We have been stuck in Vancouver for a few days, the snow and slush relentless, but have made our way back to sister Margaret's and brother-in-law Allan's house in Ladner and a high speed Internet connection.

At the annual holiday party at Dorothy and Barbara Stowe's & Joseph Montague's house I got my Honda stuck in ice and snow, and managed to tangle one of the tire chains in the front axle, cutting the sidewall. This morning I very slowly made my way to a Main Street tire shop in a blizzard, getting stuck 3 times on the way, and bought a pair of new Pirellis. They got me out to Ladner and we'll return to Pender Island from here in the morning.

Here are some photos from last night's party:

http://leathersmithe.smugmug.com/gallery/6957302_LsUvi/1/445229294_n9XPu

And here are some from our delightful visit with my godmother, Ruth Goodman:

http://leathersmithe.smugmug.com/gallery/6117736_JWnZp/1/445252015_PD4aJ

Once on the island, I'll have only dial-up Internet, and the local library for high speed wi-fi, when I can get to it. We'll celebrate the arrival of the new year there. We wish you all good health in 2009.