Mackie Lake House

Finally April 15TH 2012 Steve and I were taken to the Mackie Lake House. We had heard about Artist in residencs, but had no idea what an amazing and beautiful heritage house this is. Our neighbor Jeanette Palmer's sister was to be the artist in residents.  We had also heard a lot about Jeanette's sister Joyce Devlin and admired the large painting in Jeanette's living room painted by her sister.

View from below the house

View for the birds

Mackie Lake House 7804 Kidston Road Coldstream, BC. Ronald Buchanan, a business man from Montreal  commissioned architect Robert Findley to build the house in 1910. In 1987 the house was recognized as a heritage site. The last resident was Patrick (Paddy) F. Mackie, he bequeathed the house to the Mackie Lake House Foundation and they have been taking great care of the house as Patrick Mackie did when he lived. The house is in it's original state and has many treasured items displayed as if in a living museum.  You feel the art and care that went into the spaces with a sense of creativity and happy times. Many good feelings in this house.

Front door knocker

Loved this sitting room. Joyce sat in the chair on the left, I sat on the sofa looking at her portfolios, I came to a picture of sunflowers and she told the story of the women who bought the painting. Joyce received a call from a woman asking if she had any paintings of fish. Joyce said "Yes it's about 18 feet long." silence fell on the conversation, before long the woman said"I'll have a truck come round for it."

This cabinet was in the sitting room and looks to be as old as the house with many treasured items inside.

This is a self portrait of Joyce, she said "Oh those are old."  This is one of the many paintings that belong to the Mackie Lake House. It was a painting that Joyce gave to Patrick Mackie long ago.

The old curios cabinet with watches and a reflection of Joyce and Jeanette's  cousin sitting in a chair, much like a painting you might see in the house.  

I love glass and the windows were copacetic.

Mantle in the dining room

Jeanette is a certified flower judge, this is the flower arrangement she brought for the "Artist Reception".

Linen napkins and old china were a few of the little details that gave the experience life. My plate of goodies.

I puzzled over the construction of this beautiful banister. 

Joyce Devlin from Ottawa and her younger sister Jeanette Palmer from Enderby, just down the road from us.

Screened in porch and what a view.

It was wonderful to finally get to the Mackie Lake House.

You can visit the Vernon Public Art Gallery to see Joyce Devlin,s work and visit Joyce Devlin Mackie Lake House  at the Mackie lake house web site to learn more about Joyce and Mackie Lake House.

Random busyness

I was honored to be the community emcee for the Enderby Rick Hansen End of Day ceremonies on April 3RD, It was a good day. Looking up Cliff Ave.

Today is Good Friday,  Steve and I were busy in the yard when the sun came out this afternoon. From some of the branches we cut down last week we made a tepee for the squash and beans maybe some nasturtiums too. The neighbor up the road had music blasting, I think I would rather him blast music than the guy on the other side of town who loves to rev up his all terrain for hours. Bye Bye Miss American Pie........

The big bowl waiting patiently for the day we have the energy to turn it over. 

Yesterday I made two skirt patterns medium and large from the small I had made. This morning I  cut out two skirts and sewed up a front. The sun and yard called after lunch and the sewing was set aside for tomorrow.

This is the orchard that Chris and Yolanda gave Steve for Christmas  in  2009. I took this with  a friends camera, it makes it fuzzy on the sides. That orchid has been the best bloomer.

Last week when we were cutting and hacking in the yard I collected some willow branches and Oregon Grape for an arrangement in my giant brandy snifter, placing shells in the bottom. The willows are growing and the Oregon Grape is blooming.  I used my friends camera on this photo also. I like that feature. 

In the midst of all this I have been going to meetings for things like Open Air Market, Toastmasters, organizing a Mini Food Fair for the Green Party's AGM, Vitalization of Enderby, walking the dog, smart meter protest, random busyness, with a creative flare.

Toastmasters Area 33 Speech and Evaluation Contest

March 27Th Enderby Toastmasters hosted an area 33 Speech and Evaluation contest. We had two speakers from Enderby and two speakers from Armstrong. It's always good to see what the other clubs are doing and how we are all progressing. The Armstrong group was very active. Our test speaker was from Vernon Nell, she gave the speech that was to be evaluated by 5 people who were judged on their evaluations.

Our four speech contestants. Karen Durant Enderby second place, Marjorie Harris Armstrong first place, Doug Main Enderby, Susan Giguere Armstrong.

Winners of the evaluation contest Marjorie Harris second place, Sheila Proctor Armstrong First place and Heather Fournier  Enderby Third place.

It was an evening of many topics, Spring Cleaning, Kathy's pink canvas stomping Shoe's, Favorite drug, the importance of Bee's and the dangers of plastic's. The audience was challenged, humored, and inspired. 35 people was crowded in the Enderby Museum. The treats looked good but I never eat before I speak, people seamed to be going for the homemade treats.
Coming in second place I could go on to the next level of competition which is in Nelson. The problem is I am triple booked that weekend, what to do....... what to do...........

How Does Enderby Score When It Comes To Wheel Chair Accessibility?

Councillor Raquel Knust, Councillor Greg McCune, Pat Weston and Abby Parelich in front of the Pharmacy Post office. The door has a button to press for automatic opening but you can not reach it in a wheel chair.

To Put wheel chair accessibility to the test Mayor Howie Cyr, and Councillor's Beryl Ludwig, Raquel Knust,   and Greg McCune were organized by Abby Parelich, to spend time in a wheel chair. When I heard about this I called my friend Pat Weston, who has been in a wheel chair for longer than I have known her. She came to watch them for a laugh and ended up being very helpful with advise. 

 We started at City Hall, the first problem was getting in.

Beryl Ludwig , this is the so called wheel chair accessible door into city hall.  If it's not locked, it is hard to open, she spent a long time opening the door.

Heading down the street in front of the burnt out "Little City Fashions" Beryl was stuck again, this time by the  brick work in the side walk.

Rick Hansen Logo's painted on the windows of merchants who made donations. Painted by Heather Edwards.

Mayor Howie Cyr stuck on a curb.

Raquel pushing Beryl around. 

Pat in her chair with the 5TH wheel, which makes a big difference in getting around. Mattie loves Pat and just wanted to be in her lap.

What was it like being in a wheel chair, Howie was panting from exertion, Greg could not get into the pharmacy, we all had to look at getting around town in a different way.

 I can not have Pat over for dinner with all the steps to get into the house. When the weather is better for outside fare, or we find the money to rebuild the porch. What can you do?

IODE Women Dedicated to A Better Canada

Today is St Patrick's day and I can not believe how big the snow flakes were this morning. One hit me in the eye and nearly knocked me over.

What did you do today? I went to the Shamrock Tea put on by the women of the IODE that is “Imperial Order Daughter's of the Empire”, “Women dedicated to a better Canada”. The Enderby chapter known as “Lambly's Landing” help fund raise for education and community services. Some of the places they help with funding are “Parkview Place” Health care unit, “A.L Fortune” High School, “Family place”, and they have a program called “Baby think it over”. The group has 30 lifelike baby dolls that they loan to schools in Vernon, Enderby, Sicamous and Salmon Arm, this gives teens an understanding of how much work it is to care for a baby.

Over 50 people were in attendance. Nancy Wilson past President handed out certificates starting with a Memorial certificate for Dan Botkin, our fallen firefighter and a bursary cheque which was excepted by our fire chief Kevin Alstad. Joyce Mayes was given a certificate for ten years service, she is also the new President. Audry Bogart said she has been waiting a year for her certificate of 60 years of service. Really she has been waiting 60 years.

They served up coffee, tea, sandwiches and sweets. One of the long tables was crowded with Red Hatter's giggling and having a wonderful time. It being St Patrick's Day among the red and purple they had Green. If you thought red and purple was extravagant the addition of green was too much hilarity. I'll take that back you can never have too much hilarity.  

Joyce Mayes greeted you at your table, Joyce is a hard worker, I first met her at "Twice But Nice" Enderby's second hand store. She is the new President for IODE Lumbly's Landing.

Rick Wilson, playing his heart. He didn't know any Irish gigs so he played a  few Christmas carols. 

The door prizes.

Jean Andrews and Jeanette.

Red Hatter's with a touch of green, from left around to right Lois, Donna, Ellen, Miss Kitty, Barb, Vickie, Sherry, Sonia, Cathy and Jeanette

Sweets, dates, peanuts, butter, lemon........

Sandwiches. 

Joyce Mayes, Nancy Wilson and Kevin Alstad Enderby's Fire Chief.

Joyce Mayes ten years and the new President, Navy Wilson past president, Audrey Bogart 60 years.

One of the thirty life like dolls for loan to schools.


These women are hard at work helping to make the lives other others better. Keep up the good work and thank you .

Art's Council Celebration of 20 Years

Today March 10, 2012 I attended the Enderby & District Arts Councils Celebration of 20 years. Julia Armstrong's harp music greeted me as I walked into the Senors Center. Around the room was art, art of many mediums, done by all ages.

Jeanette Martin was happy to take memberships, Steve and I are now members. The pictures were done by A.L. Fortune students.

The cake was pretty! A celebration isn't complete with out a cake. 

A thirst quenching punch.

I loved the Foot Penguins from the kids at the Schihiya School

We were entertained by the Popoleka Balkan Choir

Stephanie Nakagawa, Soprano & Joni Chan piano, well done performance. Karen's Endless Blooms provided the flowers and plants.

Howard Brown 2012 "When a Chair Goes Bad".

Chest with Painting 

Marc Ferland with his guitar shaped chest

Julia Armstrong with the Harp she built.

Julia and her harp with Marc's chest and Beverly Mitchell's button blanket in background.

"Sticks & Stones Pottery" Sue Saloka the presentation pieces.

Thank you to all the busy folks who put this on and I wish the Art's council many more productive years.

Enderby Arts Council Web page

Trials of Family Portraiture with Dog & Glasses

I love to get pictures at the end of the year from my friends and loved ones who live far away. School pictures, vacation pictures, funny pictures. One of my goals each year is to send my friends and family a photo collage or a family portrait. 2011 we fastened the camera on a tripod and set the timer, as I ran back and forth from camera to sofa, husband and dog. With my poor vision and a small  viewer on my digital we take a lot of photo's. I had a clothing change not realizing I wouldn't like the first or second session. The biggest trial was the dog, Mattie, getting him to look at the camera and not us. Steve's glasses were also a challenge.

This was a good shot we both liked it, but Steve's glasses are reflecting the light from the window.

Mattie contemplating his toes, and I didn't set the timer.

Steve was instructed to hold his head so his glasses wouldn't reflect  light, he moved his head and Mattie  thought it was a good time for kisses. 

That tongue is faster than a speeding bullet. 

Steve,"How long do I have to hold this smile?" Mattie "What is that smell , it's coming from down there?"

Holding up Mattie's head looked funny with all those arms and hands.

Oops, I was so busy smiling at the camera, I pinched Mattie's nose!

Big sneeze. We tried closing the curtains and it helped with the reflections in Steve's glasses, but then it was too dark.

In the end I cropped the arms out of the best picture and this is what we  sent our  family and friends.