Sunday, May 22, 2011

Victoria Day Weekend 2011

I spent a fruitful and fun weekend.  It is my birthday weekend. Normally I am not even home when I have my birthday so it was nice just to do things I don't normally get to do.  It was raining but that didn't stop me.

The first stop was Dressew on Hastings and the Army & Navy Store. I was on a shopping expedition for stretchy knit jersey fabric to make my mom some plain coloured skirts to wear this summer. I found just what I needed and the sales lady was very nice and helpful. I got served and assisted and my fabric cut in no time at all.  This was delightful considering how some of the reviews (which you can read by clicking the link above) would have you believe that the service in this shop is terrible. Now I just  need to find some time to make the skirts. I also had a great chat with another shopper and found out we share an interest in sponsoring children in Kenya. She sponsors hers through SOS Village and I sponsor mine through Compassion International Canada's office.

As I was walking from Dressew to Army & Navy, I could not believe my eyes and my luck. I turned my head at the first corner and recognized a woman I have been trying to find for years. I don't even know her name but I know that she makes and sells hats. I bought one from her years ago at a Garden Show and I've since lost it and needed another one. I stopped to talk to her and sure enough it was the woman I've been looking for. How fortuitous. I gave thanks to God because truly he knows how I've been searching for this woman for such a long time.  It turns out she doesn't even live in the city anymore!  She was only here to sell her hats at  a local Farmer's Market. She gave me her card and told me I could drop by the next day.  I was thrilled.

I carried on to Army & Navy and was happy to find a suitable pillow there but not a suitable sofa cover. Sofa covers are not so readily available here in my city so I'm thinking maybe I should order it online instead. However that will have to wait because Canada may be having a postal strike as soon as Wednesday of this coming week. While there I was getting hungry so I stopped at their small lunch counter for a grilled cheese sandwich. The young woman who served me started to chat with me about the "end of the world". I told her I didn't believe that the day would bring the end of the world because the bible says "No man knows".

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:36

Then I told her that the Bible does give a hint as to the end of the world and I asked her if she wanted to know what it is.  She said "yes". I told her that the Bible says the gospel will be preached to every nation and then the end of the world will come (Matthew 24:14).  I let her know that there are groups that monitor the number of  unreached people groups  and that the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).  I said that the end of the world was not likely May 21st but it seems to be coming soon.  I gave a silent prayer of  thanks to God for giving me an opportunity to share what the Bible actually does say given that there is so much misinformation out there from people who claim to know the gospel.

After my shopping and a stop for a sandwich, I made my way to Chinatown and the International Village to take in a movie called Water for Elephants. I enjoyed it immensely though there were some very harsh scenes of violence toward animals and people. It was very well done and I think very realistic about what times must have been like for a struggling circus during the Great Depression.

Here is the beautiful Millennium Gate in Chinatown.


The 'China Gate' on Pender Street was donated to the City of Vancouver by the Government of the People's Republic of China following the Expo 86 world's fair, where it was on display. After being displayed for almost 20 years at its current location, the Gate was re-built and received a major renovated facade employing stone and steel. Funding for this renovation came through some government and private support; the renovated gate had its unveiling during the October 2005 visit of Guangdong governor Huang Huahua.

I think the gate is a beautiful addition to the City and really captures the essence of this part of town.

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On Saturday I was up late as I had stayed up very late. My first stop was at the Farmer's Market at Trout Lake in Vancouver. I was on my way to buy a hat.  I needed a new summer hat and since it was raining I decided to buy a rain hat too! I forgot all about taking photos of the lake which is a pity since I don't get to the lake very often and I wanted to show you photos of this little treasure in the city. Hopefully I will get there again this summer and I will show you then. I did take photos of my hats for you. I was blessed because the hat maker gave me the summer hat for $10.00 off as a repeat customer. I was also pleased because the hat was already $10.00 less than when I bought it many years ago so that was a $20.00 savings on the hat.

My summer hat.  I'd like to own these in several different colours.

My rain hat.


After that I made my way to Commercial Drive where I had Chinese food and stopped at various stores.

I stopped in at Design Dreams to buy kapok to refill some of my sofa cushions. Unfortunately the shop doesn't sell kapok anymore but the nice young man who worked there gave me some ideas as to how to fluff up my pillows.  I also discovered that the store now sells buckwheat.  That is good to know because my buckwheat pillows need to have the buckwheat replaced.  I will have to go back there when I have more time to work on the pillows.

I stopped at one store that sells international goods and purchased an animal print shawl. I then went on to a thrift store that I haven't been to for many years. On my way I stopped to ask for directions and talk to a young mom with her baby. It turns out that the woman moved here with her husband from Switzerland and while we both waited for the bus we had a very nice chat.  At the thrift store, I bought some Croc type shoes for $2.99 and two books, one was Anna Karenina for $1.99.  The shoes and the book are in perfect condition and haven't been used.  Again, I felt very blessed because the two paperback books are actually $4.50 each but the sales clerk gave them to me for $1.99 each.

This print scarf is reversible with brown as the main colour on one side and cream as the main colour on the alternate side.
These Crocs are a pale pink and will go with a lot of my neutral and jewel toned clothing. Great for the summer.  They fit perfectly and are more supportive than the last two pair I've owned.

This book hasn't been read. I look forward to reading it and breaking it in.

I spent more this weekend than I have in a long time but all in all I needed these items and I am happy. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and today the rain continues so I am staying inside to catch up on a knitted dishcloth in a new to me, pattern.

Scenic Sunday

19 comments:

KT said...

Happy Birthday...and love those hats! 

Lonicera said...

Happy, happy birthday!  Hope you enjoy Anna Karenina, it's a brilliant story.
Caroline 

Ingerwiltz said...

 Happy Birthday, it looks like you spent it really, really well. I think I will have to read that book over again, it's been a lifetime ago since I read it.--Inger

Shanda said...

Happy Birthday, Love the black rain hat!
That is wonderful that you had an opportunity to speak with that lady. God brought her into your path!

Joyful said...

Thank you KT for your well wishes and compliments. I had a wonderful time buying hats that actually fit, lol.

Joyful said...

Thank you, Caroline. Years ago I saw the movie and I enjoyed it a lot so I'm sure I will enjoy the book also.

Joyful said...

Thank you, Inger. I had the best weekend in a long while. I do hope you get a chance to re-read the book ;-)

Joyful said...

Thank you so much Shanda! Indeed God gave me a witnessing opportunity :-)

Willa @ The Blogging Traveller said...

Looks like you are off to a great Victoria day celebration. I have to check our local papers yet for any event here in Windsor. :)

Regina said...

This was a lot to take in (I have a short memory) ha ha..but Happy Birthday..my mom's is tomorrow- she'll be 90yrs. Well I canNOT imagine what I'd feel like at that age!! Like she told me once..age is brutal, I think she's in pretty good shape..her bones are (my dad's are a little more brittle), but memory fading a bit. Honestly..I don't (not trying to be negative) see myself as strong. Glad to hear your going to make a skirt for your mom..she must be doing better then- good!
 Anyway, I love your hats! That first one is cool..ya, a blessing.  I'm happy about the incident in the store for you (that it went well). This guy brought it up in the health food store this afternoon to me and mentioned that very scripture..a teller at a bank the other day..both were mostly joking but it was also because these guys had been standing around with signs which drew a lot of attention in town.
I need a new pair of croc's (smile) Wishing you a wonderful week - 

Joyful said...

Thanks for all your thoughts my friend. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend and it's not quite over. Tomorrow someone will deliver my new to me patio compost. I'm not a 100% sure but I think she's even bringing the worms over, lol. I'm looking forward to finally having a proper compost and "feeding" the garden. I wish you mom a Happy Birthday. I know what you mean about not feeling as strong. I feel completely the same way as compared to my mom who has gone through a lot healthwise. I hope you find those crocs you need. Blessings xx

Jan said...

Happy Birthday. Thank you for sharing your weekend, it sounds like such a very joyful one indeed. I loved reading about all of the places you visited and people you met on your way. I love hearing about the discussions you had, you must be the kind of person who people sense they can talk to. Great summer hat, in fact all of your purchases look fab! Good luck with all of your creative projects.

Gator said...

First, Happy Birthday! I love the photos of the China Gate.

I don't believe that the end of the world will come in my lifetime. For the last two thousand years, people in every generation have believed they were living in the end times, and every prediction has been wrong. We've got some real challenges ahead of us in the immediate future (energy, overpopulation, global warming), but we need to live and overcome them. I fear that belief in the imminent apocalypse gives too many people a pass on trying to deal with the world's problems. Sorry to get philosophical in my comment, but your post seemed to invite it...

Jillyshappyquilts said...

Oh happy, happy birthday.  What  a wonderful weekend you had.  Our Lord certainly blessed you, and even brought folks along your path to share His good word with.  Something we all should be doing everyday.

blessings, jilly 

Joyful said...

Thank you, Jan for your kind words. I love to meet new people so that is probably why people talk to me ;-) I'm glad you like my hat too. I managed to finish my first waffle weaver dishcloth. It's a bit rough but I'll get better, lol!

Joyful said...

Thank you so much for your visit and your well wishes, Gator. I'm glad you like the China Gate.

You're right about every generation believing they were living in the end times and predictions have been wrong. That is why we are not supposed to predict as only the Father knows the end time. In the meantime we are to do as we are instructed (in the Word if you are a believer) and look up and pray that we can withstand what we are going through.

I fully agree that we have some real challenges and that if people aren't careful they will try to avoid dealing with the problems. I don't think this is what a heavenly Father would want of us. He gave us a beautiful earth to steward. We have done a very poor job of it but if we all do our part, we can make some things better again. The good news is that one day there will be a new earth. I believe that what was once Eden like will be restored in full for us to enjoy again. Lovely to have your views and I hope you don't mind me sharing mine ;-) Blessings.

Joyful said...

Thank you, Jilly for your lovely birthday greetings. I do believe we should be sharing every day. Often I fail in looking for those opportunities. I just like to keep it natural ;-) Blessings.

Leovi said...

Really beautiful with nice colors, a good shot with highperspective on the first. Greetings.

Joyful said...

Thank you, Leovi. I appreciate your visit and your kind words.

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