Sunny Thots

Couch shopping seems like a "life choice"

2012-02-15T07:48:00.001-08:00

I am not sure why the thought of buying a couch is such a big deal. It seems like a "life choice". I had better choose wisely because I will have to live with it for a very long time. In 33 1/2 years of marriage we have had 3 couches.
1~the used brown couch
2~ wagon wheel patterned couch, later known as the treasure chest as holes developed and things would disappear.
3~the blue couch which did not survive cleaning when there was soot all over it.
Gerry never did like our last couch, rarely sat on it, but then again he doesn't really sit much when he is at home. After all being a truck driver he does spend alot of his day sitting. So this round of couch buying I thought that perhaps I should get his opinion on what we should get. Oh dear...I opened a can of wiggling worms....we have completely opposite taste in furniture. He likes leather, slouchy, reclining things. I like fabric, traditional and tend toward smaller couches.
Then there is color, this time neutral, classic and which color that is...I don't know! I can see that this couch buying is going to take some time and alot of looking around.
I would welcome any feedback from you, perhaps you have had better experience in couch shopping then I have, and have tried more styles then three in 30 some years!

More pictures

2012-01-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

This is the spare room upstairs. I have already picked through some of this pile so you can imagine how it was before, hard to even find a path. The best thing about this sorting experience was finding both sets of the long lost Honda keys and also the CD for Hannah's printer. Both in different boxes and there since September!

Now everything has a label and a place. Next to decorate...that's the fun part! The room is white so I can go with any color I want...any suggestions?

I have two more major rooms to do yet. Then on to painting all the doors, closet doors and inside trim. My goal is to be done by February...um yes 2012! ha ha. So happy to show you the progress of my sorting, I will be a professional when I am finished.

A whole bunch of pictures

2012-01-20T15:38:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of "ground zero" the storage area for my fabric. This is how it was unpacked for me.

I am not sure if you think this looks better or not, but believe me it is sorted by fabric and color and much better then before. It is a storage area after all, not going for the pretty look.

My sewing area...quite the disaster and a tad overwhelming.

After three very long days, I can sew in a very neat place.

Or find the treadmill. The wicker bench is going upstairs.

And the wall unit...destined to be re-painted.

It's BC cold

2012-01-19T08:04:00.000-08:00

I think the whole country is in a deep freeze. It's "BC cold" here, which means nothing to those in northern BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. They have the corner market on cold and we rarely win in the temperature race with them, and therefore have no real reason to complain. Every morning I compare temperatures, here is this mornings findings. Vernon -18 that feels like -28c (for my American family I will translate, 0 and feels like -18f) Pambrun where Hannah is -27 and feels like -36. Bonnyville or LacLaBiche -29 (-20f).
We scurry about like mice, taking a run to the car and from the car and dare not leave without full winter gear. The snow is squeaky and the air is dry. Most of us just want to be at home sipping hot drinks and cuddling up by the fireplace (wish I had one) or under a blanket. It is what January is all about. I have a few friends who have taken holidays to warmer places. They should get a gold star for timing it so perfectly. After all if you are going to warmer places you certainly want to know that you have truly escaped winter. I am thankful that it won't last long and we will get back to the winter we know and have no reason to complain about.

Let the sorting begin

2012-01-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

If you look at some of my rooms they are stacked with boxes and barely a path, it is some overwhelming. I could have had the Stutters people put things back where it was. Even tho they have a zillion pictures it doesn't go exactly where it should, they try anyway. I decided to have things left in boxes so I could sort, reorganize and change what I wanted. If I blindfolded you, took you into one of these rooms you might think you are on an episode of Hoarders! Yikes!!
It is quite the process to figure out where to start first. Once started you need alot of breaks from the mess just to clear your head and rethink what you are going to tackle next. You have to be in a brutal mood to cut clear of the emotional ties to objects to figure out if they stay or go.
After much thot I decided to start in my favorite room, the rec/sewing room. Really it is two areas, the place I store all my fabric, and then where I sew. I decided that out of all the rooms this is the most important to do first. I love to sew and will need a place to create and get away from the routine of the day.
After three days of cleaning, it is DONE. I really like the way it turned out. I made a few changes, not as much stuff on the ledge, my Farmers market stuff in bins and in the back room, books on the actual bookshelf and Gerry put in new side lights that make the room much brighter. I would love to show pictures, but my computer is being stubborn, what else is new!
My plan is to do something less time consuming next week, like putting all the Christmas stuff back in the closet. I figure that I can't do a big sorting project every week. I think I will be done by the end of February....oh boy do I have alot to do! Until next time..............Terri

Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T09:00:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas! I hope you and your family will have a wonderful holiday making some special memories together and remembering old memories as well. When I turn the lights on the tree I am reminded of my childhood. Waking up early in the morning, turning the Christmas tree lights on and looking at the bounty of gifts under the tree. Mom and Dad made Christmas special for us and I will always cherish the memories of the past. Opening new pjs on Christmas eve from Gram, the lights that Dad put on the house, wonderful meal mom cooked, and the many sacrifices my parents made so we could have a bountiful Christmas. Here is something I read in my Bible this morning, commenting on the manger scene, Luke 2:7, NIV. "Although our first picture of Jesus is as a baby in a manger, it must not be our last. The Christ-child in the manger is the subject of a beautiful Christmas scene, but we must not leave him there. This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for us, ascended to heaven and will return to earth as King of kings. Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about him. Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger-or is he your Lord? Make sure you don't underestimate Jesus. Let him grow up in your life." There is no greater gift then having Jesus, the King of kings in your life.

Good bye Stutters

2011-12-16T13:55:00.001-08:00

There goes our container, empty and then end of the reno's. Now everything is in boxes in 5 rooms of our house. Guess what I will be doing in January...sorting...sorting and more sorting. Perhaps the most boring of pictures this time round, the bathroom newly painted in a lovely pale aqua.

And then dry wall...after 20 years...actual dry wall....wow!

So as you can see I have my work cut out for me. Sorting and re-decorating, won't that be a great thing to do in the winter blues season. All in all it has been a blessing in disguise. Stutters has been great, the people who work for them I have come to really like and looked forward to seeing them. I am thankful for the process and all the blessings that came with it.

CARPET!!!!

2011-12-03T08:26:00.001-08:00

A look at our new carpet downstairs! We decided against Berber and really like this. Funny thing, I thought I was choosing something a bit darker then upstairs....um nope...same color! We love it.

The downstairs

2011-12-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

I thought I should get some pictures of the downstairs before it is all finished. The bathroom with its wonderful new light fixture. This is lucky number three, the first too big, the second a fatal flaw in its design and this one is just right. I am excited about the color going in and of course it is the last room to be painted! All in good time.

The rec room hasn't looked like this since we moved in. Gerry was at home mid week and I nabbed him to take out the wall unit so that the carpet would go under the unit rather then around it. My practical side wanted to use up the paint from upstairs, so green for the storage area and blue for the rec room, it had been blue anyway, now it is just cleaner looking.

Amanda's old room, looks like it is yellow, but it is tan, like coffee with cream, Gerry's choice. Good one, it looks great. Decided to keep the doors teal, gives it that punch of color, or too lazy to paint them in reality. It will no longer be a spare bedroom, we are thinking of getting a ping pong table and maybe a air hockey table...something for the family to have fun with.

And the back spare room the same green as the rest of the house. This has been a big week, painting done and today new carpet. I think we are getting to the end. Some dry wall in the laundry room, and the bathroom to be painted and new ceiling put in. Then another re-sort and re-organizing, but that will have to wait until January!

2011-11-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

The snow has arrived! Even though I really don't like winter, and mostly snow on the roads, deep inside of me I do have a fondness for how lovely it makes everything look. I love how it settles on the branches of the trees, or makes a scalloped edge on this chair. It is the wonder of God at work. I am not sure if it is the onset of winter, or the coming of Christmas that the urge to craft comes in to play. Really it can hit at anytime. While sorting through a million boxes and getting the upstairs set up, it hit me. One of the lampshades had a big crack in it. So after thinking for a short time, off the the store I went. Once at home, the glue gun out and ta-da, a new lampshade and back to sorting. There is just something about being able to make things either for yourself, your home and best yet for others. These little candy bags are for the dessert night at church this next Monday.

Amanda and I did these cute ornaments from old hymn books that she got for free. It was kind of odd tearing the hymn book apart, but now we will have some of our old favorites on our tree. On of mine is "What a friend we have in Jesus", my grandma's favorite song. I can not ever sing this song without thinking of her. I think we will have to add a bit of "Martha Stewart's" glitter to really make these ornaments shine.

Today I am looking forward to a home day. A bit of cleaning and sorting and of course what I am really looking forward to doing is sewing. I tell my girls that they need to have some sort of creative outlet. Something they can do well, whether sewing, a craft, or baking. In times when money is short, if they have something they can make and give as gifts, not only does it make them feel better but it is a wonderful way to give a piece of your heart to others. Until next time~

Hannah's week at home

2011-11-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

Hannah was home for reading break last week. We were all happy to finally see her. The week was pretty busy, shopping in Kelowna, all three Lord of the Rings movies, out for dinner and just hanging out. Lots of talking about school....and boys. I have missed that.

I have missed the lived in look of Hannah's room and her sweet "Good Morning".

Watching all three Lord of the Rings. Now we are back to counting down the days until Christmas break!

Living room Pictures

2011-11-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

Little by little I am getting things re-sorted and put in its place. Here are some snap shots of the living room.

A close up of the lamp shade I re-made, can you guess from what???

I am not sure why I thought I needed a sofa and a love seat before, now I am liking the spacious look of not so much furniture.

Next the computer room, but that will have to be next week since I am off to quilting retreat on Friday. Best of all Hannah comes home for a week, how we have missed her! Until next time.....

Pictures!!!

2011-10-31T15:28:00.000-07:00

Finally some pictures of the upstairs and the rooms I have re-sorted and cleaned. Our room is a different shade of blue, and I have put up some curtains for now. I am hoping to be finished with the upstairs by the end of the week. Then will decide on new places for pictures later.

Our bathroom, from tan to nice and white.

The kitchen from several angles.

Main bathroom, no more sunflowers.

Hannah's room, it was green and now a slightly different green, and lovely new carpet!

A big week

2011-10-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

More changes. It is a big week. We decided that we could spend some money on some of our own upgrades. So it was decided...counter tops. There is such a wide variety of choices, and as per I asked everyone and their brother opinions. I even looked in fancy magazines and finally came up with...I have to decide for myself, I am the one who looks at it more then a zillion hours a day. So.... light=safe or dark=dramatic. I went out of my box and went dramatic, and I love it! At the end of this week our carpets will be put in, another exciting event. After two months of being downstairs I should be back living in the sunshine again very soon. When our stuff comes back into the house I will do another sort, I want to live a bit more simply. It is a new time in our lives as empty nesters. I don't want to spend all my days a slave to cleaning or embarrassed that our place looks pretty tired and worn. We have been given such a wonderful gift.... a brand new place. What a blessing this whole thing has been.

Living in the basement

2011-09-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Amanda and Ryan I have a lap top that I can use while mine is packed up. I seem to be learning all kinds of new things, laptop, new cell phone and living in the basement. I kind of feel like that new show called "CONSUMED'. It is about a family and the house is a mess, everything gets taken away for a month, then they see what they really need. My month will be on October 1st. At first the house insurance people said it would be three weeks to complete. I had wondered after my second week if that meant three weeks of them working and not my idea of three weeks in a row. Now I think it will be more like two months and hope they are done by Christmas! I am not complaining, I have everything I need and it is not that much of an inconvenience. I know that once our stuff comes back in I plan to re-sort everything and make things simpler.

The house is coming along great. I have had a few oh dear moments when the colors went on the wall. First the green, love it, and then the blue, oh dear that is alot of color and alot of blue! White in the spare room looks like a room you go into if you are crazy and need calm. It will be fun to redecorate everything again. One of the best parts, we also get new carpet in all the bedrooms and living room, what a dream! Until next time.....

Exciting week

2011-09-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about this week. The whole upstairs of the house will be painted. Walls and ceilings! I have picked the paint colors that I have fussed about over quite a few months. I am still having second thots, but am going to just plunge in and stick to what I have picked. It is only paint and can be changed if need be. If I can live with a burgundy wall that sucked the life out of the place for a few years, I can live with what I picked out this time too! I will take pictures of everything at some point, perhaps when my camera is unpacked from the container, or I might try my new cell phone camera. I am not that savy on that kind of thing. Anyway, I will say goodbye to my computer for another week, back in the box it goes. Until next time~Terri

2011-09-10T12:44:00.001-07:00

I would like to publicly apologize to anyone who has had to sleep in our spare room, commonly known as Amanda's old room. The bed or the the sink hole is terrible. One of the worst parts is that the fitted sheet does not stay on the corners. How many times did I say to poor Amanda "boy you must toss and turn a lot" in a rather snotty voice Um... the mattress is made of the most slippery fabric ever.

The bed is okay for one- you just have to get up in the middle of the night to put the sheet back on- just coordinate it with your nightly potty time and it works well. But sleeping two in that bed-yikes. Someone has to sleep the hole, while the other perches on the down hill. Its like sleeping on a ravine. I wondered if I should tie my nightgown to the nearest chair so I would only in slide so far. There is no my side of the bed or I do not feel like cuddling. Perhaps it is good practice to sleep in the beds you offer to company, just to make sure the are actually going to get a good nights sleep. So once we get to have our furniture back upstairs, the fate of this bed is a trip to the dump. Again, most sincere apologies.

I think I need a survival kit

2011-09-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

We have just gotten home from taking Hannah to Millar. We had a wonderful trip and time with Hannah on the way there and knowing that she will have such a blessed time at school. Great school, teachers, room-mate, old friends and the new ones she will make. We had the added bonus of staying with Wanda and Harry, and seeing Lois in Banff.

Then home, well it doesn't look much like "home" at this point. Like Laura had said, "it looks like you are moving". It does. Paper for curtains and no lamps. Empty and all boxed up. So far they have boxed up the livingroom, kitchen, computer area and the spare room. I think they looked in Hannah's war torn room, cried and went home in hopes that someone else would clean it. That is one of my jobs today...thanks Hannah, I will be thinking of you :)

So in looking at the kitchen, they must think I am a coffee drinker as it was left out, but my tea kettle is gone. Oh well. This morning I get up and ready for my usual tea, no tea kettle so I will just boil some water in a pan....wait a minute...they packed the tea bags....ALL of them. Thankfully Amanda made me a "tea caddy" for my purse, so I have tea for today. Hmmm...think I had better make a survival kit before they pack up the toilet paper.

countdown

2011-08-29T03:45:00.001-07:00

The countdown begins...I have tried to avoid the whole thing, but it is before me screaming so loudly...I can no longer put it off. Three days left at home, a busy week for me with working and lists that stretch on for Hannah. Thursday we go, a trip we have not made for many years. I am excited about seeing the Millar campus again, and the wonderful memories I have there. I pray that it will be a wonderful experience for Hannah and that she will be able to look back to her days there with much love and fondness. I know I will miss Hannah, the fun she brings into my days, feeling "cool" watching shows like "Teen Mom" and singing along with Taylor Swift. She keeps me current. I told her that when she gets back I will be just an old mom, watching game shows like Wheel of Fortune and listening to old 70's music. I don't like leaving the familiar. This path has been a long one, filled with girl drama of one kind or another, I like it and so thankful to have wonderful daughters to share life with. So..... off our sweet little bird goes, holding tight to God's hand, ready to learn more about Him, and make wonderful memories that will stay with her forever. Now the countdown begins....67 days until Hannah is home again.

Nasty furnace soot

2011-08-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

The nasty furnace, now in a pile at the dump, did one last sneaky hurrah. Instead of just quiting, or breaking down, it put soot on all of our walls. It wasn't noticeable at first, and I thot, do I really see lines on my walls and ceiling? I did, and behind pictures, the corners of our rooms, the windows....everywhere. A friend suggested we do a house insurance claim, so insurance was coming up and I mentioned it. Thus the process begins. First thing, a new furnace, that was a given. And since we are getting a new furnace we will get air conditioning as well. The exciting part will be my 20 year summer ban on making anything unless absolutely necessary in the oven. To think...I could make a cake...just for fun...right in the middle of summer on the hottest day...WOW!

The next part will be the clean up, that will happen after we take Hannah to Bible school. So in the mean time I am trying to gut each room, sorting out what I really don't want anymore and then storing the rest in boxes so they can be easily taken to the container that will be in the driveway. I have to say I am kind of excited about it and kind of nervous since I don't know what to expect. The end result will be a clean house, either painted or ready to be painted, so I can't really loose. I know that the soot does not come off with normal cleaning supplies, so I am thankful that the cleaners that will have to come in will do a way better job then I could ever do. So the pictures....the furnace on the way to the dump and on Hannah's wall the word "Photography" written in soot. The clean -up continues....

summer

2011-08-07T22:54:00.000-07:00

Finally summer is here, we have waited a long time for the sun to shine, temperatures to be unbearable and for our fans to run 24 hours a day! The first picture is three of my favorite things. The sweet peas we got at Farmers market, I used to have some growing along a cute side garden that is now and unmanageable and destined for a overhaul, or plowed under. Second~ the table runner I made for me with wonderful pastel prints. And thirdly the "fun" candy dish, always makes me smile.

The next batch of pictures is of the yard after a day of trimming, pulling weeds, sweating, raking, bagging, complaining, sweeping and fussing. Yard work.....is not fun....at all. The only thing that makes it worth while is flowers.

Auntie Irenes leftover quilt squares

2011-07-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Done at last! After cleaning out my linen closet this spring I uncovered a bag of Gerry's Auntie Irene's leftover quilt blocks. I did have a batch before and Tammy and I made alot of them into bread cloths and took them to a family reunion years ago. This is the last of it. I think even though the colors are not what I would choose, they are quite remarkable. Made in the time of using what ever you had on hand, not the best quality of fabric, likely using templates and the big no no, using poly/cotton. Auntie Irene must have loved this star pattern, the quilt that she made for Gerry and I is the same pattern, and so are many others.
I wish I had been smarter about relationships when we were first married. I wish I had taken the time to get to know Auntie Irene better, we liked some of the same things. It is my privilege to finish these squares and pass them to the family and hope they bring some happy memories of a wonderful Aunt.

The crazed cleaning

2011-07-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a house insurance claim person coming on Monday to get motivated to clean up...I mean a real clean...like all the rooms, not just the ones you see on a random visit. I think I even perspired a bit, like I do when I am cleaning for other people...usually not in my own place. Our furnace has been nasty to us. Rather then just quiting, it decided that soot on the walls would be its last hurrah. Thus the house insurance guy on Monday.

While in the throws of cleaning I decided to make a couple of pillows. Completely allowable in your own crazy cleaning day. After all they only take about a half a hour and some of that is just locating what fabric I want to use.

I already had the pillow with the flower on it, so the other two are new. Pillow covers make me happy. It gives that little bit of change needed from season to season. It confirms my love for blue and green...all together regardless of the "blue and green should not be seen together thing". So back to cleaning the messiest and last room. Then I can have all the doors open and ready for viewing. Won't that be grand! Until next time~ Terri

June

2011-06-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

June is one busy month! A quick list of what has gone on so far.

~our 33rd anniversary

~My birthday

~We had some wiring done so now we have the hot tub to enjoy.

~Stairs built so we can enjoy the hot tub and not have to sneak around the front yard in our bathing suits and towels.

~Family camp, we actually had a nice NEW cabin, wow!

~The very best news is that Hannah after being on the waiting list for Millar College of the Bible has been accepted for this coming fall! And an added blessing, so has her cousin Bethany! Watch out Millar, here come some pretty fantastic girls!

~I have finished this quilt for Hannah, I can't really take credit. Hannah with the help of Amanda and I putting our 2 cents in, picked the fabric.

Hannah planned it, arranged it, numbered it and yep, I sewed it together and clipped it.

Isn't it lovely!

Weekend

2011-05-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

I am having a strange weekend. It is Bethany's high school graduation in Taber, Alberta, and the girls have all gone on a road trip. A sisters trip! I admire their courage. I am not sure if I could do such a trip. It is exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. Getting through Calgary is the sore point of the trip, and yet one of the high points since there is great shopping, especially at Ikea, if you can get there without all your nerves shattered! They did, and I was most relieved to hear they arrived safely. Now normally Gerry is home on the weekend....but not this one. And where is he headed? Taber. I feel a bit like a loser. I must admit I did have a moment of tears. But I am making the best of my oneness. I made a rather big list of possibilities. I have quilted, planted flowers, arranged the deck, went to some garage sales with Glenda and Shelley, picked up more paint chips to consider for the inside of the house, and have even just sat and read a few chapters of a book. I have more I want to do, paint the wainscoting white, more sewing and might find that extra spare room we supposedly have...um maybe. I have actually kind of enjoyed myself....like a retreat from the norm. Happy Graduation Bethany, my gift to you...three fabulously fun sisters for the weekend and a glimpse of my favorite guy. Until next time~

Is it spring yet?

2011-04-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

How I would love to post a picture with beautiful spring flowers and trees that are bursting with buds....but I can't. It is spring, just the early stages, it is still dull and grey and a bit cool yet. How do I know it is spring? Today was the first day I didn't wear a jacket or sweater to do a few errands, not breaking out the Capri's or flip flops yet, but it is a start. The other sign... ordering a ice cap or one of the new Real fruit smoothies rather then something hot to drink at Tim Hortons. And the last sign...the screen door open, for just a little bit of that spring air. I think that spring must be a much awaited and loved season. Finally the end of winter...man was it a long one this time, even for us in BC! Until next time~Happy Spring~Terri

Ingredients

2011-03-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

The ingredients~ one small duffel bag, 2 small bins, shopping bag of yummy food, rolling suitcase with the most important ingredient, large blue Ikea bag filled to the brim, pillow and extra blanket =QUILT RETREAT! I had wondered if I was even going to go this time! The flu beast hit hard! But I enjoyed 5 days of non-stop fun and quilting. There were 28 of us at one point in the weekend. I didn't come home with any finished projects but a very good start on the quilt I am making for our bed, pictured is the top quarter of it. I also have a table runner, scrap quilt, and a newly learned 4 poesy stack and whack, (the most played with block ever!) All in all a wonderful weekend. I come home inspired, encouraged and a little tired! The star wall hanging is from batiks I had gotten in the fall, we made another trip this time too, great fun!

New Look

2011-02-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

My blog has a new look...thanks Amanda!

What a nice weekend we had. The girls were over on Saturday night, we watched a movie, had Hannah's now famous caramel popcorn and Amanda's new recipe of butterscotch brownies. Both real "bad" and very hard to resist. Laura had gotten some fancy coloring books, so while watching the movie the girls were busy coloring!

Gerry and I went to church together, sat down and a bit later here come the three girls to sit with us. Not unusual, but it really touched me to have them all close by and I know how blessed we are to have that.

Today the snow found us once again, and as always I hope it is the last "hurrah" and spring around the corner.

I thot I would include a picture of Gerry and I, taken by Hannah.

Really I just wanted to write on my blog with the new look! Until next time~Terri

a few projects

2011-02-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to have a few projects in the finishing stages. Some have sat around collecting dust for a bit just waiting for a border and a trip to the quilter. Now they are wonderfully quilted and it adds so much to what I have done. It is like the frosting on the cake. Cake is good but sometimes even better with the right frosting! Here are some small glimpses of my projects, they just need a binding and a label and off they go to the special people I have made them for.

And by the way....Happy Valentines day..... Terri

Remembering Mom

2011-02-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

My mom would have been 70 today. We started out in the world just her and I. She was a teenage mom enduring the scorn and shame of those days. Mom protected me from that. I think that is where her fierce love began and extended to all her children and grandchildren. Our gift from her was knowing we were loved. She said it and showed it. It remains in our hearts for all of our days. Thank-you Mom for such a beautiful gift. I miss you everyday.

New light fixture

2011-01-29T08:11:00.000-08:00

It seems to me that the month of January is a sharp contrast to the month of December. All those days we wished we had in December are waiting for us in January. What a long month! We have had alot of snow, which means I have alot of home days. I have gotten some great things done while being at home. Why do we "spring clean"? Spring is a great time of year, weary of snow and the excitement of budding trees and green. So I "winter clean". I am home anyway, why not do something as dull as the month of January. I only have two more big jobs to do, the kitchen and the large closet downstairs. I am pretty happy about that.

The other exciting thing was to get a new light fixture for the kitchen, well two really. We replaced the garage looking fluorescent light with a cloud light. I accidentally got such a good deal on the other light. Now I had gone to all the stores looking for a light, I have dragged nearly every family member to look at lights, and I had gone at least four times to the same store myself. The light I got was priced wrong, but the sales lady said that I could have it for that price, and if I even went into the other room she would change the price....SOLD! I love it. It is pictured at the top, isn't it lovely and so modern...love love love!

On that happy note I will leave you now...might go close the blinds....it is snowing AGAIN!

2010-12-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New year.

Mid December

2010-12-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Mid December, I always say that December isn't a real month. You hit December 1st, 15th and then it is Christmas! So really you only have two days to get everything done in-between all the fun events that leave us breathless and can't miss out on. I am not sure why the events aren't spread out a bit, because boy do we need some fun in January and February when we are just plain tired of winter.
I have been working on the Christmas farmers market items, the sale was on Saturday and we did okay. Regardless of how "sales" are, it is a wonderful day just being able to sit with Amanda and Hannah and chatting with those who go by our table. We have a notebook to keep track of the sales but also to record comments that we hear as people go by about how nice our things are, even if they don't buy anything. I would insert a picture of some of our items, but the computer is being stubborn, a few weeks ago, it wouldn't accept that I put NEW ink in. This week it won't read our camera cards.
This week is the set up for Bethlehem Star event at our church. It includes a Bethlehem village, a play and a walk thru Central park New York in the gym. I have hopefully finished with costumes and now can help with decorating and then will serve hot chocolate at the event. Add that to finishing up Christmas gifts, making cookies, a bit of work, and a special order, it makes for a fun and varied week. I think the key will be a giant list to keep me on track.
Thanks to Amanda, I have my tree up. Her encouragement of "Come on Mom, we can do it ourselves" won, and off to the store to get a tree. I must say the sawing off the bottom was the most fun and dangerous. Amanda held the tree and I did the sawing, and neither of us got hurt, which was pretty amazing.
Until next time, and hoping that your mid December will be stress free...is there such a thing?

Snow

2010-11-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

Snow....alot of people can hardly wait until the snow flies. As for me it is more like prison in someways. It rules my day and my plans. It brings fear and dread into my life. I do force myself to go out and try really hard not to let it ruin my plans, but it is hard. Not exactly "sunny-thots".
I am thankful that we live in town, if worse comes to worse I can walk. I am thankful that we live in the flat part of town, no scary hills to climb or skid down. I am thankful to live in BC rather then Alberta and beyond, where winter is way too long of a season.
I just know in heaven there won't be any snow, at least not on the roads, I am sure that snow doesn't stick to gold. Until next time~Terri

2010-11-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

A little fall picture of what I see everyday when I look out my back patio door. Of course everyday there are fewer leaves and less sun it seems. How I dread the coming of winter, it snows and I cry!

My empty nest trial run is over....Hannah is coming home! We are excited for us, but sad for those she has left behind. In Taber she has learned a great deal and I am sure the new found confidence will look good on her. As for me, I am quite proud of myself, I didn't crumble, I passed the test and God took such good care of me. until next time, Terri

2010-10-28T23:11:00.001-07:00

The honey do

2010-10-28T21:46:00.001-07:00

The honey do list. Most people make a list for their husbands, but not me, well.... not officially anyway. This honey do list is for me, thus the cute cup with scrapbook paper. Each paper has a lovely job on it. I call them "messy spots". I have plenty! This is just for the upstairs....downstairs is another whole issue. I do cheat abit...I pick two papers and chose between them. So far I have chosen the easy ones, the pantry, coat closet and bathroom cupboards. The point is that they are getting done, and picking kind of makes it more fun. I have always tried to put a twist on doing chores. Sometimes I put the timer on, sometimes I pick which rooms to do by numbering the rooms and rolling the dice, and the same way I am doing the messy spots. The girls remember doing "chore games" when they were little. I think certain things were bombs and had to be picked up very quickly before they exploded. Just have to add alittle fun! How ever the work is done, it does feel good to have clean spaces again. So I continue....more messy spots to be conquered.

2010-10-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

Just a quick glimpse of fall. I am so happy to use my moms tablecloth that my Grandma made for her. I think fall is about the only time I like orange! Isn't it pretty! So much work that went into it, and Grandma made alot of tablecloths, pillowcases and dresser scarves. How precious are they now and what a privilege to have them as part of my home.

Canadian Thanksgiving, even after 32 years of being in Canada, still seems too early to celebrate thanksgiving in October! This year we had our turkey dinner on Monday. Poor Gerry had a toothache, not so much fun for him. I even made pumpkin pie, the big secret...buy the crust, the rest is EASY!

This time Dave, Laura, Amanda, Gerry and I went to the pumpkin patch on St Anne's road. Ryan was working and Hannah is in Alberta, we missed you guys!

A great place to take family pictures. I don't even know how long we have gone, but we love it!

I am so thankful for the wonderful gifts God has blessed me with, My husband, our kids, our friends and church family. Psalm 100:5~ For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations. Until next time~Terri

Projects

2010-10-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

When I first started to blog, I thought it would be full of the projects I do. It is not that I don't have projects going all the time, I just don't blog about them! So I will tell you about the things I am working on. The Maple Leaf pattern is one that I had wanted to do for a long time. I found this material when I went to Pentiction with my friend Debbie. This is such an easy block to do, I can see myself doing a bigger sized one with all the colors of Autumn. The next group of pictures is what I call my "nod to mod". I have been seeing some quilts that only use plain fabrics. It has been mulling in my mind for awhile, and last night I decided to give it a try. I had limited fabric, so that made the choice easy, a table runner. The squares are the front, the stripes for the back. I really love it, and even though it might be out of my box in some ways, it is still in the colors I love. My friends tell me I can only sew things that are blue, maybe green, and a dash of pink....oh dear, they are probably right! Now to finish these things up and on to another idea or two. Until next time~Terri

The white board is back

2010-09-30T13:11:00.001-07:00

The white board is back. It has been a fixture in our house for a very long time, filled with schedules and things that can not be forgotten. It did have a rest with just Hannah and I at home. I am not sure if that says that we didn't have a life....or that we were able to remember what was going on during the week and didn't need it written down. But it is back....and this week it is full. To add to the white board I also have lists and use my "life book" as well. The "life book" is just a calendar book with plenty of space to write what is coming up in the week. It is something that had gone by the wayside as well, hand in hand with the white board, having a lovely holiday in the quiet somewhere. Ahh, the quietness of empty nest....where did it go? This is how I know God takes care of me. I am not sitting in Hannah's room crying...um I can't get into Hannah's room as it is full of furniture from when I rearranged the living room....sorry Hannah. I am wonderfully busy, and as long as I write in my "life book" and the white board, I will be able to see God's hand in my days. Until next time~Terri

Empty nest grocery shopping

2010-09-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

Today I almost lost it in the grocery store. It just suddenly hit me that I am shopping for one during the week. I have no one to ask...what do you want for supper? I have determined that I will not make myself lame, unhealthy meals and will not eat leftovers forever. Funny how different my shopping list is with just cooking for me. I am not complaining at all. It was easier to ask the kids what they wanted as it guaranteed they would eat and enjoy what I made. But it is certainly different. I tried to make iced tea for one...um it's yukky and not up to my usual standard and will have to try again. I have gotten out the onions, mushrooms, peppers, and potatoes again, and cook "husband meals" a bit more. I have invited Amanda and Ryan for supper every Tuesday before they head to JR youth, and can share some of my meals with Laura when she works the late shift at Hunters. So what did I have for lunch today? Ichiban, right from the Styrofoam cup....it will get better. Until next time~

These days

2010-09-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

Our lives have been full of events that have twisted our days into something completely different these days. As many of you know of Gerry's accident on the motorbike. He called me from the ambulance, so I knew he was okay. A fractured finger, now with pins holding it together, and 50 some stitches in his hand mostly and a spot on his arm. We are at stitches out and cast on tomorrow. In 4 weeks the cast and pins out, and hopefully finished with this twist of September. I must say, I don't mind him being at home and doing things for him. I know when I drive him to Kelowna it makes him nervous, I don't usually do the driving, and I make me nervous too! I kind of enjoy making meat and potato meals, rather the "girl" meals all the time. I think he will return to work next week if possible, and I will miss him very much.
Our other event these days is the trip to Taber.Alberta to take Hannah there to live with Wanda (Gerry's sister) and Harry. Sounds bad, people kind of look at us like....ah...not getting along???? Um NO...that is not the case at all. This has been in Hannah's thoughts and prayers for awhile now. With Gerry's accident it kind of put a different spin to that as well....when are we taking Hannah to Taber??? Finally decided, we drove convoy style in three vehicles. Wanda returning from taking Tim to U Vic, Hannah in her car, Gerry in the van and I was the talking floater. I spent time with everyone, I was beginning to get a complex that perhaps I was just not really needed in this whole plan! How thankful I am that Gerry was with us, Hannah's car got a flat tire on Labor day Monday, in Golden. We got some new tires, doubled the value of Hannah's car and were on our way. I was very impressed by Hannah, she drove the entire time, good for you Hannah, I was bursting with pride! We stayed a few days to settle Hannah in and to spend time with Wanda, Harry, Steve and Bethany, it was a great visit. We are so blessed to have them look after Hannah for us. She just wanted a change, she has always been the one to ask..."so when are we moving?" My answer was usually....ummm never? She already has a small job. If you think of her please pray, it is very difficult to move and do something so different. We all miss her terribly.
As for me, I am pretending she is at camp. Will see how long that works out for me! I call it "shallow thinking", only going for the surface stuff right now until I can handle the deep stuff. Likely the deep part will happen once Gerry returns to work, and believe me not any amount of make-up will cover the fact that I am in the deep thinking part of this whole thing. Maybe a small prayer for me too! Until next time....Terri

Fridays favorite

2010-09-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 A promise to hold on to as I enter into the next stage of my life.

Fridays favorite

2010-08-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

Old fashioned birthday parties. Summer days of years ago. Cake, friends and of course a craft all adds up to alot of fun and some sweet memories. Happy Birthday my summer girls, Amanda, Laura and Hannah!

Friday's favorite...a good find

2010-08-20T04:46:00.000-07:00

My search is done!

I have been looking for a chair just like this.

Salvation Army.....$25.00.

The plan?

To recover it in wonderfully wild fabric.

Makes me happy....yeah!

August long weekend

2010-08-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

This summer I was really looking forward to meeting Gerry's brother John and Tammy in Jasper over the August long weekend. I had even said," it is too good to be true," and perhaps I was right. Tammy had gotten very ill and we had to cancel. So sad. Now we were left with a long weekend and no plans. But we live in a beautiful part of the world, and many come to visit, so why not take advantage of our local surroundings.

Saturday after Farmers Market we decided to float down the river, from the bridge in Enderby to the Waterway park. It was only an hour, which was perfect in my books!

On Sunday, we skipped church and headed to Nakusp with Amanda in our van and Hannah and her friend Jessica following behind. It was a bit cooler, but enjoyed the break from the heat. Hannah, Jess and I did go into the water, but not for very long. We had a nice picnic lunch and Hannah and Jess left to go to camp, while Gerry, Amanda and I stayed and walked along the lovely pathway strewn with flower gardens and a view of Arrow Lake. It was a perfect relaxing day. Oh the days of summer and memories....thank you Lord for both. PS~ Glad you are feeling better Tam, maybe another time!

Fridays favorite...My dog Sadie

2010-08-12T23:48:00.000-07:00

Sadie, she is such a good dog.
Always glad to see you... even if
you only stepped out to take out
the garbage. I love the wiggle in
her walk, excitement in her bark, and
how she tries to fool me into feeding her
more then twice a day.

Fridays favorite~unexpected deal

2010-08-06T07:58:00.001-07:00

I needed runners BAD.

Getting one pair was a bonus, but getting two pairs for only $59.00...wow!

I have very happy feet now.

Fridays favorite

2010-07-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

Fans...we have 6 different models, plus ceiling fans. We would not survive this hot Okanagan summer without them.

Therefore, they are my favorite for this Friday.

Adjustments 101

2010-07-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

July has been hot for the most part. At the beginning of the month it was unbearable. But as time goes by we adjust to the heat. It reminds me a bit of what I am just entering into....empty nest. I am sure it will be unbearable at the beginning. As time goes by, I will adjust. I don't want to kick and scream my way thru this next faze of life, I want to be gracious. It is quickly approaching regardless of how I handle it. So with empty nest in sight I have begun a few things to keep myself busy.
1) Farmers Market in Armstrong on Saturdays with Amanda and Hannah. The girls sell cards and I am selling baby things, we love it. If you want more details you better phone, I could talk all day long on this subject.
2) I joined the gym with Laura, not that I have gone yet, the big start is tomorrow. I had several orientations last week, and a good try at selling the idea of my own personal trainer...only to be so rich to afford such a thing! I will pass and Laura will be my trainer.
3)I have begun to pray for a job. And I am picky! NO Sundays and only 3 days a week. I still want to do Farmers Market next year, only earlier then July, so will need the winter to sew.
I think that is a good start to expanding my horizons.

Friday favorites

2010-07-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

My new serger!

I love it...

I can thread it....

I can do a rolled hem!

My old serger,

I hated it....

could NOT thread it EVER...

it is on it's way to Mexico...

I'm sorry Mexico.

Friday's favorites

2010-07-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Relaxing on the beach on Amanda's lunch hour...glorious!!! What glorious thing do you do in the summer?

New railing

2010-07-14T08:58:00.001-07:00

Our temporary railing, so the dog wouldn't fall off. I am sure the neighbors wondered, what kind of railing is that!!??!!

Our new cosy spot on the deck. Thanks Gerry for such a great job.

Friday favorites....

2010-07-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Okanogan cherries, need I say more!

Friday Favorites

2010-07-02T09:42:00.001-07:00

My favorite chairs. They are perfect for relaxing in the evening, a glass of iced tea, watching the world go by. What is your favorite way to relax?

My Hannah

2010-06-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

Look at this beautiful girl. How my heart swells with pride. She is not at the top of her class, in fact she HATES school. I know that she is a smart girl, in more ways then book smart. This last year has been a difficult one for her, making a decision that was not popular with anyone. Losing some friends, being put on the back burner. Any youth that sits with their parents in church, there is something amiss. But in all of that, she has grown so much in her relationship with God. It shows, a quiet confidence that is budding and growing. Congratulations Hannah, you have graduated.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

June and December...so much the same

2010-06-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

Lilacs in May, the beginning of spring, my favorite flower and season.

Well it has been a month since I have written. June and December are so similar, you turn the calendar and begin running. So many things to do and wonderful events to celebrate, at least that is the way it is in our lives.

Here is the list of celebrations and events.....ready? Our 32nd anniversary, church family camp, my birthday(#53), Hannah's graduation from high school, Amanda and Ryan's 2nd anniversary, Father's day, and an overnight retreat for me (yes I remember how to ride a bike and boy was it fun!). In the space of one week I went to a funeral, wedding and baby shower. Mix that in with ordinary life and it leaves a very busy June.

Fabric fatigue

2010-05-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

After many years of fabric collecting and building a stash, I have come to have Fabric Fatigue. The first thot that grips me is what was I thinking getting that piece of fabric? My second thot is great, that goes with absolutely nothing that I already have or that anyone else has.

So I need an idea of how to get rid of my fabric in a nice way, something useful either for me or someone else. Hmmm, an idea brewing, out come my dishes....

BULLS EYE!!! As in bullseye quilt. A great way to use up all my stash. I will start with the rejected dark colors, make as many blocks as I feel like doing. I will decide if I will cut them into quarters and sew them back together to look more scrappy or not. SCRAPPY is not my thing, but think I can do this. I am pretty excited with the idea of using some of my fabric that I have lost love for and being able to make something of use to someone. A great summer project! Until next time, take care~ Terri

The front yard quick makeover

2010-04-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Hello...we have had a distraction from the backyard to the front yard. It has been in my mind for awhile now. With Gerry in between jobs for a few days the opportunity arose, and ta da, a new look for the front. We had thot of getting rock, but opted for bark mulch...less of a commitment and already had the brick.
I have had to admit that I am a failure at gardening, yes I AM A BLACK THUMB. So I am saying goodbye to the side weed garden that once actually produced lovely sweet peas. It will be given over to the grass that always wins. I will plant a few flowers in pots in the front, things that grow for black thumbed people like me, geraniums and petunias. I might even buy the pretty but more expensive Martha Washington geraniums, just for fun. Until next time, enjoy spring!

The arrival of spring

2010-04-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

The arrival of spring has happened pretty fast. One weekend in the back yard our trees had nothing except for the very beginning of a bud. By the next weekend, the same tree was in full glorious bloom with bees buzzing everywhere. So...the capri's are on, flip flops out, and the screen doors open....spring!
Pictures of the backyard from a different view, nicely clean and a blank space ready for alot of work and fun. This is where I bow out of the planning. I have no idea of the hows and whys of building. The crew I will be on is the "can I get you a glass of cold homemade iced tea, hot coffee, or freshly baked goodies?". I can hardly wait to start! Until next time~Terri

Just a few pictures...

2010-04-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

~Hello, it has been awhile, no I have not fallen off the face of the earth! I am just moving through the season, enjoying the days as they come along. We have had a lack of snow this winter which I was thrilled about, the best winter yet! I am waiting for the warm days of spring, but so far I continue to wait.
Laura and Dave's quilt is finally done, seems I work in spurts. Laura picked out the colors and approved the pattern of "shooting stars". I am very pleased with how the quilt turned out and so are Laura and Dave. My friend Darlene Dixon did a lovely job of the quilting.
Our spring project is finding the backyard. Gerry took the climbing equipment out last year, sure had some good memories of those days when the girls were little, sniff, sniff. Last weekend with the help of our friend Darren and his bobcat, out goes the sand. The yard is level and ready for a new look. The bad part for this week is that the front yard looks as bad as the back yard did. Kind of just makes you want to throw your garbage out the front door, we kinda look like rednecks, yikes! We are getting some looks from neighbor's, Gerry said I should put a sign out that says, "sorry, not for sale". Funny. I will be glad for a dump run this weekend!
So whenever I do a blog, with pictures I never know how it will look, I am sorry if it is ugly, and will perhaps ask Amanda for a lesson in blog layout..again! But it does catch you up, ugly or not. Until next time, Terri

Thinking....and finding balance

2010-02-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

I think that my hibernation is over. I have deep cleaned three rooms in my house and am glad to be done. There are just small jobs to do now.
In doing these tasks I have lost my routine and feel a bit off. I wasn't very happy yesterday, so I began to write. There is something about writing things down, wrestling with the problems on paper. Then to try to begin to find solutions and new goals. There always seems to be gaps, doing well in one area but not in another. Looking for balance. Wanting to be different then who God made me to be.
I am better one on one then in large groups. I like to be given a job rather then just pitching in and I don't like being out and about all the time, just to name a few. I need to embrace how God has made me, and know that He loves me and can use me even with all my failings.
Psalm 139 is my favorite, read it for yourself, it is beautiful. Here are the first three verses.
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Until next time, my love to you~ Terri

My new friend

2010-02-09T22:26:00.000-08:00

Introducing my new friend! Memory Craft 6600, a dream come true from some wonderful friends. I am truly blessed. I have played a bit with my new machine, so many things to get used to! I love it!

January and February are hibernation months for me. I bury myself in the messiest rooms and see if I can clean my way out! So far so good!

The flowers, aren't they just a touch of color we need in the grey days of this too mild winter! Not that I mind not having any snow, but I am sure the Olympic people are wishing for a real winter. What is your favorite Olympic event to watch?

Until next time, take care and God Bless! Terri

My new friend

2010-02-09T22:24:00.000-08:00

2010-01-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

The new year catch up!

I am already starting the new year at a snails pace for catching up! We had a great Christmas. The perfect mix of being at home and being away. It was our turn to have the kids at our place for Christmas day. So just as Christmas eve seemed to be abit lonely with just Gerry, Hannah and I, a knock at the door! Laura and Dave with a gingerbread house saved the day! I know that each year we will have to do a bit of re-inventing what we will do for those times when it is a bit lonelier.

We left on boxing day for Lac La Biche, Alberta, with Amanda and Ryan in tow. There was lots of family to visit with and how we appreciate that they like to see us so much. We had so much fun playing games, visiting and of course eating! We headed home on the 30th with a bit of bad roads, so the trip took a couple hours longer.

For New Years we stayed at home and watched movies. We relaxed the next week until Hannah returned to school.

The beginning of this year has been crazy with quilting! Monday was quilting for myself, yep I was still doing some Christmas stuff, and learning on my new sewing machine. So fun, I love it! Then on to the care quilts we do for those in our church who are in the hospital or just need love shown to them. So I helped with the cutting and arranging and putting into kits. Boy is it ever hard to use up so many different colored scraps that really don't go together. As everyone in my quilting group knows, I am out of my box when it comes to making anything scrappy, I like matching! Yesterday we sewed and then tied quilts for about 12 hours! For most of the day there were at least over 15 sewing machines going. I think we had over 30 quilts done if not more, it was really great. It was wonderful to see so many ladies out and an old fashioned quilting bee in the works.

Gerry and I made a very quick trip to Washington to see some of my family. My sister from North Carolina was in Washington for Christmas. So off we went on Saturday morning, got there in the afternoon and visited a bit with Sara. We had a great supper with Gary and Cheyenne and kids. Back to the motel for the night. In the morning we had breakfast with Nancy and left for home. I think we spent more time in the van then anywhere else that weekend, but it was worth every minute!

Now I am interested in what are your plans for the new year? What things do you want to accomplish, or learn or do?

Until next time, love~Terri

2009-12-25T22:58:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. I will catch up with some pictures after the new year. Until then, my love to you all~Terri

A winter wonderland

2009-12-15T08:17:00.000-08:00

Well it is at last a winter wonderland here....I don't like it! I think my Arizona roots are showing! I really don't mind the snow on everything, it looks pretty and covers up all the dry brown ground. It makes me want to cuddle up in my rocking chair (if I had one) have a cup of tea or hot chocolate and sit by the fireplace (if I had one of those too). I just don't like driving in it. I have a fear of sliding, and going up and down hills at a pace and direction I didn't set. And then to set this winter wonderland day off just right, I don't have a shovel either. Yep, we got rid of the thing, and have even discussed what kind of shovel to get...but didn't get one. I think I was secretly hoping that if I didn't have a shovel....it won't snow....whoops!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~I have finally decorated my house. Gerry and I got the tree at the local grocery store, it is an upgrade from getting a charlie brown tree. They are flat, somewhat spindly and you get to imagine what it is going to look like once it relaxes. Phew.....we did good this time, it is lovely. I decided that this year I am doing blue and silver decorations, $50.00 is all I was going to spend. Out goes the angel, she is too heavy for a tree that is spindly, a silver snowflake star instead. I got all the blue and silver glass ball ornaments on and realized that I do need my other ornaments. They add the interest to the tree and are like old long lost treasures.

It will be fun to see the girls Christmas trees this year. I found Amanda's box of childhood ornaments, so she has added them to her blue, green and silver theme. Laura and Dave's first Christmas with some hand-me-down ornaments from a sweet grandma and Dave's mom, her colors, red, white, purple, gold and silver and a bit of pink...so fun! Plus Laura's childhood ornaments.

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It is a busy time, and I know everyone is buzzing with an assortment of events, and trying to make Christmas special. This year at our church we are putting on a community event, Bethlehem Star. It is a Bethlehem village in the parking lot, Gerry is the best looking shepard EVER! Then inside for a skit, then to the gym to the winter wonderland for cookies and hot chocolate, singing and a wander through the booths there. So I have been busy sewing costumes,decorating, making snowflakes out of paper (Hannah too) and cookies. I will serve cookies and hot chocolate. Amanda and Hannah will take pictures and Ryan will video. Already Hannah has had one of her pictures in the paper, we cut it out since at the bottom it says her name as the photographer! If you are wondering about Laura, she works and misses out on the whole thing! We are super excited about this project and hope it is wonderful! Some of our friends have been working on this night and day for months. We go to such a great church and a have wonderful church family, such a blessing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well I should begin the day, I have a list and will hope by the time I need to get out on the road the snow is not so scary. I will try to post some pictures of my Christmas decorating later. Until then, try not to stress, (note to self)! Bye for now~Love~Terri

2009-11-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

More retreat....

a few of my projects from the retreat. Keep in mind that some are gifts so only a peek!

I am determined to use and enjoy my new placemats! I did use them on American Thanksgiving when I made a quick festive meal with store bought roasted chicken from Super store and some of the fixings. We usually don't celebrate American Thanksgiving since Gerry isn't home, but he was this time, what a treat! We also went see Phil Calloway and The Cats and Fiddles concert at church, it was great! Comedy and music in the same evening and a killer dessert to boot, can't beat that!

2009-11-28T08:51:00.000-08:00

AAhhh the quilt retreat....

November 28th.....It is hard to believe the quilt retreat was last weekend. What a great time. I left on Friday morning and got back on Sunday afternoon. There were 19 wonderful, funny and inspiring ladies to spend the weekend with. Everyone working on their own projects, how fun it is to see and watch the progression from fabric to finished projects.

I took small projects this time and do have a quilt planned for our queen sized bed in blue and white, but will get to that after Christmas. I finished everything that I took and made a few extra table runners as well, with the help of a piece of Debbie's green material

The condo's we stay in are so nice, I got the princess room, which means a room to myself with a full bathroom. Debbie and I are the first and last, meaning we are one of the first ones up to quilt in the morning and the last to go home. This time we even took some hand sewing to the condo, which was about midnight. I doubt that either of us ever sew at midnight at home!

I really have to mention the food....oh my goodness....the food. Everything was soooo good. We all brought goodies, like we needed that too! Not only did I come home with projects done, inspired to do more, but also in need of a diet! I LOVE RETREAT!!!! The next one is in February....can't wait

I love my quilting friends, they are so special to me. It is such a blessing to have such wonderful people in my life. Until next time, my love to you all~Terri~

HELP... I have the lazies!

2009-11-07T17:09:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, I have the dreaded lazies. I don't know quite what happens, but suddenly I am very happy doing nothing much or nothing at all. The whole day goes by and I come up with a big fat nothing accomplished. It isn't like I don't have things to do, the list might scare you and certainly scares me so much that I won't even pick up a pen and paper. I don't even feel much like going out, which in some ways is good since I feel like I am avoiding the h1n1 bug this way. But enough is enough, I just can't continue on this path of do nothing.

~So this morning my inside voice said, "why don't you go on that beautiful treadmill, only 15 minutes, it won't kill you." So I did. And now I need to make a chart for every day and want to try to go on the treadmill 4 days a week

~Then my inside voice said, "why don't you finish up that small sewing project you have going, remember, you love to sew, especially nice soft flannel baby things." I did finish up my project, and have packaged it and it is ready to go. Now I think I need to make a sewing list since our fall quilting retreat is right around the corner. And guess who is first on the "make a quilt for" list this time.....me! I found a pattern and bought some lovely blue fabric. The last, well really the first quilt I made was started when I was pregnant with Amanda (1986). I left it for years, everything was done with templates, hand sewn and hand quilted, yep it took a very long time. It has been on our bed for 12 years and is showing its age and the folly of mixing cotton and poly fabrics together, a big no no these days. I am excited about having something new on our bed.

~Then my inside voice said, "just clean out the fridge already, you can't even fit the new groceries in and it will make you feel so much better." I do feel better, the fridge is clean and the groceries fit!

~Then lastly my inside voice said "why don't you get started on wrapping the gifts for the doorprizes for the upcoming ladies Christmas tea". So off to Dollar Rama, one of my favorite places to spend a dollar or two, picked up some cute Christmas things to put on the packages. I have tape, and will use up some of my last years Christmas wrap, (which means I will get some lovely new stuff) and put the tv on and wrap those gifts.

I hope to begin next week with a better plan, treadmill, eating better, doing more and getting out before the winter snow traps me inside. I hope the lazies aren't contagious, if they are just sit down and listen to your inside voice, it has some great ideas and the lazies will run away.
Until next time, my love to you all~Terri

hello new stove!

2009-11-02T07:41:00.001-08:00

It's HERE!! A pretty exciting day at our place when the new stove arrived. It fits in perfectly. The first thing I made was a cake to see how it would do. Lo and behold, no more mountian cakes, it was perfect. I just have to get used to it being slower to warm up, especially the oven. I think the part I like the most is how easy it is to clean up, man I hated to clean those burners! I have made cookies and everything turns out just like it should. Yippee!!

Wow, nice and sparkling new, and no burners to clean and they all work, self cleaning oven and looks and works great, I love it!!

1984 and beyond to 2009 a new stove

2009-11-02T07:25:00.000-08:00

The man of the day, taking out the old stove, boy is it ever heavy!

wrestling the stove out of the house.

Good bye old stove, thanks for all the many holiday dinners, zillions of cookies and mountian cakes! (cakes with a lump in the middle)

How to's...

2009-10-16T07:54:00.001-07:00

I really love these pumpkins that Amanda and I made. They are fast and simple. If you would like to make some too, here are the blog sites I found them on.

1~ There is sunshine in my soul blog, which you can get to by clicking on it from my blog.

2~ The idea room blog, which you can get thru google, and should be on my blog but didn't load yet or at all, I don't know!

Enjoy what is left of Fall! Love~ Terri

Fall

2009-10-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

Lovely mums from Laura and Dave's wedding. And the new pillow covers I made for Fall.

Here we are making pumpkins...aren't they adorable!

Fall is here! It is one of my favorite seasons. Summer is too hot for me and I love the relief from the heat once fall arrives. I wish it were a longer season. One of my favorite things about Fall is pumpkins. I saw a cute pumpkin pattern on someones blog and decided that I needed to make some. So I gathered some material that I had gotten from Value Village and Amanda and I began making pumpkins. I love making them, they are so fun and fast. I have made about 15 of them and could continue, but I have run out of material. Amanda asked me if I was trying to have my own pumpkin patch! Maybe....

Another thing that I like to do is make new pillow covers. I just go downstairs, look through my stash and have a new look for the season. I think this is something everyone should know how to do, it is so cheap and a fast way to change the look of a room.

About the only thing that I don't like about fall is having to put up my flip flops and capri's. Today I had to dig out my jeans and thankfully they fit so that I could wear them. Now I need to go shopping for a few new fall items, not such a bad thing I suppose.

I hope that you are enjoying the short season of Fall. Take in all the glorious colors, the cool air and have a nice crisp apple to celebrate. Until next time. Love Terri

The wedding, September 21, 2009

2009-09-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

The entire bridal party.

Hannah, another one of our beauties. Gerry and I feel very blessed to have such lovely daughters and now adding son-in-laws to the mix.

Here is a cute couple, Amanda and Ryan, remembering it was their day a year ago in June.

Our sea of blue, 7 bridesmaids + 7 groomsmen= alot of wedding party! Okay everyone walk slowly!!

Here is the beautiful bride. What a wonderful day we had. It was perfect in every way. (Grandma and Grandpa Phillips in the background.)

The wedding was a wonderful day for our family. Our second married daughter and all living in town. Some have asked if I was sad to have our girls married off, but they both live close so we are able to see them often. We try to have Sunday lunch together and hope to keep that up for as long as we can. We have been blessed with great son-in-laws and are happy anytime the kids drop in.

My family was not able to attend the wedding, it is always sad for me. My mom would have loved this time in our lives. The Phillips side of the family were here to love and support us. It is a hard trip for Gerry's parents and they have already said they would likely not come for Hannah's wedding. Of course she is in her last year of high school and we may get a break from weddings for a few years. After two weddings she isn't really ready to even think about all the work that comes with planning a wedding and is thinking of just eloping when her turn comes! I hope she changes her mind!

Laura and Dave had a wonderful honeymoon on Vancouver Island, went touring around, whale watching, camping and came back with some great pictures. They just opened gifts on Sunday and they got so many lovely things. People are so generous and it gives Laura and Dave such a nice start.

Now this week I have cleaned my own house, I have no idea how long it has been since that has been done. Next, I will be moving Laura and her stuff to her new place. Yep...I am already making plans for her room. I helped Amanda re-arrange her place on Saturday and came home with a van load of her stuff, so some will go back into the closet of her old room and some to the dump. Her place looks great. I think it is only the beginning of my cleaning, I dread to even think! But it must be done, more sorting and tossing and re-arranging is on my list of things to do.

Thank you to those who made the very long trip for a short weekend to attend Laura and Dave's wedding, it meant the world to us. I hope you enjoy the few pictures I have posted, there are more on facebook. Until next time, my love to you all~Terri~

Cleaning frenzy and other random thots~

2009-09-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Where the microwave used to be, now given to Dave and Laura since they didn't have one. Now I have a nice display of my mom's chicken, my canisters and a bit more counter space to work at. I did have to buy a small clock so I wouldn't drive myself crazy looking for the time.

Our new microwave, now above the stove, looks like that is where it should have been all along! Thanks Debbie and Gail! Maybe we will buy a new stove?????

I have grown tired of my chipped up soap dish and decided to use a teacup and a cracked glass that was my moms for the toothbrush holder. Not only did I save $20.00 for a new set, but it makes me smile when ever I see it.

So some new pictures for you of random things, perhaps a peek at my mind these days! I have been in a cleaning frenzy, and decided it was high time to get behind that stove and fridge. I won't even say what a job that was. Then I decided to wipe down the cupboards and have discovered something that has been missing my whole life long....MURPHY OIL SOAP. How come no one ever told me how wonderful that stuff is. Is it a Canadian secret? I had heard of it before but never used it. By the end of the week everything that is wood will have been cleaned and I will be out of my first bottle of Murphy oil soap. I am hoping to call a halt to any further cleaning frenzy since I do have a wedding coming up in what....10 days!!

I am happy to begin to have some routine to my life and that the real Mother's day is tomorrow with the start of a full day of school beginning. Hannah is not quite as happy as I am, and when I dropped her off this morning I drove away and gave a good solid YIPPEE!! I just need routine and can only stand so much of the lazy life around here!

Wedding plans are coming along, and it is detail time. I should keep a pen and paper near the bed since the details creep in at the wee hours of the morning. Isn't that when the best ideas come? Seems so, and then I get to think about them for hours. But as the day comes nearer the excitement grows. We are looking forward to seeing those who are able to come to the wedding and will miss those who can't. If you think of me, send a prayer up, weddings are a bit nerve racking sometimes! Until next time, my love to you all~Ter~

Painting, does it ever really end?

2009-08-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

The Phillips end of the hallway family wall!

One of my projects this week has been to put our family wall back together. I had it down for quite some time with a zillion ideas and then rejected. At the last family reunion I had gotten some new pictures, (thanks Tammy) and was the perfect time to change everything around. So here is the new family wall. Now some of you haven't aged for some time and I still have some older pictures of you, if it doesn't bother you it doesn't bother me! Glad to have you back again for me to look at. Sure miss those I don't get to see very often, but can at least see your picture everyday.

Here is our transformed house with great colors that Gerry picked, good eye! It looks great and am sure that with the shutters and door painted the same dark brown it will look fantastic.

Looks like we are having fun...we were!

Gerry does the highest part which also means he has alot more house to paint then I do.

I get to do the lower part of the painting since I don't go up more then three rungs on the ladder.

This is the before picture, pretty plain looking.

Well my first attempt at writing and putting up some pictures all at the same time. Will see how it works. Seems I have been painting forever. We began with the idea of just getting started on the outside of the house, and at least just do the front. Gerry and I drove around looking at houses and what colors other people used. I figured that if I let Gerry pick the color he might be more into the whole process. I have just finished the garage doors and felt pretty pleased with myself...then I realized I still have shutters to do...and the doors...and the other three sides of the house. But the front is mostly done and here is some pictures of the process. Well they might be the wrong way but you get the drift!

A funny thing that happened when I was painting the garage doors. The next door neighbor says to me, " just in case no one has told you, the garage doors look great, you are doing a very nice job". I said thank you and made the comment that painting this dark brown color has made me crave chocolate all day. A few minutes later the daughter comes over with the box of Lindt chocolates for my chocolate craving. Yep... they were gone within hours, I did have help at least with the eating of the chocolates!

There you go, I have learned something new and have loved sharing these pictures with you. Take care and my love to you all~Ter

Milestone week

2009-08-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

It looks and feels like summer is back, blue skies and getting warm already. I hope I remember the fan system, we have had a nice long break from them. Even I am ready for some sunny weather as long as it doesn't get crazy hot again.

August is our milestone month, Hannah just turned 17 yesterday. She was home from camp for a few hours and we enjoyed having her with us. Amanda's 23rd birthday is on Monday, we will have a family party for both on the weekend when Gerry is here. I think the girls want cheese cake, so I will be on my way to Superstore since I do not bake in the summer. Gee how convenient is that with all of our birthdays in the summer? Well I did bake back in the day, such a sacrifice for those birthday parties I did when the girls were little. Anyway, I am not baking this time.

The scariest milestone? One month to Laura and Dave's wedding. YIKES!!! We have been avoiding that whole countdown thing, but now we can't any longer. Even without proper math skills, I know it is a month today. We are fairly organized, it is all those little things, programs, music and such that need attended to. And of course people wait until the very last minute to RSVP, so far it is a nice small wedding of about 40, great, maybe we will fancy up the food menu if this is the trend! Or we could just call in for Chinese, that sounds good to me.

How do you like my new topper on this page. You are probably thinking, boy that Terri sure learns quick....ah no. I have my blog consultant... Amanda helping me, and helping me and more of the same. Over the phone she is kind and patient, but I think I need some hands on learning. She took some pictures of some of my things and went home and put them on from her computer! Thanks Amanda it looks great. The cute salt and pepper shakers that Laura got me, kind of look like our dog, if she were really a miniature schnauzer, rather then looking like a smelly woolly sheep. The quilt is on my wall right now, it is the one where I went to Kelowna for a block per month, I even quilted this one myself.

So this week, more wedding stuff. I am to call the flower shop to see what the cost is, I am scared. Take a look at what the church has for decorations. And hopefully that last row of squares done for the wedding quilt, then on to the borders. I also hope to paint the garage doors and will see if I can post pictures of that next time. Maybe all by myself? Will see.

In the mean time, enjoy the rest of what summer has to offer. I am still hoping to go on the boat once this summer! Maybe even my first dip in the lake to boot! Until next time, my love to all of you~Ter

oh boy

2009-08-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well here I am in blog land and I feel rather lost! I have had some minimal instruction and see that I will have to have a bit more to learn. I want to add some pictures and share some of the things I am sewing and what goes on in some of my everyday life. I am excited. Okay, that is about all the excitement I can stand for one day! until next time.....Terri