Happy Mail

This big box was waiting for me at the post office today! Recently Becky at Live and Learn had a giveaway to share from Fiskars (you know the scissors people - they also have tons of cool scrapbooking stuff) and I was lucky enough to win it.




Just look at all the goodness in this box!! Flocked papers, new alphabet stickers, pens, border punch, butterfly punch, felt shapes, glitter, fingertip craft knife, , flowers, pebbles, ribbon, acrylic stamps, and 2 shape templates! My word!! I was so surprised at all the wonderful treats from Fiskars. I can hardly wait to play! First up - glitter and border punch, I think - followed closely by the stamps.

A huge thank you to Fiskars and Becky! I feel so privileged to receive such a generous gift. It's Christmas in July in my studio!!

Giveaway

You should see this marvelous quilt that is being given away at Old Red Barn Co.!! (Click on this link to get there - the picture link isn't working - not quite sure why not.) It would look awesome on anyone's bed - especially mine, I think! Go and check it out - and enter for a chance to win. Thanks to Randi at I Have To Say for the link.

The Big Fishing Trip

Last week Bob had a chance to go fishing on Vancouver Island with a good friend of ours and 2 of his buddies. It was a last minute thing but something he's always wanted to do. They flew to Ucluelet on the west side of Vancouver Island - the same place Naomi and I visited a few years back when she ran her marathon. Here are some pictures that Bob took.



Sun coming up as the boat heads out in the early morning.




I love this picture with the wake and all the fishing rods!




Such beautiful blue water - which apparently does not make for good fish catching. Something about the algae growing and the fish can't see the hooks - interesting theory!




They had supper at the Wickannish Restaurant over at Long Beach.



There were lots of surfers in the water. Bob said.




The lodge with rooms where they stayed.




Friends!

And did you notice that there are no pictures of fish?? Apparently they did catch some but not nearly what they hoped for. The weather was uncooperative for fishing out 20 miles on the bank on the second day so they stayed in around the islands and caught some rockfish and ling cod. A good reason to go back another time, Bob tells me!! And sorry, Mel - there will be no halibut for Christmas dinner!!

10 on Tuesday - Salads

I was thinking about salads this week and discovered that there are 10 I would call favourites. I'm sure you've tasted them but let me know if there's any for which you'd like the recipe. I've noted my original source in brackets.

1. Taco Salad (Bob's aunt Lil)

2. Tuna Waldorf Salad (Western Producer)

3. Japanese Cabbage Salad (Company's Coming Salads)

4. Carrot Slaw (Melinda)

5. Pear and Brie with Mixed Greens (Company's Coming Salads)

6. Strawberry Mango Salad (Melinda)

7. Veggie Rice Salad (Chatelaine)

8. Pasta Salad (my sister, Esther)

9. Spinach Salad (Company's Coming Salads)

10. 24 Hour Salad (my mom)

Honoured

I was ever so surprised when I went to Linds' blog, Rocking Chair Reflections today and saw that she has bestowed this award on me!



It's my very first blog award and I am humbled to think that someone else enjoys my ramblings, questions and photos. I just recently started tracking visits to my blog and I am amazed at the community of bloggers and visitors that drop by. The map feature is especially wondrous as it shows pinpoints from the Yukon to England to Poland to Australia to Singapore to Virginia to California (and many in between). So if you are one of those visitors, I thank you for visiting and sharing your time with me. I invite you to comment and share your thoughts and your site so that I might reciprocate and visit you too.

Now I must share this award with 3 blogging friends. Thank you to these people who inspire me to write, to pray, to smile, to enjoy life, to be a friend.

1. Becky at Live and Learn is an amazing photographer and such a wise woman. I love her thoughts on living with God in every day and how she loves her family.

2. Donna at Quiet Life is also known as Miz Booshay, who posts on the Pioneer Woman's photography site with beautiful pictures and how-to's for wanna be photographers. I love how she ends each post with 'Encourage one another' - such good advice.

3. Mary at Little Red House is a new blog find for me. She has the most beautiful home and her yard and garden are so pretty. I love her little finds and I've been trying to incorporate more thought and beauty into our home as a result.

There are so many others I could honour too. These give you a little sampling of who I am honoured to read and where I gain some of my inspiration. Please go and visit them too!!

Simple Woman Daybook

On a rainy Monday morning, I had a chance to do some online browsing and found several things worth noting. One of them is this blog The Simple Woman. I especially like her Monday morning activity so I've joined in today. Feel free check her site for more interesting reading - it will definitely start your week out enjoying a simpler lifestyle.



FOR TODAY - July 14, 2008

Outside My Window the flowerpots are filled with purple wave petunia blossoms, yellow and purple faced pansies, peach tea roses and fragrant herbs.

I am thinking about the visit we had with Meadow, Naomi and Jerry while Bob helped replace their leaking hot water tank.

I am thankful for warm and sunny summer days of rest and renewal.

From the kitchen banana brownies (recipe courtesy of Stacy Julian) and hamburger soup for supper.

I am wearing jeans, flip flops and a green tshirt.

I am creating a scrapbook page about last year's quadding trip to Nordegg.

I am going wedding dress shopping with Kelsey on Friday!

I am reading "Our Lady of the Lost and Found" for July's bookclub.

I am hoping for sunshine this week so we can the hay cut and baled.

I am hearing the CD Praise and Worship Songs for 2007.

Around the house things are tidy from the weekend but the floors need to be washed.

One of my favorite things is to sit on the patio, smell the flowers and drink my tea.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
- weed in the garden
- mend some clothes
- save my pictures to the hard drive
- visit my friend Carol
- bake rhubarb muffins
- make the bed in the guest room

Here is picture thought I am sharing



showing the goodness of my garden.

Thanks for visiting!

Custom Made

Look at this magazine cover I created online today!!



You can do this too! Just go to Big Huge Labs and follow the instructions - fun and easy!! Thanks to Mary at Little Red House for the inspiration!!

Quote of the Day

Itaipu Falls, Brazil


"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."

- Mark Twain

Creating

These 2 layouts have been on my desk for a long time so it feels very good to finally have them completed!



Meadow at our Iron Chef Challenge on Easter weekend




12 Moments from June 12 - finally finished it a month later!

Thanksliving

This week I am grateful for these things:

1. New potatoes from the garden - we had a good-bye supper with Mel and Tyler on Monday night and I served some with cream and dill - one of my favourite summer foods, I think. I remember planting the first ones on May 5th and thinking that I might be able to dig some while the Green's were home.

2. Creative inspiration from so many places and so many amazing people, including our daughter Heather - I always come home from a visit with her eager to scrapbook again

3. Nectarines and cherries - I could eat them all day long!



4. Summer roses - this tea rose has 15 buds on it right now! It was a Mother's Day gift from Naomi and Jerry and I am enjoying it so much!!

5. Bridal showers - Jerry's sister Amanda is getting married in a few weeks so Naomi had a shower for her last night. It was fun to learn more about her and Bruce - and to see her excitement over the wonderful new things she received for their home.

6. Summer trips with friends - Bob went away on a fishing trip with 3 other guys to the Canadian Princess Resort on Vancouver Island. They didn't catch too many fish but they did have a wonderful trip, from a few of the stories I've heard. It makes me happy to hear about the fun and the discussions that good friends can share. We are blessed to be surrounded by very special friends.

7. Hugs and kisses from granddaughters - I am so grateful that we get to see them often!!

8. Summer rains that bring moisture to nourish growing things. The canola crops are blooming in our area now and the landscapes are gorgeous with deep greens, golden yellows and big blue Alberta skies.

A Summer Day

Today Helayna took me to the BIG park! It's got more playground equipment, a huge grass area and - the best part for her, I think - a pond!! We had lots of fun together -



- throwing rocks in the water




- climbing on the little wall




- going down the BIG slide




- and trying to hang on to the purple dinosaur. And of course, taking pictures!!




I got lots of hugs and cuddle time too. I am so blessed to feel these little ones share their love and just relax in my arms. It's a feeling that fills my soul and one I can treasure until the next time I get to see them.

Crowsnest Quadding

We headed south into the Crowsnest Pass area of southern Alberta and British Columbia for our latest quad adventure, just a couple of weeks ago. It was another memorable time together.




One of the reasons we headed to this area, was to visit our nephew Ed who is working at this coal mine as part of his engineering coop placement. He gave us a tour around the mine site and explained some things to us. It's hard to believe he's just 20 and is already in the field, making decisions and plans for facilities. It's very cool to watch people grow up and begin their careers.




We saw them loading trucks with coal.




Ed in his office




After the mine tour, we headed out to investigate new trails on our quads. There was lots to see and navigate through. We had to cross this rushing stream just in front of the fallen logs. The current was so fast that it pushed the back wheels on the quads around. We all got safely through without being drenched.




Cruisin' along




The weather was absolutely perfect - sunshine and blue skies all around. (Can you name the artist who used that line in a song?!!)




Sometimes when you come around a corner, the most beautiful views open up in front of you. This one was breathtaking!




We found some snow in which to play and get stuck.




The trail ended high up in this bowl. There was still lots of snow around and we spotted mountain goats higher up on the mountain. I was glad to get safely up - and back down!!




Bob was in charge of cooking breakfast on Sunday morning. We'll make a cook out of him yet :))




The guys tried fishing a bit but weren't successful. Good thing the view was excellent!

From this area, it's possible to quad across the Canada - US border and get into Montana. We got sidetracked so didn't get to do this ride - perhaps another time. Thanks for riding along today!

Check this out!

Sometimes the most creative thing to do is see what other scrapbookers and artists are up to. There are so many seriously talented people out there, sharing beautiful ideas and projects. And I am constantly amazed at what treasures and inspiration can be found online! Erica Hernandez posted a link to this site today and it's really cool!

One Word is a great place to develop and improve your writing skills. You can check out what other people have written too. Go on - give it a try - it's fun!!!

Ten on Tuesday - for Melinda and Tyler

It's the dreaded day again! After 45 days in Alberta, Melinda and Tyler are departing tonight for Nova Scotia. Does a mother ever really get used to saying good-bye and sending her children away? I know all the stuff about living their own lives, following God's plans, email, visits, our world is small, yadda, yadda, yadda. But my heart is still very sad and the tears are so, so close to the surface every time they must go ( and it doesn't matter if they go to Asia, Nova Scotia, Airdrie, Calgary or Winfield - the feeling is pretty much the same).

1. No more sharing prayer and faith stories as we study God's word and grow in faith together - we are blessed that Mel and Tyler share a personal walk with Jesus and encourage us in ours

2. No more sharing vehicles or squishing in to back seats as we travel here and there




3. No more daily workouts or runs to plan around - Tyler ran 30 km yesterday as he's preparing to run a marathon at the end of the month. Mel ran into Thorsby with him and I picked her up while he ran back home on his own.

4. No more rehashing of travel memories in Europe and Asia - gonna miss that alot, especially with the Beijing Olympics only a month away

5. No more great cooking sessions with Mel's recipes, new spices and vegetarian menus

6. No more discussions about medical conditions or terms with our future doctor-in-law and his lovely wife!



7. No more baseball practise on the front lawn (there's a slowpitch tournament this weekend and I think Tyler's determined to win so Mel had to get her game up a notch or two!)

8. No more lessons on how big an acre is, how an airseeder works or how to shoot gophers

9. No more of Tyler's puns and jokes - he has an awesome sense of humour and it lightens many a moment around here




10. No more suitcases and medical textbooks stacked in the living room.

Beach Bash 2

Melinda and Esther (my sister) planned a Beach Bash to celebrate Heather and Tyler's birthdays. Creative imaginations and willing participants always make for lots of laughs and great memories!!

1. Hula Hoop Relay



Thread the hula hoop through your clothes, drop the marble through the tube and repeat with each team member. Poor Heather had a little trouble with her belly and this task!


2. Coconut Hammer Toss



Throw the coconut-on-a-rope as far as you can


3. Watermelon Eating Contest



3 hungry guys + 1 watermelon + as fast as possible = I don't want to see another watermelon for a long time!




I can't believe we just ate all that watermelon!!"


4. Sand Sculptures



2010 Vancouver Olympics represented by an igloo, snowman and inukshuk




Birthday cake




Turtle family


5. Rubber dinghy race



Blow up your dinghy, 1 team member rides in it, 2 others are blindfolded,




race up around the pier and back to shore on the other side!




One sister towing her pregnant sister




I love how my Dad and Helayna are just hanging out together, waiting for the action to begin.




The little girls had fun on the swings, in the water and getting a ride on the dinghy.