Yes we missed making an entry last week, as yes, we're still waiting for the Building Permit.  I raised my heavy heart up to focus on being positive.  This does seems like endless process of waiting so I decided to focus on "soon".  Soon, we will get the permit.  Soon, it will be spring.  Soon, things will be moving forward.  Soon, soon, soon...

Soon it will be Spring, even if there are constant snow warnings.  With Spring comes gardening and a walk to the local gardens was just what the Positive Doctor ordered.  Happily I share the Strathcona community gardens that are only 3 minutes from 851 Union.  

The Strathcona Community gardens have grown from an informal dump in 1985 to a volunteer managed public green space on 3.34 acres.  It has been recognized as playing a role in leadership for community-run ecological stewardship.  The Park Board has signed a lease with the non-profit charitable organization to keep it going until 2030.  Hopefully, by then we'll have our Building Permit and these images will be a reality...  

The first photo is how the idea of the infill, affectionately called the Octopus, came to be; pulling community space together to form the homes in the back.  The Big House, in the front will be given love and brought to life again.  Marianne, of MAAStudo, had created a magazine  (851 Union) showing how the project evolved from concept to the model in the trunk that awaits becoming homes in Strathcona.

While we wait for these exciting ideas to evolve into reality I thought it would be fun to play with some present realities.  Here you can see how the flooring from the Big House can play with floor covering in an apartment in Burnaby. -- this is what happens when 2 old lino floors merge to have a baby called carpeting.

Until next week may all your flooring dreams merge...