For Love and Money

A Slice of Bavaria in British Columbia

Recently, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit Kimberley, British Columbia, the highest city in Canada at over 3,000 feet, for the 36th Annual JulyFest. The population of this alpine city swells from 6,000 to over 9,000 as tourists fill local accommodations for a weekend of soccer matches (over 1,100 players!), a tennis tournament, rock concert, and Bocce tournament.

In this small “Bavarian City of The Rockies,” we were amused to see nuns participating in the Bocce tournament! During our short, two-day visit, we enjoyed dinner at Kelsey's at the Kimberley Alpine Resort, where several parties were treated to “sparkling” ice cream sundaes and a lively wait-staff serenade. After a relaxing evening in our hotel room at the Purcell Rocky Mountain Condos, we ventured out for a healthy breakfast at the Snowdrift Cafe on the Platzl (downtown pedestrian mall), followed by a trip up the North Star Express Quad chair lift for astonishing views of the Purcell Mountains, and a train ride on the Bavarian City Mining Railway into the past where we experienced early mining life.

Visitors enjoy free parking on the Platzl, which provides easy access to all of the shops and restaurants. We made our way to Chef Bernard's Schnitzelhaus for lunch and decided on the daily special - an Oscar Wilder Schnitzel, smothered in crab meat, peppers, and hollandaise served with homemade spaetzl and salad. Sunday morning, we indulged in crisp French toast and Bavarian sausage at Our Place before locating a shady spot to perch our chairs for a soccer match. Later, we enjoyed a short hike to the 100-foot Marysville Falls and meandered back to town for an ice cream before settling in to watch the Extreme Skateboarding races. Though we didn’t have time to make it to all the local attractions, I would recommend taking a tour of the Cominco Gardens, five minutes from downtown. The Gardens have been blooming since 1927 and were recently donated to the city for all to enjoy.

If you’re planning to travel to Kimberley during the Winter months for their incredible powder skiing, be sure to take advantage of a self-driven sled dog tour or for the less adventurous – but no less exciting! - ride the lift up the mountain and take a scenic 30-minute tour on snowshoes. Enjoy an amazing chocolate fondue in the mountaintop Kootenay Haus. Summer travelers, be sure to check out Kimberley’s several outstanding golf courses at Trickle Creek Golf Course, Bootleg Gap, or the Kimberley Golf Club. In late July, Kimberley hosts the Kokanee Open at Trickle Creek Golf Course to raise money for the Helping Hands Food Bank. In early Autumn, golfers may secure a spot at the 2nd Annual Kootenay Chamber Classic Golf Tournament on September 1, 2008, also held at Trickle Creek.

Kimberley is a four-hour drive north of Spokane, Washington. Accommodations range from inexpensive motels to higher end condos or hotels, so there is something for any budget. Remember, passports are required to enter Canada from the U.S.!

If you go:

Air Canada offers a number of flights from major cities throughout the U.S. Fly into the Canadian Rockies International Airport in nearby Cranbrook, BC – just 20 minutes from Kimberley.

Delta Airlines now offers flights from Salt Lake City into Canadian Rockies International.

Kimberley Lodging Company offers several options for ski-in/ski-out lodging at the heart of the Kimberley Alpine Resort. Call 1-800-525-6622 for more information.

Purcell Rocky Mountain Condos offers condo units with kitchenettes, fireplaces, and BBQ grills as well as standard hotel rooms. Call 1-800-434-3936 for availability and rate information.

Trickle Creek Residence Inn by Marriott – This all-suite hotel is located in the heart of the Alpine Village and each suite includes full kitchens, gas fireplaces and balconies. Call 1-877-253-6888 for availability and rates.

Polaris Lodge - Located right in the centre of the Kimberley Alpine Resort Village, just a step away from the Northstar high speed quad lift, the Polaris Lodge condos are equipped with kitchens, river rock fireplaces, and beautifully appointed bathrooms with Jacuzzi bath tubs.

For more information on accommodations, go to http://www.skikimberley.com/vacations.

Prior to traveling, go to www.xe.com to check the current exchange rate, and remember that while many establishments will accept American cash and coin, be prepared to pay with Canadian money.

La Posta 2006 Malbec Angel Paulucci Vineyard

DH and I opened a bottle of 2006 Malbec "Paulucci Vineyard" last weekend to accompany our incredible pizza (goat cheese, prosciutto, black mission fig paste, and almonds with fresh basil)!  According to "Amazing Grapes Wine Store," this wine has been aged for 10 months in 100% French oak, 20% new. It is deep plum in color and tempts with notes of black cherry and blackberry. We agree that it's medium-bodied and very smooth on the palate. Amazing Grapes says this wine will evolve for 2-3 years but (by all means!)enjoy it now. This wine has a list price of $15.98, but we paid just under $10.00 at The Good Food Store in Missoula. 

The Liar's Diary Blog Day

Today is a day to celebrate the release of Patry Francis's The Liar's Diary in paperback. Last year her novel was published, and then more recently, Patry shared on her blog that she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Writers and bloggers everywhere rallied around her to support her in her battle with cancer as well as helping to further boost the success of her book as it becomes a paperback.

So, go support Patry and pick up her excellent book, The Liar's Diary. (It's 20% off at Amazon!) You can read about other bloggers who are writing about Patry's book today here.

You've got to love the creative ways bloggers find to support one another. It's a wonderful thing!

How Wealthy People Think About Money

This was originally posted on November 15, 2007 at Millionaire Money Habits in the Money Mindset category.  I discovered it today and wanted to share it.  I've spent a lot of time thinking about how to earn a living, make extra money, save, etc.  When you find yourself in "survival mode" whether due to the loss of a job or business, family illness, disability, overwhelming debt - whatever the reason, you do think differently about money.  It takes a shift in the way you think to alter your "financial blueprint," as T. Harv Eker discusses in his book, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth. 

Eker believes wealthy people inherently think differently about money; we behave according to our unique “financial blueprint,” which is created over a lifetime of our exposure to money messages. Eker lists 17 ways that wealthy people behave and think about money:

1. Wealthy people believe, “I create my life.” Poor people believe, “Life happens to me.”
2. Wealthy people play the money game to win. Poor people play the money game to not lose.
3. Wealthy people are committed to being rich. Poor people want to be rich.
4. Wealthy people think big. Poor people think small.
5. Wealthy people focus on opportunities. Poor people focus on obstacles.
6. Wealthy people admire other rich and successful people. Poor people resent rich and successful people.
7. Wealthy people associate with positive, successful people. Poor people associate with negative or unsuccessful people.
8. Wealthy people are willing to promote themselves and their value. Poor people think negatively about selling and promotion.
9. Wealthy people are bigger than their problems. Poor people are smaller than their problems.
10. Wealthy people are excellent receivers. Poor people are poor receivers.
11. Wealthy people choose to get paid based on results. Poor people choose to get paid based on time.
12. Wealthy people think “both”. Poor people think “either/or”.
13. Wealthy people focus on their net worth. Poor people focus on their working income.
14. Wealthy people manage their money well. Poor people mismanage their money well.
15. Wealthy people have their money work hard for them. Poor people work hard for their money.
16. Wealthy people act in spite of fear. Poor people let fear stop them.
17. Wealthy people constantly learn and grow. Poor people think they already know.

Millionaire Money Habit: You control your ability to become wealthy and financially free. Make a long-term commitment to develop millionaire money habits, continue to develop your financial IQ and start thinking like a millionaire. The money will follow.

Inspired by Anais Nin

“And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.” ~ Anais Nin

A beautiful and inspiring quote from one of my favorite blogs, Becca and Bella.

It led me right to the library to find something - anything - by Anais Nin, to indulge my imagination.  I settled on The Diary of Anais Nin, Volume 6, 1955 – 1966. 

Recession-proof Your Life

With all of the media attention on markets dropping, credit crunches, and housing busts, it's more than a little unnerving to speculate on the future, especially with an election on the horizon.  I've tried to consider ways to "recession-proof" my life.  For me, security does not lie in one job or a modest 401k, or even in owning a house.  Security is at best, a fleeting term that makes us feel like we've got a little more control over our financial (and professional) house. 

That said, I've decided what makes me feel most comfortable is to pursue a variety of professional pursuits - a full-time day job provides me with a steady paycheck and benefits, but with a looming merger, that's not a given either.  As a professional freelance writer, I can fulfill a personal passion and draw some additional income, so I've created a Web site using the Microsoft beta, with the goal of generating some income through my business:  Living To Write. 

Blogging is a new endeavor, so I don't have enough experience in this arena to know if it will eventually provide a stream of income or not.  Hopefully! In addition to posting here, I'll be blogging on Vacation Blogspot, and as the Food and Entertainment Editor for WE Magazine for Women.

I've also discovered that eBay fits the bill (like thousands of others) when I need to raise some extra cash here and there - I generated an extra $2500 last year just cleaning out closets! 

Knowing that I can do a variety of things that interest me and earn money doing them gives me a sense of security about my ability to continue to enjoy the lifestyle I want, regardless of what the market does today or who wins the election.

What gives you a sense of security?

The Soundtrack of My Life

Great New Web site

I found a great new site www.lulu.com and in the space of one day, I uploaded the draft of my novel, started a cookbook that I plan to give as gifts to family and friends next Christmas, created a photo book (also thinking this would make a great gift), and played around with a Calendar for 2009.  Fun stuff, and yes, all diversions, from my "real work." 

I'm having a grand time "defining" life as the big 4-0 approaches - in 5 months - but who's counting?  : )  I'm definitely blessed and grateful for all the great experiences, adventures, family, friends, pets, and favorites in my life.  I'm also seeking ways to put all the pieces together...weave the threads of this crazy life together, dream and plan for the future, live in the moment, and keep learning along the way.

More later...time for lunch!  Chiles Rellenos and a little espresso call

Tonight - The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman!

A quote that sums it up!

"I get up every morning determined to both change the world and to have one hell of a good time.  Sometimes this makes planning the day difficult." E.B. White

Happy New Year!

2008 has arrived and I have resolutions in hand.  As 2007 was a hectic year FILLED with new challenges of all sorts, my goal for 2008 is to take what I've learned and focus on those things that bring greater joy and happiness - both personally and professionally.

With that in mind - I'm documenting those resolutions here, in my blogging time capsule. 

1. Finish writing my book by writing a page a day.
2. Resume painting - taking an art class or two along the way.
3. Clear the clutter!  I think of myself as an organized person, but there always seems to be a pile somewhere that needs attention. 
4. Read more - my goal is a book a month (or more!)
5. Eliminate the last of our household debt.
6. Create an emergency fund - a BIG one - we seem to have a fair share of emergencies. : )
7. Create a travel fund - in an effort to build more fun into my life!
8. Be diligent about getting the exercise in daily.  This should be so easy...but it's not.
9. Build more time for family and friends.
10. Be authentic - always. 

My wish for all of us is to find our journey through life invigorating, fulfilling, and always originating in love, not fear. 

Cheers!