Lovely Sunday...and HAppy Birthday Eva!

Lynn came over for the Hundredth Anniversary of the Nelson United Church and her and Joyce went to the banquet on Saturday night, then the three of us went to church on Sunday.
Here the Ministers are getting ready to put a time capsule into the hole in the wall of the church, behind the alter. Amongst other things, the capsule contained photos of the little children who were there to help lock the box. It will be opened in fifty years, and perhaps one of the children will be there to see it all again. A lovely day in the church, tho the chosen bible verses about circumsion didn't seem to fit the order of the day... Upon thinking about it, maybe it was a reference to the longevity of the deed.!



After church, we took in the Sunday Brunch at the Best Western...Baker Street Inn Restaurant. It was delicious with a wide assortment of entries and deserts. We were all interested in the eggs Bennies and the waffles... Mmm. I was so stuffed, I couldn't eat dinner until 8:00 pm.
I stopped at Ron and Phoebes on the way home and picked up the rocking chair he glued together for us... and then Ted and Syl came over, and it was two beer before I was on my way home! That was nice to get to know them a little better. They just returned from a trip to Disneyland with their grandkids.

And last but not least...look who came to dinner at Mike a and Gisele's while they were away.
There were about three more sho already were heading to greener grass under the trees at back... Poor Lynn B. ( former home owner) would have been dismayed to see them munching back everything in the yard.

And a Big HAppy Birthday to Eva tomorrow... Love you sweety! Have a great Day!



"The Creator"

Apple Upside Down cake

Yes, when the hubby is away, I bake. The recipe is on the Epicurious website. I added a little rum to the carmel sauce and a bit of cinnamon. The cornmeal in the cake makes it extra-ordinarily yummy.

Apple Upside Down Cake



"The Creator"

Coco Love Alcorn » music

Coco Love Alcorn » music
Here is a bright light voice amongst the humdrum out there...

"The Creator"

Pictures from Joyce and Spring Forward tonight!

Last weekend Correna and her friend Karen braved the highways and drove down from Edmonton so that KAren's son could visit his pony that Morgan is boarding until spring. Pony Boy, as the pony is known, was Ian's Christmas present. He was one happy little boy!

Ian, Karen, Jordan, and Correna down near the canal.

And here is a site we haven't seen... the canal being emptied for maintance... shows you how deep it is and it isn't even completely empty.

And here is a sure sign of spring. Joyce's little snowdrops are up out of the ground and blooming... Aren't they refreshing to see! Thanks Joyce for sending spring my way.
I am going to try to pick the rest of my pussy willows. They also make me feel springy but nothing like the sight of a fresh flower blooming. My garden is so far under the snow that it will be June before I see a stitch of green , I think.
In the menatime, I thought I would test a few of my old seeds and also plant some pansies upstairs. I must say the pansies did come up as well as some lemon basil, but that is it. Time to chuck out the ancient seeds.
Yes, spring is in our hearts, but upon looking out hte window all we see is giant flacons de neige falling, and the wind blowing. I think I better take a photo and send it to our neighbours, Ann and Dick, who are somewhere in the southern United States waiting for better weather before returning home .
it is brutal looking outside right now.
Lynn is supposed to be on her way over to Joyce's. There is a big banguet in honour of the one hundredth anniversary of the United Church in Nelson. Tomorrow they will have a church service and will be sealing a time capsule in the wall. How cool is that? I am going to go in and meet up with Lynn and Joyce for church and brunch tomorrow. I hope the weather improves.
Emil is still in Victoria playing MArtha Stewart as he cooks and keeps watch over the kids... He is doing so well...I am really proud of him! The kids might not be as excited, but they are fed and watered and haven't injured each other yet!
Deb and I met with the girls for Badminton last night at Chillers... it was a short night as it was freezing int here and then the band was about to start up,s o we left, but not before we had a few laughs with Sharon. She is always pretty funny.
And dear Deb made me dinner on Thursday night ...a lovely spinach salad and a grilled chicken breast... yum! I thawed out some chicken for dinner tonight as I am getting tired of leftovers from my big dinner of last weekend. One person here and I am not eating my way through the fridge like I thought I would. Good! I am not having any trouble with the muffins I made tho!

Ok, I feel like going down for a nap but better get on with general cleanup, then look at some income tax stuff and also try to remember to spring forward with the clocks tonight...Yea! I am so happy to have more daylight!

Oh yes, did I mention that I found a nice online store to buy shoes at?
I ordered a couple of pairs and one pair arrived in 2 days! Pretty terrific aye? The website is Canadian ( shoes came from Burnaby) and they carry all my favourite styles. The store is called Soft-Moc.

I found the Sketchers I need for spring ,plus a new pair for next winter. Both were on sale to boot!

In my mailbox yesterday was the patterns I ordered online from Mc Calls/Butterick. They had a huge sale and I got three patterns for less than the price of one or two around here. I found my stash of beautiful fabric that I bought in Peru and have decided that it is time to do soemthing with it before the moths eat it, since most of it is Alpaca wool. I just perused the patterns this morning and realize that if I am to sew them up, I have some serious relearning to do. It has been an age since I have sewn anything except seeds..ha-ha... different kind of Sew/Sow. I'm going to take a stab at it. There are two different pant patterns that can be made into capris. I had ordered capris from Sears and they were butt ugly...really bad... BAck they went.

Now I am thinking I could just sew up two or three pairs of pants out of this beautiful cool wool that looks like linen... I'm afraid to cut into it! If it works, the pant will be lovely....
I might start by getting some sharp new needles for my sewing machine tomorrow after brunch, and buying the thread and interfacing so I can begin. I took some measurements and it looks like the lengths are all long for my legs , too big for my bust and not big enuf for my fat butt, so there will be a few alterations in order. Lucky the pattern comes with a step by step pre-fitting guide.
Ok. time to actually get something done around here...it is still snowing out. yuchy.
Have a great week-end and thanks Joyce for all the photos !







"The Creator"

Big Turkey dinner at Bill and Marlenes

Here's Bill carving up the turkey

15 or 16 of us for dinner which was a delicous feast with contributions from everyone. Janice , on the right int he green, made a delicous cranberry beet jellied salad, Debbie did scalloped potatoes and Alisa brought Broccoli au gratin... and I brought regular cranberries and a cheesecake for desert. We also had brownies and apple pie and huckleberry tarts, so no shortage of goodies. The turkey was an organic one and was so moist. Makes me think we ought to cook turkey more often!
Oh yes, this happened a couple of weeks ago already. I am slow to get pictures on my blog... Life has been busy!

Whats a turkey dinner without Texas Hold'um afterrward? Ashley won. I hung in there for quite a while, then it was down to Emil, Pete and Ashley and Mike. Emil and Mike soon were knocked off, then Pete and Ashley struggled it out to the end.

Here's Deb and Janice watching the poker game and munching.
So thanks to Marlene and Bill for bringing the neighbourhood together again!
We've had a busy couple of weeks since then, so I'll have to continue the posts after breakfast... my tummy is calling out for a fresh egg or maybe some french toast!


"The Creator"

Grandma Shumey's Pork or Chicken and Potatoe Casserole

I am using this new stoneware cooker just cause it is new and has a lid.I usually use my large low corning ware pan. I spray it with Pam first.



Here I am browning a pork shoulder chop and some chicken patties I made up with ground chicken, an egg and breadcrumbs and Montreal Chicken spice (from Costco) and salt and pepper.

In a little olive oil, brown the meat on both sides then throw in the onions.
While the meat is cooking, ready your other ingredients.

You need a can of mushroom soup, a can of sliced or button mushrooms, and a pork or chicken gravy mix ( besides your pork chops or chicken meat) and potatoes sliced lengthwise. I used five small ones today.

Lift the meat out when it is browned and continue to saute your onions.
Then open your can of mushrooms . Do not drain!


After the onions have fried up a bit, dump in the can of mushrooms, juice and all.




I add the mushroom soup on top of the onions and mushrooms


After adding the soup, I fill the can with water and add my pork gravy mix to it.



With the meat underneath, I have layered on the potatoes which have been sliced in eighths lengthwise in order to cook more rapidly.




I just stir in the mushroom soup until it is mixed up. Don't worry if the soup is lumpy. It will all cook down by the end.


Pour your soup and mushroom onion mixture over the potatoes and meat.

A large 9x12 pyrex works just as well. If there isn't enough liquid, you can add another 3/4 cup or so of water ...just so the spuds get cooked. I have a lid for this cooker, but usually cover the pan with tinfoil if I am using a low pyrex , french white or corning-ware pan. It may boil over in the later stages of cooking, so keep an eye on it after thirty minutes. It should be deliciously tender in one hour with all the potatoes cooked and the gravy rendered down. You can lift the tinfoil or lid off for the last 15 minutes or so, if it wants to boil over or has too much liquid.This is great served with a green salad and a side of cauliflower. Enjoy! We always loved coming to Grandma Shumeys and having the aroma of this casserole greeting us at the door. Of course she served it up with a side of perogies and canned corn for the kids!Enjoy...any questions, give me a comment or a call.

Here it is, 60 minutes later...note that the liquid has reduced

oh-oh...someone smells dinner...

On my plate with a salad of sorts, and cauliflower and applesauce..mmm...good!

Enjoy!





"The Creator"

Margo's Gingersnap dunkers

This recipe makes a nice big batch of cookies that are the best when hot or when dunked in a hot cup of tea...as they do go crispy hard in no time flat. That in no way has deterred me from eating most all of them with my tea at lunch or after dinner.
What brought me to gingersnaps was the fact that I have more than two cartons of molasses kicking around from Emil's party last summer when I baked the beans. For that matter, I have quite a few packages of beans left over also. Any other molasses recipes would be greatly appreciated! In the meantime,here is MArgo's recipe for gingersnaps. She makes them with real butter and I used margarine. MAybe they are softer if they are made with butter. I don't know. She sometimes uses less butter and a little oil in its place.
You can roll them in balls and in sugar then either flatten with a fork, or just leave them to melt into a cookie in the oven. I baked some for twelve minutes and the rest for 10 minutes. I was trying for the chewy centres. Yes, they were chewy when hot, but once cooled, they were all rock hard. The good news is that one dunk in hot tea and they melt in your mouth!



Roll little balls about the size of a walnut and then roll in granulated sugar

Bake ten to twelve minutes. Do not over bake

Yum yum...eat it hot from the oven or dunk them in your coffee or tea.

Here is the recipe:

Margo's Gingersnaps

3/4 cup butter or margarine or a little less butter and oil, instead

Cream in 2 cups of sugar

Stir in:

2 well beaten eggs

1/2 cup molasses

2 tsp. vinegar

Sift and add while stirring

3 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2-3 tsp ginger ( could add some frsh grated ginger as well)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves

mix till blended. Roll into 1" balls and roll in sugar.
Either flatten or leave whole, then bake for twelve minutes or less. Do not overcook!
Bake at 350*
Enjoy... I did!


"The Creator"

Touchstones Museum,Nelson BC

A Virtual tour of the Doukhobor Textiles Exhibit is now on our website!
Celebrating 100 years of Doukhobor Settlement in British ColumbiaThis is the Web component of a physical exhibit which was on display at Touchstones Nelson between November 15, 2008 and January 18, 2009.
Check it out at http://www.touchstonesnelson.ca/exhibitions/virtual_exhibitions.php


"The Creator"

Correna and Joe's trip and a surprise

Thank-you to Joe and Correna for the incredible photos!!


These are various photos that Correna sent from their amazing trip to Peru to trek the Incan trail into Machu Pichu. After a visit to the Sacred Valley and Lake Titakaka, they went on to Equador to travel around the Galapagos Islands in order to catch the shots of animals and birds that we never get to see, and some, like the big turtle, are on the verge of extinction.


Here is the start of the hiking trail... to Machu Pichu

As you can see, the mountains aren't too forgiving...I think that little white line behind Correna is the trail they just hiked up.


If you weren't going down the Inkan steps , you were going up the Stinkin steps!


Maybe those Incans had longer legs...look at the size of the stairs!

Going down...



Your first view of MAchu Pichu from far above it ( This is where their trek culminated)


Machu Pichu in all of its glory

Taken at the beginning of the Galapagos part of the trip on Rabida Island... don't back up too much!



Taken in the Galapagos Islands...a beautiful shot, Joe of the Blue footed Boobie

Below , Marine Iquana sharing the rock with a Nasca Boobie bird.

beach of sea lions that Correena and Joe walked through (her towel that she sat on for the morning is just outside of the picture frame)

Lonesome George (last of the Pinta tortouises) at the Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz

Island. He is over 90 years old, I think she said.

Marine Iquana with Galapagos Oyster Catcher birds

Oh look.... a Polar Bear!!!!

No, these weren't taken in the Galapagos Islands, these beautiful shots were taken by my friend Bobby, when she did a special trip to Churchill MAnitoba to see the biggest bear in the world.. amazing also, so I thought I'd add them to the collection! Thanks Bobby for the fabulous photos!

Hard to believe they could be dangerous at all. Looks like you could nuzzle noses with him!

Look at this guy...could be lying down in the snow.

Bobby said that one was quite entertaining, scratching himself and just showing off for everyone. when they lie on their back, they roll their whole rump over first , in order to stand up... She said it looked quite impossible, but they are so massive, I guess that is how they do it best.

Bobby said that a huge storm blew in and even the ice trekker machine they were in, got into an accident. She was very lucky to see these beautiful animals that are losing their ice habitat every year. She said that she watched a bear lying flat out on her stomach and stretching her front paws out to test the thickness of the ice ,before advancing onto it. Bobby was thrilled to see them in their natural habitat...whats left of it.

Hope you enjoyed the trip this morning... Have a beautiful Sunday!

"The Creator"

Beware of PayPal Spam

I received an email that stated my PAypal account had limited access due to someone trying to access my account and they need more info to update my account.
I checked my account and everything is fine there. No-one tried to access or compromise it. Thus, whoever sent that email to me is trying to phish for my personal paypal information. Do not get sucked in by these spammers and phishers.
In the first place, Pay Pal always states that they will send an email with your name in the header if it concerns you. Second of all, if anything is going on with your account, there will be some message at your PAypal account indicating such. Never never send anbody or link to any sight that tries to access your personal info. There.! You are warned! when I checked who the email was from...it said paypall.com.
See how tricky they are...two ll's at the end of the word PAypal.


"The Creator"

More pics

Finally, I added the last of the pics from our Cuba trip. This is the slideshow of our Catamaran trip to Playa Co-Co...a beautiful island with white sand that is as fine as icing sugar. Amazing to see. I'd like a beach of that sand here in Harrop! See the sidebar and click on the top slideshow to enlarge it.
Although our day started out cool and windy, it became pleasant and balmy while we were swimming with the dolphins. The waters turned crystal blue and the sun started to pour on the heat. The rest of the afternoon was like a day in Paradise...Eating, drinking, eating , swimming, relaxing and watching the birds! It was well worth going on the excursion. Otherwise, one would never have seen the part of Cuba that everyone raves about...the pure white sand beaches.

Correna said they too encountered those beautiful beaches on their trip to the Galapagos islands. I'll be putting up some of their photos one of these days soon. Otherwise, Joe has a bunch posted on facebook.
I have been too tired to play on the computer much these nights... bed is calling me now! In fact, I completely missed Ronda's birthday and John and Ronda's anniversary... so Belated Happy wishes to them, and a HAppy Birthday to my nephew, Robert, in Calgary, who turned fifteen today... hard to believe he is that old.
So it is off to bed...
Oh Yes, Congratulations to Annette ...she is the new manager at a Hillside location of her Van City credit Union...I am proud of you!!! She started on Tuesday of this week...said her new staff is all sick with the flu.. nice thing to walk into.
And Congratulations to Sonia for taking some more holidays...Back to St. Lucia for more Catamaran fun. Emil will be the number one house, dog , and kidsitter while she is away... No dull moments with my family!
"The Creator"