HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well we are all stocked up for New Year but the young
people are all going
down town to street party so we old folk will be home alone.
The sky train will probably be running all night and the police will be
also working hard to keep drinking and driving under control

We would love a society without police but it seems we need them
more and more.
Apart from all the snacks that we got,
New Year is usually all sea food in our house.

This year I have a roast beef marinating 48 hours.
I plan to still make the wine leaves and samosas and roast potatoes
but the salmon will have to wait as well as the Coquilles St Jacques
shrimp, calamari, sushi. I wanted to get octopus but it was all from Asia
so I didn't.Maybe I'll find some in another store from Canada or the US.

They had beautiful ocean perch I couldn't resist so I will fry it tonight.
They also have beautiful carp but no one eats it cause it's a bottom cleaner
 and although our lakes are all clean, the pollution is at the bottom and
eaten by fish. This won't change for another 200 years.
 My Mom made carp with tomato sauce.
First she put flour on slices ( we just cut through the whole fish to make about 6 portions,
or you can also cut the fish in half lengthwise and then cut 1 1/2 inch slices from each side
 which made about 12 slices) and fried it, then she fried onions and
made a nice tomato sauce.
She would place the fish pieces in pyrex and cover the fish slices and bake at 350.
Then we let it cool and put it  into the fridge for when we needed it .
It is delicious cold .

We still have fondue, ham to glaze with melted butter honey and corn syrup
and a pork roast with garlic and rosemary but this
 will be too much for just 2 people. So we will just have to make smaller meals
 for when we have more people to eat and hope for the best.

Living on the west coast takes some getting used to .
We always celebrate at midnight
by opening the TV for the count down from New York but here its at 9 PM not midnight.

By the time it is midnight here, no one is awake to celebrate and the TV doesn't  do
 much with the celebrations they have on Vancouver Island.
The best is from Hong Kong NY and
then they show bits from Australia and other countries.
It works for us cause we say Happy New Year at 9 pm and we can go to bed and
the kids can go out or party at home.

I hope every one has a splendid day tomorrow.
I will drink a toast to all my friends on A Lady's Life
so no one will be forgotten.
Hope the New Year is a better year for peace, love, prosperity,
health and friendship world wide.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

xoxoxoxox





 

Irrisistable Bear

This is Bear.
He is a Shiranian, a mix of Shitzu and Pomeranian.

He is such a friendly little pup. He tried to play with my old dogs but they were not in play mood.
They are set in their ways and Bear looked into Beaus eyes so lovingly to try to entice him to play but Beau just slowly wagged his tail to say ya ya ok kid I know. I luv you too but go find a toy or something lol
. Tanya would have nothing to do with him and strutted around with her don't bug me nose up in the air. lol

I made two outfits. One for my Tanya and then another one for Bear and this was his Christmas gift.
Beau didn't get a gift because he went under the tree and sniffed his out and opened the box to pull one chewy out, so we had to hide the gift but he still got a chewy as did the other dogs on Christmas Eve.

Bear did too much partying and he got ill in the middle of the night and the kids were worried sick over him.
I gave him yogurt to calm his stomach which he immediately threw up but I told the kids he still has some good bacteria in him and to give him another spoonful in a few hours.

By morning he was back to his usual jovial self, bouncing around happily, tail wagging a mile a minute and full of kisses.
He has so much character that it is hard not to fall in love with this pup.
Once he was soo happy to see me, he just ran all the way up my body to kiss. I thought gosh, its a good thing he is friendly cause if he wasn't that was some fast move to get into someones' face and totally unexpected. He has absolutely no fear.

Thing is, with this dog , it is  also very hard to see his face but when he was sick his nose jutted out and he looked so miserable, you had to feel for him. Poor little guy.

His Mama is so very proud of her baby. She loves him to bits and outfitted him in Santas' hat and rings with bells on all 4 paws. He looked so cute and jingled every where he went.
It didn't take him long to undress lol

I managed to take a relatively good shot of him to share.
 He is just one adorable little dog.
xoxoxoxox

 ==========================

 Dear Treelanders:

With the holidays upon us I would like to share a personal experience with you about drinking and driving. As you know some of us have had our brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home after a “social event” out with friends.
Well, last night I was out for an evening with friends/clients and had a few to many cocktails, followed by some nice red wine. Feeling a bit “happy”, I still had enough sense to know that…I may be over the limit. That’s when I did something I’ve never done before… I took a cab home!
Sure enough, on the way home there was a police road block, but since I was in a cab they waved it past. Thankfully I arrived home safely without incident.
This was a real relief and surprise because I had never driven a cab before. I don’t know where I got it and now that it’s in my garage I don’t know what to do with it..
Drive safely this holiday season!
 xoxoxox

Happy Holidays

A priest says to his friend, the rabbi, that he has a perfect way of eating for free in restaurants. “I go in at well past 9 o’clock in the evening, eat several courses slowly, linger over coffee, port and a cigar. Come 2 o’clock, as they are clearing everything away, I just keep sitting there until eventually a waiter comes up and asks me to pay. Then I say: ‘I’ve already paid your colleague who has left.’ Because I am a man of the cloth, they take my word for it, and I leave.”

The rabbi is impressed, and says: “Let’s try it together this evening.”

So the priest books them into a restaurant and come2 o’clock they are both still quietly sitting there after a very full meal. Sure enough, a waiter comes over and asks them to pay. The priest just says: “I’ve already paid your colleague who has left.”

And the rabbi adds: “And we are still waiting for the change!”

================================================================

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve.
We began with our presents after midnight.
Santa had visited by then and we finished around 3 am
Then till 6 am we had to chat and play with our toys.

The night just whizzed by.

My husband bought the above cake at one of the Save on Foods
on King George  cause I told him this was one of the best places to buy cakes.

Of course my husband left it to the last moment and there were only three left by the time he got there.
Anyway it was a light and fluffy cheesecake and we enjoyed it.

My supper came out really good with lamb and duck, stuffed wine leaves, glazed carrots , broccoli
mashed potatoes Eggplant spread, fried mushrooms, and tempura zucchini and sweet potatoes, a dish with sliced tomatoes, cheese onions and
cucumbers. I learned not to make salad people have problems with marinades.

My sons' girl friend spent the holiday with us and she was nothing but a pure delight.
We miss not having a girl in our family.

I hope you had a wonderful Eve as well and enjoyed your friends and family
This is the best thing in the world to have around you at this special time of the year.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo




 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 
A big "Thank You" to each and everyone of you, for any impact you had on my life this year. Especially for all the e-mails I received.......without you, I'm sure that 2013 would have been extremely boring.

From my side I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas Season filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.

May 2014 mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love,Happiness and Bright Futures.

And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love.

To those who need money, may your finances overflow

To those who need caring, may you find a good heart

To those who need friends, I am still here for you..
Thanks for being my friend!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE BEST IN 2014

xoxoxox

   

Christmas Life.

Ginger bread and sugar plums all under the tree.
It takes so much work to dress up the tree and to get the toys to join in
the celebration.


















I often wonder why people throw all the toys away because they can
 always be a part of the Christmas spirit to keep child hood in the air.

Like my son, reflected on the gray dog in the back ground and said I remember this dog.
I used to like it.

And the pink Easter bunny appeared on our car roof one day in a basket.
My son never figured out how the Easter Bunny found our car in the parking lot. lol
I don't remember how I got it there without my son seeing me put it there.

When you look at each and every thing it has a history and fond memories which makes it special.

I hope you have treasures at home to celebrate Christmas with.

Mary and Joseph I got a few Christmases ago from my son and so this statue is very special
to him and for me because he gave it to me. I love to display it and look at it knowing where it came from.

Once, a long time ago, we found a kitten on the busy street. It was still very tiny.
So I put it into a brown bag and when we got it home I causally gave it to my oldest son and said here put this into the fridge.

He took the bag and as he was walking to the fridge, he felt the bag moving and a tiny meow.
He stopped and began to examine the bag and as he opened it his eyes grew wide in delight
to see a tiny kitten there. Well he was so happy and we began to take care of it giving it milk and pablum. A kitty got a home that day. Presentation makes all the difference.

xoxoxoxox




 

Ugly Sweaters

The mantle display is nice to look at. and with the candles burning at night,
 it makes it even nicer.

Today we have lots of snow It is wet sticky and heavy
so I guess it will melt soon enough if it doesn't turn to ice tonight.
The big dog loved it and the little dog ran out, got cold feet and
 bolted back into the house.

Was fun to go to work today lol
Soo much traffic every where.

Today was ugly sweater day so the kids were trying to wear Christmas sweaters
to be in style.lol
I don't know why Christmas sweaters are called ugly They are for Christmas only
and so I think they are nice.

I think the top one is very nice Imagine having to make all those squares. Lots of work there. Well have a good one. xoxoxoxoxoxox

Brewin Tea For Santa

The tea is brewin for ol Santa. I hope the snow man doesn't melt.

I don't have any children here but the old children are all
sitting beside the tree looking to see what is under it.

Little by little wrapped things are showing up under it.
Usually I don't put anything until Christmas Eve because I buy during the year
and wrap them and then sit and wait. By the time Christmas comes I forget what is in the packages so it is interesting for me as well.
But this year is different.
My son was the first who was earnest and happy to put things under the tree.
He says he wants it to be a good Christmas this year, so now I have to prepare things
to make it special.
This is the first year the dogs will have presents.
and his girl friend.

I still have to finish making the train as I think they gave up on their project already.
They like what I displayed already.

I found a crochet ginger bread house and I think I will try to make it after Christmas for next year.
This way we don't have to play with icing and its easy to put away.
I find that it  doesn't glue properly and you have to sit playing and waiting till it dries enough to continue.
I also thought to make the porcelain clay and then using that to make the gingerbread house This way it will stay forever. I can make whole villages and it will be special cause its all home made.

I know . Easier to buy. I say that as well but when you make things they get history.
One day when I am blind as a bat people can say she used to be good at this stuff and that's good enough for me.

Have a great day! No jokes today.
xoxoxoxoxoxox




 

Busy Elves

We visited different malls and Santa is working hard with his elves
trying to avoid a Christmas rush , getting all the orders in from good children.

We put our tree up high on a table where I put the gingerbread  houses and
the statue of Mary Joseph and the baby. Now we can say we are celebrating the birthday known as Christ  mass.

Last night my husband and I sat by the tree. He was in a good mood so he played his guitar and I tried my best at the piano playing jingle bells.
I used to have a good voice but since they put a tube into my throat from my sons C section they must have done something to my vocal chords cause I can't sing anymore.
I was not able to talk for a week after that ordeal so now I miss it.

I enjoyed being able to sing all the hymns around this time of year .
I remembered my Motherinlaws bow tie cookies. She made them around Christmas to give all the kids.  I found a web site with a recipe, which also seems to promote mystery books. I think they are offering a free book. It's called

Mystery lovers kitchen

http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/2013/12/Angel-Wings-Italian-Bow-Tie-Cookies-Cleo-Coyle.html

The cookies are easy to make and tasty. You fry them as opposed to baking them.
----------------------------------------------------------
Another recipe for Almond cookies :

1 cup butter, softened
3 1/2 cups plain flour
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
40 whole blanched almonds

Cream the butter and sift together the flour and sugar. Fold the mixture into the butter and stir in the almond extract. Knead gently and set to chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Pinch off lumps of dough about 1 inch in diameter and roll them into balls. Flatten them slightly and press a whole almond into the top of each one.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet for 15 minutes or until they just start to color golden. Cool and then store in an airtight container. Makes about 40 cookies.

xoxoxoxoxo

Men! Gotta Love Em And So Serious Too lol

Men are so funny  .. I had to laugh...


Jay Leno went into the audience to find the most embarrassing first date
that a woman ever had. The winner described her worst first date
experience. There was absolutely no question as to why her tale took the
prize! She said it was midwinter, snowing and quite cold. The guy had
taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

It was a day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and had
never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful, until they
were headed home late that afternoon. They were driving back down the
mountain, when she gradually began to realize that she should not have had
that extra latte!! They were about an hour away from anywhere with a rest
room and in the middle of nowhere!

Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a while.
Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there came a
point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go beside the
road, or it would be the front seat of his car.

They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants
down and started. In the deep snow she didn't have good footing, so she
let her butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion
stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real
gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the
relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation.

Upon finishing however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As she
bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks were
firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen to poles
immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her flesh from the
icy metal.

It was quickly apparent that she had a brand new problem, due to the
extreme cold.

Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humor of the moment, she
answered her date's concerns about 'what is taking so long?' with a reply
that indeed, she was 'freezing her butt off' and in need of some
assistance!

He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater and
then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out laughing. She
too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to compose themselves,
they assessed her dilemma. Obviously, as hysterical as the situation was,
they also were faced with a real problem.

Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the
grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the
predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was only
one way to get her free.

So, as she looked the other way, her first time date proceeded to unzip
his pants and pee her butt off the fender.

As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show prize
hands down. Or perhaps that should be 'pants down'. And you thought your
first date was embarrassing.

Jay Leno's comment:
"This gives a whole new meaning to being pissed off."

Oh and how did the first date turn out? He became her husband and was
sitting next to her on the Leno show. If you laughed at this pass it on.

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Two women friends had gone for a girls' night out.
Both were very faithful and loving wives, however They had gotten
over-enthusiastic on the Bacardi Breezers.

Incredibly drunk and walking home they needed to pee, so they stopped
in the cemetery.

One of them had nothing to wipe with so she thought She would take off
her panties and use them.

Her friend however was wearing a rather expensive Pair of panties and
did not want to ruin them.

She was lucky enough to squat down next to a grave That had a wreath
with a ribbon on it, so she Proceeded to wipe with that.

After the girls did their business, they proceeded to Go home.

The next day, the husband of one of the women was concerned that his
normally sweet and innocent wife was still in bed hung over, So he
phoned the other husband and said:
"These girl nights have got to stop! I'm starting to suspect the worst.
My wife came home with no panties!!"

 "That's nothing," said the other husband, "Mine came back with a card
stuck to her ass that said.....

'From all of us at the Fire Station.
 We'll never forget you.'"

Have a great Day!!

xoxoxoxoxo

Lifes' Blessings

Last night I did another doggy sweater so now
there are two, for two dogs, to be put under the tree.
I might make a bear face for the second one since the dog
it is for is named Bear. lol  Right now it is a simple brown
 with white trim just like the one I made before.

The days just seem to fly by and it is the 12th already.

Another day to think about what to cook.More dishes to wash...
All things I just love to do.
It is so much easier to go to work than to sit and make plans at home.lol

I think it would be nice to have a robot walking around doing the daily house chores.

The beds would be made , the dusting, the vacuuming, the toilets.

That's already a big help right there. 

 

One of the parks here has a Christmas train for the kids every year.

 I think this is a great idea for family outings.

If my kids were still small I would venture out for sure to have a ride on it.

I like to shop at night these days because the city lit up all the streets

with all kind of lights and this gives you a warm feeling.

 

I used to like going to the zoo and we pass by it all the time and I always tell my husband

one of these days we should stop and visit for old times sake.

 

Kids are the most wonderful gifts for parents. No treasure is worth the price of one child.

I would not have liked to miss one day of my childrens' upbringing and I was a very lucky Mom

to have been able to be given the chance to do so.

Very blessed indeed.

Have a good one

 xoxoxoxoxoxo

 ---------------------------------------------------------------

Whilst in China, an American man is very sexually promiscuous and
does not use a condom the entire time he is there. 

A week after arriving back home in the States, he wakes one morning to

find his penis covered with bright green and purple spots.  Horrified, he
immediately goes to see a doctor. The doctor, never having seen
anything like this before, orders some tests and tells the man to
return in two days for the results.

The man returns a couple of days later and the doctor says, "I've
got bad news for you, you've contracted Mongolian VD.  It's very
rare and almost unheard of here in the US,  we know very little about it." 

The man looks a little perplexed and says, "Well, give me a shot or

something and fix me up, Doc". 

The doctor answers, "I'm sorry, there's no known cure.
We're going to have to amputate your penis."

The man screams in horror, "Absolutely not!  I want a second opinion!!!". 

The doctor replies, "Well, it's your choice..  Go ahead, if you want, but
surgery is your only option."

The next day, the man seeks out a Chinese doctor, figuring that
he'll know more about the disease.  The Chinese doctor examines his
penis and proclaims,

"Ah, yes, Mongolian VD.  Vewy ware disease."

The guy says to the doctor, "Yeah, yeah, I already know that, but
what can we do? My American doctor wants to cut off my penis!

The Chinese doctor shakes his head and laughs. "Stupid American docttah,
always want opawate. Make more money dat way.... No need
amputate!". 

 "Oh, thank God!" the man exclaims.

"Yes," says the Chinese doctor,  "Wait two week... Fall off  by itself!"

Crazy Night.

You know when you don't have a schedule to follow,
you lose concept of time.

I finished this doggy coat last night and looked up and it was 2:30 in the morning.
I almost flipped. It took me another 2 hours to stop being happy with myself,
before falling asleep and still later to wake up.
 Small things amuse small minds as they say.
I even have flaps to go around her back legs.

Most of the day I was out with hubby running errands and never once looked at the time.

I wish my knees were able to do sports like skiing or even skating but
 I have to say the only thing that they are good for are taking a sleigh ride
 in fluffy snow, pulled by a rugged ol horse.
I would probably knit a coat for it as well, knowing me.lol

I did find a horse forehead cover pattern and though hmm good to keep
 away flies and yet so beautiful for the horse to wear. But I think it would
 be better sewn out of material.
My friend Teresa would love it for her horses.
 I made 40 things for her when my boys were horseback riding at Langley 204.

Anyway...
I followed no pattern for the above coat and just estimated the size with her body length.
My flowers are again making a debut on this outfit.lol
For shelters though, I don't recommend crocheting. Sewing these things to fit multi
sized dogs
is faster. You could make 20 per day at least.

Here I was swearing off crocheting for a while and here I am being pulled back into it.

Well my pooch will get a present under the tree too now.
 She can't wear her Santa outfit for ever, my son's present to her.
I guess if I wanted to, I could still add more ruffles to it for the girly girl look.

Christmas is a time when family comes together to share peace and love.
Many families will not have that to share as life changes almost as fast as technology.
The only thing we have to keep mankind together is faith that we were put on this planet to learn
to become better people.

I guess that is all one can ask for.
So have a warm peaceful day and be safe out there in blog land.

==============================================
You just gotta love these old Italian guys.

Seven retired Italian  guys were playing poker in the condo
clubhouse when Guido loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his
chest, and drops dead at the table.

Showing respect for their fallen comrade, the other six continue

but standing up.

At the end of the game, Giovanni looks around and asks, "So, who's
agonna' tell his wife?"

They cut the cards. Pasquale picks the low card and has to carry
the news. They tell him to be discreet, be gentle, don't make a bad
situation any worse. "Discreet? I'm the most discreet person you'll ever meet.

Discretion is my middle name. Leave it to me!"

So, Pasquale goes over to the Guido's condo and knocks on the door.

The wife answers through the door and asks what he wants?

Pasquale declares: "Your husband just lost $500 in a poker game and
is afraid to come home."

"Tell him to drop dead!" yells the wife.

"I'll go tell him." says Pasquale.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

My Beauty

I finished this bobble Angel this morning.
I think she is the nicest one I made so far (and 3 D).
This Angel would really be nice as a gift and you could make her skirt longer if you so desired.

I tried finishing her last night but I was too tired to do the wings and halo

Yesterday I made an apple cinnamon cake and I used filo pastry sheets
to fill in layers, with (chopped red pepper, pepperoni, garlic, tomato, mozzarella and cheddar) mixture.
I cut it into pieces as soon as it came out of the oven.
After  it cooled, it was a delicious resemblance of a pizza. Soo tasty.
Who said you need to MAKE dough. lol

My son took our big dog out for a romp in the snow.
He enjoys that and came in smelling fresh and happy.

It is coming down slowly in puffy little flakes this morning.
So peaceful and beautiful to look at.
I think I will enjoy looking at it while I oil my elephant chair for the gingerbread houses.

Beau is kept a watch on so he doesn't help himself to other things in the house.
What a head ache this dog has become.lol

Have a great day!

xoxoxoxoxoxox
 

Hooked on Angels

This is the Dec 8 Angel for my tree.
She was easy to make and did not take much time

I still have to starch them all but maybe I will do this after Christmas

Right now I am just experimenting.
It seems to be my Angel year.

It was not as cold today. The sun was shining.
Tried to steam my floors again but with people walking it's a waste of time so I left it for now.
 If I get up early tomorrow maybe I will do it then.

So now I will enjoy a Christmas movie.

Sleep well y'all.

xoxoxoxox
 

Lacy Angel

This is the new angel I crocheted yesterday
She looks nicer in real life.
She is 4 1/2 inches tall.

It is made in two pieces . The wings are done separately.
I think if two or three different colors was used she would look real nice.
At least her collar would be seen better on pictures.

Well I amaze myself every time I achieve something like this
I never thought I would be able to make things like this.

 

This is my first 3D one She is very small.

Today is still chilly. I got up at 3 am and tried to sleep but to no avail so I got up at 6 am and
began to putter around.

My big old Beau continues to be a nuisance and trouble maker.
You have to watch him all the time or he looks for trouble.

And apart from misplacing my glasses all is well with the world so far today.

Mandela will finally be peacefully laid to rest. He struggled through a long illness.
His life journey was not an easy one but very meaningful for the people of this world.

Well done.

xoxoxoxox

Joy to the world

Christmas is for Children and all the toys come out to play.

I made a little girly sweater for baby about 30 years ago for my first
baby boy and then thought it looks too girly and never finished the sleeves.
So I finished them finally and have to get white ribbons to tie the front with
About time.
For two days I've been busy with gingerbread houses.
My son made one and bought two more kits of a train and 4 little houses.

So I also made 4 little houses and one bigger one, 2 gingerbread men, three Christmas trees,
and a few stars.
It looks so simple to do these things but when you make it from scratch it sure
 is a mess with flour and sugar icing everywhere. This is why I don't like cooking lol
The mess it makes with pots and dishes.

But now I have my own village to decorate, to add to his, on my elephant chair.
It's big enough to put a display on and with a few lights it will look great for Christmas.
I still have the pads to put under the bed sheets from my Mother and these unfolded would make great snow and even mountains can be stapled together. I can even make a tree skirt out of them.

I am behind on my advent candles
They just need a few branches which have to be collected. Yesterday as we were driving,
someone threw a huge branch outside and I was so tempted to pick it up.
Ones mans' garbage is another mans' treasure.

Santa seems to have visited my tree already with two presents. lol Even Tanya got a Santa outfit to keep her warm and God forbid she takes it off cause my son gets mad. He said she is to wear it to keep warm.
Santa can be very demanding and pushy at times. He is really looking to see if people are naughty or nice. lol

I would really like to make a nativity scene but this would require sticks and its too cold to go out looking for them. Home made is the best cause you can relate to it.

Well hope you are all bundled up and warm It is chilly outside.
xoxoxooxox

Wreaths

Had a very full day yesterday
Started the day making three bells for the tree
Then we went shopping
Then I made my eggplant spread which is very good to eat with toast as an appetiser or on a dish with your turkey.

You bake two eggplants. Skin them. Then you add some olive oil to a pan and fry thinly chopped onions and garlic. Then the eggplant , then add shredded carrots and thinly sliced tomatoes. You keep cooking these , while mixing with a wood spoon. I use a fork to mash everything while they cook.
Then I add black pepper and lemon juice for taste and I love the results.


After that I made sure to buy the small sweet pepper which come in red and orange in a pack.
I decided they would look great stuffed and to serve on guests plates. I stuffed them all with mince meat rice carrots celery garlic, onions (all chopped small) and I added a few chopped tomatoes.
I had enough meat stuffing left for 4 more big peppers.
I covered them all with tomato sauce and added some water and let them steam. My husband loves anything stuffed.
They turned out great.

Then I sat down to make wreaths for the front door I made two from the pine and cedar in my yard.
The flowers I had at home so they virtually cost me nothing this year to make.
Just the wreath without decorations cost 14 dollars at the Superstore and it makes me wonder why people would buy when we have so much stuff lying on the floor waiting to be picked up.
 Anyway this was a nights work and by this time I was already very tired but glad they hung outside on the doors. You see one in the picture  above.

At Superstore as I was going in, the police had a guy on the floor they were cuffing. he was screaming Help me !Help me! I didn't do anything!! I just came to the bank and they are arresting me!!

I asked one employee what was going on and she said he is confused.
He thought he was at a bank.
Since the Olympics, Vancouver escorted all these druggies out to Surrey and now every time you go out someone approaches you to ask for money for gas (they have no car) or to bring your buggy to the cart hut so they can take a looney out of it. ( since pan handling is against the law).  You see more
and more brain fried people and yet people like Mayor Ford in Toronto still stands promoting crack and marijuana. Nothing wrong with it he says I'm just a normal guy.

Well maybe he is a normal guy, I don't know. Are we all crack heads out there?
What's normal these days? When you look at the streets it's pretty scary if this is what's normal.
You don't want to see this spreading.

|Helping them financially is not an option cause it goes back into the problem they have.
I am not sure if the government takes care of their social needs by paying the rent and giving them money or cards to buy food so they don't spend on drugs and alcohol.Good way to control the population. Let them fry their brains and then control their money. The Power hungry  Liberals already got a whiff of how getting votes could be fun. Let the people get what they want and we will control what they need.

Superstore used to give 25.00 dollar cards on 200 dollars worth of goods bought but then the people would spend a dollar of it and take back the money so now they have a point system you collect
to buy goods from the store for free after so much is spent. My husband has enough for 40 dollars worth of goods right now. It's good to keep for a rainy day as they say lol

My son went snow boarding and they gave out annual passes on Grouse so even though they decided
there was not enough snow yet to board, they got their passes and will use them I am sure this year lol I told him on the news they said one boy flew off a cliff on his snow board and killed himself, after he just finished telling me it was the safest mountain to board on. Nothing is safe and you need to wear helmets.
When he got home he loved the wreaths and I even got a kiss for making them.
Then he chastised me for the dirty kitchen
I told him to stop being negative like he always tells me. lol
We could go on for hours discussing what negativity really means. lol

Oh well. The night ended with a power failure at 8:30 and then this morning around 8 another power failure.
I hope this is not becoming a habit. There I go being negative  again. Easy to do when the house gets cold. lol
xoxoxoxoxoxooxo

Oh So Funny

This is so funny and so true.
Happens to me all the time.
Makes you think why do it at all?
Simpler to go for buffet and let them choose but
some people don't even like that. lol

Reminds me of the story of the crane who invited the fox to dinner and served food in long necked vases which of course the fox could not eat much from.
The fox invited the crane for dinner and served food in flat plates which of course
the crane could not eat much from because of his long beak.

Hope you enjoy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ginger bread play dough anyone?

http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/2011/12/gingerbread-playdough/

ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp orange extract {optional}

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan whisk together dry ingredients. Next mix in the water, oil, and orange extract and stir until a thick batter is formed. Cook the mixture over low/medium heat until a thick dough forms. Turn out onto parchment paper and knead until smooth. Makes about 2 cups of dough.

The link is great but sometimes they disappear so I put in the ingredients cause they are great for kids
and make great gifts.
xoxoxoxox

Dancer and Prancer Donner and Blitzen

Santas reindeer are warming up to Christmas music.
They are looking forward to Christmas Eve. I am crocheting snow flakes
, bells, and angels to add to my flowers stars and roses I made already.

This Christmas it looks like the tree will have so much stuff on it.
The crochet stuff looks wonderful next to the shiny decorations.
The snowflakes are about one inch so they really look like they just fell from the sky.

All my crocheting really paid off this year.

 I made these in regular wool thread and they came out big like doilies and then with a small hook
and cotton thread, so those came out like snowflakes.
The one on the left I ironed.  It looks flat as a pancake and more like a doily. I won't do that again.

The days go by too fast.
 

 Here is a collage of all the different things I made.
I love the bells the most cause they take 5 min to make.
Then I added the balls under them so they look like they chime.

xoxoxoxoxox

Farewell Adieu

by rex libris 99
I tried playing my piano after so long of not touching it I was level 4 but now have digressed lol
Fingers don't obey have to be retrained.

But I came across this video with sheet music and thought the pictures on it were very nice.

Woke up to a very dull day. It has been raining for two days.
Hard to keep floors clean like this but it sure is a nice day for Crock pot soup which I put a pot on of
for today to keep the boys warmed up.

I had a wonderful Thanks giving at my friends house. We don't see each other much since soccer days are over but its nice to keep the boys friends to keep memories alive.
She has a very tall tree in her living room with white lights and her boys put up their villages
for Christmas.
Coming back the stores were open all night for Black Friday and we could see line ups of people
so we didn't stop. It was already late when we were going home. This is the first time they asked me how much money I had on me crossing the border into the states. I wonder why since people shop with credit cards.

Here at home our stores were packed too. I think every one will be happy this year if they stop fighting over goods.

Hope you all have a nice Saturday.

xoxoxoxoxo

Happy American Thanks giving!!

HAPPY AMERICAN THANKSGIVING

Well I am invited to celebrate American Thanks giving tomorrow.
Today was a productive day.
I got apple cinnamon candles and spray
       and air fresheners and the whole house smells so nice.

This time I am ahead of the crowd.

I found a pattern for a shoulder warmer the lady said took 2 hours to make, using the puff
stitch.
So I got some nice thread but the time was misleading. It took more than two hours.
I was determined to finish, as it is intended for my wonderful friend.
My son modeled it for me and it looked great on him
Then, everything looks great on him.lol
Nice to be young
I got the trimmings to make fresh wreaths for the two front doors
and I also got a box with 4 ginger bread houses.
I told my son if he sees the trains in ginger bread to get them as well, since he is in the Christmas spirit mood.

When I was going to the store for thread I saw many police cars again but no accidents.
It was in an area where they found bodies before, dumped into a ditch.
We have many gangs and the result is death.
So I am thinking that it must be another such incident.
Guess the local papers will let us know.

Have a great day!!
xoxoxoxoxox

 

 

 

My Boy Toys

We have one tree up in the living room
Looks great!!

I am also having a ball with my Shark steam machine
I did the floors, base boards,and walls.
 Steam with no chemicals is wonderful
Also the kitchen oven and micro and stove as well as the wall behind them
the fridge...

I am going wild here. lol

Then I'll have a go in the bathrooms See the magic it will perform there.
It also does windows and mirrors What a pleasure to work with.
I am tuckered out lol

My son washed the floors first but the steamer picked up quite a lot of dirt after the wash.
So you can imagine how hard it is to keep floors clean.

I got a nice wax floor cleaner/ polish for the dining room and that was done as well.
Hope it lasts till Christmas.
Once we pick up in the bedrooms, I will try to steam those and wax them.
You just spray and damp spunge mop. These floors are hungry for wax.

My Bissel is out as well.
I try covering the couches but with cats and dogs it is hopeless They uncover it and now they are dusty so this Bissel does carpets and couches . It will suck away all this dust and give the couches a fresh smell.
I am getting into the Christmas spirit.

All the wood needs pledge or the other liquid lemon polish pledge For this you need a sponge and the wood loves it. and smells so nice.

Slowly things are taking shape.
With my son helping it makes you feel good to do it as well.
Usually we do this for Easter in Spring but my son wants to have a few friends over so
it has to be done.

Bissel and Shark.... my two boy toys. lol

Hope you have a great day.!!!
-----------------------------------------

I was visiting my daughter last week when I asked if I could borrow a newspaper.

"Dad, this is the 21st century," she said.  "We don't waste money on newspapers.   Here, use my iPad."

I can tell you this.  That fly never knew what hit him.

xoxoxxo

Little Drummer Boy

These soldiers remind me of the Christmas song
Little Drummer Boy. I can't stop singing it lol



Many people are going to face book to blog.
I don't do facebook  so I guess I won't be able to comment on their blogs.

Yesterday we went to Target and they had a wonderful sale . All half price on their
Christmas stuff So I broke down and bought a spruce tree and all the trimmings.
This tree will be put in the entrance and the old one in the family room and one outside.
So many new and bright things on display this year.
Maybe cause its a brand new store and people were grabbing as usual , as fast as possible.

Arts had their real trees advertised but no prices.
I have fresh branches from over grown pine trees to cut and will use them to make a wreath and to put around the advent candles and fireplace to give it a fresh pine scent.
No danger of fire this way.

I really enjoyed exploring this new store.
They had a nice spice lazy susal with bottles to fill with spices.
You can set it on your table and people can choose which spices they want on what food they are eating.
I found it to be a great idea.
Will keep my eye on it Maybe I'll get it for Christmas?????

Have a great Saturday!

xoxoxox

Soldiers on Parade

Toy soldiers on parade
I always loved toy soldiers the Christmas tree.
They reminded me that the king had to be protected and honored and he in turn kept the people blessed.
 This was the idea of kings. They had to defend the people, feed them and keep them safe.
In life however it was not always so.
Some kings were good and others were overwhelming.
In todays' world some leaders are good and some overwhelming.

Celebrating Christmas is to celebrate the birth of a different nature.

It is celebrating an idea that man could have charity and love for all mankind and that there also is a
spirit or understanding in every person that knows right from wrong
and not only that.

It also means that as a member of an orderly society, just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Some things in life should not be messed with like for example genetic mutation, adding chemicals to food people have no control over but must eat and putting pollutants in the air and water which kill people..

Yes Christmas is a celebration of a baby sent to us to remind us that man is just a fragile as a new born babe in swaddling clothes lying in a lowly manger.
Swaddling clothing are clothe wrapped around a person and tied with bandages.

Today when kids are born, nurses still wrap them up tight so they feel cozy and warm. There are no laws that say they should do this . It is just an understanding.
Some things never change.
xoxoxoxox

Voices From the Past

Tiss a beautiful day outside and so tiss also a good day to be jolly.
Half of November is over.
Walmart sure has these beautiful  moving reindeer, all in gold
and they had a few nice artificial trees but I guess the prices will go down a bit later.
We also saw stands go up by the highway ready for cut trees.

I remember our neighbor took his tree outside into the street and lit a match
It was dry and burnt almost as fast as a match. Pure magic and scary thinking
what it would be like if this happened in a house.

Not a good idea to let a tree go dry in the house.
It reminds me that in the olden days they always had real candles on a tree.
It must have been very beautiful but also very dangerous.
They were in special containers and also were not to be lit more than 5 minutes.

People still do this sometimes to get the feel of the old Christmas but then they have a fire extinguisher close by.
At the rate the tree burns I don't know if this will help much though

 The gentle voices of the wooden cross boys choir presented  Ave Maria
Always one of my favorite and one I used to sing as well.



Have a good one.

xoxoxoxox

reindeer

Wow this lady has a home made cold cream recipe
Check it out!

http://missfairchildscharmschool.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/my-cold-cream-recipe/

110 gm white beeswax
254 gms oil (mineral, rice bran)
132 gms distilled water
4 gms borax (1 tsp)
perfume

This is really quick to whip up. I measure the oil and beeswax in a disposable plastic container and pop it in the microwave for no more than 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time until all the beeswax is melted. Mix the borax and water in another container and microwave until the water is hot and the borax is dissolved. Then using a whisk mix the water/borax into the oil/beeswax. It will turn white straight away but keep mixing til it starts to cream up. Some people like to use a hand blender for this to make it light and fluffy…but I find the cream is just fine.

It's like Ponds cold cream.

xoxoxox

In Merriment

Today we got the bits and pieces to finish the painting stand at Home Depot.
The employees are so polite and helpful.
They have tons of stuff out for Christmas.

The stand will take small paintings up to real big 6 foot ones.
My husband is taking great pains to make a project out of it when all I asked
was for a few drilled holes lol but it will look like a professional stand.
It would even be good as a display stand.
I was looking at the canvas for the floors used by house painters. So tempted to buy it.
It can be cut and painted on or sewn into stuff. Makes for great aprons, hats,
leggings. Its pretty thick.And using fabric paints can have beautiful original results.

We got our ink for the printer at Staples which was the same price as in the Superstore,
49.00. So now we just have to wait till the old ones are totally empty.

I refilled my croc pot with new ingredients It still has the same bones.
When cold people come inside the house it will be ready to heat them up.

My hat ended up being a fox hat (not coon)with claw mittens
My son keeps trying it on He already has a penguin hat.
Young people love these hats and why not?
They sure are cute and even I like them.

I don't know why Americans have their Thanks giving so late in winter.
Probably cause they have longer summers. It kinda sucks having it be so close
to Christmas though.

If there are any painters out there here is how to make liquid white.
Use portions of half titanium white with half linseed oil or walnut oil to make paint buttery.

Gesso is made up of 2 parts white glue
with two parts of either drywall plaster or talcum powder
and one part water.

Well have another great day!
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." 
 xoxoxoxox

Warm Wishes

Last night was freezing cold.
My son came home from soccer as an icicle.
I hate him breathing this cold air and this is why most of the year he is sick.
Good thing I had croc pot soup at hand. This sure is a savior for weather like this.

Head banging his head didn't help either cause now he has coon eyes.
Soccer is not a safe game and getting the golden boot has consequences
cause now you become a target.

We visited the new Target store.
It was not very full compared to Walmart which always has so many people.
But I can see why.
Pizza at Super Store and Walmart you can buy for 3.49 and Target sells for 4.99
or 5.00 That's a pretty big mark up.
If they want people to buy they have to lower the prices. This is why Sears is closing stores.
Its the best place to shop but expensive.
The Langley store is not so nice but the one in Scottsdale Mall is very pretty
and even has a Starbucks.

We saw this cute griffon/chin at the pet store.
He was adorable, a real kisser, loved cuddles and looked into your eyes.
These are all signs of a good dog.
I wanted to buy him cause he was in the store a long time now but they jacked up the prices so high it's a crime.
They are just pets.
On kijiji they have a lot of false advertisements of dogs for sale
They put this beautiful pic of a pup but no such pup exists. All they want is your money
and they will ship it to you. Ya right.
If you don't see the dog , don't pay for it.

My Sears washing machine keeps breaking. It's digital. I hate digital. Even the
refrigerators are digital and they are so easy to poke your finger through
especially with kids around.

Nothing like the old fashion appliances. They work 30 years without a glitch and are cheaper to buy.
These new cars too are nothing but a pack of trouble  with big  fixing bills to look forward to.
 The mechanics don't want to bother . Instead of fixing they trash and install new.
Not good for the environment, thats for sure.
The digital door on my car broke and only my husband got down on his knees to open the door so it could be fixed and not trashed. Every one else said replace the door. They are not taught to open seized up doors.

The wringer on this washer keeps breaking and it lifts up so the clothes can't be
spun well. My husband fixed it once and now the plastic piece broke and so now he has to go to Sears to see if he can get a new part.
It's only 2 years old.
The machine doesn't like heavy clothing so if you have fleecies ......one per wash.
Most of my clothing is fleecy and my son has tons of hoodies and pants as well.
He's the kind of guy who will never wear the same thing twice. Even towels have to be washed immediately after use. He smells everything before wearing and it has to smell like a princess or it goes into the wash.
So what do you do with a machine that hates to do its' job lol?

Thankfully I still have the old one which I use in emergencies like these and it never complains.
Just plugs along. Pays to buy the refurbished  models for 150.00 than to pay 1000.00 for a new one
which will not work. The new ones are for delicate washes, sorta like what people have become today.
Sensitive delicate creatures, very dependent and needy and temperamental individuals
like what we called SPOILED ROTTEN in my days.
Gees if we showed any of those symptoms, we were shown the what for. lol
No one could claim abuse because it was the same for every one.
So you stopped sniffling and buckled up.

I don't think the new appliances  would care one way or another.
It's not that they are retarded but just that they are not as sensitive to make adjustments
to the type of wash they are expected to do.

I mean you can't tell it for example: Be careful . It's heavy. Or Be careful it is delicate.
It is even a chore to open the machine to stick extra things inside cause it locks.
Every time you play with the computer it can seize up on you and then you have to
wait a day or two for it to reprogram itself. Then it takes a year to finish one load as opposed to the old one where you can do two for the same time sequence.

I also have to get new printer ink. My husband says lets just get a new printer with the ink.
 Its cheaper. There should be laws to protect customers from bad products in view of
also protecting the environment.

WE NEED LOCAL MADE PRODUCTS to obtain accountability and responsibility for what is bought and for what is sold.
The old days were good. People talked to each other and cash was more important than credit.

Well have a good Saturday . I sure am glad the plants are all inside.
Only Beau refuses to come inside. We call him but he runs into the yard to pretend to pee.
Since he got old he behaves weird and wants out every 5 minutes.
Guess he likes his freedom out there.


xoxoxoxoxoxox

Snow men

While strawberries and roses still grow where I live,
 the mountains are full of snow. It will soon be snow man making time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------



from marco8598

Lovely piece to enjoy.

We looked at Christmas trees. The fake white one I wanted is over 200 dollars so forget that.

 This year I would love to have a real tree. The pine smell is incredible to smell inside
the house but it really hurts me to watch the tree bleed, trying to survive.
How cruel to just cut it like that.
One day we will find. that trees have feelings too.

So this year I think we will go to Arts and get a real tree in a pot.
We will put lights on it, water it and keep it outside till Christmas and then bring it in
for a few days and then take it back outside.

It should be fine till spring and then we will plant it outside.

Until then check site this out:

 http://domesticgoddessadventures.blogspot.ca/2009/10/pumpkin-fried-rice.html

I think its a wonderful way to get the best out of the pumpkin and I have so many seeds to plant now too or to dry and eat since we like seeds.
xoxoxoxox

Blessings

 Christmas stuff is coming out. All the Santas and Angels and Mrs Clauses
are getting ready to share all their wonderful toys with boys and girls
all around the world. It will be a very busy night for sure for Santa and his helpers.
There are so many children and more each year, who have been awfully good and
 deserve a present from ol St Nick.

I can't help but go back to the story I grew up with, when this rich old man knew some poor
families and left them a basket on Christmas Eve full of goodies he thought they needed.
No one knew who he was but he did it every year to bring some joy to this world.

I love toys and they always cheer me up to look at. Some you put away and forget about and then
you find them again and they bring back so many memories.

I got myself a raccoon hat and it has  coon claw mittens.
 If we go up into the mountains this Christmas I hope people don't mistake me
 for a coon lol

I am in the process of making a painting stand The one I bought was not very
strong and so easy to break so I found a way to make one using 2x2's
All it needs is a screw and a drill to make holes .
It has holes going up it so you can put any size canvas on it to paint. Big or small,
 it is sure not to break .All you need to do is change the holes with the plugs that
 keep the painting in place.

 I really want to finish the pieces I already started, before Christmas. They have been standing a long time.
 Paintings make a home have a homey feeling to it.
If they are passed from generation to generation this too is wonderful.

Framing a few of them will be my Christmas present.
I thought of making my own frames but they will cost the same in material as it would having it done
professionally so this will be a present to my community to provide a job for someone this Christmas.
Not much to think about there.

The day hasn't decided if it wants to be sunny or cloudy. At least it is not cold like in some places.
The kids are preparing their snow boards and skiis for winter sports.
Parents are hoping they come home safe with no broken legs .
The young get the fun and the old get the worry but then soccer is not that much safer.
Some kids get the same broken bones almost every year.
They don't learn to keep their feet away from kicks but then some players kick on purpose
to hurt another player and you wonder what for.
Are they going to make a million dollars if they win?

It's just a game.

Well I guess time to go back to the kitchen and check the croc pot
Once it boils it will be time to put in the okra potatoes and other veggies.
I still have my little pumpkins to chop up and cook.
Keep forgetting to do that.
 Here is a strawberry recipe you might like to try:

 http://chefinyou.com/2010/09/eggless-strawberry-cake/#432389870

 Blessings till the next time.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Weeping Guitar.

by id raleo
Usually its violins that make you cry.
I still have my Dads guitar and every time I look at it I remember him playing .
Some things stay a part of the family Like their bedroom bureau which still have their pictures on it.
I don't agree with having to get rid of everything when a person departs.
 Its nice to know they are still around I still have my Dads hat. He wore the same one most of his life. His glasses and oil can.
He left his tools for the boys but they are not machine oriented. My husband though loves them.
You can't buy tools like this anymore.
Some things are nice to frame with a picture to show who he was.
The great grand children might like to know.

I transplanted the strawberry babies and they look unhappy Hope they take cause they do have little roots.
We turned the heat off and it wasn't cold in the house It will probably cool off tonight.
The leaves have almost all fallen off the trees.

We got gas today for 1.10 a litre. So we filled up.
Hasn't been that price for a long time.

We stopped by the fiat dealers and the little cars are 30k Are they crazy?
They are the size of mini austins.

The day went by quickly . Took a nice nap in the afternoon so I will probably be up all night.

Have yourself a good evening.

xoxoxoxoxoxo