tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2544270359180808742012-01-24T22:16:59.319-08:00Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.comBlogger7301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-67635411541007500772009-08-28T10:45:00.000-07:002009-08-28T10:45:24.444-07:00

Hello It has been quite awhile since we've posted here but we're still around, we've just been busy posting on our personal blogs.  Hope you'll look in on us there, stop to say "Hello" and see what we have all been up to with our sewing, quilting, baking, knitting, gardening, crafting, thrifting, reading, homelearning, white shirt watching, etc.  If you'd like to find us you can follow these

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-22452766172431522262009-05-28T08:50:00.001-07:002009-05-28T08:56:07.590-07:00

Whatever happened to Shaun Cassidy, you ask? Well apparently he grew a mustache, got braces, big bags under his eyes and loads of blue freckles.I found this the other day rolled up into some of my old artwork. We are in the process of moving and finding all kinds of...erm, treasures tucked away in nooks and crannies. This must have adorned my bedroom wall some 30 years ago. Did I do this?

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-1448065119920289202009-04-13T07:37:00.001-07:002009-04-13T07:39:39.124-07:00

Here's the good thing about not having any guests for Easter dinner.You each get 1/4 of the plum pie. ;-)

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-84147848981218135452009-03-09T15:32:00.001-07:002009-03-09T15:51:46.136-07:00

There I was innocently sitting down the other night to watch an episode of North and South, purely for my own educational improvement in certain areas of historical importance (wink, wink), when what should appear before my eyes but a White Shirt. A fine white shirt! Well...what's a WSS sufferer to do? Surely I couldn't turn it off, after all, we are in the middle of studies on the Industrial

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-13304962373130496452009-03-03T07:08:00.001-08:002009-03-03T07:46:33.542-08:00

We watched this film a few weeks ago and I keep thinking about it. We already grow most of our veg from heirloom seeds and we also save a lot of our own seeds but after watching this I feel compelled to do more...grow more, save more, share more, do more and talk more.I want to be sure that more people know what is going on with our food and I want people to see how easy (and enjoyable) it is to

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-5861435913346015522009-02-23T06:40:00.001-08:002009-02-23T10:41:41.436-08:00

E is really enjoying reading this book aloud to me. It is full of lots of silliness and has really fun illustrations. It is the story of a young wolf going out on a sort of coming-of-age journey; it is filled with all sorts of mishaps (aka - growth opportunities) ;-), adventure and challenges. I enjoy hearing him read Little Wolf's adventures to me but I most especially enjoy hearing the way

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-75634386132610175282009-02-19T13:19:00.001-08:002009-02-19T13:37:06.687-08:00

With the Spring sale from Rancho Vignola coming up, I wanted to be sure I had ample space to store my goodies.  I had chili at Heather's not too long ago, and although I ate my fair share, with so much good food to sample from, I didn't get quite enough to quench my cravings, so for this fridge clear out, chili won over soup.  Start with a crock pot and throw in whatever is taking up valuable

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-2331363118634243722009-02-17T12:32:00.000-08:002009-02-26T07:20:34.376-08:00

Well...if you like chocolate it does. :-)Have you ever seen anything so amazing? Me neither. I didn't know there even was such a thing as a chocolate bar this big. Thankfully I have a friend who is very smart about such things. Dark chocolate with almonds and local cherries. It's so pretty I can hardly bear to open it. (wha ha ha ha) Thank you lovely friend. ;-)

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-39257369302856904212009-02-13T10:09:00.001-08:002009-02-13T10:21:30.248-08:00

Here's a fun book to read if you are a popcorn fan. The boys and I read it and then, strangely enough, we started to feel a bit peckish...we needed a snack.It seemed only sensible to have popcorn. E decided to try his "Almanzo style" with some milk and a bit of sugar over it. W said it tasted like "soggy popcorn" - surprise, surprise. ;-) E liked it. I had mine with butter and Herbamare (have I

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-54191916019783431342009-02-11T13:37:00.000-08:002009-02-11T13:56:04.010-08:00

And did I mention delicious??My hands are really sensitive to moisture, especially in the winter, so I try to stay away from things that leave my hands wet for extended periods of time.  This is why I'm so thankful for my bread machine, which mixes and kneads my dough for me - all I have to do is pull it out (knead a tiny bit of flour in if necessary) and plop it in the pan.  I was thrilled to

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-37387466850178979882009-02-03T15:03:00.001-08:002009-02-03T15:30:56.963-08:00

My family has had the most wonderful month...lots of sunshine, hiking, swimming and snorkelling, fresh eating, outdoor time, beach time and relaxing. It was just exactly what we needed. I have so (ridiculously) many photos so I will share just a few.Hikes... Plants and flowers... Sunsets (and the fact that almost everyone stops what they are doing and watches them - night after night. What a

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-52478892638186757052009-01-08T11:50:00.001-08:002009-01-08T12:07:21.157-08:00

I worked on this sweet little girl for many nights leading up to Solstice! She was made using the Wee Wonderful pattern available here. I had never made a doll before and she was not difficult, but it did take longer than I had expected.Zara was absolutely thrilled to see her on Solstice morning. She immediately named her Charlotte (that was the name of Laura's doll in Little House on the Prairie

Jacquelinenoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-6236709659294011472009-01-06T18:55:00.000-08:002009-01-06T19:13:03.697-08:00

Yummy!  I found this slow cooker recipe last night in the January 2009 Alive Magazine and happily had all the ingredients to make it.I made it first thing in the morning, so the delicious smell wafted through the house all day (very welcome after shoveling more snow!)  It's filled with lentils, quinoa and tomatoes from the garden (that I crushed in the fall and froze).  So good!I checked on the

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-84716464907814846012008-12-31T09:24:00.000-08:002008-12-31T09:38:21.289-08:00

About a month ago we all watched the DVD Pulse, A Stomp Odyssey. We really enjoyed it and E stomped around afterwards making his own rhythms. We ordered Stomp Out Loud from our library and finally got a chance to watch it last night. Both boys were fascinated - there was nary a peep nor a wiggle during the whole show. They were riveted. I'm a little concerned about the fate of my garbage cans

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-64601340857030782202008-12-19T14:31:00.000-08:002008-12-19T14:51:45.062-08:00

We have been busily preparing for Solstice around here - 2 more days to go! Last night I went into the den and Z said "You can't come in here Mom!" So I went into the living room and sat down and started working on her present. She came in awhile later and I said "Oh, you can't come in here!" There are many little secret projects in the works and the suspense is building! Here are a couple of the

Jacquelinenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-1911069254131438942008-12-18T08:55:00.001-08:002008-12-18T09:11:47.817-08:00

I have a weakness for toys from the early seventies. The boys and I were out sledding in town the other day and decided to pop into one of our favourite thrift stores. They immediately spotted this - Ringa-majigs. It is quite similar to the Ji-Gan-Tiks that I bought years ago at a church rummage sale for W.Do we need more toys in our home? Certainly not. But I love that someone has held onto

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-92176672703549442952008-12-16T08:24:00.000-08:002008-12-16T08:32:01.145-08:00

Last year E made tiger butter to give as a gift to some of his favourite males (we always find it easy to think of gifts for the females in our family but the guys prove a bit tougher). He loved making it and has already made one batch this year to give as a birthday gift. It was well received so I thought I would share the recipe here. ( this is in his words as he also wrote it out as a

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-83201043475572783982008-12-15T11:09:00.001-08:002008-12-15T22:20:44.868-08:00

I realized after I just jumped in and added a new post to this blog, that some of you reading this won't know who I am. I thought that maybe a quick introduction is necessary so here goes! My name is Jacqueline and I know Heather, Katherine and Samantha through our homelearning community. I was absolutely delighted when they invited me to join them on this blog. Blogging is something that's been

Jacquelinenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-73816456688733041952008-12-12T00:37:00.000-08:002008-12-12T11:50:40.201-08:00

During these past few months, I've spent almost every spare moment in my sewing room, preparing for Winter Cache - an art and craft sale that took place last weekend. I sewed while my babes were sleeping, or playing happily, while they hung on my leg or sat on my lap. I even sewed a few seams while nursing one of them!I have been wanting to sell my handmade goods for years, and for different

Jacquelinenoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-84252149987399029722008-12-08T12:24:00.000-08:002008-12-08T12:37:06.663-08:00

My husband and I watched this movie a year or two ago so I already knew the storyline. I knew full well that watching it would likely mean tears for me. Quite often when I watch movies with S he quietly gets up and goes to get me a roll of TP - he knows, after all these years, that a tissue or two just won't cut. This time I ended up crying through large chunks of the movie. It became apparent

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-38163645409276578482008-12-01T17:31:00.000-08:002008-12-01T18:07:21.103-08:00

Women have always amazed me. I find it fascinating to watch just how capable women are. Amongst our many, many talents we give birth to new beings - how much more amazing can we get? ;-)I am blessed to be surrounded by the most amazing group of women. Last week while visiting my friend, Jacqueline, I had the opportunity to see several of the items that she has been creating for a sale she is in

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-27162804481446246372008-12-01T07:40:00.000-08:002008-12-01T07:52:00.502-08:00

Many of you know that our friend Katherine moved away from us this past Summer. She moved to a somewhat colder climate and so a few weeks ago when it snowed there I, being the kind of friend that I am, thought that I should send her this little clip to tease her a bit about the snow. (Us Okanaganites like to brag relentlessly about our weather, doncha know)And Katherine, being the much nicer

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-24072808353693417662008-11-28T06:33:00.000-08:002008-11-28T07:20:00.608-08:00

I love getting a day at home at this time of year. Yesterday we had the whole day at home and it was lovely. It wasn't just a regular quiet kind of day at home - there were "Big Doings" going on. We all had something we were working on and some of those things were secret too. Closed doors now mean knock and wait for permission before entering. I have been finding little notes here and there

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-30470276703017349882008-11-20T13:09:00.000-08:002008-11-20T13:11:14.836-08:00

Amanda, this is your three pounds of chocolate. How well do you trust me with it? (I expect to see her knocking on my door within the hour) ;-)

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-19630934644407735942008-11-20T09:06:00.000-08:002008-11-20T09:23:47.566-08:00

There was a time when I used to get a little annoyed when people would ask what curriculum we use as soon as they found out we were homelearners. I think the reason it bugged me was because I knew that they wanted to hear a list of purchased "school" books that we were using. That isn't the way that we choose to learn and so I would find myself stumbling for an answer. Did I really want to try to

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-35717228407691986642008-11-13T07:39:00.001-08:002008-11-13T07:55:30.122-08:00

This is one of my families favourite cool weather meals, and it really is simple to make.  I have altered the recipe so that there is no chopping involved (making it super simple) but it's a basic recipe that can be played with and new things added in for variety.Pea Soup4 cups of vegetable broth (or chicken broth if you prefer)2 cups of water1 cup green split peas1 cup long grain brown rice1 bay

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-74470292622395109202008-11-12T07:58:00.000-08:002008-11-12T09:06:30.977-08:00

The book I'm recommending to you today found its way into my reading list by an act of serendipity (one of my favourite ways to meet a great read!). There are times as a homeschooling parent that I wonder if I'm doing all that I can to nurture and foster a love of learning in my sons. I wonder how to broaden their understanding and at the same time have it start from their own motivation. At

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-35177648785269774452008-11-05T08:24:00.000-08:002008-11-05T08:33:58.915-08:00

Yesterday I finally finished my back to school u neck vest from the Fitted Knits book. I wanted to look back to see how long it actually did take me and found my blog post dated Nov. 13 2007. So...it didn't quite take a year. ;-) This has been quite a year for me - there hasn't been a lot of knitting or crafting time until recently and it was with a real sense of gratitude that I finished off

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-72830322103887687592008-11-02T06:54:00.001-08:002008-11-02T07:29:41.500-08:00

This is the time of year for my family when we have time to watch movies and documentaries. The past few weeks we have had time to watch a few different ones. Yesterday W wanted to watch Journey to the Centre of the Earth but it wasn't available at our video store so instead we all watched The 11th Hour (not quite what W had in mind for a Saturday night).It is an interesting documentary, in some

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-37471384238809577892008-10-28T07:25:00.001-07:002008-10-28T07:46:21.858-07:00

I ordered this DVD from our library and we finished watching it last night. What an interesting show.This documentary shows - in a very clear way - just how much impact the average person has on the earth in their lifetime. The show takes us through an average lifespan in the lives of a male and female. It starts out when the two are born and makes its way through to retirement years. Along the

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-73788231059364589122008-10-15T09:56:00.000-07:002008-10-15T10:25:49.452-07:00

I have always encouraged creativity in my family. We like to make our own fun and sometimes the results are somewhat...unconventional, I suppose. We have never wanted our kids to have all the latest toys, instead we have helped them to explore their own imagination and make do with simpler things and to use that they have. Most everything around here involves dirt, sticks, Lego or Hotwheels. When

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-26749488898763014182008-10-08T07:20:00.000-07:002008-10-08T07:44:00.129-07:00

I know that I've posted about this before but I like this so much that I want to post about it again. Plus, our library bought the DVD so now anyone who was having trouble viewing it on their computer can order it from the library. We watched it again last week and I really feel as though keeping this information top of mind is very important for my boys. In our society it is all too easy to

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-80109269486970002912008-09-30T15:09:00.000-07:002008-09-30T15:28:26.644-07:00

I left this bounty ripening in the yard we moved from... to find these ripening in our new to us backyard. I also traded seeing these blooms out my window... to these, but it's all good, I think. Big changes, but new adventures. Our latest adventure of discovery brought us these views... and these beautifully dressed trees. We didn't hike this mountain, this time, but we admired it after

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-87324023321144994302008-09-25T07:23:00.001-07:002008-09-25T07:31:58.740-07:00

Every year without fail I almost miss these flowers. It seems that one minute they aren't there and then, by the time I notice them, they are in full (or past full) bloom. I have them in two spots in the front gardens and they just seem so delightfully out of place to me. I always think of crocus as a spring bloom. I actually almost wrecked these this year because a few weeks ago I transplanted

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-50436609074507550242008-09-22T09:49:00.001-07:002008-09-22T09:57:22.143-07:00

My friends all tell me that I've got it pretty good with my husband. I know it. I chose carefully. ;-) One of the first things to tip me off that he was a keeper was that he baked for me. Chocolate chips cookies. What more did I need to know? He is also an excellent pie man. Last night he made us a delicious dinner with pumpkin pie (his speciality) for dessert as part of our equinox celebration.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-75687868097825401782008-09-18T07:33:00.000-07:002008-09-18T07:59:16.064-07:00

I love this song.I'm sure my taste in music must come from many happy family trips when I was little, we would listen to eight tracks playing this kind of music as we drove. Anyway, whenever I am out in my rose garden this song comes to mind so I thought I would share it with you along with some pictures of the roses that are in bloom right now.This rose I love for the slight blush of pink on the

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-34802676141629616272008-09-16T07:29:00.000-07:002008-09-16T07:29:00.178-07:00

Say hello to quilt number three.  The colours and patterns of the fabric I've chosen remind me of the colours (and the shirts) in Hawaii, and as Autumn starts closing in around us, I think it will be a bright spot in the grey days to come. Here is a close up which shows the patterns and the colours a little better.I was inspired by a quilt I saw in Bend-the-rules Sewing, but I tweaked it a bit by

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-53436656746478938022008-09-15T13:52:00.000-07:002008-09-15T14:00:43.371-07:00

Well, I promised Katherine (and extracted a promise from her) that we would keep each other informed of our thrifting finds even after she moved. Now that she is living in a city a ways away it isn't as easy to ooh and aah over each other's finds. I mentioned in an email to her that I had "scored" at our favourite thrift store and was prodded to show my find. I couldn't resist these. I often do

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-27879889438387488212008-09-15T07:02:00.000-07:002008-09-15T07:14:38.068-07:00

I've just finished reading this book and I really liked it. It is a collection of essays written by women - real women, real mothers - on mothering in all its glory...the ups, the downs, the intense learning of the challenges and the infinite joy of the rewards. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me nod my head in agreement and it made me shake my head at the pressure we put on

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-41504660212850315782008-09-14T09:05:00.001-07:002008-09-14T09:11:33.924-07:00

It is possible that I have managed to get a little bit carried away in my desire to stock up on food and reduce trips to the grocery store. Still not sure just where I will be storing all these. I was just thinking that I better find some cookbooks with a whole lot of bean recipes in them when I opened the Jamie at Home cookbook (that finally came from the library) last night and I found his

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-9651464592525812442008-09-11T07:07:00.000-07:002008-09-11T07:07:01.731-07:00

Ahh, the remnants bin. A hidden collection of scrappy quilt treasures, awaiting discovery. It has become the first place I rush to in my fabric store visits, and I've never failed to score a treasure or two (well, it has to be two actually, because it's buy one get one free. I can never leave with only one...)Let me share my latest collection of flannel remnants: I'm sensing a lovely, soft

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-57911518298878812362008-09-10T07:07:00.000-07:002008-09-10T07:51:50.288-07:00

We spent last week camping. This year we decided to head up the Gold Rush Trail to Barkerville. I hadn't been there since I was a child (all I remember of it is the candy store - salt water taffy and rock candy!!) and the rest of my family had never been there. We took our time getting there and enjoyed some stops along the way - camping, hiking, kayaking and, of course, thrifting. Where else but

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-73310540923212988882008-09-08T08:07:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:02:04.792-07:00

Because I think canning is beautiful! If I could, I would build sculptures out of it and marvel at it's beauty every day! Alas, it has to be stored in a cool, dark place and my sculptures would be unseen - but I can still make little towers here and there.Here is my last batch of salsa for this year. I'm hoping it's enough to make it through a full year - I shall have to monitor salsa intake

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-83555345886763918742008-08-31T19:53:00.000-07:002008-08-31T20:23:09.545-07:00

I know this book has been touted on other blogs as recommended reading and I know I'm a little late in joining in, but I want to add my voice to everyone else in asking you to read it.I have known about this title for some time, but never seemed to remember to put it on hold at the library for some reason (which is so unlike me...). It may sound crazy, but I believe that books choose you (the

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-34363799847187676782008-08-30T13:15:00.000-07:002008-08-30T13:19:31.639-07:00

E calls these schnoz tomatoes. He thinks they are hilarious and so do I.They managed to escape being thrown into scalding water to be made into stewed tomatoes due to their cuteness. Wily little things. I especially love that guy on the left, he looks like he has a bad cold.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-22047176831665363132008-08-30T10:39:00.001-07:002008-08-30T10:44:13.069-07:00

To me this is 4 discs worth of sing-along entertainment while I preserve more stewed tomatoes.To E it is "4 discs...of torture!!" (those are his words)W ordered this from the library as a sort of joke. I think he thought he would listen to loudly and this would bug me. Poor kid, little did he know that I would confiscate it and keep it all to myself...to be played loudly in it's entirety(or as

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-54421426612322007492008-08-26T17:40:00.001-07:002008-08-26T17:49:47.658-07:00

I showed the boys this tomato that I picked this morning. W immediately began singing this tune. Aaaargh!! We only just got it out of our heads from when we heard it last time. E chimed in for the Ron Weasley part. ;-) At any rate, I think he might have a point. This tomato is rather Snape-ish. Speaking of which is any one else as sad as I am that the next movie has been postponed? I keep hoping

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-33465739516296398572008-08-25T07:36:00.000-07:002008-08-25T08:00:40.627-07:00

Life in the garden is good at this time of year. We have been eating from the garden at every meal - peaches or blueberries with our breakfasts, tomatoes and salads at lunch and, of course, zucchini, tomatoes and beans at dinner.We also continue to enjoy the different flowers as they come into bloom. E made this flower arrangement for a neighbour to cheer her up. We have so much Rudbeckia right

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-22612781674671759972008-08-22T07:20:00.000-07:002008-08-22T07:36:31.562-07:00

A few years ago I found a recipe for plum pie in this Canadian Living cookbook, what I liked about it was the slight taste of walnuts mixed with the flavour of plums all encased in a bit of custard filling. It became one of my favourite pie recipes (I posted about it here last year) and I looked forward to plum season each year. I also filled my freezer with plums so that I could make it more

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-91178033872332561372008-08-21T06:52:00.000-07:002008-08-21T07:11:00.574-07:00

After finishing my first quilt, I excitedly jumped head first into my next quilt. Within a week, I had completed the quilt top. I am now at the quilting part and quite pleased with my progress. (Yes, I am totally hooked on quilting now.) I would love to share pictures but it's for a gift (go 'Quilt Girl') and I can't risk the small chance that the receiver might see it here and that would

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-71946370080830027842008-08-16T06:00:00.000-07:002008-08-16T06:00:00.398-07:00

you uncover treasures such as a magazine from long ago, featuring your first crush. I was 7 when I decided I would marry Elvis when I grew up. I was heartbroken to learn that he had died and shocked when I found out that he was much older than I thought. Why, he was even older than my dad! The Elvis from the movies I watched on Sat. afternoons appeared to be about 20 years old to me (but hey,

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-12266010401899183152008-08-15T07:23:00.000-07:002008-08-15T07:41:19.705-07:00

I found these goodies a little while ago.The table clothes pictured above and below are from a garage sale up at the lake. I love the autumn colours on this one and can just picture it on our harvest table with a bowl of acorns and some fall leaves.These are from a little thrift store (Amanda's secret thrift store - ssshhh). I'm not actually sure if they are meant to be napkins or handkerchiefs.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-51410983830998838392008-08-09T09:37:00.000-07:002008-08-09T16:58:35.678-07:00

I contracted WSS quite some time ago. I'm afraid it is a rather serious affliction...a chronic disease, in fact and I have a baaaad case of it. I'm not sure when I first became aware that I was exhibiting symptoms of WSS...was it while watching Mr. Darcy during Pride and Prejudice? Perhaps my case started from watching Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility? Was it because of Mr. Knightley in

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-80128986267059230132008-08-07T13:28:00.000-07:002008-08-07T14:01:19.297-07:00

I'll admit this latest garden setback has me wondering just how green my thumb really is.  As we enter August, I have yet to see a zucchini from my plants.I heard talk of what big producers zucchini can be, so I searched and stocked up on a variety of delicious sounding zucchini using recipes.  And still I wait.  I see them in the stores, overflowing off the shelves.  So I check my plants and see

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-34358213864613798992008-07-31T17:44:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:00.699-08:00

Well, there I was deadheading my daisies and so pleased that I was actually keeping up with them for a change. (my lawn and many garden beds - including my veg. beds - are littered with daisy plants because I don't usually get around to deadheading before they go to seed)I was chattering with the boys and heard a sort of loud *snip*, the kind that seemed louder than a thin daisy stem would make,

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-4184960517017297732008-07-30T07:41:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:01.434-08:00

Most of my day lilies are this colour. I keep dividing them each year and spreading out the clumps so that I have them in several different spots. This year they seem to have come and mostly gone so quickly.I have just one of this colour, it's a little different and a bit larger bloom than the other kind. Yesterday I noticed that the tiger lily was blooming. I just love the way it looks, what a

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-9553116499249018962008-07-28T07:20:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:02.538-08:00

Just a few years ago I added Rudbeckia to my gardens with some seeds from my mom. I now have loads (and I mean loads, do these ever spread) of them in a few different colours. They are so cheery that I can't bear to cut the ones down that are growing right across the entrance to our home. Cosmos and calendula growing by the bush beans.There are lots of Hollyhocks coming up in a few different

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-69706003281917057622008-07-27T19:35:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:03.092-08:00

yummy surprises are hiding. My strawberry patch has been a little neglected for the past week. I've been concentrating on painting walls, clearing weeds out of the garden and other mundane household chores. The strawberries are taking over the garden bed and I figured they were taking a bit of a summer break from producing berries when I saw a few little glimmers of red. Pushing aside the

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-23717376608263338872008-07-23T09:53:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:06.478-08:00

I love sunflowers. Loads of them sprout each year all around the yard and I have such a hard time pulling any out. This year I gave lots away so that we wouldn't be overrun with them as they tend to shade other things in the garden. Somehow though I still ended up with lots. I can forgive them for shading other things(although not my tomatoes) when I see things like this though.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-35411219974273299022008-07-23T09:47:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:06.627-08:00

Just in case you were thinking of asking us to dog-sit....you might want to reconsider.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-31550926340290135872008-07-20T12:36:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:06.772-08:00

Bread is a staple breakfast food in our house. We ran out yesterday morning and I must have thought bread would magically appear because I did not make or buy any. Sadly, this did not happen. This morning there was a slight panic in the search for an acceptable first breakfast but after we were fed, I realized I had two options: make some bread, or drive to the store to buy bread. And since

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-90482845107298120512008-07-13T09:08:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:07.088-08:00

E has certain things in his life that are very important to him. Dogs, big brother, biking and fresh food from the backyard are some of his main pleasures. Everytime I spot him in the yard these days he is picking something to pop in his mouth. I love watching him enjoying all these goodies and am so proud of the gardener that he is. These carrots are from some heirloom seeds he ordered to plant

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-32515545246242614172008-07-10T08:17:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:07.851-08:00

Ever since we put in our garden, I have had a constant battle against the weeds and grass trying to work their way up to, around and into my garden beds. My walking on them just wasn't enough to keep them at bay, and since I like things to be neat and tidy, this project was an important one for me to get done this year. Here is a photo of the work at the beginning: I'd started the edging of my

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-63634081371703298812008-07-04T08:36:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:08.005-08:00

We saw this film awhile back at Science World in Vancouver on the big Omnimax screen. It was quite something to watch. I ordered it from our library and we enjoyed watching it again this weekend at home. One thing that was really nice about the DVD was that we were able to see how it was filmed as well. The film is shot in Borneo and you get a chance to see some pretty fantastic bugs.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-84873800705406842632008-07-03T17:14:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:08.428-08:00

That was the advice given to me by many when I mentioned I wanted to make a quilt. Start small. Start with a wall hanging, a place mat or even a tiny lap quilt. It was great advice, but you know when you have a vision of exactly what you want and can't imagine making anything else? Well, my vision was a big quilt. A simple pattern, with large squares, but full size nonetheless. I picked out my

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-13695148000102608172008-07-02T06:56:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:08.799-08:00

What do you eat when the temperature goes past 30 degrees Celsius? I know I don't feel like standing in front of the stove cooking. So when it got super hot this week, I knew the only thing that I would be serving for dinner would be sandwiches and pasta salad. The trick is to get up early enough (before it's too hot) to cook the noodles. After they cool, you can throw in any veggies you have

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-59265735441354101142008-06-26T16:10:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:10.106-08:00

I truly enjoy fresh flowers, but when it comes to roses I can't help wanting to enjoy their scent throughout the year which is why I harvest some to dry. I'll collect some petals off of these beauties, or I'll collect the buds from some wild roses. Not only are they lovely to look at, but the soft rose scent makes them perfect for potpourri or for other crafts. Go here to see what I made using

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-52958831677362557162008-06-25T08:36:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:10.404-08:00

My kids have always learned at home, so with my oldest being 12 I feel like we have been at this for awhile. Whenever someone new to homelearning has asked me about it I always suggest that they first read Marty Layne's treasure of a book.Reading it really gave me a sense of how I wanted our life of learning to look and, more importantly, how I wanted it to feel. When I read her book I felt as

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-46674281036159489702008-06-23T07:37:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:11.140-08:00

Foxglove are blooming right now in my yard. I love these flowers. (which kind doesn't she love?) For a few years I had to rip them all out to make sure my youngest wouldn't end up eating them but now they are slowing making their way through the gardens again and I couldn't be more pleased.I was telling a friend that I had a few colours back again but I couldn't remember the colours. Yesterday I

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-90926748080953808362008-06-19T06:09:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:12.179-08:00

I'm not able to grace this blog with glorious garden photos like Heather and Samantha. These talented ladies have been putting in the sweat equity that makes their gardens so wonderful. It isn't that I don't love gardening, but my efforts at it aren't so inspiring. I do have to participate with some photos of roses. I adore these flowers. The colours, yes, but even more so, the scents.From

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-18359279019145864152008-06-18T08:44:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:12.773-08:00

I love the roses in my yard. I've been told that the woman who used to live and garden here would get rose bushes as gifts from her children, she had a lot of children. So now I have a lot of rose bushes. Here are just a few pictures. Every year I try to decide which is my favourite and I don't know why I do that - it's impossible to choose because they are all so beautiful.See? Too lovely to

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-37462318761624400052008-06-16T14:31:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:14.198-08:00

Well, we aren't really at after yet... it's more like before and during.Heather was asking me about my blackberry bushes - when I planted them and how long did it take them to get big. I looked back in photos and found them looking very tiny, and therefore newly planted, in this picture. This was two years ago and the first year we didn't get any fruit off it. The next year we got a fair amount

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-39493041724220503882008-06-16T08:09:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:14.546-08:00

Last week I was talking to a friend on the phone when E came in for a snack. I saw him take an orange (I had bought him some because I thought he was getting a cold) and disappear back outside. When I looked out later I saw this(lambsquarter, johnny jump up and chamomile petals, dill, currants, strawberry and dateball)and watched as he made thisto roll up and eat. Yes, those are very unripe

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-27695956531918570652008-06-13T08:32:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:15.093-08:00

One of the books in that stack of library books I got was this one. You know those kind of recipe books that have you drooling when you look through them? It's one of those. So many recipes with fresh veggies...makes me wish I had more stuff ready in the garden. Lucky for me I still have stuff from last year's garden in the freezer. I used up the last of the raspberries to make these raspberry

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-74752263792000224002008-06-11T08:56:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:16.176-08:00

We ordered this DVD series from our local library and I have to say that I think it is pretty good. Each DVD includes a lot of information to help you on the path to living a "greener" life no matter where you are on that path. And I think that can be tricky to strike that balance. Sometimes when I read an article or see a show I tend to think that the tips are so simple that everyone must know

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-25735622484310321492008-06-09T07:11:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:16.531-08:00

Let me count the ways.1. Joy of Gardening2. Food to Live By3. Creative License4. Anything Bill Bryson5. The Green Gardener's Guide6. Mrs. Miniver7. Lambsquarters: Scenes from a Handmade Life8. I Love Dirt!I came home on Saturday to find a stack of holds that my husband had picked up for me. The only trouble is that there are just so many books to read and not enough time. I already had...ahem,

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-44442368834106108042008-06-07T08:25:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:17.503-08:00

It seems impossible to walk around the garden without taking pictures. Today, on one of our rare, rainy days, I am able to look at my pictures and remember the warm sun and sweet air in the garden. This lilac was pulled out of a friends garden a few years ago. I had pretty much given up on it ever flowering when, surprise! This year it flowered and since it's close to my veggie garden, it

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-2521276801309534742008-06-06T07:17:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:17.617-08:00

See ladies, I can provide recipes too. ;-) Here is a link to the rhubarb cake recipe that I used last time.rhubarb cake I love the Best of Bridge series of books, so much yummy stuff in there. Since I already deleted my pics of the cake I will have to make do with more flower pictures. :-)

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-39128607351888230192008-06-05T15:07:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:19.315-08:00

Every year we make small changes to our yard. Every year we make new plans for our yard. But honestly, I never really noticed how much our yard has changed until I recently looked at some photos from when we first moved in.Here was our front yard with it's tiny little bean shaped garden, filled with rocks. Then I met Heather. Heather came over with her edger and some plants and showed me the

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-2588361734922982302008-06-05T09:30:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:20.533-08:00

Here you are, Katherine, a picture of a bunch of the alliums in full bloom.And here is a close up of one just beyond peak bloom, I love the contrast of colours.I will remember to save seeds for friends, I will remember.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-33042938413995161942008-06-04T08:06:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:20.856-08:00

I love this cake. It is simple to make and delicious to eat...what more could you want from a cake? And if you ask me, rhubarb was just made to go with brown sugar and cinnamon topping.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-72371133884080176212008-06-03T08:32:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:22.262-08:00

Last summer I saw a post on freecycle for rhodos that had been pulled up. Well, I can't resist a plant in need so I contacted the person and arranged to get them. Now, I am the sort of gardener who believes that - if you water them, they will grow - but even I was a little unsure about these bare-rooted rhodos. They had been out for several (hot) days (wasn't it, Rebecca?) and when I got them

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-81209794357215504842008-06-02T06:02:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:22.909-08:00

will reflect their interests... so I had to join in on the fun to make these... and then marvel as they continued to put together these fantastic bead frogs. The patterns for these boy friendly bead projects is from a Klutz book & kit on beading.

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-68365510591494742772008-05-29T07:43:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:24.054-08:00

Yes, I am a Miss Rumphius wannabe (hey, I already have the hair bun going on sometimes too).Since someone asked me what colours my lupins were I feel perfectly justified in posting all these lupins pictures. ;-) This way if you got some lupins from me you will know some of the colours they may be.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-45826850576295291002008-05-28T06:01:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:25.056-08:00

means you never know what they'll catch next ... and want to show you. This cricket has been serenading us for the past couple of days. The rain slowed him down a bit, but he made up for his brief period of silence when the sun came out again. It's totally amazing how such a small insect can make such a penetrating sound. If only he'd kept quiet, he likely would've evaded his captors!

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-75665215805255698042008-05-27T08:13:00.000-07:002008-05-27T08:26:41.063-07:00

For some time we have had the link to the Path to Freedom website in our blogroll, this morning I came across this link to their 100 foot challenge.If you have time to watch this I think you will find it quite inspiring. "Eat where you live" they say and I think that is a pretty sound idea. We don't all have year round growing weather or all the groundwork in place as they do now but I think

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-24414240246193043882008-05-24T14:59:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:25.265-08:00

The waffle iron has been fully employed lately after a hiatus at the back of my cupboard. Pictured above is my latest waffle version. Whole spelt flour waffles with chopped almonds, topped with home canned peaches and some maple syrup. Waffles were a favourite when I was a kid and bring back some great memories. We were always experimenting with toppings to put on our waffles. Homemade jams &

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-29740033819024925412008-05-23T07:05:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:26.125-08:00

I love Spring! The brown turns to green and then colours start popping out everywhere. It's funny, I always forget what blooms when, so it's a joyful surprise when colour begins in the garden and where it will bloom next, I never know. (excuse my lack of knowledge on the names of the plants...)On our hillside, these purple beauties are one of the first and as soon as they come out, so do the

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-91529132538232820582008-05-22T17:47:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:27.330-08:00

I am so in love with this time of year. When we moved here there were about three of these allium.Every year I let them go to seed so that I can save seeds for friends. And every year they are so abundant that I don't get all the seeds off and they spread all over. I can't bear to rip them out and so we have loads. Dare I say too many?These ones are in the back of the house and you can see all

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-64386216659683149682008-05-21T07:38:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:28.104-08:00

The vinca (periwinkle) that I brought from my parents' place is blooming, I am hoping that this spreads all over in the front shady side garden.The ferns are unfurling all over. I like using them for a background to bouquets.Some tulips that I planted last year when my neighbour gave me some extra bulbs. And of course.....we have a few of these. I have actually done a pretty good job of

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-28022502258063343402008-05-20T06:55:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:28.637-08:00

Because $10 can get what is likely to be a lifetime supply of thread for me.I especially love all the old wooden spools.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-40191688173022907342008-05-19T16:33:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:29.369-08:00

Almost the entire weekend has been spent in the garden. When I wasn't in the veg garden I was in the flower gardens. It is quite possible that I spent far too much time potting up baby plants to give away but I would rather do that than see them tossed in the compost. I still have a large pile of mulch sitting in the driveway but things are looking pretty good around here. On Friday the boys and

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-44730381768825268082008-05-16T10:41:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:29.480-08:00

to let the lovely lilac scented air inside.These flowers hold some special memories for me from my childhood. They take me back to the year my family moved into a tiny little house with a yard dominated by rows of these shrubs.... I spent many an hour gathering armloads of these pretty blooms to fill empty milk cartons which I had tacked to my bedroom walls in order to make my room a butterfly

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-44898357595953467152008-05-12T19:52:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:30.147-08:00

You can never have too many flower pictures, can you?We can't help admiring the apple blossoms, they look as though they are blushing - so delicate.The Kerria is in bloom now too. I brought this back from my childhood home, along with many other plants, when my folks sold the property It is pictured here with some silver dollar plants which have seeded themselves here and there (and everywhere)

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-52193744845517663812008-05-12T07:25:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:30.449-08:00

Here it is, our first feed of asparagus.This is not from my garden, a generous friend shared this with us. She has incredible long asparagus beds that very much made me wish that I had planted some in my own garden. In all my years of living I have never eaten raw asparagus, I was quite surprised to learn that it tastes of raw peas. When I was talking to my mom yesterday ( a huge asparagus fan)

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-16336156281746525522008-05-09T06:02:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:30.983-08:00

Awhile back I posted about my family's favourite soup and was asked for the recipe. Here it is... 5-Bean Soup3/4 cup of each: pinto, navy, lima, great northern beans and split peas3 cubes veggie bouillon3Tbsp. dried chives1tsp. dried savory1tsp. salt (only add this after the beans have cooked)1/2tsp. cumin1/2tsp. pepper1 bay leaf2-1/2 quarts water14-

Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576487047505755889noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-15929383754135952792008-05-06T16:52:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:32.943-08:00

I couldn't resist posting a picture of this tree, it is one of my favourites. ( Yes, I do say that about each tree in turn) ;-) It isn't quite as spectacular as it usually is, that snow fall and the cold temperatures that we had a little while back put a bit of a damper on it as it had just started to bloom.But still...it is lovely.

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-85062301635540291532008-05-05T15:50:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:33.253-08:00

This is what has been playing in our CD player lately: Wow! Does listening to these boys ever bring back fond memories!At first, I felt a little bad for inflicting The Monkees on my son, but now he is requesting to listen to them. We seem to share the same taste in songs - he asks me to skip all the ones he's not crazy about and it turns out they are the same songs I would have skipped as well.

Samanthanoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-2836109365888632052008-05-04T19:11:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:08:33.657-08:00

Quite often I look out the back window and I see E wandering in the garden, he is doing something that I have come to think of as "trolling". Ever since he was a wee one, as soon as he was able to walk, he would toddle around the yard picking things and putting them in his mouth. As much as I wanted him to enjoy his veggies there were time when I found this very frustrating, like when he would

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254427035918080874.post-85186220414078310722008-05-03T11:53:00.001-07:002008-12-11T22:08:33.818-08:00

The first year we lived here I couldn't wait for Spring so that I would know what was already planted in the flower gardens here. Early that year little green stubs started to appear in the dirt by the cherry trees, I was quite curious to know what they were. I also started to notice a strange smell about that time, a sort of skunkish smell. These little green stubs continued to grow and grow

Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988569221606506noreply@blogger.com3