Happy New Year

Happy New Year all...Hope 2010 is a good year for love, kindness and living in the moment..that is why they call it the present..Ali Edwards is asking us to pick one word to live in the new year...I think I will live with "Acceptance".. accepting of my parents frailities, my weakness', all the love that surrounds me....Let's have some fun girls..take care..

On another note Tina from Glue on my fingers paint in my hair could use some words of encouragement..She has stage 4 cancer and it has matasaized into her liver anad she is in ICCU in Texas..so go to her site and say HI...thanks

Hello Family and Friends !!!!!

Hope your Holidays were happy and safe. We celebrated a french-canadian Christmas Eve at my SIL's new home with 30 people...... Christmas Day dinner was for 12 at our home this year....... My daughter Jenna celebrated Christmas with her partner's family in Toronto, Canada.....I ate too many goodies, talked to all my relatives and slept too little. ....However, everyone is happy that we had the chance to get together as our parents are in their middle to late 80's and we are enjoying each day as it comes...... 2010 is the year of my son's wedding in July, and Jenna having a baby in May.... Right now my credit card is being hidden by DH and I am in a savings mode. lololo.....Take care all and talk to you in the New Year...

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS

MERRY CHRISTMAS DEAR FRIENDS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR..


Take care and be safe with your family and friends. It has been a pleasure to get to know you over this past year. I look forward to new adventures in 2010.

Oh Tannenbaum !!

We decorated the Christmas tree on Sunday..I bought 3 new ornaments, a pair of little skates, and 2 cute owls..Last year I decorated the mantel over-the-top..this year I kept it more simply..not as cute as many blogs I have visited, but when all the candles and lights are on it is cheerful...take care only 10 days to Christmas ..Are you Ready?? I have baking done, now if I can stop eating them..gifts wrapped, check, christmas cards, almost finished, now to mail!!

Hanging Around

Was cruisin my favorite blogs and Julie of Janes apron caught my attention. She is describing her newest apron find. It is a cute, pink christmas apron. So I thought ..a picture of my little aprons hanging in my kitchen, next to the computer. I love finding a child's apron even though I don't wear an apron when I make a mess in the kitchen..just wipe my hands on my pants..to my Mom's chagrin..lol have a great day baking, cooking and art-fulling..with all your colourful and fun aprons..

Good Life !!

Aahh the good life..I want to come back as my cats..First bit of sunshine in a month and Niala soaks up the warm sun shining through our bedroom window, lying on a rumpled bed listening to music and my voice..what happiness..so simple don't you think..hmm maybe she could write a book of advise on how to live the simple life; but no she is too relaxed...I am going to go into the sun and enjoy...take care and have the good life today !!

Cooking Up a Storm

I was up at 5:30 am today, as I babysat the little munchkin next door for an hour.. At 8 am, we went out for buttermilk pancakes and lots of coffee, and of course bacon. When we came home, I was in a cooking mood, you know the feeling. I first made almond-orange biscotti, with orange-flavoured liquor; plus I made a delicious turkey, carrots, turnip, bok choy and soba noodles..I love throwing unusual goodies into the pot. I really don't like soup much; but my hubby loves it and as he has been working alot of ot and has diabetes, the soup works as a good lunch. When he came into the kitchen area and saw the liquor on the counter, he asked if I had put it int he soup...LOL...maybe next time..I have made the best beef stew with tequila, hubby doesn't like his booze being used that way !!!! Well better go and see what other mess I can create in the kitchen, oh wait, I have to find the counters and sink first !!!

Take care and have a great day with the family/friends..

WELCOME FRIENDS

I have decided to complete another change on the blog..What do you think? I love changing colours, pictures and backgrounds.

Tuesday is December 1st and I am feeling the season this year.I have been making Christmas cards,buying little gifts and actually looking forward to Christmas.

Many people are sad during this season due to depression, finances, or remembering things lost over the years. I have been trying to make small changes in my life and reaching out to others less fortunate makes me feel that is the way for me.

Take care friends and thank you for visiting my blog. I have been so fortunate in making new Blogging friends!!!

I'm Alive !!

Well It has been awhile!! Hubby and I went away to Vancouver Island for a few days of vacation..what with a lay-off, gaining a job and getting a new job, holidays in 2009, longier than a week-end weren't in the cards ....we went to Qualicum Beach, stayed at a honeymoon cottage, right on the water,.. with a fireplace, jetted tub in the bedroom..beachcombed, dinners, art festivals and talked..we now like each other again lol..now we are back I am trying to trap and save those holiday feelings..weather has been miserable..rain, rain, rain, and more rain..my Dad says to check for webbed feet....I have been enjoying visiting many blog friends and seeing what they are up to during the pre-christmas season..Must go and get to some art..Mom and Sis are coming for lunch tomorrow-chicken caesar salad, cheese and olive bread, lemon-ginger tea and little ginger-bread men..talk to you soon..take care..Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends..

Cupcakes and Chickadees !!

Well, well well, don't I have an exciting life...baking chocolate cupcakes ; and watching crazy chickadees fighting over the feeder outside the kitchen window. The weather is warm, wet and stormy. Listening to wild classical music. Worked on some christmas cards, reading friendly blogs and being grateful for my life!! Take care friends..

Engagement Photos

I am so happy..Mike and Meghan brought over some offical engagement photos, apparantly there are 250 of them. I am posting 2 of my favorites. It is amazing to me, to see such fine young people.She is working on her nursing degree and he is a heavy-duty mechanic apprentice. We are so proud of them. I knew him when he was a little twirp, and let me tell you that probably was just last month !!!!! ..lol...

NEW BLOG BANNER COMING SOON!!!

I am very excited, soon I will have a new blog banner designed by Danielle, Design Girl. I won a giveaway from Linda, Restyled Home. So I will unveil Danielle's work soon..Take care all..

Natasha's Blog Party

Well today's the day for unveiling our work...I participated in a Vicki Chrisman class at the bc creative expo..she taught fairy shadow boxes..thanks Vicki...well I completed my own from an old box and scrapes from Creative Vintage images..

Let's Have Some Fun..

I found this on Stacy Julian's site...go out and have some fun...you might feel better!!!!

Gratitude Week

Think about what you are grateful for today..I am grateful:

-being loved and understood
-my love hubby
-my children, nieces and nephews, sister and brothers
-for my parenets and MIL still being with us
-long lasting friendships
-able to work at my art

What are you grateful for ?

Thanks to Lelainia Lloyd for the notice of Gratitude Week..

Scattered!!!!

Instead of creating art today and yesterday, and wait a minute last week, I have been cooking for our Canadian Thanksgiving, playing with the cats, and reading my brains out... soooooo I will leave you with a very creative pile of work to be done..lol...have a great weekend.

Delicious Ribs

I love ribs..today I made smoked ribs in the oven..cooked 3 hrs in a 225F oven , on a rack over a small amount of water, made a rub, and "mopped" the ribs every 30 min. with a wet sauce...made my Mom's buttermilk cornbread....the ribs were great, pink inside, juicy and spicy..will keep this receipe...cornbread warm..this is all that is leftover lol!!!!! I think that in another life I was a southern cook...

Fabric Delight

This piece was made for my sister in 1976 by a japanese student...so lovely and different from our western embroidery techniques...


Here is some ukranian needlework..

I spent some time with my Mom last week...we are so very different..I always ask my parents if I'm a changling..my Mom is very organized..never met a number she didn't like..not me...I am messy, artistic, head-strong and crazy...so anyway we cleaned out her linen closet...now she gave me some lovely lines that belonged to my grandmothers..one was Ukrainian and the other English...some fabrics I needed to soak in gentle soap to remove decades old stains..

this pillow case was given to my grandmother by her mother and she received it after she died in 1931, I have a lovely note attached:

So I have been enjoying the lovely linens..I so love fabric!! What kind of linens make your heart sing?????

Yippee..I finally did it!!

Well I finally did it..I made an apple pie that smells tastes, and looks good. All thanks to Teresa of French Poppy. She shared with me a great receipe and it worked. I have given birth and adopted children..in my various jobs I drove a 25' bus..collected taxes, dealt with lawyers and worked with hospice...but thoughout my married life I couldn't for the life of me make a pie. My Mom makes the best pie..but my first pie..well..we couldn't cut it, it was so hard...but today I did it!!!!! Now I wonder what my next great accomplishment will be..maybe be a nicer person???

My friends what feat do you want to accomplish next??

OH NO..Fall is Coming

Summer..Barbecues, family gathering ,birthdays, weddings, swimming outdoors, long hot days and nights..I read books like: Baking Cakes in Kigali..206 Bones..The Power of Acceptance..French for Dummies, many cookbooks.. Movies-Harry Potter, Julie and Julia (loved both)..today I received 20 lbs. of freshly picked apples, made apple pie and apple crumble..it rained all day..the tree in the back has lost its leaves..for dinner we had fall food - baked chicken, rice and steamed cauliflower with asiago cheese..oh well.. I will go kicking and screaming into fall and winter..I wear shorts in the house until snow... enjoy the last few days of summer..take care friends..

Langley "Cruise-In"

Hello Friends..Hubby and I attended the Langley Cruise-In yesterday. Langley must have the most collector cars in Canada. The cruise-in is an opportunity for old car lovers to come and see cars from Canada, Washington, Oregon etc all gathered in one place.. Thousands of people were out and about in Langley.They closed off downtown ... we walked and gawked... had a great time..very hot..see you later..take care..

"It's All About Me Challenge"

Click It's All About Me button and find out what fun and games lie ahead for all Bloggers..GO and read Natasha's fun ideas to develop a project just for YOU !!!! Hmmm what unfinished project do I have in mind. What ideas have you left bubbling in the background.?..Let's join in and celebrate ourselves...send yourself a SWAP goodie!!!

Here's Me!!

Thanks to the wonderful, thought provoking post of Caroline's, I decided to go ahead and post what I like about my body...so after taking a pic here and a pic there of my hand feet etc..I said what the H.. I am 58 years old, I have held hands, soothed babies, helped the dying, walked the floor with worry and excitement, carried happiness, grief, love and children..let's be happy that you have feet beneath you and sky above...so I am posting ME in all my Monday- not showered, not made-up.. hidden behind many layers..Tada!!

Thanks Caroline !!!!

Giveaway ..Flea Market Style Magazine site

GO!!!!!!!! on over to the Flea Market Style Blog for a great giveaway...a fab rolling cart to carry all your goodies from the flea market or library or just tooling around town!!!!!!!...

Toile Baby Frame

I had fun today with a 69 cent ugly brown plastic frame and a 25 cent pair of baby pants..painted the frame x 3 coats of vintage white paint..cut fabric and Voila!!..gift for some baby's nursey!!

Happiness

Well today has been a blur of good events..I dropped off an item for A, then drove to SIL to drop off her gift...She loves the taken of love..my little niece loved her belated present..all the girls had lots of goodies to tell me...what a fab group love them all..the next door neighbour thanked me for the little gift for her 3 week old son and I got to meet him for the first time..oh so sweet..plus I meet up with Mom and Sis just to say HI..Tonight I have a job interview with a mom to see if we suit for a p/t after school job..I had a nap and am now waiting for the love of my life to come in to share our day..Thanks for listening friends...take care..

Birthday Gift

Tomorrow is my SIL 50th Birthday...I made a small token of my affection and love..She loves crows and crows love her ...I added a chinese coin for good luck..

I will begin to be less shy about posting some of my work....Thanks friends..take care have a great day...

Flea Market Style Magazine blog

Go and visit Flea Market Style magazine blog site and see what the editors have cooked up for you the readers.
fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com

Here you will find "Meet the Editors", FAQ and follow the editors on "Twitter and Facebook". I am looking forward to all the goodies this trio is getting ready to share.

We are busy getting ready to go away for 4 days to Salmon Arm, BC... BIL has invited his family to come..Hubby's Mom and Sis and niece are already there..Al and I, Mike and Meghan leave from the coast at 8am and Jenn and Alex leave the same from Calgary, Alberta..as my daughter says..one more sleep..there will be about 24 people..Alex gets to meet us for the first time!!....going to a Root and Blues festival, eat corn, blueberry pancakes and visit..maybe some bike riding, walking and swimming...here we come..see you all next week...have a great week-end!!!!

Floating Along

What a lovely Sunday..Hubby and I slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, read all the papers, listened to music, watered the garden.. Hubby cleaned the house.. what a great guy..Michael and Meghan came for her birthday dinner.. She is a sweet girl...enjoyed the talks, wine..bbq steaks, spinach salad, fresh corn on the cob....I am excited about their wedding plans...lovely day...have a great week friends..sending hugs and love your way...

Hot as Hades

So this is what hell feels like..here on the Westcoast of Canada the temperature is +100 today.. plus 90% humidity....so there I was in the deep of winter dreaming of summer and bam I am now hiding in the a/c bedroom or car lol..we are swimming right after work and eating bbq or salads and secretly longing for the cooling rain.. hope everyone is enjoying their summer...I love peach-tea popsicles...

What is your favorite flavour??

Life List

I was visiting http://tatterededge.blogspot.com/ , Lelainia was talking about her life list - all the things and places she would like to do and see...so I am making my own life list...

Walk on the Great Wall of China

Hold my grand-children

See my son/daughter get married

Go the ArtFest

Grand Canyon

Yukon

Paris with my Love

Boating Nile

Publish my work in Magazine -done-

Teach others art work

Meet some of my fav blog people

Well this is a start..must go and think of other items to place on my life list..What do you want on your life list????

Good Morning Friends

Busy yesterday helping Mom with community garden and house garden, where does she get the energy, after watering sat in cool shade..humming bird came to visit hovering just in front of us , it seemed for minutes, that;s what it is all about, the messy, the unexpected and the joy of nature..well I had better go ..take care Enjoy your day!!

Week-end Together

The Mister and I went to our cabin in the Glen, Maple Falls Wa. , spent time together really talking and listening, swimming 2x a day and walking and camp fires..On the Saunday we drove to the base of Mt. Baker, haven't been there since I was 10..snow at the side of the road..clear mountain streams, fresh air and time to think..good time was had by all....

Great News!!

Please read Junk Camp and Restyled Home for some fantastic news about a new magazine coming out in 2010...Flea Market Style...just what we need..I have been doing flea market and junk store style for many years..look out anything free at the side of the road....good to see people are willing to take a risk in these depressing times...good luck to Ki and Matthew..

Makes Me Smile!!

Hello Everyone: Hope your summer is fine and happy. I was visiting janesapron.typepad.com and found this cute pic and a story attached..go and read and smile..

Been busy taking my MIL to heart Dr. new meds... hope all will be well...Spent time with my parents over the last 2 weeks, helping etc. Son's engagement party..great to meet new friends and new family, and tomorrow funeral for Al's Auntie Agnes, god rest her soul, she was such a funny and kind lady.. Take care all..we are going away for the week-end to Maple Falls Washington..we have a trailer at The Glen..swimming, walking and camp fire...Have a good week-end !!

Summer and the Living is Easy

Today is Canada Day..We slept in, made a pancke breakfast, relaxed, did small jobs, Al put up the new fan in craft/guest room, had a 2hr nap, made wraps, drank wine on the patio, played with cats, ate chocolate, going for a swim and hot tub..so yes today the living is easy..take care..

Special Day!!

Most of the time Canadians don't like to wave the flag and all that stuff..Not that we are shy, but maybe from the British we learned not to blow our horn etc. But today was a very special day for my friends Claudia, Laslo, and Andrew Finna as I watched them become Canadian citizens. It was a special and emotional day. They have worked hard to become good citizens. So here's to you my friends Welcome and now let's party!!! SKOL

Pleased!!

Well I had some good news on Tuesday. I bought the Summer 2009 issue of Stampers' Sampler "Take Ten" and found out that my card was published in their challenge. My scanner is not working so if you have the issue look on page 17 "Best Friend". This gives my creativity a little boost as I struggle with my artistic worth..I know that I should be ok with my work but..I am going to work forward with more challenges and contests. I am working on being more positive and happy with where I am.. Thanks for listening!!

Yummy Strawberries

Strawberry Season has arrived, a little late, but wow are the berries delicious..Picked up 15 lbs. for Mom and 10 lbs for me..made freezer jam, froze a few bags and today made yummy ice-cream for Father's Day BBQ for Dad and Al tomorrow..bought ice-cream is cheaper to buy than the one I just made, but oh the difference in taste..well I had to do quality control.... for all the Fathers out there, please have a lovely and happy day..

Thoughtful Thursday

Good Morning all..

"Be glad of Life,

because it gives you the chance to love

and to work and to play and to look up at the stars"

Henry Van Dyke

Or as Cyndi says:

"Girls just wanna have Fun"

Lazy Sunday

Al and I headed out this am to a couple of flea markets out in the valley..got lucky at the market at the old drive-in..canadian souvenir tablecloth and cowboy motif barkcloth curtains--maybe make some cushions..and then headed to the farm fare site..lots of junk and bought a lovely photo of 2 siblings from the turn of the century..a flower punch for a dollar..and we ate yummy rhubarb tarts...came home and planted the herbs and a funny veggie plant that is a white and lavender eggplant..oh what fun...see you soon..take care !!