Vancouver Reflections: East Van

This weekend I'm feeling all sentimental about our old neighbourhood in East Vancouver (thanks Celeste and Nancy!) and all of the beautiful people who moved about these places. We lived just a few hundred metres from Commercial Drive and all of the colourful cafes, shops and characters that roamed the street. We also lived across the street from our amazing church, and within a short walk of many wonderful friends. Truly a unique place. And a rich community in the truest sense. I have so many pictures that I have never posted that I will try and bring in to the light in time. A way of remembering and giving thanks. Vancouver Reflections. Street closed to cars for for Italian day. A birthday party in outrageous costumes on bicycles left these lovely chalk patterns all over the pavement. Our neighbours used their top deck for drying vegetables... ... and meat! Our little cottage next to the parking lot and community garden. Delicious fresh figs from Maria. Just a little of the beautiful summer bounty grown within steps of our home. We also had a great supply of tomatoes from her garden which were forever arriving on our doorstep, and there was the time a mysterious, giant zucchini awaited our arrival home.  'Maria & Jo' Maria passed plums and beans over the fence, and Annie dropped by with chokos and beans.

More of Leigh and John

What a joyous wedding this was. The ceremony was full of laughter and tears and a beautiful reflection of these two and the journeys that brought them together. I got to know Leigh last year when I began volunteering with JustPotters, at that time she was the manager. She has also been an enormous part of the church community we are a part of and her move to Washington State to be with John is a bittersweet one. Bitter only because of all the loved ones she leaves behind. Very sweet in terms of the love these two share. Leigh and John are just gorgeous and I was delighted to share the day with them and their family and friends - who sure know how to dance, even all the little nephews and nieces were still on the dance floor at 11pm!

Leigh and John

Jess + Ryan

What a wonderful wedding! I started getting to know Jess, and enjoying our talks on the drive north when a few girls from the neighborhood started carpooling to school, and I met Ryan when I helped with the wheat harvest I posted about here. Ryan is one of the Urban Pilgrim Farm(ers) the (faded) sign speaks of. Not only was he highly involved with the planting and harvesting of the wheat, much of which featured in the wedding, Ryan also grew most of the ingredients for the food served at the reception including all of the sunchokes for the soup, which was prepared by both families a day or two before. Ryan also made the communion wine. Which was absolutely scrumptious from the tiny taste I had. There were so many beautiful little touches like this which made the day rich with meaning and symbolism. And it really was great to see what a community event it was. I'm so pleased to have shared the day with these two and their friends and families and I'm genuinely excited for them in the adventures that await them together. An enormous thankyou to Sara who also helped photograph during the ceremony.