JUDY BLUE GLASS

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Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Only two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own.

- Australian poem

FRIENDSHIP IS GOD'S SPECIAL WAY OF LOVING US THROUGH SOMEONE ELSE.

"A friend loves at all times"

Proverbs 17:17 NASB

OBELISK PATIO FURNITURE

Really - these are not rockets or space ships... this is patio furniture from Ginger Jar Interiors. These 'towers' come apart into comfortable patio furniture. I can't see it going with the look of our home, however I bet kids would fight to be able to be the ones to dissemble it when you get company :D You can find out more about this unique furniture HERE

I also ran across some pretty high end, amazing looking, designer, custom computers ... really, you probably can't afford these but you can always look, right? While most computer companies are creating icreasingly high-tech casings, Ontario based Suissa Computers are turning the utilitarian PC into something altogether another level up! The company will encase a high end computer inside specialty wood casings - and Howard Suissa will personally travel to your huse to install your computer! Check out for your self by clicking HERE

DIANE from Summerland

(Oh Dear! You had a pretty name...) from Kamloops

AT OUR LOCAL NK'MIP CULTURAL CENTER TRAILS

The antelope brush are in bloom - a very, very pretty and fragrant time of the year here in our little pocket desert. Miles and I spent the afternoon snapping up the yummy scenery with our cameras. If you come to our area, this is the BEST time to see the desert! (It was so nice to meet you ladies!) Don't hesitate to email me at lalalime@hotmail.com

MILES INSIDE AN INDIAN STRUCTURE

The Cultural Center and its other amenities on the east side of Osoyoos Lake, is impressive. They've done a terrific job in creating a jewel for our tourism. There are many trails to enjoy and the Center itself features interactive kiosks, a well made, entertaining movie and nice gift shop.

SILHOUETTE

Now the weather is warming up and you may be entertaining guests with chilled beverages, I must share a tip I saw in a recent magazine with you. If you're planning on serving iced coffee drinks then mix up some 'coffee icecubes' Just freeze coffe in ice cube trays or plastic egg cartons. You can use either coffee or milk for your cubes!

Today in History:

1789 - George Washington inaugurated as 1st president of the US

1798 - Department of the Navy established.

1803 - US more than doubles its size thru the Louisiana Purchase.

1857 - founding of what would be San Jose State University.

1939 - NBC makes 1st US demo of TV at opening of NY World's Fair.

Birthday to Note:

1777 - Carl Friedrich Gauss, one of the greatest mathematician of all time.

BARB'S HANDY TIP #249

Don't Miss Prairie Home Companion!

We decided not to take tv when we moved - that's right, no tv. No shows. None. People think us strange when we simply can't relate, however I'm not regretting it at all. There are not enough hours in the day as it is! Without tv, the radio has become a good friend, and we've always enjoyed the Prairie Home Companion. I have NO desire to see the movie... I don't want to know what everyone looks like... is this odd? I want to just know the voices of the actors... like old time radio, I love using my imagination. I would compare it to reading a great book, then you watch the movie and they've assigned actors to the roles, which rob you of the way you saw them in your mind...

At any rate, if you like Prairie Home Companion but missed some, or would like to listen... you can listen to full or partial episodes at their site! My link points to the archive so you can pick which one you like, but do explore the entire site!

Prairie Home Companion

JUDY BLUE BANNERS

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TODAY - mend a quarrel. Search out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share your treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in a word or deed.

TODAY - Keep a promise. Find the time. Forego a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think of someone else first. Appreciate, be kind, be gentle. Laugh a little more.

TODAY - Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Worship your God. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak it again. Speak it still again. Speak it still once more.

- Author Unknown

God has given you incredible potential.

Don't be afraid to take risks.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,

but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

DINNER GUESTS AMALIA AND ALFREDO

They came bearing flowers and garden herbs - some ready for planting! Amalia and Alfredo are dear friends, former neighbors and are now students at Miles school. (its NEVER too late to graduate) Amalia and Alfredo are very special to us - they impart a sweetness of spirit whereever they go. Originally from Argentina, they return annually for several months and provide aid to the community where they originally came from. They spend a great deal of time and effort collecting funds and clothing while back here in Canada and then send or take it with them when they go.

Amalia has the 'greenest thumb' of anyone I know... she manages to feed her family, the neighbors (me - and I still have an open invitation) and her church with the small backyard garden at her home. Amalia and Alfredo's garden gate is always open to friends and neighbors. Thank you both for a wonderful evening!

Speaking of plants - I read this good idea in a recent Chatelaine Magazine:

Spring Trading: Why not parlay the dividing of your perrenials into a plant swapping party? Here's how:

1. Send out invites, informing guests that they must bring at least one plant to trade.

2. To dig out the plants: Using a spade, cut out the plant, including the root-ball. Carefully pull it out and cut the foliage back. Pot each one (any container will do) ensuring that roots are kept moist. Label plants with care instructions.

3. Give everyone a few minutes to pitch her plant, then let the swapping begin!

' PINK LADY' PAINTING

(double-click to see a bit bigger!)

I promised to post a copy of the painting I created here... I used mostly the pastels setting in Painter 1X to paint this flower. I'm pleased with the results - specailly considering it started out as a demonstration in technique to a student!

CAUGHT YA! - on film that is...

I think I 'looped' our trails four times yesterday. I went out twice with different sets of company (thanks for coming, Delores and Barney - and all your help too!) , and then I went once with my dearest and once on my own. The solo trip I made was in silence, hoping to find some critters. There are a lot of dry leaves in between the trees on the banks and often the quail thrash about in them and make you think there is a BIG animal in there! You never know what you might see on any given walk!

CHOKE CHERRIES IN BLOSSOM

One of my earliest memories of my childhood are of when I was six and spent a year in Saskatchewan living with an aunt and uncle ... they took us out to a farm - its SO FLAT out there - and I remember sitting on stacked hay bales, picking choke cherries! Have you any choke cherry memories, or stories, or recipes?

Today in History:

1857 - Headquarters for the US Army - Division of the Pacific - permanently established at the Presidio.

1913 - the all-purpose zipper is patented. To learn more about the history of the zipper, click HERE

Birthday of note:

1899 - Duke Ellington

BARB'S HANDY TIP #248

Canadian Environmental Magazine (online)

Is the weather affecting your health? What are we doing to protect the Great Lakes? Is the Okanagan Valley drying up? For answers and loads of info covering a range of environmental issues check out Environment Canada's free monthly online newsletter!

ENVIROZINE

JUDY BLUE FRAMES

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Just a short one today, folks, as we have company coming for coffee and dinner! I hope you have a wonderful day - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FINE FRIEND BECKY - you can wish her one yourself at her blog HERE - and the bonus is you get to enjoy her wonderful blog! It's the BIG ONE... she's three - ohhhhh today! I'm sure she would love all the advice you've got for getting through the thirties...

My Beck came for her wednesday vistit YESTERDAY, as she was unable to come on the actual day... we danced in the orchard with me... Oh no, we are not nuts... we had been out to see if we could see the new killdeer babies, but they were gone, and as we walked by a beehive I decided I should HAVE to take a picture of a very busy hive... I came close to it and a bee was not impressed with my intrusion... I got the message and backed off quickly and we went on our merry way... about 1/2 the way down a row of trees I was stalked by that one bee, who was determined to get a piece of my hide... and he DID... I was doing some kind of a wild dance to rid myself of it (probably the exact wrong thing to do) and it stung me on the neck before flying right into my shirt. My shirt now is missing two buttons and I had to remove my shirt almost altogether.... good thing we are out in the country... would have been quite the spectacle. Oh, Becky did her own lil dance as it buzzed her a bit in the breaks. I eventually did rid myself of it. A word of advice... don't wear Pineapple Body Creme just before going out into an orchard... you might appear as YUMMY as I did to a bee....

LAYOUT BY BLOG READER BEAGLESNOOPY (cute name!)

she says:

This is my LO for my second photo inspired color challenge @ the Pocket Pearls Palace

On the photos you can see a bracelet (it's one of the swatch bijou collection - you should really check this stuff out, they have wonderful jewelry!). My boyfriend gave this to me as a lucky charm when we had to write our "first state examination" in psychology...

Credits:

SLdesign - Thankful papers (recolored)

Barb Derksen - Swirly Overlay

Laura18k - Glitter Paint (recolored)

CSTEP Carrie Stephens - Inflorescence (frame recolored)

Krash - Glitter Doodles

Bren Taylor Boone - Beaded Brads

LWD Lisa Whitney Design - Real Stamped Alpha

SBS Stefanie Burt @ Pocket Pearls - Glitter Glue Dots

A CART FULL OF TREE DROPPINGS!

(and one sore back!)

I filled this cart up TWICE yesterday... oh sure, you know how it is... you get going and just can't stop? This may look like a lot, but the gathering it was easier than you might think. Because the needles were lying thickly atop the gravel it simply 'rolled up' in some places... like turf!

HOUSEWARMING GIFT

In case you might be wondering what was in that parcel we recieved early in the week, it was a housewarming gift from our Aunt Rose and Uncle Bog - how very sweet! It's a citronella candle ring for our patio... hmmm, thanks so much for whichever bird told them we love candles.... and thank you Aunt Rose and Uncle Bob... perhaps we will ALL be enjoying them on the patio sometime?

Today in History:

1754 - Mutiny on the HMS Bounty occurs.

1919 - 1st successful parachute jump is made

1974 - Last Americans evacuated from Saigon.

BARB'S HANDY TIP #247

FREE CS3

Well not THE CS3 - but at CNET they say you can create your own version by using different programs... best thing is they are all 100% FREE!

You can learn all about it by watching the video at the following link:

CNET FREE CS3 VIDEO

JUDY BLUE PAPER PACK

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(it's BIG!)

A while back - actually a year or two ago, Miles and I created a scrapbooking kit using all our Sister In Law Judy's collection of blue things... You will enjoy the plethora of blues in all sorts of textures, from wicker to wallpaper. There are many more add-ons coming in the next days!

Just a quick entry today as we were in town for 12 hours yesterday and I am eager to get outside in the fresh air this morning. I spent the day digitally painting with a student at the Learning Center, and later on assisting with our second Picasa Phototgrapy Course. It was a lot of fun, as usual - and I know everyone learned a lot. Oh... and also a Pot Luck lunch, which I now need to work off!

I'll try to put a copy of my painting up here tomorrow :D

I've not forgotten that I've been TAGGED twice now... I hope I can set some time aside soon to go out tagging on my own!

Tomorrow is my friend Becky's birthday... and I would like to ask if you POSSIBLY HAVE A MOMENT... it would delight me to see her comments box overfilled with birthday wishes for her.... its her big 3-OH and we all know it's a milestone... perhaps you might pass along some 3-OH wisdom for her? (her blog is a great read, by the way!) You can find Beck's blog HERE

OUR HOUSE IS A HIVE OF ACTIVITY THESE DAYS!

Our friend Marie sent the following funny link our way... its the sort of thing you can watch ONCE, safely, but has the danger of becoming VERY annoying say if you were to play it at your office over and over... check out them Greaser Babies:

GREASER BABIES

Take some time out today to slow down... just a little, ok? I know, especially at the end of the week we get task oriented to clear our 'desks' but surely you can just stop, just for a few moments...

Slow me down, Lord!

Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting rills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking minute vacations - of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book.

by Orin L. Crain

BEAUTIFUL ORCHARD TREES

Today in History:

1565 - 1st Spanish settlement in Phillipines - Cebu City - founded.

1937 - US Social Security system makes its first benefit payment.

1945 - founding of the Second Republic - in Austria.

Some Historical Birthdays:

1791 - Samuel F. B. Morse

1822 - Ulyssses S. Grant, 18th President (1869-1877)

1896 - Wallace Hume Carothers, invented nylon.

I've located an informative site for you, all about the history of nylons... I actually did not know there was a difference between nylons and 'stockings'... a sampling of the article says:

The first nylon stockings appeared in New York stores on May 15, 1940 and over 780,000 pairs were sold in the first day alone. In the first year, 64 million pairs were sold in the US, and nylons soon became the generic name for all hosiery products containing nylon.

You can read the rest of the article HERE

BARB'S HANDY TIP #246

Working Mom?

I'm sure many of you work, some because you have to, and many of you because you enjoy it and find it rewarding - this site will be very helpful to you!

WORKING MOTHER MAGAZINE

BUILD YOUR OWN BUG

(template)

sample bug created using Kristin CB's Joy Kit

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Another day in paradise. The sun is just rising over the lake - the birds have been up for hours now. Its looking like it's going to be a beautiful spring day.

CANADIAN THISTLE

HOUNDS TONGUE

I wonder who named this weed? The name makes it feel so sweet and innocent. At this point, I don't know exactly how a weed gets classified as 'invasive' - but I've located a website where I can learn. Looking at the picture of the hounds tongue on this website I'm admiring the pretty pink flowers it produces. I believe this plant is the one which produces the nasties that bite your socks and take FOREVER to remove... (in fact I know I've actually thrown socks out before, which were covered with them...) Well, these and the local cactus, (not an invasive weed tho - they are an important native plant here) which my good friend Becky featured on her blog yesterday (April 23) - you can visit her HERE

If you would like to learn more about the invasive weeds of British Columbia you can visit the Government website HERE

I've been 'tagged' as a blog which makes my reader Jan Mary THINK... thats a flattering thought. I promise JAN MARY to work on my own 'tagging' in the next few days... for sure by next week, OK? And a BIG thank you for tagging me :D

my own quote for the day:

Won't you try out your smile on someone today?

Results assured!

OF A SMILE

It costs nothing, but creates much.

It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash, and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, an dis the countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and Nature's best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something that is no earthy good to anybody till it is given away!

JOB 9:27

If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile

JOB 29:24

When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.

Today in History:

1607 - 1st British to establish an American colony land at Cape Henry - Va.

1906 - 1st motion pictures shown in Hawaii.

1954 - nationwide test of the Salk anti-polio begins.

1971 - San Francisco Lightship replaced by automatic buoy.

Also - Birthdays of:

1785 - John James Audubon, birdwatcher

1900 - Charles Richter (earthquake measurements)

BARB'S HANDY TIP 244

Fix Ya!

FixYa - Find all support information for any Consumer Product.

I like the idea of this website - you simply feed in the make and model of your product and hopefully you will find support for it! Let me know what you get fixed?

FIX YA

BABY RATTLE ELEMENT OR TEMPLATE

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WE HAVE A BABY!!!

The 'stork' or shall we say the 'killdeer' delivered us a special little gift yesterday! Roman came by to let us know the killdeer eggs were hatching - so I armed myself with my camera and headed right out. Now, if you read my blog a few days ago, you would have counted three eggs in total - however, when I arrived at the nest I only found the one egg and the one baby. :( Roman did say that he is sure he may have unwittingly 'rescued' one of the parents from a hawk who had a killdeer in it's clutches. His presence scared the raptor into releasing it's prey - thank goodness! So, I am wondering whether the baby was also a victim, or perhaps mom and dad had it hidden away somewhere when I arrived on the scene. I will keep you updated!

INSIDE THE CHANGE ROOM AT THE THRIFT STORE...

ISN'T THIS JUST BEYOND GROSS?

Really, I chatted to the (always sweet and kind) ladies who work there and they assure me this sign is for real. Granted the shop does not have a public washroom - they do break down and allow people to use the one upstairs in the Church - if it's an emergency situation. Goodness, our town does not have a plethora of public washrooms. I don't believe I could be reduced to this point, though.

I spent yesterday outside - yes, I know I'd indicated the weather was not good - but that was from merely looking outside... in actuality it was ideal for working outside as the sun was not beating down. I was outdoors for at least four hours raking around the rockwork and cleaning underneath the pungent pine trees. I seperated several buckets of pinecones, not knowing if they would be good for a specific mulching purpose - but apperently not. I cannot believe how many cones a single tree can produce. I'm loving the yardwork.

I found an informative and funny site about Ponderosa Pines... it says the North American Plains Indians used the Pines for aromatherapy - I can believe this as the scent is pungent and heady. But this website is dedicated to PONDEROSA PINE SNIFFING... I don't think I am that far gone, yet... but if you would like to check it out you can find the site HERE.

A few notes:

JOSEY - thanks for the interesting link for Vancouver Island - a site you may want to visit to learn about recycling etc if you live on the Island, or not. (Neeena.... Sisster - you do!) You can visit Josey's good link HERE

CICERO SINGS - thanks for the heads up on the bees article - will check back at it!

JUDY - My sister and brother in law have a NEW HOME! They've been trying to sell their long time home for quite a while and in the meantime have just purchased a huge new RV - which will be their home when this place sells. Even tho you don't know Judy, it would tickle me if you got to see it - and leave some loves for her! You can find Judy's blog HERE

Today in History:

1891 - President Benjamin Harrison visits San Francisco.

1901 - New York becomes 1st state requiring license plates for cars

1945 - United Nations Conference starts.

1961 - Robert Noyce granted a patent for the integrated circuit.

ALSO -

Reader SAHM commented yesterday that today is something called ANZAC day - and if you're an Aussie you will know it's an important day in Australian history... if you would like to check it out you can find it HERE.

Thanks to all of you who write me and share interesting links etc... I can't tell you how much I appreciate it all! This is YOUR blog as much as mine! Your input makes my blog interesting!

STONZ FOOTWEAR FOR KIDS

I heard an article yesterday on CBC radio which featured these fabulous footwear for babies... and I was so intrigued I had to look it up and share it with you. HOW I WISH they had nifty booties like these when our children were little... you know when they can't wear 'real' shoes when you want to spend time outdoors in the cold? Something thats not only functional but fashionable?

Stonz footwear was developed by two active BC moms who saw a need. Kudos to you smart ladies - I admire you and hope you do very well! You can find the link to these awesome boots HERE

BARB'S HANDY TIP #243

Have Fun with Tech Gadgets

You may get quite a chuckle out of the following top 10 Tech Gadgets listed at the TechEBlog... my favorite would be a toss up between the toilet paper dispenser/ipod docker and the bra that doubles as a shopping bag!

TECHEBLOG TOP 10

ORANGE FLOWER ELEMENT

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Just a quick entry today - it's sort of looking like rain outside and I am eager to lay some more shelf paper in my cupboards. I know as soon as the sun shines again I will be propelled out of doors! I've also got some digital painting tutoring lined up for later in the day as well. And... there was a parcel notice in my mailbox... our NEW mailbox today... and I am dying to know what it issssss.... so Miles has been sent along his way to retrieve it from the post office - this means its bigger than about 1 foot x 1 foot... I have'nt ordered anything...

Thanks for all your warm comments of yesterday... and for sending me your links to your blogs to see your 'needs'... I got a good chuckle! I know for sure I read two entries... but I can only put my hand on one... you may get a laugh yourself from reading Leslie's entry on HER BLOG - don't forget to leave her some encouragement of some sort!

THE CLEANING OF THE CEDARS...

Sounds like the title of some Scottish song... the Cleaning of the Cedars... but in actuality it's merely me wanting to do something USEFUL while I soak up our fine Okanagan sun. After consulting with Bonnie I learned the finer points on how one 'cleans' a cedar tree. Up to this point, I've merely accepted them as these pleasant feathery greens which one would add to one's watercolor painting of an elegant house. I'd never considered what would be 'inside' them. I'm sure had I taxed my imagination to this point I may have simply assumed the inside was an inverted copy of what appears on the outside, something green and feathery.

YIKES - EVEN TREES ACCUMULATE TOO MUCH JUNK!

I have been awakened to the reality of what a cedar hides within itself. I shall nver veiw one the same. The inside of the tree is completely dry - almost appearing dead. Like the beetle-killed pine trees we see on our hills, the inside of a cedar is very dry and dusty and filled with needles and various other things. Bonnie showed me how to take a large plastic tarp, and after cutting an opening in it, to slide it underneath the tree (like an oversized Christmas Tree skirt) Then, I opened up all the branches 'round the tree, top to bottom and coaxed out (shovelled out!) all the debris.

THE CEDAR'S LITTLE 'TREASURES'

It was fascinating to find other things inside the tree, including these items - a small birds nest, feathers, wasp nests and a few bugs. It's a little miniature world there inside the trees! We will use the excess needles I cleaned out as 'mulch' to put down on the paths here! I'm very much enjoying all this - each day is something new here at home! It causes me to think of our Lord's gracious love for us... as it too, is new EVERY morning.

I want to encourage you... if you've found my blog for the first time, or if you're a regular here, I just want to give you a hope that no matter what your situation that you're never alone. Our God wants something better for you - don't let this world get you down. Lay your burdens down - let the one who created you carry them for you!

Stay, stay home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are the happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care'
To stay home is best!

Weary and homesick and distressed
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness doubt;
To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heart, and rest,
The bird is safest in its nest;
O'er all that flutter their wings and fly
A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay home is best.

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The world is new each morning - that is God's gift, and a man should believe he is reborn each day.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Today in History

1800 - Library of Congress founded.

1865 - Fire Alarm & Police Telegraph system put into operation

1900 - the passing of Andrew Halliday - Cable Car Pioneer.

I'm still reading (in small bits and bites) The Hive - the story of the honeybee and us, by Bee Wilson... and I have to share this small bit of information with you. Did you know that honey was once used as an embalming fluid? Apperently honey is very good at killing bacteria - because it absorbs moisture well. When a body is 'embalmed' in honey, the honey sucks the moisture out of the corpse. As well, when honey comes in contact with animal tissue, it produces hydrogen peroxide, which also inhibits putrification.

Bee's book goes on to describe how some people requested embalming by honey in history. Sounds yummy, no?

BARB'S HANDY TIP #242

Food Nutrition at your Finger Tips!

Food File is a free food database and calorie counter for 1000s of food products.

Kelpiesoft Food File is for anyone who is interested in what they eat, but is particularly useful for those following a diet for health or weight loss reasons. Searching the database is as simple as typing in the food you are looking for - the software will display a list of matching foods as quickly as you type. You can also refine the search by selecting one or more of the 24 food categories.

Selecting a food displays the proportion of fat, protein and carbohydrate contained as well as total calories and more detailed nutritional information. Also displayed are various 'food facts' that will assist people following diets that restrict certain kind of foods, such as low fat, low carbohydrate (Atkins / South Beach) or low sodium diets.

The nutritional information was compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nutrient Data Laboratory. This highly detailed information on the nutritional content of foods is a useful resource for nutritionists and other health care professionals.

FOOD FILE

LITTLE BROWN MONKEY ELEMENT

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The title of yesterday's sermon title elicited a few titters from the congregation - "Will you be caught sleeping with the five young virgins"... trust me, it was not what some people might think! It was actually a very valuable lesson asking us that because we don't know the hour at which our Lord will return, and because we don't know when we will die - then it makes sense that "it's closer than we think" It sure has me pondering, at any rate!

BONNIE AND MILES PREPARING HIS 'BOX'

On Saturday we had a date with Bonnie to prepare our garden boxes. We got up early and headed to town to clear up a few tasks and to visit my friend Becky's yard sale. She's been preparing this week, along with her husband - we even cut our Wednesday visit short :( After visiting her yard sale, I'm convinced she did the right thing... the sale was laid out just neat as a pin and all the items were interesting and priced nicely. I managed to spend the $6 Miles had in his pocket in 6 minutes - not bad, hey? Besides this we had Beck put aside another $10 item for this week's walk day! Thanks Beck - whens the next sale? (ps - that really was clever of Lawrence to make the looonggg table from his ladder!)

BONNIE GIVING US VALUABLE GARDENING ADVICE

We arrived back home and met Bonnie at the garden boxes. She spent a good deal of time and patience helping us get our boxes in order. First we cleared all the mulch and bark off the top of the soil. Then, we dug about 8 inches down into the soil, turning it over and fluffing it up. After smoothing it all down, neatly, our boxes are now ready for us when we've chosen the plants we would like to have. I think Miles will be planting mostly herbs, such as his favorite, basil, along with rosemary, oregano, tarragon and parsley. In my box you will find tomatoes, green beans, carrots and cilantro.

OUR BOXES - READY FOR PLANTING!

Speaking of gardening - our daughter Melanie bought me a pair of special gardening gloves and I encouraged her to use them on her own yard first (chuckle!) ... while she was out and about she had the company of her dignified cat Winston. She snapped this calendar cute picture of Winston to share with you!

WINSTON IN THE DANDELIONS

I was visiting Janna's blog - a place I love to visit - and I thought it would be interesting to do what she had done - to Google my name along with 'needs' - so 'Barbara needs' to see what came up, and here is my list of 10 things I found I need to do:

1. Barbara needs to Blog! (well this is certainly true, can't argue with that!)

2. Barbara needs a good swift K@#$ (hey, thats not very nice - what'd I do?)

3. Barbara needs to be thin AGAIN! (ummm... I thought I was doing ok in that department?)

4. Barbara needs to move her focus from herself to others and learn to love in order to ... (well, this would be a good rule anytime... the more we focus on others instead of ourselves its better!)

5. Barbara needs to humble herself and admit that she made a mistake... (oh boy, yes, this is so true... I've made some big ones - I know I can be very stubborn.)

6. Barbara needs real training in dealing with Black women. (I think I do pretty good with this too, though we have maybe one in all of Osoyoos!)

7. Barbara needs a screen, projector and cart for a Power Point presentation (well, this is true if I need to help Miles lead worship music this Sunday...)

8. Barbara needs your help (yes, my blog would not be my blog without your comments and encouragement)

9. Barbara needs to fire her, period. (hmmm, did I hire someone?)

10. Finally, Barbara needs to update her will, to reflect her wishes. (thanks for reminding me!)

Sooooo... I won't go about naming names, I'll simply encourage you to Google your own name and post your 'needs'! Let me know where to visit to see what you need, too!

Today in History:

1871 - Blossom Rock in San Francisco Bay blown up
1949 - Courtesy Mail Boxes for motorists started in San Francisco.
(its also Shirley Temple's birthday!)

BARB'S HANDY TIP #241
Compare Screen Type

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The Typetester is an online application for comparison of the fonts for the screen. Its’ primary role is to make web designer’s life easier. As the new fonts are bundled into operating systems, the list of the common fonts will be updated.

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CONFETTI STRING (and seperate confettis) REPOST

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Thank you all so very much for your comments - we are still 'internetless' - ugh! It should be up in the next week sometime... until then I'm just borrowing internet here and there... I won't have time to answer each of your comments individually today, so a big blanket THANK YOU to each and every one of you. I miss you all terribly too!

Life on a farm.

I'll be helping at our new place on Wednesday mornings with general upkeep. Yesterday dawned bright and sunny, but on the cold side. I wore a warm fleece jacket and a down vest - dressing in layers because the weather can be so changeable in April. I was sure to bring some bottled water and of course my camera, all in a handy fanny-pack.

PONDEROSA PINE

I met Bonnie at 9 and she outfitted me with some sturdy leather gloves, a rake, a large garbage pail and she also brought some pruning shears. She chose to work along a trail which passes by a large ponderosa pine. The pine has shed so many needles they obliterate the ground for several yards beyond the base, also covering the trail. We spent our time gently raking away the topmost layers of needles from around the bunches of grass and away from tender young shoots hiding under the prickly blanket. We disposed of the needles over the bank of a shady part of trail a short distance off, which had no debris - so the needles will eventually break down. Bonnie told me the California Quail, of which there are many here, they love to scatter the needles. The Quail are so quaint - to me they look like they wear a little grey and black suit - and I especially like their little comb which sits over their face and bobs along when they scurry.

KILLDEER FEIGNING BROKEN WING

I learned what the call of an osprey sounds like too. There are many little critters about. My friend Becky came to visit (we have a standing date for wednesday afternoons, which I look forward to all week long) and we lit out to the orchard to take some pictures of a kildeer's nest. Mom and Dad Kildeer were not at all impressed with our intrusion - and they both skittered several orchard rows away from us, from where they both began a 'wounded wing' act to try to lure us away from the eggs in their nest. We tried to work as quickly as we could to capture our photos.

KILLDEER EGGS

As you can see, there are three eggs in the nest... but if you look closely to the left (double click the photo to make it a bit bigger) you can see a rock to the right - its remarkably close in color and texture to the eggs, in fact when Becky and I were searching for it we had a hard time as it was so closely camouflaged to the ground around it.

To learn more about the Killdeer - you may want to visit the WHATBIRD website by clicking HERE

On the domestic side of things, I've unpacked every single box I can see - and I KNOW I'm still missing one. In fact, it's the box I wanted to unpack the very first, so I have to carefully search l the hidden corners here (and there are a lot of them!)

I claimed my kitchen yesterday by making bread. Somehow, baking bread and filling the house with it's warm and yeasty smell makes the house smell more like a home. I love making bread - I come from a long line of women who baked bread. Some of my fondest memories are of coming home from school to my mom's fresh bread. I think she began to bake bread at home when we lived in isolated communities because there were not bakeries or stores (the supplies at one place had to be boated in - they came up once a month on a big boat called the Northern Prince) But I also have to think it would have been cheaper to make as well, with eight hungry kids to feed. Whatever the reason, I can still smell it and see it in my mind.

I also loved my Gramma's homemade hot crossed buns she made each easter and christmas and her dark caraway seed/rye bread. She sometimes put sunflower seeds into the rye bread and I loved it toasted and soaked up with butter.

Isn't it the little things which cause us the great pleasure? For me, one thing is baking bread, for you?

Money cannot buy these things... Make sure you stop and identify what brings you peace and joy, and strive to make these simple things part of your life. Too easily the busyness of this world we live in can suck away what we need and crave. Find out what is the one thing you recall with joy from your childhood - turn off your tv and close your computer for a tiny while and set aside an afternoon to just enjoy. You won't regret it. Let yourself create your own happy moment, to be savored later when you need a place for your mind and heart to rest on - when you don't have the choice... Taking time away like this allows you, especially when you share these times with family members or friends, to contemplate on the rich gifts our Lord has given us through engaging with each other. Have you ever done dishes or baked, side by side with someone and not had some contenting time or good conversation together? Done a puzzle together and shared the satisfaction of building it? Enjoyed a friendly game of some kind? Took a walk...

"As I got older I became aware of the folly of this perpetual reaching for the future, and of drawing from tomorrow and from tomorrow only, a reason for the joyfulness of today. I learned, alas! when it was almost too late, to live in each moment as it passed over my head, believing that the sun as it is now rising is as good as it will ever be."

by Mark Rutherford

No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope and fear,
But grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here.

by John Greenleaf

"Some have too much, yet still do crave;
I have little, and seek no more.
They are poor though much they have,
And I am rich with little store.
They poor, I rich; they beg, I give;
They lack, I leave; they pine, I live."

by Sir Edward Dyer

A Christian is one who does not have to consult his bank book to see how wealthy he really is.

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Matthew 6:20, 21

I must run for now - I miss you all very much! I will post as soon as I am able!

BARB'S HANDY TIP #240

Build a Birdhouse

Even though you might not live in the country, you can attract some country to your yard by building a birdhouse. The following is a terrific site which will supply you with all the information you will need to build a de-luxe condo for your feathered friends:

BIRDHOUSES 101

SIMPLE CHAINS AND LINKS

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Hello EVERYONE!!!

We are semi-settled in our new home... meaning that all our possessions are in. In boxes, many things, but in. And we are in. We are still pinching ourselves.

First of all, before I start into my blog (which my blog entries will be spotty till we get our internet set up... - thats another story altogether) I want to say I'm SO TOUCHED that by all your wonderful comments! I've missed you too, very much. I wish I could respond to each of you, personally via email or on your blogs, but I can't. The reason is this - no internet at home. I've travelled to Mile's work to make this entry and will only have 2 precious hours to do this entry, upload and check my email. I'm not even checking my email till I've taken care of YOU here.

Please forgive me if I've not posted up your Easter Layouts yet - I've recieved your links and they are cued to go... but I will wait till I can do them justice. I appreciate you sending them in! I have not made any elements, in fact I'm dredging up reruns to give you for now - I'm hoping to be creating in the upcoming weeks.

FIRST DINNER ON OUR PATIO!

Wow. I think my head was in the sand regarding our move. I can't believe the amount of things one can accumulate in 9 years. I was stunned by the amount of stuff we 'hoarded' over time... some of it I did not even recognise. Its a terrific lesson in downsizing. Even going from a smaller place to a larger place - we have an over abundance.

I think the place I will spend the most time of all is the kitchen ( I know, thats not unusual) but the view is wonderful and the cupboards are quaint and old-fashioned. Two things I love about it are a pull out spice rack, built in... and in another cupboard someone was clever enough to build dividers in for my muffin tins and cookie sheets. Little touches like this are special to me.

WHAT A VIEW!

Its nice to sit and watch the lake. I find myself just sitting down and enjoying the view. This time of the year is especially wonderful, watching the plants emerging and blossoming. There are 7 acres of fruit on the property and we discovered there is a killdeer's nest (bird) right in the middle of it. I will try to take a picture and post it for you! The eggs are black and white speckled.

THE BEES ARE BUSY!

We took a walk on Sunday - the one day we had to entirely rest - and the weather was perfect. We strolled by these blossoming trees and were drawn to the industrious bees working away. I'm especially interested in bees at this time because I am reading a book I recently purchased - THE HIVE by Bee Wilson (really, her name is Bee, short for Beatrice) I have a new appreciation for bees and honey after reading it. Realize this - before sugar came along, with the exception of fresh fruit and maple syrup, honey was the only sweet thing people knew. It was so important it's sweetness was compared to what Manna was in the bible:

Exodus 16:31

The people of Israel called the bread manna.

It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.

CHECK OUT IT'S POLLEN-FILLED LEGS! (double click)

a single worker bee may visit up to 10,000 flowers in a day!

I had better wind things up here, so I have time to check my email. I promise to come back as soon as I can. Thanks again for all your well-wishes and I will touch base with each of you at the first opportunity!

BARB'S HANDY TIP #239

Read Full Books - ONLINE

Here's a link for thousands of book which you can read online!

FULLBOOKS

LITTLE EASTER DUCKS!

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Today's entry may well be the last for a short while, folks... today is the move of the large pieces of furniture - and we will be spending time with our family for the holiday. I am praying you all have a safe and meaningful holiday - and I look forward to catching up with you all early next week.

There will be an exodus of vehicles heading from our place in the afternoon - we've got plenty of help from friends and (church) family. What a bittersweet, deligthtful time in our lives. I promise to take loads of pics as I try to stay from underfoot and to bite my tongue from trying to 'direct' the entire affair...

all photos today courtesy of sxc.hu (except the shoes)

I spent a good part of yesterday sewing 'socks' by hand. We've been given an older table and chairs to use for our new kitchen... this will only be temporary as we want to get a cute little new set. In the meantime, these are nothing to look at but they will 'do'... Because we have newly laid linoleum in the kitchen I wanted to make sure the furniture does not scratch... so I sewed, by HAND, twelve little 'socks' for the legs of the table and two chairs. These are designer, baby, as I used an old Hudson Bay Blanket (wool) I'm so proud of myself?

THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU

sung by Kathy Troccoli

I died for you

I'd do it all again if I had to

To show you what you really mean to Me

I cried for you

I hung on the cross so you wouldn't have to

I made a way to set your spirit free

CHORUS:

That's how much I love you

That's how much I want you

I gave up my own life that you might live

That's how much I love you

That's how much I want you to see

You are My child and you mean so much to Me

I gave you the stars

The sun, the moon, yes I went that far

So no matter where you go you think of Me

The mountains fair

The beautiful oceans are there

To remind you that I can satisfy your every need

INCHWORM SHOES

Ok, I don't know if you've seen these before... they almost make me want to have small children all over again... someone was so clever to invent these... shoes that GROW with your child's feet?

Built right into INCHworm shoes is the iFit technology. The iFit technology allows you to GROW the size of the shoe with a simple push of the button. So eliminate unnecessary trips to the shoe store and provide your children with better fitting shoes that last up to three sizes longer. Inchworm shoes grow in half size increments. Just push the button on the side, and pull the toe of the shoe to adjust into the next size.

Check them out HERE

Today in History:

• 1614 - Pocahontas marries John Rolfe.
• 1941 - Castro and Fillmore streetcars replaced by buses.

BARB'S HANDY TIP #238

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