's not really coasting, but he sort of pushes and glides. It's slow, very deliberate, and super adorable!

The other day we went to the play group at a few blocks away. It's just a weekly play group that gets to use the huge basement in the church, but there is this vast collection of toys and push cars that the kids go nuts over. It's particularly handy in the winter when it's way to cold to be outside.

My dream is that one day Dexter will be able to paddle and coast fast enough to keep up with my walking. For now, he stops every metre to comment on the sky or sun or trees or a passing bus. It may be slow, but at least he is understanding the whole joie de vivre thing behind the biking!

And I don't mind waiting half a block ahead for him all the time, because he always paddles up with his face looking like this while saying "Ohhh YEAH":

Being a mama is really the best!

Weekend Update.

2011-10-16T16:35:00.006-06:00

I've been swamped! But I'll spare you the details, and give you a little update on the weekend.

We went to the open house for Belgravia Green, a three house parcel that is being built by Effect Home Builders.

Holy solar panels!

We're so lucky that these homes are just a few blocks away, so we can see the progress at each stage.

Geothermal goodies.

And then there was a birthday party for my nephew. Dexter ate his favourite fruit.

Kids made funny faces!

And there was cake. A red velvet cupcake!

And finally, the season premiere of Walking Dead Season 2.

How was your weekend?

Cover Shoot.

2011-10-12T03:05:00.000-06:00

Compliments of Raffaella, here are some outtakes from our cookbook shoot over the weekend.

We recreated pretty market bounty in my basket, since our actual shopping trips usually involve food all tied up in a bag before it gets dumped into the basket and pannier.

Sometimes it's hard to avoid looking like a total dork.

Editing continues this week, I'm really pumped for the finished product!

Sundays.

2011-10-10T14:44:00.003-06:00

After several months of constant outings and fun-having out on the town, work has settled into a nice steady click again and I find myself craving lots and lots of quiet time. Hence, some lazy Sunday brunch at the bungalow was in order!

I know some people think it's gross, but I dig runny yokes.

Afterward, we had a little photo shoot for the cookbook. Dexter insisted on accompanying us on his push bike.

Food in a bike basket! That's what we're all about over here at G&B.

Hope you had a relaxing weekend too, and if you're Canadian - Happy Thanksgiving!

Cookbook Editing.

2011-10-07T02:20:00.000-06:00

Now that summer is over and cooking and photographing is done, Leanne and I are formatting and compiling recipes for our velo-cookbook project! We're actually super pumped that we have secured a table at the Royal Bison Craft Fair (on November 26th and 27th). It will be the perfect opportunity to do Christmas shopping, and to make our little creative project available to local Edmonton peoples.

For those of you who will want a copy, they will be available for purchase online too. I'll send along those details as they become concrete.

So I biked with the laptop on the rack and picked up some Vietnamese sandwiches for lunch.

After our little edit meet, I was unlocking my bike downstairs when an old man stopped to watch me and said, "You definitely need to lock up that bike... it's got one of those nice hubs".

What a nice old man. It balances out how I decided to ride towards my garage through the back alley and have now caked mud all up in my Pashley fenders. Curses!

Rainy Chariot Excursion.

2011-10-05T02:40:00.000-06:00

The Chariot is supposed to be perfect for rainy, splashy weather. On a damp lunch hour, I decide to hook this trailer up to my Amsterdam on my little lunch excursion - very proud that I have all this stuff figured out. I mean, a little damp isn't going to stop me from riding my bike!

Then I did a careless not-so-smart thing and didn't bother putting the flap down while the bike was locked up, and I just left my own helmet sitting in the basket (inside facing up).

So I'm feeling all self-righteous about cycling, and go into Leisha's for homemade borsch and banana bread and yummy cheese and crackers and olives.

Only to emerge after lunch to discover that it started raining and I just sort of left everything open to the elements. OOPS. Can you please note Dexter's expression?

Luckily it wasn't like the Chariot was soaked through, just sort of spattered with rain. Leisha lent us a fuzzy blanket for extra insulation on the way home and I zipped down the waterproof flap thing. My own helmet was on the damp side, but didn't feel cold after I put it on. Honestly, it's sort of helped out the strange hair situation I was rocking earlier on today!

This is all to say, even when you have a couple of mishaps, the fresh air makes everything worth it.

Weekend in YVR.

2011-10-03T13:52:00.004-06:00

I wake up this morning to all these wonderful blog posts of the tweed ride over the weekend that I was loathe to miss! Everybody looked super great and I hope to make it out at some point, but alas, getting back into the swing of things with back-to-school has been a huge transition compared to the carefree days of summer.

Also, I was in Vancouver attending a wedding! So while everybody was here, riding in their wools in the rain, I was running around downtown Vancouver while Don did his best man duties. Without bikes this time, we relied on car pooling, the sea bus, the regular bus, walking, and cabs to get around. No sweat.

One of the best things about arriving in Vancouver is the transit from the airport to downtown. MAN. I love that Canada line. Though, we had a few errands to run in Richmond first, so Don and I spent a little time in what always strikes me as a new Hong Kong. The Chinese population in Richmond is just epic, to the point where strangers will automatically talk to me in Cantonese instead of English.

With speaking Chinese comes Chinese lunch. Beef brisket noodles...

Other scenes from the weekend include having spent much time with my friends' new dog, Jack.

And of course there was the wedding itself.

Alwin from Toronto was my unofficial date for the day.

And Ryan is a new Chicago friend that I've met. Now I have one more reason to visit that wonderful city again, the first reason being loving the company of Dottie and Mr. Dottie.

Hi, Heather!

Sparkly.

Pictures on the balcony.

Cake-town.

And there was a gelato cart later on once the dance was well on its way.

Vancouver is such a great city, and I'm happy to have close friends who live there, which makes it easy to find excuses to visit.

After all the wedding-related festivities, Don and I had the tastiest meal at Vij's before hopping on the sky train back out to the airport. It cost $5 for both of us to take a connecting bus from dinner to the train station (maybe a 3 minute bus ride) and then the train to the airport. Fast, convenient, and inexpensive. All the reasons I love good transit. Woot!

Wednesday Lunch Date.

2011-09-28T23:20:00.002-06:00

Best friend Crystal and I have a long-standing tradition that has gone back for years, of treating each other to birthday dinners. Though I don't do birthday meals with every friend (so busy, conflicting schedules), I do like it when things work out and I can at least treat a friend to a birthday lunch or something casual like that.

Intense wind and running late dissuaded me from riding all the way to lunch. So I pedalled up to the train and hopped on it, and enjoyed the company and the easy ride. Didn't have to deal with any traffic or parking. Just my style!

The leaves are looking mighty fine these days too. Though the trees are shedding them at an alarming rate...

Enjoy lunch!

Mid Week Steak Frites.

2011-09-26T10:30:00.002-06:00

A girl is hungry after work. When the weather is fine, a hungry girl rides across the river in search of steak frites.

At the Marc, the frites come with truffle butter.

Despite arriving without a reservation, there are always cozy spots at the bar.

When the first wave of dinner patrons clear out, girl and her friends can snag a table.

Tuck in!

And on the way home, steak frites live happily inside a girl's belly.

The end.

P.S. Girl saw at least 3 cyclists on the way home without lights. Girl wants these cyclists to know that no visibility is very dangerous and vexing to others.

Campus Picnic.

2011-09-22T02:15:00.001-06:00

On a sunny fall day, I brought a picnic lunch to share with a friend who only had an hour between classes. It was a good opportunity to have lunch outside the colourful new building that I really like!

I procured goods from the Upper Crust Café. The two plates of sandwiches survived the journey under my rack's clamp very well.

It only took a few minutes of coasting to arrive at the building where I celebrated the wearing of sandals.

And a lunch of fresh sammies in the sunshine with my bike parked next to our perch was just the thing to get my day off to a good start.

When there is no time to go out for lunch, somtimes a good cycling friend will bring the lunch right to your building. Everybody wins!

Good to Go.

2011-09-20T13:53:00.002-06:00

This morning after breakfast, I was working on the computer and turned around to see that Dexter had gone through the motions of preparing himself for a bike ride.

I noticed this because he kept chanting "Bike ride? Bike ride?" to me.

What a charming little push cyclist.

He's totally developing the leg-swing-over-saddle technique.

He paddles up and down the hall while he patiently waits to be taken to the playground.

The other night we were having a fine time paddling the bike around the block, until we went through a little patch of mud. The toddler in Dexter came out, and he refused to go any further while there was mud on his wheel.

I thought I would help by grabbing some big leaves off a tree and showing Dexter that we could simply clean the wheel off by wiping the mud with leaves. That instigated a new found desire to pick all the leaves off the tree (unreasonable demands of a 2 year old) and utter refusal to continue riding the bike any further, until tree-stripping demands were satisfied.

So after 10 minutes of attempted reasoning, I had to pick up both Dexter and the bike and haul them the remainder of the way home.

I am not a very big woman. And my arms are short.

He was all sadness and grumpiness when we got back to the house, so I tried distracting him with dancing on the utility trailer that was attached to the car. That was going splendid until it was time to go inside, which proved to be another mom-hauling ordeal (you have to hold them football style so they can punch on one end and kick on the other without breaking your stride).

Finally we were able to settle down with a very elaborately constructed train maze.

And there ends my chapter in teaching a toddler how to use a paddle bike. The wandering narrative style of this post very accurately reflects the quickly changing moods and desires of a two year old!

Community League Day!

2011-09-17T22:17:00.006-06:00

A few weeks ago I wrote about our annual block party. Tonight we went to our annual community league party! Belgravia does a rink party with BBQ, kids events, and a live band.

When I arrived, I saw that many of the kids had brought alternatives to motor vehicle transportation.

On our way we ran into our city councillor, Ben Henderson.

First order of business was renewing our community league membership (which gives you access to the BBQ).

A membership also gives you discounts for rec centres and helps fund soccer and skating programs, amongst other things.

Then it was time to hit up the BBQ, manned by grill-master Parker & Co.

Families were all chowing down inside our skating rink.

The live band, Mr. Suede, is made up of neighbourhood doctors and phD (so I have been informed).

There was fun for kids.

Fun for neighbourhood moms.

And balloons to take home.

Since it was community league day across Edmonton, each community league had their own set of events. In my old neighbourhood of Malmo there is an annual spaghetti dinner, and I heard in Duggan there was the most excellent "taste of Duggan" where various ethnic groups put on a pot luck of sorts. Apparently it smelled amazing. Last year I think Blue Quill just had a bunch of ladies scrap booking.

No matter how a community chooses to celebrate, the best part of all is getting out there and meeting your neighbours and having fun!

Metro Cinema!

2011-09-17T17:20:00.003-06:00

Last night we rode over to the Garneau theatre to help Metro Cinema celebrate their new home!

There were lots of friends and happy people.

You could chill in one of the seats and check out the party stuffs on screen.

Pose for the girl with a camera.

Or chill out with a beer.

Listen to greets and special words of thanks.

Applaud all the hard working people who made it all possible.

Then refresh with some snacks.

Sneak upstairs.

Hello, projector!

Such a happy evening, the dudes can't stop smiling.

I met a bunch of excellent filmy people, and am surprised to discover another niche of movie-viewing creatives in my city. Awesome!

Train Ride?

2011-09-16T14:59:00.002-06:00

I got a text cancelling my breakfast just as I was rolling down the street with Dexter in the Madsen this morning. Boo!

Just when I was trying to decide what to do with the two of us, Dexter started shouting "TRAIN RIDE!" as we were nearing the LRT station. So I rolled over to a pole, locked it up, and little D and I hopped on a Northbound train.

I decided we should go to city hall to visit friends!

What started as cancelled plans spontaneously turned into a fun-filled LRT excursion with a bike ride on either end. What a perfect and unexpected Friday morning!

Enjoy the rest of your Friday! It seems as though everyone in Edmonton is looking forward to What the Truck tonight, but I'll have to be giving that a miss since I've got a triple dinner date to attend before partying at metro cinema.

Speaking of which, if you're free tomorrow morning (which I am not), I would highly recommend going to the breakfast cereal buffet and watching Saturday morning cartoons at Metro!

Happy weekend. Talk Soon. Go ride some bikes and trains:)

Back to School.

2011-09-13T15:08:00.002-06:00

Goodbye to the days of posting almost daily! Now that I'm back in session the days have been filled with music and students. Although I'm not on the bike every day, the bungalow is a hub of fun times and mini reunions. Several of the kids are now teenagers and taller than me...

The weather is definitely fall-like as well. Gloves are now required (mine are red leather ones my mommy got for me in Italy) and layers too. Even with the sun out, there is a bit of a chill.

Amidst all this back to school to-do, I found time for a little brunch date!

Eggs benny always fuel me properly for a day of training the finer motor skills and coordination of others.

Other than that, it's errands all the time. Supplies. Bank. Groceries. Brunch.

All by bike!

Northern Lights.

2011-09-10T16:32:00.006-06:00

On an uncommonly hot Friday in September, Don and I rode on the bike lanes to run my various errands on Whyte ave.

I know there has been some grumbling on both sides (motorists and cyclists) about the newly painted bike lanes, but I am generally very pleased with the whole situation. Motorists don't like how they have less space to do their thing, but what it really accomplishes is to provide a visual marker for where the cyclist should be riding. There is still plenty of room for cars. You might not feel as comfortable speeding past a cyclist anymore, but I think that's a good thing in general. Both for the safety of those involved, and for the residents with houses facing these streets. Nobody likes people driving freeway-style through a residential neighbourhood.

Some cyclists wish the lanes were buffered and separated like the ones in Vancouver that have all the planters, etc. I agree that it would be fabulous! Though, with limited time and resources, I think the combination of lanes and sharrows are okay. The cyclist still has to merge out at points and ride in with the traffic but at least it's all marked. Honestly, it's the same thing I would be doing even without the lanes. At least motorists are now looking a little more carefully.

I find riding on the lanes a very fine time!

We locked up and got a bubble tea.

On our wanderings I saw this sweet sweet Electra Ticino. Hello!

Bought some birthday gifts, picked up books for my students, and then it was time to take my t-shirt and shorts to sushi dinner at Wasabi.

Our ride was completely on bike path and residential roads. Heavenly.

We could tell that our double-date team had already arrived since their bikes were locked up.

Tea and Sapporo.

This mom & pops joint features some seriously adorable pops behind the sushi counter.

After so much food, we rode to Leisha's backyard for a little fire action.

In the middle of conversation I looked up and said, "Hey, Northern Lights!"

Cool.

They were still out when Don and I rode home later that evening. What a spectacle and treat!

I would have zero qualms about more hot days and nights filled with northern lights, but the sensible side of me says to prepare for winter!

Bikes and the Market.

2011-09-09T01:20:00.000-06:00

This weekend I would encourage everybody who is not working to get to a market on my behalf! I'll be busy doing my piano teaching thing at home in my studio - but you guys... you all have the freedom to buy fresh groceries and run into friends and meet local producers and craftspeople.

Lucky you!

You could have lunch outside.

Grab a chocolate ice cream from Kirsten's Chocolates.

Buy little tomatoes and admire somebody's kid at the same time.

Load up on fresh corn.

Take in the colours.

Have a dog on the curb.

Admire real dogs too!

You can even be super hard core and ride to the other side of the river to visit a 2nd market.

Where you buy ingredients for market salad.

Overdose on basil.

And get friendly waves from the fruit dudes.

All these things you could do.

So get out there and start pedaling!

A Very Bikey Summer.

2011-09-07T13:15:00.003-06:00

a summer bike ride from fella on Vimeo.

Here is the final result for one of my creative summer projects!

I've had the old Two-Wheeled Adventures video for a few years now, and have always planned on making another bike video since then. Finally, with the help of Raffaella and featuring the music of Bryce Kulak, we have the next Miss Sarah + Pashley collaboration.

Thanks so much to my friends who have lent their time and talent to this little project, I hope you like it!

Mommy Lunch.

2011-09-06T15:24:00.000-06:00

Last week, a couple of mamas rode their cream bikes and trailers to Da Capo.

These ladies had not seen each other all summer long and it was too long since Miss Sarah had been out with somebody else who carried diapers and toys at all times.

Dexter kept stealing Emmett's finger puppets. I like how the shadow from this snail puppet creates a faux moustache on D's face.

I ate pizza, Dexter eats the crust. We are a match made in heaven.

He is wholly devoted to gelato, as usual.

Afterwards we went and loaded up the babies (sorry for taking up all the bike parking).

And Dexter prepared himself for a ride home.

We rode most of the way together, which resulted in baby Emmett passing out and an extra 15 minutes of visiting time. Sleeping babies, cardio, and visiting. Only on the bike!

End of Summer.

2011-09-05T23:05:00.004-06:00

We spent the last day of summer out at the lake, on a sailboat.

Even so, there were still bicycles waiting to be ridden.

Dexter discovered binoculars with grandma.

After some BBQ, we went for a float.

I enjoy laying up front and reading.

I like the view best from up there.

Dexter quite enjoyed himself too.

I'm sad to see summer come to an end, but I'm also really excited to see my students and their parents again. My studio is clean and ready, and I've replenished my supply of stickers.

This has been one of the funnest summers in recent memory. There was no big trip. Only one little camping excursion and one sailing excursion due to our weekends being eaten up with landscaping.

It didn't matter that we didn't jet set or spend weeks on end at a lake somewhere. I was on my bike almost every day! I find myself feeling really happy, lucky, and healthy after this summer. I really enjoyed myself in this mid-sized North American city, with lots of local flavour and quality time with family and friends. It's not always about where you are. It's about finding things in your every day that bring you joy and substance. To me, that meant a lot of time catching up with friends, enjoying the festivals, eating local food, riding around town with Dexter, and really taking advantage of the lack of snow.

Bye bye, summer. Until next year!

ESO's Hollywood Favourites!

2011-09-04T11:15:00.007-06:00

My second night down at Symphony Under the Sky featured music from movies. Every tune was familiar and a favourite, and the place was packed.

I went on a stroll to take a peek at the alleged bike rack backstage, where many of the orchestra's musicians lock up before the performances begin.

On my way there, I spotted many parked Chariots.

There was one Specialized just leaning on the trailer.

And here we are, the bikes of the Edmonton Symphony!

And this one in particular is a favourite. A recumbent dream that is referred to "the pickle".

There is nothing so nice as a pair of well-worn gloves.

Everybody seems to be on board with having appropriate cargo in the form of rear racks!

Then I was introduced to a new friend backstage.

She was a looker.

Your eyes doth not deceive you. That is a play horse-bike.

Its owner even donned the appropriate hat for modeling.

When we were done playing with all the toys I asked the man what his name was, so that I could make sure to get it correct for the blog. He introduced himself as Al Simmons.

No wonder he looked so familiar. Major league celebrity fail, Miss Sarah! Bad!

I said, "Hi, Mr. Simmons".

Then it was time for me to get back to my table, to hide my non-recognition shame.

But first, snapped a few photos of the double bass.

Admired the sun on the crowd.

Lusted after the picnic remnants of others.

Snapped the percussion section.

The lawn was packed.

I took up a perch at a picnic table that was strewn with tasty remnants of picnic earlier that evening.

During one of the intermissions, conductor Lukas Waldin decided to take up a post at the till of the Fat Franks hot dog stand.

He made a compelling case for street meat and root beer.

And was an extremely good sport about it all.

I got my Jerry Goldsmith fix.

And thus ended my evening of Hollywood hits played live. Another year, another festival, another bike ride. Though my last summery weekend is coming to a close, I am really lucky that it's so full of bikes, great music, and lots of friends!

Mozart, Handel & Brahms.

2011-09-03T15:07:00.006-06:00

I have a long-standing relationship with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's annual outdoor festival, Symphony Under the Sky. It was one of the few live orchestral events I could afford when I was in high school, and I was lucky enough to write about it for Arts & Entertainment for years at the Gateway, and later at Vue Magazine.

Now I can blog about biking down to Hawrelak Park to enjoy the symphony on what always ends up as my last weekend before I have to begin teaching again! The weather is always transitional with hot and sunny afternoons, spectacular prairie sunsets, and cool evenings. I often enjoy the pathetic fallacy of a rain storm while the orchestra plays.

I was very pleased to see that the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters have set up their on-site bike parking again. They take donations, and surely deserve one after I discovered my broken front light, which they promptly replaced with a bright blinky turtle.

And I spotted this Gazelle! Apparently the lady riding it is a mommy too, which is beyond awesome. Gazelle is on my list of bike lusts.

Inside the pavilion everybody was cozy and relaxed.

We found a nice picnic bench to hang out at.

Lisa and Bryce, enjoying the music to whatever degree was possible with the loud chatterboxes behind us. I'm not sure why people don't attempt whispering. There were babies and young children in attendance that had better manners than the folks at the next table! I don't want to be a jerk about it, but when the show starts... shut thy mouth. Or at the very least, use your inside voice. Please.

There were many smiles to be found, away from the conversational hum.

Tom's photo from last year is on the cover of the program!

Love the natural illumination of the crowd.

Good to get caught up on my music history. It's been a long time.

Then the sun started setting.

Bye, bye.

And we listened to the Brahms for the second half, with mini doughnuts and light rain diversion tactics.

Outdoor symphony is so casual. Lots of sweaters, picnic stuffs, blankets, and the ever endearing clapping between movements.

After the sprinkles, my fenders and waterproof pannier took me home. I am so happy to live near Hawrelak park, it's such a beautiful ride both going down and coming back up. I must be well-conditioned after a summer of riding because the hill didn't even make a dent in my cardio. Woot!

I'll be down at the park again tonight for Hollywood Favourites, featuring excellent movie music. I love me some Danny Elfman and Jerry Goldsmith!

See you there.

Annual Block Party!

2011-09-02T08:57:00.001-06:00

Last weekend it was that time again... block party! All you need to do is cross the street and set up your chair with your neighbours.

Instant party!

We all bring a side or a dessert to share.

And you bring your own BBQ to fire up on a few of the communal grills that get rolled out from peoples' houses.

Don and I don't actually live on this block. We call ourselves gatekeepers since we're just at the entrance to the street. That also means our house is just a little farther away, so I dumped all our stuff (dinner, plates, 2 folding chairs, jackets, and Dougal) in the bucket so we could carry more back and forth.

I was not the only photo-girl.

Dougal tries to spy who has left any steak remnants within his reach.

Don takes a moment to relax after a day of landscaping.

The kids create their own amusement (Dexter was at grandma & grandpa's).

I particularly liked this water-hose defence technique.

Got my buns on the grill.

After dinner we went to fetch our mobile fire dish-thing, and another neighbour brought wood. I grabbed the marshmallows.

Then there was light!

And lots of roasting.

If it weren't for the block party we attended right after moving to Belgravia, I wouldn't know who half my neighbours and their kids are. I love sitting down in the middle of a closed-off street with feral children running about and a warm fire keeping things toasty.

Community is everything!

Block parties are the bomb.

U of A Campus - Old and New.

2011-08-31T06:43:00.001-06:00

Richard and I had our last day together on Monday. We biked over to the Sugarbowl for lunch, then coasted over to the University of Alberta campus to randomly wander around.

Since I've graduated, the campus has been a veritable construction zone, with lots of new buildings going up and old ones coming down. None of these fancy new buildings have anything to do with my studies of English literature or Music, but it's still nice to see what all these lucky engineering and science students get to enjoy.

The Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science (CCIS) is awesome! Tons of light, great walkways and stairs everywhere (makes it feel like an organized and modern Hogwarts), huge lecture theaters, and impressive (and comfortable) furniture.

Richard tried out one of the space chairs.

Then we went in search of the biggest lecture hall.

Richard said the offices for professors here must be a lot more luxurious than the one he has as a PhD student at Rutgers.

Even the ceilings are cool.

Then it was time for me to head to the hospital (on the University campus) to get my thumb checked out. This is the pretty new building on the corner of 114 Street and 87 Avenue.

I am required to wear my splint for another 2 weeks and then it's time to re-strengthen sans splint.

Afterward, I wandered back to campus to pick up Richard, who was getting way ahead of me in his reading of book 4 in The Song of Ice and Fire.

We went to see some new engineering buildings.

Edmonton is a city of pedways. All these new buildings have them.

Student lounging areas.

Again, with high ceilings and natural light.

I'm used to older buildings on campus, like this Administration one that is getting torn down soon.

And these old brick ones facing the quad.

I spent much of my campus time walking through HUB, between the Humanities building and the Fine Arts Building (FAB).

I asked Richard if he wanted to visit the scariest library stacks, ever.

Rutherford South. It's like a haunted submarine.

But upstairs things are beautiful in the reading room.

I used to study here.

Now check out the time capsule that is the Humanities building. Oh yeah. I've sat for hours in chairs of pea green and harvest gold, many a time.

I think it's fun and interesting to see the buildings we spend all our time in. The different design and function of each building makes me think about the people who learn and work there. It also gives me pause to be jealous of how much money gets put into these fantastic non-liberal-arts establishments.

Also, I wish I lived in Belgravia during my undergrad! I drove a car to school, which cost my parents a small fortune in gas and parking. I hated how if I was on campus all day and studying in a building far away from my parkade, I would have to walk 15-20 minutes back to the car and move it. Other days I would be late because I would circle around the parkade so many times without being able to find a spot. And once I parked I would have to hike over to my classroom, anyway. Lame.

By the time I was taking graduate courses, I was cycling from my old neighbourhood of Malmo and later, my current 'hood. Coasting and locking up right at your building is so convenient. And when you have to be on the other side of campus you just throw all your stuff on your bike and pedal over.

There's something about a University campus and bikes that just feels like a good combo.

Annual Photo Shoot.

2011-08-30T05:25:00.002-06:00

For the 3rd summer running, Raffaella has gone out with me to take Dexter photos.

When he was 3 months old he looked something like this.

Here are a few shots from last summer.

Sometimes the crying pictures are the best.

This year we decided to have some wading and lunch at the Legislature.

I rode with the Chariot on the Amsterdam. Surprisingly, it didn't feel that much lighter than the Madsen!

Here is my new hitch adapter in action.

My little man!

Dexter is all toddler-y and likes adventures.

Raffaella took a break from her camera to play with little D.

Good day for water splashing.

Around noon I unhitched the Chariot and went for sammies and iced coffees at elm.

I am proud to say I did not spill one drop. Expert coffee-basket placement combined with precise evasion of potholes were the keys to my success!

I know baby photos can be done up all nice in a studio, but I prefer to have pictures of Dexter out and about, doing fun stuff. That way when we look at these photos of our family, we can enjoy images of us looking real and happy and active. That's how I would prefer to remember my little family.

Boys Night.

2011-08-29T04:04:00.001-06:00

You guys often see me + friends on the blog, but what you don't usually see are some of my best and oldest friends. They have all moved away to places like Vancouver, Toronto, and well... Richard was in Montreal, Boston, and now New York (Brooklyn). The one big virtue of staying in Edmonton is that eventually everybody comes home to visit!

Two of my best men-friends are currently in town. Bryce and Richard! Visiting separately, but collectively adding to my summer happiness.

Last week, we all rode over to Da Capo for some pizza and drinks.

Group riding with little D in the Madsen bucket is fun. We all take turns riding up and getting high fives! At one point Dexter was trying to lean out of the bucket to touch the spokes on the rear wheel while the bike was in motion. The wheel was too far away for him to reach it, but I didn't want him getting used to leaning out of the bucket (I prefer all limbs inside) so I sternly warned him to stop it.

Wow. Dexter knows how to hold a grudge. When we first arrived he wasn't on speaking terms with anybody except his dad. Look at this grudge-y face.

Mom: Dexter, want to take off your coat?

Little D: NO.

Mom: I love you, Dexter.

Little D: { silence }

Mom: Shall we go change your poo diaper? It must be uncomfortable to have poo in your pants.

Little D: No.

And that's how it went for a while, until little D eventually warmed up and started eating our pizza and gelato. Then he was back to high fives and being charming.

Cheers to that!

My thumb splint sort of looks like a bike glove that I refuse to take off.

Much later, after riding home on the scenic route, uncle Richard did some story time with the little man.

I am lucky to have lots of great friends in my life, and I really miss my faraway friends. Even though they're not here every day, when I see them again there is a familiarity and comfort about being around them.

I still remember things that happened over a decade ago, like how Richard made a comment about the Sailor Moon (Super) t-shirt I was wearing in English class when we were 15. Shortly thereafter I found out his phone number, called him up, and declared that we should be friends. We would take the bus after school or on weekends and wander around University campus or downtown. He used to keep me company before my evening piano lessons, which I also bussed to after school. We would talk on the phone for hours, until I would have to say that I had to go to the bathroom or get a snack, and we would break for a few minutes.

When I had a particularly bad breakup and would go running off to Montreal to get away from it all, Richard would take me to eat smoked meat and sesame bagels. Sometimes we just lay around and read books and comics. Last year we prowled the meat packing district in Manhattan and ate thin crust pizza and went bar-hopping in the east village.

And I have a little D now. So we read Dexter books, have dance parties, give him baths, and go on bike rides.

It's not just about good times, since Richard and I are also known to fight. We can both be very stubborn. We hold each other accountable for bad behaviour, and nobody likes to be told they're doing something wrong. A true friend will be honest, and trust that the recipient of the criticism knows it comes from a place of love.

Richard is one of my true friends. Sometimes I get sad and disappointed when a friendship doesn't live up to my expectations or when things just fizzle out (it just happens, people grow apart). Then at times like this, most unexpectedly (like when I'm rambling in a blog post), I remember how lucky I am to have true friends who understand me.

And it makes me feel really good about being here.