Five on Friday

1.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

African Proverb -

2.  We have had 2 weeks of glorious summer weather, even though it's September!  It's the warmest September ever says the weatherman.  It's been great for wearing summer clothes and for growing things.

3.  My cucumbers are in overdrive, producing nearly 20 lbs. every few days!  I have never had this many and I've even tried a couple of new recipes.

4.  Ali Edwards is doing her famous A Week In My Life project and after doing it last year, I had to join her.  I've taken lots of photos recording what's happening for us this week.  I even got some printed and into an album already - so happy about that!!

5.  Photo of the week:

Little helper doing dishes for me

Five on Friday

1.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900); novelist, playwright

2.  Last week I bought corn at the Farmer's Market (ours needs a few more weeks to grow) and I wanted to grill it on the BBQ.  This post at Our Best Bites outlined 3 awesome methods, including one that did not require soaking.  I've done it twice now and it's. absolutely. the. best. way. to. do. corn!  Try it - I guarantee you'll love it :)

3.  The garden is still going strong with peas, beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers and cabbage all ready. I think the only thing we are still waiting on is the corn and it's coming!

4.  This morning I picked a small yellow squash, which was delicious steamed and served with butter and a hint of maple syrup for lunch.   The good news is there are lots on the plants.

5.  Photo of the week:

Roasting Marshmallows

(and really interested in how the stick was cut!)

Five on Friday

1.

Laughter is the fireworks of the soul. ~Josh Billings

2.  You. must. read. this!  Kelle Hampton writes about her beautiful daughter, Nella.  So, so precious - make sure you watch the video too.

3.  The weather for most of July and the first 10 days of August was cool, with highs in the mid-20s.  We had periodic showers and things grew slowly and steadily.  This week the temperatures have gone up - and everything is growing like crazy again!  The chickweed is taking over my garden.  So now I have weeding to do, right when everything is ready to pick and preserve.  My days do not have enough hours in them!

4.  I shredded the first big zucchini of the year and made muffins and chocolate cake today.  It. was. delicious!!

5.  Photo of the week:

Fun with Grampa

At the Playgroundgrand

Five on Friday

1.

2.  Because It's Time and You Can Change the World on Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience,  are amazing and you really need to reach them both!  We can make a difference in the lives of others, not just by giving things but by giving love and hope.

3.  Today's Capture Your 365 photo prompt is "photograph purple".  My morning meander around the yard made me happy!  And then I ate breakfast outside before tackling more weeding.

4.  Do you ever agree to do something and then wonder "What in the world was I thinking?!!"  Yeah - that's me with a project I'm working on right now!

5.  Photo of the week:  Glimpse from the past - a very old - and blurry! - photo of our kids taken at Expo 86.  There are so many memories attached to this - I am flooded with emotions!

Five on Friday

1.

2.  We had quite the weather week here with 2 funnel clouds touching down just miles away from our farm.  One was on the lake and the other was over farmland.  Luckily there was no damage from either.  And the showers just keep coming, which is good for the cabbage transplants :)

3.   Here's something cool to watch!  

4.  I've decided to move the 3 spaghetti squash I have growing in bags back in to the greenhouse.  The wind and cold weather have beat them up rather badly and they look quite forlorn.  They will love the heat in the greenhouse and come fall they will be protected for longer too.  

5.  

"Contentment"

Five on Friday

1.

“There is no such thing as a 'self-made' man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.”

George Burton Adams (1851-1925); educator, historian

2.  This poor little blog has been majorly neglected lately!  I need more hours in my day and more days in my week.  There's so much to do at this time of the year and it looks like November might finally be quieter!

3.  Have you seen the movie Girl Rising?  Watch it on CNN on June 16 and 23.  Now I need to find a friend that has cable :)  I love this quote from the website!

4.  My idea of doing a Friday photo share from my iPhone pictures is going by the wayside - at least for now.  I'm taking about 100 pictures a week and the choosing and editing process takes a long time.  Right now there are so many things needing my attention that this project is way, way down on the list. I did like the reflecting and reviewing process so maybe I'll do it once in a while.  (I thought of a month in review but then that means I'm looking through 400 pictures - and the project got even more overwhelming!)  Kudos to those who can maintain this Friday Photo Dump!

5.  Photo of the week:

Grampa Gus and Helayna

(my Dad is so good with kids -

and they love the tickle fests!)

Five on Friday

1.  

(source)

2.  I planted some of my patio pots this week with these lovely "Queen Bee" petunias that Sprouts Greenhouse had this year.  Blake and Maëlle helped me pick lots of pansies which will fill more pots :)

3.  Big news from the Alberta government this week is that there will be a complete re-do of provincial achievement tests.  The tests will happen in September which means so many changes for teachers. More exciting times for educators!

4.  The great tomato adventure continues with more transplanting and 27 plants finding new homes recently :)  I've moved some into the greenhouse now and I hope they survive our low evening temperatures, which continue to persist this spring. 

5.  Photo of the week:

Leaving early in the morning for the airport

Five on Friday

1.

Do you want to be a power in the world? Then be yourself.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 2.  It's National Scrapbook Day tomorrow and I will be making wonderful memories with our family as we celebrate some birthdays and gather with all of our children and their families.  We are blessed to have both sets of great-grandparents coming as well.   And then I'm looking forward to doing some scrapbooking later with all the pictures we'll take! 3.  It's been a very full week of fun with Melinda, Samuel and Malachi.  I can't believe that they are going home in 4 sleeps!  Every time they come the days fly by faster and faster.  Our house is going to be some quiet when they are gone.  So, so thankful that they came for this visit. 4.  I made a little visit to my favourite greenhouse on the second day they were open this week.  Two little helpers were on a roll when we picked out pansies.  I thought 5 trays would do but we ended up with 10!  They were so helpful and so excited to get pansies.  My Gramma would have loved seeing her great-great-grandchildren excited to choose them - they were her very favourite flowers.   The greenhouse is  a place of happiness for me - I would not have said that 5 years ago.  Amazing how a person changes, even at my age! 5.   Two In A Treehouse

Five on Friday

1.

One of my best moves is to surround myself with friends who, instead of asking, "Why?" are quick to say, "Why not?" That attitude is contagious.

~ Oprah Winfrey

2.  It's getting close to Mother's Day and as we think of the women in our lives that we love, watch this video.  It really made me think!



3.  Our chicks are one week old - and they have more than doubled in size!  I always forget how quickly they grow at the very beginning.  Despite the extra chores and the time they require, they definitely make it seem like spring has arrived on the farm.

4.  The last few mornings have been super early ones since our grandsons from New Brunswick have arrived.  They are still adjusting to mountain daylight time :)  But we are having a marvelous time - cuddling, chasing, working, laughing, enjoying these precious moments.  (And as a result, blogging is taking a back seat to living this week.  Thanks for your patience.)

5.  Which leads right into the photo of the week:

All in a row,

on the way to swimming

Five on Friday

1.

“It was only a sunny smile,  and little it cost in the giving,  but like morning light  it scattered the night  and made the day worth living.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940); American author

2.  Have you seen the new Italy inspired soaps at Bath and Body Works?  They look yummy - oh, wait, they aren't edible, are they?!

3.  Our new chicks arrived yesterday!  All 200 of them are doing well, trying to stay warm and cozy despite the -1 degree C temperatures and 30 km / hr winds.

4.  We spent this evening at a Music and Dessert event that a friend organized to raise funds for her Project Kenya trip in 2 weeks.  Most of the music was provided by their family - Mom, 4 daughters and a couple of friends who together made our evening most enjoyable. 

5.  Photo of the week from the archives:

With Grampa In The Sheep Pen

2011

Five on Friday

1.

“Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”

Walter Cronkite (1916-2009); American broadcast journalist

2.  In a letter to her son, Glennon Melton writes some poignant thoughts as she hopes that he will be compassionate towards his classmates.  It's well worth reading!

3.  Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals used this lovely photo as inspiration this week.  It's my favourite color of all time :)

4.  I subbed 4 days in a row at the elementary school this week and I have 2 more at the beginning of next week (those will be at the secondary school).  'I'm glad it's the weekend' pretty much sums up how I feel tonight, even though I really enjoyed each day!

5.  Photo of the week:

My favourite Easter treat this year

Five on Friday

1.

A kind word is like a spring day.

~ Russian Proverb

2.  Listen to this cool recording that was made in Halifax, NS.  It will warm your heart!  Thanks to Kathie for sharing the link.

3.  It's been sunny and warm this week - and it actually feels like spring!  The  snow has been melting and it's even getting muddy in some places.

4.  I was adventurous in the kitchen this week!  Lots of good food cooked up and enjoyed :)  Today we are having chocolate cheesecake as a birthday cake for our son-in-law Jonathan and tomorrow I'm serving a carrot cake jelly roll.  I'll have lots of leftovers - if you'd like to drop over!

5.  Photo of the week:

Court Whist Party 

Five on Friday

1.  Quote

2.  Here's an interesting list of the best selling books of the last 100 years in North America (according to Publishers Weekly).  How many have you read?  It's definitely interesting, especially by the authors represented.

3.  Winter has descended here again with more snow and very cold temperatures.  The forecast for the next 2 weeks is more of the same.  No point in getting too excited about planting things yet!

4.  Two and a half weeks ago I brought in some apple branches and this week they've burst into bloom.  I love the breath of spring that they bring to our home.

5.  Photo of the week:

Early morning walk with my sister

a rare treat!

Five on Friday

1.  Quote:

2.  Linds posted a link to So you're feeling too fat to be photographed this week.  We women are so hard on ourselves, aren't we?  I'm trying to take her advice to heart!  Because it really is true - our family wants to see us in pictures with them!

3.  And then she posted about Learning to make things - which is an awesome article about how the education system could work better!

4.  This "Yarn Bombing" post on Flickr made me smile!  How clever some people are!

Source: RenSandoz

5.  Photo of the week:

 A whole bunch of creating with Meadow today

Five on Friday

1.  Quote:

You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.                            -Ralph Waldo Emerson

2.  Second Cup has a wonderful new Vanilla Bean Tea Latte that is so, so good!  I am a big Starbuck's fan but this variation is my new favourite.  I hope you can find a Second Cup shop near you but I think they might only be in Canada.

 

3.  As an older, slightly beat-up car very loudly passed us yesterday, Silas says: "That is a grumble car.  He sure has a problem with his engine!"  It was just the sweetest thing right out of the blue!

4.  Silas and I worked together to make banana muffins yesterday and once they were in the oven baking, I looked over to our work station - and saw the melted butter sitting there, waiting.  Yeah - not a brilliant move to create completely fat-free muffins.  Thankfully most of them have been eaten fresh.  We were having such a great time working together but not really paying attention, I guess.  ("Focus, Gramma, focus" is my new mantra!)

5.  Photo of the week:  (on hold until I am back home at my own computer)

Five on Friday

1. 

“Sometimes there is nothing you can do, and in those times, you must do something anyway.”

Garrison Keillor (born 1942); author, radio personality

2.   I'm getting daily photo prompts in my inbox from Kristen at Capture Your 365 - and while I haven't done many of them, I love seeing the examples she posts every day.  If you are looking for reasons to use your camera, this could be the place to go!

3.  I used my food processor to make Pumpkin Scones (just like Starbuck's) this week - and they were so easy!  I love how it makes working with dough so simple.  I didn't do the glazes but they were still tasted so great.  I'll be doing many more of these, I know.

 

4.  It's been a week of snow, warm temperatures, ice, melting, cold temperatures - and around and around and around!  Tomorrow's high is predicted to be -17 C and then next week it's balmy again.  All of this makes for continually changing driving conditions.

5.  Photo of the week:

Mater, with his tall trailer,

 pulling the tractor out of the ditch

by Blake

Five on Friday

1.  Quote -

 Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

2.  Did you know it's National Hot Tea Month?!  A question I saw online was 'what new tea do you plan to try this year'?  So I thought I'd share the new ones I've tried in the last few weeks.
     Merry Cranberry Green Tea by David's Tea - Cranberry, apple, green tea, mistletoe leaves, star anise, cinnamon, blackberry leaves, safflower.
     Alpine Punch Rooibos by David's Tea - Rooibos, coconut, apple, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, rose blossoms, almonds.
     Cocomint Cream Herbal Tea by David's Tea - apple, coconut and peppermint

3.  This piece, 10 Things I Want My Daughter to Know Before She Turns 10, is such a good read for all Mamas - no matter if your daughter is 1, 10 or 35!  I printed it and hung it so I can be reminded of how to encourage my daughters and granddaughters.  

4.  Can you believe that January is nearly half over?  It's officially true - time speeds up every year that you get older - there really is no other explanation!

5.  Photo of the week:

Meatloaf Cupcakes

(with mashed sweet and white potatoes)

Meadow put one aside and we saved it as a 

'birthday cupcake' to use to surprise Grampa at his supper.

It worked - and the grandchildren were delighted!

Five on Friday

1. 

“The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today's work superbly well. ”

Sir William Osler (1849-1919); Canadian physician, founding professor at Johns Hopkins Hospital

2.  This wonderful machine came gift wrapped from all of my family this Christmas!  Thank-you so much!  

We are busy getting acquainted after I watched the 2 hr. video explaining how to use it and showing recipes that could be created.  Stay tuned!

3.  It's still the Christmas holidays at our house!  Late nights, good food, time with friends, games to play, relaxing days - it's all very good.

4.  Looking for something fun this month?  Take this animal spirit quiz and find out what animal you are most like.  It's kind of fun :)

5.  Photo of the week:

Happy New Year!

Five on Friday

1.

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

Albert Einstein (1879-1955); theoretical physicist, philosopher, Nobel Prize winner

2.    You must go to Starbuck's this week and order an Eggnog Chai!  They are absolutely delicious :)

3.   I have a stack of Christmas cards that are almost ready to mail.  But the printer ran out of ink so I can't print more copies of our Christmas letter.  The finish will have to wait until tomorrow.

4.  Are you still doing Christmas baking?  I have grand plans to make Butterscotch Confetti Bars, Raspberry Almond Thumbprints, Fudge Puddles and Chocolate Pinwheels this week.  I'll have to be super efficient with my time - wish me luck!

5.  Photo of the week:

Gingerbread House In The Works

Five on Friday

1.  This quote says exactly what's in my heart this year:

The way to see Christ in Christmas is to slow down — and see & be & do the small. 
 Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience

2.  Here's an excellent read, How to Lower Your Expectations, from in(Courage).   So good to read - and probably re-read! - as December goes on.

3.  I'm gradually accumulating Christmas gifts.  I'm so excited about the small purchases that I'm making and will share with loved ones.  I really must start wrapping some of them!

4.  Averie Cooks is a new blog that I found recently and I'm enjoying her daily posts.  I really will make these Cranberry Bliss Bars this month!

5.  Photo of the week:

Winter Sunset