Geninne's Art

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I think Geninne is truly a gifted artist and I just wanted to show you some of the wonderful work she does. As soon as she is back painting I am going to get one of her pieces of ART.

Following what she does on her blog is so interesting!

Check out her blog and shop: http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/

pretty in pink..

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It is going to be another beautiful day here...I thought I would show what I think is pretty in pink.

(from country living magazine)

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To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

John Burroughs

Water Fountain..

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We looked for over a year and finally decided on this fountain for our desert home.

Once we filled it with water, it made a lovely addition to the garden.

You can hear the water splashing from one level to the next and it provides a new look from the patio, living room and bedroom.

I am looking forward to seeing the birds have a bath in it. It is just another element in the garden to simply enjoy!

Farewell, Callie

photo taken by Caroline down at the Bull River

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My sister Evelyne and her husband Richard had to put their beautiful dog, Callie, to sleep yesterday.

What a wonderful 12 year old dog she was!

Being free to explore and play with Caroline and Larry's dogs all year long..she will be missed by all of the family that loved her!

We send you our love and sympathy!

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Goodbye

With heavy hearts; and a tear in our eyes after all these years;

we must say goodbye

Please understand;

we've done all we could if there was anything we could do; you know we would

I'm sitting right here; gently rub your ears while

I talk to you softly; trying to hold back the tears

The memories you gave us; we'll never forget

specially the ones; of the day we all met

One last hug; and one last kiss you have no idea;

how much you'll be missed

To look into your eyes; this one last time you tell me it's ok;

you know it's your time

Close your eyes now; and go to sleep

we'll pray to the Lord; your soul he'll keep

Go in peace now; our good friend

we'll stay right here with you; until the end

Dream of that special day and time

when we'll meet at the Bridge; and all will be fine

We'll run and play; side by side

with a soft warm feeling; deep down inside

Your memory will live on; in each one of us

you'll always be number 1; to all of us

Have a safe journey; through the night

I promise when you awake; you'll be in God's light

So with heavy hearts; and tears in our eyes

just for now my friend; we say goodbye

John Quealy

800th post..

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Enjoying the day to day life here in the sunshine!

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Sometimes the simplest moments can bring the heart its greatest pleasures!

Chicken or the Egg?

One never knows which came first, the chicken or the egg, but I thought it was a nice way to have breakfast.

Thanks Shannon for the great egg cup! Can't wait until you arrive here in AZ. today.

Take a deep breath, laugh out loud, because wonderful surprises await

around every bend!

Flavia

Wildlife..

This is a huge Elk that Cindy found on her morning walk with Emmy Lou, what a big guy this one is.

Caroline went to Waterton with Kari and Evelyne and took these photos when she was there last month! Aren't they wonderful shots.

Jewellery...

http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/

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www.bethquinndesigns.com

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http://www.sallyjean.com/

Check out these websites for these new jewellery designers that I have found.

Totally awsome gifts for yourself or others!

Wishing you a sunny day where ever you are.

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Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary and everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self.

Iris Murdoch

LAUNDRY...

A little laundry, a few additions to the umbrella, some haunted looking words and you know that I have had a fun morning after my lovely walk...All is good here!

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.

Mark Twain

Jeremy's TV apperance

CBC TV did a segment on Jeremy's science class at Riverside School about digital immersion and it was aired yesterday on the 6:00 news. It was a proud moment for us as we got to watch it on our Canadian Satellite dish down here in AZ.

Well done Jeremy!!

I took these photos while he was on TV!

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Sunshine all around!!!

This says it all, sitting outside enjoying a glass of juice, or later on wine...this is as good as it gets.

Signs of our gone by days

These signs are just outside Dry Falls in Washington State..a gentle reminder of simpler times! So glad to see that they are still standing!

Today is a "get things kind of done day" but still too hot, so just a quick work out in the garden early 6:15 am before it got too hot! It is incredible how those weeds will grow when you aren't here to pull them out quickly. Other than that, heading out to our favorite "Paradise cafe" for lunch and pick up a few things along the way.

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Shirley, celebrating with her family in Vancouver.

Photos from the Jeep Window...

These are some of the images that I took while Jim was driving...our constant companion "Gertie" the Garmin navigator...my travel journal and Ipod/touch to keep us in music and listen to Bill Bryson read his book "A Walk in the Woods" about hiking the AT (Appalachian Trail) He did 800 miles of it, and it is a wonderful thing to listen to travelling all those miles. Was really 2 long days, but now that we are here, it sure was worth it. I will post some more images over the next few days.

102 here right now, having my friend Karen over for a drink, then heading to the pool later in the afternoon. It should be lovely!

Today we are happy to celebrate Laurie's birthday. She and Shane went to the hill country in Sri Lanka to a tea plantation to celebrate their combined birthdays!

Travelling Day #2

876 miles today, good drivng and made it safely to our home in AZ. We were going to stay in Las vegas, but when we arrrived there at 1:30, we decided to press on and made it here at 8:30. A decidedly long day, but worth sleeping in our bed..Photos tomorrow!!

Cookie is all tucker out from all the sleepiong she has done.

Travelling Day...#1

Left at 4:44 am and arrived at 6:08 pm travelling nearly 1200 km from Westbank, BC. to Jerome, Idaho, just outside Twin Falls. We saw wonderful fall colors and a ton of potatoes being hauled out of the fields and on there way to market.

Cookie did really well and slept most of the way. Jim and I shared the driving and we both were able to have a nap while the other drove. Tomorrow we are off early again, (but maybe not so early) and heading to Vegas. Hopefully I can take some interesting photos along the way and post them...Warm here tonight, 18.

Dinner Out...

We celebrated our 20th Anniversary with dinner out at our favorite restaurant.

"Old Vines Restaurant" at Quails Gate Winery. The atmosphere is lovely, service so personable and great food.

I will try to post while we are travelling, and take some new photos while on the road.

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The journey is its own reward!

Lovely Christmas things...

Is it to early to think about Christmas when it is so cold here? I think NOT!!

These lovely little goodies can be seen on here on Sally jean Alexander's website:http://sallyjean.com/2009/Pages/Christmas2009.html

Just 2 more sleeps and we are out of here heading for a warmer climate. 92 this coming weekend in AZ.

Thanksgiving lunch....

I put out these dried sunflowers for the birds in the past few days, and they have been having such a good time getting into the flower pots and enjoying the seeds. They are so entertaining to watch early in the morning when they have all their feathers puffed up, sitting on the rail chatting!!

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Jim and I celebrate our 20th anniversary today...time has gone by so quickly, we will savour the rest of this time together.

Sharing our special date are our friends Bob ad Sue McLure, who have shared many more years together and continue to enjoy life in Sidney, BC!

Happy Thanksgiving...

Happy birthday today to our son-in-law Shane living with Laurie in Sri Lanka!

Sunny and cool here this morning making it a wonderful day to celebrate all that we are thankful for.
Love and blessings to our families and friends.

http://www.potterybarn.com/

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.--

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Final Countdown...7 more sleeps

Fall is definitely here and we are on the Final Countdown leaving for Arizona.

I have downloaded some new audio books and music on my IPod so that those

1661 miles will pass quickly.

Sharing the driving duties makes this windshield time spent with Jim and Cookie a pleasure.

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When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.

Book of Negroes...

The Canada Reads 2009 Winner: About the Book
Over the course of this epic novel, Aminata is transformed into a storyteller extraordinaire. She spins the astonishing tale of her remarkable travels from Africa to America and back again. Along the way, a sojourn in Nova Scotia illuminates a long-neglected chapter in Canadian history.
Aminata’s autobiography — or, in her words, “ghost story” — begins with her idyllic childhood in West Africa. Happy times are cut short when she is abducted at age 11, placed in chains, taken across the sea and forced into slavery at an indigo plantation in South Carolina.
But Aminata is a survivor and this is just one chapter in her remarkable life story. In a fitting twist for a book featured on Canada Reads, Aminata discovers that literacy just might be her ticket to a new life.
Following its release in 2007, Lawrence Hill’s compelling blend of history and fiction won the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize and was awarded the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book in 2008.
The Book of Negroes is being defended on Canada Reads by Avi Lewis.

Thanks to Adriana for lending me this book. A wonderful read!

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Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy 65th birthday, Jimmy. Hope it is not too cold in Calgary and that you had a good time with Brad & Carmen and your Mom... Come back to the warmth and sunshine!

Happy Birthday to our Ya Ya Sue today as well!!


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Colorful Love...

I have this real thing for colors lately, can't get enough photos of colorful things to have fun with them...
Beautiful fall day here today...grape harvest in the Okanagan...Jim in Calgary visiting his 96 year old Mom, as well as Brad and Carmen...It is cold there!!!

Countdown to Arizona..10 days to go....

Cookie on her walk...

Cookie loves this walk in Peachland. She still moves at a good pace and it makes you just smile to see this 15 year old gal enjoy her walks so much.



She is ready to walk, so she is wondering why we have to stop and pose for a photo?

Fall is here

It seems that Fall just snuck up on us.... The summer seemed endless with all those sunny days with out rain and then here we are with some well needed rain... Hope where ever you are you will be enjoying your weekend.

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