so many weddings

Inverholme Schoolhouse - Deas Island Regional Park
Vancouver, BC

Coming soon
my turn to be mother of the groom
at this chapel
tucked away in the woods
August 2010

bangkok

My daughter and her husband recently spent a weekend enjoying the sights & sounds of Bangkok. This photo made me laugh out loud.

[a polite asian mcdonald's greeting]

daylight shifting time

The official spelling is Daylight Saving Time, not Daylight SavingS Time. Adding to the confusion is that the phrase Daylight Saving Time is inaccurate, since no daylight is actually saved. Daylight Shifting Time would be better. The idea of daylight saving was first conceived by Benjamin Franklin during his sojourn as an American delegate in Paris in 1784, in an essay, "An Economical Project."

Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time began at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March (14th) and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November (7th).

Spring Forward, Fall Back
During DST, clocks are turned forward an hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. In spring, clocks spring forward from 1:59 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.; in fall, clocks fall back from 1:59 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Have you adjusted to the "shift" yet?

Daylight Saving Time Facts

wonderful surprise

My friends (and husband) laugh at me when I call you my "blog friends". I know we aren't all actual friends but I do feel a kinship with many of you as we share pieces of our lives. The 20 minutes I spend reading your stories, hints, laughs, sorrows, joys, and talents is one of the favorite parts of my evening. One blog that I have closely followed this year is Vista Woman. Our lives are running a parallel path and I love reading all of Christine's posts.

It was a wonderful surprise yesterday when I receive a package from her. Can you believe how thoughtful she is?

The first clue to its content was that I had to be 21 years old to sign for it.

The next clue was a postcard enclosure with grapes on it.



Ahhhh . . . "Waussie Riesling" from Chateau Ste Michelle 2008



Don't they look nice with our W-o-W picture and wire basket of corks?
After the "photo shoot" one went directly into the fridge to chill.



When the first five friends arrived for our weekly Wine-on-Wednesday
gathering,we all enjoyed a glass while toasting Christine.



Don't you just love how she signs her name with a heart?



Thank you, my new friend!

most recently updated

Probably not new to you but new to me . . . .

I have discovered how to sort my blog list widget by choosing "Sort = Most recently updated". Now when I see my list in the right hand column I can tell which blogs have been last updated. They move right to the top. It is a very efficient way to quickly check in on my favorites -- I just start at the top and keep going until I come to a post I have already read.

ham and potato soup

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day . . .

Ham and Potato Soup
Serves 4-6

Ingredients
2 large potatoes peeled and diced
2 stalks celery diced
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup diced cooked ham (or corned beef)
28 oz chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk

Directions
Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a 4 qt crockpot. Cook on low 8 hours until potatoes are tender.

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly until a paste forms, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 5 to 6 minutes.

Stir the milk mixture into the crockpot, and cook soup on high just until heated through. Be sure not to let it boil or the milk will separate. Stir in salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

draining stones

I learned about draining stones from Betsy at My Five Men.

Mine are not as charming as hers but I love the look and the way they work.

bathroom

kitchen

Betsy said...
Corners ~ they aren't anything special...just a handful of small stones from my yard. The soaps and brillo pad last longer that way.

crochet dish cloth

To crochet this dish cloth use 100% cottton yarn
I like Peaches and Cream Brand

Start with a chain of 27
Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across (26 stitches)
Chain 1, turn, single crochet in each sc across (26 stitches)
I go through both loops at each end but only
in the front loops for the middle 24 stitches

Change colors as desired
Repeat rows until dishcloth is square
Weave in any loose ends

For a different look make dish cloth only 22-24 stitches square and then crochet another color around the border (2 single crochets in each corner)

No counting or patterns to follow so it is a fun
project to do in the car or while watching TV.

I have experimented with crocheting in front and back loops
to make a pattern but I now find I like the "plain look" best.

I like to give them away in groups of three,
one for the sink, one for the drawer, and one in the laundry.

paralympics

Last week these inspiring young men came to my school for our "closing ceremonies" of the Elementary School Olympics. They are members of the United States Sled Hockey Team and will be playing at the Olympic Venue in Vancouver on March 20th.

Their stories inspired our young students. One lost his legs in a train accident, one was born with cerebral palsy, one broke his back playing hockey in high school and the last lost both of his legs when he was hit by a car while changing a tire.

The Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with physical and visual deformities. The Paralympic Games are held every four years, following the Olympic Games, and are governed by the International Paralympic Committee.

meteorological spring

Even though spring doesn't officially begin until March 20th,
I learned today that March 1st begins the meteorological spring
{because the coldest 3 months are behind us}.
So . . . welcome Spring!

[actually this garden is still covered with snow but I love looking at it]