It was a wonderful little break in Tofino (on Vancouver Island) from the busy life I have created for myself here in Vancouver. I got to forget about work, school and the blog! To be honest, I missed making recipes, photographing them and writing for you guys. But I jumped right back into it - chocolate truffles are setting as I type.

Tofino has got to be one of my favourite places on the planet. I have visited a lot of places (on this continent) so that statement actually carries meaning. Vancouver Island is a home away from home because we - my nuclear family and I - have been going there for one week every year since I was a wee little baby. There's no other place that has the peace, tranquility, and contentedness that parts of the island have, as well as all the little islands to the east of it, between it and the mainland.

There's no big cities, and the residents live there because they have a passion for wilderness and simple living, and a dislike of consumerism and the daily stress of city life. I imagine I will live on Cortes Island (one of those little guys to the east of Van Island) for at least a short period of my life, maybe with my boyfriend. We could build a cabin (or find one), have a little garden, and focus on what's important - meditation; personal, spiritual and emotional growth; and connecting to the beautiful world around us!