I just returned from a solo sojourn to Vancouver where it was rainy and green, unlike Toronto the city I left just after a snowstorm and returned to in a snowstorm. In fact it has been so snowy here in Toronto I almost didn’t make it back. Previous flights that day had been canceled and when I did get in (at 1am) it was chaos in the airport.

I arrived in Vancouver on a rare sunny afternoon. The mountains were spectacular in clear view. Wendy, the show’s host picked me up from the airport. I regaled her with tales of a previous trip to Vancouver in which I was put up in a lavish suite-with-a-view at the Granville Island Hotel. I had two televisions to myself! The place was so big I felt like I should have a small family living there with me. And what do you know, when I opened my hotel room door this time around it too was a suite but even BIGGER, complete with two televisions, a kitchenette, a dining table, a huge balcony and a small walk-in closet. COME ON! I instantly felt kind of ridiculous about how much I had gone on and on about the insanity of that last suite — Wendy had kept quiet and didn’t say a word the entire time.

Here are a few photos of the set that I took on the day of the shoot.

The set.

Host Wendy Russell and myself after a full day of shooting. I am looking rather shiny and make-uped here. I just can’t get used to seeing myself with television face paint.

My very favourite prop on the set, a bottle of “Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific” shampoo.

We made the “Homegrown Stones” leafy stepping stones project from the You Grow Girl book (page 20-21).

Wendy and the director, Rebbecca discuss.

They used a dolly to shoot the wide shots. I can’t tell you how much this pleased me.

This was made by one of the production gals as a gift to celebrate the show’s second season, but when I saw it I thought it made a genius birthday present. Think about it: one gift that covers you off for a whole decade of gift giving!