You and me going fishing in the dark

Lazy yellow moon comin' up tonite,

Shinin' thru the trees,

Crickets are singin' and lightning bugs

Are floatin on the breeze Baby get ready.....

Outfit details

Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12

Black and white gingham hair scarf Black sash waist blouse: Zellers Koi fish brooches: eBay Orange bangle bracelet: Forever 21 Wood bangle: yard sale (I think) Black bangle: Claire's White skinny belt: eBay Denim capri pants: Nine West Black bow adorned flats: Payless Lip colour: Red Apple Lipstick's Red
Photography by Antonio Cangiano  
                 

There are few people I've ever met in my whole life who work as hard as my husband does. Lest you think I'm biased, on top of his demanding full time job with a multi-national tech company, he runs several successful websites and blogs, and has authored two (terrific) tech books in the past four years (plus he’s also involved with a myriad of other online projects).

For years I've sweetly been telling him that I wished he'd take up a hobby (he had outside interests of course, just not always the time and means to pursue them) and give himself the occasional break from all that diligent work.

Thankfully (because we all know that being a workaholic can eventually wear even the most resilient soul down) this year - in no small part to the fact that we now live in B.C. and have a car, Tony was able to get back into a hobby that was near and dear to his heart when he was a youngster growing up in Italy. As you may have guessed from the title of this post and the grainy night time iPhone photos above, the would be fishing.

In the evenings and on the weekends, whenever possible, Tony has spent much of this (mostly) toasty Okanagan summer fishing up a storm. By and large he's a catch and release kind of guy who enjoys fishing for just about anything and everything that swims in the abundance of lakes around these parts (he especially likes going after carp though, which are not as popular in Canada as some other fish like bass, salmon, and trout, but which he used to fish in Italy and really likes going after).

I don't fish myself (due to my health, I don't usually have the upper body strength or stamina required), but every now and then, I'll have a day when I'm well enough to go out and accompany Tony on one of his trips as his trusty companion while he fishes to his heart’s content.

Such was the case on the gorgeous evening earlier this summer (about a month ago) when we bopped around some of the surrounding areas, stopping first at Yellow Lake outside of town (no bites - but we did see an adorable little turtle and dozens of pretty dragonflies), and then proceeding on to a little lake in the nearby town of Oliver called Tuc-el-Nuit.

There on the tree line shores Tony cast his rod as the sun set and a warm breeze enveloped us. In the spirit of the day, I wore my three koi fish brooches (I madly adore koi!) in the hopes that they'd bring us success. No dice, but it didn't matter, we were just happy to spend a few hours together in the great outdoors amongst some of the loveliest scenery one could ever hope to encounter.

On most of his other fishing excursions he’s fared far better, so perhaps there's good luck in just owning these cute brooches. I'm so, so pleased that Tony now has this fun activity in his life again as a way to help him unwind and relax from both work and the daily grind, no matter if he goes out at 6am or 7pm (the latter of which, as it's usually cooler at night, I much prefer when I'm tagging along).

You and me going fishing in the dark, Lying on our backs and counting the stars Where the cool grass grows. Down by the river in the full moon light, We'll be fallin' in love in the middle of the night Just movin' slow... Stayin' the whole night thru, feels so good to be with you...
(Lyrics from Fishing In The Dark by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)

Welcoming harvest season with Cornpatch Meat Balls

There's a radiant, immensely beautiful quality to the light that accompanies these last precious days of August. It glistens like freshly polished gold and envelopes one mind, body and soul, comforting like a warm bath and instilling serenity like the stillest of ponds. When the light takes on this hearty, elegant quality, I am often reminded of childhood days spent at my maternal grandparents' house when I was a little girl, as their backyard corn harvest neared picking time.

Amongst the tomatoes, cucumbers, and grape trees, to the right of my grandma's trusty wash line stood a patch of corn, swaying like starry-eyed teenagers at a school dance, in the breeze that seemed to travel across the towns from the Pacific ocean and land in their humble little Haney yard.

Every year, without fail, when the corn was ready to be picked and enjoyed, we head over to grandma and grandpa's for an afternoon of harvesting and an evening of roasting, a tall bonfire cracking away, and that sublime August heat accompanying every sweet, crunchy, butter drenched bite of corn on the cob.

My grandfather passed away when I was just six years old, effectively putting an end to this lovely annual tradition, which I'm grateful that I got to experience (and can clearly remember) a few times in my life. No doubt influenced by those formative years, whenever August draws to a close, I find myself craving corn more so than at any other time of the year.

Thankfully, even if it doesn't come from my grandparents' backyard any more, there is still a lot of terrific fresh corn to be had in British Columbia, and one rarely has to go further than the nearest produce stand or grocery store to find some top-notch cobs. If you're area isn't famed for its corn, or if you're looking for a corn recipe that can be whipped on a moment's notice any time of the year, then you're in luck!

With a name that can't help but call to mind the changing of the seasons, Cornpatch Meat Balls are quick, filling, and a cinch to make. These tasty little morsels can be made with any ground meat (or a mixture of different meats) that you like (pork and beef are always wonderful together, but turkey or chicken would also be delicious) and have the added fun of being stuffed with tiny cubes of cheese, before being cooked and nestled down into a bed (so hence the "patch" part of this recipe's name) of canned corn.


 
{Perfect for a small family dinner or large crowd alike, this vintage recipe for Cornpatch Meat Balls can be made any time of the year, so long as you've got some canned on hand. Image via Curly-Wurly on Flickr. Click here for a larger version.}



I think this recipe sounds great as it is, but of course you could play around with the seasonings (curry powder instead of the chili would be a yummy idea), vegetables, or other ingredients however you like. If American cheese isn't your favourite, why not slip in tiny pieces of sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, melty provolone, or tangy Roquefort?

This great 1940s dish is pretty much a meal unto itself, though if you're looking to pad out diner further, a salad of fresh greens and mixed herbs in a light, zingy vinaigrette, or alternatively, slices of ripe watermelon or cantaloupe would be a terrific accompaniment.

Corn is a classic, much loved food and one that is as tied to the end of summer as that sublimely lovely golden sunlight, which just happens to share a hue with this excellent vegetable and always reminds me of those last few days of the season before school starts and the ebb and flow of autumn life returns once more.  All the more reason, I do believe, to enjoy as much of it right now as possible.

Savouring summer at the Sicamous

Outfit details
Red hair flower with feathers: Arden
Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12 Silver toned hoop earrings: Claire’s
Czech glass bead and plastic anchor charm necklace: Handmade by me (ages ago)
White cardigan: Suzy Shier
Red ruched neck tee: Forever 21
Vintage denim circle skirt: etsy seller Here Lies Boots Vintage
Red vintage purse: etsy seller I Love Vintage Stuff
Dark blue bangle bracelets: Local annual curling club flea market
Thicker red bangle: Forever 21
Thin red and white bangles: etsy seller Me She Designs
Aqua bangle: Claire's
Red and white stripped wedge sandals: Payless (years upon years ago)
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red
Photography by Antonio Cangiano   ♥ ♥ ♥

Penticton is a town sandwiched neatly between two lakes. On the south end one finds the smaller of the pair, Skaha, and on the north side the mighty Okanagan, stretching onward for an impressive 135km. While each certainly have their merits, of the two, Okanagan Lake has always been my favourite, and it is certainly where I spent far more childhood days with my toes in the sand and surf alike.

On the far west end of Okanagan Lake, docked and out of water travel commission for several decades now, you encounter a slice of the beloved past in the form of a paddlewheel boat by the name of the SS Sicamous. Once one of the largest ships to ply the waters between Penticton and all other towns and communities along the lake's hefty border, the Sicamous was a vital part of life in the Okanagan during the early days of the twentieth century.

As time wore on however, railway lines, modern roads, and later the construction of local airports all conspired to help put paddlewheel boats (be they for the transportation of passengers, mail, or goods) out of service in this part of British Columbia. While the Sicamous' fate was questionable for a while after she was put on grounded, thankfully a group of local citizens saw to it that she was permanently docked on shore to be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike as a museum and event hall.

Instead of floating passengers up and down the mighty Okanagan, for many years now the Sicamous has served as a local landmark and can be visited throughout much of the year for a small fee (or rented for events). As with most pieces with age to their name (especially those made largely from wood), the SS Sicamous needs an ongoing dose of repairs and maintenance to ensure she remains safe and presentable for all those who come to spend time on her sturdy decks.

For as long as Penticton has been in my life (so pretty much from the get-go), I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the Sicamous, and often daydreamed as a child playing mere feet away in the warm waters of Okanagan Lake, what it must have been like to travel on her during her heyday.

It was with no small amount of elation then that I learned earlier in the year that my parent's renovation company, Ricklyn Renos would be doing work this summer on the Sicamous. The reno repairs/improvements they've been making are terrific, and will go a long way in helping to ensure that the Sicamous continues to sit majestically on the shores of Okanagan Lake for many years to come.

While I'd certainly stepped foot on the Sicamous before throughout my life for various events and simply to visit, before this year I'd never had a family connection to one of the area's most impressive and important pieces of history.

With that thought in mind, one gloriously sunny summer day not too long ago, as the afternoon hours slowly burned into early evening, Tony and I hopped in the car and shot some photos near the once powerful paddlewheel of the Sicamous, as well as the surrounding area, including the charming little vintage tugboats that are located beside the great ship they once helped traverse the waters of Okanagan Lake.

These images bring a smile to my face and heart alike, for they capture not only the spirit of summer's golden beauty, but also some of the grandeur and elegance of of the SS Sicamous and a time when water travel was vital to the area's economy, growth, and daily life. Which I'm now honoured to say,  my own parents have had a small role in helping to preserve for generations of locals and visitors alike to discover, enjoy and daydream about - just as I long have - too.

Saturday Snapshots: August 25, 2012

{There's happiness on their faces for sure, but given the date ('43) and his military uniform, one can't help but wonder what other emotions lurked under their smiling veneers.}






{Given the seats these sweet little girls - and their darling doll - are in, I'd venture to guess this image was snapped at a movie theater, but other spots such as a community centre or school auditorium are certainly possibilities too.}


The only information provided for this photo is, "Dorothy in Florida", which gives us a person and place - good starting points for sure - but beyond that, not being an expert on Florida's tourist attractions in the 50s, I'm not sure sure where this fun shot was captured. Any ideas?}




{The hardworking ladies and gents of the Long Beach Terminal, Fairbanks Yard, during the 1950s.}





{A young couple poses for a snap in their front yard, with mom-to-be on the right sporting a seriously cute polka dot scarf tied in a bow around her neck.}





{If toy dolls, like the one the girls in the photo earlier in this post, are symbolic of mid-century childhood for gals, then sci-fi inspired playthings like the ray gun this youngster is shooting speak volumes of the toys that little boys of the era played with day in and day out.}






{Sporting a lovely floral print short sleeved 1940s dress that I would wear in a heartbeat, a woman stands confidently and somewhat seriously for a portrait that may have been captured in a professional studio or at home with a cloth pinned up as a backdrop. Time however has lost such details, just as this lady remains nameless to us, though her beauty and powerful eyes live on and keep us wondering about who she was and what was on her mind that day.}





{Then as now, a wedding reception just wouldn't be a wedding reception if at least one silly dance didn't transpire! :)}




{Hugs, saddle shoes, cloth pegs, and a star sticker that someone applied on top of this photo at some point, jump out at you as you gaze at these 1940s sweethearts.}






{Four 1950s ladies try their hand at burro riding while on vacation (I'd venture to guess to Mexico). Save perhaps for the woman second from the left, none of the people or the animals seem to be having to fun of a time though. Nevertheless, it did make for a great holiday photo that we're still enjoying decades later.}

{All images above are from Flickr. To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be 

taken to its respective Flickr page.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Part dreamer, part realist, and often headstrong, I've long been a fan of starting new adventures, prospects, and opportunities, be they of the smallest scale or grander than one can even begin fathom at the time of starting out. There are countless things in the world just waiting for us to try them out, on, or for a spin for the very first time.

In striving for the new and unknown, or finally embarking on something familiar you've thought about for a good long while, you expand your horizon, your bank of memories, and ultimately change your life to some degree. Not everything that one attempts will be a ravishing success, nor will you necessarily end up loving or caring about it in the long run. That rarely matters, what counts is reaching, trying, attempting and hoping as you venture through your days.

Sometimes we overthink new beginnings - or the notion of even trying something unknown out for the first time. We may feel like the timing or other circumstances is wrong, and though such can certainly be the case at times, more often then not the hardest part lies not in the details of what is to come, but in having the courage, conviction, and optimism to simply start.

A little earlier this summer I made the decision to finally embark on a project that I'd been bouncing around in my head for nothing less than five years. Do I know if it will ultimately work out, be all that I hope it will be, and become a key part of my world? No, no one can possibly know for sure what the future has up its sleeve, but I'm hopeful and am taking plenty of steps to help this goal come to fruition and then, with plenty of elbow grease and luck, flourish. Though I'll remain tight-lipped about it at this stage as to just what that project is, I can tell you that you'll be hearing and seeing more about it here a little later in the year (if all goes as planned).

Summer has always seemed like an ideal time to start something new to me. Perhaps it's because wherever you look, the world just seems so fantastically alive, energetic, cheerful and hopeful. Whatever the case, if there's anything - be it something as a easy as a trying out a new restaurant you've been eyeing or as impactful as going back to school at the age of sixty - that you've been debating giving a shot lately, from the bottom of my heart I encourage you to take the plunge right along side me, as we enrich our lives together at the same time.


*PS*


As I know that - like myself - many of you love to pin, repost, use quotes on Tumblr or Facebook and the like, starting today (and for every future edition of Saturday Snapshots from here on out), all quotes that appear in Saturday Snapshots will be images that you can pin or download for your own use anywhere you'd like.

Ann's absolutely beautiful 1950s Ladies' fashion scans

Without a doubt some of the sweetest, nicest, absolute most friendly people I've ever encountered in my whole life have been within the vintage blogging community. We're a wide spread, yet close knit group, and the sense of camaraderie that unites us - no matter one’s particular area interest when it comes to the past - is a beautiful and inspiring thing.

From time-to-time one of the wonderful readers of this blog will contact me by email to share vintage images that they've picked up over the years. Sometimes it's a few priceless family photos, others a unique piece of ephemera (from railway tickets to cigarette cards), and periodically I'll find vintage scans waiting, like the awesome gift that they are, in my inbox.

This past spring, the latter event occurred when Ann from the delightful blog Haddock and Dill (mid-century history lovers, be sure to pay Ann a visit, trust me, you'll love what you find!), shared a selection of images with me that she had scanned from the March 1952 issue of Ladies' Home Journal magazine.

These scans depict that kind of sublimely pretty early-50s spring fashions that I can never get enough, bursting  as they are with a bevy of fitted silhouettes, tapered skirts, swingy coats, perfectly coifed hair, elegant gloves, pristinely perfect make-up, and chic hats.

I really do believe that these looks are far too marvelous to keep all to myself, and I've been wanting to share them with you since the moment they arrived.

Today, right in the middle of the week, when a good many of us need a hefty pick-me-up to keep us climbing over the hump that is Wednesday, seemed like the perfect time to do just that. Without further ado, allow me to show you Ann's fantastic 1950s fashion scans.

{Hands down this gorgeously feminine pink and black look is my favourite of the lot.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you very much for thinking of me and sending these sophisticated 1950s looks my way, dear Ann. It was deeply thoughtful of you to do so, and I'm sure that everyone here will enjoy seeing - and garner as much inspiration from - them as I did.