365 Photos of the Day

These are the last of my pics from Kelowna, where I spent some quality time with my beautiful daughter and my Grand Dawg, Fancy

Here we are, Fancy all wiggley bum about wanting to get the photos over with and the walk started…

There is a beautiful boardwalk along the shoreline of Lake Okanagan.

Winding past the small pond and daisies and grasses

Alongside the sandy beach, with the bridge in the distance

With Fancy exploring “off track” as well. 

And Melanie and Fancy took me (G’Merm to Fancy) out for a picnic dinner on the beach – sliders and ice cream for dessert.  We listened to folks play the pianos which the city have placed randomly along the walkway.  It was kind of a festive air. 

And then when darkness fell we walked back and by this beautiful dolphins statue. 

My favorite photo of Mel and Fancy!

Thanks for visiting!

Technorati Tags: Kelowna BC,daughter,Melanie,Fancy,Okanagan

Family Challenge 10 - Whitewash Technique

Yayyyy - another family challenge - this time Nina inivited Judy and I to join her to try this:

 

 

What a unique and interesting technique, really had me thinking.  Here’s what I built:

 

 

I used white inks and clear embossing powder - I’m not such a steady hand at embossing EXACTLY over a stamped image, but there you go, it still makes for an interesting look which I’ve never attempted before. 

Supplies used: Embossing Powder, White Ink, Cardstock, Stamp (Studio G), Button, crochet twine.

 

 

I especially like the milky look of the white ink when it’s “painted” across the surface. 

If this intrigued you, why not hop over to Nina and Judy’s blogs to see how they employed this technique?

Today’s “1 small THING” is… FAMILY

It seems so fitting to post about family right on the day of our “Family Challenge”.  This is so timely because my daughter Melanie and I got to enjoy a Mother-Daughter day this past weekend.  Though we live not so far apart (couple of hours) we really don’t get to spend much time together due to our busy schedules and … well, LIFE.  We natter all the time via technology, but face to face, not so much. 

My Mr. is busy through Spring Break in recording (much more about this in the future) with a severe time-line in place so I took the opportunity to catch a ride north with a friend who was heading up for a conference.  When I asked Melanie if she was “free for a day” she, without hesitation, not only cleared her schedule but between she and her man, Jared, set out planning a lavish and fun “Mom and Daughter Day” for me.  Wow. 

 

Mel getting her “pedi”

 

Our first stop was at Kelowna’s O Spa for my (seriously) first ever pedicure.

 

My FIRST ever pedicure!

 

Being as this was something I’d never done before, which being as I’m 55… is like, WOW!  Some who I mentioned to that I’d never had one ever, made me realize the significance of this occasion - that I got to experience it with my daughter and beside her too! 

I am sure I gave my gracious manicurist (or nail tech, according to google) a good workout because I am a runner and work out a lot and so she had to deal with feet which told the story of hard workouts.  But she transformed my feet from hooves to delicate limbs by the time our session was done.  Not only that, she lavished me with lotion to my poor winter dry skin even on my arms.  I floated out of there on new feet!

I need to say here the staff of O Spa were amazing and I’d recommend it to anyone.  If you’re reading this and you have a Mom - treat her today, if not to a high end, even if you do her nails yourself.  Its something that really brings you together.  I will think of Mel every time I look at my toes (which, because of the nude pearly color I chose look like little pinkish tinged sea-shells I think)

 

 

And then we went driving driving - Jared being the chauffer for the first part of the day to…

 

 

Eat Sushi!

We chose the BLUETAIL Sushi in Kelowna (where by the way, they have a tremendous deal on right now through GROUPON, check it HERE)

 

 

Hmmm, what to order? 

 

Gyoza

Spider Roll

 

I can’t list it all here - we practically DID order it ALL!  What a great way to try some new things.  It was incredible, both the food and service. 

 

Pickled Ginger “moustaches”

And we had fun too.  We always have fun.

Just hanging out -

or in the thrift store where Mel met a “new friend”  A real MAN-equin.  (she sent this pic to her Mr but he said “Pshaw!” He knows there is nobody like himself body for her!  I wish I could remember the funny reply he sent back - it was tooooo funny!

This is something that my daughter and I have in common, pure silliness.  I get joy out of Mel’s ability to let go and just be silly with me.  Life is too short to go around all sober and serious.  Specially when you have time with the somebodies you love more than everything in the world! 

 

“I don't think quantity time is as special

as quality time with your family.”

Reba McEntire

 

Thanks for visiting today!

 

Technorati Tags: Mrs Miles,Kelowna,O Spa,O Spa Kelowna,Bluetail Sushi,Bluetail Sushi Kelowna,Family Challenge,Barbara Derksen,Barb Derksen

Buhahahhahahahaa!

IT IS TODAY!!!! hahahhaha! Ok, I'm going for a looonnnng walk here, to clear my mind... I'll still leave the post I'd put up this a.m. (to show you WHY I need to go clear my head.) I shall repeat 100 times in my head ... IT IS the 28th it IS the 28th It is the 28th...


I messed up big-time everyone... haha, its ALL MY FAULT! Cicero, you needn't worry that your dear OLD Mither might not recall a happening from 50 years ago, for I'm so scatter-brained at my age (only 1/2 of hers!) that her memory seems BRILLIANT compared to mine these days. I'm talking about... being a certain little "bird" who hopped about letting folks know that its our dear friend Valinda's birthday ... TODAY.

Well, its actually TOMORROW. Ayeah.... (ducking at the shoes being thrown from South Africa and USA...) Well hay, folks, there's two GOOD things about this, perhaps three...

1. We did not forget Valinda's special day
2. We DEFINATELY surprised her
3. We can breath a sigh of satisfaction that its DONE!

You know what's funny? I chatted with my SIL Judy last night and we were TALKING about this and it did not "click" in my mind that the 28th was not TODAY till about 4 a.m. when I woke up with a big "OOPS" going on in my brain.

So... without further ado, I'm going to Join my dear friends to celebrate not only Valinda's birthday, but my daughter's and friend Bonnie's too! Happy Birthday TOMORROW to all of you!

credits:
All KimB Stuffs

Happy Birthday Dezrae!

It's your birthday, but we got the gift...
a gentle, sweet, beautiful daughter
who is always a pleasure to be with.
You glow with sensitivity and compassion
generated from the depths
of your warm heart and and kind soul.
A loving mom, a peacemaker,
a woman full of the joy of life,
that's you.
Anyone who spends time with you
is privileged to know
such an extraordinary person.
You are a great joy in our lives.
We love you and cherish you and treasure you
and wish that every one of your birthdays
will be the happiest yet.

By Joanna Fuchs

Dezrae, we wish you lived closer so we could celebrate with you, but you will be thought of. Hope you get royally spoiled (not Royale-ly cause if you read my last post you'll know what I mean) Have a fabulous day!

credits:
Kristin CB - flowers
sorry, can't remember the other kit?

Birthday Blessings

Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings,
As your birthday nears. Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there. Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are. Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"

By Joanna Fuchs

Bonnie, this is a wonderful opportunity to tell you how dear you are to me. I hope this year is one of being creative and discovering new talents and realizing your hopes and dreams. I'm so glad we DO live close enough that I can actually give you a real Birthday Hug ... tomorrow!

credits:
KristinCB - Beauty kit
(may be a mix of your other kits too)

Bright Joy

On your birthday,
I’m thinking about how much light and sparkle
you freely dispense wherever you go,
how your sunny smile lights up any gathering.
Every birthday marks another year
of you radiating positive, happy energy,
contagious happiness
that infects all who come in contact with you.
May your next birthday find you the same--
glowing from within,
beaming bright joy on everyone you meet.
I feel blessed to know you.

By Joanna Fuchs

Valinda... YOU are the first person to visit and leave love at so many of our blogs. You ALWAYS have an encouraging word, you bring sunshine into all our lives. Its been a rare day when I would find myself AHEAD of you in a strip of comments on a blog. I count on you and have come to cherish and value each one! I'm looking forward to getting to know you more this year, to fellowship with you too.

I KNOW your family and Jim will spoil you, girl!

SOOOOOO.....

Even though I've been 'retired' from designing for a while now, I set aside a day to create a kit to give away to honour each of you. I hope you enjoy!

Personal Use Only

download

“They” said, yesterday on the news, that yesterday is considered the 'most depressing' day of the year. I hear ya! The sun has not graced us with it's presence for several weeks now. I'm sure I'll need sunglasses the first time it chooses to shine on us. I keep begging my sister, Nina to send me some – from Victoria, no less. Now that seems so strange, as they are on the coast where its usually rainy. To date, nothings arrived.

I woke this morning from a dream that Mr. Miles and I were at some social gathering, very casual, and that Michelle Obama gave me a hug. We were talking about her children. Weird. Very strange – we don't even live in the USA. Perhaps it had something to do with my plan to watch the inauguration today. The inauguration was a moving thing to hear – I say hear because I only watched the swearing in on tv, but heard the rest of the ceremonies on CBC radio while I worked out.

Our Melanie ♥

Layout Credits: KimB's HeartyTarty Kit
Barb Derksen's WreathFrame - white

Our daughter came home for a visit this past weekend and it was a wonderful time together. I'm sure you're hoping for a photo, but I left it late and she made me promise NO photos – she was not feeling photogenic. Oh, I've had those days too, so respected her wishes. I did though, ask her to send me some of her own cell phone photos, and thats the one I used in this layout which I made mostly with KimB's HeartyTarty Kit. What a FABULOUS kit!

Next time Melanie visits I'll have to take care of that taking pictures thing, first thing. She brought her boyfriend with her – our first time to meet him. He's very nice!

Our weekend was all about baking. I promised to show her the Artisan Bread recipe. Melanie has always loved to bake. We mixed up batches of dough and made buns, flatbreads and pizza. On Saturday night, the kids made us dessert, rich fattening dessert. Flakey fruit and chocolate filled puff-pastry turnovers served with ice cream. Of COURSE she went home with a bucket of dough which was nicely risen by the time they got there.

I did not mention that last week I went 'across the line' at the invitation from my friend Angie to do some grocery shopping. We live RIGHT on the USA/Canada border and so have the luxury to hop over whenever the urge hits. With our dollar down, its not so much of a deal as it has been at past times, but there is always something different to buy. Cheese always works out less, for sure. My favorite place to stop is a little gas station/grocery which is supplied by deli's which are only stateside so I always find some unique things. These are some of the items I bought to play with this trip:

This spaghetti, which is sold in the USA at a Trader Joes store, is looooong! I'm hankering to go to one of those stores, now. Have any of you been to one?

These noodles are hollow - like very long kraft dinner noodles, though I am sure they are better quality, being made from hard durum seminola!

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos - my camera does not do well in low light. This orzo should be a colorful addition to soups - organic to boot!


And some buckwheat. I've never really cooked with it before. Any suggestions?

This Sap Sago cheese is VERY interesting. It's produced only one place in the world. I love the story, the shape and the very bold and distinctive flavor. I've already found several ways to use it. You can read an article about it HERE at Wikipedia.

Then, as I was surfing around on the internet to find more recipes for it, I came across this incredible recipe site. I think you will agree that the photography is just stunning – and the recipes extremely innovative and interesting! My friend Gina and I spent an afternoon drooling over our screens together. And I did make the Scandinavian Sour Cream Apple Pie, only I did not put a crust on it at all, and I substituted vanilla yogurt for the sour cream. Mr. Miles gave it thumbs up.

Layout by Judy

Credits: KimB and Bunny Cates items!

Did you see this lovely LOVELY poem and layout my sister-in-law Judy posted for me on her blog over the weekend? Well, in case you didn't, here's her layout with it in. I was so moved! Judy has a post up today of the thoughtful and sweet parcel she recieved from KimB in South Africa. That Kim, she's got it all tied up in the giving department. I do believe her middle name is generosity! Judy also has some pretty photos of dragonflies she took this past summer. Oh * groan * don't say summer, please, unless you send sunshine.

Layout by Victoria
Credits:
Barb Derksen - Photo of Osoyoos Lake
Kris Myers Frosty Days Digital Kit

And here's a pretty layout made by my friend Victoria, who lives in Florida. She asked if she might use one of my frosty photos for a layout, seeing as she does not have such a thing down there. I think your layout is lovely and thanks for sharing!

Treasure Box fit for a queen

I recieved a gift at Church this past Sunday – a beeeee-youuuuu-teeee-ful treasure. I'd no more seated myself when I was approached by my little 6 year old friend Asia who was bearing a wrapped gift for me. She insisted I open it right then and there – to reveal this hand-decorated treasure box. Ohhh, so pretty! I've got some special things which shall be stored in here! Don't you just love little presents crafted by little hands? Priceless, I say!

♥♥♥♥♥

A few posts ago I bragged on my friend Penny Buhr Johnson, on the release of her second CD. Unfortunately her CD was not quite set up at CD baby for sale just yet, but it is now. You can visit Penny's website by clicking HERE and follow the links which will allow you to hear cuts of her new album as well as purchase it too!

Our good blogger friend Valinda is home after a week away - and she's got a gift for you on her website I won't spoil the surprize, but go on over and welcome her home, won't you? Just click HERE.

Here's an entertaining time-waster of a website for you. Don't blame me if you don't get your housework done today, ok? Its called Drawminos!

And finally, I decided to make a 'little sumfing' for YOU. I had this small wreath thing laying about. It used to be around the base of a candle, but the candle got used up. Before sending this to the thrift shop or trash... I decided it would make a neat photo frame. I think it worked quite well. I'll post another version in a day or two. I'd love to see how you use this – just send me a jpg of your layout and I'll post it.

Ohhhh and as I'm wrapping this up - this loooong long post, I recall Shirley emailing me to say she's awarded me .... I'll have to slip on over to her place and see whats in store for me. THANK YOU Shirley, in advance.

Personal Use

download

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Mr. Miles and I drove up to Kelowna, a city 2 hours (usually 2 hours) north of here, only right now its a three hour trip due to a highway closure about 2/3 of the way up from here on highway 97. In a spot undergoing road upgrading a whole section of mountain has developed a fissure and is threatening to collapse. Glad they are taking care of it.

I'm sure not used to the city. I can't seem to focus in all the busy-ness. At any rate, we had some wonderful visit time with our daughter. We had breakfast together and then afterward shopped at a store next door. When we were leaving, something caught my eye ...

An Old Friend!

If you follow my blog you would know that we have a new van - my 50th birthday present. Our old van was sold to a lady in a small community north of us. Actually, its located on THIS side of the highway repairs, so to see our old van in Kelowna was quite a surprise! What are the chances too, of in a city of 109, 000 we would be RIGHT there to see it? I'm still laughing!

We had a bit of excitement on the way home. One block from home, our headlights failed! The switch was stuck on! Praise the Lord it was so close to home - I'd have hated to spend an unplanned night in Westbridge or Rock Creek... or out in the middle of nowhere!

My man is not mechanically inspired, but he stepped up to the plate and got it sorted. We've ordered a new switch and will have to be tricky with getting around the next few days.

*****

BIG NEWS!

The Sophia Sarducci Shop, where I sell my digital scrapbooking kits, is closing its doors. Ah, don't weep for me, Suzanna, it has been SUCH a wonderful place to be. I can't say enough positive about my bosses and co workers. Sophia was the first ever shop I've sold at, and I believe I was directed there through my blog, through the Lord. I'd not went looking, and had prayed to find the perfect place, and Sophia was perfect for me. My boss Saxon was so hugely encouraging to me every step of the way - I hope you will all visit her when you can as she is selling at Scrapbook Elements (click HERE)- I wish her every success!

Now, the GOOD NEWS -

from now to November 15th
EVERYTHING
in the Sophia Sarducci Store
is 50% OFF

EVERYTHING
including COMMERCIAL USE...

so, treat yourself to some early Christmas shopping
by clicking HERE!

Thank you all my faithful customers for your support over this last year. It's been amazing!

Me? I'm thinking on perhaps joining a shop (or two) in January - will keep you posted. In the meantime I'm a bit digi-burned-out and need to regroup. This will be a welcome break for me!

*****

An Award - For Me? Awwwwwwwwww!

Poor Betty, this I send you a big MUAH and a super big BEAR HUG for this award, but gurl, I'm going to be honest with you - the award stops here. Ha ha! I have a very busy week ahead of me so I'm going to (blushingly) accept this award but not forward it at this time, simply don't have time. But I thank you from the very bottom of my heart! It means a lot, specially coming from you - I find your blog a wonderful, informative window into your part of the world.

I've only been visiting Betty for a month or so, but I've learned so much about Paraguay through her good blog posts! The reason I'm so interested is because I have a good friend who comes from, and does missions to, Argentina, which is next door to Paraguay. Though my friend tells me about some things, Betty takes the time to write extensively, answer my MANY questions and even includes photos! Yes, I pester her almost daily!

And today is Betty's two year blog birthday. And like all us strange blog people, we seem to GIVE things away on our birthdays, rather than the opposite! So, if you have a moment and would like to learn something new about a new place, why not stop in and say CONGRATS and hello and even...

WIN ME - at Betty's blog!

Ah, what is it you ask? Well, you will have to go over to Betty's and pester her like I do - she's got an explaination and a CONTEST to win these items on her blog.

Thanks so much Betty - I'll eagerly await to see who wins. To visit Betty's blog just click HERE!

*****

its SOMEBODY'S birthday tomorrow...
check back here tomorrow to find out WHO
(and there may even be a digi download in celebration!)