Every now and again one needs to “get away” and build sandcastles on the beach. So that is the plan for the gang at The Scribe’s Desk. But never fear! We’ll still be dishin’ the ish, just short and sweet and to the point!

Make sure to come back later today for the regular True Blood review. We’re at that point that everyone has been waiting for!

ΩPhoto Credit Tim Beach

When it come to movies, Canada has much to offer in the way of brilliance and creativity. So, in honor of Canada Day, I’ve put together a list of 5 movies linked together by a common theme — some great Canadian talent! So pop some popcorn tonight after the fireworks and sit back and enjoy a flick or two with some of the finest Canuck talent attached to it! Happy Canada Day everyone!

5. Splice – Who doesn’t love the independent and edgy Sarah Polley? She’s one stellar Canuck who gives this Sci-Fi flick some serious thespian attitude.

4. Juno – This is an academy award winning film with the indomitable and awesome Canuck actress Ellen Page.

3. Million Dollar Baby – It seems that anything Paul Haggis touches turns to Oscar gold… or millions of dollars. He’s one Canuck with some serious clout.

2. Avatar – No matter how many times I see this film, I am still blown away by its scope and beauty. James Cameron has been called a visionary and he truly is one of Canada’s most imaginative filmmakers of our time.

1. Uncle Buck – An oldie but goodie, pretty much anything with the late John Candy in it is sure to entertain.

Which one will you watch?

Easter is a happy time of year to get together with family and enjoy a wonderful dinner and celebrate being together, to have fun with the kids, and be thankful for all the good things in life. It’s also a time to watch the kids have fun going on Easter egg hunts, waiting for the Easter Bunny, and eating chocolate of course! I hope everybody had a Happy Easter!

In December my BFF sent me some beautiful pics of the lunar eclipse. Here they are for your enjoyment. Aren’t they wonderful views of the moon? Click on the pics to read the Under A Nepali Moon blog by my friends who are returning to Nepal after 5 years, to see one of my Youngling’s favorite books, and to read about a very unique and rare set rituals known to the Newa people as Janku, a set of rituals where living long enough to see 1000 moons and more is a celebrated event.

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace 2010

Lunar Eclipse From Terrace December 2010

Every once in a while, we all could use a holiday, and boy, did I need one. So, I took a wee one and just had some summer fun with the Youngling.

Drawing,

I Love My Family Illustration by Youngling

picnicking,

Me Love Cookies! Yum! Yum! Yum!

taking pics of the Stanley Park wildlife,

Feed Me!

and going to Kerrisdale Play Palace (my pic’s blurry, I was laughing so hard! They should have a place like this for adults!).

Adults Need A Place Like This To De-Stress_Imagine the Fun!

We watched the moon rise over English Bay

Moonrise Over English Bay_It was A Windy Night_What Can I Say?

and enjoyed the Celebration of Light (Spain won BTW. Their theme was Heaven & Hell. Simply magnificent!)

Celebration of Light Grand Finale Fireworks_photo credit Tom Wiebe on Flickr_via Miss 604 dot com!

while listening to beautiful music, (this happens to be one of my most favorite pieces of music and one of my most favorite movies, A.I. . This was part of Spain’s music for the fireworks display. Click on the music link above to hear another favorite piece of music of mine that was also part of the display! And yes, you have seen the movie that made this piece of music famous — again. Nice pick for trailer music!)

suffered through a heat wave (we’re still suffering by the way!)

Said the Youngling to Me_Hey Mom we are roasting like a couple of chickens right?

— and let me tell you, Vancouver could be renamed Hades if it wasn’t so much fun — and visited the many spray and splash parks in Vancouver.

I am going to splash you Mom!

The Granville Island Water Park was the best and we will definitely be going there again next summer.

And, of course, I watched movies,

Are you surprised really?

and re-read my favorite books. (Are you watching Pillars of the Earth on Starz?)

My old beat up copy of Pillars of the Earth_Revisiting this book 15 years later I understand a whole lifetime more than I did the 1st time around!

I love this book!

I also managed to write, just a little. I even went to a wedding! (The first one in 6 years, WOW! And it was beautiful.)

I did all those things around the house that needed doing,(I love this book, too!)

Look inside if you dare!

I dreamed about taking a cake decorating course (fondant, YUM!),

Dont U just want to eat it?

and tried to enjoy the now and quiet my busy, frazzled mind.

This is not a good look.

And now I am back.

Happiness is writing and it is who I am.

I hope you had a wonderful time while I was away, and if you haven’t manged to take a break, try and take one — even if it is a wee one — I know you deserve it!