Day 150: My Mom, my bestfriend...

This past weekend I was able to help celebrate my mom's birthday.  We will leave out how young she turned...this time :).

We were able to get together for a wonderful supper.  And afterwards we did cake at my house.  It was great.  And family time that I really needed.

This week hasn't been on of my easier weeks.  But having my bestfriend in my corning supporting me and praying with me...it means the world to me.

Mom...Thank-you for your continual support and love.  You are wonderful!!!  And I love you!!

5 reasons I love my mom so much (it could have been way longer!)

1. She takes my calls no matter what time of night they come at.
2. She always gives me a hug and tells me how much she loves me.
3. She makes me laugh.  Whether it is because she almost gives a secret away like about taking photos lately.  Or she just has a good story to share.
4. She is an amazing cook.  Almost makes me want to pack up and move back home.  Good food and good company.  Does a girl really need much else?
5. She is one of the most caring, loving people I know.  She is selfless and loves her family like no other.  She is an amazing blessing.

Day 149: Ko Ko Christmas Style...

This Christmas I bought some Christmas props for pictures.  Something fun.  Even KoKo got into the action.  I just thought this was a cute picture and wanted to share it.

Day 148: Festival of Trees 2013...

This year I headed to the festival of trees with my friend.  It was like a school reunion for me...running into people from elementary and high school time frame as well as my college days.  Every time I turned around there was another person that I hadn't seen in a while.  Thankfully my friend is very patient.

While at the festival we had to look at the nicely decorated trees and sometimes the ummm interestedly decorated trees.  As well as gingerbread lane.  Plus we enjoyed a candy apple!!!

It was a great night ending with a delicious prime rib at Maddhatters.

Day 147: Busted!!

A couple Sunday's ago I was visiting my boyfriend.  While I was gone my sister and brother in law decided to say in town between church services.  When I got home I noticed this napkin on my coffee table.  And well, I knew it wasn't mine.  So my sister...you are busted!!!  LOL!!!

Day 146: Dear Mom....

Dear Mom,

Thanks for the Poppycock...However, the bowl is emptying.  PLEASE SEND MORE...QUICK!!

Thank-you!

Love your daughter,
T

Day 145: Wrappin, Wrappin, Wrappin!

This year I am trying to be a little more organized for Christmas stuff.  This year, I promised myself as I buy gifts I am going to wrap them.  And I have!!  Plus even made all the Christmas tags.

I am excited about this coming up Saturday...shopping with my sister!!  Finishing off the Christmas shopping.  Which will mean lots of wrapping after that!!!

Day 144: Old Hotel York!

While getting some drinks made at my man's house I seen this old Wine and Liquor menu from Hotel York.  Yes, Hotel York....a establishment that we never thought was much of anything these days.  A place we had talked about being a eye sore.  But back in the day it was anything but that.  I was the place to go!

On a side note, I thought the prices were crazy.  Shows you with the prices how old this could be.

Day 141: Handmade Christmas Tags

A few weeks ago I was able to find some time to make a few Christmas tags.  Which has been nice as I picked up gifts here and there I have been able to add homemade tags.  But noticed that I have to get busy making more.  Trying to prep as much as I can because we all know how crazy busy it starts to get at Christmas.

Day 140: Gingerbread House!

The other day I was out shopping and came across a pre-fab gingerbread house.  I bought it so me and my boyfriend can work on it.  I bought the pre-fab build as that is way easier then trying to get it to stand.  I had one last year and my friend Beth and I put it together.  But this one is like an upgraded version.  It has fondant and icing that has a easy pour spout!  Less mess!!!

So I eagerly await the decorating night.   And well, the candy eating after that!!

Day 139: Another Flower!

Early this summer I got a plant from my friends.  This plant keeps blooming.  Most of the time I don't always have a green thumb with these types of plants.  But the proof is right there in the picture...it is still blooming away.  We will see how well the plant holds up when I have to move it to put up my Christmas tree.

Day 138: Sunflowers!!

If you recall, a while back I wrote about my mom's sunflower.  And the fact there was only one flower on this whole group of them.  Well, the rest came!!  And there were many of them!!

I believe mom will try planting them again next year.  They did look something beautiful!!

Day 137: Little Mud on the Tires!

 I was able to head to Edmonton this past weekend...And well, I have been horrible at Blogging.  Sorry Family.  I will try to be better but life is just busy!

This past weekend I headed to Barrhead to stay at a friends place.  From there we headed to Edmonton on Saturday for a breakfast meeting with another friend, shopping, a movie, and a concert!  It was a great day.  By the time we got home we were exhausted.  And sleep felt so good.  The next morning we woke up to snow!  And you know what that means...this girl is allowed to listen to Christmas music!  I don't over due it but once and a while.  On Sunday I headed back home earlier then I originally though.  But didn't want to run into bad roads and just wanted to spend a quiet night at home.

Day 136: Oh Christmas!!!!

Look at what I seen in the store the other day!!!!  Now, I refrained from buying any because I always tend to buy to early and then regret it because they aren't quite as good as they are closer to Christmas.  I believe I like them for two main reasons.

1.  They are easy to grab and eat.  They peel easily.  They (on the most part) are sweet and juicy.

2.  It means the Christmas season is just around the corner.  Yep, that means in less then three months Christmas.  In less then two months my house gets decorated.  And well, the first snowfall Christmas music!!!

Yes, I love Christmas.  An amazing time of year to reflect on our Saviors birth.   God's Son!  The man who would later save us from our sin.  Who took our punishment so we can have eternal life.

Thank you Lord for your amazing gift!!

Day 135: New Plant!!

My one Aunt has an amazing green thumb!  And well, she is in the middle of house renovations and I guess must have wanted to narrow down her plants.  She has always known I have admired her ability to have plants grow like nothing else.  The beautiful Ivy is from her.  Now my job...to keep it living!!!

Thanks to my dad who help hang it and find it a place to live.

Day 134: Rolling, Rolling, Rolling...

I have always loved counting my change.  It probably is the financial person in me but there is something about a jar full of change quickly adding up.

The other night I was watching some of the new season premiers and thought I should roll that change of mine up.  I ended up having over $240.00 in change.  Amazed at how fast those quarters add up.

I have started in the past couple of years rolling my loose change and putting it into a US account.  This way when I travel I have my spending money ready to go!!

Day 133: Mmmm Kahlua Cream Pie!!

My Aunt from Port Alberni has been able to visit for a couple of weeks here this fall.  Yes, this is the same Aunt that I was able to spend time with this supper.

She hasn't seen my house yet and she very much wanted to see my house...and I would like to think me as well.  So last Tuesday I was able to have my Aunt and my mom for supper.  Made spaghetti and corn.  Mom brought garlic bread and this amazing pie!

Day 131: Potatoes Anyone???

Once again I apologize for the lack of blog posts.  My life is anything but boring which means sometimes a lack of getting things posted on here.  I do have some photos ready for a few days so you are in luck now!!

Last weekend I was able to head out to my parents farm to help my mom dig up potatoes.  After a morning of digging the plan was then to drive on the combine.  God, however had different plans for us.

I did get to help with potatoes.  And well, lets just say mom's garden produces!!!  Potatoes everywhere.  The one mom is holding in the picture is an example of how big some of them were.  We also found some shaped like a teddy bear and a duck.  It was a great morning working with mom.  We dug one plant and it filled half a 5 gallon pail.  Every three plants we had a full pail and where hauling them down to the cold room.

That afternoon I planned on sitting on the combine with mom while we worked on canola.  However, after a quick lunch and a even quicker nap the rain started to come down.  Instead, mom and dad got a little bit more of some much needed rest.  We ended up then going up north to put some cows in that had gotten out.  And then from there we ended up heading to town to have supper.  Then mom and dad came to my house and helped me with a bit of a 'to do list'.

Thanks you mom and dad for a great Saturday!  I treasure you guys!!!

Day 129: Here's 24 Roses!

There is nothing better then having flowers given you by someone you love.  I know most of you are thinking right now..."oh, that man of Tasha's, he is just spoiling her."  Well, these roses didn't come from him.  These came from her wonderful parents.  My mom swung by my work and dropped this off.  It was a pleasant surprise just to see mom let alone the beautiful flowers.

However, when I did send my man a pictures of the flowers he did mention that my parents have now one upped him.  A little healthy competition that may benefit me.

Thanks mom and dad.  I really don't think it should have been me getting the flowers.  I think it should have been me buying them for you.  For being the great parents you are to us.  For always walking beside us and for loving us through everything.  Love you guys!!!

Day 128: Thank Goodness for my Mom!!!

One more camping story...

So my parents were nice enough to allow me to use their 5th wheel.  However, it did come with a few ummm...issues.

Saturday morning I was warm so I opened the vent on top by my bed.  Then the wind started.  And well the vent came off the rollie thing.  Well, I thought that maybe I could take the screws out of the vent and fix it.  That didn't work.

Thank goodness for my amazing mom.  She crawled up there like a trouper.  She fixed it and even gave me a wave.  Needless to say, we found out how dusty it is up there when she got down.

Day 127: Camping

Last week I was able to go camping for a few days.  There were a few things I learnt on this adventure.

First, I am very thankful for my parents and them allowing me to use their 5th wheel.  Plus them helping me set it up.  And allow me to use what was in it.

Second, I am never camping again by myself.  I found out how boring it really is and how much I love having my family around when I am camping.  That there is only so much thinking that one can do.

Third, I was happy with all the guest that did make their way to visit.  I had supper guest every night which gave me something to look forward to.

This picture was from the night I made Taco Salad.  It was good!

Day 126: Trash the Dress...

On a nice summer day I was able to take pictures of my friend.  She got married in Rwanda and wanted to surprise her husband with some photos of her in her dress for his birthday.  It was to a be a trash the dress but we kept it pretty low key.  I was really happy with how they turned out.  So tonight, you are getting more then one picture!  Enjoy!!

Day 125: Beans, Beans, Beans...

During my week off I got to help snip some beans.  Now, this brought back some memories of my younger years.  August sun, the garden producing something crazy and DVBS (Daily Vacation Bible School).  Spending our afternoons in the cool basement out of the August sun (For us dutch blond girls this was very much appreciated) snipping beans or podding peas.  And catching up on our soups.  Another world!  Our Grammy's favorite soup...and she didn't miss it often.  The nice thing is you could pretty much watch an episode once every couple months and be caught up.  Not much time seemed to ever pass during that show....lol.

This time while snipping these beans my sister, my mom and I were able to catch up with life.  And to me, that is time well spent!!!

Day 124: Sunflower!

I am back!  Had sometime away from the computer world.  Went camping and just enjoyed sometime with family.

Did you notices this isn't called sunflowers!  Just Sunflower.  My mom decided to plant some this year.  Now, they are tall...they tower over me.  I would say at least 8 feet tall.  But only one with a flower on.  However, I do think that many more will come as I see buds.  Mom kept mentioning the only one flower sunflower patch.

My sister and I kept joking we were just going to go buy some from Michael's and just put them into mom's garden as a joke.

Day 123: Oh, Smurf!

The other day I was walking into work and I seen this!  There were mushrooms growing everywhere.  And I have to admit with the new Smurf's movie out my mind wondered there.  I thought maybe I could edit this and put a small smurf on here.  Instead, I edited a butterfly in the picture.

Now, I don't know how many peoples mind would wonder to smurfs when they see a mushroom but mind did.  I think it probably has to do with my childhood.  I had many Smurf themed birthdays, Smurf board games, and one of my favorite stuffed teddies was a Smurf.  Maybe that is why my brain wondered to Smurfs!!!

Day 122: My Newest Addition

This Saturday a new addition was added to my house...yes, that is correct a piano!!  My mom's old piano!!  I was super excited about it.  I have wanted a piano for a while now.   And it is amazing that it is my mom's piano.  Now, I am no where as good at playing it as my mom...nor do I think I will ever hit that...but I think is is awesome that I have the piano that we grew up singing around and listening to mom play.

Now, don't worry, my mom still has a piano...she has Grammy's old piano.  So we will still be able to listen to her play that beautiful music she does.

Day 121: Oreo!

This past weekend I was able to join my sister and brother in law for a little while they were camping.  And my sister and brother in law have a new addition to their family...Meet Oreo!!!

He is two years old but an amazing dog.  He barely barks.  He loves to play fetch.  And I think at times he forgets he is as big as he is.  He is an amazingly natured dog!  I loved playing fetch with him.  He brings the ball back.  He jumps and catches it midair.

Thanks for the enjoyable Friday night L & N!!

Day 120: Coffee + Good Friend = Fun Times!

Thursday I was able to make a quick coffee date with a good friend that just lives down the road from me.  She was free so we thought it was time catch up on our crazy summers.  We met in the middle and decided to walk to the coffee shop down the road.  My friend ordered a hot beverage and this is what it looked like.  I just had to capture it.  I ordered a smoothy and it didn't come out that fancy!

It was great catching up with this friend.  We don't get together lots but when we do we can chat it up!

Day 119: Flowers = Smiles

I was the recipient of these beautiful flowers!!!  The bouquet had so many beautiful flowers in it.  Between the colours and it having my favourite flowers in there...both Gerber Daisies and Lilies!!  How could any girl complain about receiving these!!

It was a pleasant surprise and a unexpectedly great week!!

Day 118: Friends...Good Friends!!

This long weekend I was able to have a friend come over and spend sometime visiting.   We always find fun things today.  This visit was a lot of visiting because it has been forever since R has come here for longer then a quick visit.

We even had to go on a mouse hunt early Sunday morning at our one friends place.  At 7:15 I had a phone call, text and even my land line called.  Mouse spotting and her daughter was waking up and her hubby wasn't home.  Now, don't be thinking you can call me to help hunt down mice. I am NOT that brave but thought I would at least go and give my moral support.  On my way over to my friends house all I could think was you have to be brave.  This mouse is small.  It is a irrational fear.  Apparently that speech didn't help.  Because when that mouse came running from under the piano....this girl screamed, started acting like she was jumping rope, and made little k think this auntie of mine is crazy and scaring me!!!

I wish I would have taken a picture of the scene...Pictures this, my friend who made the panicked text and call to me is still in her pj's with runners on holding a broom.  Blankets around the piano where the last spotting of the pesky mouse was.  A trail of bread crumbs and cheese out the door.  My friend was hoping the mouse would follow the trail out like on the cartoons.  (I secretively hoped this was the case as well).  Once I came, I found a hockey stick.  And once R came we found a curling broom.  Three adult girls, one little girl all in their pj's holding something to protect ourselves.  Wishing at that very moment we had more guys in our lives to call upon!!!!

Day 117: Mmmm, Mmmm, Fresh!!!

This past week my mom brought me a little bag of goodies.  Home grown lettuce, tomato, and zucchini.  I couldn't wait to eat it!!  Tuesday after work I grilled up the zucchini, made me a great salad and had a delicious meal!

Thank you Mom!!  You are pretty amazing to me and I thank God for you and dad on a daily basis!!!  Watching you guys farm and stand beside of us all the year...amazing and thankful!!!

Day 116: Oh KoKo!!

Let's talk about my parent's dog...

Now, don't get me wrong he makes me smile and is just a cutie!  But he isn't a camper...AT ALL!  Last weekend it rained a lot and well, KoKo, doesn't like getting wet feet.  He also would get to cold so he needed a towel to wrap up in.  Oh, you think that is bad.  See that red chair that he is in...yep that is Koko's chair.  If we are sitting around the fire he wants to sit around the fire.  If we are eating in our chairs you will find him nicely sitting in his.

But the best moment is in the morning when he realised that I was sleeping on the pull out couch and he gets so excited and just needs a good pet!!

Day 115: Butterfly

Most of you know I love butterflies.  I love them so much I have one tattooed on my ankle.  I think it is so cool that they change into something so beautiful.  This little guy was at our camp site last week.  It even let me go real close to snap this picture.

Day 114: Made New

There is just something about this picture...Let me break it down for you.  The first thing one notices is the old tree stump.  A tree that had a great life but got blown down or knocked down for some sort of reason.  The second thing one would notice is that there is a healthy tree growing with the help of the old tree stump.  Yes, it is growing on top of the old tree.

I equate this picture a lot like our lives.  Our walk with God.  We go along in our life, building it and living it the best we can, of course with God's help.  And sometimes life happens to us.  Maybe it is losing the love of our life or watching someone we know hurt in some way.  God never promised us all happiness.  Many times there are blessings in the rain drops.  And much like this tree, it feels like our life may have taken a knock but God allows ups to continue growing.  Fresh.  New.  Forgiven.  Redeemed.  We still have our roots grounded in God and are about to continue growing due to His love and grace!

Day 113: Summer + Campfire = Wonderful

This past weekend my parents were camping out at Hommy Park.  This park is a small, quiet place between Beaverlodge and Hythe.  It was a perfect place for my parents to have a little weekend away.

On the Sunday we were able to join mom and dad for some supper.  And I was really happy because I got to see my brother in law and sister after they had been off on vacation for 3 weeks.  (Don't tell them but I kinda missed them)

Some of my favourite (and not so favourite) memories for that day:
1. Sitting around the campfire catching up and eating fresh cherries
2.  My bro in law making mimicking me spiting the pits of the cherries.
3.  For supper sitting in between my sis and her hubby.  What can I say...I missed them...makes it easier to bug both of them!!
4.  Forgot how much elbowroom my bro-in-law uses when eating (mental note, don't sit between them again)
5.  Watching my parents dog get his own chair for around the fire...probably the best seat!!
6.  Just being able to catch up...I do know that my bro in law just missed me and that is why he was picking on me!!

Day 112: Whom Shall I Fear?

Psalm 27

 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked came against me

To eat up my flesh,

My enemies and foes,

They stumbled and fell.

 

Though an army may encamp against me,

My heart shall not fear;

Though war may rise against me,

In this I will be confident.

One thing I have desired of the Lord,

That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord,

And to inquire in His temple.

 

For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;

Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!

Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

 

When You said, “Seek My face,”

My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

 

Do not hide Your face from me;

Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

Do not leave me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation.

 

When my father and my mother forsake me,

Then the Lord will take care of me.

Teach me Your way, O Lord,

And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

 

Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;

For false witnesses have risen against me,

And such as breathe out violence.

 

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Day 111: Stamp Falls

This weekend I was able to catch up on my editing.  I got my trip all finished and even have the pictures getting developed.  I am now thinking it is time to put some on facebook to show what I all did!

This picture, I would say, is hands down one of my favourite!!  And thanks to my auntie holding some trees so I can could lean over and get this amazing photo!!

Now I eagerly await my photo's getting developed.  I can't wait to pick them up.  And Monday I have a scrapbook get together with some of my peeps.  My plan, a four page spread from my trip!!!

Day 110: ONE already!!

Well, little Miss. K turned one last month!  It has been amazing watching her grow up.  And I feel so special and honoured to be a honorary 'Auntie' to this amazing, beautiful and loving one year old.

I will be getting back to some travelling posts but thought I should add this one.  One of the reasons I came back from BC sooner then I needed to was because I couldn't miss K's birthday.  Especially her first birthday!  

I was able to spend the afternoon with the birthday girl and her mom.  Helping getting cupcakes made, occupying little Miss K so her mom could get a few things done, and helping get supper ready and cleaned up.  I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday afternoon.

Little Miss K just has had a way to put a smile on my face.  Right from the day she was born and I just needed some cuddle/ non thinking time to this day when she lets me help feed her or hold her.  I love that kid!!!  And I thank her parents for allowing me to be a part of her life!

Day 109: A Little Water, Anyone??

When we were visiting the old Mill site there was this water tower.  I just loved it.  And even though we didn't need any more water due to the raining!!  It made a cool photo.

Day 108: Sand Dollar

While I was in BC I got to to to the Ocean!!  It was great.  I actually remembered the first beach area we went to from when I was way younger.  The tide was way out there.  One could just keep walking and walking.  There were little pools of water throughout the walk.  We came across many little crabs, shells, and sand dollars.  And by the time we got to the water the tide started to come in so we had to high tail it out.  Because when that tide comes in, in comes in fast!!

Day 107: The Old Truck Unedited

I won't do this often but here is what I call a 'naked' picture.  Here is the unedited picture that I edited on Day 106.  I had many comments made to me with where people thought I made the changes.   Did you guess right?

Being into photography isn't only about finding a good subject.  It is angles, lighting, and placement.  Then it is about weeding through the many, many photos.  Figuring out which ones to keep and which ones are maybe just a little blurry and need to go.  Then it comes to editing them.  Sharping the image, making the colour more saturated, and at times editing something in or out!

It is a great hobby and I find it a great way to pass time.  My little get away from the crazy day to day grind that sometimes happens.

Day 106: An Oldie!!!

While in BC I was able to go walk around an old mill.  At this old mill there was a old truck parked in along the side.  As one can see, this truck isn't really go anywhere anytime soon.  I just thought it looked cool and I loved the writing on the side of the door.  I could just picture this truck in its prime!

I have to admit, this was the first picture I actually edited something out of it.  I think I did an okay job.  Not perfect but I doubt most people would notice the difference.  Can you spot it???

Day 105: Oh Canada!!

I just got back from my trip to BC.  I started downloading my pictures and realised I took close to 1,000 pictures!  I think my Israel trip should be interesting if five days in BC resulted in 1,000 pictures how many will Israel result in.  Anyone care to take some guesses??

We went and checked out a fish hatchery that my Uncle is a big part of on day one of my trip.  And while we went and were walking around there was a little stream.  I seen this leaf and to me it was so beautiful.  I just had to have a picture of it!!  Plus, it made me decided what time of year my next trip is going to be.  Yep...fall time!  I think those pictures would just be amazing.  I am just glad I stumbled upon the leaf!

Plus, how fitting that we just had Canada Day!

Day 104: Fireworks!!!!

I'M BACK!!

I had a great holiday at my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins place in BC.  It was exactly what I needed.  Rather hard to believe that I will be back at work tomorrow morning.  I had been looking for to this time off and it is couldn't come at a better time in my life.  Although, back to the routine again...which I kind of miss!!

I was able to come home a little early and have some days to relax at home.  And celebrate a very special 1 year old birthday.  As well I was able to hang out with various friends from near and far. 

Last night I was able to take in the Canada Day fireworks.  It was nice and well done.  Other then the mosquitoes being horrible we were able to enjoy a beautiful summer night.  All that was missing was a campfire.