Gratitude List #9: More of Free and Freedom

Sci-fi book cover: Kéthani by Eric Brown

Today's gratitude list predominantly continues on the theme of free and freedom from last week (http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2015/06/gratitude-list-8-free-and-freedom.html) as well as the outdoors, in no particular order as follows:

* Reading an interesting sci-fi book: didn't think I was a fan of science fiction!
* Relaxing and reading in a nearby park with lots of trees, including tall pine trees
* Creating colourful and tasty salads with organic vegetables and fruit
* Free samples including that of food
* Fridays Shipyards Night Market in North Van
* Gelato! Especially on a warm summer evening - oh, spring!
* Free music outdoors and great bands
* Free vocal session (introductory)
* Free coffee after so many stars/points collected
* Free/donation luncheon
* Being able to air dry laundry again outside on a sunny weekend
* Walking the neighbourhood nightly, usually around sunset (before/after) sometimes alone, sometimes with a friend
* Beauty whether homes, gardens, neighbourhoods, and vistas

* Living in North Vancouver: I love it here!
* A walk by the ocean in picturesque West Vancouver
* Eyesight: being able to read and see lovely vistas

P.S. I changed my photo on last week's gratitude of the side of this Bavarian Alps home.

And now your turn, what are you grateful for? Today and/or this past week and/or in general?

A Mini-Vacation

My former couch (colour is brighter than shown)

Dear Readers,

For those of you who were or are part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge (http://ultimateblogchallenge.com/), I am taking a much-needed mini-vacation. After hours and hours of researching, reading, downloading, and typing posts daily last month, I am taking some time off to rest. I was quite exhausted towards the end of my 31-day (July) daily postings.

Furthermore, I am enjoying my favourite festival, a 10-day reprieve for me at Harmony Arts Festival in West Vancouver, BC (http://harmonyarts.ca/).

For me, a sensuous love affair savouring the smells, sights, tastes, and sounds of this festival through delectable cuisine (with some local restaurant booths and some food carts in attendance) - a feast for the nose and mouth - admiring the many talented artisans showcasing their homemade fare of arts and crafts - a feast for the eyes - listening (and dancing, though not yet) to great free entertainment, i.e., live outdoor bands - a feast for the ears - all in a picturesque landscape, by the ocean.

I highly recommend one of the featured movies, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Best_Exotic_Marigold_Hotel) - what a hoot! With actors including Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, and Dev Patel, the latter whom you may know from Slumdog Millionaire an unusual, interestingly twisted plot-wise movie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slumdog_Millionaire), I laughed so much during that movie! What a delightful treat!

Ok, it's BC Day (that's British Columbia Day)...I wish to go and celebrate...so off (the computer) to get ready and off I go hey ho, hey ho! ;)

How do you rest, relax, and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul? Do you treat yourself to an occasional mini-vacation?