tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83261342561444213662024-03-18T13:22:34.439-07:00My Mountain Garden GleaningsJoanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.comBlogger283125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-48861696487743559132014-12-18T22:19:00.000-08:002014-12-18T22:19:35.437-08:00Hello Again!<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well hello again (and finally). The end of a very busy year is
winding down. So much has happened in a short twelve months. I have been away often and very busy when I return home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some of the highlights of the year.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The year started with Barry working in
Fort Mac and me heading to Saskatoon for a few weeks. My dad caught pneumonia and ended up in the hospital for a few days. My mom doesn't drive so it was nice to be able to help out. Dad has completely recovered and is his busy self again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I also got to
spend some time baking with Josie and Mikhyan (my new grandkiddies) which is always fun.
Over the year we made cookies and heart-shaped pizza for Valentines Day, chocolate chow mien
noodle nests for Easter, pizza sandwiches and bush pies in the summer
and chocolate wacky cake and cinnamon snowflakes this fall. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61h476qekts/VJOz6yvoWqI/AAAAAAAAErg/e0vP2MRyjEE/s1600/DSCF2501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61h476qekts/VJOz6yvoWqI/AAAAAAAAErg/e0vP2MRyjEE/s1600/DSCF2501.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">spreading cinnamon sugar on snowflakes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Id72Nd26zA/VJOz3NliZtI/AAAAAAAAErY/TcFupelX51I/s1600/DSCF2348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Id72Nd26zA/VJOz3NliZtI/AAAAAAAAErY/TcFupelX51I/s1600/DSCF2348.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">cutting ham for pizza sandwiches</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILqvtkQAIJQ/VJOz9YDXYmI/AAAAAAAAEro/n4ToB_LxSB8/s1600/DSCF2503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILqvtkQAIJQ/VJOz9YDXYmI/AAAAAAAAEro/n4ToB_LxSB8/s1600/DSCF2503.JPG" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">wacky cake ready for the oven</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDokQP8osKk/VJO0BX6L53I/AAAAAAAAErw/Li2vhJuu0LM/s1600/IMG_8143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDokQP8osKk/VJO0BX6L53I/AAAAAAAAErw/Li2vhJuu0LM/s1600/IMG_8143.JPG" height="213" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">chocolate nest cookies - messy but tasty</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I become a grandma again when Becky and Mike became parents and
presented me with Katrina Grace April 5<sup>th</sup>. She was 6 lb 2 oz and 19 1/2 “ long.
I was lucky enough to meet her when she was one day old.</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oh2WY7gY57Q/VJO5-ZPp76I/AAAAAAAAEtY/_-i73xExiew/s1600/Katrina%2Band%2Bme%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oh2WY7gY57Q/VJO5-ZPp76I/AAAAAAAAEtY/_-i73xExiew/s1600/Katrina%2Band%2Bme%2B1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Proud grandma</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWMd9dfo-qg/VJO-ZEhrQkI/AAAAAAAAEtk/GpDZLsrjg1E/s1600/june%2B6%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWMd9dfo-qg/VJO-ZEhrQkI/AAAAAAAAEtk/GpDZLsrjg1E/s1600/june%2B6%2B3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">smiling for grandma</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2ECQqT_eaI/VJO-bfWXCEI/AAAAAAAAEts/67VUqBLrGus/s1600/june%2B9%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2ECQqT_eaI/VJO-bfWXCEI/AAAAAAAAEts/67VUqBLrGus/s1600/june%2B9%2B1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">shirt from my sister</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Becky asked if I would make jam as
wedding favours for their upcoming wedding. I got busy and made 150 jars in total of
five varieties. Becky cut out the cloth caps and mom and I labelled
the jars and tied on the lids. They were very cute in red and white. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp5hmcgpFcI/VJO2KgG9luI/AAAAAAAAEr8/78rTfCiiDHM/s1600/jam1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp5hmcgpFcI/VJO2KgG9luI/AAAAAAAAEr8/78rTfCiiDHM/s1600/jam1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Barry and I decided to plant one of the
gardens to lawn this year. It is easier to mow than to weed the
area. If we want to plant there again, it is just a matter of
tilling it up. The grass grew thick and green due to all the chicken
fertilizer that was in the ground. That was where the
chickens ran and dug for bugs and ate chipped vegetables.</span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Since we have more lawn to cut, when
Barry came home in June, we went to Kamloops and bought a John Deere
riding mower. Boy! Now I can whip around and cut the lawn in no
time! Some tree branches needed to be trimmed as I got scratched
several times driving the mower around and under the fruit trees.
Now Barry has to prune them from the bottom and the top (they can't
hang too low for mowing but I also don't want them too tall so I have to use a
ladder to pick fruit). I do have trouble backing up the tractor when
the sweeper is attached to dump it. A semi driver I will never be.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Since I was away so much this summer, I
only planted a few cukes and tomatoes. I missed the rest of the
fresh produce but decided watching Katrina grow up was more important
than growing my own veggies.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Most of the fruit trees produced quite
well this year with the exception of the apricots. Spring was rainy
and cool so the apricots were slow to grow. Then the summer heat hit
with a vengeance and they started to ripen without growing any more.
The result was fruit with very little flesh – mostly pit and skin.
They never did get as juicy and tasty as usual.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cherries produced well this year,
but each tree had its own schedule - none of them ripened at the same
time. This made for a longer cherry season than usual. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was in Saskatoon the end of July for
Mike and Becky's wedding. All three kids were part of the
wedding and all of them looked wonderful. Josie was the flower girl
dropping petals along the path and Mikhyan was the ring bearer but
also pulled Katrina in a red wagon up the aisle. And Katrina just
sat and stole everyone's heart. The day of the wedding started very
cloudy and it rained hard but stopped just before the ceremony
started when the sun broke through. It was a lovely day with food,
music, good friends and family. </span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TSieanwbVI/VJO2UM4VmfI/AAAAAAAAEsE/HAET8yeVZZA/s1600/DSCF5520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TSieanwbVI/VJO2UM4VmfI/AAAAAAAAEsE/HAET8yeVZZA/s1600/DSCF5520.JPG" height="320" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Josie spreading petals</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3nJHm3BcFI/VJO2VLrtnaI/AAAAAAAAEsM/kGfm4OLwp78/s1600/DSCF5522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3nJHm3BcFI/VJO2VLrtnaI/AAAAAAAAEsM/kGfm4OLwp78/s1600/DSCF5522.JPG" height="304" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mikhyan pulling Katrina</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHcX5wrbCHI/VJO2VuPih7I/AAAAAAAAEsU/d4KZ8h-RqrE/s1600/10603386_579929595449474_7368599130343267061_n.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHcX5wrbCHI/VJO2VuPih7I/AAAAAAAAEsU/d4KZ8h-RqrE/s1600/10603386_579929595449474_7368599130343267061_n.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mike holding Katrina, Becky, Josie and Mikhyan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kz3baPg5zNk/VJO2XM3UUrI/AAAAAAAAEsc/3h1T937Z4do/s1600/flowergirl%2Bdress1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kz3baPg5zNk/VJO2XM3UUrI/AAAAAAAAEsc/3h1T937Z4do/s1600/flowergirl%2Bdress1.JPG" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Katrina in her flower girl dress</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The next day, my sister, Joyce and my family threw
me a surprise 60<sup>th</sup> birthday party. I had been so wrapped
up in Kat and the wedding that clues went over my head the whole
weekend. Needless to say I was speechless. Joyce organized 60
chicken presents for me to open. Luckily the kids were there to help
out with that or I might still be there. I received stuffed chickens, chicken mugs, wall hangings, ornaments, kitchen items, and more - ALL CHICKEN RELATED! I was lucky to share the day with out of town
guests from Calgary, Edmonton, Carstairs, White Rock, Shellbrook,
Prince Albert, Regina and Battleford as well as the Saskatoon area. I
was so honoured that so many people took time out of their busy lives
to make the trip to celebrate the day with me.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAXx0RcHXrA/VJO3jCqAyDI/AAAAAAAAEso/353l1Ti8-wY/s1600/IMG_20140727_150653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAXx0RcHXrA/VJO3jCqAyDI/AAAAAAAAEso/353l1Ti8-wY/s1600/IMG_20140727_150653.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mikhyan and Josie helping open presents</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HG7rfIo7_jc/VJO3misbjLI/AAAAAAAAEsw/48IURS1g66M/s1600/placemats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HG7rfIo7_jc/VJO3misbjLI/AAAAAAAAEsw/48IURS1g66M/s1600/placemats.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">chicken placemats made by my dad</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HA3wsvBdMA/VJO3qOK58oI/AAAAAAAAEs4/u3F-RgtzBCM/s1600/tablecloth%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HA3wsvBdMA/VJO3qOK58oI/AAAAAAAAEs4/u3F-RgtzBCM/s1600/tablecloth%2Bdetail.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">fabric detail of tablecloth sewn by a friend of my sister</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I visited my sister-in-law, Louise in White Rock several
times this year. The last time was in October when it was nice
enough to walk in the ocean barefooted. That evening, we also had
supper on the patio of a beach-side pub and were able to watch a
glorious sunset.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjBx8URiiqE/VJO5P_JbIhI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/7rG2DTc3IMY/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjBx8URiiqE/VJO5P_JbIhI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/7rG2DTc3IMY/s1600/17.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our view from the pub deck, White Rock, BC</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I decided to do some advertising
to see if I could sell more jam. I advertised for jam as wedding
favours as well as everyday use. I made around 350 jars of jam and chutney in more than a
dozen varieties this year and only have around a dozen jars
left. People seem to like
the idea of jam made from homegrown, handpicked fruit with less sugar than the
store bought jam.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Barry worked around Edson this year so
I visited him there a number of times. It is about 8 hours from home
and I can easily make it in one day. Before when I traveled with
Lulu, we could make 6 hours max because of stops along the way. I
still think of Lulu and miss her but having a new granddaughter did
wonders to fill the empty space in my heart. I would like to get
some chickens again but am waiting until Kat is older because I don't
want to miss too many of her milestones. She recently got her first
tooth and is learning how to crawl.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UsVBP4pcITI/VJO41sa29oI/AAAAAAAAEtA/m6i-h9aWSQw/s1600/family%2Bjosies%2Bgrad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UsVBP4pcITI/VJO41sa29oI/AAAAAAAAEtA/m6i-h9aWSQw/s1600/family%2Bjosies%2Bgrad.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">family picture taken at Josie's Kindergarten Grad</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2tNGSYalTY/VJO-cRSNT4I/AAAAAAAAEt0/DON93Lqz2G8/s1600/aug%2B22%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2tNGSYalTY/VJO-cRSNT4I/AAAAAAAAEt0/DON93Lqz2G8/s1600/aug%2B22%2B4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kat and friend</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaGjEgMuG-k/VJO433tXlZI/AAAAAAAAEtI/-Ybb1hZxFco/s1600/halloween%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaGjEgMuG-k/VJO433tXlZI/AAAAAAAAEtI/-Ybb1hZxFco/s1600/halloween%2B2014.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kat's first Halloween</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhjrAKV871c/VJO-9aoz-TI/AAAAAAAAEt8/aUDBggqQ5uI/s1600/trouble%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhjrAKV871c/VJO-9aoz-TI/AAAAAAAAEt8/aUDBggqQ5uI/s1600/trouble%2B2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">getting into trouble</span></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I'm not sure how often I'll be posting - it depends on how many trips to Saskatoon I take through the year. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope all of you have a very Merry
Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-89538810263881879222013-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:002014-12-18T21:57:12.509-08:00Christmas is Upon Us<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I haven't been blogging much lately. I was away again to Alberta to pick up my car. We had to dig the car out of a huge snowbank and knock off the ice before I could even open the doors. I stayed and visited relatives when Barry went back to work up near Fort Mac. I also did some shopping as well before heading home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I got home and finished my fall cleaning and got my Christmas cards and letters all sent out. I also had fun mailing parcels and shopping for the new grandkiddies. There are such sweet clothes and crafty toys out there. Shopping for kids is so much fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Barry got home about a week ago and we had +15°C when he got here. The snow was all gone until Friday when we has about 6" and have been shovelling a fair bit since then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am planning on taking a break from blogging for awhile as I don't have much to share. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I do have some pictures of Lulu left that I plan to share sometime. Since it is winter, there is no gardening to share. And since Barry is away so much, I don't do much baking or trying out new recipes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In the new year, I will be painting the ceiling in the kitchen so will not spend much time cooking anything too special with that mess in there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am still having a hard time missing Lulu. I finally put away her kennel and stuff from her corner of the kitchen. I just couldn't bring myself to put it away until now. I would have never thought I would miss her so much for so long but I still have a hollow place in my chest when I think about her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I found this poem that I would like to share with you. One member of a Facebook group called The Chickenistas, that I belong to, posted it. It is called <a href="http://www.lighthouseport.com/christmas.html">The Night Before Christmas at Rainbow Bridge</a> by Cindy Morgan. I hope you take a few minutes to read it, especially if you have had pets that you have loved and lost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I wish all my friends and readers a Merry Christmas and Happy and fulfilling New year. Take care of yourselves. Joan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-27469498369414966862013-11-11T09:00:00.000-08:002013-11-11T09:00:00.776-08:00I Killed A Pillow<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has been a very long week since we got home from Alberta. There were many loads of laundry to do as I was gone almost a month plus we brought all the bedding, etc. from the trailer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I usually do fall cleaning instead of spring cleaning so had that on my mind as well. We also bought several light fixtures, so Barry had those to put up too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I revived my sourdough from sitting dormant in the fridge for a month and baked a double batch of bread.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There were carrots to dig and leaves to rake. The herb garden and ground covers needed to be put to bed as well. Lots of odd jobs inside and out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway, back to the pillow. A feather pillow came back from the trailer stained, as I think it was the one my son used when he had a slight nose bleed. Now this was not the first time I washed a pillow. But unfortunately it was the first (and last) time I washed a feather pillow in the same load as a set of fleece sheets. My mind was elsewhere when I was loading the washer much to my later dismay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now Barry loved these sheets and they kept him warm in the trailer on cool nights. Ever since we got them, he has commented again and again how much he likes them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway, when I opened the washer after the load was done I found it full of feathers. The pillow had exploded. Now I'm sure I don't know how all those feathers fit in one solitary pillow (a fairly skinny one at that). The machine was full of wet feathers and there was water in the bottom when we lifted out the sheets. (I think the feathers had plugged the drain.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The sheets were heavy with water and full of feathers, and I do mean FULL OF FEATHERS. We took them out to try to shake the feathers off and to wring them out with not much success. All that happened it we got feathers stuck to our pants and cold, wet hands. So we left them sitting outside while we tackled the washer. It took a long day to get enough feathers out so it started working again. But for many washes after, it still spits our feathers onto the clothes - all clothes - knit sweaters, fleece pants, socks, you name it all come out a bit feathered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We tried to rewash the sheets to get out the feathers but the sheets still looked bad and now we had to clean the machine again. The dryer took many feathers out of the sheets but you can only run them through so many times on fluff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The only way they will be usable will be if I sit and pluck each and every feather out by hand. (Barry tried a lint brush and the vacuum with little to no success.) That may be my winter movie watching project but we'll have to see. I hate to toss them out as they are very new but really don't want to spend hours plucking the sheets either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Oh well, some lessons are learned the hard way. Hope you week was better than mine. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-1698241738462935002013-11-04T09:00:00.000-08:002013-11-04T09:00:00.590-08:00On the Road Again<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well I'm finally on my way home after almost a month away. I started out by visiting Barry near Sundre, AB and cooking half a turkey (that's all that fit in the trailer oven!) for Thanksgiving. He had days off so we just vegged out - eating, snoozing, reading, etc. It was a nice restful break.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then we took a trip to Battleford, Sask. for a funeral before I headed to Saskatoon to visit friends and relatives. I had lots of time to visit mom and dad during the week I was there. I went over to Michael's several times to visit the new grandkiddies. Josie, Mikhyan and I decorated the windows for Halloween with skeletons, pumpkins and more. We then made cheese biscuits cut in Halloween shapes to go with Becky's chili. What sweet kiddies! I had so much fun! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I also had time to visit a number of friends, catching up on each others lives since we last got together. I had some teary moments talking about Lulu. I can usually talk about her but still get teary-eyed on occasion. I ordered photos and made the photographer sad when he learned about Lulu. He wrote some thoughtful words on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PicturePerfectPortraitsSK">Facebook page</a> under Lulu's photo (originally dated June 21). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I took a day trip to Shellbrook, Sask to visit Kim and Marj (<a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2013/08/in-memory-of-lulu.html">she wrote the poem about Lulu</a>). We had Marj's homemade soup and Kim's homemade bread for lunch. Yum!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I went back to Saskatoon for a few more days to fix a few problems. I had just replaced my windshield before I left and got a big stone chip right in my line of vision the first few days of the trip. I got it fixed in plus got my car stereo replaced as the cd player quit working and radio reception in the mountains is sparse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When I left for Sundre again, I met wet snow and slushy roads starting near Hanna, AB so the trip wasn't much fun. I needed to wash the car when I got to Sundre because of an unexpected 4 mile detour on soupy gravel roads. The car was covered with brown ice and mud. What a mess!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I stayed in Sundre and packed up the trailer as Barry will be coming home for awhile and everything freezable needs to be removed. We then took a day to visit Barry's brother in Lacombe, AB who had just got out of the hospital a few days ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When we woke up Sunday to start home, we found over a foot of snow had dumped overnight. We decided to stay one more day so the roads would get cleaned before we head out. So bright and early Monday we are on our way home. I hope we don't have snow at home because I left carrots in the ground, not expecting to be gone so long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway, winter arrived on the prairies and I am heading home.</span>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-12387009395352540362013-10-28T09:00:00.000-07:002013-10-28T09:00:00.934-07:00Lulu's Photo Shoot<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For my mom and dad's 60th anniversary, my sisters and I decided it was time to get family portraits done as it had been quite a few years since we have had them done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We went to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pictureperfectportraits.ca/">Picture Perfect Portraits</a> in Saskatoon and they said we could choose about six to eight groupings. When we were deciding what groupings to do, I asked Joyce to let the photographer know that I was bringing Lulu and would like some pictures done of her. I had been thinking about getting her photo done by a professional for quite awhile but hadn't ever gotten around to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The photographer, Adam was excited to have Lulu as a subject. His mom had chickens as a child that followed her to school. Adam couldn't wait to tell his mom about Lulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The following are some of the proofs that included (or showcased) Lulu. We had other photos done while she waited patiently in her crate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Adam started first with me having my arm around Lulu so she would feel comfortable before I left her on her own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then he started snapping photos of Lulu alone and I think they turned out marvelous.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74ujs-nwVow/UkIDouMHQkI/AAAAAAAAEo8/8Oy2LwIfFFU/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74ujs-nwVow/UkIDouMHQkI/AAAAAAAAEo8/8Oy2LwIfFFU/s400/002.JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lulu was very busy looking around at everything.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq6ahSof1Y8/UkIDp_KajuI/AAAAAAAAEpE/cCwnqVwvH-s/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq6ahSof1Y8/UkIDp_KajuI/AAAAAAAAEpE/cCwnqVwvH-s/s400/003.JPG" width="322" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I stood near Adam and called Lulu but there was so much to look at she ignored me.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWgVqY3O3Jk/UkIDqsMJc9I/AAAAAAAAEpM/p6Fisd4liGk/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWgVqY3O3Jk/UkIDqsMJc9I/AAAAAAAAEpM/p6Fisd4liGk/s400/004.JPG" width="286" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It is going to be hard to choose which photos to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> enlarge as I love them all.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kT1zz5_GL-4/UkIDrs67riI/AAAAAAAAEpU/Eg4v1CpX6Lg/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kT1zz5_GL-4/UkIDrs67riI/AAAAAAAAEpU/Eg4v1CpX6Lg/s400/005.JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was so proud of her because she sat so nice on the pillar and didn't make a fuss.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xodsqgTiQ0w/UkIDsdJk1hI/AAAAAAAAEpc/FIxNNKeiZgc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xodsqgTiQ0w/UkIDsdJk1hI/AAAAAAAAEpc/FIxNNKeiZgc/s400/001.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am so glad that we had these photos done and that Adam was such a good sport.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bIhtat31yA8/UkIDta7FJjI/AAAAAAAAEpk/WSzpxe4um-I/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bIhtat31yA8/UkIDta7FJjI/AAAAAAAAEpk/WSzpxe4um-I/s400/007.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I now will have some lovely photos of my sweetie to hang on the wall in her corner of the kitchen.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tL6ohce3QSk/UkIDt8YwFEI/AAAAAAAAEps/5zlcSUcSC8Q/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tL6ohce3QSk/UkIDt8YwFEI/AAAAAAAAEps/5zlcSUcSC8Q/s400/008.JPG" width="292" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had the group pictures done last and when we were almost finished, Adam said to go and get Lulu so she was in some of the group shots as well. She is hard to see in the proofs because of the watermarks.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OaPdq3xlYuI/UkIDwC7z2zI/AAAAAAAAEp0/FaAeEoOGWLg/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OaPdq3xlYuI/UkIDwC7z2zI/AAAAAAAAEp0/FaAeEoOGWLg/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the end of the session, Adam <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">asked another photographer to snap his photo with Lulu so he could send it to his mom. They then posted it on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=651776554837048&set=a.364901670191206.102460.176580949023280&type=1">Facebook page</a>.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XE93WWpXq8s/UkIELCWZ2nI/AAAAAAAAEp8/9OttF_Aooto/s1600/picture+perfect+adan+and+lulu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XE93WWpXq8s/UkIELCWZ2nI/AAAAAAAAEp8/9OttF_Aooto/s400/picture+perfect+adan+and+lulu.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All in all, it was an exciting day. The photo session went great plus then at supper, Michael, my youngest son told us he asked Becky, his girlfriend to marry him the evening before. Michael has always been fairly mum about his girlfriends and we didn't meet Becky until that night at supper!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After spending time with her on that anniversary weekend, I couldn't be happier. She is a lovely girl plus as a bonus, she has two young children so I am instant grandma! Woohoo!</span></div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com7Saskatoon, SK, Canada52.1343699 -106.6476559999999851.9784439 -106.97037949999998 52.290295900000004 -106.32493249999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-57081380670184816232013-10-20T01:00:00.000-07:002013-10-20T01:00:03.524-07:00Sourdough Sharing - Muffins<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">October is the time of year I finish putting the yard and garden to bed and to finish making juice, jam and other preserves. I then travel to Alberta and Saskatchewan for several weeks visiting relatives and friends before winter hits with a vengeance. So this month, I am linking to a <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/01/sourdough-bran-muffins.html">previously blogged recipe</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This month's <span id="goog_1096111336"></span><a href="http://www.sourdoughsurprises.blogspot.ca/">sourdough challenge<span id="goog_1096111337"></span></a> is muffins and quick breads. I have a preference for muffins as you can freeze a batch and then just take out one or two as needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have tried several muffin recipes but always come back to this <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/01/sourdough-bran-muffins.html">Bran Muffin</a> recipe. It is moist and tasty - I always loved bran muffins with molasses as an ingredient and this is my all time favorite recipe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The recipe calls for raisins and nuts but I sometimes add chopped dates instead of the raisins and nuts. I have also used dried cranberries or dehydrated cherries instead of the raisins and I have substituted sunflower seeds instead of nuts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope everyone</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">enjoys this month's offering of muffins and quick bread in the links below. </span></div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-6054155795907951532013-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:002013-10-14T09:00:01.382-07:00Canadian Geese<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">** photos taken in June 2013</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Lulu and I spent the week after my parents' 60th anniversary visiting in Saskatchewan. The following weekend, Lulu and I travelled to Regina with my parents to a reunion on my maternal grandmother's side and to meet relatives visiting from England.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">While we were there, we visited the Legislative grounds and saw the Canadian Geese.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are geese that stay in Regina all year long and no longer migrate. There is a warm inlet on Wascana Lake that doesn't freeze all winter.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CDph6NHxBQ/UdjX3-WEiUI/AAAAAAAAEho/fuEESn1zuss/s1600/IMG_7896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CDph6NHxBQ/UdjX3-WEiUI/AAAAAAAAEho/fuEESn1zuss/s400/IMG_7896.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lulu had to stay in the car while I was taking photos of the geese because there were a number of very large dogs around and I didn't want to take any chances.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unCVam5tVkc/UdjX1kboY4I/AAAAAAAAEhg/0ixJZiCEtHY/s1600/IMG_7897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unCVam5tVkc/UdjX1kboY4I/AAAAAAAAEhg/0ixJZiCEtHY/s400/IMG_7897.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The geese seemed to have set up babysitters (gosling-sitters?) because most of the adults were on the lake-side on the road and the young ones were on the tree-side of the road.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CzRQPsC20WQ/UdjX4ArZ-lI/AAAAAAAAEhs/fZyNBjorCPc/s1600/IMG_7898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CzRQPsC20WQ/UdjX4ArZ-lI/AAAAAAAAEhs/fZyNBjorCPc/s400/IMG_7898.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oops! These guys stopped traffic while they crossed to be with the others.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2JssVD_LL2g/UdjX-iInYGI/AAAAAAAAEh4/-ZRb5hNd7KU/s1600/IMG_7901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2JssVD_LL2g/UdjX-iInYGI/AAAAAAAAEh4/-ZRb5hNd7KU/s400/IMG_7901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The goslings were all the same size except for one. Can you see him in the crowd?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There he is bringing up the rear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are a couple adults near the lake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For some reason, none of them were in the water. Everyone was on dry land.</span><br />
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com0Regina, SK, Canada50.4547222 -104.606666750.292954699999996 -104.9293902 50.6164897 -104.28394320000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-9437885089290193992013-10-07T09:00:00.000-07:002013-10-07T09:00:08.190-07:00Mincemeat<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have tomatoes coming out the ying-yang. Even though I only planted 6 plants (4 regular and 2 cherry type) I have boxes of green tomatoes in the garage. I picked and pulled out my tomatoes yesterday because they have been threatening frost for the last few days. It went down to +3°C last night but since I am going visiting over the next few weeks, I decided it is time to put my yard and garden to bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So back to the tomatoes. I have made spaghetti sauce and canned a number of red tomatoes but wanted to get rid of some of the green ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My sister-in-law, Barb sent me her recipe for mincemeat since I have an abundance of green tomatoes and apples. I decided to give it a whirl since I love her mincemeat. (I was lucky enough to have received a few jars from her last year.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><i><b>Ingredients</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">6 c chopped green tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">6 c chopped apples (cored and peeled)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3 c raisins</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 c suet or butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3/4 c vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 c mixed peel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">4 c brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp cloves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3/4 tsp allspice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 tsp salt</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Core and chop tomatoes. I used my food processor on pulse.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEWSQoQQlPg/Uk9yXM59n0I/AAAAAAAAEqM/C0_RJ7fLcPA/s1600/IMG_8054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEWSQoQQlPg/Uk9yXM59n0I/AAAAAAAAEqM/C0_RJ7fLcPA/s400/IMG_8054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Place tomatoes in a large pot and cover with hot water. Bring to a boil and the drain thoroughly.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAF27yG5XQ0/Uk9yh0o0NNI/AAAAAAAAEqU/_mMza_WlOlY/s1600/IMG_8058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAF27yG5XQ0/Uk9yh0o0NNI/AAAAAAAAEqU/_mMza_WlOlY/s400/IMG_8058.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do that 3 times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add the rest of the ingredients.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mix well and cook for an hour.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7iKUGL31zQ/Uk9y3yYNkiI/AAAAAAAAEq0/CQZCYSxSAJ0/s1600/IMG_8066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7iKUGL31zQ/Uk9y3yYNkiI/AAAAAAAAEq0/CQZCYSxSAJ0/s400/IMG_8066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fill sealers and process in hot water bath for 25 minutes.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu7Hygz9dIY/Uk9y1sQL04I/AAAAAAAAEqs/p0nwNI5xiss/s1600/IMG_8068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu7Hygz9dIY/Uk9y1sQL04I/AAAAAAAAEqs/p0nwNI5xiss/s400/IMG_8068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I got 5 quarts of mincemeat. Barb's was slightly browner in colour but I added a bit more tomatoes and apples since I had lots. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Store</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> until needed for pie, tarts or squares. Last year I made some squares similar to matrimonial cake but used mincemeat instead of the date mixture. They were very yummy. ;)</span></div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-65491243798276499142013-09-30T09:00:00.000-07:002013-09-30T09:00:00.906-07:00Lulu and the Buffalo<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*** photos taken June 2013</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Lulu and I stopped at the Western Development Museum in North Battleford. It was time for a bathroom break for me and a grass break for Lulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At the edge of the parking lot, there was a statue of a buffalo so we decided it was a good photo-op. As we neared the statue I saw this sign on the rock. I thought it was referring to how buffalo ran wild and free many years ago on the prairies.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mud7aHoCRoE/UdZXmwc5WqI/AAAAAAAAEgc/u8fcne6HON8/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mud7aHoCRoE/UdZXmwc5WqI/AAAAAAAAEgc/u8fcne6HON8/s400/IMG_7867.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lulu looked at the buffalo and said, "What a big animal he is!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jg3keFECid4/UdZXqbsXLfI/AAAAAAAAEgk/bBv1o10AXuc/s1600/IMG_7861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jg3keFECid4/UdZXqbsXLfI/AAAAAAAAEgk/bBv1o10AXuc/s400/IMG_7861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"But he isn't as big as some of the things we've seen, is he?" queried Lulu.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_NHP6TqDUs/UdZXrOmUKHI/AAAAAAAAEgs/bI5K7hZHha8/s1600/IMG_7862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_NHP6TqDUs/UdZXrOmUKHI/AAAAAAAAEgs/bI5K7hZHha8/s400/IMG_7862.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"No" I said, "he is more life-sized instead of world's largest."</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd62Hs0GqUY/UdZX5porvmI/AAAAAAAAEg0/7kOkevDSULo/s1600/IMG_7864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd62Hs0GqUY/UdZX5porvmI/AAAAAAAAEg0/7kOkevDSULo/s400/IMG_7864.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Oh" said Lulu, "but I still wouldn't want to get him mad, his horns look sharp!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lPSG-nGL-rI/UdZX77teq-I/AAAAAAAAEg8/I-ezSElo-98/s1600/IMG_7865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lPSG-nGL-rI/UdZX77teq-I/AAAAAAAAEg8/I-ezSElo-98/s400/IMG_7865.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"His fur looks funny!" said Lulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And sure enough, when I got closer I realized what the sign was all about. The buffalo was made from barbed wire. How neat is that!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAGPqXOklTM/UdZYIjicxtI/AAAAAAAAEhE/GfXXTS5mrO8/s1600/IMG_7870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAGPqXOklTM/UdZYIjicxtI/AAAAAAAAEhE/GfXXTS5mrO8/s400/IMG_7870.JPG" width="330" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So after Lulu walked around eating grass and looking for bugs, we continued on our journey.</span></div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com4North Battleford, SK, Canada52.7764752 -108.2974555000000152.6227262 -108.62017900000001 52.9302242 -107.97473200000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-55692897235419439332013-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:002013-09-23T09:00:00.542-07:00Lulu in Cutknife<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>*Note - photos were snapped and post was written in June 2013.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On our way to Saskatoon from Bonnyville, Lulu and I took the scenic route and stopped at Cutknife, Sask. to see the World's Largest Tomahawk.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jaa28FiU_KI/UdZRTTMZUvI/AAAAAAAAEb8/XNqlAAZ8BZ8/s1600/IMG_7670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jaa28FiU_KI/UdZRTTMZUvI/AAAAAAAAEb8/XNqlAAZ8BZ8/s400/IMG_7670.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It had just finished raining so it was nice to get out and stretch. Lulu stretched her neck and looked around at the sights.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lRife2yZMM/UdZRXhEy99I/AAAAAAAAEcI/pxRm8iZm21k/s1600/IMG_7671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lRife2yZMM/UdZRXhEy99I/AAAAAAAAEcI/pxRm8iZm21k/s400/IMG_7671.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"What happened to that building?" Lulu asked. "What's that thing sticking in the roof?"</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMO7qn3vLxY/UdZRXrTyoNI/AAAAAAAAEcE/sFGkJywBm3M/s1600/IMG_7673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMO7qn3vLxY/UdZRXrTyoNI/AAAAAAAAEcE/sFGkJywBm3M/s400/IMG_7673.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"And look at those feathers!" exclaimed Lulu. "What kind of bird are those from?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"I wouldn't want to meet that bird!" said Lulu looking around. "Mom! You are too far away! I need protection!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jOV7LZL7Rk/UdZRfkxVt0I/AAAAAAAAEcc/yjW32EemUp4/s1600/IMG_7675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jOV7LZL7Rk/UdZRfkxVt0I/AAAAAAAAEcc/yjW32EemUp4/s400/IMG_7675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"I think we looked around enough," said Lulu. Let's get back in the car before that big bird comes around."</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nDHxDsEk6E/UdZRfztxkLI/AAAAAAAAEcg/hMJxWn-5GmU/s1600/IMG_7676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nDHxDsEk6E/UdZRfztxkLI/AAAAAAAAEcg/hMJxWn-5GmU/s400/IMG_7676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And so we continued on our way.</span></div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com6Cutknife, Sask, Canada52.747843 -109.0206087999999952.7286195 -109.06094929999999 52.767066500000006 -108.98026829999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-40580512893052037382013-09-20T01:00:00.000-07:002013-09-20T01:00:02.372-07:00Sourdough Sharing - Sourdough Gingerbread Waffles<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This month's <a href="http://www.sourdoughsurprises.blogspot.com/">sourdough challenge</a> was pancakes and waffles. I had recently been given an almost new waffle iron from my sister who didn't want it and decided to try this recipe for Gingerbread Waffles from my Sourdough Cookery Cookbook by Rita Davenport.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong><em>Ingredients</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 c molasses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">6 Tbsp cooking oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/2 c sourdough</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 c milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 eggs, slightly beaten</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 c flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/2 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp ginger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">4 Tbsp sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mix molasses, oil, sourdough, milk and eggs. Combine dry ingredients and mix into the first mixture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Heat waffle iron.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pour amount batter onto waffle iron suggested by manufacturer (different amounts for different sizes irons).</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48bTivyBZRI/UeGos-7fE0I/AAAAAAAAElA/pS3dATm4NQw/s1600/IMG_8013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48bTivyBZRI/UeGos-7fE0I/AAAAAAAAElA/pS3dATm4NQw/s400/IMG_8013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remove to rack. Cut if necessary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Top with butter and serve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The recipe suggests eating them with applesauce and bacon <u>or</u> whipped cream and bananas. I served them with mulled applesauce. Very yummy!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdGfrb6UQ1w/UeGo92dnuPI/AAAAAAAAElY/kTme1b43YSc/s1600/IMG_8017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdGfrb6UQ1w/UeGo92dnuPI/AAAAAAAAElY/kTme1b43YSc/s400/IMG_8017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The recipe said it makes 6 small waffles so I doubled it. I will definitely make these again. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Check out other pancake and waffle recipes shared below.</span></div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-79732219185544519072013-09-16T09:00:00.000-07:002013-09-16T09:00:00.697-07:00I'm Back<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This has been a very tough summer. Losing Lulu took a lot out of me. I have been very lonely and down in the dumps and often cried at the drop of a hat. I was lucky that Barry was home several times throughout the summer and I went to see him when I needed to get away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had trouble weeding this summer because every time I went outside, I expected to see Lulu. It was hard to dig weeds and see the beetles and worms that she would have loved to eat. It seems like a chore now that she isn't there to egg me on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The wasps have been especially ferocious this year. I have never been stung before but both Barry and I have been stung three times each. They are everywhere! I got stung digging garlic and also while picking a plum. Many outdoor chores are best done early in the morning before the sun rises over the mountain or in the evening when they seem to have settled for the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As a result of both missing Lulu and fighting off the wasps, my garden did not do too well. By the time Barry was here to help out, the weeds had more or less taken over. We did have some successes - cukes, cabbage and tomatoes did well. In fact, the cukes went crazy after a very slow start. I have been giving away at least two grocery bags of them a week! We have eaten tons ourselves (I love <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/09/greek-salad.html">Greek Salad</a>!) and made some relish, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was disappointed with the corn this year. I didn't plant my regular variety and found this year's corn too starchy. Plus I had trouble enjoying corn on the cob this year because Lulu was always there to share it in the past. It just seemed to stick in my throat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have been making jam and juice as well as freezing fruit for later use but haven't taken any pictures so those recipes will not make it to my blog. I have had trouble staying focused on blogging.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am doing somewhat better now but still find I get teary-eyed now and then. Last week at the grocery store, I had trouble when one of the clerks asked me about Lulu. I hadn't seen her since Lulu died so she was unaware. She would always ask me, "How's your baby?" and tell me that she told her kids and other relatives about Lulu. It was hard to tell her about Lulu without breaking down in the checkout line.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have quite a few photos of stops with Lulu on the trip in June for my parents' 60th anniversary. I will be posting them since so many of your seemed to enjoy Lulu's adventures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I will be slowing down my blogging as I don't have much gardening happening and I haven't recorded very many recipes. I don't plan to stop but may not be as regular as I have been.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I thank all of you who sent kind words or called to offer your sympathy. My sweet little chicken is firmly entrenched in my heart. I miss her so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-39430387136463786892013-08-20T09:00:00.000-07:002013-08-20T09:00:04.307-07:00Sourdough Crackers - Sharing Recipes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This month's <a href="http://www.sourdoughsurprises.blogspot.com/">sourdough sharing</a> is crackers. Now I've always wanted to make homemade crackers and this seemed like a good chance to try my hand at it. And using sourdough was a neat bonus. There are so many ways to make a recipe your own - herbs, cheese, seeds and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Unfortunately, I've had a tough month with my dear, sweet house chicken, <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/lulu.html">Lulu getting sick and me having to put her to sleep</a>. She was very special to me and I miss her so much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I did want to link to all the recipes showcased this month so I have a starting point when I get around to making my own crackers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Enjoy the following links and recipes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Today I am passing on one such message I recently received. I received this letter and poems from my friend of many years, Marjorie</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Bradley from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan. Lulu and I visited Marj several years ago. It was a nice fall day so we were able to sit and visit outside and Lulu scratched and fertilized some of the flower beds and plantings in the front yard while we enjoyed the sunny warmth of the day and our friendship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Marj's letter touched on so many Lulu memories that made me smile. I am linking the references in the letter to past posts so you can remember with us. Marj also concluded her letter with an original poem that I'm sure you will agree captures Lulu perfectly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thanks Marj for your permission to share these wonderful thoughts and memories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>Dear Joan,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Feathers</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Moult</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Chicken</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Fowl</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Daylight</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Laying</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Eggs</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Losing</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Fox</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Roosting</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em> Hormones</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>Missed opportunities. When you wrote of <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/lulu.html">Lulu's death</a>, I went to my files where I vaguely recalled having started a poem - or Dr. Seuss style story about Lulu. I see now and remember that it started with your blog about <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/lulus-tail-feathers.html">Lulu's tail feathers</a> as well as <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/03/molting-in-winter.html">the flock's moulting</a>. I never sat down with the discipline to be quiet until the muse came. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>This afternoon, I've been going through my favorite Lulu posts - <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/04/lulus-boyfriend.html">her affair with the corn flakes guy</a> - <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/11/dust-bath-at-grandmas.html">her dust bath at your parents' home</a> - <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/05/hide-and-seek-with-lulu.html">her game of hide-and-seek</a> amongst the garlic, the cedar and the rhubarb - <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/lulu-lays-large-eggs.html">her egg laying ritual</a> - <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/lulu-stories.html">her beer breaks with Joan and Barry</a> - <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/03/on-road-with-lulu.html">her travels</a> to all those <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/11/lulu-visits-dinosaurs.html">larger-than-life</a> <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/03/swan-grizzly-and-brave-little-hen.html">roadside monuments</a>.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>I thank you for sharing Lulu with the world - and feel privileged that she came to visit in Oct. 2011! I've told all my best friends about Lulu's antics - yesterday it was my ladies book club at the care home. They were all intrigued.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>I was delighted that you caught the photo at Cochrane with the Beggs' "Legacy" sculpture. I really think that they would enjoy receiving a photo of <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/lulu-and-her-fans-in-cochrane.html">Lulu joining their bronze flock</a>! What a legacy that chicky left in her wake!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>Despite the fact that I grew up on a farm with an everchanging flock of chickens, I've learned more about the creatures because of you and Lulu - <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/lulus-comb.html">the changes in the comb</a>, <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/lulu-lays-large-eggs.html">the whole egg laying - or not egg laying drama</a> - and I daresay that you learned not just factual stuff because of Lulu - but of course, all the companionship and affection and challenge of the heart - that you're missing so - right now.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>On vacation, before I heard of Lulu's end of life, I'd purchased a book at a museum titled "I am Full Moon", it's a memoir by Lily Hoy Price, who grew up in Quesnel. I marked the passage from her story <u>Chickens</u> to share with you - and at the time, Lulu - it underlines what you both know.</em> . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"From a nearby shed, I</span> scooped a tin of wheat kernels from a gunny sack. The wheat felt cool and slippery under my fingers. 'Come little chickens, come, cluck, cluck, cluck,' I beckoned. I threw a wide arc of kernels in the air and laughed to see them chickens dance towards the feed. They pecked at the granules, rummages for insects, cocked their red-comb heads and fluffed iridescent feathers. I noticed their different personality traits. Some followed, others led. Some stood alone. Others socialized. Some sought shade from the sun, others burrowed in the ground to keep cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">"As I played with my feathered friends I was oblivious to the heat. I completely forgot about the muggy stench of the chicken house. Rose came running down the path from the store towards the house. 'Hey, don't forget to gather the eggs!' "</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Peck! Peck! Cr-a-a-a-ck!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">She hatched right out of her egg one day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">With a spirit that shouted, "Hip, hip, hooray!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Her feathers fluffed and she learned to peck,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At weeds, at seeds, at an insect speck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2010/11/story-of-lulu-part-one.html">Her peers looked down their beaks at her</a>;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Stat! Joan planned a Lulu transfer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Lulu went out in the yard to hide,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2010/11/story-of-lulu-part-two.html">She left her nesting box stowed inside.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then, "An egg is coming!" she sang out loud,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"I'll lay it there, away from the crowd."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/02/lulu-climbs-stairs.html">Lulu hopped up steps on her gimpy leg,</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Turned around, settled in, and laid her egg.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Once more, Lu-hen cackled, loud and true,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"I've laid an egg, that's just what I do!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2010/11/gardening-with-lulu.html">Worms and beetles she'd seek in the garden</a>,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Right beside Joan; begging her pardon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When afternoon yard work stopped, Lulu kept track,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/lulu-stories.html">'Cause Lulu knew "Beer?" meant "It's time for a snack!"</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2011/04/lulus-boyfriend.html">Chez pantry, magnificent M'sieu de Corn Flake:</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">She was his Duck, he was her Drake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Lu' once claimed the end table, wanting -a snack?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Was put down, but Lulu just hopped right back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When Barry got vexed, Lu's beak was put out;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/lulu-stories.html">She took to her roost for a long, drawn-out pout.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/car-ride-with-lulu.html">And then, a road trip - off to see Barry,</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/close-call-for-lulu.html">Remember the dog that was <u>way</u> <u>way</u> <u>too</u> <u>scary</u>?!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/lunch-with-rambo.html">They stopped</a> <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2012/10/lulu-visits-jasper.html">at each town</a> to see <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/lulu-in-airdrie.html">all the big things</a>,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">But the best was at Cochrane: <a href="http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/lulu-and-her-fans-in-cochrane.html">bronze chickens with wings</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Lulu, dear Lulu! Your antics we'll miss,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thanks dearest Chickie, your life spelled out bliss!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>Honouring her life with laughter and stories,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>Marj</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-88505193554742153362013-08-01T09:00:00.000-07:002013-08-01T20:47:41.421-07:00Lend Me A Bird<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found this somewhere on the internet a number of years ago. I can't remember the source but it may have been Backyard Chickens. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It touched me then and it touches me deeper now. My dear sweet, Lulu, you had so many lessons for us to learn. You were a wonderful teacher. God Bless You</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Lend Me A Bird</b></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<blockquote style="margin-left: 0.47cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> "I
will lend to you for a while a bird" God said, for you <br />
to love her while she lives and mourn for her when she's dead.<br />
<br /> Maybe for twelve or fourteen years or maybe two or
three,<br /> but will you til I call her back, take care of her
for me?<br /> <br /> She'll bring her charms to gladden you
and should her stay be brief,<br /> you'll always have her
memories as solace for your grief.<br /> <br /> I cannot
promise that she'll stay since all from earth return,<br /> but
there are lessons taught below, I want this bird to learn.<br />
<br /> I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers
true,<br /> and from the folds that crowd life's land I have
chosen you.<br /> <br /> Now will you give her all your love;
not think the labor vain;<br /> nor hate me when I come to take
my lovely bird again?<br /> <br /> I fancied that I heard
them say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done,<br /> for all the
joys this bird will bring, the risk of grief we'll run."<br />
<br /> Will you shelter her with tenderness? Will you love her
while you may?<br /> And for the happiness you will know, forever
grateful stay?<br /> <br /> But should I call her back much
sooner than you've planned;<br /> please brave the bitter grief
that comes and try to understand.<br /> <br /> If by your
love you've managed my wishes to achieve,<br /> in memory of her
you've loved; be thankful; do not grieve<br /> <br /> Cherish
every moment of your feathered charge. She filled your home with song
of joy<br /> for time she was alive. Let not her passing take
from you those memories to enjoy<br /> <br /> "I will
lend to you a Bird" God said and teach you all you have to do<br />
And when I call her back to heaven, you will know she loved you too<br />
<br /> -Author Unknown-</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<blockquote style="margin-left: 0.47cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> adapted
from Edgar Albert Guest's
</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote style="margin-left: 0.47cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://allpoetry.com/poem/8471337-A_Child_Of_Mine-by-Edgar_Albert_Guest">A Child of Mine</a></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-84026905990810811822013-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-29T09:00:06.978-07:00Rainbow Bridge<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lulu is waiting here for me</span>! <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have fun my precious sweetie! We'll be together again someday.</span><br />
<h1 class="western">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Rainbow Bridge </span>
</h1>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just this side of heaven
is a place called Rainbow Bridge. <br /><br />When an animal dies that
has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow
Bridge. <br />There are meadows and hills for all of our special
friends so they can run and play together. <br />There is plenty of
food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
<br /><br />All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to
health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and
strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and
times gone by. <br />The animals are happy and content, except for one
small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to
be left behind. <br /><br />They all run and play together, but the day
comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright
eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run
from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him
faster and faster. <br /><br />You have been spotted, and when you and
your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous
reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your
face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once
more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life
but never absent from your heart. <br /><br />Then you cross Rainbow
Bridge together.... <br /><br />Author unknown... </span></span>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm">source</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-5653711026760570672013-07-25T12:37:00.000-07:002013-07-25T12:37:03.006-07:00Lulu<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I
am writing this with a heavy heart. Yesterday, we had to put our
dear, sweet Lulu to sleep. I seem to have cried out all my tears
last night (although I know there will be more to come) and now just
have a heavy, empty feeling in my chest. I may ramble and go on to
excess but just wanted to put down in words what happened.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A
week ago Lulu started having vision problems. She couldn't eat
because she was trying to peck 2 – 3 inches above her food dish.
Lulu could only eat or drink if I held the food dish up high enough
to touch it on her neck so she knew where it was. I had thought she
was having eye trouble because she had been eating a bunch of ant
larvae and winged ants the night before. I thought she may have
gotten stung or something by some of the ants. (Lulu doesn't usually
eat ants.) Her eyes weren't swollen or discoloured so I decided to
just keep an eye on her and help her to eat.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lulu
started panting a lot which on hindsight, she has been doing a lot
this month but I put it off to the hot weather we've been having.
She would pant less if she laid in the corner of the couch with her
head up. She was also sleeping a lot more than usual.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lulu
ate and drank less and less and her breathing didn't improve so I
started trying to find her a vet. It is hard to find a vet that
treats birds. When I had tried to find a vet previously, vets in
Kamloops gave me the runaround because none of them treated birds and
especially chickens. Someone gave me a number to phone for the farm
animal vet. That vet only dealt with large animals not chickens.
Finally someone gave me a number to try at the coast. I tried that
vet again on this occasion but couldn't get an appointment nor to
talk to her because she was too busy. I got back on the internet and
found a vet in Abbottsford that looks after birds and got an
appointment with her for Monday this week.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">On
Sunday, Barry found out at noon that they were scheduled to 4 days
off starting Monday. After working for 12 hours on Sunday, he drove
for 10 hours so he could be home to be with Lulu and me. He slept
for 4 hours and we were soon on the road to the vet Monday morning.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The
vet was very gentle and tender with Lulu. She could hear respiratory
problems. Dr. Borgmann said we could do bloodwork and diagnostics to
try to find the source of Lulu's problems or we could start her on
antibiotics right away to see if they cleared up. We decided to try
antibiotics and I was shown how to use a feeding tube to get some
nourishment into Lulu.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We
took Lulu home and gave her 2 different antibiotics and tube-fed her.
We arranged the bedding on an armchair so Lulu could sleep propped
in the corner and she seemed to be very comfortable and slept well
without panting.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Tuesday
arrived and we all had a lazy day. Barry was exhausted from all his
driving, and I was tired from not sleeping well at nights (partly
from the heat and partly from worry for Lulu and getting up several
times to check on her.) Lulu was more alert and talkative than she
had been in days. She looked around as seemed aware of her
surroundings. Lulu even started eating and drinking on her own. She
loved the new high-protein mash we got from the vet so I fed her as
much as she wanted. Lulu also ate corn and drank water and soy milk.
Lulu wasn't panting but she wasn't able to stand up. I was hopeful
that it was only because she was in a weakened state. That evening,
we went outside when it was cooler and Lulu laid on the lawn. We
picked some ripe blueberries and Barry gave her a whole handful. She
gobbled them down with relish. Even though she had eaten a fair bit
all day, Lulu still could not stand or use her legs. When she would
poop, Lulu would get frustrated and flap trying to move away from the
poop with no success.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">That
evening her breathing worsened again and Lulu would almost seem to
have panic attacks. She would flap and struggle until we would hold
her to calm her down. I spent much of the night laying on the couch
with Lulu snuggled on my chest. I talked to Lulu a lot through the
night telling her how much I loved her and would miss her but was
releasing her if she felt she needed to leave. I told Lulu she would
always be a part of me and I knew we would see each other again.
Lulu would look at me while I talked and seemed to understand. Lulu
always loved to snuggle and to be close to me.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">When
Barry got up at 6:00, he found us laying on the couch. He sat with
Lulu while I had a couple hours sleep. He said she was fairly calm
and he was able to give her some relief in her breathing by propping
his hand under her chest. Barry said he talked to her and told her
goodbye.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I
called the vet when I got up and we made another appointment to take
Lulu in that afternoon. Barry drove the 3+ hours while Lulu sat on
my lap. For most part, Lulu was comfortable with no more breathing
panic attacks. Lulu loved car rides and being close to mom.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Dr.
Borgmann checked Lulu over and noticed Lulu also had trouble holding
up her head or if she did, she held her neck at an unusual angle.
She said that the antibiotics should have made more difference to her
breathing if they were working. Dr. Borgmann said these new symptoms
suggested possible neurological damage. When we told her we had
decided to put Lulu to sleep, she said that she would have made the
same decision if Lulu was hers.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Dr.
Borgmann gave Lulu the shot and left us to say our good-byes. Lulu
was comfortable in my arms and quietly fell asleep. Both Barry and I
petted her and told her we loved her and would miss her with our
tears flowing freely. She was one special little sweetie and will be
missed immensely.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We
wrapped Lulu in a towel and in her favourite fluffy throw rug and
took her home to bury her. Barry and I talked about her and
remembered so many cute and funny incidents that happened in Lulu's
and our lives. Lulu made us laugh many, many times and surprised us
with her intelligence on numerous occasions.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">When
the sun went behind the mountain, Barry dug a hole in the flower bed.
Lulu had many favourite spots in the yard and this was one. Lulu
would lay there in the sun sometimes or lay in the shade of the
flowers when she was too hot. She would hunt for bugs there and eat
low-hanging grapes right off the vine when they were in season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Before
we laid Lulu in her final resting place, I unwrapped her so we could
once more pet her and say good-bye. She looked peaceful and we knew
we made the right decision no matter how hard it was for us – we
didn't want her to suffer anymore.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We
rewrapped Lulu and laid her in the grave. I had collected some of
her favourite foods to send her on her way. Lulu loved sunflower
seeds, corn, blueberries, cashews, and of course, peanuts. Barry and
I each said our heartfelt words as we stood there with tears rolling
down our faces. We loved our feathery sweetheart, Lulu. We filled
her grave and covered it will a variety of flowers from the yard.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lulu
had a very full life for a lame little chicken. She touched the
hearts of many people and made them laugh as she did it. Lulu helped
people realize that chickens and other creatures are often more
intelligent than people give them credit for. </span>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lulu
travelled to three provinces and met people from all over the world.
She was funny and spunky and learned to live her her lameness. Lulu
not only had the run of the house and the yard, she had the run of
our hearts. Never a day went by with Lulu when she didn't make you
feel the happiness and love she brought to our lives.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lulu
loved to talk to me and made so many sounds I'd never heard a
chicken make. I wish I had been able to tape her talking so I could
hear her once more. Barry often said that it seemed like we were
having real conversations. Sometimes it did really seem like we
were. I would talk to Lulu while she would look at me without
interrupting and when I was finished speaking she would say
something. We could go back and forth like that for a long while.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Yesterday
Lulu was 4 years and 1 month old. That seems a very short time but
it is hard to remember life without Lulu. I love her and will miss
her something awful. She has left a big, big hole in my life. But I
have to believe that somewhere, Lulu is in the sunshine, chasing
grasshoppers on two good legs, happy, healthy and full of life and
love. Goodbye my feathered angel goodbye.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>NOTE: I will not be publishing my blog for awhile until I feel less sad. I have more photos of Lulu that I took on our travels and will publish them later. Some I had already written the captions but can't do them right now. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Joan (Lulu's mom)</strong></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-53979553738665984892013-07-25T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-25T09:00:02.327-07:00Killdeer<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Barry brought the trailer up to Saskatoon for my parents 60th anniversary, so we stayed out at my sister's acreage near Martensville. We parked it behind the house out by the shop.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwDAAgwJj_M/UdZQdX0oIFI/AAAAAAAAEbE/Kh43E7tafS0/s1338/IMG_7677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwDAAgwJj_M/UdZQdX0oIFI/AAAAAAAAEbE/Kh43E7tafS0/s400/IMG_7677.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Every time we stepped out of the trailer, the killdeer went crazy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They must have had a nest or two close by because there was always a bird or two pretending to be injured.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6C1_r04hog/UdZQodC2HpI/AAAAAAAAEbc/ouK67wehEUQ/s1600/IMG_7682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6C1_r04hog/UdZQodC2HpI/AAAAAAAAEbc/ouK67wehEUQ/s400/IMG_7682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They would come right up to us and flop around dragging their wing hoping we'd follow them away from the nest.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__qkAdAQ1k8/UdZQnEkpB3I/AAAAAAAAEbU/ZvxZjUYuZP8/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__qkAdAQ1k8/UdZQnEkpB3I/AAAAAAAAEbU/ZvxZjUYuZP8/s400/IMG_7685.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They must have thought that they were always successful because they led us in the direction of the house (where we were headed anyway).</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4crGJrTFdd8/UdZQrjNYArI/AAAAAAAAEbs/p2IKYui7D5c/s1426/IMG_7689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4crGJrTFdd8/UdZQrjNYArI/AAAAAAAAEbs/p2IKYui7D5c/s400/IMG_7689.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I heard on the radio while in Saskatoon that a number of killdeer and plover nests near Lake Diefenbaker had to be moved because of the heavy rains and flooding. These birds at my sister's place were in no danger.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imEVi3-HpG0/UdZQq3OKHCI/AAAAAAAAEbk/IpndW2vCWVk/s1120/IMG_7691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imEVi3-HpG0/UdZQq3OKHCI/AAAAAAAAEbk/IpndW2vCWVk/s400/IMG_7691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The killdeer have a high-pitched shrill call (I wouldn't really call it a song). It was interesting to watch them perform.</span><br />
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com0Martensville, Sask, Canada52.293121199999987 -106.6578377999999852.254273199999986 -106.73851879999998 52.331969199999989 -106.57715679999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-46882092116605565212013-07-22T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-22T09:00:00.627-07:00Lulu in Airdrie<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We stopped in Airdrie, AB at an RV dealership to get some parts for the trailer plus have another photo shoot with Lulu and friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They had a giant rooster and a giant cowboy that I couldn't resist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Hey, mom!" called Lulu. "Come look at the feet on this guy!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"I can stand under here for shade or protection from the rain." chuckled Lulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"How come a guy this big doesn't have any food lying around?" asked Lulu. "I guess that's why he's so big!" she mused.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnYV_w695xI/UdZSZA3v1gI/AAAAAAAAEdE/4inm5XFgTKc/s1600/IMG_7646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnYV_w695xI/UdZSZA3v1gI/AAAAAAAAEdE/4inm5XFgTKc/s400/IMG_7646.JPG" width="236" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Hey!" exclaimed Lulu. "I can see a long way from up here!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Hey, mom!" cried Lulu. "Look! Our feathers match! Maybe we're related!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5zj3bYrWkOo/UdZShzZIYtI/AAAAAAAAEdU/IWXBDLnE38o/s1600/IMG_7649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5zj3bYrWkOo/UdZShzZIYtI/AAAAAAAAEdU/IWXBDLnE38o/s400/IMG_7649.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"This is quite comfy." said Lulu. "I could sit here all day and look around."</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDzWYv8Muzk/UdZSoYtxJ5I/AAAAAAAAEdc/93tU4Q2PZ8A/s1600/IMG_7650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDzWYv8Muzk/UdZSoYtxJ5I/AAAAAAAAEdc/93tU4Q2PZ8A/s400/IMG_7650.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Now I had better go check out that big guy over there."</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnQ6StzOFpE/UdZStSRxDTI/AAAAAAAAEdk/lO55muUjUAY/s1600/IMG_7652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnQ6StzOFpE/UdZStSRxDTI/AAAAAAAAEdk/lO55muUjUAY/s400/IMG_7652.JPG" width="176" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Boy, he sure needs to polish his boots." said Lulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Well, goodbye cousin. It was nice meeting you." said Lulu just before she climbed in the van to continue her adventures. ;)</span><br />
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com2Airdrie, AB, Canada51.2917005 -114.014363551.212250999999995 -114.175725 51.37115 -113.853002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-65178457587109148832013-07-20T01:00:00.000-07:002013-07-20T01:15:13.306-07:00Sourdough Sharing - Pumpkin Pie Cinnamon Buns and More<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This month's <a href="http://www.sourdoughsurprises.blogspot.com/">sourdough sharing</a> is cinnamon buns or other variations. I decided to try some pumpkin pie cinnamon rolls. I got the original idea from <a href="http://mamataneyskitchen.blogspot.ca/2010/11/pumpkin-pie-sourdough-cinnamon-rolls.html">here</a>. I got the dough recipe from Sourdough Cookery by Rita Davenport. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong><em>Ingredients</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">dough</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 1/2 c sourdough</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3/4 c milk <strong><em>(I used 1 c pumpkin puree instead)</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 Tbsp sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 Tbsp melted butter or marg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 - 2 1/2 c flour <strong><em>(I needed about 4 c flour)</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">filling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 c pumpkin puree</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/4 c butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/2 c sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp ginger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/2 tsp nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/2 tsp allspice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My sourdough was very bubbly but not as thick as usual. So that plus using pumpkin instead of milk may have accounted for the need for that much extra flour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong><em>To make the dough</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To sourdough add and mix in all ingredients except flour. Add enough flour to make a stiff dough. Knead until smooth, adding more flour if needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Place in a greased bowl and let rise until double. The original recipe said 2 hours but mine took all day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Roll dough into a rectangle.</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To make filling</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Combine pumpkin (I used homemade puree) with other ingredients and stir well. I did not add the butter at this stage but you may if you wish.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOUA-ZJ_iXU/Uei54IQheZI/AAAAAAAAEnI/dG6DICNgM6Y/s1600/IMG_8033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOUA-ZJ_iXU/Uei54IQheZI/AAAAAAAAEnI/dG6DICNgM6Y/s400/IMG_8033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I spread the butter evenly on the dough like you do for regular cinnamon buns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Spread the pumpkin filling evenly, leaving a bit of dough at the edges uncovered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Roll up dough sealing the edges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cut and place in greased pans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cover and let rise until double.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bake at 400°F for 25 - 30 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rita Davenport suggests drizzling on a mixture of icing sugar, milk and vanilla (no amounts given).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://mamataneyskitchen.blogspot.ca/2010/11/pumpkin-pie-sourdough-cinnamon-rolls.html">Mama Taney</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">suggests pumpkin cream cheese icing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I did neither</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and we ate them as is</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. Usually I find icing on cinnamon buns too much sweetness but these would have been nice with the cream cheese icing as they are not too sweet. They were tasty and the spiced pumpkin had a nice flavour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I wouldn't bother adding the pumpkin to the dough next time because all it did was turn the dough a nice golden colour. Pumpkin doesn't have much taste by itself so I don't think it added to the taste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Enjoy these or some of the other recipes below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-50339453899363462702013-07-18T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-18T09:00:01.044-07:00Lulu and Her Fans in Cochrane<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had some business in Calgary, AB and made a detour to Cochrane, AB so we could visit this statue by Don and Shirley Begg. It had just finished raining before we arrived so the ground was damp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The artists made three statues in the same series - one in Calgary, one in Cochrane and another in Saskatoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I love how Lulu looked with the bronze chickens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She was very curious and looked around at everything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While we were there, three families with numerous kids came along and wanted their pictures taken with Lulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While I was taking pics, they were all talking and asking me questions about Lulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lulu behaved very well with all the chattering, talking and laughing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She is not a big people person and usually prefers peace and quiet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some of the kids wanted to pet Lulu and I helped them with that while their parents snapped pics. Several of the parents wanted their picture taken with me so somewhere there are pics of me smiling with a friendly strangers arm around my shoulders. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehsfe2vOL5s/UdZUfhJs0GI/AAAAAAAAEfA/WJJpNjn3Qic/s1600/IMG_7636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehsfe2vOL5s/UdZUfhJs0GI/AAAAAAAAEfA/WJJpNjn3Qic/s400/IMG_7636.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They were a lively, friendly bunch but Lulu finally had enough and it was time to leave. So off we went and continued our trip back up to Bonnyville with another photo-op coming up at Airdrie. Til next time. ;)</span><br />
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com6Cochrane, AB, Canada51.1909883 -114.4678602999999851.111373300000004 -114.62922179999998 51.2706033 -114.30649879999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-86685931793448072612013-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-18T20:13:27.034-07:00New Plants in the Garden<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Several of the blueberries we planted last year are bearing fruit and some of the berries are ready to eat. Last year we planted 8 blueberries and 4 of them have fruit this year.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ7JuMO0fzU/UeGp7JSZw6I/AAAAAAAAElw/SJhVEVOAYXI/s1600/IMG_8020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ7JuMO0fzU/UeGp7JSZw6I/AAAAAAAAElw/SJhVEVOAYXI/s400/IMG_8020.JPG" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have 3 Saskatoon bushes that produced while we were gone so we missed out on those berries. :( I tried to give Lulu the dried berries to eat but she turned her beak up at them - she wanted fresh blueberries instead. Fussy girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While we were away I purchased 2 more Saskatoon bushes - a Thiessen and a Smokey.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LljGm5xUYeg/UeGqKaS71AI/AAAAAAAAEmA/9fS42qVkd7M/s1600/IMG_8022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LljGm5xUYeg/UeGqKaS71AI/AAAAAAAAEmA/9fS42qVkd7M/s400/IMG_8022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also bought 2 haskaps - a Tundra and a Polar Jewel. Haskaps are also known as Honeyberries. They are edible blue honeysuckles that are very cold hardy. They are supposed to taste blueberry-ish with undertones of currents or raspberries. I can't wait.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also bought a Bailey Cranberry bush. I already had a lingonberry was started from a shoot brought to Canada from Norway by Barry's grandmother in the late 1940's. I plan on using these 2 bushes to make jelly to use with roast turkey, whenever I get enough berries. The lingonberry had some berries last year but I transplanted it this year to its final resting place and it did not produce any this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last year I also got some perennials from a friend cleaning out her perennial bed. These hydrangeas bloomed last year but not as prolific as this year.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwcBqD5zyVA/UeGqVjdc-bI/AAAAAAAAEmY/Kho80Lkf6sA/s1600/IMG_8025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwcBqD5zyVA/UeGqVjdc-bI/AAAAAAAAEmY/Kho80Lkf6sA/s400/IMG_8025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not as large as this year either. Look at the size of these blooms compared to my hand! ;)</span><br />
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-7438030904434616232013-07-11T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-11T09:00:00.245-07:00Lulu and the Giant Mushrooms<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lulu and I are finally home from our three weeks away. I will be posting pics taken throughout our travels.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The first leg of our trip took us to Bonnyville, AB. to visit Barry. On the way, Lulu and I stopped at Vilna, AB to see the World's Largest Mushrooms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had tried to visit them earlier this year but the street was flooded and muddy and we couldn't get near them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This time we made it and Lulu enjoyed picking at the grass that grew between the paving stones.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLZQZvvIrp8/UdZWKE87eTI/AAAAAAAAEfk/t4iKBN3dYIQ/s1600/IMG_7617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLZQZvvIrp8/UdZWKE87eTI/AAAAAAAAEfk/t4iKBN3dYIQ/s400/IMG_7617.JPG" width="333" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was a very small park and the grass was covered with dandelions, which do not interest Lulu in the slightest.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9CNzdiICMI/UdZWQv9UDQI/AAAAAAAAEf0/w9UxFW7RGIQ/s1600/IMG_7618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9CNzdiICMI/UdZWQv9UDQI/AAAAAAAAEf0/w9UxFW7RGIQ/s400/IMG_7618.JPG" width="356" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The mushrooms were not a big thrill for Lulu, but she doesn't eat them in real life either so naturally she ignored these.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lulu was more interested in checking out the lawn and looking for bugs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I thought the mushrooms looked kind of neat for a photo-op but Lulu was done and wanted to be on her way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.vilna.ca/Worlds-Largest-Mushroom">mushrooms</a> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">represent the tricholoma uspale mushroom that grows wild in the area and is either dried or cooked by local mushroom hunters.</span></div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com1Vilna, AB, Canada54.1164695 -111.9212397999999754.1071625 -111.94140979999996 54.1257765 -111.90106979999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-11863065053388468462013-07-08T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-13T21:09:17.750-07:00Rocky Mountains Goats<div align="left">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-mountain-goat/">The Mountain Goat</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Nobody knows the heart<br />of the mountain goat<br />as he leaps<br />from crag to crag<br />over distant stones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But I tell you<br />he leaps in joy, <br />his
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He lives far<br />from where the heart<br />is
too heavy to leap<br />and falls to a broken death<br />on stony ground.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">by Rory Hudson</span></div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com1Jasper, AB, Canada52.879276999999988 -118.0792559999999927.357242499999987 -159.38785 78.401311499999991 -76.770661999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326134256144421366.post-50240351212329576582013-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-01T09:00:01.856-07:00Happy Canada Day!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lulu and I have been away for a couple weeks and are on our way home. We travelled to Saskatoon for my parents 60th anniversary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most of the time I didn't have adequate internet access so was not able to download photos to my blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We'll be home later this week with many stories and pics. Until then take care and have a Happy Canada Day!</span><br />
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874041763887442603noreply@blogger.com1