Friday, May 15, 2009

Balancing Act.

On a recent afternoon in White Rock, we came across this "Inushuk artist".
He was creating his masterpieces from the rocks along the train tracks.
They are so fascinating. How the weight of the stone seems to counter the expected tumble is so impressive.
I have never tried it myself, I wonder if it takes some skill and practice? I really enjoyed watching him work.
In other less interesting matters...our back yard is almost ready for the lazy days of summer. We had the pool guy come by today to do a little nip and tuck on our antique pool liner. Its starting to show its age these days. But with today's work, we should be able to eek out another year or two's use. These days it is more nieces and nephews using the pool than us or our children. We have had alot of good times and pool parties, so it has well earned retirement when the time comes. Once it packs it in completely, we will just fill the hole with dirt and maybe just get a hot tub. and room for a veggie patch. I do like to sit by the water though, even when its still too cool to swim, it is a nice colour and the reflection gives me a sense of peace. Laughing to myself just now, I am siting poolside with my laptop as I write this.... With Davids heavy Metal band practice booming from the house... What Peace? you may well ask! They are rehearsing for a show tomorrow. Ahh there... they are stopping for a break to order pizza. Now its peaceful. I can hear the birds singing their evening praises.
Good night birds.... Good night Bloggers!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Everyday Miracles

Our garden is really starting to wake up now. I snapped these photos this morning. This clematis grows right by my front doorstep. It is a very old established plant and never fails to give me pleasure, year after year.
We had a nice get together with Keith's Uncle and Aunt/Godmother today for lunch. I hadn't seen them for a year, so we had lots of catching up to do. Lots of laughs and reminiscing done before lunch was through. I took my camera along intending to get some photos of them but got so wrapped up chatting that I forgot to take my camera out of my bag!!!
Ladies Mantle filled with evidence of last nights rain. Also known as Fairies Cup. These things are just some of the everyday miracles that bring a steady stream of beauty to our world. Which reminds me of this beautiful Sarah McLauchlan song.

Monday, May 11, 2009

This little fella was in our swimming pool, when I uncovered it yesterday.
"DONT EAT ME!!!!!!!!!!
No way, just hoping if I kiss you you will turn into a prince. The kids took him in a bucket to the forest and set him free by the creek.
Front steps? Glad they aren't mine. But then again, they do come down onto the beach front where these gorgeous tulips are growing.



Bunk beds. Binzen and Sasha catch a few zzzzzzs.
I hope you all enjoyed your Mothers Day. My day started with breakfast in bed. Heidi seved home made blueberry pancakes. She got me a Paul Potts CD. It is awesome and I have played it over a few times already. He is the fella that won the first "Britain's Got Talent". I spent all day in the yard playing in the dirt, which always makes the dog happy. He loves to be out there but only if he has company.
Sad news for Vancouver tonight. The Canucks lost tonight which puts them out of the playoffs. On the plus side, now I will have my house work caught up again instead of watching a game for 3 hours every other day. Truth be told though, I would rather have a filthy house, if it meant hockey in June.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Beach Baby

Beach weather on Saturday drew us out to White Rock, BC.
Keith had business out that way so I went along for the ride and I am glad I had the camera with me.
I love catching shots of little children at play.

This young man was a camera magnet in his bight red hood.

He looks so little against the enormity of the Pacific Ocean.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Ahhh Weekends!


Weekends are such fun aren't they? When you make the most out of your leisure time, it sure is rewarding. Some times we get so caught up in chores and commitments that before we have had a chance to enjoy it, the weekend is gone. Kids know how to say the heck with chores and just have a good time.
Last weekend David, his friend Hillary and Heidi went canoeing and camping at Alouette Lake.
After we got the boat on to the truck, we set off to the lake which is about five minutes to the gate of the park and then another ten minutes to the lake, by car. Not far from home but is like being in the middle of nowhere. I love living on the edge of the wilderness.
Here's a little plug for Canada's famous coffee shop in association with a great Canadian pastime.
We dropped them off at the boat launch and they paddled off down towards the narrows at the far end of the lake. Its a fairly easy paddle to the far side as the water flows that way, but coming back can take three times as long as you have to paddle into the current. There are a couple of Provincial campgrounds in the area, but they like to find a spot in the wilds and enjoy a more rural setting. They camped at the tip of that far peninsula. It was cool up there with the wind coming across the snow, still low on the surrounding slopes.
Thankfully it stayed dry and they made it back dirty but no worse for wear.
Today Keith and I took our nieces to help at a hot dog sale fundraiser. It was sponsored by a large furniture shop to help promote their sale. The shop provided all the supplies and the barbecue and we got to keep all the donations for the girl's group.





They had the most fun doing promotions at the road side. The shop has a mattress company mascot, which is an unemployed sheep. The sheep claims to be put out of work because their beds are so comfortable that people no longer need to count sheep to get to sleep!

Here are Jocelyn, Tasha and Lexi, as the sheep. The girls all took turns wearing the sheep costume and dancing and waving signs to get customers into the shop where we were selling hot dogs at the front entrance. Its interesting to see the difference in the donations you get for a hot dog. Some people will give you $5.00 for one and other times you get an entire family that gives you $5.00 to feed five of them. Its all fine, as we don't pay anything for the supplies. I remember what it was like to be a struggling young family. We even had a couple of homeless people come sheepishly up to us and I told them give what you can afford. Well I guess they couldn't afford much 'coz they gave nothing, but that was alright. It teaches the girls something about charity.

We have had some gorgeous spring weather recently. I have spent many hours in the yard getting things tidied and pruned. Its finally taking shape again. With the busy spring we had last year, we didn't do much in the yard. But this year I am feeling more inclined. Keith recovered our patio. We have a corrugated vinyl roof which was cracked and leaking. So now its all new and we love to sit out in our dry outside area. I love the sound of the rain on that roof, its so peaceful. Even when it pours down we can sit out side and keep dry. I love it.

With the nicer weather, I have been doing a lot of out door cooking. We had steak tonight, with grilled yams and a delicious spinach salad with pecans , granny smith apples marinated in lemon juice and strawberries. It was delicious! yesterday we had portabello mushroom burgers with swiss cheese and we also did a stirfry with tri coloured sweet bell peppers, onion, garlic, mushrooms and zucchini. Yum!!!!!

We have been glad to get back to our hockey games. The Vancouver Canucks were on a break for a few days following their early win in round one of the Stanley Cup Finals. Now in round two, we have won one and lost one. They play for the best four out of seven. We are challenging the Chicago Blackhawks. Vancouver is the only remaining Canadian team, so we have to do well as the whole country is now rooting for us! You see how I say "us"? As though I am one of the team! He HE HE!

I am working night shift tonight so I had better get scooting along here now. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Saturday, May 02, 2009

She Flew up to Heaven.

May 2nd marks a year since our beautiful niece Kayla was taken from us at just 17 years old, following a two year battle with cancer. She continues to be missed and is never far from our thoughts.

I am posting this Alan Jackson Song for her. Performed here in ASL, which I find really moving.

SISSY'S SONG

Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost inside
Anger shot straight at God
Then asking for His love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

It's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
Will always be of times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don`t worry 'bout me