rained out

13

2011-09-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

So...this week I became the parent of a teenager. Aidan turned 13, started high school, and, strangely enough, I seem to be the only one stressed out about it. He's just fine. Which is sort of how parenting goes for me most of the time.

To celebrate Aidan's 13th birthday, a few things were in order.

First, we had to get a little goofy. Get it? Goofy? Never mind. (I just had to take a little trip down memory lane.)

Second, a celebratory breakfast of Eggs Benedict. Eggs Benny is my speciality. Come on over for brunch and I'll prove it.

Presents. He got stuff. Boy stuff. Books and games that mostly involve maiming and killing. I kinda miss the days when I could buy him Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder.

Then I had a nap. And he hung out and then we went for dinner, all of which I didn't take pictures of. But I did get pictures of the cake. Mustard, relish and ketchup and all.

Don't you think every 13 year old boy should have a hamburger cake? Surprisingly, it tasted really good and not at all like ground beef. Thanks Thriftys.

And thanks Aidan, for being such an epic son. For 13 years.

rolling into fall

2011-09-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

A quickie run down on a few of the events of the last couple weeks. I baked. You know that thing where you put ingredients in a bowl and mix them up and then put them in the oven? I did that 3 times this week. My family isn't sure who I am or what I've done with their wife/mother.

Penny learned how to swim. Until two weeks ago our Labrador couldn't swim. She was a bit of a weirdo. But we've been taking advantage of the new off leash dog park at Invermere Beach (which by the way, is just so awesome) and Penny learned to swim from the other dogs.

Like her friend Bonnie. Good dog, Bonnie! Way to teach Penny to swim. If Penny was at all appreciative she would have let you have the ball.

Good dog Bonnie. Let me come and throw that ball for you.

Here we have Katie, Erica, Bonnie, and Calvin, all enjoying the water. The dark blob waay out there is my new swimmer. Good dog Penny.

After swimming with dogs a girl needs a healthy and refreshing drink. I think they both had Swampwater. Nothing beats a Swampwater brain freeze.

We all went out for dinner to Montana's. You know how you get a cardboard ship when you order a Pirate Pack at White Spot? Katie was horrified when her meal came to the table in a cardboard pick up truck. Driven by a deer and a moose. Not dignified for a 10 year old. Well, really not dignified for anyone. Where I grew up, pick up trucks were not something you thought of when considering your meal presentation. They were the vehicle you drove in to go kill your food.

We shopped for school supplies. This is a big school year. Katie is going into grade 5 and has big plans for herself academically. She also has outfits picked out for the next month.

Aidan is starting high school. High school y'all. He is totally ready to go. I'm sure I'll be ready for him to go when he's...20 - or 25.

Look - off he goes with his buds - he's the tall one, go figure. Things that have already been learned about high school? Get on the right bus, and get off at the school. Or when you notice other students getting off the bus. I called Aidan today and asked how school was. "Umm, funny story" he says.

Aidan learned that you get homework the very first day of classes. Isn't he studious? He gets that from me.

Aidan also learned that you should not make assumptions about things in high school. Like whether you'll like your teachers or not, or whether you'll find your classes. Or whether your locker will have a door.

miracle beach

2011-08-30T21:33:00.000-07:00

Last week was some hard core camping action at Miracle Beach. It was grey and cloudy, but luckily we had the warmth of our toasty rented trailer. I didn't really take a lot of photos- unlike a few years ago.

Look at our little home away from home, all kitted out for us, including a rubber ducky in the bathtub and the beds all made up and fresh towels. You know the thing about trailers? None of the beds are long enough for anyone over 5'9". As I'm married to a 6'6" man and have a 6" tall almost 13 year old, Katie and I had to maneuver around alot of feet sticking off the ends of beds on the way to the loo at night.

Check out Katie taking in nature and the great outdoors. In case you're wondering she was watching a movie on her ITouch while playing solitare, drinking pop and eating Doritos. I think she saw a tree out the window. Maybe a bird or two flew by. Nothing like communing with nature. I know all about it.

We spent some time at the beach. It's such a beautiful spot, but it was cold and not quite the sun basking I had imagined.

Still, never too cold and wet for cartwheels and flips.

And sand naps.

My best day was a trip into Campbell River. We did some back to school shopping and walked out onto the pier. I've always wanted to go out there, and I'd love to go back and fish off it.

You can rent fishing rods and sit up on these awesome chairs...I wonder if you could arrange a haircut at the same time?

But at the end of the day camping is really all about the campfire, the hot dog roasting and marshmallows. And S'mores. Why didn't I take photos of the S'mores?

sneeks

2011-08-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

It rained one day on our camping trip and Katie and I needed a little retail therapy to cheer us up.
We bought runners. I thought our picks were subtle and understated.

I'm also aware that one pant leg is missing - it's the angle. Don't look.

Am I the only person who loves back to school shopping?

And by the way - if you're checking in with my blog, would you hit "like" (even if you don't like it!) or leave me a little comment? My stats show people are stopping by, but I don't know who...it would make me happy.

Love you, over and out.

fishy

2011-08-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

My brother and sister and their lovely families were here this week. I love seeing my sibs, sibs-in-law and especially my nieces and wished they lived closer. We had family photos done while they were here and I can't wait to get them back from Neil at Vivid Photography. This is a snap we took for fun - no one fell out of the tree either.

My brother Tommy (I don't think anyone but Val and I call him Tommy anymore) brought his boat down. For those of you that don't know my little bro, he likes to kill stuff. Elk, deer, sheep, but mostly fish. Lots and lots of fish. The only pictures I have of my beautiful nieces without a dead fish are ones I take myself. He's a serious fisherman. Serious.

While he was down a whole lotta fishing went on. Unfortunately I had to work, so missed a lot of it. We popped out one night for a quick boat ride just down the road. It was a beautiful, fabulous night. There's my baby brother. See any family resemblance?

We headed out to Rocky Point. It was like glass.

See Grandma Jean on her deck? She's waving. Which reminds me...my grandparents lived on the shore of Okanogan Lake and my grandpa used to go out in his boat fishing. When lunch was ready my grandma would hang orange towels over the railing to let him know it was time to come in. But I digress.

So many jet trails in the sky. Do you ever think about hundreds of people going by overhead watching movies and drinking cocktails?

Red sky at night. Aidan caught a small Pink salmon, but he chucked it back because it was just under size. The next day he, his Uncle Tom and grandma went out to the Alberni Inlet. They were out the door at 5:00 am. Apparently it was a lovely day, but a crappy day for fishing. I wasn't there, and it would be all wrong for me to post pictures I didn't take...

(Grandma Jean took this one - don't tell). Aidan caught the only fish of the day, which was big enough for dinner. Days after this there were some 20ish pounders caught, but we were off camping by then. Yup. Camping. Wait and see.

two weeks ago

2011-08-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

I'm behind about 3 blogs. Aidan, who is my biggest blog fan and probably my only reader (maybe because I go months between updates - but have you noticed I'm getting better?) has been putting the pressure on for me keep up.

So I've got to go back two weekends.

Dinner at Sharon and Gerald's. A a great night out with good friends - fabulous food, lots of wine and fun conversation.

The girls always have fun together - they've been friends since before they were born. Check out the ice cream sundaes! Don't you think there's something seriously weird about neon gummy worms?

Aidan stayed home, but Auntie Sharon sent home salmon, potato salad and fruit pizza, so he was all good. It's hard to be the oldest of the kid crowd and the only boy.

I got up early the next day and headed to Campbell River for work. But I missed the pirates. Apparently pirates get up even earlier than me.

Still it was a gorgeous morning, pirates or no pirates.

No pirates here either. Pretty sure.

On Sunday we moved the kids rooms around. Aidan has made the traditional pre-high school move to the darkest depths of the basement and now has a teen age man cave. I may never see that part of the house again. It scares me.

We also organized Katie's playroom - she now has a place for everything. We'll see how long everything stays in it's place. I know she'll make sure it stays nice. She's a tidy gal...OK, I lie, she's not. It will all go horribly wrong and I'll never get the hours I spent organizing this room back. I'll be picking the beads and Barbie shoes out of the Polly Pocket clothes box and crying before September.

Car washing! It started well. Aidan was on the job. Soaping, scrubbing, waxing.

Spraying.

Still spraying.

I'm so proud. He takes his job so seriously.

2011-08-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Katie completed her singing workshop at Headliners this afternoon. What a bunch of rock stars! All of the kids did so great. After only 5 days of camp there is a performance where they each do a solo and a number of group songs. They pick out their own music and get to sing with professional musicians.

Instructor Doug Dodd always does such a great job of making the kids feel comfortable and it's awesome to see the development of the students each summer (this is Katie's 2nd year). Alexandria Maillot was the guest instructor (the tall girl across the drums from Kate) and Katie loved meeting a real movie actress and singer/songwriter (she even knows Oprah!).

What a fun summer.

I'd post pictures of the 4 13ish year old boys in the back room right now gorfing down pizza, but they won't let me in with a camera, and frankly, they frighten me...kinda like aliens - they're tall and gangly and speak a language I can't understand.

Oh - did I mention Katie gets her singing talent from me? She's lucky that way.

two weeks of random photos

2011-08-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

I've been fighting a migraine for three days now, so this is a bit of a quick and groggy post. Mostly some photos from the past few weeks.

I've been trying to bond with my camera again and I think I'm starting to feel the love.

Speaking of love, I love daisies. Love.

We've done quite a bit of beachy dog walking lately. Penny loves a walk, but what she really likes is to roll in the seaweed. Eww.

After dropping Katie at camp, Aidan and I went to Russell's farm market and bought a gorgeous flat of raspberries. We made a batch of raspberry jelly. We also made a batch of blueberry jam. Epic, epic fail. Anybody like blueberry pancake syrup? Cause I got some.

Katie went to Camp Qwanoes last week. She had the best time ever. I was so impressed with the way that all 320 kids are welcomed. It was fun to watch the 6 buses arriving from the ferry - they were greeted with fireworks and fanfare.

Qwanoes has 75 activities and is the Disneyland of summer camps. the accommodations, however are a little...rustic. Katie was anxious to get an upper bunk because she had heard about the Norwalk from two weeks ago and didn't want anyone to upchuck on her from above. Luckily she did get a top bunk, and luckily the Norwalk was over...

It was an anxious week for us - we didn't hear from Katie until Tuesday - when the camp doctor called to tell us she had been hit in the face with a spinning carousel. Apparently it didn't slow her down, but I was glad to pick her up on Friday.

She had a great time! Made lots of friends, tried new things, and was so pleased with her first week at camp.

She looked happy, healthy and fit.

Except for this...

More random flowers...petals on my mom's deck.

Saw a couple of random vintage vehicles on the way to camp - fun to play around with Photoshop.

I would love to own this car.

The rest of the weekend was filled with summer fun. It's finally warm enough to use the pool! What a bruiser, eh?

Some Stratego was played. We had a houseful of Hoys - both Colin and Bree hung out a good part of the weekend.

Bree and Katie had a runaway ball - rolled at least a block before they could catch up with it. I had visions of a multi car accident while they chased it down the street.

Yup, summer's finally here. It's all good. Except for the migraine. And the black eyes.

the sun will come out...tomorrow.

2011-07-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week! Lots of special events...

Tonight Katie played the part of Miss Hannigan in the Arts Alive production of Annie. She was an excellent coffee addicted mean floozy.

Really mean to poor Annie. While still being cute as pie. Really, really cute.

Many quick changes were necessary to allow her to be an orphan for the musical numbers. Lipstick on, lipstick off. High heels on, high heels off.

That's my girl! Timbits, coffee, and a housecoat. What more could a girl want? She did great, and we are really proud of her!

Jamie and I attended Dorothy's retirement party last Friday. It had a polka dot theme. Here's a picture of the decorating, because there will be no pictures of the party posted as I don't want to put any public servants in a compromising position. It was a fabulous party and a great time was had by all. I thought my speech was particularly brilliant.

Grandma Mary had a birthday last week - which meant a lovely family barbecue.

Salmon, ribs, corn, salads - it was a feast, and the sun was even shining!

Katie and Bonnie enjoyed some watermelon. Aidan enjoyed two or three of everything, but wouldn't let me take his picture.

Cousins taking a break.

I took a stroll through the garden and greenhouse and found tomatoes almost ready. I also found a bounty of raspberries that the girls cleared out.

And this great sign being ignored - I used a filter and really like the result.

The best thing about birthdays (besides the cake) are presents! Mary loves dogs - so a mug that says "Only My Dog Understands Me" seems fitting.

And now it's the long weekend! The sun is supposed to shine, Katie is off to Camp Qwanoes on Sunday and I plan to do a lot of painting. Also sister and cousins here for the week, and a trip to Port Hardy next weekend. And only a two day work week coming up!!

Harry Potter!

2011-07-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we were up bright and early to catch the long awaited Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. OMG - as Aidan said - pure epicness. I'll say no more about that - don't want to be a spoiler. Getting ready for this movie was not as simple as putting on our shoes and going - we had to make sure that those that hadn't read book 7 had finished it, and that all of the movies up to this one were watched again in a two week movie marathon.

I started thinking about Harry and once I started I really couldn't stop uploading pictures. Feel free to move on to something else at any time. I won't mind. Only a bit.

Some of you may remember this Harry Potter from 2007.

Awww.

Quite skilled magically too.

Look - he turned his sister into a miserable looking cat.

We have all sorts of important magic stuff around our house. Our own Sorting Hat. I think Katie's Hufflepuff - or maybe Slytherin - it depends on the day.

We have a Nimbus 2000. It was a gift from Grandma Mary who clearly was not concerned about flying related head injuries.

Aidan has Harry and Dobby on his Xbox profile. Harry doesn't have glasses because Aidan ran out of points....

No end of Harry Potter Lego.

Both Katie and Aidan have their own wands from Olivander's Wand shop. Everyone needs a wand. I think.

Which brings me to Hogwarts and Hogsmead Village - Orlando style. In May we headed off to Disney World and Universal Studios where we visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I would tell you about the Forbidden Journey, except I was too busy trying not to upchuck to pay attention to details...

We drank Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. I'm aware I look like I've had one mug too many.

It was oddly like liquid butterscotch candy.

The Weasly car - still in crash mode.

Honey Dukes candy store.

We bought Bertie Bot's Every Flavoured Beans and Chocolate Frogs.

I didn't see Hagrid in his hut.

It was just like England in the winter - only 38 degrees.

Are you still awake?

I remember the sun...

2011-07-11T21:48:00.000-07:00

Took a walk on the waterfront a week or so ago when the sun was shining and life wasn't so grey. My sister Val, niece Samantha, Katie and I headed for Penny's Palapa's and ice cream...

Kate's fave? A scoop of bubble gum and a scoop of rainbow sherbet. Ick.

Out on the pier a lady pulled in a huge starfish instead of crabs. I've never seen one so big. She told us never to touch a starfish as they are loaded with salmonella...who knew?

The harbour was full of boats training for the Dragonboat Festival, which was last weekend.

And the little ferry busily went back and forth to Newcastle.

I know this is blurry - but I love the colours.

There have been tons of small sailboats out - left over from the Cutty Sark Snake Island Regatta - I'm guessing.

I love this candy store - candy from all over the world and chandeliers too. One of the few places I can get Necco wafers. They have lots of candy and sprinkle options for the top of your ice cream, too...

It was busy down on the waterfront, walkers, runners, people doing Tai Chi, people walking dogs, and a lady taking her hedgehog for a walk.

It feels like it's fall and I'm remembering summer. Bloody rain.

here we go again...

2011-07-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

So...someone who loves me has challenged me to 2 blogs a week for the next two months. Considering I haven't blogged since Valentine's Day I'm a bit concerned about this new commitment. Wish me luck, because it's a busy life!

So...random photos - in no particular order.

Aidan completed elementary school this month. It was a wonderful clebration, the kids are all so proud of their achievements and connected to each other after 7 years in the same class. They had speeches, a wonderful slide show, dance and pizza and then let balloons go to signify the end of one journey and the beginning of another. I may have shed a tear or two.

And a final band concert. The tall guitarist in the back middle is mine. Their band won top honours on Vancouver Island for Junior Band.

Gal pal trip to see Wicked. Ritzy cocktails at the Fairmont wine bar, wonderful play, then beer and oysters at the Olive and Anchor in Horshoe Bay while waiting for the ferry to go home. So fun.

http://www.wickedthemusical.com/videos/

All over downtown the plywood covering the broken windows from the riots were full of grafiti.

Katie turned 10 in June. Another giant bowing party.

I can't believe my baby is 10 and my boy is going to high school.

Been trying to reconnect with my cameras after a long hiatus. I've done much better in the past few weeks taking photos, which is good considering how crazy busy it's been with work and kid stuff.

A fabulous thing that has happened is the opening of an off leash dog beach just a few minutes from our house. It's amazing to be able to take Penny for a run and a swim to such a beautiful place with no fences. I took the kids and Penny down on Sunday. Above is Katie and her friend Jensen.

Lots of ball throwing - Penny will chase a ball until she drops. She ended up very salty and seaweedy. West coast dog that she is!

Oh, happy dog!

See ya all in a couple days. I'll be here. A challenge is a challenge.

hearts and flowers

2011-02-13T21:06:00.000-08:00

Total camera malfunctions this week. AND it's an epic fail for my Project 365. But still trying to take lots of shots and to haul the camera along.

Took a walk on the Cable Bay Trail yesterday. First walk for Penny off-leash. I know this picture is horrible, but seriously, have you ever seen a happier dog? She had the best time, stayed close and didn't bark at anyone. She was a good dog. A stinky, dirty dog that ran through all the puddles and mud, but a good dog.

And she had a little swim once we got to the bottom. No sea lions down there, thank goodness. So far Penny can't really actually swim - she runs in up to her neck and then heads back to shore. What kind of a lab is that?

Cables in the beach. Not sure what they used to moor. Hence "cable bay", I guess. I'd like to know what they were used for.

Big excitement this week! Justin Beiber's 3-D movie was out. I am forever grateful to Breanna's mom Karen for taking 4 star struck tweens for makeovers and the movie. The girls cried and so did she - but for different reasons. Big disapointment tho' - the 3-D glasses were supposed to be purple.

Valentine's Day! My bracelet has a lovely new bead and Katie's friends got Harry Potter valentines. For Aidan it was a school dance. Chocolates and cake for all of us!

I had my birthday this week. Mom gave me some freesias and tulips. Freesias are my all time favourite flower. I love the way they look and smell. I had fun taking pictures of them and it reminded me that it's time to start snapping the bulbs. If only we could get some sun.

Speaking of sun - 6 weeks til I'm in the Carribean sun!! Starting to plan out our days. Sightseeing or beaching? Shopping or swimming? Snorkling or whale watching? I can't wait!

tonight's Sunday, but tomorrow's Monday

2011-01-23T19:50:00.000-08:00

Sunday night. Last week was a long one. Lots of work for all of us - how is it that sometimes life feels like a never ending list of tasks? Work, and homework, and gymnastics, guitar lessons, skating, hip hop, quick dinners and not as much clean up as there should be! Thank goodness for weekends.

I've had some fun playing with new photography apps for my IPhone. This is my fave right now, - Instagram.

Still plugging away at Project 365. But not much time for good or creative photos. Case in point - a quick snap of my desk at the end of a long work day. Just can't wait to get back there tomorrow morning. Really. Seriously. I'm not kidding. Much.

Aidan's being doing these fun assignments at school. Creating posters and comic books in french. If he put the same effort into his french as he does on his drawings he would be bi-lingual by now. Above, he's working on the Ultimate Destroyer, not sure what that is in french. Also not sure what he is supposed to ultimately destroy.

Friday was my flex day. No work, so it was off to the gym to be tortured by my trainer Sue from Island Summit Fitness - who I also forced to pose for my project. But I followed that up with a fun lunch with Trisha, who filled me in on the details of her family trip to Thailand.

Two trips to the dog park on the weekend. Chucking balls followed by a good hosing off at home, because it's muddy out there! Tried out the new off-leash area at Diver's Lake and was pleased to find not another soul there, so Penny didn't have to fight for her ball. We usually take 2 or 3 balls to the dog park and leave with none. Thank goodness for 3 balls for a buck at the Dollar Store!

I made roast beef and mashed potatoes for dinner last night. Man food! (Sue - this was NOT my plate). In addition to comfort food, I fortified myself for the week ahead with a Twilight triple feature. Twilight is my secret sin - don't tell anyone. And if you're wondering? Edward, not Jacob.

eat, drink, laugh and read - in that order.

2011-01-16T21:39:00.000-08:00

This week was our book club book picking night. It's my favourite night each year. Kind of like Christmas, unwrapping all our shiny new reads for the year. I think it's going to be a great year!

Oh, and Janik? I really, really want that cake recipe. Really. Delicious.

Below is our list. Read along!

The Girl in the Green Raincoat
Laura Lippman

Annabel
Kathleen Winter

Room
Emma Donoghue

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Jonathan Safran Foer

Secret Daughter
Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Every Man Dies Alone
Hans Fallada

The Help
Kathryn Stockett

Island Beneath the Sea
Isabel Allende

Rescue
Anita Shreve

3 random days

2011-01-12T20:03:00.000-08:00

Some random and not-so great shots over the past few days. To try and give myself some inspiration during my 365 project, I'm also going to do a monthly photo scavenger hunt, which I've done before and always find to be fun.

This shot is for the scavenger hunt - "ring". Katie's grandma gave her a new jewelry box and filled it with bling. My girl loves some bling.

For the past couple of days we anxiously awaited last night's snowfall. Nothing gets us west coasters more pumped than a big old dump of snow. And that's what we got, complete with a school snow day. Unfortunately it melted so fast today there wasn't much opportunity for tobogganing.

But Katie and I did get out for a nice walk. We headed down to the beach, but the tide was really high and swells were huge. We then wandered over to grandma's and shovelled her driveway.

I felt quite justified in my long nap after that! Back to school and work and our regular routines. I think my camera will find it's way to book club for our yearly book picking tomorrow night.

Day 9 - Snow!!

2011-01-09T21:32:00.000-08:00

Freezing rain last night which turned to snow. Woke up to a bit of a winter wonderland this morning, so we were up and out the door. All of us but Aidan who rolled in the door after a late night birthday sleepover, and a chilly walk was not on his list of preferred activities.

This fall our neighbourhood was vastly improved by the addition of a Serious Coffee. We can take a 5 block stroll through a wooded path and now end up in a place to get an extra hot Americano. That's my idea of a nature walk.

It was such a beautiful morning. Unfortunately I forgot to check my batteries and ran out of juice early on and never got a decent shot. The good news is that it's supposed to start snowing again on Wednesday, so I may get another chance. Snow happens about 4 days a year for us, so it's a special thing. It's a good thing on a weekend and a royal pain on a weekday, which can mean riding the bus because the roads can be horrid.

We went for our walk around 11:00am and the tobogganing hill was already rocking. Families, dogs and kids everywhere. It didn't last long as it was melting by noon, but hay was made while the sun shined.

I've been fighting a rotten cold all weekend, so we'll see how the week goes. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery, because it's gonna be a long week otherwise. Chicken soup all ready for the slow cooker tomorrow!

my sweet girl

2011-01-08T19:35:00.001-08:00

8/365

She's 18 months old and I've decided to keep her. I've even forgiven her for chewing up my very favourite sandals a year ago.

Days 6 and 7

2011-01-07T19:13:00.000-08:00

7/365 Katie and her bff Breanna got their recorders today in music class. They spent the afternoon practising Hot Cross Buns and writing their own recorder tunes. Thank god for Advil Liqui-gels.

6/365 was a write off - nothing but a sad old picture of my low glycemic food. No doughnuts, no cookies, no chips. Grapes eggs, shakes and veggies. Not much to live for, really.

In the morning I'm making those girls pose for day 8. They owe me after I judged their pick-up- sticks contest.

birdland

2011-01-05T20:53:00.001-08:00

5/365 It's been bucketing rain and I have been going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. So the photo pickins are slim this week. Another shot from my pile of xmas decorations waiting for Friday when I'm off to be put away. I love little birds and each year my mom gives me a little bird or two at Christmas.

one of two mooses

2011-01-04T20:46:00.001-08:00

4/365 All my christmas decorations are piled on a table waiting to be put away this weekend. Some years I leave the mooses in my bathroom because they match they cabinets and I love them so. But not this year - see you next Christmas, mooses.

say what? 3/365

2011-01-03T18:54:00.001-08:00

say what? 3/365, originally uploaded by raine*.

Day 3! Pictures of ducks are a bit of a cop out - they are so easy to shoot. It was a bad day for pictures - my icicles looked flat, my ocean vistas were washed out, and my children were uncooperative. Good thing I'm starting the scavenger hunt...

I'm excited to see Margaret and Bonnie are joining the 365 - can't wait to see what their days hold!

Back to school and work tomorrow. Not sure how I feel about all that. And, there's a snowfall warning!

2/365 to the dump, to the dump...

2011-01-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

Some people think Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. But for me? the happiest place on earth is the Nanaimo Landfill Site - affectionately know as the dump. Seriously, if I want to get cheered up, a trip to the dump is what the doctor ordered. In my many years of dumping I have never seen any unhappy staff. The greet you cheerfully in the booth, they give your grouchy dog a cookie, they help you back into your stall and always reassure crooked backers like me that, "yes, backing up with garbage is very challenging". They wave goodbye when you go and you just feel that $4.00 dump fee is worth every penny.

But the best thing about the Nanaimo dump is all the old junk they collect by the weigh booth. It's so fun to see what's new each time. It all is mysterious - I wish I could know the story about each thing.

These prams? Did they come from England? If you could read the sign behind them, it tells you not to leave pet feces. I have no comment to make about what I left. Oh, and I know the photo's overprocessed - it was that or over exposed.

Our trip to the dump today was a mother daughter outing - and my mom told me that these old sleds were so much more fun that the "new fangled" (ok - she didn't really say new fangled but you get the point) because you could steer them.

Some ceramics crafty person should really take old father Christmas home and fix him up - he's sad and laying in the frost.

Nanaimo's an old coal mining town. I think this is a mining cart. I think.

I am dying to know the story about this one - I've googled it - nothing.

These are a new edition since I was out last - tried to figure out what the candy is...

I think this one will be my 2/365 for today.

1/365 new year star

2011-01-01T21:54:00.001-08:00

1/365 new year star, originally uploaded by raine*.

A new year. Another attempt at Project 365. My photography resolutions of 2011? Complete Project 365, finish editing my last two sets of holiday pictures. Join a photography club with non-cyber friends (although I do love my cyber photo-friends).

I played with starting a new blog for my project, because this one has been sporadic at best for the past couple years, but I think I'll just hang in here...

It's gonna be a great year!

halloween revisited

2010-11-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

I know it's now two weeks since Halloween, but Aidan has reminded me that I promised to post a few Halloween pics. As you know Halloween is a big deal around our house.

Katie, her friend Pariya and Jamie made zombie eyes for Katie's class. They were filled with strawberry jam so when you bit into them the bloood oozed out. Eww. Reportedly a big hit with the grade 4 crowd. Poor teacher.

We decorate the house like crazy - I do a Halloween garland for the stairs - it creates a lot of vacuuming as it drips black and orange glitter for two weeks.

For our yearly party I make goodie bags - this year they were mummies. My favourite so far!

Party night! A little pre-party spell casting. Katie's the dead princess and Aidan's the ghoul. The gangster is our neighbour John. I kinda miss the cute furry animal days.

A scene from the pumpkin carving stage of our get together... Jamie's job is to carve pumpkins with the kids - mine was to drink wine.

Aidan's pumpkin - he won the prize for most "Marvel-ous" (get it? It's an Ironman pumpkin). Afterwards my 12 year old says "Really mom? Marvel-ous? Really?" He used to think I was hilarious.

A few of the pumpkins - preparing for the "pumpkin parade".

Even Penny dressed up. She loves a good costume. She chose to be a beach babe. Too bad she couldn't stay awake - long day at the dog park.

Fast forwarding to the next day - time for the real stuff - trick or treating, which I love more than any kid. My boy decided to go off with his buds this year, leaving us with just the girls. But they dropped in for some treats. Mine is the faceless one. They say it's their last year of trick or treating, which makes me want to cry.

Luckily we still have the girl. See? Tinkerbell, a little devil and mine - the dead princess. Nothing is as adorable as a dead princess.

Boo!

hawaii trip day one

2010-10-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

So, we've been back from Hawaii for more than a month now, and I'm thinking two things: 1. I really need to plan another vacation, and 2. I should really go through my pictures. So yesterday I planned my next vacation (in March!) and today I started goin though the pics from our fun in the sun. All going as it should, perhaps it'll get me back on the blog path...maybe?

The obligatory excited photo at the door. What you can't see (or hear) is the aftermath of trying to lift my suitcase into the back of the car. And it wasn't me cursing.

It was a gorgeously dead calm at the ferry terminal. Loved the reflections.

The sun was out and so were the sailboats...

Once we were on board we toured the boat. I've been on it before but not the family. They liked it.

All hooked in and repairing the sails on Canada Place.

I took some snaps while waiting to sail away.

Jamie wasted no time getting into holiday mode.

And off we went. The best part? No plane!

heatwave

2010-07-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

So happy it's HOT!! Even though it's cookin, we are loving the water, the pool, the sno cones and slurpies, and late night evenings in the basement tv room watching all the Harry Potters. Sister and niece coming tomorrow and birthday party at our house for little nephew as well. Fun, fun fun!

nine

2010-06-06T22:06:00.000-07:00

How do nine years whip by like nothing? My girl is nine today. Half way to being an adult. It's been an action packed weekend of celebrations and I'm tired and short on words, so here's a pictorial.

The birthday girl a week ago at decade day. (She's 80's, in case you were wondering). I love this photo because it reminds me of her cousin Tianna. It's in the smile and the eyes.

We celebrated being nine with bowling and a sleepover. 12 girls bowling.

Oh my gosh, the fancy dress and bowling shoes. I would have loved to have shown you her awesome french braids (also dance recital day), but this is not my child (although my child does have this dress, too, FYI. They both wore them at the Christmas concert).

I had a dream once that I would raise my daughter in a moderate, non-materialistic, feminist kinda way. This cake was the nail in that coffin. Behold the Shopping Diva cake - complete with high heel cake server.

Following the bowling, pizza and cake - it was back to our place for sleepover crazyness. Sno cones in the hot tub, Alice and Wonderland, and WII - 4 gals.

And look! Just before Alice in Wonderland a pod of whales stopped by to wish Katie a happy birthday. We watched them on the deck and listened to the orcas play. What other nine year old gets whales as the entertainment at her birthday party?

Thanks for stopping by, whale friends.

Pancakes, strawberries and whip cream for breakfast. I think there's a pancake in there somewhere.

Cheers.

Guess what Katie got for her birthday? It's waterproof for snorkeling, too!

Leftover hat for supper tonight with the family. Happy birthday, nine year old.

green

2010-05-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

And another week rolls by. Been kinda stressful - moving offices at work - everyone unsettled and out of sorts. Mom's still away in France, having lots of fun, but we miss her and her being away changes everyone's routine (we are Grandma Jean dependant...).

We had a productive weekend - planters got planted and decks got power washed. Vacation planning for Hawaii in September is well underway. We had a nice brunch at the Ladysmith grandma and grandpa's house. I had fun with my latest IPhone app - Pano.

Below is a panoramic of their lovely garden. It's not usually straight like this.

Then I had Katie and Aidan (plus a little cousin) move with every picture.

Very fun. All for $1.99!

This is the week of healthy eating. I'll report back, but it better be good.

in review...

2010-05-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

Whew. I tell you, I think this is the first time I've sat and thought for days. It's been a busy weekend. And this is going to be a quick blog, because ahead of me lies...Celebrity Apprentice AND the season finale of Survivor. I'm praying that Russel goes down before the final three. He's so icky. Go Parvarti!

Starting to get a feel for my camera again. Me and the Nikon took a walk down by the water. We communed with nature.

Lots of it. Geese and seals and funny orange beaked birds. And that's without discussing the bugs. It was nice. Warm and dead calm.

We were on the go alot this weekend. Took mom to the airport - she's off to France, and we are going to miss her. Katie had hockeyand I'm beginning to get nervous. She's in a beginner class, and is liking it. I'm worried she's gonna need gear and I'm going to have to hang out in arenas for the next 10 years. The class doesn't require full gear, however I noticed this week I now have the only girl without a jersey and most of the girls have full gear now. However, I would like to point out that she IS wearing a Lululemon sweatshirt - isn't that better than some dumb old jersey?

Look at that concentration. You'd never know she asked me if any girls played for the Canucks (I don't think the poor child has ever seen a full hockey game). What kind of Canadians are we, anyway?

Speaking of silly gooses...

Also this weekend...Aidan had skating, we went for a wonderful barbecue at Nancy's, shopped at Costco, cleaned the house, broke the dishwasher, Katie had two play dates and Aidan rode bikes with friends....I got in a couple of instances on my warrior and leveled my mage.

Tomorrow it's back to work. A crazy week, moving offices and helping the team get straightened out. Meetings and issues.

I'm looking forward to the rest.

cupcake

2010-05-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

There's nothing in the world that a cupcake from a friend can't make better.

today

2010-05-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

Went to my father's funeral today. Not sure who they were talking about.

what's new pussycats?

2010-05-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile, I know, I know. But things are looking up, photo-wise and blog-wise, I think.

I'm thinking the fact that I've started a photography course and have a list of bloggable topics and have begun re-organizing my photos might mean my creative juices have begun flowing again... maybe - fingers crossed.

The weather's better and we are outside more. Although managing a big dog and a big camera is a challenge. And geocaching! Our latest thing...

On a completely unrelated note - Mother's Day rocked. Check out the new bling. Breakfast in bed, enjoyed time with my mom while Jamie and the kids cooked dinner for us, lots of time to read in the afternoon, and original kid art for my new office from my offspring. So much to be grateful for.

Lucky me!

back

2010-02-28T19:13:00.000-08:00

Yup - been back from the big cruise to Mexico for a week now. We had an awesome time, drank lots of margaritas and hung out in the sun. Lots of motherly and sisterly bonding. I'm still going through the pictures and will start my holiday recap in the next day or so. You've been warned.

Apparently I've also developed lateral epicondylitis - commonly known as tennis elbow, however, as I have never played tennis, I have to call it Warcraft/Farmville/camera clicker/photoshop elbow. And for those of you who are wondering? Zip lining in the Sierra Madre mountains is NOT a good thing for tennis elbow - especially when you are dangling helplessly 70 feet above the ground and being dragged in by your poor sore arm. It would seem the only cure is to rest it, and as I am not about to give up photography (especially considering I am the recipient of a wonderful camera course for my birthday that starts on Wednesday!), I have decided to stop all computer activities that are not work related or photo related. Sigh.

On the home front, the herring are running, which I love. More herring excitement to come...

Tired, I am.

2010-02-07T22:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, still here. I haven't once again abandoned my blog, it's just been a crazy, crazy three weeks. Bronchitis, job application and interview, preparing for my trip, redecorating Katie's room in the colours of sherbet - it all adds up to no blog time. Hopefully I'll get a post on before I head for San Diego on Thursday...

come on, come on and do...

2010-01-17T22:20:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was all about the 70's! Well, the 70's as remembered in 2010. I noticed some confusion between the 60's and 70's, but maybe that was just me. I didn't really experience the 60's, I was just a baby, and all. Our friend Steve retired just before Christmas and his big send off was, well, 70-ish. Remember? I do NOT do costumes. I had my hair Kitty'd and wore the promised KISS Army t-shirt. It was sad. There will be no pictures of afore mentioned Kitty hair. It was sausagey and helmetish.

Others, however went all out - like my two handsome friends. Those are original boots. I'm not sure about the flip flops but I'm doubtful.

Gotta love it. As a 5 ft 2" woman married to a man who is 6 6", I am grateful that heels like these are no longer in fashion for men. And I'd kill for those sandals. I wonder if they're Candies....

Check out Alison...now that's big hair. Big.

These two young'uns weren't even born in the 70's. Funny, I don't remember there being so many white folks with black afros in the 70's. But then I was just a wee child, so that's not surprising. One party goer was impressed that Jill's dress was made out of the same material as his childhood sheets. He took a photo for his mom.

Accessories abounded, but my favourite was Terrena's real charm bracelet. I always, always wanted a charm bracelet. I was deprived.

The party was a huge success, a giant turn out and lots of dancing, speeches and silliness.

I didn't dance the Hustle, but I did do the Locomotion. Twice.

our week in germ filled review

2010-01-16T06:56:00.000-08:00

So, it's been one of those weeks, colds, cough, way too much mucous (and that's all I'm gonna say about that). Nothing exciting, but, really, who ever promised excitement? On the bright side, if you find you can't sleep one night, remember me and feel free to re-read on your IPhone in bed. No IPhone? Rush out and buy one NOW. You won't be sorry.

On the weekend, Aidan was gone to a sleepover birthday party. There was bowling, pizza, and not much sleep. Aidan has a group of 5 friends who have all hung out since kindergarten. On any given weekend they are in some combination at someone's house. All together? Oh my.

Angela and Katie hung out together at our place and I took them to JJ's for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I love JJ's - I can get a coffee, bring my laptop and sit back while the girls run, drink slushies and play ping pong. I don't even have to organize their snacks anymore - I can just hand over money and they get it themselves. It's perfect.

Our week days mostly involved sniffling, whining, and arguing about who's the least sick person who should have to; put out the dog, feed the kids, make the Neo Citron, etc. I stayed home sick on Tuesday.

Thank goodness for Mom who still picked up the kids from school. I took these photos from the deck at drop off. Even sick I have to do my Project 365. And my kids are cute, if I do say so myself.

Thursday night was book club. January is book picking month. Once Jackie e-mails me the list I'll tell you all about it. Jackie?? The list??

Much of the week was spent preparing a video for a co- worker's retirement party. Jamie and I were responsible for making a video for the party. It's brilliant. I wish you could see it. Now we only have to make sure it works. Here's hoping it plays, can be heard and seen, and that people aren't too drunk to get the jokes. The party has a 70's theme and there has been much discussion about costumes at my workplace. I do NOT do costumes. There will be no disco outfit, platform boots or the like for me. I am wearing jeans, and ...

this. If you look carefully, you will note that this very attractive KISS t-shirt says 1975 on it. Voila - a 70's outfit. I may curl my hair like the mom on the 70's show. May. No promises. There will also be no pictures of said hair. Jamie is wearing a Ramones t-shirt. He's planning a last minute run to Value Village to find the appropriate jean jacket. I spent 45 minutes in the Dog's Ear looking for the right shirts, with the help of some little gal who sees the 70's the way I see the 40's..

The party's tonight. I wonder if I can remember how to do the Hustle?

trust me

2010-01-12T18:36:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking, given my looong blog hiatus this year that my faithful readers (all - like - 21 of you) may have trust issues if I don't post regularly. But I'm sick! (whines). I have a cold and not much energy. So my project 365 has been reduced to the above, and my blogginess is definitely lacking. Bear with me...

stressed

2010-01-08T20:50:00.000-08:00

Really.

(This was the last eggnog latte of the season, too...sniff.)

all things boy

2010-01-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

My boy is my biggest blog fan. He looks forward to them, no matter how boring and mundane, reads every word, and usually has well thought out praise or constructive criticism. He's a satisfying child that way. So when he caught me taking a picture in his room for Project 365, only a boy bedroom blog would do. A year ago Aidan moved downstairs. He finally got his big basement room, away from annoying things like parents and sisters. We throw food down the stairs now and then.

Back when Aidan was little his room was a place of my creation. It was a place I understood, with animals and letters of the alphabet and Elmo. Through the years it morphed with his interests - sea creatures, trains, and then, somehow it became a place that is a mystery to me. Thank goodness he has a father.

Thank goodness, because I would have never known Darth Vader was framed.

Are we raising our boy wrong? Should an 11 year old be growing his own germs? The next pandemic might be born in my very own basement. Notice the poker supplies? Aidan kicks serious butt at Texas Hold Em. He's a shark. Are poker players sharks? Or is that just pool?

No room is complete without a hand drawn picture of pirates who just got out of a time machine, sponge bob, skulls and rubber frogs.

Look up and you'll see an awesome dragon kite - brought back from China by Grandma Jean. Both kids have treasures from the around the world, courtesy of Grandma Jean.

Treasures come from other grandparents too. Like this wizard from Grandpa Barrie.

Indiana Jones' hat from Disneyland (flag from London - no connection). Please don't tell Indy where his hat is.

We're big on books. Aidan really, really likes reference books about his favourite things, Marvel comic books, Lego, science, you name it - he knows about it. I don't. I couldn't tell a Marvel guy from a DC guy - but I do know the Hulk wears purple pants. By the way, am I the only person to wonder why the Hulk's pants rip at the bottom when he mutates? That doesn't happen to the werewolves in Twilight. They shred. Why don't the Hulk's pants shred? I wanna know.

This isn't a stuffy. She just goes where the boy goes. She also decorates the living room when he's in it.

In case you didn't know...and I'm sure you do..from left to right we have Sonic the Hedgehog, the Silver Surfer, Tahu ( a Bionicle), Mario, and in the back is a rock monster. I had to get Aidan out of bed to name them for me, but he didn't mind. He's a blog supporter.

You'll notice and be thankful that I spared you a picture of dirty socks.

we've created a monster

2010-01-04T22:17:00.001-08:00

Phone conversation yesterday.

Me: Hi Aidan.

Aidan: Hi Mom.

Me: How was your sleepover?

Aidan: Good...Dad!! Dad!! Don't play tug of war with Penny like that! It's not how the trainer showed us... Dad! That is an unacceptable way to play with a dog!.. Dad! ....Mom, I can't talk, I have to go and deal with Dad and Penny.

end of call.

accomplished today...

2010-01-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

1. Watched taped episodes of Intervention and Hoarders at 5:00 am and worked on sorting out my flickr account. Hoped no one will look in window and see me watching Intervention and Hoarders.

2. Went back to bed, listened to audio book ( The Girl Who Played With Fire) while playing Luxor. Pretended I have no children or dog.

3. Took a shower while hollering through the door to son where he may be able to find clean socks and confirming details of his plans with friends.

4. Went to bottle depot and traded in an embarrassing amount of empties while stating loudly "wow, it's been at least six months since we've been here". Children helpfully announce I am mistaken and we have recently traded in bottles.

5. Dropped son off at friend's house. Wondered why son is now $20.00 richer when I bought the wine, drank the wine, drove the wine bottles to the depot and he only carried the bottles with other recycling to the garage.

6. Dropped dog off at grandmas's house and looked for daughter's missing IPOD touch. Listened to husband lecture daughter about responsibility and privilege, etc.

7. Dropped off daughter and husband at mall to go and see "Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeekquel". Felt grateful not going as would rather poke needles in eyeballs than sit through another AAAAAALLLLLVINNN movie, especially one that now has tooshie dancing girl rodents.

8. Drove home to pick up lovely Christmas present jacket that doesn't fit that I forgot to put in the car when we left as busy giving advice on proper way to load bottles. Took call on IPhone from grandma who has found the missing IPod. Call husband and daughter to report glad tidings of found IPod.

9. Drove to Duncan to replace lovely Christmas jacket with slightly larger lovely Christmas jacket.

10. Took pictures for project 365. Totem poles and Canada geese.

11. Drove home, listened to more audio book. Took cell phone calls with new bluetooth and avoided breaking new law. Discovered that using a bluetooth means one can drink a double double, eat a cruller AND talk on the cell phone while driving. Thought to myself that new law may be a real time saver. Avoided making eye contact with other drivers.

12. Arrived home, cleaned out fridge and ALL kitchen cupboards with husband in preparation for new healthy eating plan. Did not mention cruller to husband.

13. Took daughter to fancy dress up birthday party. Came home, edited photos and facebook and flickr and blog. Received call from son who wonders if get together at friend's house could now be a sleepover and could necessities be dropped off. Got in car and delivered pajamas and toothbrush. Encouraged son to actually use said toothbrush. Placated by son who has no intention of interrupting time spent playing Super Smash Bros to pursue good dental hygiene.

14. Drove home. inspected dog's operation site and supervised break from the cone of shame. Put cone of shame back on after chasing dog around the house. Freaked out due to new scratches in hardwood floor as a result of dog being chased.

15. Picked up daughter from fancy dress party. Admired sparkly toe and nail polish. Put daughter to bed, being careful not to smudge polish.

16. Finished blog.

2010!

2010-01-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

Well, there goes 2009 in the rearview mirror. It was a good year, full of fun holidays, challenges at work, growing kids and our new four legged family member.

I'm excited about 2010! It feels full of promise. This will be the year that Aidan grows taller than me and goes into his last year of elementary school. This year I'm going cruising to Mexico with my mom and sis and will hopefully also take a summer road trip with Jamie and kids through the redwood forests, the Oregon coast and onto the ComicCon and Legoland in San Diego.

I want us to be healthier and more fit this year. I also want to reconnect with the creative spark I've let slide over the last year. I've joined a couple of Project 365 groups which means it's my intent to take a picture every day for all of 2010. this is going to improve my photography and assist me in connecting in a meaningful way with other photographers. I cant' wait!

Wishing all of you a wonderful 2010.

Foggy

2009-12-30T20:21:00.000-08:00

More pictures from our visit to Mary's garden on Sunday. The ice fog was thick as pea soup but above it was clear skies and sun, so the light changed every two minutes. The pictures aren't in the order I would like, but for some reason blogger won't let me shift them tonight.

Everything was so frosty it looked like snow. This old fence is recycled from first house.

I don't think any birds ever lived in this cage.

Mary's garden is full of treats and surprises.

We don't see frost like this on Vancouver Island often.

See? Treats and surprises - sparkly sun, and two minutes later...

Pea soup. Poor hambones.

cousins

2009-12-28T16:54:00.001-08:00

I didn't grow up with cousins. My mom's an only child and I didn't meet my paternal cousins til I was almost grown (that's another story). I love that my own children are surrounded by grandparents who they see often, and that their aunts and uncles, whether near or far, are an active part of their lives. I love that they have cousins.

Our niece Tianna and her daughter (our great niece!!) Neveah were in town for Christmas this year. We've never had a Christmas with Neveah. Katie told me "this was the best Christmas ever", when I asked why, she replied , "presents and Neveah". Neveah is definately a gift, the little cutie patooti. She loves Penny, and she and Katie spent some time chasing Penny around grandma's yard in the fog yesterday. (photo by grandma Mary)

Another of many awesome cousins is in Vernon. We discovered Skype this year, and now that both Aidan and Natalie have laptops, they need never leave home. They spent a couple of hours on Skype the other night playing DS's together. Who needs actual conversation?

I'll spare you the details of my sister stealing the poor girls laptop last night and the two of us walking around our respective homes showing off our Christmas decor. We were both in our pjamas and frankly, it wasn't pretty. I don't have any girl cousins, but I do have a sister.

some christmas highlights

2009-12-26T19:09:00.000-08:00

I thought I might entertain/bore you with a few quick pics from out jam packed Christmas. I'll apologise in advance for the lack of photographic prowess to follow. Blurry snaps taken in poor light, that's all you get.

Our Christmas is full - full of family and friends, food, fun and busyness. A few random moments:

Our tree: Penny - proofed. Also, note the lack of ornaments on the bottom third of the tree. That reflects the amount of times we chased her around the house, got an ornament out of her mouth and moved it up the tree. Hence the fence.

On Christmas Eve after the kids are in bed, I open my basket. Words can never describe THE BASKET. My mom makes one for all her grown up girls and boys. The basket is full of gifts from the sublime to the ridiculous. Because they need to be savoured, we open them on Christmas Eve with a glass of wine, some music, and lots of oohs and ahhs and laughs.

This year? A pedometer to encourage fitness, lovely room fragrance, a mango splitter, a carrot shaver, cool post it notes, a gorgeous gold chain, a cookbook, a salad dressing bottle, scarves, socks.....and more.

We were awake at 4:30 in the morning, although I didn't let the kids get up until, ahem 5:30. then a fun filled day of presents, a Christmas family lunch and another one at dinner. Family coming and going, and of course, dinner at our house and the paper hats. I had to cut everyone else out of the picture above for fear of death. Beside Katie is my beautiful niece Tian and behind the pink hat is my great niece (yes - I said great niece!) Neveah. My Christmas quote of the year comes from Neveah - "Is this a real turkey from the barn?" (Correct answer to get her to eat her dinner would be, "no - this one is NOT from the barn". ) For the record - we don't have a barn.

You know all that "Christmas is too commercial" stuff? Well, we do not play that way. We are all about the Christmas spirit, the lights, the activities, the giving to others, and this year? The IPHONE. above is my first IPhone picture. Not much of a picture - but did I mention it's from my IPhone???

IPhones are good for catching the dog on the couch. Get DOWN, Penny!

And for taking blurry pictures at twilight that capture Katie's love of bright fabrics and her firm belief that you can never combine too many patterns.

Happy Boxing Day!!

babbles

2009-12-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

I'm tired. Today I gorged at a Christmas lunch potluck, came home and wrapped gifts for mailing, prepared Christmas cards for mailing and felt sad missing people I haven't talked to for a year. My new years resolution is going to be to stay more connected - no matter how busy. I am on holidays on the 23rd for 6 days, and I am planning on nothing but rest and fun. Lots of reading, dog walks and visiting with friends and families. And naps.

Tomorrow is the last day of school. Cards for teachers are ready to go. No presents though. Our school discourages it. Humbug. Killjoys.

My biggest issue? When will I be able to diet so I can get into a swimsuit for my February tropical vacation??? Maybe Santa will bring me a Bowflex. I need more room to hang laundry. The eliptical machine doesn't hold enough.

On that note, I going to bed ...with a bag of pistachios and a butter tart (I stole it from the potluck).

Night.

lucky penny

2009-12-14T19:09:00.000-08:00

There's no dignity in being a dog. Especially in our house. Penny should actually be grateful for the elf collar, it could have been a lot worse. Katie still secretly hopes that Penny will turn into a Bishon Frise (or whatever). She desperately wanted a santa suit or some frilly little red dog shirt. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a big strong hunting dog/puppy like an eight year old girl barreling towards her with a bag foll of clothes, saying things like"I think my penguin Build a Bear dress will fit Penny", or "I'm just going to try this t-shirt that grandma brought me back from China on Penny". So, really, she should be happy that all she has to wear is an elf collar. Even I was considering a santa hat - but they didn't have any big enough. Lucky Penny.

It started snowing a couple of hours ago. A big snowfall warning is in place, and there's hope for a snow day tomorrow, although it's likely to turn into rain. So a run in the snow was in order - even though it was dark. We never know if the snow we have will be the last one of the season. We can hope, anyway.

Katie's C and CP

2009-12-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

whoa. It's been a busy one. Today was the long awaited Craft and Cookie Party. Seven 8 year old girls, reved and raring to craft and decorate cookies. We made bookmarks, Christmas cards, painted ornaments and decorated gingerbread people. Should I be worried that they made gingerbread boyfriends and girlfriends? 8 year old girls are just plain silly.

Look how tidy. I have to say the tablecloth is just for crafts, it's really not my style. Closing the cupboard would have made for a better picture. So would have a straight camera. 2 hours later it looked like a bomb went off. A big bomb.

Not a good picture, but the only one I had where no one's faces were showing. I hesitate about putting children on the internet without their parent's permission. What focus. What commitment to their art. You'd never know that they were talking absolute goofiness. What these girls have in common is that they all have brothers, and strangely enough they all find their brothers to be SO ANNOYING. They all also agree that the new Hannah Montana song is good, even if it's about partying in the USA and not Canada. Go figure.

I'm tired. Really, really tired. I'm going to go and eat leftover icing out of the bowl.

pa rum pa pum pum

2009-12-10T20:03:00.000-08:00

The very, very best thing about being a parent is the annual school Christmas concert. I love, love, love them. From the tall uncomfortable grade sevens who are clearly WAY too cool to be in an elementary school concert to the teeny kindergarteners . This year the kindergarten class did a scarf dace to winter wonderland, complete with two wild childs who spun round ad round. They also recited "Along came a bunny and what do you suppose? That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch. Ate that snowman's carrot nose, Nibble, nibble, CRUNCH! ..." A kindergarten classic. I want another kindergartener.

I however, have a grade 3 girl who sang Feliz Navidad and recited Merry Christmas in languages around the world (mine is the tall Italian). The class was supposed to wear green, red and green, however, party dresses won out, no matter what colour. A clip has been included for the grandma's and aunties, but feel free to admire my offspring. We like her.

When I asked my boy in grade six what he was singing, he said "I dunno, random christmas songs". Sigh. In fact, they sang Little Drummer Boy and a Place in the Christmas Choir. Brilliant.

Tomorrow I'm hosting 7 grade 3 girls for a Cookie and Crafts party. What was I thinking? Pray for me. I'll report back tommorow.

bits and pieces from before

2009-12-07T21:23:00.000-08:00

So I'm thinkin it's time to bond with my blog again. I've got December and all things Christmas to motivate me and give me things to prattle about and point a camera at. Not that I have any readers anymore - so really this will be more like talking to myself...so, to catch myself up, I think a brief update on a few of the doings of the Robertson-Raines might be in order.

As usual, there has been no shortage of shutterbugging. Katie has now joined the ranks of camera crazy in our household. Aidan is now all about the video, as he practices for his future career as a movie director.

Last spring, mom and Val (sister) and I took a two week cruise to Hawaii. Who knew doing exactly as we pleased every day could be so much fun? Above - lunch we had outside of Hilo - everything grown on the farm we ate at. I think the best lunch I've ever had.

We camped. The kids had marshmallows and campfires. I discovered the joy of a travel trailer and will never, ever sleep in a tent again.

In August we went on a cruise to Alaska (this was the cruise year). It was August...who knew glaciers were chiily even in August? I'll save Alaska and Hawaii stories for January when I have nothing to report but doldrums.

Katie had a role in the summer performance of The Sound of Music. She played one of the 14 Von Trapp children. Katie discovered drama. We discovered that Adelweiss is very hard to get out of your head.

We hung out a lot in our pool.

After 4 years I finally succumbed and we got a new baby. Meet Penny. We love her.

Although we could have given her back a few times, we really do love her.

Halloween came and went. So did the flu. Aidan missed a week of school. He was a sick vampire hunter. Katie was a sick vampire queen. I was sick and tired.

They grow so fast.

bulbs

2009-03-31T20:10:00.001-07:00

What a difference a week makes when you're tuberous.

sprung

2009-03-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

So far this week there has been snow, sleet, sun, torrential downpours and windstorms. We were on our way to the mall on Sunday, and were trying to decide if we should go home due to the blizzard, when I said, in all seriousness..."It's going to clear up, look, that guy's in shorts!" It gets confusing around here, weather wise, which is all part of island living.

We had a busy week of visiting with family - Val (my sister) and Eugen and Samantha and Natalie visited at mom's for a few days, so we joined in on some of the spring break fun, indoor rock climbing, swimming and dinners. I remembered how to belay and didn't drop anyone...phew. It's amazing how our kids grow - Samantha is almost a teenager, and I remember like it was yesterday holding her as a tiny one. Val and mom and I had fun finalizing the plans for our trip to Hawaii in three weeks. We are cruising and can't wait to get on board and order our fruity drinks. We can't decide which we'll do first - the gym? bingo? hula lessons? napping? I plan to head straight for the nearest pool side bar for the first of many fruity drinks.

Some signs of spring. I am really feeling the six months that I took off photography. My eye has definitely suffered. Stay tuned for these babies in full bloom.

This tree is just down from my mom's. It's always the first to bloom. Show off.

I can't take credit for this picture. Aidan took it. I love it, but it makes me sad, because my girl plans to cut this hair off this weekend. No amount of cajoling, complimenting or bribing will convince her otherwise. Do you think it's some kind of cosmic joke that I - the owner of a head of thin, fine hair, should have a daughter with super thick gorgeous hair, and she won't let me touch it and wants it short? Mean!

Randomness

2009-03-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

Where did the 2.5 months go since my last pathetic attempt at blogging? I certainly can't tell you. There's been lots of work, lots of swimming lessons, skating lessons, and hip hop lessons. I have to confess to some time spent here. Definately not enough time behind the camera.

My family has challenged me to blog a minimum of twice a week...."something, something, not capturing family memories, you're letting the team down...something"....

So, once again, I'll try to regularly get the camera out, I can barely remember how to use it! Today was a good day to get it out...the weather was ridiculous. Mom was off in Victoria and I called her to come home because it was snowing...always the weather optimist, she said "don't worry, it will clear up". I snarled something at her and hung up mumbling about "irresponsibility"and "dead in the ditch".

We carried on to have breakfast (at Ricki's All Day Grill, no less). After breakfast we headed home to find, a kilometer down the road, sun and no snow. Which clinched the walk at Piper's. You all know about Piper's Lagoon. Garry oaks, arbutus, kingfishers, ferries, all that west coasty stuff. You've seen it before, you'll see it again. Notice the blue sky. I hate it when my mom's right. I hate it when I'm wrong even more!

Have I mentioned my kids are thriving? They are. I went to hug Aidan the other day and suddenly I couldn't rest my chin on the top of his head.

They are both a treat. How did someone who spends as much time grumpy and depressed as I do, make such sunny, joyful urchins?

And spring is just around the corner. I took these today outside my house when we got home. Not in the garden, but in the planter outside my door.

About 4 days til you get pictures of the crocuses.

See you in a day or so. I promise! Really. I do.

after the christmas pudding high

2008-12-28T20:40:00.000-08:00

It has been a bit of a strange Christmas. It snowed off and on for a couple of weeks, which has been both good and bad. Bad, in that we haven't managed to do our usual socializing with family and friends. There were missed Christmas parties and family couldn't get to us on Christmas day. We missed seeing our loved ones and the change in our usual traditions. The good was the sense of coziness and warm and the guilt-free enforced laziness and relaxation. Next year I want to try to combine the time with family and friends with the luxury of taking the time to enjoy the season.
We all received so many gifts. At some point soon I'll take you on a photo tour of the "basket" my mom fills for me every year. I also received a Lensbaby from Mary. I'm just learning how to use it, but here is a picture from my mom's tree that I took using it...mom's tree is all snowflakes.

Tomorrow it's back to work. No more snow on the roads to keep me home. Sigh.

happy holidays~

2008-12-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

Wishing all of you a wonderful time with family and friends.

well, the weather outside is frightful...

2008-12-23T08:35:00.000-08:00

It's been snowing for days...over a foot of the cold white stuff. But do I care? As of today I have 6 days off! Christmas here I come!

Ssshhh....

2008-12-02T06:12:00.000-08:00

Just putting my toe in the water....

the past few days

2008-07-28T20:30:00.001-07:00

It has been a fun filled, jam packed weekend! We started it off with dinner theatre here.

Nothing like a bunch of girls out on a wild night of Rogers and Hammerstein. Does one ever get tired of "There is Nothing Like a Dame"? I think not. And we got to have boar for dinner! (Aren't you impressed that I didn't say it was "boaring" ?- badump bump)

My sister and my oldest niece were in town, and we did some beaching, which is what those land locked people like to do here. But before one can really enjoy a west coast beach, you need to send the geese on their way. They aren't chased away easily, but we won.

Free to find crabs and clams and other mixed sea creatures. The tide was in so we didn't get to traumatize any sea stars or sand dollars or urchins.

It's like an eye spy game...can you find...snails? mussels? seaweed? barnacles? oyster shell?

Our big news...Jamie and I took out belaying tests. We have discovered indoor rock climbing, and Nanaimo has a great gym. We took a belaying course, and can now belay. I won't tell you we had to take the test twice (apparently we had sloppy technique) because that would just be embarrassing. Next time you're in Nanaimo, come for a climb! I'm hoping that rock climbing is going to be the answer to any possible future (certainly not present) arm flab issues that may arise.

Now it's back to work, looking forward to the upcoming long weekend. My next goal? Updating my header. All in good time, right now I need a popsicle.

remember me?

2008-07-23T22:53:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

I'm kinda thinking it's time to stick my toe back into blog water..it has been a crazy busy time with lots of work and a carefully crafted summer plan, swimming lessons (guess who's swimming?), acting camp,claymation camp, High School Musical Dance camp, figure skating, and bits of chillaxing here and there. For those of you who are worried about my over programed children, I feel the need to mention that, with the exception of swimming lessons, both kids are only enrolled in stuff they have wanted to do. So there. Can you guess what I've been up to?

One thing we haven't had yet is a beach day. there's been lots of poolside time, but no beach day. Maybe this weekend.

a break~

2008-05-20T19:44:00.001-07:00

bubble day, originally uploaded by rained out.

Life has gotten in the way, and I am going to take a little blog break. I will keep reading and commenting, but won't be updating for a bit.

Please drop in to see my photo progress now and then on my flickr site. I'm in day 140ish of my Project 365, so I'm posting pics there daily.

Have a great June and see you soon!

light

2008-05-13T21:44:00.001-07:00

We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light. ~Mary Dunbar

I know summer is just around the corner...

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T11:59:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!, originally uploaded by rained out.

yesterday we hiked at pipers

2008-05-07T21:43:00.001-07:00

Last night we went for a hike at Piper's Lagoon. I wanted to search for dilling's elusive chocolate lilies. It was the first warm, summery evening we've had. The tide was pretty high, which meant rock climbing. When it's low, we can just walk across the expanse in front of Katie.

There were wildflowers galore. Galore.

In the grasses, between the rocks, amongst the Garry Oaks. All colours and sizes.

I love these blue lupin like, lily like thingys.

Finally, climbing down through the grass, I spotted three perfect, tiny chocolate lilies. You won't see pictures, my battery was dead. I cried. I really did. By the weekend they will probably all be done. But I saw them.

Does anyone wonder why I usually only have pictures of Katie? Besides the fact that my son hates being blogged, there's this issue...

Need I say more?

today we had dinner at Mom's~

2008-05-05T23:04:00.001-07:00

get outta my garden, originally uploaded by rained out.

So did she.

today we decided it's spring~

2008-05-05T02:12:00.000-07:00

Today we decided it's spring. We used empirical scientific quantitative and qualitative methods to determine this~

The clematis on the deck are in bud.

We cooked hot dogs on the barbie for dinner.

Katie and I wore sandals today (note the matching nail polish).

The deck is full of bedding plants (and bags of soil and dead clippings from last year) and is on it's way to becoming part of the house again.

See? Definitely spring. Scientific, that's us.

dance dance

2008-04-27T14:36:00.001-07:00

dance dance, originally uploaded by rained out.

We family has become addicted to Dance Dance Revolution for Wii. I hope no one ever looks in the window at about 6:30pm any given night. It's not pretty.

freakishly over protective

2008-04-24T22:02:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow night Aidan is going to sleep over at a friends. Outside, in a tent, with no parents (although his friend's mom intends to sleep right inside the screen door). He's totally excited. I'm excited for him on the outside and FREAKING on the inside. Parenting is hard.

the knack for jacks

2008-04-23T21:05:00.001-07:00

bounce and grab, originally uploaded by rained out.

I used to love playing jacks. Katie is learning them now. Speaking of Katie, she's back at school and much better.

Two days until the weekend!!

broom

2008-04-21T22:10:00.001-07:00

A bit gloomy around here today. Katie has been sick, first a cold, now an ear infection. Poor little muffin can't catch a break, health wise this year. Jamie is in Vancouver for a couple of days. Kinda lonely around here this evening.

I'm behind, way behind, at work~this month I'm supervising while mine is away (we call it acting), and still working with my own caseload. I'm tired. And whiny. Think I'll go look for some chocolate. There must be some easter eggs left around here....

blown blossom

2008-04-20T19:19:00.001-07:00

I took a walk down to the beach yesterday, after the snow. Spent some time playing with shutter speeds, trying to capture the water. This lonely blossom had come on the wind from someone's fruit tree.

geese butts

2008-04-19T14:52:00.001-07:00

or is it goose butts?

rain forest diamonds

2008-04-19T09:49:00.001-07:00

It's snowing!!!! I took this yesterday, minutes before the snow started on the Alberni highway. It's now freakishly white around here....

April 15, 2008

2008-04-15T22:27:00.001-07:00

The fruit trees are almost finished blooming. This is one of many around my office. they are like big fluffy clouds...

Once upon a time I decided that beading would be a fun hobby. I proceeded to purchase beautiful beads for a couple of years. turns out I just like beads, but don't like making jewelry, now..I like taking pictures of beads. I know. Let's not go there.

We went to Victoria on Sunday. Katie just had to have a new hat from Roberta's Hats. She has barely taken it off. I wonder if she'll ever grow teeth?

Tonight I donated blood. I considered making it a photo op, but even I couldn't figure out how to make plasma look interesting or appealing.

I'm off to read my book. the Book of Negroes, by Lawrence Hill. I cannot put it down!

hello strangers

2008-04-13T20:13:00.001-07:00

It comes as no surprise to anyone that my blog has been somewhat neglected lately, which makes me sad, because it is the closest I have ever come to keeping a journal. However, even though I'm a little short on words, I continue to take pictures. I've been working on a thingy called Project 365, which is the commitment to take at least one photo a day for, well, 365 of them. So far I have managed to do this every day but two since January 1st.

So, in the short term, I'm going to post my photo a day photos here, with a quick word or two. I'm hoping that will tide me over until there is a bit more time in my life. Funny how family, work and a house can take all of those 24 hours.

So..until tomorrow!

garden springiness

2008-04-04T23:16:00.001-07:00

Our yard is a disaster. the pool is full of sludge, the lawn is so long that it is going to cause the mower some serious pain, the garden beds need some attention in the worst way. But underneath, or above all that, are small rays of hope that we may enjoy a cooler or two "poolside" and have a few things to appreciate.

I'm so sorry. I can not stop taking pictures of blossoms. I love them so much, all that lacy, pastel yumminess. We have a huge old plum tree that flowers like crazy and then produces about two plums, which the starlings always beat me to. Someone told me that plum trees don't make much fruit after 30 years and this old gal is almost there.

Perrenials are starting to get active. And look! A fly. Not my best photographic moment, but another sign of impending warmth. Actually~ is this a perenial, or a weed? I have no idea.

I told you the lawn needs mowing. I didn't lie, it really, really does. Come on over, I'll let you play with my lawnmower for free. I'll even give you a cooler if you do a good job. But we would have to drink it inside becasue it's raining today and I'm not going out there.

Helebores. They pretty much bloom all year. I like them anyway. I just wish they would look up once in awhile. All that navel gazing must get depressing.

you've all seen this before, but not in the spring. It's the view from my front yard. You may not recognize it because I photoshopped out the power lines. All the ritzy folks in the surrounding area have no power lines. Our street was here when there was nothing else around, hence the lines...

Our yard is fully fenced. And then some. Nothing else is eaten. Could you tell me why and how some deer is breaking in and eating only this?

We brought this anchor chain with us from our old house. People on the west coast love to decorate their yards with anchors and buoys and fake seagulls. Makes us even more west coasty.
Lastly~ another shot of my plum tree. Thanks for coming on my garden tour.

I see that it has been a week since my last post. Life is good right now, but so busy. I am doing doing a different job for a bit which has me exhausted by the time I get home and have been on the road a lot on weekends. I've been taking lots of pictures as I go, but never seem to have much to say...

snow boot snivel (is snivel really a word?)

2008-03-29T03:07:00.000-07:00

I am well aware that most of my fellow Canadians are still stuck in a deep freeze, anxiously waiting for spring. But folks, I live on Vancouver Island, where it is balmy and warm and wet.

Spring comes early, we gloat and we we brag for a couple of months. We take pictures and post pictures of spring blooms and sunshine. We start to prepare for the heat and to talk about summer holidays.

Everyone knows around these parts that after Easter we can bust out the sandals and capri pants. I even got my spring pedicure (the products are just for show - I went to the spa). I'm ready. My feet are ready. My sandals are ready. So would someone please explain this?

Record snowfalls today. The most snow on March 28th since 1962. I won't tell you what else happened in 1962, but it was a good year. A snowy year, but a good one.

My sandals are still in the closet. They want out!!!!

(But doesn't the snow on the blossoms make for beautiful photos?)

this week in 22 minutes

2008-03-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time to catch up. I think it's been at least a week since I've checked in - spring break is over, the kids are back in school and we are finally back into routine. Here's a synopsis of my week. Get a snack and a blanket and settle in.

I can't stop taking pictures of blooms and spring flowers. After a grey winter of dead berries, it is all too exciting to have colour options. My dearest husband keeps yawning when I demand "Look at this picture!". "Flower pictures are pretty but boring", he says to me in the most loving but disinterested of voices. I have to agree. But I can't stop with the flower pictures. I cannot. They are so colourful and symmetrical and...flowery. I never really noticed them before I got behind a camera. Not in the same way.

We had cousins here for a week. Rock climbing, sight seeing and silliness abounded. It is amazing to me how big all the kids in our family are getting. Where are the babies? They were just here.

We took a day trip to Victoria on good Friday. Did some shopping, and admired the springyness. Victoria is about a week ahead of us, season wise. That's what you get for being about 80 kms south. This is our provincial parliament, as Victoria is our capital. Need I explain parliaments for those of you south of the border?

See? Definite springyness.

I took this photo this week, too. It's a robin's nest with plastic eggs in it. I know - robins don't lay plastic eggs. The real baby robins flew away last year. The nest looked lonely this year and it was Easter. This photo became the Icon of the Day in The World Through My eyes. Don't ask. Flickr stuff. It was a compliment. A big one.

We went to Maggie and Jamie's birthday party. They turned 5. Bouncy castle, face painting and cake. You only turn 5 once. Or twice, in their case.

I took more flower photos. In Victoria I splurged on some macro filters. Cheaper than a lens and harder to use, but fun to play with. I'm learning how to use my tripod, too. Who knew using a tripod required practice?

We coloured eggs. ~Eggs before.

~In colour process.

~After.

We went to the annual Easter egg hunt and family brunch at my friend Nancy's. We collected leavings from the Easter Bunny and ate quiche and baked french toast. I made raspberry and white chocolate scones.

Are you still hanging in? Almost done.

I took pictures for my photo scavenger hunt. One of the topics was "milk mustache". Notice the lack of frontal chompers.

Last but not least, more flowers. White ones.

Pink ones. There's a long season of flowers ahead, but it won't last forever, I promise. And they are better than dead berries, aren't they?

crazy

2008-03-24T14:47:00.001-07:00

I have to digress from my usual sane, somewhat mundane business to this - just in from Susan over at Trout Towers:

"Sweet Home Alabama
I tried to resist posting this video, but finally gave up, in hopes that someone else will get the song stuck in their head and I can stop humming it. It is the Finnish rock band Leningrad Cowboys with the Red Army Choir (the real Red Army Choir - balalaikas and all) performing Sweet Home Alabama. It is currently my most favorite thing ever."

Mine too.

fun with penelope

2008-03-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I took a course on close up photography at Milner Gardens, which is near Qualicum Beach here on beautiful Vancouver Island.

I have to confess to never having been here before, although my Mom goes a lot and I have been meaning to. But going for this course seemed the perfect excuse. Above is the main house. Queen Elizabeth has hung out here. We took the course in the room she slept in. The bed was gone, though.

Honestly? The course wasn't that great. Nice guy, good photographer. Not much to say. I was surprised to find that he didn't really have any new info for me. Maybe because I've been so immersed in learning about taking pictures for the last six months. I'm passionate. I don't leave home ever without my camera. At night I kiss my family goodnight, then I kiss my camera. It doesn't have a name, though. I'm kind of keen on Penelope.

Anyway, I digress a bit. Even though there wasn't much to learn on Saturday morning, we still got to spend lots of time snapping in the gardens. and that was magic. They are such an amazing combination of old growth forest and cultured gardens. There were little surprises. These iris are so small, about half an inch.

There were little parches of these babies. Wild cyclamen grow in little patches on the grass and under trees. They are tiny, too. White and purple and pink.

Funky Chinese witch hazel trees are starting to bloom. I love them. I have no idea if these are blooms or left over fall stuff. I should have looked closer.

I've been learning lots about photo editing, too, and have discovered Actions. Which means I keep wrecking perfectly good photos with special effects. But really, what else do I have to do at 4:00am? I'm too tired then to even write an e-mail. My apologies to peple I owe e-mails to. I plan to catch up over the Easter weekend.

I could move right in. Front porch looking over the ocean, cove ceilings, original hardwood and all. The house wants me to. It called me. Isn't it seriously beauteous?

It was so springy there were even bumblebees everywhere. I'm a bit jaded when it comes to bumblebees. I spend lots of time at 4:00am on flickr and pictures of bees are a dime a dozen there.

See? Spring, spring and more spring. Katie goes every month to the gardens with her class for their Roots to Shoots program. Last month they dug up winter potatoes and a couple of months ago they learned how to stay safe in the forest. Something to do with hugging and kissing trees. Is that better than kissing my camera Penelope?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-16T16:59:00.001-07:00

Took this shot this afternoon. See that one tooth gap in front? It's now a two tooth gap. She definitely can't say "she sells seashells at the seashore".

Have a drink of green beer on me!

if i don't crack, I'll be back

2008-03-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

I'd write something interesting but my rhodos are dying...

And I have to work extra hours to pay for bird food.

Oh, and I have to host book club, finish a whack of reports that are already past deadline, get Katie to gymnastics and Aidan to the doctor because he has an ear infection, visit with my sister and family who are arriving in a couple days (that's a good thing), take a macro photography course, get a pedicure with my sister, and plan for Easter. That's all before next Monday. Seriously. I'm glad Jamie is doing the rest of the stuff. I hope the Easter Bunny brings me something good. See you in a couple days. XX00

Spring is Sprung

2008-03-06T22:23:00.001-08:00

Well~I couldn't be later, but here goes with my Spring photochallenge. After checking out tod, dilling and cindydianne, I feel a little like an underachiever, but hey, it's the best I could do with 5 minutes free time a day right now.

Blogger has been giving me some serious grief, too and won't let me move my photos around once they're up...grrr....

Spring means we get out into the yard, gardening, sidewalk painting, and hanging off the deck taking pictures of people gardening and sidewalk painting.

Snowdrops. Spring on the island first appears in the form of snowdrops. they pop up in ditches and under trees.

Anybody know what these are? Pretty pink somethings. It is so exciting to have colour to take pictures of. I was getting so tired of dead and grey. We don't get a lot of sparkly and white here in the winter.

Herring are running by the island. Lots of fishing boats and seiners lurking in wait. They haven't got here yet, any day, I would expect. The water turns frothy blue silver with the roe and there are birds and seals and sea lions. The run is always in the spring around this time.

The best and brightest blooms are outside city hall. I spent time before work crawling around looking for my favourite bulbs and blossoms. Nobody paid any attention to me. I wonder if they thought I was a homeless person just waking up?

A few houses down from mom's place is this tree. It is always the first to flower. You can see it's still chilly by the smoke from someones wood stove around it....

Pretty, huh? I love fruit blossoms, although I think this is ornamental.

Here come the crocuses. They are not to be resisted. It is the most colour I've seen in months. It was frosty. I find it strange that the frost doesn't seem to harm the petals.

The frost had melted into teeny tiny droplets on some. I didn't even see them until I processed the pictures. More crocuses to follow, what can I say about them?

They're springy.

March Randomness

2008-03-04T16:09:00.001-08:00

I am working hard to meet a couple of deadlines this week, so here are a few of my favourite photos from the past couple of weeks...I should have things under control by Friday.....

Katie and a friend heading for the school to play at the playground. I played around a bit with Photoshop and made it a little arty...

Handstand girl....more Photoshop fiddling. I taught her everything she knows.

I took this for a monthly photo scavenger hunt I do on Flickr. Nanaimo Bars. Not good for the MBI, but sooo good. I think that if you eat Nanaimo Bars in Nanaimo, they should be calorie free.

More scavenger hunt. Closer to Easter you can look forward to a complete look at Katie's eggcup collection. I kid you not.
I took this guy's picture from the Horseshoe Bay ferry dock. I just love him, blurriness and all. He looks exactly how I feel this evening.

Randomness out. See you Friday for the spring photochallenge!

Festival du Sucre d'Érable

2008-02-27T21:13:00.000-08:00

Here I am in my hotel room in Vancouver again. I'm here finishing off the training that I started in January. I guess if I survived the role plays with actors then, I will be able to do it again. Joy. And it's raining, so I can't even go out for photo taking. Ah well....

If you read dillings blog, you already know about the Maple Sugar Festival here in Nanaimo. We went the day after she did, so I'm a bit johnny come lately.

We never miss the festival. It's a family affair. We always go for the pancake breakfast, grandparents and all.

Lumberjack Breakfast. Ham, pancakes, eggs in maple syrup and tourtière. Aidan can eat an entire lumberjack breakfast on his own. He's a breakfast kinda guy.

Katie's a just pancakes kinda girl. With lots and lots of syrup. Lots.

There was great music while we ate. I love Acadian fiddle. Can't wait for folk festivals this summer.

I was reading the comments on dilling's blog. Tod has only tried maple syrup (we call it "maple surple" around our house) once and didn't like it. Tod? What do you put on your pancakes, then?

Syrup on snow. Heidi was surprised that we have maple syrup already. Truth be told, we don't make much syrup here, and it's really not the same. This syrup would have come from Quebec/Ontario. Likely last year's batch. It's a festival put on by the Francophone society in Nanaimo. It's really a celebration of French Canadian and Quebec culture.

The syrup on snow toffee is a fundraiser by the local French immersion high school. We have several French immersion schools in Nanaimo. Are there language immersion schools in the US? Or the UK? Or is it common here because we are a bi-lingual country? I haven't thought about it before.

The ice sculptures were on their last legs. It was a beautiful warm day.

Go back to dilling's place and look at them new and sharp. Kinda alienish now.

Still beautiful if you look up close. I have no idea what this was to begin with.

Olly loves poutine. Do those of you outside Canada know Poutine? Definitely an acquired taste. French fries covered in gravy and cheese curd. Heart attack in a bowl. So good. Not that I would even consider eating something that fattening (especially after the eggs in syrup and tourtière).

Another sweet festival. Can anyone tell me where Frenchie went? I missed him. There were no flower balloon hats for us this year.

stuff

2008-02-24T21:08:00.000-08:00

I've received a little feedback lately that my blogging might be a little lackluster and less than frequent. I can't argue. I can't seem to keep up with anything lately. I'm running just to keep up with myself. Work, kids, stuff. It's all busy - but it's all fun and good. Or good and fun. Whatever.

To add to the things to do around here - the island decided it's spring. It's like that here.

One day we are weeping at the greyness and the wetness and the grimness of it all, and the next we drive by a blooming cherry tree. So then, on our day off, after the kids are dropped at school and we are heading to the grocery store and dry cleaners and home depot to do busy stuff, we find ourselves at the beach.

And if we are at the beach, we have to pause and take pictures of Oyster Catchers - you guessed it, catching oysters. Because they are my new favourite bird. Isn't he just the most charming? And if we are already strolling along the beach, we might as well swing off into the woods. The sun isn't so glaring there.

And while we are in the woods, we might find ourselves crawling over the forest floor, capturing the first crocuses of the year. Like tiny treasures, just waiting to distract us from stuff. But eventually, stuff calls and it's off to the grocery store.

Even at the grocery store there's springy distractions. Tulips out front, in the sun. Just begging for a photo. I didn't want to shop for hamburger anyway. After doing half the stuff I had planned to do I headed home to clean up - and stuff. I had to take some daffodils home with me. I couldn't go home without some of that good springiness.

Seriously, though, if we have perfectly lovely, grown in BC daffodils on the counter, it would be a shame to not catch them with my new lens, wouldn't it? I think it would be wrong on so many levels. The stuff will just have to wait. It will still be there tomorrow.

diptychs

2008-02-19T21:09:00.000-08:00

I've been working on my photo editing skills. This week I've learned how to make a diptych. Here's a few samples.

I caught both my kids messing around on the computer doing mindless drivel tonight. Nintendo website and some fashion thingy. They also read before bed tonight, honest. Fancy Nancy at the Museum and the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

I mentioned yesterday the science fair projects are done, and they are. I have discovered that Science Fairs are some kind of devious and horrific torture that teachers inflict upon parents. Above are the displays. Katie also has her evaporation buckets (one with a lid and one without, carefully measured). Aidan has before and after compost, not to mention the exciting addition of a bucket of insects and organisms and worms. Eeewww.

I was inspired by these little umbrellas. Actually I may have been more inspired by the possibility of a pina colada, but really, who's asking?

That's my little tour of my humble creations. Did someone say pina colada? Oh yeah, that was me.

post weekend....

2008-02-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

Some random photos from the weekend. The sun came out!!! I took a road trip for work up the Island Highway on Saturday. My favourite drive. Lots of pulling off and on the highway at my favourite spots.

I'm a little short on words- well, I'm short in general but especially on words tonight. Have you seen my girl since she lost her tooth? Yup, she's six. Her t-shirt says "Fashion Fanatic". she picked out this outfit today...I think it screams self confidence. That's all I have to say about that.
And my boy? His Science Fair Project is finished. And he's still alive. and I still love him. that's all I have to say about that.

Jack, stuffed puppies and Spongebob

2008-02-14T18:53:00.001-08:00

isn't that what Valentine's Day is all about? Oh, and chocolate.

pink and blue and grainy too - oh..and gifted....

2008-02-12T20:25:00.000-08:00

Crazy, amazing clouds in the sky this evening. I could have taken some beautiful and unusual shots on the way home.

I could have, but today was the first day in ages I had forgotten my camera. I never go anywhere without my camera. It is my constant companion, my best friend - you get the idea. But not today. Mom was making us supper, but I was so desperate that I had to stop quickly at home and snap some shots from the driveway. It was almost dark, so I missed the sharp blue sky and great light and these ended up grainy.

I got the last of the clouds from Mom's deck. I can't wait until the light lasts long into the evening. Can't. Wait.

On another note: My blog friends are playing....

gifted.....

The Game: Everyone who has a blog is welcome to participate.
The first three people to leave a comment on my blog
will receive a gift from me in the next 365 days.
The only condition is that those people will have to do the same on their blogs.
Pay it Forward!

so close i can smell it....

2008-02-12T06:35:00.001-08:00

I love February on the island. Even while it's still wet and gloomy, bits of spring start to creep and pop. By the end of the month we have daffodils and blooming trees and life again. It's a miraculous place to live.

reasons

2008-02-10T21:46:00.001-08:00

why I have been slow in posting...

1. I had to clean the toilets. I also had to murder dustbunnies and mop the floors and do laundry.
2. My brain is tired. Really, really tired. It seems that work has been so chaotic and dramatic these past couple of weeks that I can't seem to stretch my brain much farther than making Shake and Bake chicken and booking playdates.

3. I have been dragging two kids through preparations for science fair. Composting and evaporation, the fun never ends.

4. I've been reading. Canada Reads in just around the corner and I have books to read to prepare for our annual Canada Reads night at book club,

5. I'm on a diet. This requires effort and planning. And not eating. And exercising. There are no Valentine's cupcakes involved. I really love cupcakes.

6. I had to work on my flickr archives. I have become somewhat of a flickr addict. Once the kids are in bed, I'm there. It's my crack. Or my meth. Or my cupcakes.

7. I keep falling asleep. Then I wake up at 4:00am. Then I have to go on flickr. Or make bread in my new breadmaker. But not for me, I'm on a diet.

My brain is even more tired now. I need to go and not eat a cupcake and read until I fall asleep.

Night night.

in her backpack

2008-02-08T06:25:00.000-08:00

My children seriously need their own administrative assistant. This is the non-academic related paperwork that came home in my girl's backpack the other day. Community advertisements, school fundraisers, class fundraisers,advertisements, book orders, requests for volunteers, hot lunch orders, milk orders, newsletters...the poor trees. Oh, and each of these things has a deadline, or a task or something to remember. Any out of work admin people out there who work for cheap?

grey

2008-02-06T05:52:00.000-08:00

This is my least favourite time of year. Around here, as you may have noticed, we love the festivities and fun between October and December. We look forward to a vacation in January. We love summer, too. But February and March are just a bit grey.

Spring seems just out of reach, even though I know that it is only weeks away here on the island. There really are little signs already. I grew up in the north, and spring is still months away there, so I shouldn't complain.

I'm having trouble thinking of what to take pictures of - and that never happens for me. I saw dilling last night and we joked about how many pictures of dead berries we take at this time of year. But I know that, even though I haven't found them yet, there are snowdrops poking their heads up and crocuses thinking about it. I know that soon we'll be enjoying our yard and planning projects and even getting started on them. Things will get colourful again.

But for now it's just a bit grey.

I'm Sad

2008-02-03T21:54:00.000-08:00

Today, after Aidan's art class, grocery shopping and other Sunday tasks, we hopped in the car and headed for Duncan. I still had a lovely gift card for Modern Country Interiors (oh my, yes) from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket, and I also was jonesing for a walk at Somenos Marsh. After a successful stop at Modern Country, where I ordered a full set of - too gorgeous for words - bedding in bright and fabulous stripes, we headed to at Somenos. Those of you who know me, know how I have fallen in love with this old marsh over the past few months.

I love it when work takes me to Duncan, just so I can take an hour and prowl down the old boardwalk, hoping to meet up with a bird or a bullfrog (those damn bullfrogs, I look for them everywhere and have yet to meet one, munching on someone's pet or otherwise).

I usually go alone, as it's most often that I go that way for work. But today the kids were excited at the prospect of creeping along the boardwalk with me. Aidan had his camera, too. I had warned them of the need to be quiet and not scare the birds, and the need to hold carefully to the railing and walk slowly.

This is what we found. It's been closed. And it doesn't look temporary. I wasn't surprised, as the last time I was there, the boardwalk was floating on an angle and covered in slime and ice. I had to walk carefully, I didn't want to risk my camera hitting the water, and who knows how long until someone found me - I have never seen anyone else at the marsh the same time as me, although I have decided not to go in a couple of times because there were signs that someone homeless may have been camping...

I've searched the internet to see if it looks like there are plans to fix it, or revitalize...I'd help with that. I found nothing. I'm not sure if the "hazards" on the sign are any different than the ones that I experianced - maybe it's something different, a giant heron's nest in the middle of the walk, or maybe there has been a big bullfrog attack - but I think it's likely simple neglect and rot and the impact of the marsh on the man made walks.

I may go back without the kids and climb under the barricade to see. I'm not sure if I can stay away. It's too magic. I'll let you know before I go, so you can send out a search party if I don't come back.

taking a nap at sunset

2008-02-02T22:48:00.001-08:00

I took a drive with mom this evening. We went along through Fairwinds at Nanoose Bay, which is over by Parksville. I hadn't been there for years. On the way down to the marina we stopped by a pond (in a golf course, no less - nothing like golf course ponds for finding the exciting wildlife). This swan had his head up looking around, then just curled up and went to sleep, floating along. Didn't he know it was cold??

I love this shot. I think it might be one of my best so far, and it was a bit a fluke...

zip a dee doo da

2008-01-31T21:30:00.000-08:00

This has been a truly helacious couple of days at work. Usually I love my work, but now and then it can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and generally unhappy. Next week will be better, but I'm not feeling too chatty tonight. So more random pictures...

Birds are still talking and the flowers bloom, at the tiki, tiki, Tiki Room....

Katie and I watched a rain storm from inside the Build a Bear store. Yes, she did build one. a polar bear, which left the store in a Pirate's of the Caribean outfit, with Disney mouse ears. I do not lie. She's sleeping with it right now, ears and all. The rain ended before we left the store. We were lucky that way.

Not a great photo, but look! Twirling - with Cinderella. Cinderella, in the flesh. One of them, anyway. But when you're six, there's just one, and she twirled with her.

The train diner at California Adventures. I couldn't fall in love with California Adventures. Somehow a theme park that is built all in one go doesn't seem right. I think it's inherently flawed. No flow. But still some fun rides. It couldn't be bad, but it wasn't fab.

Aidan and Stitch. I can never decide if Stitch is cute or just creepy...and is he/she a boy or girl alien? So cuddly and blue, though.

Cinderella's castle at night..sans tripod once again.

two more days at Walt's place

2008-01-31T05:55:00.000-08:00

Every morning it would pour as we walked over to the park. We would be discouraged and worried about the day...I would have hats and ponchos on everyone..

Long enough for us all to have hat-head and to need to wear our ball caps for the rest of the day looking like yokals...

Then, a miracle would ensue and we would arrive at Disneyland to have the sun come out. See her poor little puffed up face? Apparently there is a different red dye in the states in candy and fruit punch...it took three allergic reactions over two days for us to figure out what it was. Who knew that gift shops in Disneyland sell Benadryl over the counter?

The entrance to California Adventure, More on that to follow...

The kids loved climbing on and posing by the letters, there was great demand for them.

We often had to wait for things to dry out before we could ride on them. I loved the look of the wet teacups in the sun and took lots of snaps of them. jamie said we had more snaps of teacups than our children. There's nothing more Disneyland than the teacups...

Except maybe the White Rabbit.

I always like Toontown, although I''m really not sure that it stands the test of time. It was built around that whole Roger Rabbit era, which my kids just don't get at all. They did like Minnie's house, though, with the crooked canisters and funny dishwasher and fridge.

Goofy and Pluto had fun messin with Aidan and his hat. Aidan would never interact with a person in a character suit at home, but somehow, at Disneyland, it's ok. I think they start to forget there's someone inside the suit...

More to come...

The First Day in Short

2008-01-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

I'm exhausted and settling in - 6 days of theme parks can wear a girl down. Way down. A few pictures of the first day of our holiday...

The day we left it was almost too beautiful to sail away.
Crisp, clear and blue.
We got to Annaheim with enough time to drop our bags, dose Katie up with cold medicine and hit Disneyland for a quick walk around and for dinner with Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale and Jasmine.

Pluto was kind enough to pose with us at dinner (more about that later).

After dinner we hit the parade and then back to bed to settle in. In case you are wondering, this is blurry seaweed, a la the Little MErmaid. See ya tomorrow.

On Our Way Home...

2008-01-28T06:46:00.000-08:00

I'm grabbing a couple of minutes before we head to the airport...after two days, Katie was much better and we managed to have a great time. Although the weather was not great we still managed to stay dry - for the most part.

Details to follow once we are back on the rock...