Christmas all over

Kaleigh and Maddie with their new jammies and their Xmas hats from granny


Brotherly love with Shayne and Nadine...you'll have to turn your heads for these ones!

And guess who got two crockpots? Someone drew Nadine's name 2 times... and what did poor Dick get?

Cute Abbi with little Nolan


"The Creator"

Three Tomatoes...

You know you are a tomatoe if.....


"The Creator"

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Santa was good to us again this year...amazing, since Emil was so naughty..ha-ha!

A cute gift pack from Ronda and John , with tea and chocolates and honey and a cute mug with funny cool kitty cat images on it... Thank-you so much...and the tea is delicious too... Now if I could only find my tea-ball.

The girls sent us a brand new DVD player ...Yipppee...Now to get it all hooked up. Our other one has been on and off Fritzy for years... Now for the big flat screen, some time.

Wayne,enjoying Yummy turkey dinner... It was sooooo good... It has been a while since I've had a decent turkey and mashed potatoe and gravy dinner. Yes, we had the turnips and brussels as well!
It was a good night last night with the kids and grandkids all on speaker phone as we all opened up our very cool stocking stuffer gifts. Lots of gadgets and tools and mini LCD lights to keep all the dark places lit up... I think I have about ten now! You can set them up to turn on, when a drawer is opened, such as in the bathroom, at night. It works, but only on optimum situations... I've broken one light,and burned out two others, because they must not have actually turned off when the drawer was closed... Then I tried one in my bedroom drawer,and it kept falling down. I see that the new models in my stocking ,work on a better principal... like a light switch... I'll try them out and give you a report. The cutest things I got were these two little mini baker pans... like miniature heavy duty casseroles...bigger than a muffin... but not too deep. I'll have to invent a mini desert or meal for them...Sonia suggested the seafood bake that I usually bake in the shells......Sounds like a plan... Thank-you everyone for all the neat items!

The most interesting gift was a Weather Stick from John and Ronda... This looks like a twig with part of the mother tree still attached at the base of the twig. This gets hung up outside,where one can see it from a window. If it bends upward, the weather will be dry,and if it bends downwards, then expect rain...I'll post a pic when we get it hung up... I thought it was going to be a weather rock... You know, the old rock hangs from a piece of bailing twine attached to a post and that is your weather indicator. If it is moving back and forth, it is windy outside. If it is wet, then it is raining out. If it is white, then it has snowed. If it is dry and not moving, then expect a fair day!
Good night all. I am off to see the clan at Lynn's tomorrow... Lets hope for an unsnowy day.


"The Creator"

Twas the Night before Christmas...

Emil opens a little package from his stocking, only to discover a tiny tool that has him somewhat bewildered....

He was smiling when he opened this from Sonia... a container to hold the weights for his future downrigger.

Wayne, Emil's buddy,came over from Cranbrook on Christmas eve to spend Christmas with us... It has been fun

This is the beautiful platter of goodies that Annie baked and gave me for a Christms gift... so kind of her. Annie works with us every Christmas at the store... Ok...those are chocolate biscotti in the right hand corner, and macaroons on chocolate in the left hand corner, and those triangular pieces are to die for...a citrus flavour that says "MORE Please!"
Yum yum...

"The Creator"

Baby Nolan Gets Christened

Baby Nolan

Joyce and Georgia at Lynn's






Look at those Peepers!




Note her cool Virginia Shoes! Nothing says it better than red and black!



Nadine and Dick and baby Nolan

Mom and Baby



Awwee He's so tiny...
I didn't make it to the Christening, on Sunday, but Joyce said it was all very nice and it was fun to play with little Georgia... She is getting cuter by the day. looks like it turned out just right, and I didn't see the little man crying his head off... thats goo...He'll be a toughy!


"The Creator"

Nick and Anne

Sad to say, that I heard today that Nick passed away after another stroke. This is a photo I took when they came out to visit a month or so ago. That was so nice that we had a little visit. He will be missed by Anne, the most , then his family and everyone else that knew him. He always had a kind and thoughtful word to say whenever he spoke, and he always welcomed everyone like long lost friends. I hope he rests peacefully now in a heavenly place that welcomes him with the kindness he deserves . He will be missed. I'm so sorry to hear this sad news.


"The Creator"

:: rogerebert.com :: Commentary :: The year's ten best filmsand other shenanigans (xhtml)

:: rogerebert.com :: Commentary :: The year's ten best films<br>and other shenanigans (xhtml)
A review of 2007's best movies...

"The Creator"

MAYBELLINE - MAKE UP STUDIO

MAYBELLINE - MAKE UP STUDIO
Join the MAybeline club, then upload your own photo, and start having fun with trying on the MAybeline pallet of colours to see how they look on your eyes, and mouth and skin... HAve fun...burn up some more time on the computer...

"The Creator"

Feature: The 20 Best iPod Utilities

Feature: The 20 Best iPod Utilities
Got an IPOD, but hate that you can't get music OFF of it? Read up on how to do it ...Lifehacker will tell you all about it using Ipoddler and Floola...

"The Creator"

Happy 70th Anniversary to Auntie MAry and Uncle Paul

Happy Anniversary Auntie Mary and Uncle Paul! This was taken the day after their wedding, 70 years ago... Pretty gorgeous couple , don't you think? I talked to Auntie yesterday and she said" too bad it snowed so much on their wedding!" They had a quiet anniversary, as Uncle wasn't too well, but he should be feeling better today after a pint or two of new blood.
It is a milestone we could all hope to achieve someday, and if we turned out half as nice as they are, we would still be very lucky people! Thanks Ed for sending me the copy of that beautiful photo! On a side note, Ed, I finally framed up some of those beautiful old black and white photos you sent of my family, in the old days... makes for a nice wall of memories to cherish. Thanks!







So sorry to my dear readers , for not posting a thing for a long time. I am a sick pup these days with one heck of a sinus cold that is ttrying to turn into a chest cold. My big fear is that it will turn into pneumonia...that is what my boss, Chris has...and he is very sick. His son and daughter also had or have it. I am trying to hang in there for two more days to keep things going for , then I have Sunday off. Yea! I am so far behind with everything that I am still writing out Christmas cards, s o don't feel offended if you don't get one just yet...it is on its way. No Christmas letter...


My blog will tell you all of what we did this past year, the highlight being our trip to Vegas to celebrate Correna's birthday, in August. Oh yes, it was my birthday too! So it was double fun for us in Vegas and especially wonderful was our trip to the Grand Canyon. Our other high spot was having our beautiful grand-daughters here for the month of August! With Emil's new boat, it was lots of water fun for everyone!

The low spot of the year was the loss of Emil's mom...she ws a courageous ,beautiful woman, who didn't deserve to spend her last years a prisoner in her own body. Our other loss, of course ,was our dear neighbour, Bill who was a good buddy to Emil. On a happy note, his daughter, Deb and her hubby , Ashley, moved into Bill's house, and they have become wonderful friends , whom we never got ot know, while Bill was alive. Funny how things like that happen.

Our other good friend ,Brian, passed away rather suddenly after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. We had a celebration of his life at our Stan ALi golf tournament which ws held up in our neck of the woods for a change. We hosted it and at the same time had a nice memorial for Brian, who would have normally been golfing with us. Through many many donations from everyone, and numerous kind businesses in Nelson, we raised almost $1200.00 for Cancer research in Kelowna. The bright side was the three days when everyone gathered and camped out on our property, before and after the golf tournament. It was another grand yearly gathering of the Reese's Pieces and all of our/their friends!

The latest bout of celebrations have been for Emil, my sweety , who is definately going to retire on December 31st! Yahoo! We'll do the big party for him on the July long week-end, so keep it open and pencil us in for a lot of boating fun, and a big BBQ and what? Another PARTY of course! Emil will be well rested and up for some fun and visits from everyone! So have a great Christmas and a A HAppy 2008. It won't be the same without our kidlets this year, but maybe next, we can plan for a festive time in a hot country, altogether....and speaking of a hot country... oh---I'll tell you all about it, next time!

Happy, Sniff, Holidays!!!!








"The Creator"

Emil's new Toy

Well, there was plenty of snow when we woke up this morning.. Once he got it all going, there was no stopping him!

He'll be back at it Sunday morning, as it was once again snowing tonight.
Emil and I did a couple of "20's " in the hot-tub while the flakes were swirling around in the wind... and where did that come from?

My Frosty the snowman out front got a little heavy with snow and it caused him to topple over , carrot first into the snow. Part of his problem was that a tether had come unhitched... good thing he wasn't filled with helium!

So, it was a slightly accomplished day. I cleaned and vacuumed and did some laundry, then I finished my wrapping and have a box ready to be shipped out to the kids...Just waiting for two more things...but if they aren't here on Tuesday, then it will be adios for the parcel or it won't ever arrive by Christmas.
My back was still achy this morning from who knows what...maybe packing two huge bags of garbage from the back to the front, the other day. Emil's back was sore by the time he finished all the snow, the reason for the hot-tub tonight. Now it seems like I have instantly caught a sore throat /sinus thing. Looks like it is even worse since I drank a neo citran... I hope it isn't Strep Throat, like Annette caught!
Might be time to hit the hay after this long day. I have to admit that I had a very good sleep last night. It is good to have Emil home again after being away for most of the previous month. He returned on Friday from his LAST road trip! Yippey KAY Yea!
The reality that he will be home 24-7 is slowly sinking in, but I guess we will have to live it ourselves before we know what it is all about. In the meantime, I'll continue to work! It should save my sanity!
Nighty night and have a great Sunday!


"The Creator"

The Best Kept Secret - Toronto's Resource for Women 40+

The Best Kept Secret - Toronto's Resource for Women 40+
I thought there were some interesting topics here for women over forty...that would be meeeeee!

"The Creator"

Holiday Train

Here she is.... going by lickedy split this morning..while it was still dark out. My camera had a hard time catching the shot, as you notice that I missed the locamotive.

It was a colourful site coming down the tracks at 6:45 or so... All trains should be lit up like this... probably there would be fewer collisions !


Thats Bonnie in the corner trying to snap a pic. Her camera never got even one. The train was gallopping along at quite a speed!


"The Creator"

Signature Cocktail

hmmmm...Lets see, for me that would be the jello shooters... just joking... here is a good idea... just find one great recipe and make it yours for a door greeter when you entertain... I love the idea and might have to work on a fab creation this Xmas season to be ready for the big New Years Eve party. Check this website out for lots of Seasonal PArty hints.
"The Creator"

Shrimp Ring 101

Shrimp Ring 101

And don't forget the Shrimp Ring...It is still the most popular nibble at a party and here is a website that tells you how to make it and make the Seafood sauce to go with it. Bon Appetit!


"The Creator"

A little touch of Christmas

The deer are lit up with joy

The snowmen are carolling

Not nearly so impressive with the flash

Decorated the tree, and look who's in the Christmas ball!
Time for tea. I got the rest of my lights up ,could do ( Emil gets to do the ones around the roof!)
Now it looks like it is time for bed... I am tired tonight for some reason... oh yes, Emil was up at 5:00 or so to get ready to go to Cranbrook. This is his LAST road trip before he retires...Yahoo! He is counting down the days now!
We are looking forward to a different lifestyle, that is for sure!
Have a good night...

Beautiful day on Saturday

How is this for a glorious Saturday in the Kootenays?

Soleil, making herself at home in the brown paper.Today was productive, all in all...did a little cleaning, then decorated the mantle, the top of my china cabinet, and even got the fake deer out in the front yard and the snowman family blow-ups... I still want to put the lights on my maple tree and Emil seems to be thinking about Xmas lights for the house... perhaps next week-end. I love when everything is decorated up, but sometimes it helps to have a helper.Emil put up our tree and I decorated it. Oh, yes, I put some garlands on the ledge behind the couch and decorated it all with lights and various angels and snowmen and odds and sods of decorations, including the tin icicles that Correna gave me last year. They are too funny...thin little twisted pieces of shiny tin, that hang as an icicle,about seven inches long...very cool indeed, but I think the cat has already launched a few icicle missiles onto the floor!
The house, at least looks Christmassy...now to continue with my other ten jobs! I did recieve the partylite, with the exception of the tapers,and a few styles of votive holders. With luck , they will arrive this week. The Epicure Spices also came ,as did Second NAture products. I have delivered some and now, await the Pampered chef stuff. UPS says it is on its way, s o perhaps early this week. It would be nice to get it all delivered, for sure!

Well, I think it is half past my bedtime, and I am half past tired. I got a lot done today, but now my baby finger is aching like heck from the arthritis in there...time for an advil.


My White bear family grew by two this year

The tree got decorated by about ten tonight... all good, as it looks beautiful in its red and gold theme.

Silky thinks the tree skirt is a bed just for her!

My mantle...

More of beautiful Saturday...














"The Creator"

Mataya's Baby shower

On Saturday afternoon, the gathering for Mayata's baby shower turned out very nice indeed.
In the above photo, Phoebe is wanting to give the knitted baby blanket a touch. It looked so beautiful. Jorge's mom, seen holding it up, is the one who did the fancy knitting to make the blanket for her future grandbaby.The theory is that it is a boy, so you guessed it...most all of her gifts came in the colour blue!

Mataya is chcukling over Lori's gift of a Reba tape...something she always used to want to watch... Reba and her family... Now Mataya will be making her own little family!

Aren't these the cutest? teeny weeny cowboy boots ! That was one of many teeny sized pairs of shoes that Baby X received.

Here is Mataya and her cousins... the fat tummy vs the flat tummies!!
That is Jami, second in line, followed by Kendal, Chris and Kim... Cute eh? So , do you think there is a baby boy in there?

It was good to see Ronda and John and Mathew, and of course, MAtaya... Jami has long hair now and looked terrific too. We had some good laughs,all in all. The one thing is that the L. family makes you feel like one of them...and they are one big happy family. We ate until we were stuffed, and then inhaled the lovely cheesecakes. Kim made a delicious lemon one that was to die for... I ate a slab of that and savoured it all the way home!

John and Ronda popped over this morning for a coffee before they left back to Vernon, so that was nice... The snow was starting to flutter down,s o they decided to head home before the roads turned ugly.