I Flickr 4 JOY's photostream  

My feet really aren't this small.
My legs really aren't this short.
Etc.
Etc.

It's one of the Lower Mainland's most spectacular natural phenomenon. During spring and summer crows stay in their own neighbourhoods, at night, as they are busy mating, building nests and raising their families. But at this time of year, crows congregate at dusk in an area two miles from where I live. Burnaby's Still Creek Roost is the biggest roost in the Lower Mainland; approximately 23,000 crows roost together there each night.

This photo was taken from East Hastings Street just at the right time of day and it shows only one wave of the many passing overhead.

More photos from earlier in the day below.

There's always something new under the sun. I was in the Hi Genki Japanese Restaurant (6680 Southoaks Cres, Burnaby) for lunch today. When I saw Sweet Potato Ice Cream on the menu I thought ordering it would make a good story if nothing else. A N D .... if nothing else I could always leave the sweet potato part and go for the vanilla ice cream inside.

Well, ye of little faith JOY! The dessert was just delicious. How do you describe DELICIOUS? Something either is or it isn't and this WAS!

Next time I'm going to give Hi Genki's Tempura Ice Cream a try. ;)

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Today I had a long talk with Rusty's vet, Dr Anne Irwin DVM (North Burnaby Pet Hospital) in relation to 'end of life planning'. Rusty is sliding a little and it was both a relief and a good idea to discuss how I want Rusty to die at home. Dr Irwin and I talked about EVERY detail of that home visit ... except the price. I had the question on my list of questions but, in the end, I didn't ask because it doesn't matter.

As for Rusty, right now she is happy. I was out all day today and when I finally got home (after 6:00 PM) she sat on me for 2 hours, totally relaxed, and purred and purred. She still takes her job of posing for the camera seriously and tonight she had salmon and a little crab for dinner. ;)

Mike is going to come to the house and take some pictures of Rusty and I together soon. Thank you Mike.

All is well.

Mike and I were in Vancouver's Chinatown yesterday to take photos, enjoy an authentic lunch and celebrate the Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon). We stopped at one of the many shops with boxes of dry goods set along the sidewalk. When we asked about these unusual (to us) sweets the shop owner gave us a couple of them to try. They were candied lotus root.

"Lotus roots have been found to be rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, copper, and manganese, while very low in saturated fat." (Wiki)

Lotus roots are commonly prepared for:
- salads
- stir fries
- soups/stews
- chips (baked or deep fried)
- battering as tampura
- candying

Lotus Root Chips Recipe (Youtube). www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCC2pMytufU&feature=related