Happy Anniversary

Happy 12th Anniversary Julie and Jeremy...what a happy day that was....
Now you are going to be parents in December and make me a grandmother...does it get any better than this..oh yes, wait, it does...you are coming up for a visit and I get to see you tomorrow!!!!





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My sewing day.

First of all, Happy birthday Larry, hope you and Caroline and the gang have a great day quadding.

Theses are the little items that I sewed yesterday after my lessons with Alanna.




This is a case for all of my cords and connectors. I quilted this piece of Alanna's fabric but I don't have the right foot on my old machine...a work in progress.





My luggage tag...with pink fringe...don't think I will put this on my overseas suitcase, maybe a carry on.






This is fabric I quilted with Alanna's Bernina sewing machine which I made into a smaller version of the case that we made at her home..
As you can see I had a great day sewing.

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Fabric Luggage Tags

Alanna made these luggage tags after I left yesterday. I think they are so cute and make a great way to identify your luggage. I will work on mine today after re-arranging all the fabric in my craft room. I have many new projects floating around in my head...I have asked Jim to please build me a cutting table...I will report on the progress..





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Quilted Cosmetic Bag....

I drove up to Predator Ridge to help my friend Alanna unpack her fabric stash that she brought over from Kuwait. In return she gave me some amazing quilting lessons and together we crafted this cosmetic bag. I also finished making a new case for my Ipod.. Tomorrow I am going to learn to make luggage tags as well as quilt another cosmetic bag on my own. Look for it on tomorrow's blog.....





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Picnics at Peachland

Jim and I head down to Peachland which is about 15 minutes from our place about 3 or 4 times a week, I pack up a picnic and we head to our favorite spot on the lake. Peachland has done a wonderful job saving most of the waterfront for locals and tourists. Picnic tables, benches, large shade trees and even some grass makes this a favorite place to relax. For Jim, "Bliss Bakery" is a big draw.These are some of the photos taken this weekend.








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Water for Elephants...

Thanks to my sister Caroline for giving me this really good book to read.


From Booklist
Life is good for Jacob Jankowski. He's about to graduate from veterinary school and about to bed the girl of his dreams. Then his parents are killed in a car crash, leaving him in the middle of the Great Depression with no home, no family, and no career. Almost by accident, Jacob joins the circus. There he falls in love with the beautiful performer Marlena, who is married to the circus' psychotic animal trainer. He also meets the other love of his life, Rosie the elephant. This lushly romantic novel travels back in forth in time between Jacob's present day in a nursing home and his adventures in the surprisingly harsh world of 1930s circuses. The ending of both stories is a little too cheerful to be believed, but just like a circus, the magic of the story and the writing convince you to suspend your disbelief. The book is partially based on real circus stories and illustrated with historical circus photographs. Marta Segal
Copyright © American Library Association.


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Sunset in Africa

My brother Steven, his wife Stefanie and their 2 kids, Tyler and Cassidy along with some friends are in Africa for 3 weeks. They are flying to Cape Town today. Elephants are everywhere....these photos were sent by Stefanie from Victoria Falls where they went on a sunset cruise.This is a wonderful adventure that they as a family will never forget.

Fishtails...

These are some of the Kokanee Salmon that Christa and Mike caught several weeks ago.

They headed out this morning to Vancouver Island to do some ocean fishing...

I am excited to see the photos of what they caught.

Good luck. Christa, catch one for me!
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A very special Happy 1st Anniversary for Carmen and Brad! I know you will have many blessings coming your way for your next year together. Oxo
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New Truck...

A new truck for Jim...all decked out with all the things a guy needs for his truck. It has the important features that I wanted as well...On Star, auxiliary plug for music from my Ipod, comfortable seats and room to put a baby seat in the back. Getting it all prepped for our trip to AZ. around the first of October this year.





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Threads and Things...

The new collection from Tim Holtz....
see it at www.timholtz.com























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Flowers on the Dock

This beautiful and artful flower arrangement sits on Shannon's dock. She has 3 of these stunnning barrels filled with colorful blooms that are able to survive and thrive in the constant sun and wind.

As you sit with Shannon on her dock enjoying a glass of fine wine you know you are surrounded with all the beauty that the lake and her home has to offers.

How fortunate I am to have her as a very special friend.

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Ratings for the Private B&B's on my trip to Bull River...

These are the ratings for the wonderful establishments on my visit to Nelson, Bull River and Mayook.

Since my visit to see the 3 "C's".." Cindy, Caroline and Christa,"

much has been written between the

" Sisterhood of the Chambermaids"

about my requests.

We have had so much fun bantering back and forth.

The rating are as follows (0ut of a possible 5 Stars) Michelin status

As is my custom when I drive to back to Bull River where I grew up, I enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful, private B&B's.
Reservations are made well in advance to give the hostess's time to shine and see to my every comfort.

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Cindy's bunkie in Nelson:

My late arrival posed no problem with my dear friend Cindy.

"The Queen of Everything."

In her recently built and exquisitely furnished "Copa Bunkie"' she provided for all my creature comforts. Pleasing me to no end, my Cindy had landjager sausages in the fridge,cold beer, wine,humus,crackers,fruit and everything ready for my breakfast in the morning. She came for a welcome visit at 7:00 bringing a freshly brewed pot of coffee, a hug and plenty of news. Our only problem was my short stay. Normally we would of taken off for the day to go thrift shopping, lunch and generally having fun! Alas, not enough time was planned for.

The view over looking the lake, the sailboats gently bobbing in the water and the lovely friendship we have shared for so many years,Cindy has earned and is awarded the coveted

4 1/2 star rating.

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Caroline's Log Cabin Studio in Bull River....

The drive from Nelson to "The Countess Caroline's" was warm and filled with wonderful scenery. I was able to have the top down in the convertible the entire way. With tunes blaring and my hair safely under a hat, the 4 hour trip sped by.

 As I drove into the yard, 2 SPCA rescued dogs (Panda and Hope) and one gifted dog, Cody, announced my arrival in a very excited fashion, as if to say

" your favorite sister from Westbank has arrived."

Hugs and kisses all around were given and into the beautiful Log Cabin Studio I was welcomed. Equipped with excellent indoor facilities as well as a fridge stocked for my pleasure, I unpacked and headed back outside to the big house.

Knowing that she needed to share me with the rest of my family, she let Evelyne invite the others for dinner so I could visit with them all.

Such a sweet deal!

Caroline cooked up great meals for the 3 nights that I stayed with her and Larry.

In the early morning light she give me some photography lessons in her garden.

It was filled with a blaze of colors, set out just like her painting, stylish and very artistic.

 For outstanding friendship and love for one of her favorite sisters, Caroline has earned and is awarded the coveted 4 1/2 star rating.

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Heading off to Christa's place where she resides as the "Marquisa of Mayook",

I travelled at slower sped, mostly on a gravel road, winding thru the valley, past several small lakes, old farms and farmhouses.

Heading up the mountain, I came to her beautiful log home surrounded by 50 acres. The swimming pool was warmed to the perfect temperature for my swimming pleasure.

The house is situated on the property giving you a full view of the field slightly below and the mountains directly in front. A breathtaking panoramic view.

There were lots of hugs and a lot of joy and happiness to be able to see each other again.

Off to Kimberley we travelled in the mustang and had a true Bavarian lunch.

The highlight of the day ended by swimming in the pool after such a very hot day.
Dinner that night at my request was Grilled Kokanee Trout, veges, salad and fresh fruit for dessert. It  was delicous!

Sitting outside in the warm evening twilight was the perfect end to a wonderful day.

The next day we fly fished the Bull River. This had been on our bucket list for many years and as you know, no fish were captured that day, only a lasting memory.

For the love of a long lasting friendship, the wonderful times shared, and new memories made, my friend Christa has earned and is awarded the coveted 4 1/2 star rating.

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Finishing off the trip was a fantastic overnight with my friend Shannon.

More on her lovely place tomorrow.

Finishing

Grizzly Bears

These 3 bears came to visit Christa in her field last weekend. Talk about wildlife viewing close up. She thought the sow was hurt and with her 2 cubs were probably about 2 years old. I am sure they were coming for the cinnamon buns she was baking!

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United Church Thrift Shop..

What a delightful haul I found last Wednesday. My car just turned in automatically and my basket filled up with these wonderful treasures.

Cindy thought that I might have "Pack Rat" tendencies!!!

Imagine that!

The tablecloths are in perfect condition.
The little salt shaker will make a great place to hold the jewelery flowers
I am working on.

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What's in your bag?

I saw this idea on Geninne's blog on July 17th.
 and I wanted to do it as well.
Here is what is in my bag most of the time.
This is the bag I bought at Walmart in the US for $5.00, then spent a couple of days stitching on the design.
My fingers got sore going thru the canvas, but it was fun and a great summer bag.

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Reading glasses, Ipod/Touch and Cell                

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                                     Lipstick, gloss, SPF 50, journal/calender, Mt. Blanc Pen,

Case for my Ipod headphones.

johnmetbetty.etsy.com

                       

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Case I made covering a plastic one, making it look better.
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Night time is really the best time to work. All the ideas are there to be yours because everyone else is asleep.
Catherine O'Hara

Lost and Found...

Just a few of the things I found along the river bank while we were fishing.

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Messing around in Boats...

There is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing--as simply messing about in boats.....

The Wind in the Willows

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Thanks, Cindy for sending on this wonderful photo of Tim in the boat and Emmy swimmimg in the water.

This is what summer is all about.

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Flowers...From Caroline's Garden

        Lilies
                                  

Snapdragon and Spider Web.
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Yellow Clematis
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Seed Pod from Yellow Clematis
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Fly Fishing

Christa and I have talked about this moment for years.

We could have a couple of days together and go fly fishing.

Well, we did it!

I hadn't fly fished for a long time but Christa is a pro.

Got my license for restricted water on-line and here we are fishing the Bull River.

 It looks cold, but it was surprising warm.

We fished for about 3 hours, sadly no  fish was caught or harmed on this river that day.

We did have a wonderful dinner of fish that night.  Kokanee that Christa and Mike caught a few days before I got there.

Thank you Christa, it was a wonderful memory filled day!

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There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.

Roderick Haig-Brown, Fisherman's Spring, 1951

Bubbler Fountain...

This beautiful bubbler fountain was made by Evelyne for our sister Caroline's birthday July 25 as a gift from Larry and herself.

Caroline was delighted, and surrounded it with her flowers. Her garden is just like her paintings! She has such an eye for color, form and texture.

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Family, Log Cabin Studio and Dogs..

There are 7 of us kids, and we were all having a great dinner at my sister Evelyne and her husband Richard's place.

The only 2 missing were Steven and Werner.

Staying at Caroline and Larry's Log Cabin Studio was one of the highlights of my visit.

This is a wonderful 4 Star resort. The best thing about it is that the greeting committee is made up of several SPCA rescue dogs, such as  Panda and Hope. Cody is the official greeter.

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Left to Right;

Evelyne, Harry and I in the back,

Center: Caroline

Front: Heinz

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Home away from Home!

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Top photo: Panda

Middle Photo: Cody

Bottom Photo: Hope

Memories from the road trip..

Last week I took a week off and travelled to see my family and friends in Bull River, BC. where I grew up.

I had a wonderful overnight stop with Cindy's in

 Nelson.
I was able to enjoy sleeping in her wonderful "Bunkie" right on the edge of the water.

On to Bull Ruver the next day where I spent a week having fun, taking pictures, flyfishing and having more fun.

Here are some of the photos I took.

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