sunny and bright...........and cold!

This has pretty much been our view this week.  At the moment there is a bit less snow on the trees and hedge compared to this photo.   Today's high is -3 C.

Here is a better view of the hummer corner.   There is an umbrella secured to the maple tree, bowl covers for the feeder and bubble plastic on the feeder base, sheets of insulation as buffers at the hedge sides and one hummer perched on a branch.  Even with the very cold weather hummers appear each day.  It means having the feeder out in the morning by 6:45 am (yes it is still dark) and leave in place till 4:45 pm (dark again).   So it's not like they are catered too....

More snow is predicted for overnight on Saturday.  After that there is a glimmer of hope for early next week..milder temperatures and good old west coast rain.  I'll take it!

And now it's back to arts and crafts.   I'm working on a crochet checkerboard.  At the moment I'm on the last 8 block panel. After that, weave the blocks together, make some checker discs and it will be done.  I'm still deciding on a backing.

wishing everyone a good weekend, stay warm and safe!

it's beginning to look like ....

A very cold winter's day!   This past week has brought three heavy dumps of snow and now we're headed to colder temperatures.   It looks beautiful.   The last storm that hit overnight Sunday left some unique sights.  I don't recall having seen the overhead traffic lights covered in snow, mind you only the ones facing east from where the storm must have come.   Trees look like they have been brushed in white sparkle.  And there seems to be no end in sight to the cold weather.  So it's nice to be indoors, enjoy the simple pleasures....warm coffee, comfort food, Christmas music and good company.

It's been a long year.  Things are moving forward in a good way.  There are still wistful moments, even some sad ones but there are so many more reasons to smile and just be happy.

Stay warm, share a smile.................

all hearts come home ......

................for Christmas. 

winding my way...............

It's been a long gap since my last post, definitely not planned, it just happened.

This morning I finished winding up the last part of a skein of yarn.   Most of the winding went smoothly, then some twists.....and  then a  plate of spaghetti yarn to unravel.  This pretty much covers my summer.  The time has been productive, a bit creative and thoughtful.

Are you ready for Fall?

July and where is summer????

For July most days feel more fall like.  Compared to the extreme temperatures and water restrictions of previous years this is just fine.  Mind you it means fewer patio days as the winds gusts through and it gets cold....and there is something just wrong with sitting in longs and sweaters in July!

And my blog friends no I haven't forgotten my blog, just sidelined with other things.  It's all good.


Friday was fun.  We met our daughter, son in law and grandsons at the zoo.  Of course before the animals it's straight off to the playground for some exploring.

Time out for snacks.   The benches are re-purposed from  Expo 86. 

The crew headed for the reptile house.  I stayed outside and collected some beautiful feathers, took photos and people watched.  It was a definite no thank you to looking at snakes.

The zoo has changed over the years, owners, name, animals and how much it costs.  Way back when as the Vancouver Game Farm  the entry fee was modest.  Things change.  It's now the Greater Vancouver Zoo, no longer family owned.   Not as many animals but kids enjoy it just the same.  Now it's either foot, pedal or mini train to go around the site.  In year's past you could also drive through the site. This is no longer the case, so all aboard the train.......

to view the sights and sounds of the zoo.  Things change, things stay the same.  Definitely a good day.

All for now.

Happy Father's Day

Remembering Dad.

Happy Father's Day.

June welcome

I'm a bit late with a June post, it's already the 7th...the days seem to fly by.  Last week it was damp and rainy mid week and by the weekend, hot, very hot (low 30's C).  We pulled out the portable ac and set it up to discover that a very important piece was missing...a clear length of plastic hose.  Now I recall seeing it during the garage clean up/clear out....no points for remembering because in the meantime the water coming out  of the ac port would mean emptying the temporary cup way too often.  An old hose and duct tape worked, well sort of till DH headed to the store for the correct hose tubing.  All is well, no puddles and it's humming just fine.

As much as the benefits of ac are lovely, the early morning quiet with the open door to the cool air is bliss.  That and a fresh cup of coffee. Well the silence is broken as the puppy of the house has decided that the Dad of the house should be up, let's get this day started!  Life through the eyes of a puppy, eat, play ,make noise .. repeat then nap.

I'm part way through a sewing project for an exchange.  It's coming along quite nicely.  Hopefully I can assemble and mail the parcel by the end of the week.  It is nice to have some time to make things.

Our big pictures plans at least for now see us staying where we are.  The real estate market is over the top and prices so out of reach for most folks. We are very fortunate to live on one level ground floor unit.  We're near to everything yet still enjoy a faraway feel while sitting on the patio.

For me there are more better days.  The sadness is being replaced with memories and happy thoughts. Finding reasons to smile and laugh, it is a work in progress.

in the early morning

4 bells and I'm up and enjoying a cup of coffee.   It's not even light outside and the birds are going through a chorus or two of morning song.  And inside all is quiet....the stillness is a time to ponder...

Yesterday marked the close of the sale.  #207 awaits new voices and visitors.  And it was five months ago to the day that this whole journey started with Dad being taken to hospital.  It feels like a lifetime ago.  As much as I'd wish different, there is no going back.  Today, tomorrow and always I will miss my parents.

Today we start the next chapter, a new page.....and where to begin......     De-cluttering will continue. In the past few months it has been use it (or find it a home) or lose it (donate it) and for the most part the process is working.  Working well in fact till I rediscovered  my wool/cross stitch/craft area and then progress stopped.  Much easier to put the lid(s) back on and move on to other stuff for the moment.

Outdoors we've managed to make changes on our patio.  DH rebuilt the gazebo from my parent's balcony.  We have yet to decide on a sun cover.  In the meanwhile the outdoor drapes have gone up along with a string of mini solar lights around the top.  As for the growing garden there is more to do. Last week I did splurge on a mini water garden arrangement.  The half barrel is plastic.  It's been placed on a wheeled platform (thanks Dad) so moving it is much easier.  Not sure if we'll add goldfish but I'd still like to find a mini water lily.  Everything takes time and planning....and moving from a to b to c ......akin to moving the furniture indoors.  

It's rained overnight.  The air is fresh and it's getting lighter now.  I'm ready for my second cup of coffee.

welcome to a new day!  Make it a good one.

mid week and almost done

This chapter of our journey is coming to a close.  With only storage bins and planters to move from my parent's garage to our garage and one last clean through we will be done.  The entire process has happened in just a month. My list for the month is looking a bit care worn.  Our goal of being done by the 20th has been reached.  Now we can shift focus to putting our place back together.  The second bedroom has become a holding area.  Anything/everything to do will get done in due course.  We're heading for a long weekend so it's time to unwind and take stock.

We've done some rearranging on our patio as well.  As there are lots of large planters available I'm potting up plants and grouping things together.  And so long as I don't move the hummingbird feeder (again) all will be fine.  Apparently the hummers prefer their spot and the night it was missing caused much noise and complaints.   Of course I put it back.

Sully still makes it his mission to find every leaf, twig, worm, slug, bits of dirt and now ants......The life of a soon to be one year old  and still puppy.

By the end of this month things should be at a better pace and a new normal.   I've missed blogging.

Meanwhile, now that it's all of 5:30 am, it's time for some coffee.

Another Friday

 Happy Mother's Day!

This week has continued busy and productive.  And there were some hiccups (again) along the way.  How is it possible to sort keys, keep the 'right' ones and still end up with one missing.   Yesterday after failed attempts to open the storage room door (and many words) we finally called the locksmith this morning.   In short order he picked the lock, made an adjustment to the door knob and cut three new keys.  For a mere $143.00 (ouch) the job was complete and we could carry on with emptying said room. We're getting there.

So now that it's late afternoon that's it till Monday. A weekend off  (lol)  and some time to move boxes at home.  Errands were done a bit earlier so that leaves planning lunch for Sunday.  Burgers, hot dogs and salads, nice and easy.   Not sure of what to make for dessert yet.  The weather continues sunny and mild through next week.  A bonus for Mother's Day weekend.

A nearby church has an annual sale this Saturday.  They have everything priced very affordable.  We took over over items last evening to donate.   And of course I plan to go tomorrow morning.  It's always fun to look ......

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

and the word for May ...........

Instead of a picture being worth a thousand words it's just one word...SOLD...

Call it light at the end of the tunnel but it still means going gang busters to pack up and move everything.by our deadline (end of May).  It's like a giant puzzle, pick up one piece and make it fit or move it out. Thus far we've been able to rearrange things in our garage to include large dock boxes.  The boxes are sturdy and hold a lot.  Much better than regular storage bins.

We did another trip to the thrift store.  We give them goodies and they give us discount cards and garden seeds. Nice.  Our second stop was to the recycling depot, no cards, no seeds and that's just fine thanks.

I wish I could say I keep my "happy thoughts"  ...........not always the case.   It comes down to high expectations of what we can get done at any point.  The reality is some things go better and some don't.  And it doesn't help that my knees are hollering and slowing my efforts.

Today is a new day.  Pick up from where we left off yesterday and make another dent in things.  A new list is started....remembering who to contact and arrangements to make.  The plan will come together.

Outside the chimes play a gentle tune.    Today's word will be gentleness.

moving along

The weeks are passing too quickly.  Time in my computer has been minimal.  Since mid month we have forged ahead with moving things around/out to new homes, thrift store and some to the cleanup crew pickup.  It's all a process.   The family home belonging to my parents is now a house ready to sell.   The house is furnished suitably for presentation and showings.  No longer will we say let's go over to Mom and Dad's.  

It's hard to explain the feelings that I have regarding all this.   It feels like forever but it has only been a few months since Dad's passing.  I know he would want us to be doing what we are and moving on. So would Mom for that matter.

Out our windows we see this.  The trees were covered in blossoms this year.  They don't last long.

More blooms to enjoy.   Nestled behind the hedge, that's us.  From the patio there is lots of light and sky views.  It's our oasis.....truly a secret garden.

Last Friday marked Nate's 6th birthday.  And he was so excited at his party on Saturday.  With friends to play with, cake to eat and presents to open....definitely a special day!

all for now...........

Happy April

So here I am again, the weeks have slipped by and I've been neglecting my blog.  Here's why.....

It was always in our plan to do some renos to our current home.  Plans get derailed and time passes. Finally we bit the bullet and went shopping for something new for flooring.   The old carpeting is gone and the new vinyl flooring is in. The reveal photo to come.  

As most of our house had to be packed up for this project we had a taste of tiny house living....two people and one dog living within the confines of a bedroom/bathroom.  It has given me a new appreciation of living simple and simple pleasures.   It's going to make the next part of de-cluttering way easier to accomplish.

As the work started on Tuesday we've yet to put all the rooms back in order.  The kitchen and family room are comfortable for now.  So long as Sully has his space (lol), we have the computer and TV working and space to be, well it's not too bad.  The rest will be an adventure.

Our weather continues mild and sunny, warm actually as temperature records have been broken. 

Happy Friday!

till next time ...

March......really....

February 29th was our bonus day.  We had the day at home.  The time was put to good use ....more inroads with sorting and decluttering,   By afternoon it was time to stop, pour a glass of wine and then enjoy a good dinner.  We ordered a Greek from a nearby restaurant.  It worked out easier to phone in and pick up the order.  It was a nice treat.

Here's what is happening on the patio.  Just a bit of added color makes all the difference.

Blue skies overhead and sunshine make any day great.  And just over the hedge I can see my parent's home.  Lots of memories and reasons to smile.

This end of the patio has been regrouped.  I've already discovered that Sully has a long reach and some of the planters will need to be raised up more or built up.  He is creative.  Snap hooks on the pillar hold the extension gate secure.  The rest of the patio is still off limits for Sully.  We're going to place more of the clear panels in between the border fencing and the hedge.  It's on the list.

I've been reading and enjoying blogs and trying to leave comments.   I know I'm tardy with replies to comments on my blog.  I sincerely appreciated everyone who stops by and leaves comments.  Bit by bit the big picture stuff is being worked through, it's just taking time, more time than I could have imagined.

The other day I read  of a teacup tree on http://www.craftygardener.ca.  These tiny crocheted teacups are so cute and so much fun to make.  I'm up to ten so far.  It's a great way to use up small scraps of yarn too.

 

With the chain 11 for the handle I did a slip stitch in the base and then started the bottom.  I looped through the base row and made two dc in each and a slip stitch to join.  It meant an all in one project.

Definitely more of these to be made!

And every now and then, it's nice to daydream of far away places.  With modern technology and views from live cam, it is almost like being there!   I did say almost.   

that's it from this corner....till next time.

Gifted gorgeousness

Jo of Serendipitous Stitching (link on the sidebar) has organized this wonderful  monthly SAL to celebrate crafty gifts sent, received or made.

This is my first time participating, so here goes .....this month it's other than stitching gifts (they're coming) .....

I finally got the hang of hdc and treble crochet stitches and made hearts, lots of hearts.  Fun projects and some have made it to their new homes.

Secret Stitching Sweetheart Blog Hop

 Jo from Serendipitous Stitching has organized this wonderful Valentine's blog hop.

She has randomly given us a sweet Valentine stitching picture from our Secret Stitching Sweetheart.

We then visit Jo's blog to start the blog hop to find out who has our Valentine picture and let them know who we are.  

Here's the picture I've received.  I wonder who this secret stitching sweetheart is????

heart to heart

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

It's been a busy few weeks, more on that later.  For now, Valentine wishes to everyone.

so long January

It has been a very long month.    I thank you for your very kind words.

Bit by bit we are moving forward.   There is no timeline........... yes I know anything beyond a snail's pace is recommended.  

The days are getting longer, so nice!  There are signs of spring outdoors.  Mind you the weather reports suggest cooler weather next week and even a chance of snow.

Knitting and crochet projects are getting done.  This means I'm also using up stash which is always nice.   I'll have some pictures next post.

So now it's onward to February.

soaring with the eagle

This afternoon marked both Dad's birthday and  our family gathering to pay tribute to him.  Our group of four sat graveside to remember Dad. It was in keeping with Dad's wishes that this been small and private.   A large spray of yellow flowers  was placed on a nearby table.  On the smaller table, Dad's urn, a photo of him and mementos to be placed in the vault.

We were lucky to have a dry day but my goodness it was cold.  It seemed appropriate to stay seated (and keep warm).  I had prepared a tribute to read and actually manged to get through most of it just fine.  Laurie, Vanessa and Kevin also spoke.  We then had a toast to Dad (one of his favorite's, Green Tea ginger ale).  We had selected three of Dad's favorite songs to play and at the end of the last song the eagle flew over low then headed north.  It was a fitting sight.

The day was as it should be, we remember you, Don Williams.  You are loved and missed.  We are thankful that you are with Mom and setting your course to sail the heavens together.

And for those of us left behind, we will continue your legacy.  

Moving forward

Things are ok.  Some days present more challenges than others.  There are reasons to smile, to laugh, to remember and to appreciate.

The family gathering for Dad takes place Tuesday afternoon.  We will remember a life lived well, Dad's love of his family and celebrate his birthday.  No good byes, more so till we meet again. Farewell.

We say goodbye

Dad passed away last evening.

There is sadness, some relief knowing Dad no longer has to struggle day to day and peace knowing he is with Mom.

The loss of both of my parents in nine months is too much.   They had a long life together, 64 years in fact.  They had a good run.

And for those of us left behind, we will move forward, one step at a time.

blog changes

Apparently there are changes coming and might impact blogs/bloggers. Have a read:

In 2011, we announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs.

As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.
We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.
We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers.
Posted by Michael Goddard, Software Engineer


On the home front, no changes, we continue day by day.

New day New Year

Happy New Year!  Wishing everyone a very good year.

Thank you for all your kind words.  They mean a lot.  I will get a chance to reply soon.

Meanwhile Dad continues.  Yesterday was the first day I didn't go to the hospital.  As it happened being home allowed for phone calls and new arrangements that were able to be accomplished before the holiday weekend.  Today I will visit Dad at hospice.  It's located across the street from the hospital.

Rather than resolutions I decided on a word for 2016.  Mine is purpose.  Right now my life purpose is changing and me with it.

A couple of weeks ago Dad and I had a conversation with Dad saying "When I go visit Jackie....." and Dad suggested I could just put him in the car and take him....and yes, he was meaning his final trip.    He picks his moments for certain conversations.   This week our conversations have been silent thoughts.  Tuesday I believe he knew we were with him.  In the time since, he has moved further away.

Take time for each other.