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

What is Typetester?

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.

TYPETESTER

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

Create Newsletters ONLINE!

You can make Astoundingly Creative Newsletters in minutes.
Easy, Fun, Powerful—with no software to download.

LETTERPOP

CUTE LITTLE EASTER BUNNIES

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All of today's photos are from sxc.hu

Things are really starting to move along with moving now. Packing is almost finished - we are a home in transition. Our current landlords have returned from the south and the new tenant is anticipating meeting them next week. We have friends with trucks (and our landlords) lined up to move the heavier items on Thursday. Our current landlords will get to meet our new ones - what a neat feeling. We've changed our mailing address (remind me to give it to you if I've forgotten) and made an appointment to have the carpets cleaned in our old place so its spanky for the new tenant. I'll be priming the walls for her to paint soon too. We will be sleeping here AND there over the next couple of weeks. It should be interesting. I am very, very excited! Thanks to all for your support and encouragement!

ISAIAH 35:1

The desert and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

I was chatting with a friend a few days ago who said "you would not have wanted to see how I packed - it made my mother-in-law shudder" - well, I'm sure mine would too! I'm not such an organized person as I would like to be. I think I've done pretty good considering it's been a long, long time since I've done it... and they say things get easier with practice.... I am way out of practice! I've at least got boxes sorted into 'rooms'... that should help a lot. The conversation with my friend caused me to think about my parents.

My dad was a miner. His work took him all over the province - several times over. We were a BIG family growing up, and after my tiny move here, I have total appreciation for what my folks must have gone through moving all us eight kids all over the place, several times over! At times we moved from remote communities in northern British Columbia, all the way into the South Interior. Now I wish I could strain back to catch all the details that have worn away from my memory... and I wish my parents were alive to thank them for all the hard work they must have had through these times.

In particular, one memory stands out above the rest. It was when we did one of these BIG moves. Being we were going from a weensy place way up north on the coast I imagine (cuz I can't quite remember) that the cars must have had to be shipped ahead of us on a BIG boat ahead of time because the place we came from had to be sailed into or flown into. So the cars went ahead and then we followed via airplane. It must have taken some figuring out to get together with the cars again... in Vancouver... the big city.

What sticks out in my mind is that when we were in Vancouver we spent a night sleeping in Stanley Park - you certainly could not do this today! I remember being squished up with my brothers. I remember how uncomfortable it was - as a child I certainly did not think about much except the BIG adventure it was and my discomforts. If I was this uncomfortable - what must my parents have been going through?

Oh, and another thought - my Mom was a pretty timid driver and she had to follow Dad on the freeways and I can remember how nervous this made her. Somehow they always got us safely to our next home... clothes on our back, food in our bellies, though I know these were financially tough times. Funny how I wish they were here now... how I would share this with them...

I have been trying to keep Easter in focus as well. Our Pastor made a good point in this last Sunday's message about not considering it just pretty Easter eggs and gifts and such... how this can lure us away from the REAL message of celebration and sacrifice... and he's perfectly correct. I'm hoping you will bear with me as I still have to mature to the place where I would not enjoy doing the eggs and bunnies etc... but I'm just not there yet. To me, it in no way lessens my belief about the real message behind Easter. I still love to make Easter elements - and I like to think of them as reminders of traditions which for people in the past tied to their beliefs... their way of reminding them in ways which was filled with symbolism for something deeper. For Miles and I its about the sacrifice Jesus made for us, and its about family time when we enjoy getting together with our Mom and Dad and Sister.

I decided I better look into WHY Easter eggs even came about - I figured there might be some reason they were begun. So, this is what I found out - borrowing from the CHRISTMAS IDEAS BLOG

Gifts have long been considered part of the holiday we know as Easter. In ancient times Pagan rituals had a lot to do with renewal of the earth, the new greenery sprouting from the earth, and the idea of birth and rebirth. The egg is a symbol of all of these ideas, and was adopted by and still is used in Christian Easter celebrations.

In the beginning eggs were decorated and painted and used as presents. They were given as a romantic gift to admirers, as well as to servants and children. People of Eastern Orthodox faiths made this tradition their own by dying their eggs red to symbolize Christ's blood, and on Easter day they would crack the eggs, to represent Christ breaking out of the tomb. As technology improved, there were hollow eggs crafted from cardboard that were filled with smaller gifts, typically food items. Hollow eggs were also formed from sugar, and were decorated with sugar royal icings. Perhaps the ultimate gift egg was the Fabergé egg, which was studded with real jewels and was given originally as a gift for the Czar of Russia. Around this time chocolate easter eggs were created, and soon became a favorite holiday tradition. As an extension of the egg, the chick was also associated with Easter, and today children will often find marshmallow chicks as a gift that was linked to the original prominence of the egg in the Easter celebration.

Another type of gift you will likely find in modern Easter baskets are rabbits, usually in the form of a toy stuffed rabbit or rabbit-shaped candies and chocolates. This tradition also traces back to early Pagan traditions. Rabbits are known for their ability to reproduce, and this idea of birth, especially in early spring when rabbits tend to give birth to their young, helped to tie them as yet another symbol of this holiday season.

Because of the association with a new growth cycle, gifts from the garden are also connected to Easter. Easter lilies are often given as gifts because they bloom around the time Easter is celebrated.

I've run across equally wonderful articles of creating new traditions with your family which clearly illustrate our Christian take on Easter and following is one I was sent in an email from Crosswalk.com in a newsletter. You can always visit their site to sign up for the newsletter, or I can forward mine to you too, if you leave me a comment with your email. You can visit crosswalk HERE. The newsletter tells how you can build an "Easter Mountain" with your kids and walk them through the Holy Week beforehand... the kids take an active part in the story. The newsletter includes a recipe to make the play dough for the mountain. I would HIGHLY recommend spending some time at Crosswalk to 'fill yourself up' with meaningful, insightful and helpful spiritual content...

Today in History:

• 1860 - Pony Express begins service - from St. Joseph - Missouri.
• 1870 - Golden Gate Park established by City Order #800.

BARB'S HANDY TIP#238

The Perfect Cupcake and more...

Who can resist biting into a tiny, perfect cake – especially one that's piled high with rich buttercream frosting? Helen Shroyer, owner of Toronto-based Marmalade Cake Company, shows you how to ice like a pro in this how-to video.

THE PERFECT CUPCAKE

and the more? well, our clearly Canadain magazine is chock full of interesting articles and helpful information and I highly suggest you spend some time here and perhaps you might even sign up for the newsletter! (just use the links at the perfect cupcake video!)

SWIRLY OVERLAY ELEMENT

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Pack, pack, pack, clean, clean, clean! Throw in the fact that I have to pack for the weekend... we are going to spend the weekend with our family at the coast. I'm figuring out which clothes move, which ones stay...

Our landlords (and dear friends - like Mom and Dad to us) have arrived home from the south - like the birds returning (tho the Canada Geese live here year-round, cuz its usually so mild!) Now begins the process of shifting things from this home to the next. It would have been easier with them gone - I feel all soft hearted when I see them, and I KNOW that both Linda and I had tears in our eyes the whole time and a big lump in our throats.

MELANIE - I WILL CATCH HER SMILING - NEXT TIME!

Had to test out that overlay...

I can tell its going to be an emotional day, already. I think everything is catching up with me... and I want to take a moment to warn you - if you've given me permission to publish a layout, and I've forgotten, or you told me something recently, and I forgot, or I promised to post something... and I forgot, well please bear with me as I have 'blender brain' It's list time for this girl. I've held so much in my brain that I'm forgetting things. Please be my reminder?

I want to thank Pillowgirl for your beautiful thought for me... E. posted a blog entry with a beautiful song on it. Now I have to admit its a country song, and I'm totally not into country - I did grow up with it tho... my Mom and Dad, well that's ALL they listened to. So, though this is not my listen of choice, it was perfect for how I've been feeling, and it uplifted me at a place I really needed it. Thank you so very much E. *hugs*

YELLOW JASMINE OVER LAKE OSOYOOS

I need to take a moment here to talk about something that's been on my heart this past little while too. Now, if you're not a Christian, this may go over your head. Even if you are a Christian, you might not be at this place yet, either. And truly I might not FULLY be at this place either... but it's something that is SO exciting to me.

It's about a subject that used to make me freeze up, and that must be difficult for Pastors have to present, as its not a totally 'popular' subject... its' about tithing and offerings.

If you're not a Christian at all, and don't know what this term means, it's basically a giving of a portion of your wages and monies to the Church - usually the tithing is 10% and offerings beyond that. It used to scare the pants off me when I first became a Christian and I have to tell you in all honesty it took quite some time for us to come to the place where we are at today.

At one point in our lives we experienced a financially devastating time in our life and we had next to nothing (in this country... I know in other countries people don't even get enough to eat, and we would be considered rich when we are at what we consider to be our very poorest) It was really hard to give then. For me. It took me a long time to lean FULLY on Jesus, I'm afraid.

I need to say thank you to those Pastors who spoke firmly and openly on the subject even when I really didn't want to hear it. Because over time as our faith grew, our tithes increased... and with that increase we moved closer to Jesus. We've seen AMAZING things happen in our life over time which I KNOW, THAT I KNOW, THAT I KNOW, came about through our faith, and faithfullness, including in the area of finances.

As our Pastor Ed pointed out (you can read his Sword and Trowel series HERE) -that in the following scripture, it's the ONLY scripture in the entire bible that says what will ''open the floodgates of heaven" Not only this... He asks you to TEST Him on this!

MALACHI 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Wow, thats powerful stuff... thing is folks, I'm grateful we had it all taken away from us, I'm grateful we decided to lean on Him as we grew financially... and tho you can't BUY His love, we've seen the evidence of what leaning on Him has done in our life.

I was sharing with a friend yesterday, and I am so EXCITED to see what the Lord is going to do in your life... I know you're on the journey too... and I already KNOW He has His blessings READY to pour out on you! TEST HIM TODAY! You cannot 'outgive' God. It's impossible... and you may not see it returned in finances... sometimes that won't come back... but in the way God saw fit for your life what you should have.

And here comes the controversial area, which might get me in trouble with some... lottery tickets. Miles and I made a choice some years ago not to buy them anymore. Who needs the lottery when we've got God providing. He MADE the money. If we go out and buy tickets and win, how can we know what HE had in store for us. Hey, it boils down to trusting in Him. If I buy tickets then I am trying to control... but if Idon't then I KNOW what He's provided for me...

And I personally find this exciting. At every turn God surprizes me ... and He always knows EXACTLY WHAT I NEED!

BEST WESTERN REFLECTIONS, OSOYOOS

Ok, time for some lightening up... LOL! I'll leave the preaching to Pastor Ed...

Some original Air Traffic Controller quotes:

Tower: "Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles!" Delta 351: "Give us another hint! We have digital watches!"

"TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees." "Centre, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?" "Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?"

A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down. San Jose Tower noted: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadalupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport."

One day the pilot of a Cherokee 180 was told by the tower to hold short of the active runway while a DC-8 landed. The DC-8 landed, rolled out, turned around, and taxied back past the Cherokee. Some quick-witted comedian in the DC-8 crew got on the radio and said, "What a cute little plane. Did you make it all by yourself?" The Cherokee pilot, not about to let the insult go by, came back with a real zinger: "I made it out of DC-8 parts. Another landing like yours and I'll have enough for another one."

Today in History (not much, haha!):

1848 - Thomas Douglas becomes 1st San Francisco public teacher.

BARB'S HANDY TIP

Free Vector Program

That's right... some of you have been asking me about vector programs and so I've done some research for you. I personally use a free microsoft program I got waayyyy long ago for free, but they don't offer it for free any more... - not a surprize, right? Anyways, on my hunt I found the following program for you. I've downloaded it and had a look around and it offers all the tools I have in my other programs, and with practice could be powerful way for you to create your own vector graphics. They provide some tutorials as well. Let me know what you think of this... and hooray for Open Source, I say!!!

Inkscape is an Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw, or Xara X using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format. Supported SVG features include shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns, and grouping. Inkscape also supports Creative Commons meta-data, node editing, layers, complex path operations, bitmap tracing, text-on-path, flowed text, direct XML editing, and more. It imports formats such as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and others and exports PNG as well as multiple vector-based formats.

Inkscape's main goal is to create a powerful and convenient drawing tool fully compliant with XML, SVG, and CSS standards. We also aim to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open, community-oriented development

INKSCAPE VECTOR PROGRAM

FUZZY EARED DOGGIE

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Close up, this litte puppy really does appear to have fuzzy ears! I hope you find a sweet place on your layouts for him/her? I've hand painted this sweet critter for you to 'adopt' into your family - much less trouble than a real puppy, though I know its not the same.

WE ARE GOING TO PARADISE!

Thanks for all your warm comments - we had a nice time with our daughter and her boyfriend over the weekend. Admittedly, our visits are too few and far between but hopefully this will change. I took time off from packing to just enjoy their company. We had a nice dinner out together and cuddled up for a movie!

We took 'the kids' out to the new house - and Dan helped Miles move a desk into the basement. The desk is a handsome and well made piece of furniture which was built at the hand of our friend Roger - remember Roger and Marie who periodically supply us with pics of their Alpaca? Roger has quite the talent with furniture building and is very generous in his skills. He's often created some item for the school which makes life neater and simpler. Thanks Roger!

DOWN BY THE BAY!

it will be fun to float about - if I'm not online you know where we are...

Our current landlords arrived home yesterday so the process will all begin. We've been in this place for 9 years so there will be a bit of upgrading required - but the hardest part of all will be leaving this comfortable nest will be living apart from Elroy and Linda. I know I had to hold back the 'happy tears' when I talked with them yesterday - and I am sure more are queued up...

So, in saying this, I best go and continue my packing/cleaning cycle...

MELANIE, MILES AND DAN, BY THE SHORE

Today in History:

1792 - Congress establishes Coin denominations of United States.

1935 - Watson Watt granted a patent for RADAR.

I did hear a few interesting articles on the radio over the weekend, two of which I will share with you! The first article ... well, I will let you decide for you. Ok, it was an article - that if you are a baseball fan you will like... for the rest of us we might be scratching our heads here... apperently you can now purchase urns (for your ashes if you get cremated) and from AUTHORIZED dealers eg: funeral homes, you can have a team logo emblazoned on your urn... ok....

The second and third articles you can actually listen to - (I love npr!) This first one is a very sweet article about a book which was recently published about people's teddy bears. I mean who can't love a teddy? I hope you enjoy, you can listen HERE

The third article is not for the queezy of stomach as it is about 50 Foods To Try Before You Die... some of them are NOT nice! You can listen HERE

BY THE PARK, DOWNTOWN OSOYOOS

BARB'S HANDY TIP #236

Just Some Cool Graphics

This site is a great time to kill some time playing with the interesting graphics - not for slower computers!

YUGOP

MUSHROOM ELEMENT

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I know its a bit strange - but I bet you can use it for your Easter Egg hunt layouts? You may want to add loads of bevel and embossing like I did...

Still taking time out with our daughter today - thanks for all your comments in this regard!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO OUR

BROTHER

DAVE!

(you're no fool,

you just have a strange birth-day!)

WE LOVE YOU TO BITS!