Saturday, March 31, 2012

Break-Fast

Breakfast, the best meal of the day, and today was no exception.

"Same, same, only different"

Add a slice of toast, a cup of tea and My Beloved, that equals an excellent start to the day in my book!

I sure hope you had an excellent start to your day too.

Happy Saturday.


Friday, March 30, 2012

Coffee Time

This morning while my sweet little momma was undergoing a test at the local hospital, My Beloved and I has a lovely break in the day with Cathy and Coco.

It was lovely to catch up, even if it was short!

Did you share your coffee time with someone special?  I hope you did.

Happy Friday.

PS:  My momma's fine!  Yippee!!!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

A Little Yellow to Brighten the Day

I don't know about you, but when I walk by blooming things they catch my eye.  This morning for instance, walking under my umbrella, to my right in a pea-gravel row beside someone's driveway, a lovely little cluster of violets!  You know how much I love them. 

Along that same route, a neighbour has an wild abundance of Daffodils.  How can you not feel hopeful that Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun will soon return?

Just one of her beds of Daffs

I wish you a day of sun-shiney yellow.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Just Hanging Around, Downtown

This morning My Beloved had a King Edward Reunion meeting in downtown Vancouver which gave us 2 wonderful reasons to see two of our daughters, April, whom we met for lunch and Amy, as well as Tyler, Colby and Annie for an afternoon playdate and dinner! It was so good to catch up with them.

While we were driving down Main Street to get to the meeting, I spied a spiderman-like window washer.  It was raining and coolish, I can only wonder how much more so it would have been way up there!

Talk about I spy with my little eye!
Or . . . You missed a spot!

I guess once he's finished washing the whole building, he begins again!

Rejoining My Beloved at the hotel after his meeting I spied, but didn't get a picture of, a rappeling, plant waterer!  There he was hanging there spraying a patio full of shrubs.

I can only wonder what the job advertisement said.  Do you love plants?  Do you love heights?  If you answered yes to both of these questions, then would you be willing to learn or, do you have experience in, rappeling off of the side of a building?  If you answered yes to all three of these questions, then boy, do I have a job for you!  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that those two things would go together, ever.  Only in the big city I guess!

Since we were so close by, we drove down Hastings Street to the very first place my family lived when we moved to Vancouver, Hawks and Union.  I'm not sure if our place survived, but many have.  

The original row-houses, many revamped and still being lived in today, which is so great to see.


I don't think is was this green one, but then again, who knows.  Think it more likely that it had a flat roof.  I must ask my Mom tonight.

 I may have played in this very back yard!

Our old stomping grounds

Downtown Vancouver offers a wealth of different things to do or see, these two were not on my list of things to see today, but I am sure glad I did!

I wonder what ordinary sight caught your eye today!

Happy Tuesday.

Monday, March 26, 2012

I Spy with My Little Eye

. . . Something that is green!

I took this picture a few weeks back before all the catkins and new leaves started filling in the blanks, or in this case, the trees.


This is the exit we aim for when travelling westbound on HWY 1.  Next stop; home, sweet home!

I hope all is sweet at your home today.

Happy Monday.

Sunday Sillies (one day late!)

Bloggerland was not very cooperative yesterday and wouldn't allow me entry-humph, perhaps they don't like the content of my blogs!  Well, they wouldn't be the only one.  Regardless, here is yesterday's posting this rainy Monday morning.


I call "today's blog, Sunday Sillies because if you knew and loved the 6-Pack and were around them long enough you'd understand why.  Usually after church we bring them home for lunch and art.  The art consists of old magazines, glue, colouring sticks, colourful construction paper and a whole ton of creativity on their part.  Yesterday's examples, spooked the heck out Papa and I, and when their parentals came to collect them, they were spooked too!


Depending on where they put this cut out face it may cover their teeth and somehow they could move that bottom part and it weirded me out!

Not all were silly or weird, like the pictures below.

When Cathy and Cliff arrived we were in the middle of preparing placecards for an impending dinner extravaganza. With some of the leftovers, Catie created crowns.  Here's a picture of Catie and her beautiful Mamma wearing them.

Coco-Bean very engrossed in cutting.  I love how intent she is, total concentration.

Cameron planning and concocting something else to scare us with.  Note Miss Caroline peeking at something in the background.


And, as often happens when you have 6 delights around, some kids don't get their picture taken, sorry Claire and Carly, but. . . I got their Lego creations!

Here's hoping you too felt creative yesterday!

Belated Happy Sunday.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

When Family, Friends, and Visits Collide!

Don't you love when this happens?

Through the miracle of Bloggerland and Facebook, new friendships have been formed.  Here's the backstory:

Our daughter April's husband's cousin, met and married the beautiful Hege.  Now Hege has a delightful Aunty Marion who lives in The Netherlands.  In addition to myself,  Hege is also a blogger, so are two of our daughters, Cathy and April, also, April's Sister-In-Law, Jolene.  Well Marion would read Hege's Blog, then read all of our blogs too and in this way got to know about us. 

One day on Facebook I received a message from Marion asking to be my "friend", explaining her connection to Hege and how she came to "know" us.  Of course, I said yes.  April and Jolene met Marion on her last visit, so were, I believe already her "friends" on FB.  Cathy, Amy and I were not, but now are.  Time passes, comments and friendship flourished and Marion plans a holiday to see her Niece Hege.  Hege arranged a dinner party for the lot of us and finally last night, we met face to smiling face! 

Back of the back story: 

It also happens that my cousin's daughter, the beautiful Colleen lives in Amsterdam, and it just so happened that Marion was reading all things BC that came her way, including a newspaper that happened to carry an article by, and a picture of, Colleen!   I do believe, but not with 101% certainty that this is the link to Colleen's Blog:  http://stuffdutchpeoplelike.com/   Now Marion remembered that I had family living in The Netherlands and about that very same time, Colleen had put something on FB about having an article in the paper.  I asked Marion if she had that paper, and at the same time Marion was asking me, do I have a relative in Amsterdam!  Incredible.

Marion brought that article along with her and I am going to mail it to my cousin this coming week!  Ah the beauty of the technological highways and byways, you just can't beat it!

Here are a few pictures from last night's feast and visit. 

 The oldest and the youngest party gals, me and our little Granddaughter Annie.


 April doing the honours while Jolene looks on.

 The ladies all!
Cathy, Jolene, April, Annie and Nanny, Marion, Hege and Amy

 One of Hege's adorable sons with his favourite Aunty.  We made snowflakes together!  Why you ask?  I usually cut snowflakes for April and Amy and Cathy each Christmas (not last year as it turned out).  That got Marion interested in how to make them, we did a tutorial via FB, and Marion took pictures of hers and I shared pictures of mine.  Somehow or other Hege's son found out about them, and Marion told him that we were coming and we would demonstrate our skills.  Sadly, mine were very much lacking due to being out of practice!  The little man is holding the one I made for him!

 The Guest of Honour, Marion!

Jolene and Hege

 Just the two of us!

 April and the very sociable Annie

Last night was a terrific  and I thank Hege and her husband for opening their home to we noisy, laughing women.  Ya, and Annie added more than her two bits with all of her beautiful babbling too!  You couldn't ask for a more lively and lovely evening than we had!

Here's hoping that you had a great day today too.

Happy Saturday!


Friday, March 23, 2012

Coming Soon to a Bowl Near Me!

We have this incredible neighbour up the street and around the corner and up a block or two away from us.  His name is Fred, and he has the most amazing Raspberry Canes producing the juiciest and abundant plants around.  Yesterday while we were walking home I noticed, not for the first time, that he has been very busy taking care of summer's future bounty.

 Half of them all tied up ready for the green shoots.

Although it doesn't show up very well, if at all in this picture, the green hose actually runs between two sets of canes.  As they aren't yet tied up they barely appear in this picture.  I have also been fascinated by the ground cover.  Nary a weed, it stays just like this year round.  I have no idea how he accomplished that, but it looks so awesome.

In addition to this long row of raspberries he has a smaller set on the other side of the ground cover.

Come early Summer the aroma of the ripening berries is unbelievable and too far from the fence to even snitch one.  That's when your childish tendencies really make you want to hop that fence and eat them til you're stuffed.  That's not going to happen, instead, I'm just going to ask Fred when I can bring a bucket to fill!

On this beautiful sunny Friday I wish you a bowl full of goodness thatever form that may take!


Thursday, March 22, 2012

Help!

In addition to my daily Blog, counting calories, drinking coffee at McDonalds and doing the puzzle in the free newspaper, I've also taken up a new "venture"; visiting the Physiotherapist twice weekly. 

I started going there because of arthritis in my left knee, but I think the pain I was having was likely  because of shortened muscles causing my kneecap to be slightly out of line.  Walking no more than 20 minutes at a time has hampered the weight loss issue, but I was in such pain I almost didn't care.  Enter Oasis Sports Injury Centre, http://www.cbi.ca/web/physio-oasis-langley/map and a wonderful Physiotherapist, Jacob!


Thanks for being "picture" of the day Jacob, but mainly, thank you for your care!

Here are a few more pictures just because.

I don't use these while I'm there, but I liked how they looked all together on a cart.

I do use the black "?" piece of equipment though!

I'll take spines for $200 Alex!  Glad I'm not there for an aching back.

 So many things that can go so terribly wrong-scary!

9 minutes to go!

It looks like I'll be a regular here for a while yet, but I have to say I'm extremely pleased with the improvement already, and for that I am very thankful!

Be it big or small, I wonder who or what made you thankful today?

Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Where is that Recipe?

A while back a friend asked me for a recipe which I myself hadn't used in a long time.  This is just one of the messes I created trying to find it!


Yes, it took a while but find it I did and while I was searching, I found several more that I need to try again.  The cooking slump needs to be jazzed up a bit and I've got just the recipe.

I hope whatever is cooking at your place does the trick!

Happy Tuesday.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Abundance

The vegi market right opposite McDonalds often has great deals on fresh produce. I'm not sure how the price of these peppers stacks up against where you buy yours.

When we went there today this abundance of Red Bell Peppers caught my eye.  Biting into a fresh red pepper reminds me of biting into a slice of watermellon somehow.  I know that sounds weird, because as you've no doubt noticed from my previous posts, I am weird.  Nonetheless, when I bite into a fresh pepper I love the satisfying crunch followed by the taste. I know, I know, not at all like bitings into watermellon.  As my daughter Amy always says, "same, same, only different"!


Don't these look enticing?

On another note, today Spring arrives and I for one couldn't be more delighted.  Happy Spring!

I sure hope Monday will be good to you.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Sentimental Journey

Almost every time we visit Richmond, we tend to drive by the old homestead.  It's weird, because a) I'd never want to move back to this house; and b) nor, move back to Richmond.  Old habits die hard is what I guess this amounts to. 


What we were both amazed at more than anything was that our front yard really wasn't all that large!  The oak tree on the left grew up from when it was started in a coffee can.  Also, my Mother's Day tree, that Japanese Maple is so large now too.  How I miss that Maple!

 No trip to Richmond is worth its' salt unless you drive to the Dykes.  Such a beautiful spot to walk, or sit and watch the boats go by.  By the time we got there the rain had stopped, the rainbow vanished and the glorious sun came out to play.

Sure hope you got out to play today too.

Happy Sunday.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Yesterday as we were getting out of the car in Richmond, we looked up and saw this marvellous rainbow.  In honour of St. Patrick's Day, this is today's picture.


Now if only the pot of gold would appear!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today.
Happy St. Patrick's day.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Fair's Fair!

Earlier in the week I posted two pictures of some of our Grandchildren.  Last night our daughter April posted this picture and I just had to nab it and share it with you!

An early St. Patrick's Day picture

If this picture doesn't bring a smile to your face, I don't know what will.  My Grandson wearing his St. Paddy's Day hat from his Pre-School,(!!!) along with his adorable Sis who is  no doubt telling him all about Rainbows and that elusive Pot of Gold.    Too cute by half.

Wishing you a Friday filled smile day!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Start of Violet Season

After last night's torrential rain and wind, I put on my bright, pink, crocks and did a turn about our yard, checking out Winter's damage.  It's bleak house out there I tell you, improvements need to be made at every turn of the corner!

Despite my lack of gardening skills, things are sprouting, and it makes me feel so happy.  That plus the sunshine made a totally unexpected appearance and  it felt so warm you couldn't help but feel good.  Thank you Mother Nature!

My greatest surprise the first Winter we lived here was the discovery of "Violets".  Not the type I always bought in Safeway, but the outdoor variety with a totally different look.  Other than the colour purple, the two don't even look related.  I have a particulary lovely cluster at the side of our house, but it's not quite ready for primetime.  Another smaller cluster is, just barely, blooming, if you look closely you will see them.


"It isn't raining rain you know, it's raining violets"

Soon our lawn out back will have little patches here, and little patches there.  I just love the start of Violet Season.

What did you discover today?  I sure hope you had a lovely discovery too.

Happy Thursday. 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Look What We Found!

I found a lucky penny today and added it to the jar.

The jar, well technically it's a little plastic applesauce container, was full, so I decided to count up our finds.

To give you a better idea of how much was in the little container, check this picture out --
A healthy little sum!  Guess how much?

I added this to the bigger jar and just about filled it right up.  Now you may be wondering, what's with filling up one container and transferring the contents into another.  Well it's this way, when you first put out this huge jar, it feels like, and realistically is like, it will never get filled up!  The little container feels less discouraging.  All I know it's been a while since we've filled up the jar, I'm guessing 3+ years.  The last time we'd found $25.00 in bills so we ran a Guess How Much Contest without going over and our son-in-law Tyler came the closest.  Sorry can't recall how much it was.   Today's little jar contained a grand total of $9.21 including some broken pennies and mangled dimes.

   


This jar won't hold another complete applesauce container, so I'll have to get it rolled up.

I guess you could say:


our streets are paved with gold, or copper or nickle!

Sure hope you made a happy find today.

Happy Tuesday!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Monday Pictures that Made Me Smile

Must confess, I took neither of these pictures, but they were both smile worthy, and on a windy-rainy Monday, I thought you'd like a smile too!

\
This is our wee Annie, 6 months old tomorrow!
Just love how she's peeping her head up and smiling at her Momma.


I told you it was windy and rainy out our way.  This is our 6-Pack.  They cleaned up their cul-de-sac of garbage, all ready for pick up.  The fierce winds knocked over cans and whatnots, so they of civic mindedness, went out to clean up.  Some of them had decided to sit on them until the Muni guys came.  Wonder if they actually did!  You've got to love their enthusiasm, I know I do.

Wish I had pictures of the rest of our guys and gals, because I know you'd love seeing them too and they are every bit as beautiful!

Happy Monday!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Things in Trees

One day driving home, I thought I spotted what looked like a face in a tree, kept on driving and didn't give it much thought until we walked by that place and sure enough, it's a face alright.  Wanna see?


Creepy!

It kind of reminded me of a Walt Disney haunted forest face or something.  I spy with my big googley eyes --- YOU, Muaaaawwww!

Whatever you spot today, sure hope it doesn't scare you but makes you feel good instead!

Happy Sunday.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

The Joys of Spring

As we are avoiding the ravine, for reasons I may or may not explain at another time, My Beloved and I were walking up 208th today.  Whenever we walk the ravine at this time of year, we enjoy watching the "skunk Lilly's" (my name for them), poke their heads up through the mud.  It won't be long before the beautiful yellow Lilly's opened up.  They are always a wonderful precursor to Spring.  As we aren't currently walking there, it was a wonderful surprise to look down and see these:


As soon as they open up, the black bugs will come along and pollinate them, then these immense, shiny, long green stems will eventually replace the Lilly and the smell of skunk, or a grow-op will be everywhere because that is the scent they exude.  What a cycle of life goes on in our waterways, who knew!


This stream becomes almost primordial at the foot of 95th, in fact My Beloved and I have each independently thought that we could imagine a dinosaur romping around around down there.  Today though it was a wide and overflowing river bed.  I must take a picture and show you what we mean.

I can't think how often we've been grateful to the city fathers who insisted on keeping the wetlands and ravines in Langley as they are.  It is always a treat to come upon them and find something new and exciting going on.

May this day bring you some new vista today too!

Happy Saturday.