When your outgo exceeds your income
Your upkeep will be your downfall.
- Jim Rohn

Still Blooming

When we arrived home September 17, some flowers were still blooming, so next day I went out and picked this bouquet.

Right now we still have a few in the house, but we had a hard frost September 30th. So that is the end of everything.

Today I picked corn and froze it and gave some away.

Oct 3 we plan to go to Chuck and Michelle's for an early Thanksgiving. Then they will come here Oct 17th for a late Thanksgiving.

Beacon Hill Park, Victoria BC

Sandy and I saw this beautiful bright blue flower in Beacon Hill Park Victoria. We took pictures of flowers there and at Ellen and Peter's near Elk Lake.

A Unique Flower

This unusual flower we encountered when we visited my friend from school days; Ellen and her husband Peter. This was in one of two greenhouses.

They have a yard that is like a mini Butcharts Gardens. Beautiful and a lot of work.

Sandy, Judy and Ginet

We visited my friend, Ginet in Sidney, BC

We spent a few hours in the new and used shops, and we stayed for supper. On our way home we visited my brother, Dave and wife, and their Brazil exchange student, G. to say goodbye to them. Vases are a lot less costly in Sidney in the used stores than they are in Edmonton. I got a really nice green one with grapes on it.

Ginet also gave me a beautiful tea cup I had been looking for. Thanks, Ginet.

Fishermen's Wharf

At Fishermen's Wharf, James Bay, Victoria, BC we saw this seal puppy. We could stand and photograph him from the dock.

Trip to Victoria

Here is a picture of me with my friend, Lynne.

They live out of Victoria in the Langford-Millstream area.

We had a great day--it was very warm that day.

Sandy took this picture.

I forgot part of my information and could not get on my blogspot yesterday

Peter's building site

That was a review picture of the beginning of the building, and now the building as it looked on August 30th. They even have the house numbers on it

Westlock Fair Parade

Last week was very busy with the Fair and Parade in Westlock.

This was one of many vehicles in the parade.

Clyde Auctioneering.

This car was lovingly restored for its owner.

He passed away a few months later.

The Auction business continues to thrive.

Block Party

Two weeks ago Tuesday 107 St. Westlock had a block party. Ruth and I went for free donuts at Griegs (I bought some cardstock while there at a discount for the special day)

Then we went and took our donuts over to Refills next door and enjoyed our lattes there (chance to win)

Then on to the Flower shop in the next block. They were giving away free carnations. I thought mine looked kind of puny, it had a green bow ribbon on it. However, this little flower is now over 2 weeks old and still alive. I put it in a tall blue single vase.

They used to have it Friday afternoon so we never went, but this year it was Tuesday, so we went on our way home from work.

Tack Shack

This tack shack is 10 x 14 feet, and is on Highway 44 north of our place. It is for sale for $4,950.00

NO GST.

It has a brown tin roof. Two windows in the front and the roof slopes down at the back.

I like this building which has a 2 foot veranda but that is a bit pricey.

I should have gone off the highway for this picture but then I would be on their property again. Sandy and I first had a look at this building the day we went to buy paint, just over a week ago.

Peter's duplex is growing

Went by Peter's worksite earlier this week and could not believe how huge this building is getting to be-- it dwarfs the two houses on either side of it.

Tonight Jake and I went for a drive to town so I could show him. We also posted 3 letters, and bought gas for the van.

It was warmer at 7pm. tonight than at 4pm.

Michelle holding the first harvest of onions from our garden.
She and Chuck came out today for a visit with us and we had a nice afternoon.

Peter's Worksite

Here is progress on Peter's worksite--it now has steps going up both sides and I believe those are going to be living room windows on bot sides of the front there.

hmmm...Maybe I should buy one of these, lol.

I like the street it is on, fairly close to the news.

Nice trees on the street.

Janet MacDougall

Pictured here is Janet MacDougall in her early 80's

holding 4 of the small calendars she makes each year to send to Africa. Jake and I went to see her tonight and we dropped off 2 boxes of cards and pictures for her to use in her work, also a bag containing more pictures.

Dorothy, her sister, whom I know better came up from downstairs to be with Janet when we arrived. We stayed about 40-45 minutes. Janet is a retired missionary, who was in Chad, Africa for many years.

8000 calendars were sent last year; she did have some help making them.

One basket on the tree

Here is a brighter picture of one of the bottom baskets up closer.

Petunia Tree

Here is the petunia tree on a main corner in Westlock. This looks very pretty but I think the picture here is a bit dark.

Our Yard

Ed's 73rd Birthday. We went out for noon dinner at the Courtyard, Westlock Inn and later they came out here to our yard. There were 10 of us at the Inn as 2 other couples went as well.

Peter's building site

Jake and I went for a nice drive tonight; and I took Jake past Peter's building site; I got out and grabbed a couple of shots.

The building on the left side is the house next door.

After that we went to the News; then to Dapp Corner store where we got pop and gas, and then over the highway that connects to Highway 2, bringing us near Rochester, and then home via highway 2 and down the airport road.

It was very nice out tonight but we need rain desperately.

Ten days until the end of May, and 2 ladies at the hair shop say it is to go to -5 degrees tonight.
Actually this a.m. got up to 15.8 or so and we sat out on the east side of the porch to peel the glad bulbs. Later we went into to town for Jake's beard trim and hair cut. And did a few other errands including groceries, stopped by to see Art and Hilda but no answer there.
So we came home around 4pm.
So far onon 222 hills of potatoes in and 200 onions. But when we plant glads we will likely plant 400-500 unless I give some bulbs away, and the vegetable seeds were sorted last night--the ones I might plant. Picked up 2 packages of carrot seeds today as we had none.
To all the gardeners-- a successful gardening season

If the creator had a purpose in equipping us with a neck,
he surely meant us to stick it out.
- Arthur Koestler

art of acceptance is the art of making someone who has just done you a small favor wish that he might have done you a greater one.
- Russell Lynes

Mother's day Bouquet

This lovely bouquet was presented to me last evening by Chuck and Michelle.

We finally got down to Beaumont for a visit.

Went out to BP to celebrate Chuck and Michelle's 9th anniversary--13 days early for that, but about a week or

more late for Chuck's BD.

There is another rose away above the ones in the picture here.

Heavy Papers

Picture shows a very few of the inserts we had for the papers this week

Covers were added to them Tuesday.

All shelves and tables had already been used for Monday's papers.

This was probably the heaviest week we have had for six months. The section showing is the Garden Section.

On lighter weeks we dont strap these up just to sit on the shelves but they need to be when this large or they fall over.

Jake with branches he gathered

North end of garden area looking east.

Clearing the garden edges

May lst, cleaning day for the edges surrounding the west and north sides of the garden.

Jake gathered up many branches.

Here is the Other Vase

This black with white and gray design vase will be given away this coming Saturday for a 25th Wedding Anniversary gift along with a home-made card.

I just need to find another box to fit this into so I can wrap it up.

Vase

When we went shopping in March, I bought two of these in different colours to have on hand for gifts--it is very handy as sometimes we need a gift on short notice. And this worked good, I will be using both of these vases by May 2nd. The 2nd one is black tones and silver, and it will be for a 25th anniversary surprise evening supper.

Decided to go to Walk-IN

After having 2 colds and coughing for sixteen days with the 2nd cold/cough attack (like flu I think) decided to call and get an appointment to see my Dr. Wednesday.
I was told that I can see my Dr. on April 22nd. That is a 7-day week even though I told her I was coughing for sixteen days.
No other Drs had any openings either.
I have taken this appointment but then later Wednesday Sandy and I went to St. Albert to a walk-in clinic; an hour wait on this particular day; half the people sounded like they had my ailment. Others were hurt, etc.
I got special cough syrup and a medication to last for 10 days in the shape of yellow oval pills.
It is now Friday a.m. and I am not over the cough yet but it is not as bad as Tuesday night.
Hope everyone else is well.
Weather here today at 11:00 a.m. 10.6 with wind. So it feels chilly. Jake was outside; said it is cold, he was out when it was about 8 degrees.
Keep well everyone.

Happy Easter

May all the blessings of Easter be yours.

********************************************

The time has arrived to give thanks to Him

For giving His lifeTo free us from sin

He bled and died And grieved within

But on the third day He rose again

© By M.S.Lowndes

I have tried 3 times today to get this picture to publish on here. For the last week trying to get it on to the computer! It seems very slow tonight; I saw the picture 2 x but it did not publish to the blog. Hopefully, I will get it later tonight or tomorrow? js

Snow on roadside very near our driveway

This photo is I can get it on here is of Jake, taken March 17th, posing in front of a huge mound of snow put off road by grader.

Many of our fears are tissue-paper-thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.

-Brendan Francis

Today's Quote:

If you want to be happy for a year, plant a garden; If you want to be happy for life, plant a tree.
--English Proverb

Today's Quote
When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.
-Ethiopian Proverb

Jake, washing dishes

Here is Jake doing one of his household chores.

He takes dish-washing seriously.

This tap is a fake; no water in it.

We carry water from the next room for all our dishes.

Jake is 79 now.

A Valentine

This lovely Valentine came in the mail this week from my cousin, Florence.

Sandy and I went to a banquet our church sponsored to raise money for the poor people in Peru; several persons are going to go to Peru in a few weeks to help on some projects there.

The banquet was wonderful food. We also had guitar music by 2 different guys. And a harp player. Each played solo.

Oliver Tractor

Jake recently received this tractor on February 7th from one of our

neighbours.

It has mint green wheels and is 1959. Jake has several model tractors now; some displayed now in Peter's movie cupboard (glass front)

Today's Quote

Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money and power and influence.

-Henry Chester

Today's Quote

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people.

-G.K. Chesterton

Today's Quote

Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.

-Charles M. Schultz

Hello Everyone, thanks for viewing my blog.
Not much to see lately.
I tried to put on a cute picture of a girl in a heart,
it went on about a dozen, times, then the hassle to remove it
Then I added a nice picture of roses, it also duplicated over and over.

So I will just tell you that Jake and I went to Legal today, February 4th.
We took our van for oil change to Legal Motors. We got a nice car calendar!
They had a few on the counter to give away.
Then to the restaurant for coffee and cinnamon buns. I think it has changed hands since last year.
Then to the Co-op, bought over a $100 of groceries there. Got a newsletter and learned that they are in danger of closing--have been in operation in Legal since 1942. They need l8% more in business now to keep going.
It is not our usual place to shop since it is quite a distance from our home; we shop in Westlock.

Happy Heart Month everyone!

Today's Quote
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
-Erin Majors

Another Beautiful One

On January 10th Chuck and Michelle came out and we had Christmas for them.

They brought this very lovely card with ribbon bows on the trees and jewels.

This wonderful Christmas celebration consisted of trading gifts, visiting, a trip to the bowling alley, and a visit to Boston Pizza.

What fun. Let's do that again?

Today's Quote

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Anniversary Day

Today, January 7th was our 43rd anniversary. Sandy took us out for dinner at the Cattle Co. Restaurant.
It was vey hard to get Jake to go..but we managed to get him going. It was fine once out and back. A nice meal and they gave good measure, too.
Tonight Ruth and Sharmaine came down for a visit. We played one game of Scrabble but Ruth and I chattered too much for Sam to even think. So I finished her game for her. Then Ruth and I went online to look up information about a Max Streckenbach picture that was here in the house when we came. That was interesting.
Then Jake showed some slides and we also had Christmas cake.
It snowed quite an amount late afternoon and evening.
Ruth brought a gift, and Sam brought a tin with 3 peanut butter cookies in it for us.

Today's Quote

Winners have simply formed the habit of doing things losers don't like to do.

-Albert Gray

Today's Quote

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

-Jose Addison

Happy New Year

2nd cup

This one will be traveling from California. It is irredescent cup and saucer with pierced edge (pink, gold and white)

Come have tea with me?

Christmas Money

Decided to get something special just to keep for myself with some of the Christmas money I got--this is one tea cup.

This is a 3-footed irridescent pink-roses tea cup and saucer.

Today's Quote

When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

*only here we see snow when our eyes open!*