This morning I awoke with a new calmness. I covered my morning hair with my boat hat, left my flip-flops in the cockpit, and tiptoed around the dock snapping photos. It was 8am – early in city time – but the creek was already filled with soundless kayakers, stand-up paddlers (what is that sport?) and hooting loons. I knew it would take some adjustment time to flex and bend with the move from high-rise to sailboat, but I find now that I was naive in my expectations. I thought it would take only a few days and then every morning would be just like this one. But, almost two weeks later, I am just beginning to feel my feathers settle. I think it was worth the wait.

Turns out that I’m the same way with a new home as I am with blogging: I don’t want to let anyone in until the place is juuust right.

On top of moving onto a sailboat this month, I turned thirty. I’ve also worked almost every day. Throw in a kitty who’s bravely getting her sea legs, some onboard toilet issues and record winds, and, well, you’ve got my month of May so far.

It’s an adventure. And I’m not complaining. That photo above? Is the view of my backyard. Water, skyscrapers, and mountains. This photo pretty much sums up the city of Vancouver, and the reasons why I love it. To be a Vancouverite one must be adaptive. Flexible. You have to be able to kayak, zipline, and order a latte. It’s been good training for this new life.

And everyone has to chip in.

Wandering around the apartment this morning mentally reducing our belongings to fit into a pint glass, I came across this copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s D’s favourite novel, one he’s read and re-read since high school. Judging by the look of it, this is his original high school copy. Thick with dust and held together with hockey tape. Kinda special.

I will have some new things to report soon, I promise. There’s a lot in limbo right now, and I’m far too superstitious to recount them in writing  just yet. Let’s just say I’m holding onto every day as tightly as ol’ Jinxy is to D’s arm here.

Transferring all my favourite recipes into a pretty new book

while under strict supervision.

bunny snack pouch . wood clothespins . linen & lace pillow cover . fleur de lis sandwich bag .

I am having far too much fun scouring the web for salty air-friendly, waste-free storage and decor items. Mmm, linen.

sea monster . sailor knot necklace . swallow embroidered pillow . whale song necklace .

When are you old enough to say no to certain family functions? I recently put my foot down on family dinners that are impossible for me to bus to and from, paving the way to many guilt trips from my mother. Sometimes sanity has to be allowed to win out, no?

Misty days . Boat shopping . Tissue paper cherry blossoms .

pinstripe tunic . wooden sailboat . shark sweater . spouting whale .

I know I should be cleansing my closets, cupboards and drawers of impractical items, but I can’t help falling in love with everything cute and nautical. I think Jinxy needs that shark sweater, for practical purposes. Don’t you?