THE GOODS BLOG: Erika's Precious Little Life - July Edition

PHEW!!! Everything has been such a whirlwind in the last little while! I don't even remember what "home" is anymore, because I haven't been there in such a long time. I'm in Edmonton now, and it honestly just feels like I already am home. The beginning of June feels like ages ago, probably because SO MUCH STUFF has happened between then and now.

While we were still in Montreal we went to the June edition of First Fridays (39 food trucks) and I bumped into the mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, and famous celebrity chef Martin Picard (he's the one behind that insane cabane à sucre that I went to in the spring). I have no idea what they were doing there together (they seemed to be filming something), but they both sure loved me!

Then Tim and I took a weekend away to Quebec City. It was fun to finally get to explore more of our province, since we haven't had much of an opportunity to do that very much. It's a neat place with a lot of awesome history, but I would definitely say that Montreal is far more vibrant and exiting (and I'm not just saying that because I live there). It was very cool to wander around in Old Quebec and we also went and saw the nearby Montmorency Falls, which are actually taller than Niagara Falls!

The weekend after that we went to Ottawa to surprise Enobong with a Bridal Shower! I knew about this last month, but didn't mention it in the blog for obvious reasons. The best part was that she was truly surprised and had no idea about it!!!

I was also sure to record my latest The Girl Can't Cook video before leaving town!

Then we were off to Vancouver on the 16th! We took a few days in Van to visit all of our friends there, which was so great. I loved getting to spend time with Erin, Kristen and Krystie!! Vancouver is such a wonderful place, and I'm pretty sure that we would live there in a heartbeat if the right opportunity arose.

After that, we ferried (three times) over to Hornby Island, which is a small island off of Vancouver Island. This is where I got to meet up with more amazing friends, Sarah and Laura!

I've also been doing plenty of this wherever I go...

Hornby Island is where we were attending Laura and Matt's wedding - the whole beginning reason for our entire vacation. Their wedding was SO incredibly beautiful, in such a perfect setting. And Laura was the MOST gorgeous bride!!! I'm so beyond thrilled to have gotten to be there to share it with them!

After that we were off to Qualicum Beach, an adorable beach town that we like a lot. Sarah and Shane joined us for the first night there, even though they were supposed to go back to Vancouver. This beach (and its sunsets) cannot be resisted! We spent lazy days bumming around town and on the beach, which was extremely relaxing.

Then we left the beach and went into the woods (still in Qualicum Beach) to stay in a suspended tree sphere, which I had been excited to do for many years. It was magical and unlike anything I'd ever seen or done before. I finally felt like a real fairy! Everyone should try it!

Then we began to leave the east coast of Vancouver Island and headed for the west coast! Of course we stopped at the Old Country Market (GOATS ON THE ROOF!) and Cathedral Grove (some of the tallest trees in Canada) along the way...

Then we arrived in Tofino, one of our favourite places ever. We camped right on the beach and basically laid around on the beach every single day. It's such an amazing little town with just the most incredible vibe. I wish that I could be there always. Plus it was super special to get to be back on the beach where we got engaged again. Unfortunately we didn't surf this time, but we certainly maximized beach time nonetheless!

After that we returned to Vancouver and then got on a bus to take us to Edmonton. We fully expected the bus to be terrible, but it honestly wasn't all that bad. It seemed to go by pretty quickly and I managed to sleep for most of it. At 7am our bus stopped for 10 minutes in Jasper, and at that point it just so happened to be our 2nd wedding anniversary. It was nice to get to be there on that day, no matter how brief.

Later that day in Edmonton, we went out for a proper anniversary dinner to Pampa, a Brazilian steakhouse that we very much enjoy!! You've gotta eat all of the meat when in Alberta!

All of the photos from the whole entire thing are HERE! There are lots.

So now we're here in Edmonton for a week! And it's July now! I can barely comprehend that we still have to leave to go back to Montreal eventually, and that we still have a "real life" there waiting for us. I think that I could be a gypsy forever.

Being in Edmonton is wonderful though, and so is spending as much time as possible with Nicole, Rachelle and Amy!! And I'm very much looking forward to seeing Susan and Jaelyn as well!

When we go home on the 8th I'll have to pick up my life pieces again. Ha ha!

Sarah and Darren are coming to visit us in Montreal from Toronto, and so is Erin from Vancouver!

Then we're heading off to Muskoka for a nice summery lake time at the Golem cottage.

Those are pretty much all of our plans for the rest of July!

THIS MONTH'S SHOUT-OUTS!:

July 5th is Candice Weingartner's 33rd birthday!

Candice, are you planning to have a baby on your own birthday?? Ha ha! I am waiting every day to hear exciting news from you!!! I hope that your day is extra special, and quite possibly extra-extra special!! You've been such a strong and determined friend of mine for so many years and I've always admired the way that you have (seemingly) effortlessly grabbed life and gotten exactly what you've wanted out of it. Love you a ton and I hope that Ryan spoils you more than ever because I'm thinking that you deserve it right about now!!!

July 8th is Crystal Maffenbeier's 33rd birthday!

We're so close yet so far away right now! I hope that your mountain vacation is going wonderfully! You have raised such bright and smart kids, and I'm sure that they are LOVING it out there right now! You have always been such a sweet and fun friend and I hope that Jared spoils you a bunch on your special day! I'm looking forward to getting to see you pretty soon and I love you a whole lot!!

July 15th is Robin Sanders' 33rd birthday!

You, my friend, deserve several birthday drinks after the year that you have had. I don't know how you've done it, but I certainly know that I give you every credit in the world for being so strong and brave. I hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is so blindingly bright!! I can't wait to see you in a short while! I love you and I love your courage. Celebrate YOU!!

July 26th is Nadine Ottenbreit's 1st wedding anniversary!

Hooray! One year down for you and Kyle!! We were so honoured to be with you in Regina to celebrate this day. I wish you guys many, many more happy years!