Durant Illusions Gallery of Artists

Visiting Cincinnati Ohio for a Birthday Celebration

2012-01-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

Frisch's Big Boy

It was excellent going to Cincinnati for a Birthday and not a funeral. My past three visits were for deaths, family and a friend. I was met at the airport by Mom Kathy Dick, my brother Bob, and my sister Jessica. I am the oldest but the smallest. The plane was late getting in. Jessica announced my arrival as I walked through the doorway to the visitors area. Mom was sitting in a row of seats with a large grin on her face stomping her feet. She was wearing a pair of size 3 girls Sketchers with no laces and when you walk they light up with colored LED's. She had to stomp her feet for everyone in the airport as we walked to the car. Lucky it was nearly deserted, and we only passed two people.We would have been in the airport a long time had it been mid day.

Brother Bob, Jessica sitting and Karen in Mom and Bob's back yard.

Jessica, Mom and Karen

Mom's shoes that light up.

The expressions were too funny not to put this photo in.

Karen, cousin Pam, Jessica, Mom, and cousin Eve. At Eve and Randy's house for Sunday lunch.

On Friday's Mom has her hair done at "Shear Image" and then she and Bob go to "Chili Time" so Mom can have the Friday special Fish.

The special.

My salad wasn't so good, Bob finished off his sandwich and onion rings and then Mom tried to get him to eat her fish. I gave them both "what for". This is were the belly comes from, eating all the left overs. Bob was always a good eater. Not like me "Miss Picky". Being a vegetarian with food allergies is a challenge when eating in restaurants.

I like the logo.

Cretan's opened when I was a kid and is still run by the same family. Not much has changed since they opened in the 60's.

Cretan's famous Chili Dog, the food is the same too.

Mom and cousin Eve go to church on Sunday's. I went with them the two Sunday's I was there. The second Sunday was just Mom, Eve and I. After Church Eve suggested going to Mt Adam's. Yes, I lived in Mt Adam's in 1971 or 72 and every time I visit "Cincy" I want to go there, but the driver always misses the turn off and gets frustrated with all the navigators telling him which way to go, so I never get there. I was hopeful we would make it this time, but wouldn't bet on it. As usual we got turned around and ended up at "Coney Island" an amusement park on the River. We sat by the entrance pouring over a map.

We did make it to Mt Adam's, this is the view of downtown Cincinnati.

Rookwood Pottery established in 1880, now a fine restaurant.

One of the old kilns.

The kiln now seats six people, I'm not even sure how to imagine the placement of the pottery when it was used as a kiln.

Kiln patent.

Photo of the potters, hanging on the wall by our table, The place was oozing with history.

Eve and Kathy

My pancakes with chocolate and walnuts. I eat nearly half, Bob finished them off in the backyard sitting around the fire pit.

Eve's sandwich.

Mom's salad and goetta.

Outside fire pit.

Another kiln with low table and circular seating.

The bar. www.therookwood.com

This is just a taste of the photo's I took in Cincinnati. I couldn't put them all in one blog. You will have to wait for the next installment, possible the architectural shots or maybe the streets I roamed as a kid.........

The Procession for Captain Dan Botkin

2012-01-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

People lined the streets as far as you could see and beyond.

January 5TH 2012 was the memorial for Dan Botkin a 29 year old fire fighter from Enderby, fallen in the line of duty. The procession was amazing. People came from the Islands and Alberta to pay their respects. Dignitaries such as Steven Point Lieutenant-Governor were also present. Thank you Dan for all you have done.

The procession heads down Belvedere.

Captain Botkin's last ride.

Dan's helmet.

They kept coming blocks of men and women walking, dressed in their uniforms.

Steve removed his hat and the dogs sat patiently watching sensing the sadness in the air.

Then came the trucks.

Rest in peace.

Enderby's Polar Bear Swim for 2012

2012-01-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

It's a New year 2012. 10:00AM New Years day I walked down to the river by Belvidere Park to see who would participate in Enderby's first, that I know of, Polar Bear Swim. As I got closer, the only signs of something about to happen were balloons placed in strategically along the River Walk leading down to the water. The temperature was -5C and there was a cool breeze.

Patricia Ceck in tie dyed long johns was the organizer of this event. Marc Ferland.

Arriving are the sisters; Adele & Anne Lacoursiere and a female Santa Sylvia Ketterer.

How deep is it?

Watching in anticipation.

The swimmers waiting for the countdown. Dave Poirier, Gayle Hemrich, Anne Lacoursiere, Jette Russell, Adele Lacoursiere, Patricia Ceck, Sylvia Ketterer, Marc Ferland.

The plunge.

Were's my hat?

Refreshing. "That wasn't so bad."

The crowd. "No thanks I'll just watch."

Getting ready for the walk back to the Chamber of Commerce for cookies and a hot drink.

Did I miss all the fun in the water?

All my best wishs to you and yours in the new year to come 2012!

Misfortune In Enderby

2011-12-29T15:02:00.000-08:00

Last night I was awakened suddenly by a noise that sounded like an explosion, this was 4ish. I got out of bed and roamed barefoot from window to window only seeing empty streets. In the morning while walking the dogs on Old Salmon Arm Rd I had to run home to get my camera to take photo's of the guys peeling off the old school roof. While taking the pictures I noticed what looked like smoke or fog from the river. A women walking her dog told me it was a fire and that a volunteer fire fighter had died. My heart goes out to the family of the young man. It's a dangerous job. The fire was on Brickyard Rd at Sperlich Log Construction. I drove to the site and took a few more photo's. It's all over the news but one says he was 25 and another says the firefighter was 29. He was newly married.

You can see the smoke to the left of the photo. The white suits gleamed against the dark of the cliffs.

Smoke was still bellowing out by the time I arrived.

Fire Fighters were still hosing water on the building approximately 5 hours after they thought it was contained .

I drove over to the now empty North Valley Frame Works where Steve once worked on Bass Ave and got this shot. It was close to a number of business's.

I thought about the men still working on the fire knowing one of their own was gone taken by the fire they were still containing. I hope they give themselves time to mourn.

Thank you to all the Fire Fighters, take care.

Log Rolling Dudes?

2011-12-26T11:58:00.000-08:00

Enderby has a newly commissioned sculpture. What is your opinion of this historic depiction of the log rollers of the Shuswap? Please leave a comment. If you click on the photo's they will get bigger for better viewing.

If you look at just the right angle you see very little of the sculpture .

I thought it was a great idea to put the logger dudes on top of the log sign for Belvidere Park.

Check out some of the detail; wire around head for hair.

I don't know who did the sculpture.

Baby Brawn Book Launch

2011-12-10T11:22:00.001-08:00

Theexcitement began as my husband Steve and I walked through the parkinglot of Bastion Elementary School in Salmon Arm. Kids were running toget into the school leaving their parents behind struggling to catchup. We followed the sounds of play through the isles thinking maybewe were going the wrong way. Better ask the friendly pair countingout tickets. “Is this the way to the book signing?” We hadarrived into a gymnasium sectioned off with basket ball games ofhistorical significance. Every corner was a different way of playingbasket ball; from Duck on a Rock, wheelchair basketball to originalbasketball.

Iintroduced myself to writer Wilf Pauls, teacher librarian, andillustrator Cathy Steeves, first grade French immersion teacher atBastion Elementary. Pauls and Steeves were the guiding force behindthe organized chaos that quickly surrounded us. This was the booklaunch for their second book “Baby Brawn Basketball Superstar”.Last year they launched their first book “Baby Brawn HockeySuperstar” both published in Canada by Friesens Corporation.

I reached up as high as I could to get all the foot prints in the shoe size chart. Baby Brawn's print is in the far right hand corner.

Writer Wilf Pauls, illustrator Cathy Steeves

Pauls, Steeves and fan Aspen Ambler

A personal message for Aspen.

They had a size for everyone.

Bigger than life Baby Brawn's Mommy and fans. With historical notes and instructions on games.

The history of basketball.

Important dates in basketball.Add caption

Itwas obvious the kids loved these books and felt pride in knowing theteacher and librarian that produced the books. Lines were forming tobuy books, tee shirts, eat cookies, cakes and to play ball. Smileswere on the faces of parents and kids of all ages as they played,munched basketball cookies and waited for a personal message to bewritten in their books. I bought both books, today I will send themto a special someone on my Christmas list.
Check out Enderby's River Talk
http://www.enderbyrivertalk.com/

Enderby Crafts Fair December 2ND and 3RD at the Seniors Hall

2011-12-03T13:52:00.001-08:00

The Open Air market had a crafts fair at the Seniors Hall this week end. Lots of goodies to eat, a coffee shop in the kitchen and gifts for all.

Tiny wooden shoes.

If you want slippers this is the place to get them!

Bears and aprons for your dish soap.

Jolly

Scarves.

Jillian was busy decorating the front of the Gypsy Bazaar for the downtown festivities.

2011-11-21T16:11:00.001-08:00

Grindrod Hall was busy theevening of November 19TH. The small hall was full of kids andparents all in support of Bekky Crandlemire's new book launching“Raine”.

The book is self publishedthrough Amazon. Bekky spent years thinking about the concept of thebook. When she let go of her preconceived ideas of how she thoughtshe should write, it only took her three month to write the book. Shealso took the photo on the front cover.

Bekky is inspired bybooks, she is an avid reader of fantasy and who done it's. I amlooking forward to getting cozy with this 340 page book, written as afantasy for teens. “Raine is written as two books in the same paperback cover. Book one “Unaware” book two “Unveiled”.

“Raine” is availablein paperback and kindle on Amazon.com. You can get more info onfacebook. Happy reading.

I Have Been Busy

2011-11-12T10:28:00.001-08:00

Karen ready for volunteering at the Gypsy Bazaar, it's interesting talking to the people that come and go. With all the road work on the highway more people are driving by and stopping in to see what it's all about.

I finally got a food dehydrator. I have dehydrated plums, pears, pumpkin and have done some interesting experiments with kale and onions. I love some of the kale chips.

My Favorite so far.

Wash and dried Kale, four large leaves, strip the leaves off the stalk into 2 to 4 inch pieces (5 to 10 cm)
One large radish chopped
presoak 2 tbs sunflower seeds
and 2tbs hemp seeds
juice of one lemon
sunflower oil 1tbs
miso 1 tbs
salt 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Ginger powder 1/2tsp

Put all but kale into blender and make a thin paste. Coat the kale with the blended mixture and place on racks in the dehydrator. Set on a medium heat for two to four hours or until crispy.
Enjoy

Pat's pears were alien like, but I haven't had a tastier pear since.

This looks like something out of a Kristian Adam painting.

Love the fall colors.

Mattie, if you take enough pictures you are sure to get a cute one. Poor guy, it's flea season and he has a sensitivity to fleas. Lots of brushing , vacuuming and washing of doggy bedding. If I'm not home for most of the day he will sleep on my pillow.

We now have three fish. Denis & Linda added their big goldfish to our tank and they all get along just fine.

The Colendula continued to bloom after the frost, I was impressed. Our little square foot gardens were not as productive as we had hoped. We did get some big cabbages, the biggest one I made sauerkraut with. I am pleased with the first attempt, nice carrots, some peas and beans.

The beginning of a great batch of cookies, Lemon Poppy seed.

One of my campaign strategies was to have a booth at the Winter Market. The table was laden with a tray of cookies (Lemon poppy seed painted with poppies using beet root powder for coloring and plum spice) aprons and lots of brochures. November 19TH Vote Karen Durant for Enderby Council.

This is Tom we nick named him "The Smoking Man", he always has a pipe in his hand. We bumped into him as we were waiting for the Remembrance Day service, we were an hour early and had to go home to get warm it was so cold. I asked Tom if I could take a picture of him and his beautiful medals. His answer was sad, "This is the first time I have worn my medals, I didn't like the way I was treated, they treated me better in England." The medals represent the places he had been and how many fronts he had been on. They did look good and had a nice jingle to them. I didn't ask him about his missing bit of ear maybe I should re nick name him "Smokin Tom Cat".

Steve at the Remembrance service.

A beautiful fall day on the bridge, waiting for the runners in the Great Big Run for Africa

Fall river shot. Looking South from the bridge to Mable Lake.

Karen Durant For Enderby Council What Are People Saying About Her

2011-10-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

November 19TH is voting day in Enderby and many Municipalities across BC

I will be running for one of the 6 seat on Enderby Council, with 8 other nominee's.

My vision is to see a Healthy, Clean, Safe and Vibrant Community.

Please use your democratic right as a citizen to VOTE!

So much going on in this picture, do you see the vibrant art community? Do you see the renovations of the downtown businesses. Do you see the trees that line the streets giving shade on a hot day, and holding the rain so vital to life.

I am naturally curious and want to know how people see me, so I asked, this is what they have to say. Some of them you will know others are friends from long ago.

"KarenDurant brings to Enderby the best of "green" livingaspirations combined with practical business experience.

ConsiderKaren for Good Sense, Smart Cents governance."

GreigCrockett, Retired Lawyer

Ifound Karen to be a very organized individual who was able tomotivate others.
She was open to new ideas, shared her ownopinions in an easy-going way and avoided criticism of others.
Inmy opinion Karen would make an excellent councillorbecause of both her past experiences, and her ability to workwith people in a respectful manner.

-- Regina Dalton,Abbotsford (accounts clerk, property manager)

KarenDurant will bring insight, passion and creativity to a council thatis looking to find solutions for community problems. Her awareness ofpolitical, environmental and social issues derives from years ofexperience …. and her individual passion for keeping current onwhat issues are affecting the world on small and large scale. Thisawareness provides the landscape on which she acts for her community.Karen has a great big heart that drives her immense capacity to actfor people.

MichelleNickerson, Wild Salmon advocate

Ihave had the pleasure of working with Karen on a number of projectsand have found her to be well organized competent and a delight towork with. She has the right combination of energy and caringattitude to get things done and done well.

Guy Morazain

InKaren, you the voter, will find a terrific organizer. And to be anorganizer requires listening, planning and finishing; just whatcouncil needs.

BrianLussin , Teacher Store Front School

Iadmire Karen for her courage and good-humour in the face ofdifficulties. Her honest respect for others enables her to speak outin a way that builds community and facilitates creative solutions.

SueStaehli

Directorof Finance and Programs

I enjoy workingwith Karen because she is good at organizing, is friendly with apositive attitude and understands co-operation. She has good ideas,is creative, with a strong sense of community and a broad vision.

Diana Muir[retired Community Nurse ]

Karensupports local, earth-friendly enterprises and encourages creativesolutions to today’s problems.

-NaomiFournier, farmer

Salmon Egg Take At Kingfisher Interpretative Centre

2011-10-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

Approximately 120 people joined the eggtake on October 8TH 2011 hosted by the Kingfisher InterpretiveCentre. We started out about 400m down the road from the Centre. Theyhad a selection of hip waders and float vests for people that neededthem. The smallest size was 7, the kids were too cute as theywaddled along the beach in the large hip waders. After signing waverswe were taken to the other side of the beautiful Shuswap River inaluminum boats. Anyone without proper gear was carried from the boatto dry rocky shore, or went bare foot.

Cody Lewis and Hanna Brooks, Hanna is Neil Brooks daughter so she has been doing the egg take for and long time. Cody started in school caring for the eggs and this is his fourth time with the egg take.

It was a diverse group of people, ofall ages, students from Kal Secondary Students With Out Boarders. www.studentswithoutbordersacademy.comand Harwood elementary. Visitors from Alberta, families and some oldhand seasoned egg takers. The woman running the boat for passengerswas Nicole Troughton, she started at age 4, she now has her Mastersin Marine Biology.

A net was set from a boat, it took twoteams of people. The first team held the net on shore as the boatmoved down river letting out the net. A rope was thrown from the boatto the second team and they pulled it in. The trick was to keep thefloats high and the bottom weighted line low. This was done threetimes.

After accessing the sex, and viabilityof each fish they were taken to their designated places or let go.The males were taken to a water pen were they were milked for theirmilt(sperm). The females were taken to be weighed, measured and havetheir eggs removed. After spawning salmon die, they live to be aboutfour years old. It was not easy for me to watch as the females werebashed over the head and their gills sliced to bleed them. If theyaren't bled the blood would contaminate the eggs.

It was a slow process getting everybodyback across the river, so we could go to the Centre and mix the eggand milt with water and place them in the hatcheries. Most of theeggs are kept at the hatchery but some of the schools will each get30 eggs at the eye stage to care for. The Centre is educating peopleon how to be good stewards of the river. Thirty years ago when thisprogram stared the river was dying and few fish were surviving. NeilBrooks who has been with the Centre from the beginning was pleasedwith the number of fish caught today.

Fourteen females were caught one didn'thave enough eggs and another one was green her eggs were not ripe.The biggest female caught was 18 ½ lbs and 97 cm long.

You can learn more about the Center byvisiting their web site at http://www.kingfishercentre.com/

Rummaging through the hip waders.

The boats arrive, one with the net and the other to ferry people back and forth.

Waiting in turn, the supplies go first.

Neil Brooks explains how to us a tailer. A yellow piece of rope with loops on either end that wraps around the fish tail so you can hang it. I kept hearing people calling for Taylor thinking there were a lot of Taylor's on the beach.

The exoskeleton of an insect.

Setting out the net

Pulling in the net.

Jaki Meeks bringing in the fish.

Egg among the rock.

The net leads your eye to the cage the males were taken too for milting.

Females as they are bleed out, measured and weighed.

Milting the males.

Capturing the eggs.

Emma Miller from Vernon in her size 7 hip waders.

Remnants of the small beating heart that Brooke Meeks held in her hand. The heart was cooking on the fire and was later eaten by a young man, to the grossness of Brooke.

Two teams pulling in the net.

Torrie Nickoles

Another treasure found on the rocky beach, turtle shell.

Neil Fowler weighing fish with Hanna Brooks

Gathering around the male cage.

Salmon roe waiting to be taken to the hatchery.

Neil Brooks helping young Kendra Jones-Munk capture eggs.Kendra was there with Harwood Elementary. The schools have been taking taking part for about 20 years.

group shot.

Emma mixing the egg and the milt of two males.

Milt it does look like milk.

And then the magic of water.

Torrie Nickoles, Julie Leroux, Keenan Carey counting and measuring the eggs.

The hatchery were the magic happens.

www.enderbyrivertalk.com

2011-09-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

QA: Kiss (QualityAssurance: Keep It Simple Stupid)

By Lynda Lancaster

I must admit I had a hardtime with the title of Lynda's book, only because I do not like usingthe word stupid. At the beginning and end of each chapter Lyndawrites, “The more process there is in place, the higher the risk for error”. Reading the book gave me a better insight as to the usageof stupid. It reminded me of the advice I was given from a mechanicwhen I was buying my first vehicle. “If you don't need a four wheeldrive don't buy it, it's just more to maintain and more to brakedown”. Lynda's book has valuable insights as to why we need tosimplify our lives. I loved her stories of the things she did as shewas growing up. You can feel her frustration at being a women in thework force that is geared toward men.

As I was read Lynda's bookI could not decide how to classify it, is it autobiographical, selfhelp or philosophical. It is all of the above. She wrote it for ageneral audience, relating to business or life in general. Lyndafeels it is autobiographical and philosophical.

The inspiration for herbook came out of the frustration with the inability to start up smallbusiness in our time. Technology that is convoluted and complicated.Government boondoggle, wasting tax dollars. All of these thingshinder the ability to entice and nurture the creation of smallbusiness.

This book would bebeneficial to anyone, not just someone starting a business.

I have personally knownLynda for about a year and find her soft spoken, never condescending,warm, giving and interesting, to name a few. One of her bosses gaveher the name of “Dragon Lady”. I asked her how she could becalled Dragon Lady. Lynda was know for taking on projects no one elsewanted, finishing them within budget and exceeding customerexpectation. She got the job done with cooperative team work.Cooperation is the key word, competing against each other is not teamwork.

To conclude Lynda talksabout the value of respect we must have for each other to be moreproductive. To love each other and celebrate our differences. I feelthe need to stress we must “Celebrate our differences”.

“The more process thereis in place, the higher the risk for error.”

www.qakiss.com

BC Rivers Days

2011-09-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

Rivers are our life line, they nurture us, providing the life giving water we cannot live without.They are home to many species of fish, mammals, birds and small organisms. They are used for transportation, recreation, food source, etc. Yet we pollute our rivers with industrial waste, garbage and sewage. Everyday we should be keeping the rivers and lakes clean!

The streets of downtown Enderby are always quiet on a Sunday morning.

Sunday September 25Th 2011 was BC Rivers Day. Lucky for us the rain stopped before we set out for a clean up along the river. River Days is meant to bring awareness to our rivers with a clean up, educational displays and entertainment I had other business in the afternoon so I missed the entertainment

The Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist information sit along the Shuswap River.

The Museum had photo displays, I like this photo of the guy balancing on a chair on a log in the river.! Wish I could see that in real life.

Listening to the speeches of the Mayor Dee Wejr, Area F director and RDNO Chair Herman Halvorson, and Splats'in Councillor Randy Williams or his name is Silleattsa (Two blankets)

The group of cleaners, speakers, and people with information. Mattie the dog even helped by nibbling up any food in his path.(When he wasn't playing with it or running after ducks into the muddy water)

A young Eagle watches the clean up.

What a difference in the size of the river from summers large volumes.

I was happy to see the large pile of junk cleaned up on the other side of the river, it needed a truck. Why do people think it's OK to leave junk on a beach they recreation on?

BC Hydro had a Power Smart Booth. I asked about the controversial Smart Meters. I still have research to do but according to the young women, If you were to stand next to a smart meter over it's 20 year span it would be equal to a 30 minute cell phone call. The meters only send radio frequencies one minute per day.
If you were to have a power outage BC Hydro would know where the outage is from the meters information. You would never again have an estimated bill from BC Hydro. You will be able to go on line and see by the hour how much hydro you are using. So why is it the consumption is high at two in the afternoon when you know you were taking a nap or at work. Think about how old your present meter is, they have not been replaced in a very long time. Would the Smart Meters be more efficient and are they safe? Be informed check it out for yourself.

To The Fields & Foods Harvest Celebration at Green Croft Gardens

2011-09-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Gabriele and Wolf hosted a harvest celebration to thank supporters. Chefs, Producers and Sponsors were invited to promote their businesses. They had Chefs from as far as Victoria. The local Chef from Grindrod, Afka Zonderland with Foods Alive, she specializes in raw foods. From Kelowna they had Dave Kyte, Seasons Harvest and Greg Howell, Hanna's Restaurant. From Victoria Mark Currier Pizzeria Prima Strada.

It was a pleasure touring the gardens, feasting on the raspberries in the fields, playing with the many dogs, and talking to our many new friends. I enjoyed the salads.

That's one big BBQ

Lynn's chocolates, the best and she makes organic chocolate.

Afka's dehydrated treats.

Not only did they have something for the tummy but also something to keep your head warm.

What a beautiful setting for an organic garden.

It was such a beautiful day. I came with a little pink jacket and I took it off and put it on as the sun moved across the sky and the clouds drifted over and around, as long as I was in the sun I was warm.

Garlic drying in a shed.

Love the mini pumpkins.

I feasted on salads.

Pickled beets and goat cheese salad.

Line up for food it was very long.

Helpers scooping out potatoes to be filled with lamb stew.

Wine tasting.

The road was full of cars parked making for one lane traffic. It was a quiet street.

Lots of happy people and dogs enjoyed the feast. Be sure to visit your local farmers market for the freshest foods grown and prepared with love. From the fields to your table. Thank you Gabriele and Wolf!

I.P.E. Parade On a beautiful Saturday Morning

2011-09-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday September the 3rd, Steve and I got up early and drove into Armstrong for the I.P.E. Parade. I only got a few shots of the few floats, bands, people, horses, and many sunflowers. I didn't even get to hear the bag pipe band. We had fun riding in circles just missing each other. Christine brought mint from her garden and we(I) gave it out instead of candy. Kids were lined up along the streets with goody bags waiting for candy. Christine was a big hit on her penny farthing. (When mentioning Penny Farthing someone asked where she was). We also got people asking who 's face is on the May Flowers? Elizabeth May! And we were happy to get an honorable mention in the judging of the parade.

Askews family hippie's going with the theme "Flower Power" Peace Brother!

One of the many bands

Kelowna had a working Pogo with coveralls.

Christine was a hit on her Penny Farthing. Her shoes wouldn't stay on so she had to tie them on, at lest they were green.

The Bee stung smiles on all the faces. No Elizabeth May is not part of her wing, it's really on the back of my bike.

Dave and his sunflowers they were "heavy"

Cop of a different era.

She collects parasols and he loves old cars together it's so lovely.

Pony's and chuck wagons.

Pony's and men in cowboy hats.

The four of us Christine, Steve, Dave and me.

Love the t shirt, one way to a perfect figure, but you are perfect just the way you are.

The honorable mention, and the sunflowers that adorned my helmet, and became my fascinator afterwards for the fair. They were hoping to get in the Guinness book of world records for the most people to were a fascinator. I don't know how they were counting.

Flower Power!

A Mini Wedding Vacation on Pender Island at Poet's Cove

2011-08-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

Aaron and Emily Thursday August 25th 2011 Poets Cove Resort Pender Island, BC.

August 23, 2011 Steve and I packed up the Volvo dropped Mattie off at Pat's, and headed down the road for a Pender Island mini vacation and the Wedding of Aaron and Emily. The sky's were amazing from the Ferry and through out the day's and nights we were there.

A band playing in a mall on Pender Island

Mall Sculpture.

The crystalline Pottery was fascinating.

Goodies I couldn't resist from the bakery.

Deer grazed in and around the Resort with patients for the dogs and people so curious about them

The sun setting on our first evening in Poets Cove.

Water falls above the steam caves. The hot steam felt so good. I loved the echo's in the cave, I couldn't resist the urge to hum only stopping if I thought someone was coming in. It was hypnotic.

Evening view from our Villa. that we shared with Steve's brother Rick.

Breakfast on the deck.

The Wedding was held at cabin #4. It had a large patio area flowing down the hill dropping off into the sea.

The Commissioner for the wedding was a last minute fill in, the women that was going to officiate became ill and could not make it. Loved his English accent. Talk among the friends was how his accent changed making them wonder which area in England he was from. When asked how long he has been a Commissioner the answer 15 gave use the immediate impression of years, but then he said months.

Breanne and Brian

A tender moment with Dad.

The Commissioners mod of transportation.

Brother and sister of the bride Katie and Cameron.

Breanne and Brian

Emily's parents, Alan and Beth. Beth was after my fashion designer sense in her red linen dress.

On the edge.

The Groom. I love the sun ray across the bouquet accentuating Aaron holding the bouquet.

Oh the lovely bride Emily

Traveling all the way from Norway, Grete and Oeivind.

Emily lived with them on a school exchange program.They considered Emily like a daughter.

Is it lucky to have a bird poop on you? That is what they say and after Steve got pooped on everyone told him how lucky he was.

The brides Family. Beth, Alan, Katie, Emile, Aaron, Cameron and his Lovely wife Ilinca

The grooms family. Loralee, Elsie, John, Dorothy, Aaron, Emily, Breanne and Brian

Entrance door.

The bride goes first.

The young chief waiting to create your culinary wish.

Emily ,Breanne, John and Dorothy made the flowers.

View from the docks.

Cabin #4 from the dock.

This is such and interesting rock it was very large, you could make a large salad in any of the bowls if you were so inclined. It looks like an alien if you turn it the other way.

Our villa was on the ground floor.

A quite moment for the bride and groom.

Harbor lights streak in the night shot but the chairs are in there places.

6:00 in the morning and the hot tub steams the glass fence. The wedding is over and we soon set out for our next adventure on our mini vacation.

Shoes Fit For a Wedding Day?

2011-08-29T14:07:00.000-07:00

It all started with the cutest silver baby shoes little two month old Elsie was wearing for Aaron and Emily's wedding.

Brian's size 14 Fluevog's. Comparing my size 6 Tom's.

And the Groom's shoes matched the carpet.

Our Bride Emily at the BBQ.

Mother of the bride.

Steve's comfort with white socks and sandals. At lest I convinced him to get shorter socks.

Lots of blue toes.

He says he runs better in these shoes, or maybe they are gloves for the feet.

Garlic Fest and the Green Party

2011-08-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

Garlic Festival has come and gone, and everyone had a good time. The green Party booth was very visible under our new tent. However the dogs seamed to get the most attention and it was suggested by Susan that I make Mattie a Green Party T shirt. I'm sure I can come up with something. Greig Crockett our Candidate brought his dog a tiny 13 year old Shelty she was very popular.

I had no idea how many types of garlic you can grow until I attended last years Garlic Festival, soft neck, hard neck, Russian and the list goes on.

The sunflower that Dave Poirier grew and donated to the Green Party Thanks Dave

A Festival must have entertainment and this festival had a stage with music, lots of vendors, food and Garlic contests. The garlic eating contest I think should be done away with, I couldn't even watch that one. But I did enter the cooking contest. Everything was provided, not too many rules and no time restriction. I had a handy cap, one of the stoves didn't have enough fuel so I had to go raw.I cubed some bread, and chopped up carrots, patty pan squash, a few green beans, a bit of green onion, garlic, lots of basil, parsley, and sprinkled with oil, garlic vinegar, and salt.I placed four whole tomato's on top to brighten it up. I came in second.

The new tent

My dish, I got photo's after the judges had had their fill.

Chief #4

the winning dish

Cheif #3

The winner Shirley

Cook # 4 she came with her red hat friends.

Cook # 2 self photo."I only entered for the Chocolate!" Yes the prize was Deep Creek Rock Chocolate!( I didn't know what the prize was before I entered. I would have entered the Garlic inspired fashion parade had I known.)

The three of us stayed all day, we were so green.

A tender moment with Steve and the Sunflower.

Next year I can have something for the garlic fashion parade maybe I could, Oh I won't say what I may do for next year I guess you will just have to come and find out.

So Much To Do

2011-08-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

Painting the wall was a huge job. Here it is with the primer done and the coat of paint almost done on the one side. The little fence still needs to be painted but we have some viscous ants that live close to the fence and it is easier to just not do it.

We had 14 peaches on our peach tree this year. I picked the first one and eat it warm from the tree. It was a taste of heaven, sweet juice ran down the side of my mouth as I slowly savored the tasty fruit. Peach trees are not happy here, and this year we had too much rain for their liking.

With our neighbor Jeannette's help Steve and I got the big school table out of the shop and under the tree. The first project under the tree was lunch with Jeannette, Steve made her lunch I made mine. The next project was the canopy of painted clear plastic and sheer white fabric, attached under the tree to keep the debris from falling. Next project getting ready for the fall fairs. Elizabeth May as a Flower.

A clothes line has been hung. I am sure I spent a whole day hanging the line and doing the laundry. Looking at the laundry in the garden from under the tree.

The roots were a bit of a problem for walking around under the tree. I was told if you cover up the roots you will kill the tree, don't want to do that. So I just put some old bricks and sand among the roots in strategics places to help with the walking. I like it and so does Mattie for digging it up.

The garden has been slow and some of it seamed to be growing smaller rather than bigger, but the flowers are happy.

Fairy moss loves my pond, we have to take some out once and awhile it grows so fast. The fish seam to like being in the pond again.

Looking out the shop door into the garden.

Peas, lettuce, nasturtiums, all from the square foot garden

Dragon beans and kale.

Dinner, I have been making a lot of dips with bean base or vegetable base. Last nights dip was kale, basil, lemon juice, sunflower seeds, olive oil, salt, whizzed up in the blender. For bean dips you can use your favorite bean some of my favorites are lentils, pinto, adzuki, you can add lemon juice, tahini, garlic, zucchini, your favorite herbs and spices. Be creative.

Flowers from Jeannette's garden.

Then we have lunch. Blue corn chips, bean dip, green olives stuffed with almonds, daiya nondairy cheese, cilantro. Yummm.

Art in a downtown Enderby window. In the reflection you can see scaffolding for some construction across the street. I didn't have any thing to write down the name of the artist I am sorry.

Punch. I have been making some very good punches with herb teas such as Rooibos, rose petal, rose hip, fresh mint, and fruits just squeezed into the tea. Lemon juice, raspberries, cherries, apricots, not necessarily all at once. A touch of Stevia for sweetening.

One Sunday walk took us under the bridge I was impressed.

Art under the bridge.

After all that a nap anywhere, in any position will do for Mattie

"The Fence"

2011-07-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

Steve's branch fence project leaned against the hay bale fence inside the yard, in the shadow of the peach tree.

Those of you that follow my blog may remember seeing photo's of our fence. The hay bale fence covered with cement and stucco. For months we have been doing prep work to get the fence painted. I have the primer and paint for the first two coats. I don't want to just paint the fence, for me the wall is crying out to be embellished with art. My concept of the fence is to paint it like a stone wall with a stone archway in the center. In the archway I would paint the short history of the fence. I would paint a grid for the rocks and mortar and invite artist to paint a story in a block on the grid. It could be as a picture or written. I would have some blocks just for people to write their names in. In order to paint in a block you must bring a donation of accepted paint, brushes, cookies, fruit, carrots humm that leaves a lot out. I would use tones of stones for all the art work, so from a distance the fence will look like a stone fence, at closer inspection small paintings will imerge form the stones

Karen scraping

The paint first coat will be primer and second coat will be Benjamin Moore & Co, OC-9 Ballet White

Interesting patterns of worn paint.

Before Steve stuccoed.

I will be at the Gypsy bazaar Friday's from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Saturday I hope to finish painting the primer and the first coat of paint. Stop by!

Enderby & District Art Council Art Festival

2011-07-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

Amazing clown bubblies

Saturday July 23, 2011 was the Enderby & District Arts Council Art Festival. Almost everyone I saw was having a good time. Most of the booths and the food were crammed into the Maud St parking lot, that left the booths on Cliff Ave and Belvedere St were sparsely scattered and feeling miss placed. They could have placed all the booths in the blocked off street and avenue and used the parking lot for a parking lot.

Cottages and castles carved out of Cotton Wood Bark

Sparkling glass works

Mr Brown's chairs, some you wouldn't want to sit on, you might not even want to put a drink on them, they are Art Chairs.

Maddy checking it out for comfort.

The juggler and the smoking man~'~

Maddy modeling my latest creation tiny blue top hat.

Glen Mitchell. Not only does he dance the dance he makes the costumes, you can see them at the Enderby & District Museum at 901 George Street July 16-Aug 7, 2011

Ladies of the Museum dressed in their finest hats and period costumes.

The young band "Clavious" Music in the streets

Love the slogan.

It was a long line to the face painting booth.

The wait was worth it.

Caricature in cartoons

Naomi in her finest period dress, perfect.

The man in the small felt hat checking out the amazing felt booth.

All made of felted wool

Karen and her companion Maddy, Matty the little dog came to mix things up. "Are you talking to me?"

http://enderbyartscouncil.com/

http://enderbymuseum.ca/
www.metaldreamdesign.com

Life Goes Open

2011-07-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today The Enderby Arts Council is putting on an Arts Festival. I hope I get some good photo's for the blog. They will be closing off the streets, I love festivals with street closures.

On July 20TH Steve and our neighbor's Pat and Jeannette and I drove out to the Caravan Farm for an evening of outdoor Theater. Very well done, Most of the costumes were good but a few were rather odd. The first challenge was who's car to go in. Since Pat's wheel chair didn't fit in any of our cars Pat drove us all in her van.
The first stage was a walk up a steep hill at the Gazebo stage. Pat was shuttled to the sight. The audience surrounded the gazebo stage for the first 15 minutes of the play and then we all walked down a wood chip path to the forest stage. The forest stage was just that a forest of great depth and enchantment with lots of hiding places, raven puppets, sounds of the forest and moving plants. People at the top of the bleachers had the best view. We all enjoyed the evening from the start, with it's scenic drive through the back roads, to the funny antics of modern day players of an old Play "A Midsummer Night's Dream". With all the rain we have been having we were lucky it didn't start to rain till we were all heading back to out cars. Check out the web sight for Caravan Farm Theater and Farmers Market.
http://www.caravanfarmtheatre.com/

Yesterday I helped out at the Gypsy Bazaar all day. I finally got new business cards, I don't really have a business so maybe I should call them my information cards. I replaced all the old white outed and pen printed phone numbered cards with the new ones( I use the cards on my garments as sale tags). I vacuumed and changed the window display, helped customers. It looks good and just about ready for the Art Show, Uh ready or not....

Part of last nights dinner

the flower head of a garlic, they had to sit on the porch the pungent aroma of the garlic was a bit much on the kitchen table

Yet another project that has been hard to get to due to rain, etc, the fence is now clean and patched ready to paint.

Steve had to do the shopping at the Farmers market since I was working, he picked up some lovely carrots, zucchini and beans. I made a quick dinner of carrots and beans topped with earth balance and blue corn chips topped with green olives stuffed with garlic, hemp seeds, red onion tops and Daiya no soy, no dairy cheese. YUMMMMM....

Mini Maker Faire Vancouver

2011-06-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

June 25TH Steve and I walked throught Vancouver's Mini Makers Faire with Yolanda. How interesting and creative were the people and creations being shown. One guy had a bracelet with his heart beat in it. It was a bit creepy but his idea was to have Lady Gaga's heart beat in the bracelet, or some other well known person. I could see that it could have other applications, like comfort for a premature baby.

A lot of wheels were present in the form of bikes with tubular lights, electric cars and stations for plugging them in, carts for bikes, giant wheels with heads. Lights were everywhere also, in hats, stuffed toys, bikes, funny cones with faces that would light up as you moved around them, a women with puppet like hands in a dark corner, of the warehouse of darkness.

The art work on the containers was interesting. I have a fascination with containers, and ways to live in them, underground.

Electric car.

Fire ant. A lot of recycling going on.

Beautiful furniture by Meredith Nicole .

Hands on workshops.

Bikes with a message, I was so busy trying to take the photo I didn't get the message.

Pedal power, this could go backwards and turn with team work! It also had a sound system.

What a great idea.

Model of a station for electric cars.

The hose to plug your electric car into.

The band was fun and roving.

Loved the marbles.

If you get the chance to go to a Makers Faire you will find it fascinating.

Just a few of the links from people at the Faire.

meredithnicole.com
www.rachaelashe.com
www.makerhub.com
museumofvancouver.ca
www.plushonmain.com
sassycontessa.etsy.com
mky100.com
http://thehackery.ca
www.norburnrc.com
http://hackspace.ca/cycel
www.polymathdesignlab.com
www.creativetechnology.org
www.pointloccus.com
queenbeeluxuries.com
www.davidsuzuki.org/whatsinside

2011-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

How did you spend your Fathers Day? One thing we couldn't do was phone or visit with our Dads. My Dad has been gone for awhile and Steve's Dad recently passed at the age of 90. They were on our minds and in our hearts as the influential men in our lives.

My booth with the Smart as a table for display and the canopy holding the clothing rack.

What we did do was have a booth at the Caravan Farm Market out in farm country. They also have a Theater which will be starting in July, something I must experience.

I added to my booth aprons for men and hats, work hats and a most lovely blue cotton hat with a bee on top. They all went nicely with the skirts, hankies, wings and wood creations.

Next to me is the Garlic Lady, and she has many tasty treats

Tina Hawkins is from Enderby, good music.

Our favorite bread.

The preferred chocolate in her organic selection

A lot of families enjoyed the wagon rides having a beautiful setting .

The boys just hang-in.

The garlic booth is not just about garlic.

Little girls were walking around with pink or green up do's.

recycled skate boards turned into belt buckles and folding pipes.

A little country golf?

More music with "Runaway Lane" and another great Sunday. What will next Sunday bring?

On a Fine Sunday

2011-06-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

Most days start out with breakfast then a walk with Matty. Our neighbors have beautiful gardens, the sights and smells can be heavenly.
Each time we walk we see something new or now blooming. This Sunday Steve was out playing golf while we walked around town.

Yellow roses

With the beautiful gardens we also get the ugly highway work. We haven't had sidewalks on the highway for a long time. It will be so good to have the work done and the dust settled. Please get it done!

Cat encounter. The cat was meowing loudly from this doorway.

River Walk

The water is high and moving swiftly.

Steve arrived home about the same time as Matty and I. We planned on going to The Caravan Farmers Market and then off to Vernon for some grocery shopping. It's a beautiful drive to the market and we purchased bread, and apricot cake, Ginger beer with roasted garlic, and organic chocolate.

Ushie told us about the Run Away Moon Peony Tea, but we were on our way to Vernon. The traffic was so bad at Armstrong we decided to go to the

tea. Good choice!

The cake was good and very sweet.

They have a puppet museum from the ten years of shows. Wonderful puppets.

Entertainment scheduale

From the Puppet Museum you walked into the room with the food, silent auction , hat decorating, and seedy art.

One Camel Short

For a donation you could cut your own peonies.

The entertainment was fun and we were happy to have arrived early parking was on a kilometer long road.

Home, as Steve snoozed on the deck with Matty I walked into the workshop and made a discovery.

Looking through the dirty window I found white roses were blooming behind the shop, where no one walks.

Our purchases and discoveries of the day

Trees in our yard

Our square foot garden, and the pond

I can't believe how many quince are growing on this tree.

Barrel to collect rain water. We have one more to set up

Old gardens have old weeds and old sad trees.
The pleasure in the treasures to be found of color and scent make up for all the hard work.

Our Sunday finished off as the clouds slowly rolled in and the rain came.

A fine Sunday it was.

www.caravanfarmtheatre.com

Edith Mary Essex

2011-06-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

With a postal strike just beginning, I thought it would be fitting, to tell you about Edith Mary Essex, a once country

Postmistress from Cedarvale BC

In January of 1996 I wrote this article for "The Interior News" It was published in the February 7, 1996 addition.

"Fond memories of a country postmistress"

The country postmistress. I received a letter today from Edith Essex's Homemaker. Reading the Kitwanga address I knew that Edith Essex had died. I couldn't wait to see what was in that letter, hoping I was wrong. My daughter and I lived in Cedarvale for the summer of 1984. We met Edith then and have been corresponding ever since. I loaned her my Agatha Christie mysteries and she gave me advice on how to raise my daughter and told me not to worry. For the past few Christmases as I get to her address in my address book I wonder if she will still be with us. The letter would be sent in hopes that she would receive it. It was always hard to decipher Edith's letters, I very much enjoyed trying. The last letter I received from Edith was Christmas of 94, In the card she wrote a P. S. "Did you think I would still be here this Xmas?" Inside the envelope from Anne the homemaker was a brief message saying that Edith had passed away on January 19Th. She also sent back the last letter I had sent to Edith Opened. She had received my letter although she didn't remember who Karen was.

Edith Mary Essex was born in Liverpool England on June 28, 1906. The family moved to Cedarvale BC in 1913. To get to Cedarvale you must take a train or drive the long dusty road west from Kitwanga. At one time you could take a ferry across the river. At the age of 14 Edith started working as the assistant Postmaster in her fathers post office and general store. She walked the two miles to work six days a week until she was 87, rarely missing a day. She became the Postmistress in 1942 and was retired in 1971. She continued to work as Postmistress for Rick Freeman until 1993.

Perhaps three or four years ago you had taken the train West and as the train came close to Cedarvale the conductor told you about Edith. She would be standing in the door way of her store waving. She never failed and it made you smile and feel good to wave back. If you had driven there the road would have taken you over the tracks and right to Edith's store.

"Store" was all it said on the little log cabin by the tracks. Every time I went into that store I saw something different. She had advertising from the 40's I'm sure. I loved going in just to look. Off to the right was the post office, to the left was the store and in the back of the store she had a wood stove for heat and a place to rest or drink tea, have a meal, pour over seed catalogues and save post marks. She had no running water, and no power at the store. On a wall in the back hung a plaque that Canada Post presented in 1989 for her dedication and years of work. At the ceremony the Heritage Club gave her a gold watch. She wrote to me and asked if I had seen her on TV? They televised the ceremony held on her 83rd birthday, and Edith was thrilled.

In 1993 Edith was nominated for the Silver Postmark. At that time Edith was the longest serving Postmistress in Canada, and she possible still is. One of the criteria was that she had to be an employee and she had already retired.

True Edith was dedicated to her work but she did have a life outside the "Store". She owned a property next to her brother, and loved her cats, dogs and garden. Edith published two books of poetry "Old Love Letters and Other Poems" and "Rhymes of a Country Postmistress". She was the director of the Meanskinisht Village Historical Association and felt it was a shame that the Cedarvale people took no interest.

What will happen to the "Store" and the history of Edith Essex?

A selection from "Rhymes of A country Postmistress" by Edith Essex.

At the tiny post office in Cedarvale
The place were people call for mail
It was inspection day and you may guess
The post office was in an awful mess.
Parcels scattered on the floor
Mail bags stacked by the door.
Magazines and papers belonging to self
Piled up haphazard on the shelf
Piled up unread since the Christmas rush
Only needing a little push
To join the parcels on the floor
and the mail bags by the door.
"Oh ! dear me"' to myself I said
And I expect my face was red.
"Have the place as neat as a pin
And nary an Inspector will never drop in".
The examining Postmaster was very kind
To my faults I know he was not blind.
As he patently said, "Bring your Manual up-to-date.
Do you understand how to fill out Form three eight?
C.O.D. parcels you must not hold
No matter what hard luck tales you are told".
Inspection over. It didn't take long
And I pile the parcels where they belong.
The empty mail bags go out to the train
To be put into service once again.
Like to know what he wrote in the visitors Book?
As soon as I can sneak a look.
For neatness This office would not be a winner
Financials and inspection Good, signed A. J. Penner.

The back cover of "Rhymes of A Country Postmistress"

Edith Mary Essex

Tamarack Villa Newly Found Old Friends

2011-05-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Recently I have become reacquainted with one of the first friends I have had since moving to Canada. Back in 1973 when the trains were on strike and the only other mode of transportation left for us were hitchhiking, Greyhound and walking. We stayed in Hostels, road sides, campgrounds and cheap hotels. By the time we reached Terrace BC on our treck across Canada from Cincinnati Ohio, we were down from three to Rudy and I. Rudy looked up his friend Louis who was now living and working in a place called Kwinitsa with Barb and two very young children. Kwinitsa was 51.5 Km East of Prince Rupert. It was just a train stop and very isolated on a treacherous piece of highway 16. The building is now in Prince Rupert as a museum piece on the water front.

It was so exciting seeing Barb at the April seed swap in Enderby. She is now living on acreage between Grindrod and Salmon Arm. She and her husband Don run a B&B called Tamarack Villa.

One of my new friends invited me to a girls brunch at Barbs. I was looking forward to this for a month. As it turned out non of the girls were able to make it so Steve, our new friends Jillian and Ben and I had a wonderful Sunday waffle feast and a walk along some of the many paths at the Tamarack Villa.
The Villa has magnificent views, lovely rooms and I must say my kind of place. Music was present everywhere. The living room had a beautiful antique piano and an organ, the basement had a piano, the study had keyboards. and in many corners would be propped up in cases guitars and banjos.

Friendships, you can't have too many.

What a beautiful day it was.

Karen and Barb 1973 Kwinitsa BC

The driveway into the Tamarack Villa off Timms rd

The house

The beginning of one of the many beautiful trails

Jillian and Ben on the trail

wild orchids

Morels

The view from the large deck

Einstein loved posing for the camera

The Grape Vine room, one of four rooms you could stay in. This one had a private bathroom.

I would recommend the Tamarack Villa next time your up or down this way. It's beautiful, comfortable, relaxing, good food, and great friends. You never know who you might meet along the way.
http://www.museumofnorthernbc.com/pages/05kwinitsa/05index.html
www.tamarackvilla.com

Vote

2011-05-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

Fulton Secondary Students from the Global Education Class in Vernon, spent three weeks in Nicaragua. We were so pleased to have them in our office this past week considering their travels. The youth are our future and they were very enthusiastic, with a good knowledge of our political system. We had them making buttons, mainstreeting and listening to our lectures on water, fish, respect, voting importance, their future, economy. The Students that came on Friday were able to meet our Green Party Candidate Greig Crockett. They hit the streets with Greig and all had a great time, with a lot of positive feed back. Thank you to all the students that participated!

Buttons the students made

Students and our volunteer Michelle

The cutting machine, it's a little scary at first.

Get out and VOTE no excuses!

72 Hour Photo Project

2011-04-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

I was invited to the 72 Hour Photo Project on Face book. It was a challenge getting a photo every hour. The photo's were taken March 25, 26 and 27. Earth hour was March 26.

Starting the day off with Buddy our neighbour and Matty chewing the cat. When you call the dogs it's just Muddy!

Steve is off to visit his Dad in Abbotsford

Lots of computing.

The other week end project, mud and sand (3X) the wall that had been a doorway into the bathroom from the closet.

Sweeping in the shoes that Matty ate, I am wearing them as I type

Walking home from the Farmers Market wearing a fuzzy sweater, love that bread.

Getting ready to paint, the mirror must come off.

Dust masks make my face angry red, A bandanna doesn't bother me at all.

Dinning with the dogs.

Playing with the dogs in the back yard and getting some fresh air.

Matty and Karen's favorite snack.

Relaxing with the Nature of Things.

bed time and Matty is at my feet.

Just walking the dog, when he isn't sniffing every bush...

The top of Stanley St

Karen's favorite, a no no for Matty

More paint prep, I've decided the chipped painted bath tub is shabby sheik

munching a yam chip.

Beans and a root salad

Must be visible when you are walking the dog.

Earth hour.

Wake up!

It has been so long since I made pancakes.

Painting, it took three coats of paint and it is still a touch green.

Steve's man cave. The basement.

The popcorn bowl.

Putting all the parts back, I have had enough of painting in the bathroom.

No more door.

Steve organizing his Cd's

Dusting off the photo's to get ready for the Art Social.

Yam and beet stew yummm!

The Cliffs and the rainbow

The last thing to place and now we can see my funny face.

The Art Social

2011-04-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

Mattie after the party was over he flaked out from all the excitment, and possable droppings of food.

Molly brought Daffodils

Carrot ginger soup was on, chips were hovering in the bowl ready to be dipped into the hummus, punch was cold with pinapple cocanut Rooibos, cookies were sticky to the plate, art was hung. Folks started arriving.

We had art all over the house including the newly painted bathroom with a new low flush toilet

Art in the hall

Art in the livingroom

Steve's sky painting adding new dimentions to the kitchen

Trading cards. Our neihbour Lewis Zanleou, Greig Crokett our Green Party Candidate, and Don Richmond

Greg Crockett and Molly Bell doing a mock interview with an air mic.

The flowers from Karen's Endless Bloomes

Eleven people showed up to admire the art, network and eat great food. Barb brought cinnamon buns which went into the oven right away, but once they came out they didn't last long I think it was the hint of Almond. Greig was answering questions and being gentle on his throat, he has done a lot of talking lately and has a lot more to do.

It's funny how a party will end up in one room, at one point we were all gathered in the kitchen around the stove and around the table. It was a good day, and I will sleep well tonight. Tomorrow I go to Vernon to do my volunteer job for the Green Party. Green's need a voice in Parlamont please give use that voice by voting Green. Or just don't vote and nothing will change.

If you were wondering how the sale went for our porch fund, the fund ended up in the toilet. We traded a painting for labour to put in the new toilet. I can cross that off my wish list, and we are saving on water! Thank you Jason.

http://www.okshuswapgreens.ca/

Depression and an Art Sale Social

2011-03-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

March has been a month of disasters for many. Japan is heavy in my heart, hero's working for the greater good at the cost of their own lives. Why we are still as humans at war as our planet grows smaller with the expectation of 7 billion people by the end of the year. The depression I felt the day of the Super Moon was over whelming. The moon itself was exciting, dashed by cloud cover. When we moved into this small old house Steve would be working at and office but his job has gone and other work has replaced “the Job”. We find ourselves needing an office for Steve and a sewing Room for me, and the computers, my computers his computers. Too much stuff, too much stuff to do is bogging me down in this small old house. Perspective stops as if going down stairs with no rail to hang on to, we have a “home”.
As I walk my morning walk, stepping around the dog droppings, I let the disasters and the smell of smoke and mold from the snows melt, fall away. The sight of snow drops blooming, budding trees, Herons souring above my head squawking their prehistoric language, sweet modulations of song birds in the tree tops all heighten my senses. We have survived the winter and the signs of spring shake the depression as the rain will wash away the winters dust.

Art Sale Social

Steve and Karen have been collecting and making art for years.

Their small house is bursting at the seams

the art is on walls and stored in the attic room.

They need more room to breath and money to fix the back porch.

Place-800 Stanley Ave Enderby BC

Date-Sunday April 3, 2011

Time-12:00 noon to 5:00PM

Refreshments lovingly served

(You are welcome to bring treats)

In attendance from 3PM to 5PM will be our new

Green Party Candidate Greig Crockett

come meet Greig and his Wife Connie,

get to know the man we plan on making our next MP

Parking. We have a driveway on Stanley Ave and one on Sicamus St.

There is no parking in front of our house on Stanley Ave,

there is parking on the 700 block of Stanley and on Sicamus St.

Call Karen at 250-838-9581 for more information