Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Someone having fun at Willows
Walking along Willow's Beach the other day and someone had built these structures out of driftwood. Pretty impressive.
This one rather looks like a person with bent knees don't you think?
Seems to be the beginning of something here...I'll have to drop by and see what develops.
This one rather looks like a person with bent knees don't you think?
Seems to be the beginning of something here...I'll have to drop by and see what develops.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
It's official...fabulous autumn colours
Lots of people have been noticing how wonderful the colour of the leaves has been and it seems it isn't our imagination after all...sunny days, cool nights, and no wind.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
March of the Penguins
We're getting some indoor painting done and one area is the little bathroom off the second bedroom upstairs. I couldn't resist this fabric for the window curtain!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thanks, Chris!
Our neighbour, Susan, headed off to Fiji this weekend for her annual "Girls' Away Week" and a client left her some roses just before she left so Chris brought them over for me since he "couldn't use them"...thanks, Chris.
Looking forward to hearing about the sun and sand of the south seas....
I imagine Susan is swimming up to a bar like this just about now...
Looking forward to hearing about the sun and sand of the south seas....
I imagine Susan is swimming up to a bar like this just about now...
Monday, October 20, 2008
What a fabulous weekend!
This was certainly a weekend to remember for weather. Jim got the storm windows up in the front where I always perch so no cool winds to disturb my comfort.
The cat across the street was enjoying the sun as well...it looked perfect lying there between the two pumpkins.
The cat across the street was enjoying the sun as well...it looked perfect lying there between the two pumpkins.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tell me it ain't so, Joe.
This from the Telegraph. I love Mr. Kipling products when we're in Britain...how can people stop buying them!
"Premier Foods, which manufacturers a host of store cupboard favourites, from Branston pickles and Hovis bread to Bird's custard and Oxo gravy, saw its shares plunge by 54 per cent at one stage.
It has been hit hard by the economic downturn as shoppers ditch upmarket brands and "trade down" to supermarket own-label goods. It has also suffered from the dramatic increase in the cost of commodities, especially wheat prices.
The company was forced to issue a statement to the stock market saying it was not having problems paying back money it owes to its banks."
"Premier Foods, which manufacturers a host of store cupboard favourites, from Branston pickles and Hovis bread to Bird's custard and Oxo gravy, saw its shares plunge by 54 per cent at one stage.
It has been hit hard by the economic downturn as shoppers ditch upmarket brands and "trade down" to supermarket own-label goods. It has also suffered from the dramatic increase in the cost of commodities, especially wheat prices.
The company was forced to issue a statement to the stock market saying it was not having problems paying back money it owes to its banks."
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Reading seen as crisis relief
This was the heading of an article in the TC lately. Booksellers are hopeful that burying your head in a book during the crisis might be what people want to do. I hope they also want read newspapers again although according to John newspaper readership has gone down tremendously.
I can't imagine starting my day without the comfort of a newspaper in the morning even if it is mostly bad news these days. I've started to read The Desert Sun online lately. We really enjoy it when we're in the desert. It's nice to know we'll be in the sun and warmth before long.
From John's blog to go with the photo:
1967 — In the 1960’s almost everyone subscribed to a newspaper as it was the only way to get news. The rule for a Saturday newspaper was 50 papers per bag and judging from the thickness of the newspapers I can see I bet this picture was taken on a Saturday so the young women with the wagon had very close to 250 subscribers on her route, not unusual for the west end of Vancouver then. I wish it was the same today. In the 1960’s the circulation of the Vancouver Sun was close to 250,000 and a few months ago despite a ten fold increase of population the print run is as low as 148,000.
John's Photo Blog
Miscellaneous photographs
MyDesert.com | Palm Springs Today's Newspaper | The Desert Sun
I can't imagine starting my day without the comfort of a newspaper in the morning even if it is mostly bad news these days. I've started to read The Desert Sun online lately. We really enjoy it when we're in the desert. It's nice to know we'll be in the sun and warmth before long.
From John's blog to go with the photo:
1967 — In the 1960’s almost everyone subscribed to a newspaper as it was the only way to get news. The rule for a Saturday newspaper was 50 papers per bag and judging from the thickness of the newspapers I can see I bet this picture was taken on a Saturday so the young women with the wagon had very close to 250 subscribers on her route, not unusual for the west end of Vancouver then. I wish it was the same today. In the 1960’s the circulation of the Vancouver Sun was close to 250,000 and a few months ago despite a ten fold increase of population the print run is as low as 148,000.
John's Photo Blog
Miscellaneous photographs
MyDesert.com | Palm Springs Today's Newspaper | The Desert Sun
Friday, October 17, 2008
Happy Birthday, Richard!
Have a super birthday today, Richard!
Being such a baseball fan I guess an annual birthday present is the World Series. We don't follow baseball that much but we got looking at the game between Tampa Bay and the Boston Red Sox. I always liked the Red Sox when I was a kid collecting baseball cards and everyone loved baseball. I think I was attracted to the red socks....
Anyway, Tampa Bay would have gone into the World Series if they won and were up 7-0 in the seventh inning. Fans in Fenway Park in Boston were leaving but would be regretting it. The Sox came back to win 8-7. Way to go Boston!
Richard practicing his pitching skills.
Being such a baseball fan I guess an annual birthday present is the World Series. We don't follow baseball that much but we got looking at the game between Tampa Bay and the Boston Red Sox. I always liked the Red Sox when I was a kid collecting baseball cards and everyone loved baseball. I think I was attracted to the red socks....
Anyway, Tampa Bay would have gone into the World Series if they won and were up 7-0 in the seventh inning. Fans in Fenway Park in Boston were leaving but would be regretting it. The Sox came back to win 8-7. Way to go Boston!
Richard practicing his pitching skills.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Richard will be proud of me...
At my son's encouragement and prodding I decided to vote in this boring, waste of money, bunch of bums running election. The only good thing is we don't have the wide extremes of opinions like in the US.
Monday, October 13, 2008
How to Salvage an Undercooked Turkey
This would have come in very handy last night except the power went out all over the south Island at 5:40! It came back on in about an hour so Monique and her niece from France, Annelise, were able to get out of the garage, the Curlings just missed getting stuck in the elevator, weird things going on with the turkey, and I managed to drop a glass dish of cranberry sauce on the floor...thanks Richard and Jim for cleaning it up.
How to Salvage an Undercooked Turkey | eHow.com
The Curlings just sold their truck and camper yesterday so we could have used their oven and stove. The Bings fired up their bar-b-q so we might have been able to heat the gravy at least. Chrystal and Colin were having an especially big group too. We both came out on our front porches at the same time and threw up our hands.
I think I have cooked my last turkey...raclette for Christmas!
Claudia, Richard, Annelise, & Jim
The Curlings, Ian, and Monique in there somewhere.
One bloody disaster after another! I didn't think this new Java log I bought was burning very well...they were fantastic last year. I noticed it was still smouldering just about 15 minutes ago today. So that means getting it out of there and then the smoke really comes. We used the turkey roaster for the ashes...I won't be using it again. Then hosing it down outside. What next?
How to Salvage an Undercooked Turkey | eHow.com
The Curlings just sold their truck and camper yesterday so we could have used their oven and stove. The Bings fired up their bar-b-q so we might have been able to heat the gravy at least. Chrystal and Colin were having an especially big group too. We both came out on our front porches at the same time and threw up our hands.
I think I have cooked my last turkey...raclette for Christmas!
Claudia, Richard, Annelise, & Jim
The Curlings, Ian, and Monique in there somewhere.
One bloody disaster after another! I didn't think this new Java log I bought was burning very well...they were fantastic last year. I noticed it was still smouldering just about 15 minutes ago today. So that means getting it out of there and then the smoke really comes. We used the turkey roaster for the ashes...I won't be using it again. Then hosing it down outside. What next?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
I wish all my blog readers a joyful and tasty Thanksgiving!
Since this is the time when family gathers I thought it particularly appropriate that I post this photo of a bedspread that my grandmother made. I've been in a cleaning out mode and don't use the bedspread my grandmother made for me or the one she made for my mother. Crocheted things just really aren't our style. Fern was delighted to have the bedspreads and kept my mother's (the one in the photo) and gave mine to her sister Lynda who was also delighted to have it. I've kept the tablecloth she did as a memento and I have displayed it from time to time. Seeing them and knowing they are enjoyed gives me a lot of pleasure as my memories of my grandmother almost alway include her crocheting one of these squares. She made bedspreads and tablecloths for both her daughters and her three grand-daugthers and for perhaps even her two daughters-in-law...not sure about that.
We're having a larger group than usual and I'm really looking forward to it. Richard and Claudia are coming over from Vancouver. Monique and her niece from France are coming as well as the Curlings and Ian.
Since this is the time when family gathers I thought it particularly appropriate that I post this photo of a bedspread that my grandmother made. I've been in a cleaning out mode and don't use the bedspread my grandmother made for me or the one she made for my mother. Crocheted things just really aren't our style. Fern was delighted to have the bedspreads and kept my mother's (the one in the photo) and gave mine to her sister Lynda who was also delighted to have it. I've kept the tablecloth she did as a memento and I have displayed it from time to time. Seeing them and knowing they are enjoyed gives me a lot of pleasure as my memories of my grandmother almost alway include her crocheting one of these squares. She made bedspreads and tablecloths for both her daughters and her three grand-daugthers and for perhaps even her two daughters-in-law...not sure about that.
We're having a larger group than usual and I'm really looking forward to it. Richard and Claudia are coming over from Vancouver. Monique and her niece from France are coming as well as the Curlings and Ian.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
I"ll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down
Seems to sum up McCain's debating skills at his favoured town hall meeting format. I see CNN's commentators gave McCain a report card of C,C,C,C,B and Obama A,A,B,B,B. I would agree with that.
McCain looked like a cornered Bantam rooster about to be slaughtered most of the time. Apart from his dreadful ideas McCain didn't appear physically or mentally fit to be dog catcher let alone President of the United States.
Presidential debate report card - CNN.com
When I posted this over 38,000 CNN viewers gave McCain an average "D" grade and Obama got an average "B" grade.
McCain looked like a cornered Bantam rooster about to be slaughtered most of the time. Apart from his dreadful ideas McCain didn't appear physically or mentally fit to be dog catcher let alone President of the United States.
Presidential debate report card - CNN.com
When I posted this over 38,000 CNN viewers gave McCain an average "D" grade and Obama got an average "B" grade.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Hurrah for Tina Fey!
Just thought I'd post these Sarah Palin spoofs in case you missed them. Apparently she did a very funny one yesterday along the lines of "If you want a candidate that drops their "g's" then vote for me. Doesn't seem to be on YouTube yet.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Itty Bitty Book Review: The Private Patient
"The Private Patient" by P.D. James
What a treat to have another novel by P.D.! Sounds like this will be her last...inspired by being a patient herself recently with some heart trouble apparently. Vintage P.D. but then I am a great fan and not a great critic but I think most people would agree it's up to her usual standard and perhaps even better. I devoured it in our stormy Autumn weather...perfect weather for a mystery.
What a treat to have another novel by P.D.! Sounds like this will be her last...inspired by being a patient herself recently with some heart trouble apparently. Vintage P.D. but then I am a great fan and not a great critic but I think most people would agree it's up to her usual standard and perhaps even better. I devoured it in our stormy Autumn weather...perfect weather for a mystery.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
My new toy!
I have been wondering what to do with over 10,000 digital photos that I have on my computer. Of course I do print some up especially those with people in them and I do post a lot on my blog but I was thinking of a way to enjoy them without fuss or muss and the digital photo frame seemed to have possibilities.
I'm really delighted with this technology and have just put all the photos from our four months in 2005 in France (and Brussels) and our trip to France last year in June 2007 on a USB stick that can be inserted into the frame and you can watch these cycle through. It even plays little films you've taken with sound and you can put music with the photos if you want. You can also put in your memory cards from your camera but I have erased these after I uploaded them to my computer. Now I will erase the photos I don't want and keep them for the digital frame.
I've installed the frame in my kitchen window and our plan is to have it on during the day. It's really great to see these memories as we're preparing meals, washing up, and just going through the kitchen for one reason or another. It's given us a lot of pleasure already.
This is a great additional way to enjoy your photos so think of giving it a try!
The photo on the screen at the moment I took this photo is of the Thursday market in our wonderful little village of Carqueiranne. This is a display of dry saucage. I figured Don would love it.
I'm really delighted with this technology and have just put all the photos from our four months in 2005 in France (and Brussels) and our trip to France last year in June 2007 on a USB stick that can be inserted into the frame and you can watch these cycle through. It even plays little films you've taken with sound and you can put music with the photos if you want. You can also put in your memory cards from your camera but I have erased these after I uploaded them to my computer. Now I will erase the photos I don't want and keep them for the digital frame.
I've installed the frame in my kitchen window and our plan is to have it on during the day. It's really great to see these memories as we're preparing meals, washing up, and just going through the kitchen for one reason or another. It's given us a lot of pleasure already.
This is a great additional way to enjoy your photos so think of giving it a try!
The photo on the screen at the moment I took this photo is of the Thursday market in our wonderful little village of Carqueiranne. This is a display of dry saucage. I figured Don would love it.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Autumn has arrived
I rather enjoyed the rain last night while I was reading my new P.D James. We had our first fire and it was highlighted by these wonderful flowers Tim and Bronwen brought! It was a really fun evening and we had a lot of laughs.
Friday, October 03, 2008
More great views from the Curlings condo
Enjoying the views from Don and Elaine's condo has made me realize I would want a view if we moved into a condo. And they have the added bonus of these wonderful Garry Oak trees in front so you have a real feeling of being in a park as well. The enclosed sunroom is a wonderful idea and I can see why they eat all their meals there looking at the view and having the outside balcony just makes it perfect.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Isn't Photoshop great!
John sent this altered photo of our new car...love it!
Now, for those of you who are giving us a hard time about buying a "gas guzzler"...please remember how we use this car. Jim drives one mile to work and we take it out for the odd Sunday drive. Gas and carbon footprint aren't worth considering so why not have something fun to drive for the small amount we do drive!
And the government actually paid us in the "Scrap-It" program to get rid of our old car. The LeBaron was rated at 21 MPG Highway and 16 MPG City. Heck, the Mustang is 23 Highway and 17 City...progress.
I know some people who regularly drive from Dunbar in Vancouver to Abbotsford and to Saltspring Island. I won't mention names. Now, that's a gas bill and carbon footprint worth worrying about...*smile*
Now, for those of you who are giving us a hard time about buying a "gas guzzler"...please remember how we use this car. Jim drives one mile to work and we take it out for the odd Sunday drive. Gas and carbon footprint aren't worth considering so why not have something fun to drive for the small amount we do drive!
And the government actually paid us in the "Scrap-It" program to get rid of our old car. The LeBaron was rated at 21 MPG Highway and 16 MPG City. Heck, the Mustang is 23 Highway and 17 City...progress.
I know some people who regularly drive from Dunbar in Vancouver to Abbotsford and to Saltspring Island. I won't mention names. Now, that's a gas bill and carbon footprint worth worrying about...*smile*
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