Weekend pleasures...

Both a bit of baking and a bit of hiking rounded out our weekend......the cooler weather in the Okanagan has turned the leaves golden yellow as well as ripened all the fruits and vegetables to perfection...our Farmers market is brimming with harvest goodness.


















Remembering my mother today..{Sept 11, 1924 - Sept 30, 2000}...always in our hearts and always missed!

Happy 40th birthday Jeremy

Wishing you joy, health and happiness on your birthday and for all the years ahead, my favorite son!
I am so proud of the man you are...you are such a good family man and teacher.

What to have for lunch?

This is one of my favorite website for great food... Williams-Sonoma



Sweet hearty beets are the perfect contrast to peppery arugula in this recipe, which gets a little crunch from chopped pecans. Use a mix of colorful beets for a beautiful presentation.

Roasted Beets with Toasted Pecans & Greens

6 small beets
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 Tbs. sherry vinegar
2 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup (2 oz./60 g.) chopped and toasted pecans
4 cups (4 oz./125 g.) arugula leaves or other tender greens

Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Cut off the beet tops and reserve for another use. Place the beets in a single layer in a heavy ovenproof frying pan just large enough to accommodate them, and drizzle with olive oil. Cover with aluminum foil. Roast the beets until tender when pierced with a small, sharp knife, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly, then peel and trim the beets. Cut into rounds about 1/4 inch (6 mm.) thick.

In a large, shallow serving bowl, whisk together the 2 tablespoons olive oil, the vinegar, honey, salt and a pinch of pepper. Add the beet slices, pecans and arugula and toss gently. Serve. Serves 4.

Feathers and Nests.....

As the weather gets cooler, it seems that I surround myself with more neutral colors as found in nature.....I spent yesterday re-arranging my collections..freeing up some space, filling in others..it was an enjoyable way to dust, re-organize and clean....

Fall weather....

This is one of my favorite times of the year, cooler weather, getting the garden to bed and picking up my crochet hook and knitting needles..endless inspiration to be creative with...finishing those projects started last spring....

On a hike.....

The Grassi Lake hike just outside of Canmore had a wide path that climbed up 805 feet in 2kms...it was classed as an easy hike and that part was true..but the elevation gain made it much more interesting. A few rest stops for Jim and I were graciously made by Carmen and Brad who weren't even breathing hard......At the top were two little lakes, they were an amazing blue. We saw climbers on a sheer wall trying out their skills. We stopped for lunch, the wind picked up, time to head back....it was down hill all the way. We have had such a wonderful couple of days here with Carmen and Brad, thank you for you wonderful hospitality.❤️

Out and about in Canmore.....

We spent a few days here in Canmore with Carmen and Brad at their new vacation home. This little town reminds me lots of Nelson...trendy little shops, great restaurants and a really good vibe...





This artist is a amazing... Fraser McGurk

Fall is on it's way...

The last of the roses blooming..there are clouds in the sky, there aren't any more birds in the bird house..( a sweet gift from Caroline and Evelyne) Mud Frog Studio.
Summer is winding down. Fall is on her way....

Made in Japan...

Every once in a while I find a little figurine made in Japan..this piece dates from about 1952...sitting on top of a doily and a slightly worn pyrex bowl, it just looks right to me....

A little treasure..

Cindy gave me this little deer, perfect for holding toothpicks or just sitting on a pot holder...how adorable!

Just a few things I saw...

None of these came home with me, lovely non the less....more thrifting today with Frosso in Vancouver....

A visit to the Vancouver Aquarium....

A trip to The Vancouver Aquarium to see the beluga whales is always a highlight for me..it is such fun to see how Claire is amazed at all that is around her..the whales, the penguins, the fishes, the otters, the porpoises, the seals, all the life in the sea and rivers...at the end, running in Stanley park, picking leaves to bring home to mommy who enjoyed a couple of hours on her own...

A very good day...

I left early in the morning to travel down to share my day with Jeremy, Julie and Claire..It was a warm and sunny day...we went to pick up Claire at daycare, came back to the house to enjoy playing outside in the sunshine...Jeremy cooked dinner and Julie brought home my birthday cupcakes..I spent the rest of the evening enjoying playing with Claire and reading her a bedtime story..Thank you for all the sweet messages everyone sent me...I am very touched with your kindness....

Another wonderful year.....❤

Another sunrise, another wonderful day to look forward to..having the love of Jim, Jeremy, Julie and little Claire, of my family and sweet friends adds such joy and blessings to my life......Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes..

Yesterday's finds...

It was a good day yesterday on my little thrifting expedition..2 woodland mixing bowls as well as a lovely handmade basket...who could resist these lovely fall colors? I am planning to sell these...just saying!

Sweet memories...

It would of been our Mom's 89th birthday had she lived...she passed away much too young 13 years ago at 76.. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her counsel, her wisdom and her joy for life...she continues to be in the hearts of her 7 children.....we all miss her.

Dahlia's......

Either a single stem or in a bouquet, each color just makes a wonderful combination...nature at it's finest.

Farmer's Markets and Fruit Stands...

This is the best time of the year in the Okanagan..the fruit, the vegetables, all this wonderful fresh produce available to enjoy from farm to table.

Longtime friendships...

I am so fortunate to have a few cherished friends such as Cindy..we have a long enduring friendship since 1977..many many laughs have been shared by us..thrifting has always been part of our friendship, it's the thrill of the hunt for pyrex or just that perfect piece to add to our collection which gives us so many hours of pleasure. Her raspberry jam is one of my most favorite gifts from her. Oh happy 4 days together...Thank you, Cindy for coming down to share my birthday month with me..photos of our finds and the cake later in the week❤

Cherished...

This pink pyrex bowl once belonged to my Mom..she probably brought a salad up to my brothers house at one time, it stayed there a while, then this bowl brought some goodies down to my sister Caroline's home. While at Werner and Dana wedding's, I used it to make a Quinoa salad. I brought it home with me to be used and cherished....adding a sweet measure of joy to my pink and tourquiose collection.