tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69408630903673893272024-03-28T03:31:24.299-07:00SNAP THATJoyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.comBlogger1635125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-6270489442111707162024-03-28T02:17:00.006-07:002024-03-28T03:30:52.813-07:00A Few Days in March ~ Skywatch Friday<div>Hello friends and fellow bloggers.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope Spring is treating you well so far. It's been roller coaster weather where I live with mostly gloomy skies, cooler weather and the odd beautiful sunny day. I'm sharing a few days this past week so you can see what I mean.</div><div><br /></div>March 27, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZE6w4ESodve9WJveCcEeZ1iAf1LtmtdRX9Y50XwjHGb3FAgwycu7r1HScNChHd8v4IPaBbAjyxEZIbBRs78BgBgOTYaKCayjtA6iJvaqM9o-cqFxV5KJC769H9XKQvtyXfG2MovxhAlxL9Q9P20BWCCnH7ABfT2GNv9kRArXDjS8_jqqzFS7N4rhZ8o/s2594/PXL_20240328_003545709~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2594" data-original-width="2361" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZE6w4ESodve9WJveCcEeZ1iAf1LtmtdRX9Y50XwjHGb3FAgwycu7r1HScNChHd8v4IPaBbAjyxEZIbBRs78BgBgOTYaKCayjtA6iJvaqM9o-cqFxV5KJC769H9XKQvtyXfG2MovxhAlxL9Q9P20BWCCnH7ABfT2GNv9kRArXDjS8_jqqzFS7N4rhZ8o/w364-h400/PXL_20240328_003545709~3.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHluWZOqSyc5yGCSq-CyF1RRb9xUqWRXNW1aktQzliXjPGhKXxuOTEXS_35RdHjosuOpvdOjmgjvXR0C-7jWv7o8M1WxPhYQbCKSvpU1iMDU70v4gXfHv_Fg2yR4TOAHL03kp9hkUogtaIDrQhX7evqtlvqJrCm5YOSUQ7jIdYmPC0J3m7bI5vdZN7Zs/s3072/PXL_20240328_003535123~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="3072" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHluWZOqSyc5yGCSq-CyF1RRb9xUqWRXNW1aktQzliXjPGhKXxuOTEXS_35RdHjosuOpvdOjmgjvXR0C-7jWv7o8M1WxPhYQbCKSvpU1iMDU70v4gXfHv_Fg2yR4TOAHL03kp9hkUogtaIDrQhX7evqtlvqJrCm5YOSUQ7jIdYmPC0J3m7bI5vdZN7Zs/w400-h371/PXL_20240328_003535123~2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>March 26, 2024<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2inDN5kbP9-crVCiIeEd67jGfAInsHFYz8aPUsxpQ3P5T7ftRZShcGCDbwn71cPHUDfVGL0zA4Ltdby2WekhEv1J10whh7BQQ8iyc1TUXY4mAW7e3WQAKJ5IftpRU0XXnPU89JYYXaoswbegZvxRrT_a0V-0YyLkKbB3bwkh2yKlEOkgrJBft3De2teI/s4080/PXL_20240326_233538556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2inDN5kbP9-crVCiIeEd67jGfAInsHFYz8aPUsxpQ3P5T7ftRZShcGCDbwn71cPHUDfVGL0zA4Ltdby2WekhEv1J10whh7BQQ8iyc1TUXY4mAW7e3WQAKJ5IftpRU0XXnPU89JYYXaoswbegZvxRrT_a0V-0YyLkKbB3bwkh2yKlEOkgrJBft3De2teI/w482-h640/PXL_20240326_233538556.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjoV6ZkFB089gfe8nBN81QMSqcCcOhvaJSuByvx3GK78Jv2MV5z-BxSozvyz0wLKHLEUc6KETup7ZK4_61ltlrISDuri1bZeKHZ0_v57e01YmzURU3Oh12ju_QlT_Ouaie97OXphJgj0yCzSy0XylhR7QzYa6stTsy924LxK-JJsFYNeoT0S0IW_xRaQ/s4080/PXL_20240326_233611087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjoV6ZkFB089gfe8nBN81QMSqcCcOhvaJSuByvx3GK78Jv2MV5z-BxSozvyz0wLKHLEUc6KETup7ZK4_61ltlrISDuri1bZeKHZ0_v57e01YmzURU3Oh12ju_QlT_Ouaie97OXphJgj0yCzSy0XylhR7QzYa6stTsy924LxK-JJsFYNeoT0S0IW_xRaQ/w301-h400/PXL_20240326_233611087.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And about 30 minutes later on the same day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFQJlpx_D7gkdiYNjfcJXapDPVL_Z9q3mNqqXr2VB3tBqpjqVU-qIGKnwenkSc4BjJWixwlLP_r5mrqMcFAXFxRCM28-nuaZFGJN6p3ugJq9rrj2rMsOVIeMyRDHbUYTl67OrzZp2k9sh9HL1C8lXbMyZmjqIxHLvttwY63E1XpbI7iUM4Xn4WwN3THc/s3072/PXL_20240327_003605309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="3072" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFQJlpx_D7gkdiYNjfcJXapDPVL_Z9q3mNqqXr2VB3tBqpjqVU-qIGKnwenkSc4BjJWixwlLP_r5mrqMcFAXFxRCM28-nuaZFGJN6p3ugJq9rrj2rMsOVIeMyRDHbUYTl67OrzZp2k9sh9HL1C8lXbMyZmjqIxHLvttwY63E1XpbI7iUM4Xn4WwN3THc/w400-h361/PXL_20240327_003605309.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>March 23, 2024</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4qem9fbIJ3Hl_BzgoVkuXGu5_Bi33Srd_4BkJzL-O61SG-ZwDhyh1NyQypeY-7EUgt3FqJ1lQALvXbxAk2alN0LJdHe2gTcbt6WmP3sWFc_XkE8CNKD-k14TufgJgGgsKilZRTEWYnWNg9hWg7NdfXznZ-95JeJNYi0g3c2ac6YKrPxdm8ZbzTi7adg/s4080/PXL_20240324_053635531.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4qem9fbIJ3Hl_BzgoVkuXGu5_Bi33Srd_4BkJzL-O61SG-ZwDhyh1NyQypeY-7EUgt3FqJ1lQALvXbxAk2alN0LJdHe2gTcbt6WmP3sWFc_XkE8CNKD-k14TufgJgGgsKilZRTEWYnWNg9hWg7NdfXznZ-95JeJNYi0g3c2ac6YKrPxdm8ZbzTi7adg/w482-h640/PXL_20240324_053635531.NIGHT.jpg" width="482" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPBOf8H670b4GKF6BWzWRUp-GDk9AIhD_XI7NPiR_6H2VjPsyV0dx6MEDWHHH_eJ04QqptnOHQrrM4QwWrE-4v84qHqUSJny1dDY07dNFRviWMsTRd3vYFMFlZBBVMiEGAc_fcpsDn48LeVs4OqO4Yf8ed2_5ZPGhraDZqzDU2fxCVgRiVh5HzssoTUU/s4080/PXL_20240324_053604391.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPBOf8H670b4GKF6BWzWRUp-GDk9AIhD_XI7NPiR_6H2VjPsyV0dx6MEDWHHH_eJ04QqptnOHQrrM4QwWrE-4v84qHqUSJny1dDY07dNFRviWMsTRd3vYFMFlZBBVMiEGAc_fcpsDn48LeVs4OqO4Yf8ed2_5ZPGhraDZqzDU2fxCVgRiVh5HzssoTUU/w301-h400/PXL_20240324_053604391.NIGHT.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div><div>One of the many things keeping me busy this week is patio renovation. The construction job is behind schedule over all and my patio in particular. This week they were to replace the pavers on the patio membrane. After which they will build the retaining wall and fill it with soil. I don't know yet about whether they will hire someone to replant the gardens or if we will have to re-do it ourselves. When I bought the place it came with a fully planted garden that had trees. Now I may have to replace all those plants myself but we will have guidelines this time from a landscape architect's report about what can and cannot be planted. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv8O0BZwx9sfDszHK5cqCQPEtJUrNb7KoZEO72qZjcnA8N_Dy_fbWwJfdyNbieLTuqU5Z7dclxVkQ9InrFXVpqFnaZ8iMycUXv4jC5ltD04i0SobboKgzDZfIWRnTT2NhFas7-SJO6q3X5kydam3_tmi0w7FZCa-ReSPerV0T5fSX9CYZgJCUw9-aJXo/s4080/PXL_20240326_233553911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv8O0BZwx9sfDszHK5cqCQPEtJUrNb7KoZEO72qZjcnA8N_Dy_fbWwJfdyNbieLTuqU5Z7dclxVkQ9InrFXVpqFnaZ8iMycUXv4jC5ltD04i0SobboKgzDZfIWRnTT2NhFas7-SJO6q3X5kydam3_tmi0w7FZCa-ReSPerV0T5fSX9CYZgJCUw9-aJXo/w301-h400/PXL_20240326_233553911.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>No matter what the strata council decides, I'm still paying for the replanting in addition to the payments for the construction. It's just that I would prefer not to have to do all the work myself as it's not that easy hauling plants up from the ground level. I talked to the strata manager yesterday and he couldn't tell me what the timeline is for completion so I don't even know whether anything will be ready for enjoyment this summer. We are expected to have very hot weather this summer and so the timing of that will likely coincide with when the garden will finally be ready. Once it is ready to go, we will need to power wash the pavers and make them look nice again.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBFOY7iV1cOiImhQBldUUAhcmJu1Rsa-6ZPSLZFkfBDDHp51HHXK99fF-ZUSqCrYMhbq7lkJ4koLmDv9o_koA9fOcGRxBjgSjnRRjb_m-6b-3qoe5y0edIvE3ua4rTOSIjRXIr0TbeRpmGlIYmuQtXcrZiJl5GzsBrjXLjFkRMuw_1ciqUmU5fTSb9TI/s431/skyquote-vanmorrison.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="431" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBFOY7iV1cOiImhQBldUUAhcmJu1Rsa-6ZPSLZFkfBDDHp51HHXK99fF-ZUSqCrYMhbq7lkJ4koLmDv9o_koA9fOcGRxBjgSjnRRjb_m-6b-3qoe5y0edIvE3ua4rTOSIjRXIr0TbeRpmGlIYmuQtXcrZiJl5GzsBrjXLjFkRMuw_1ciqUmU5fTSb9TI/w400-h269/skyquote-vanmorrison.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> I'm joining in with <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com">Skywatch Friday</a> this week. Thank you for stopping by.</div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-33253014786110926032024-03-22T01:09:00.001-07:002024-03-22T01:09:32.585-07:00Welcome to My Awesome Day<p>I took a walk along the waterfront on Wednesday this week. It was one the best weather days so far since winter began. Wednesday was the first day of Spring and everyone was out at the waterfront enjoying the sunshine.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2cIrKFJpH1s04jf6Lq3Nw4MWvKQZJ4-w17wYJpnxaBYETFFLrv2f0xzPX6UH4-07yS2OALM_dyfCaky8ar83zcD6BdfX6YYMrxESpZriegABfzcYq2xUqBv-8UGaFAABWvhGVemyuWtx1fWWNdykYeEfJsCnR6OCCZafTSt1JTqSTF1oDTFCbAos2-g/s4080/PXL_20240320_000554237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2cIrKFJpH1s04jf6Lq3Nw4MWvKQZJ4-w17wYJpnxaBYETFFLrv2f0xzPX6UH4-07yS2OALM_dyfCaky8ar83zcD6BdfX6YYMrxESpZriegABfzcYq2xUqBv-8UGaFAABWvhGVemyuWtx1fWWNdykYeEfJsCnR6OCCZafTSt1JTqSTF1oDTFCbAos2-g/w301-h400/PXL_20240320_000554237.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERZ6Ozj7V5RI9nZ6n2VxqqkaLakBHEkGkEF_FDYGa7r5vFEz5yN2WWRckHlqXHID5yZA7VzcglYDF4KbOXulCUM5YWGTFDlFxkFzg_O6r0D2hJngSHzvi-raD58R5Z1pGlAFQhPDPrIkx_3_pqgvMjvLonAxzC5bpp_yisJIuNvQPmUpMj0761LNhAk8/s4080/PXL_20240320_000716952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERZ6Ozj7V5RI9nZ6n2VxqqkaLakBHEkGkEF_FDYGa7r5vFEz5yN2WWRckHlqXHID5yZA7VzcglYDF4KbOXulCUM5YWGTFDlFxkFzg_O6r0D2hJngSHzvi-raD58R5Z1pGlAFQhPDPrIkx_3_pqgvMjvLonAxzC5bpp_yisJIuNvQPmUpMj0761LNhAk8/w301-h400/PXL_20240320_000716952.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsC3BffOV6o8aSQRcbmg_YNhaZyZKe8HroKzYSmNVrTbRgQh3xFyxqNC6vClrs0QvTBhh8VDwJt4J7QmCtncMAy8h_o7xgFYP2GkWS8trzgzuEvnsHuES4VVvJkyj6bHdo86ZX8BcI4U9ZDypMAQC8PSXtACTXNlOAGPPy1Fo0Clvb2LVvWm4tQm2quI/s4080/PXL_20240320_001230079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsC3BffOV6o8aSQRcbmg_YNhaZyZKe8HroKzYSmNVrTbRgQh3xFyxqNC6vClrs0QvTBhh8VDwJt4J7QmCtncMAy8h_o7xgFYP2GkWS8trzgzuEvnsHuES4VVvJkyj6bHdo86ZX8BcI4U9ZDypMAQC8PSXtACTXNlOAGPPy1Fo0Clvb2LVvWm4tQm2quI/w301-h400/PXL_20240320_001230079.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSlDJqdUj7dplhNfLuUyNVeJWwm7wFSP7dvvt2XBja9qdNIqwRNn3FEUFVtpU-UNJg1DHkX6R0FD5Xyr2Dz_ZdPhcx9_v2NHhoz7MpyZxny-9I7BXg6oO4gm_tzT4BWPXKdoLRybyUY0X6cgIA45Q7ExW7IpJ_cUe7nCN4K5wd86aIwS1IZuOmgjATQ4/s4080/PXL_20240320_000720652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSlDJqdUj7dplhNfLuUyNVeJWwm7wFSP7dvvt2XBja9qdNIqwRNn3FEUFVtpU-UNJg1DHkX6R0FD5Xyr2Dz_ZdPhcx9_v2NHhoz7MpyZxny-9I7BXg6oO4gm_tzT4BWPXKdoLRybyUY0X6cgIA45Q7ExW7IpJ_cUe7nCN4K5wd86aIwS1IZuOmgjATQ4/w301-h400/PXL_20240320_000720652.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOizM55JZxVBvswKxay9xEppmHm6_dJpdxKXIfZceJZD_q0fPnZ6xk8Lyl3z_Ko90pNF1wyHRa_Mz89_R4NECuEyyxC2TbMUgr04GgY-RBvjq3-uNqSSihDhvyHlrSCuNi4KCYn8FmOlq_xId-IZhxSK2tUdposznUjoZ2ibctt711WsXpEStQkCHLos/s4080/PXL_20240320_001254897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOizM55JZxVBvswKxay9xEppmHm6_dJpdxKXIfZceJZD_q0fPnZ6xk8Lyl3z_Ko90pNF1wyHRa_Mz89_R4NECuEyyxC2TbMUgr04GgY-RBvjq3-uNqSSihDhvyHlrSCuNi4KCYn8FmOlq_xId-IZhxSK2tUdposznUjoZ2ibctt711WsXpEStQkCHLos/w301-h400/PXL_20240320_001254897.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UcmtP4MRCfmfKJwDJTwPCllSqICwealKxMHAxhKY3Z_uDHKFap9xAzUnOlDqiGAfIE-CEToS6J6eXKLOfuOhUdFxn4x9YN70gXAUvV3C1alOy6TP5wDy_7GoLRlprMvtf4u7cNDr3iBygKYWgfV7I4dweepbt9aBAbxhpVVI_Wwugq57AgohHtfWkYg/s4080/PXL_20240320_001319782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UcmtP4MRCfmfKJwDJTwPCllSqICwealKxMHAxhKY3Z_uDHKFap9xAzUnOlDqiGAfIE-CEToS6J6eXKLOfuOhUdFxn4x9YN70gXAUvV3C1alOy6TP5wDy_7GoLRlprMvtf4u7cNDr3iBygKYWgfV7I4dweepbt9aBAbxhpVVI_Wwugq57AgohHtfWkYg/w301-h400/PXL_20240320_001319782.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IuOqy5Ner_Fzf5TeFEgvMTwkGofLEWu33giV213xE8JJJXTImd09zQHaJWE9UMIl_9w8ko4-ohgNrLINpaPEWHFaHt1wenvk6fX3aOb3GuYHZ3An1y9CeQ2VXLMQLMskJQJzRGiWHirvTBoajTAtHSYM2FlRq7SMgVh9G90ZJvJ2LDlbAtvocqIA5vg/s4080/PXL_20240320_001329187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IuOqy5Ner_Fzf5TeFEgvMTwkGofLEWu33giV213xE8JJJXTImd09zQHaJWE9UMIl_9w8ko4-ohgNrLINpaPEWHFaHt1wenvk6fX3aOb3GuYHZ3An1y9CeQ2VXLMQLMskJQJzRGiWHirvTBoajTAtHSYM2FlRq7SMgVh9G90ZJvJ2LDlbAtvocqIA5vg/w301-h400/PXL_20240320_001329187.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Though I do like to people watch I usually stick to photos of the scenery. </p><p>I'm linking up with <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/2024/03/skywatch-friday-21-march-2024-edition.html">Skywatch Friday</a> today.</p><p>Thank you for stopping by.</p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-17170048781867410602024-03-19T21:04:00.003-07:002024-03-19T21:04:28.815-07:00Happy Spring 2024!Happy Spring to you.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEouTjNtqNv7sN2WaKmmCOmIqgtYB44SVuXlyP_Uicjep1qLX8LEUXBQF3pk3RmJ5EeYN5JB3gHcSinPrqb58hvYiRt3fuvXPe1-8OvHT0e-CSXhCGBPV61fl7vItmRNGM_s8-G78J8__XbXMhR5HzZPOTBSbyF7tbYUDjqdjsPvp3JTo6RUO3GyhkeJM/s1417/welcome-spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1417" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEouTjNtqNv7sN2WaKmmCOmIqgtYB44SVuXlyP_Uicjep1qLX8LEUXBQF3pk3RmJ5EeYN5JB3gHcSinPrqb58hvYiRt3fuvXPe1-8OvHT0e-CSXhCGBPV61fl7vItmRNGM_s8-G78J8__XbXMhR5HzZPOTBSbyF7tbYUDjqdjsPvp3JTo6RUO3GyhkeJM/w400-h266/welcome-spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yBZj9c651wM" width="320" youtube-src-id="yBZj9c651wM"></iframe></div><br /> Enjoy this short video from the waterfront where I spent part of Spring season's first day.<p></p></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-75596248982387549852024-03-15T22:19:00.003-07:002024-03-15T22:21:39.465-07:00It Was a Spectacular Day! ~ Skywatch <p>Hello friends and fellow bloggers,</p><p>It was a spectacular, sunny day where I live. It's still rather chilly from my point of view but the weather reporters keep telling us it is going to get very warm and above seasonal temperatures by the weekend. So we'll see how tomorrow goes.</p><p>I had an unexpected trip to the dentist today to a repair a tooth which broke yesterday. I walked to my appointment and took the following photos to share with you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn5jDDl1X6WjKGOt9Mxu6rgV2j_y_ssIUVPDCS5FW4KfqphpXO2tMCpqi2EjY6vQcmPRGArOq153kawolHa7vbtCU5z_2GgNh0xepEsfXwoBNI_8HXgmqIyfAg47u12hsfgrQ4GLjCkDSYSw8-5YsrJRF-TLrQ7weSE-Pf2tn1w2nCRoL08Txvx54Vjw/s4080/PXL_20240315_220507925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn5jDDl1X6WjKGOt9Mxu6rgV2j_y_ssIUVPDCS5FW4KfqphpXO2tMCpqi2EjY6vQcmPRGArOq153kawolHa7vbtCU5z_2GgNh0xepEsfXwoBNI_8HXgmqIyfAg47u12hsfgrQ4GLjCkDSYSw8-5YsrJRF-TLrQ7weSE-Pf2tn1w2nCRoL08Txvx54Vjw/w482-h640/PXL_20240315_220507925.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6y-wuyVW5gFark8icXxaJG-tpXgg3VRFBSL5WQmJ4T-4MC1ePpc3ZCKjIfCF3XgrC2xG1WuoxXeJVtXpD18-4lAAfX46DFuBpRZQFBeEHvQ0KSAy4gMytlD04mwkLiVOtgzry8tbURNk5AhdcPmM8NgUhyphenhyphenRphOAKMhQ6HV3G8eQ5A5t6n86SfJpBRU8/s4080/PXL_20240315_220355884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6y-wuyVW5gFark8icXxaJG-tpXgg3VRFBSL5WQmJ4T-4MC1ePpc3ZCKjIfCF3XgrC2xG1WuoxXeJVtXpD18-4lAAfX46DFuBpRZQFBeEHvQ0KSAy4gMytlD04mwkLiVOtgzry8tbURNk5AhdcPmM8NgUhyphenhyphenRphOAKMhQ6HV3G8eQ5A5t6n86SfJpBRU8/w482-h640/PXL_20240315_220355884.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-Axs7kw-KNK_r4mYnvpn2rhXbw_SwF2sCiEs9Hwhavltl5CO9yXFECUnbPgyp5nwGsLlTQgSZqLGICZQUpSH-JMR_-3TforYMSFlIKdeCLhK7gSWlCwOzGQqREIflWee-UXF4OKdet724rzVT2FyXZLFUBLI2ZSNXDk71x4KAxAmi3QPSwRh1lzXgdA/s4080/PXL_20240315_220311667.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-Axs7kw-KNK_r4mYnvpn2rhXbw_SwF2sCiEs9Hwhavltl5CO9yXFECUnbPgyp5nwGsLlTQgSZqLGICZQUpSH-JMR_-3TforYMSFlIKdeCLhK7gSWlCwOzGQqREIflWee-UXF4OKdet724rzVT2FyXZLFUBLI2ZSNXDk71x4KAxAmi3QPSwRh1lzXgdA/w482-h640/PXL_20240315_220311667.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gqSlXImb1FCDMqNeBxSVjtFgV-F_11icV6jPBeK5ageAaNTX1Bi7JALeWSwY1Na6VQkgkxQxYN2dB8UWeVFmOsBPtofh6Cj8fh4H0RSGOn79bnzLbVm03TzGj-L2bdkXb0KHRlwBbo2xdBhyphenhyphendyhNklsX3eIFFnOlmRwn7iLNi8m1_55BUkxAm3p3JPY/s4080/PXL_20240315_220304839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gqSlXImb1FCDMqNeBxSVjtFgV-F_11icV6jPBeK5ageAaNTX1Bi7JALeWSwY1Na6VQkgkxQxYN2dB8UWeVFmOsBPtofh6Cj8fh4H0RSGOn79bnzLbVm03TzGj-L2bdkXb0KHRlwBbo2xdBhyphenhyphendyhNklsX3eIFFnOlmRwn7iLNi8m1_55BUkxAm3p3JPY/w482-h640/PXL_20240315_220304839.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnB8v8Os0dz7ZLSIdwS-fOjARfgF4rk8o0sA1OOlNSp3bCnRDqgyKEc9075-Simmt01JJl-G2BkSO1mIFwVIvRyGR03r1Ucf9YQHcvnHAOjK2O8qkOaXlnBjuJ1gVNw3UqnxZPCR-pACNt33DTJqhhWI3lTrt3Y19WuKE9DrCmiiiNbppYOSDyHU-YMNM/s4080/PXL_20240315_220255916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnB8v8Os0dz7ZLSIdwS-fOjARfgF4rk8o0sA1OOlNSp3bCnRDqgyKEc9075-Simmt01JJl-G2BkSO1mIFwVIvRyGR03r1Ucf9YQHcvnHAOjK2O8qkOaXlnBjuJ1gVNw3UqnxZPCR-pACNt33DTJqhhWI3lTrt3Y19WuKE9DrCmiiiNbppYOSDyHU-YMNM/w482-h640/PXL_20240315_220255916.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_QtzfSerkFEOqmT5hUGJQSdK5Shr1mOqfpR9xUemgQq1xmIzSyupUecISOTKOgGmGRQPJOV9n765iDoSUQzK-ZIb9Q2XhyphenhyphenzdvXbRsam5NlWNw-ZjMp9NO2ejKDTgn58QIuERwXaCxRRwSQ1YVsDHCuhwPbgPHS4Y139Ihm5ydhdalEjLfM23bNUaNMg/s4080/PXL_20240315_220032004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_QtzfSerkFEOqmT5hUGJQSdK5Shr1mOqfpR9xUemgQq1xmIzSyupUecISOTKOgGmGRQPJOV9n765iDoSUQzK-ZIb9Q2XhyphenhyphenzdvXbRsam5NlWNw-ZjMp9NO2ejKDTgn58QIuERwXaCxRRwSQ1YVsDHCuhwPbgPHS4Y139Ihm5ydhdalEjLfM23bNUaNMg/w482-h640/PXL_20240315_220032004.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuB9rjsBuIHcg49JQD3LsSuvbYe1g1E8wBvzx2Rui7IWnjMlG8vh_TLwnbH53l1ojUr7qbaBfB8BflkwfFPxp6gYk27orlGxY2TmkNhI_a6WZC6bmuvaoxqNbqp5JY7O_rVnTweijzprSCoTaysLf9T9XOR8LKAYC0H4CDLpwhTn-narwF_li-O5b78Y/s4080/PXL_20240315_215954623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuB9rjsBuIHcg49JQD3LsSuvbYe1g1E8wBvzx2Rui7IWnjMlG8vh_TLwnbH53l1ojUr7qbaBfB8BflkwfFPxp6gYk27orlGxY2TmkNhI_a6WZC6bmuvaoxqNbqp5JY7O_rVnTweijzprSCoTaysLf9T9XOR8LKAYC0H4CDLpwhTn-narwF_li-O5b78Y/w482-h640/PXL_20240315_215954623.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br />Thank you for stopping by!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm joining in with <a href="https://skyley.blogspot.com/2024/03/skywatch-friday-14-march-2024-edition.html">Skywatch Friday</a> this week.</p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-71121834721312899692024-03-13T22:52:00.005-07:002024-03-13T23:09:10.371-07:00This and That on a Mid-March DayWednesday was a spectacular day with glorious sunshine and fluffy white clouds. The sun came out after several rainy days but the temperature was still quite chilly.<div><br /></div><div>On my walk I captured some beautiful flowers outside one of the local grocery stores. I just love the flowers in the foreground and the large store window capturing a reflection of the clouds and blue sky. You can see the leaves haven't come out on the deciduous trees yet.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyB77EB65mHZ0HwzsEknYVh1RLOR3G7pBy-YMJXSjwmWZzjEl7uvwRPpg_qgO4V6bCI3JWCbE6X_BoaMMfCiOgADd8QUHKchDxrmZO0Q7fiDzkM3fP2_TKpaehYhBKQCfNBcnbvZGVIFa6b-x9FkkYtKsMOIIUFIN3KOpAnrSKOx8Q7nVK9mj1In9hOM/s4080/PXL_20240313_193140308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2999" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyB77EB65mHZ0HwzsEknYVh1RLOR3G7pBy-YMJXSjwmWZzjEl7uvwRPpg_qgO4V6bCI3JWCbE6X_BoaMMfCiOgADd8QUHKchDxrmZO0Q7fiDzkM3fP2_TKpaehYhBKQCfNBcnbvZGVIFa6b-x9FkkYtKsMOIIUFIN3KOpAnrSKOx8Q7nVK9mj1In9hOM/w470-h640/PXL_20240313_193140308.jpg" width="470" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5sAZFzVgu2SMVJLmSncMju4JxLk3MqgbYVpFY6ir8X6cxWS9XWN8rhJUfhE2h8T5-9u9KDaALgS6YwPCcxWZbO6s-oEZgbf-xJ7dYcIEiEXMzXubBnGTeEbasya_NqpKPbab3T4nkxK6wd9UXfvkMvTAb5FdawBmW2VB8-DDvEl8MGa7WveBZB64Eeg/s4080/PXL_20240313_193155264.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5sAZFzVgu2SMVJLmSncMju4JxLk3MqgbYVpFY6ir8X6cxWS9XWN8rhJUfhE2h8T5-9u9KDaALgS6YwPCcxWZbO6s-oEZgbf-xJ7dYcIEiEXMzXubBnGTeEbasya_NqpKPbab3T4nkxK6wd9UXfvkMvTAb5FdawBmW2VB8-DDvEl8MGa7WveBZB64Eeg/w482-h640/PXL_20240313_193155264.MP.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6ZYUlRpr0jam2UYaRL_LxZ9IBL2M8iBcutIHJqDHmcgMnmQ1LdfcqodDNdvkbrrZKgSQRFoAK67dqUcHsTSSCwO8RXVSh0bTPYU2MUqBpyVsTxHvQ3ObAIB9__KqWZpV3qBrLc0j7ufVuI1RXKrF37xoJj-EzeMBMYfvXccAOTpZTamT-y76Ej8iaec/s4080/PXL_20240313_191647474.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6ZYUlRpr0jam2UYaRL_LxZ9IBL2M8iBcutIHJqDHmcgMnmQ1LdfcqodDNdvkbrrZKgSQRFoAK67dqUcHsTSSCwO8RXVSh0bTPYU2MUqBpyVsTxHvQ3ObAIB9__KqWZpV3qBrLc0j7ufVuI1RXKrF37xoJj-EzeMBMYfvXccAOTpZTamT-y76Ej8iaec/w482-h640/PXL_20240313_191647474.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By mid afternoon it turned mostly cloudy again though we expect sunshine and much warmer temperatures for the next week or so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been keep very busy this month with a lot of small things including sewing alterations, reading, decluttering, cooking, appointments and so on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A small containers of buttons broke open and the buttons scattered all over the larger container they were in. It spurred me on to do a little bit of a tidy up of some of the most often used sewing supplies. This will help me as I work on other projects.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 small containers of sewing supplies sorted and organized</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-wROZVSWdkXJJ6rwPIfrVJHW-1vfOvDesAnX_SFN0VBtE9LhyphenhyphenYmoD7z_jh2t01XAo4T-UCqwBFOFREiaEdfFrYo4kzyX6vUYezKmBKph7ndVqOXKlRr8lVMR0be8QtqT4lmx46WQ-8snMwaeRMNLOhVo_Kzl8CVKx6KgUjeWNI-lYd-h1YI6mVW_lZ4/s4080/PXL_20240313_111145245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-wROZVSWdkXJJ6rwPIfrVJHW-1vfOvDesAnX_SFN0VBtE9LhyphenhyphenYmoD7z_jh2t01XAo4T-UCqwBFOFREiaEdfFrYo4kzyX6vUYezKmBKph7ndVqOXKlRr8lVMR0be8QtqT4lmx46WQ-8snMwaeRMNLOhVo_Kzl8CVKx6KgUjeWNI-lYd-h1YI6mVW_lZ4/w482-h640/PXL_20240313_111145245.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've been decluttering a bit here and there. Nothing major but it all adds up. I'm also still trying to use up old toiletries. Some of them seem to have a bottomless supply. I'm adding everything to some large recycling bags and will do a count later.</div><div><br /></div>In my reading, I finished reading the 5 fictional books in the photos below and one book on style. I enjoyed all of the books. My favourite pick was Ken Follet's Armour of Light followed by The Nightingale, The Venice Sketchbook, The Cafe by the Sea and the House of Fortune in that order. The Style for Everybody Guide was a very straightforward and well written, simplified guide to clothing and style. I've read a lot of them and I liked this one a lot because it is not so overwhelming in the information it presented.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgZ10VpUCmKwPzV_Xqvv6Z_9395Kqh7RnDxxN2elWirW2k_p4nF6hjv8kmzVEH-LBFxLczHLLaO9lXGmKI29fsSeOjD4reDwaV4qKtTsJJipf9icAkD7Xfwbtp0njTZGdaxnJdn0CrSxrqESv6RxO_GWn9w79ZVbbGPEitsv6WdEZ_eWAnR9rZPYCbi8/s2816/original_1acfdc9f-a2a5-485e-b212-1fd9e9ee5be2_PXL_20240312_003306994.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="2816" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgZ10VpUCmKwPzV_Xqvv6Z_9395Kqh7RnDxxN2elWirW2k_p4nF6hjv8kmzVEH-LBFxLczHLLaO9lXGmKI29fsSeOjD4reDwaV4qKtTsJJipf9icAkD7Xfwbtp0njTZGdaxnJdn0CrSxrqESv6RxO_GWn9w79ZVbbGPEitsv6WdEZ_eWAnR9rZPYCbi8/w400-h294/original_1acfdc9f-a2a5-485e-b212-1fd9e9ee5be2_PXL_20240312_003306994.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Also completed in the last few weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRJocVa9_8znsLNJBTrM7fjKrPVNyr9IaCsqOzTKrgy01Uz5Cs3nbFFuHRInuYnhMVdNjqMoZt6IyDwNq26OZMTv5PNa9l-tZDRfW-ZrDGaXyiv4SihLxi6Qo7whW7rEKg80SEblLkzFaPCo7djIEbBSFDRw-Q7qfnIwvn3y6jJmfWkIRT-QD1vHXOyw/s3072/original_b92e9a2e-bb59-4a31-8d8a-f1dc163ed572_PXL_20240217_054907457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="3072" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRJocVa9_8znsLNJBTrM7fjKrPVNyr9IaCsqOzTKrgy01Uz5Cs3nbFFuHRInuYnhMVdNjqMoZt6IyDwNq26OZMTv5PNa9l-tZDRfW-ZrDGaXyiv4SihLxi6Qo7whW7rEKg80SEblLkzFaPCo7djIEbBSFDRw-Q7qfnIwvn3y6jJmfWkIRT-QD1vHXOyw/w400-h351/original_b92e9a2e-bb59-4a31-8d8a-f1dc163ed572_PXL_20240217_054907457.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq87A5FDd7l8I2efoPZ08PbxJ8Moq5OQ7uRv7ySWnaEjR8uHvKmt3c4t3PURlx6pAFFO-PaQZ0oOr4YnqlZiB1mHYoG0skEzmzdcQdndRXZ7NkeDAXu9zYa2wHB6PPsPl8tCeI92a-e5YW4_bUwkVrK7u15bFRDDvaT8WiXy0Zn4sTvItSnYU0ktGEeVQ/s1368/TheNightingale.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq87A5FDd7l8I2efoPZ08PbxJ8Moq5OQ7uRv7ySWnaEjR8uHvKmt3c4t3PURlx6pAFFO-PaQZ0oOr4YnqlZiB1mHYoG0skEzmzdcQdndRXZ7NkeDAXu9zYa2wHB6PPsPl8tCeI92a-e5YW4_bUwkVrK7u15bFRDDvaT8WiXy0Zn4sTvItSnYU0ktGEeVQ/w264-h400/TheNightingale.jpeg" width="264" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><div><div style="text-align: left;">I've started reading a few books with a spiritual theme. Usually this kind of book requires more time for reading, reflection and retention. I'll probably pick up another novel to read in between study.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjqQrEpxxZlSSABe-1ZaRnZ2SsfymfZptDo7-5pL3R0VIw7opqpTCK_iBHqhurLkcJfarmUCtI30s67uslnlUDYQFnVluNLx6KtaXJ-8q8hY9fM31ugKjNTKDgjO4uyf-LF2XOBDgIZfOc9OaKf2XiIgHVpx3zxyOKvVKGDfpD6JBNbvcy9i8trz7r4w/s4080/PXL_20240313_214527597~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjqQrEpxxZlSSABe-1ZaRnZ2SsfymfZptDo7-5pL3R0VIw7opqpTCK_iBHqhurLkcJfarmUCtI30s67uslnlUDYQFnVluNLx6KtaXJ-8q8hY9fM31ugKjNTKDgjO4uyf-LF2XOBDgIZfOc9OaKf2XiIgHVpx3zxyOKvVKGDfpD6JBNbvcy9i8trz7r4w/w301-h400/PXL_20240313_214527597~2.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr1jGO00Mpl6DmlNYTxpaDeDT-OX4yJ-oMD3PHzaFUoPD5b-ayR4qkKxgQManungynKOEUtUSK45YIP_3Y4k0onLBApyopclbc6yCKbnFFpfsDj5TFxkoeDfJCedf1GeSpMVVKkbuIFBlliZPta-qyeUBPomMcgpBNJX9K2LyUmRVb0tuaXoelJ6_EzI/s4080/PXL_20240313_214515301~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr1jGO00Mpl6DmlNYTxpaDeDT-OX4yJ-oMD3PHzaFUoPD5b-ayR4qkKxgQManungynKOEUtUSK45YIP_3Y4k0onLBApyopclbc6yCKbnFFpfsDj5TFxkoeDfJCedf1GeSpMVVKkbuIFBlliZPta-qyeUBPomMcgpBNJX9K2LyUmRVb0tuaXoelJ6_EzI/w301-h400/PXL_20240313_214515301~2.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmzsxy0Qh2td7wWvbzfjBdfwY1uglRey6nMaCVNCBMyCmR-eUdAzMg3NSYicB59HAcTDoAL-WuSbX5Zu_hRYjTjA771rXT0qGfzQBGpczzBdebQyMF6z1gSiZ2wS2uLHJvlFoVGmYMIrvNc9sqcAkxqzwK53VjkEUfJUGs4V8ZMEENOwNoZ7BA27hVVM/s520/johnthebapist-lastgnostics-book%20copy.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmzsxy0Qh2td7wWvbzfjBdfwY1uglRey6nMaCVNCBMyCmR-eUdAzMg3NSYicB59HAcTDoAL-WuSbX5Zu_hRYjTjA771rXT0qGfzQBGpczzBdebQyMF6z1gSiZ2wS2uLHJvlFoVGmYMIrvNc9sqcAkxqzwK53VjkEUfJUGs4V8ZMEENOwNoZ7BA27hVVM/w370-h640/johnthebapist-lastgnostics-book%20copy.webp" width="370" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">That's all in my world for now. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for your visit.</div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-35821745452977915482024-03-07T16:28:00.002-08:002024-03-07T16:28:12.545-08:00A Beautiful Night ~ Skywatch March 8, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWfn-C8XhlGzoerZxdXP-7yM_LUV3fix2emtpei7I3AhHlf-KHs3qq-wYljsGYaskbhyphenhyphenbmyWaoLZdxhlvcyaQHUgg6YN-6rqiOyzqT-QG_doaeKSfHCDIMqkSiIiuz1AHcYIJzJgBmxCDfvLCGk6hVfS9u2-vZh8ZYZXHab4ZzbtEWvy-I2onutFHZNE/s4080/PXL_20240226_053213590.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWfn-C8XhlGzoerZxdXP-7yM_LUV3fix2emtpei7I3AhHlf-KHs3qq-wYljsGYaskbhyphenhyphenbmyWaoLZdxhlvcyaQHUgg6YN-6rqiOyzqT-QG_doaeKSfHCDIMqkSiIiuz1AHcYIJzJgBmxCDfvLCGk6hVfS9u2-vZh8ZYZXHab4ZzbtEWvy-I2onutFHZNE/w482-h640/PXL_20240226_053213590.NIGHT.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Hello friends and fellow bloggers,<p></p><p>I hope you've had a great week! </p><p>I took this moon shot a while back and haven't had a chance to share it yet. </p><p>I was out for a late walk and was happy to both see and capture this moon. It was so clear and bright.</p><p>Lately it seems a lot of my Skywatch Friday shots are taken in the night. Of course it's due to limited daylight at this time of year but that should soon change.</p><p>I'm looking forward to Spring. đ¸đ¸đ¸</p><p>Enjoy your weekend.</p><p>Joining in with <a href="https://skyley.blogspot.com/2024/03/skywatch-friday-7-march-2024-edition.html">Skywatch Friday</a>. </p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-15595507882559889492024-03-04T21:00:00.007-08:002024-03-04T21:21:10.040-08:00It's March ~ Tuesday 4
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWpng9V6qi4G7nq32j3CnjX-ewCs6c_5J6efel3hnsPqfiLL7IEGN6RqAtZjCnlMcTMnyWYdVUZuWqgUWgh2l-GZ7AYlbLbe-coQC9_FABJFQv8WLX0D-ColuhumLO8a7uWyD5Pk_H6WybLs8gGKAfSPYlPlt93OPJ2rak0BNocclOLnlWt-kdYEP1B4/s612/march-image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="612" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWpng9V6qi4G7nq32j3CnjX-ewCs6c_5J6efel3hnsPqfiLL7IEGN6RqAtZjCnlMcTMnyWYdVUZuWqgUWgh2l-GZ7AYlbLbe-coQC9_FABJFQv8WLX0D-ColuhumLO8a7uWyD5Pk_H6WybLs8gGKAfSPYlPlt93OPJ2rak0BNocclOLnlWt-kdYEP1B4/s320/march-image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1965760536745726791" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; text-align: start; width: 580px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Welcome to Tuesday 4 begun by Toni Taddeo.</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's March and it might be nice to talk a bit about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The year is going by quickly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1. March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion. How has it made it's debut in your area?</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">March 1st was a cold and it rained very heavily at times. I stayed indoors.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2. Is St Patrick's Day something you observe?</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't observe St. Patrick's Day. Where I live I've only ever seen it as a day for people to wear green and many go to an Irish pub for 'green' bear. No one I know observes a special dinner on that day. In more recent years there has been a St. Patrick's Day parade and there seems to be a bit more happening each year. There is a Ceilidh on March 15th and a concert of the Welsh Choir the next day. There is also a Celtic Festival that weekend. I've looked at the festival program and it seems like a lot of it is focussed on drinking so I don't participate. Besides which the weather is usually not very nice on St. Patrick's Day.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">3. Do you observe Easter? </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I do observe Easter. </span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">4. What will those holidays see you doing this year? </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's usually a quiet time of reflection and gratitude for Christ's death and resurrection. Church's here like everywhere also focus on this message. It's also time for a holiday meal with one or two loved ones. Long ago, a much larger group of family and friends would gather together for Easter dinner but those days are long gone as are many of the people. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This time of year most of us in the western hemisphere are anticipating the arrival of the Spring season. So I've planted up some seeds in readiness for the garden season. Hopefully they won't sprout up too stringy and straggly.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcmB7oXuFeXRjEV6w4odKv6cXWDaK8Er065oQvxhmSO9JYDZjOqey-D9w2GDEMhIsDU5KIZSKBPj4_RWyF_h6RwKAaD0NitVlmu8YTA-eE-lsEOIkMZ7DRYeoZuQHPxEmLl8MxRgXYo04u1Qtz3Eg6NCbqjp99SVfXlbNiUoibx8s_dQ8A_KtGQuDTz8/s4080/PXL_20240302_005547570.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcmB7oXuFeXRjEV6w4odKv6cXWDaK8Er065oQvxhmSO9JYDZjOqey-D9w2GDEMhIsDU5KIZSKBPj4_RWyF_h6RwKAaD0NitVlmu8YTA-eE-lsEOIkMZ7DRYeoZuQHPxEmLl8MxRgXYo04u1Qtz3Eg6NCbqjp99SVfXlbNiUoibx8s_dQ8A_KtGQuDTz8/w482-h640/PXL_20240302_005547570.MP.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Saturday night I took a walk to the garden to return a book called The Venice Sketchbook. It was a poignant read set in Venice, Italy during WW2. Once I got home I realized I had another book I needed to return. It had fallen to the side of the sofa and I didn't notice it until the next day when I was vacuuming.</span><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbj8OIZBwtvIZUjoRqgcN9-49x6h5t8EqKKfZJcPgFUs52Avm3AG-Puk4T5OK4YEoWtday9lwNU3RF-ENkW76OtwxZI_puTnc38BiTAmJtSoTiuex_Ba3EQxs9zxttzl2MAWXJHZ-ESkF5Ir55_DDu0VYcKmhtzf61x7wRyTx3TUJAsAUmAgqwYhcw_U/s4080/PXL_20240303_025940655.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbj8OIZBwtvIZUjoRqgcN9-49x6h5t8EqKKfZJcPgFUs52Avm3AG-Puk4T5OK4YEoWtday9lwNU3RF-ENkW76OtwxZI_puTnc38BiTAmJtSoTiuex_Ba3EQxs9zxttzl2MAWXJHZ-ESkF5Ir55_DDu0VYcKmhtzf61x7wRyTx3TUJAsAUmAgqwYhcw_U/w482-h640/PXL_20240303_025940655.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="482" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIphoqJStLyVDAvLbO040ThkgictB2FTNSREqykbhzkIi9nz4cXIYmK8QU5TD8Mq3wjjgx9_-Dx2zh87i-Ha_NUbmCeyP7gxFOWX92wTdI8dsw8YnE7nXA62hw3jXMV8wsg7op3C2AHgIaGAB6zqxMVb3Xin-Qhz_W4XLSprEzutO3liIOaBPmn9Yvs6M/s2414/original_165eb44a-2aa4-41cd-8832-5e680fab01ff_PXL_20240221_005613888.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2414" data-original-width="1694" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIphoqJStLyVDAvLbO040ThkgictB2FTNSREqykbhzkIi9nz4cXIYmK8QU5TD8Mq3wjjgx9_-Dx2zh87i-Ha_NUbmCeyP7gxFOWX92wTdI8dsw8YnE7nXA62hw3jXMV8wsg7op3C2AHgIaGAB6zqxMVb3Xin-Qhz_W4XLSprEzutO3liIOaBPmn9Yvs6M/w450-h640/original_165eb44a-2aa4-41cd-8832-5e680fab01ff_PXL_20240221_005613888.MP.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I wanted to do more 'creating' in 2024 but haven't really gotten in the groove yet. I did make a few dishcloths. I was surprised to find a skein of cotton yarn at my local dollar store. I thought it would make 2 cloths but it only made 1.5. I returned to the store to buy another skein but there were none left. I tried another store location but they had none. I'm thinking that this was a one time offering so I don't hold out hope of finding more.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIlY-3Ng3JoNUGIE54OKCIgTPvws_vQ_4gOLruxZ_ti5Jk_8Y2DdOwE_pKhQNwnUMszAorGrBbwIIJhV4R6cYMKdY3QFRVXorC7r_4XTcxZ2i64zEdpD6dMElDbAtwtgjHSpM2848v54prEYIt5kphKVLBKMR4uUpjoktLXMYZFJW5kRpdjcjbY2P5DM/s4080/PXL_20240228_003855574.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIlY-3Ng3JoNUGIE54OKCIgTPvws_vQ_4gOLruxZ_ti5Jk_8Y2DdOwE_pKhQNwnUMszAorGrBbwIIJhV4R6cYMKdY3QFRVXorC7r_4XTcxZ2i64zEdpD6dMElDbAtwtgjHSpM2848v54prEYIt5kphKVLBKMR4uUpjoktLXMYZFJW5kRpdjcjbY2P5DM/w482-h640/PXL_20240228_003855574.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Some of you who've followed me for years may know that I love plants especially tropical ones for indoors. However it has proven impossible for me to grow them indoors. It just too cold with drafts in all the wrong places and lack of natural light is also a problem. As a result, I purchased a artificial bush last year and put some fairy lights on it. When I was out for a walk the other day I found this abandoned tree sitting on a bench outside a store. It didn't look like it belonged to anyone but to make sure I enquired inside the store. They told me that it had been sitting on the bench for three days and to please take it if I wanted. So I did. It now sits beside me on the sofa and I'm very happy with it as it is just the right height without being too wide in diameter.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4Ymzo7Rwo5Xn8r5gSjf1J5hYiteYm5TqyZhYP-go1BiRqMjJd3dhbBRbKP7GdczoIyL7g-ZHoWjMTnAO_PCOSNdZcbi7aHC5633_OmEcfsu-g1anxusn-1FlAJXDklW5ggbHK2LX51D9kI0zwMMLWIaNlIH-pqrQvlQh9ddyJF3CUo3gCtJ_lk_ajcI/s4080/PXL_20240227_022700929.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4Ymzo7Rwo5Xn8r5gSjf1J5hYiteYm5TqyZhYP-go1BiRqMjJd3dhbBRbKP7GdczoIyL7g-ZHoWjMTnAO_PCOSNdZcbi7aHC5633_OmEcfsu-g1anxusn-1FlAJXDklW5ggbHK2LX51D9kI0zwMMLWIaNlIH-pqrQvlQh9ddyJF3CUo3gCtJ_lk_ajcI/w482-h640/PXL_20240227_022700929.MP.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I took this patio photo last week. Today the workers started laying the new foundation. I think they will make a lot of progress this week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn9_sZMvB_Fda4JxDaTnRu3hSoC2Dd1d2fQeoJ8Bg6wnZjN3CNJlWJzSRiXM9ktX4QHQr54hfit3E1umPQaIhXI1Ii8WB5P7TyKzcXOGpaPViwj8pCsgQMWX6WZ0a46464yOGX68aphEJXMtW64Tl663KHzLYXbVtkCQrJTLeJJp2qJ3hWNSGag6PvvM/s4080/PXL_20240228_230501401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn9_sZMvB_Fda4JxDaTnRu3hSoC2Dd1d2fQeoJ8Bg6wnZjN3CNJlWJzSRiXM9ktX4QHQr54hfit3E1umPQaIhXI1Ii8WB5P7TyKzcXOGpaPViwj8pCsgQMWX6WZ0a46464yOGX68aphEJXMtW64Tl663KHzLYXbVtkCQrJTLeJJp2qJ3hWNSGag6PvvM/w482-h640/PXL_20240228_230501401.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is how I spent the first few days in March. I'm feeling happy and content and looking forward to Spring.</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Joining in with <a href="https://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/2024/03/its-march.html">Tuesday 4</a> this week. Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-78427197697460559762024-02-29T22:04:00.004-08:002024-02-29T23:08:40.394-08:00Skywatch Friday ~ March 1, 2024Hello friends and fellow bloggers,
Happy March to you all!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiB-1oxjaQDGs4qRzMkKr1WsZw_xJgfm7Wm4APGBjwRSQlhNjCOZwVk2NUSFBo0Iz1FAOps5rewoa7MGabJM6RRQnFPte9vLsr8pv9-8OcfzixfmA1obiuChP1d46MTmfMv8xjCHm49WhKV_6V-rWgbPWbCQtkLDr1u9YNngKRuX6KvWOYtxe8-T1MFM/s1177/Screenshot_20240229-205805~2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="855" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiB-1oxjaQDGs4qRzMkKr1WsZw_xJgfm7Wm4APGBjwRSQlhNjCOZwVk2NUSFBo0Iz1FAOps5rewoa7MGabJM6RRQnFPte9vLsr8pv9-8OcfzixfmA1obiuChP1d46MTmfMv8xjCHm49WhKV_6V-rWgbPWbCQtkLDr1u9YNngKRuX6KvWOYtxe8-T1MFM/w290-h400/Screenshot_20240229-205805~2.png" width="290" /></a></div><br /><div>A few days ago I shared some early cherry blossoms but since then it's turned colder. We're expecting very unsettled weather for the next week or so. I'm hoping consistently warmer temperatures arrive in a week or so. In the meantime, I'm preparing to plant some seeds so I have something to plant in the garden.</div><div><br /></div><div>These sky photos were taken today around dinner time. The sky looks menacing but the temperature was much warmer than it was on Tuesday night when we had a bit of snow. <br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5ENuXk42YCwN5JoAlaMwdjEpCP7R3GuEYwhzJNaAikyX1RlrvarUpyYXopDiNr8CpgGOaJLRG-FxaugJhYTkRqtfO3MOjJdKm83kepitSybU_eCwVhdtgZEhwC3iaFsxct5rKhXEbJtDa-v9TA5uuQQa_N9UbP8dSnjuqs2Eo09S4PQe8QKR8oOrp4E/s4080/PXL_20240301_021308670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5ENuXk42YCwN5JoAlaMwdjEpCP7R3GuEYwhzJNaAikyX1RlrvarUpyYXopDiNr8CpgGOaJLRG-FxaugJhYTkRqtfO3MOjJdKm83kepitSybU_eCwVhdtgZEhwC3iaFsxct5rKhXEbJtDa-v9TA5uuQQa_N9UbP8dSnjuqs2Eo09S4PQe8QKR8oOrp4E/w482-h640/PXL_20240301_021308670.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWWHJlMZdlDypfoyiwNlRz1wLlWrkqe_e-Sg6ypMTqMzlA0DRUOx1ChHHNR22VdgtJ-7Koflu1_71lJs-Nxh2sumUmxv6NOnaLko40fqsYKwV0Or3wEj7iat-0TzDQkcWJbTCbnXHG5FUG9LiiEEKM2Kl19kNA9v6JvOVzDjKMYuJga-RzthRKgsQplI/s4080/PXL_20240301_021301991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWWHJlMZdlDypfoyiwNlRz1wLlWrkqe_e-Sg6ypMTqMzlA0DRUOx1ChHHNR22VdgtJ-7Koflu1_71lJs-Nxh2sumUmxv6NOnaLko40fqsYKwV0Or3wEj7iat-0TzDQkcWJbTCbnXHG5FUG9LiiEEKM2Kl19kNA9v6JvOVzDjKMYuJga-RzthRKgsQplI/w482-h640/PXL_20240301_021301991.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8msUY51pewR0ID-RoNpZ21FlOf2hKi-fhHIt27V9ngjLyCBovIzawvpXthDTJ5J5sAb-kMxTzfDFGJ7aFLbdBwlp0P0Py-E44EJPRBVbmsOGPORaNzQf6C7vic7MvapwzebQ4XLwY8qn7fT3FC-YI4KJZ1jrfirg7AQzMQzx_UUPyIApm6DaSic_xHU/s4080/PXL_20240301_015523760.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8msUY51pewR0ID-RoNpZ21FlOf2hKi-fhHIt27V9ngjLyCBovIzawvpXthDTJ5J5sAb-kMxTzfDFGJ7aFLbdBwlp0P0Py-E44EJPRBVbmsOGPORaNzQf6C7vic7MvapwzebQ4XLwY8qn7fT3FC-YI4KJZ1jrfirg7AQzMQzx_UUPyIApm6DaSic_xHU/w482-h640/PXL_20240301_015523760.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWevY60brEEGIsId4Oi495PRuIgWoihF6zVhg9bJUcquR05RATwdzh9UB9JQte-Pnzgp4Zaw-g07tiYSDKzI3nSf09RWQuZFbA4CpeOiPn09q6EtD-r9zp9Sfloi_KSdmtJlgw4OfOgg3tS8HLI0fap9mm6onTFxz8yvf172xn3KvMhrTZo-4ZV_ey6s/s4080/PXL_20240301_015508684.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWevY60brEEGIsId4Oi495PRuIgWoihF6zVhg9bJUcquR05RATwdzh9UB9JQte-Pnzgp4Zaw-g07tiYSDKzI3nSf09RWQuZFbA4CpeOiPn09q6EtD-r9zp9Sfloi_KSdmtJlgw4OfOgg3tS8HLI0fap9mm6onTFxz8yvf172xn3KvMhrTZo-4ZV_ey6s/w482-h640/PXL_20240301_015508684.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I baked a bit of bread last night. There's nothing nicer than freshly baked bread with jam and butter and tea on a cold night.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4vgByrEzp69G2osV63TIsQAZjUvr0gXi45-VPSATcBRTcJQ4Bil91Ggnk0FPso9fb5YpuxJifzNB2JNawE-0ezW59ex0z9VtrFVfV6-n4BPcmXhjQKW2W_o3-SqFJUPjhyndNL68PwoVGQCJjjqX9WDQ6D3NoiBxEr1QrI1PWrxO4-PRWMopX4Y0l8Q/s4080/PXL_20240229_061526768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4vgByrEzp69G2osV63TIsQAZjUvr0gXi45-VPSATcBRTcJQ4Bil91Ggnk0FPso9fb5YpuxJifzNB2JNawE-0ezW59ex0z9VtrFVfV6-n4BPcmXhjQKW2W_o3-SqFJUPjhyndNL68PwoVGQCJjjqX9WDQ6D3NoiBxEr1QrI1PWrxO4-PRWMopX4Y0l8Q/w482-h640/PXL_20240229_061526768.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joining in with <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/2024/02/skywatch-friday-2024-leap-day-edition.html">Skywatch Friday</a> this week.<p></p></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-18654057101632653792024-02-25T23:13:00.004-08:002024-02-26T01:48:36.903-08:00Happy New Week to You<p>Happy New Week to you friends and fellow bloggers. This week we face the end of February and the beginning of March. I'm wondering if it will be a cold one or a warmer one. Right now the forecast seems to be for a cold one with possible snow once or twice this week but we will see. I guess I'm skeptical but anything can happen. </p><p>It's actually been somewhat warm here recently as evidenced by what I found yesterday (Saturday) in my neighbourhood. Today, although I don't have a photo, there were far more blossoms on the tree than there were yesterday. But later on Sunday the temperature plummeted.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNu9HVocLDTxTyc3R7HknE9E9Jq46LvyngTTKr6s-qflw8IFYXrouI-G6J_Q3m0eLVs-qSzummevzMBojOO_qCU5uTO9Cd-RZdht8jX2yz4aLgFH3U4rn21yln2W6Gq7cR7nIINPnffleU-2WKnFE0SyCFwt0JP6UsIAIQ6ryd4jgQOStlZzdhhh2IVk/s4080/PXL_20240225_005520213.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNu9HVocLDTxTyc3R7HknE9E9Jq46LvyngTTKr6s-qflw8IFYXrouI-G6J_Q3m0eLVs-qSzummevzMBojOO_qCU5uTO9Cd-RZdht8jX2yz4aLgFH3U4rn21yln2W6Gq7cR7nIINPnffleU-2WKnFE0SyCFwt0JP6UsIAIQ6ryd4jgQOStlZzdhhh2IVk/w301-h400/PXL_20240225_005520213.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0M6kgLVQf1hPbtyrLXGeYMhjes2sH35UxqJSFyAUcpnedoBCsau143BV28k_zpwEIINSgKc3Xa4OmMOjmlWMfrqa_9x6XyxOFtJeqkzKe-m8F_zhj8nWvJosurvpeRWz8AO7Fo_Um6Rxy7sULkeWSYldDDg8NKH0HFZRF5gYdrgOJYPt1oUDOs8qEp8/s4080/PXL_20240225_005503979.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0M6kgLVQf1hPbtyrLXGeYMhjes2sH35UxqJSFyAUcpnedoBCsau143BV28k_zpwEIINSgKc3Xa4OmMOjmlWMfrqa_9x6XyxOFtJeqkzKe-m8F_zhj8nWvJosurvpeRWz8AO7Fo_Um6Rxy7sULkeWSYldDDg8NKH0HFZRF5gYdrgOJYPt1oUDOs8qEp8/w301-h400/PXL_20240225_005503979.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p>Tonight when I went for a walk and a few errands, I had to wear my gloves to keep my fingertips warm. I hope the sudden cold won't harm the cherry blossoms. Although there have been some periods of great cold snaps around the province, even in Vancouver, there has not been enough snowfall overall. In fact, many ski hills were not able to open for their usual ski seasons due to lack of snow. All this is not good for the summer when it's predicted to be very hot once again.</p><p>In home news, I found this recipe in a magazine dedicated to one pot dinners. It's called Pecan Chicken with Brussels Sprouts and Apples. I made it Saturday night and I omitted the pecans because I didn't have any. I also omitted the sugar because the balsamic vinegar and apples was enough to sweeten the dish. It turned out delicious. Now I have a new chicken dish to add to my repertoire when I need a quick and tasty meal. The other one pot chicken dish I like a lot is Creamy Tuscan Chicken. But I don't always have sun dried tomatoes on hand and I also don't always want to have a creamy dish.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GXkTxxfUJT6u0Fqh2beNNB7ySdjiE-pbVzquD1En2m5jDwhhDth1PnvTJoJN-yI4wApCJaHWKQTCtfAHkdEuTRlrlc2Zb9JxOPyrin-y5z0kZn4XeOvNQglOeuuWySomYWgV7lWwiwbwGaqTujAWxTJRk_T-jpYWtVw3T-nJBX4k6h_rK9E4U2w7xKI/s4080/PXL_20240225_020035868.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GXkTxxfUJT6u0Fqh2beNNB7ySdjiE-pbVzquD1En2m5jDwhhDth1PnvTJoJN-yI4wApCJaHWKQTCtfAHkdEuTRlrlc2Zb9JxOPyrin-y5z0kZn4XeOvNQglOeuuWySomYWgV7lWwiwbwGaqTujAWxTJRk_T-jpYWtVw3T-nJBX4k6h_rK9E4U2w7xKI/w301-h400/PXL_20240225_020035868.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CGU4Tijiac6H6OpQXCsKJXp8AfA6VSV6RgoR4UulsBk9lU5KPvz66nm12vaXcAiUjD0VmcpejFB4xLcLke6Spi5qoFpBZAIlTC8Wo9wXRZxfQjhXsWgDMMBkR7DwDL90VxVh94PjLF9zd4-fh7srrc1_C1Hi6LCGYhaXKMDL0MAi8pjomskAC6Vi6xs/s4080/PXL_20240225_033738722.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CGU4Tijiac6H6OpQXCsKJXp8AfA6VSV6RgoR4UulsBk9lU5KPvz66nm12vaXcAiUjD0VmcpejFB4xLcLke6Spi5qoFpBZAIlTC8Wo9wXRZxfQjhXsWgDMMBkR7DwDL90VxVh94PjLF9zd4-fh7srrc1_C1Hi6LCGYhaXKMDL0MAi8pjomskAC6Vi6xs/w301-h400/PXL_20240225_033738722.MP.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">This year I hope to do a lot more things creatively but I'm not off to a rousing start. I'm still reading a bit more than I'd planned but soon the garden/s need planting so we'll see how I make out. It's also tax time again and that always keeps me busy as I do the taxes for DH and I jointly. It means, I have to corral all the receipts for the both of us which is hard enough to do with one of us. I'm sure some of you understand what I mean.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Besides keeping busy in various ways, I'm still trying to be a bit creative. A friend in England sent me this adult colouring book. I see that I need better lighting to colour within the lines and since I like felt tip pens I think I need to work on pressure of ink application. Either that or buy some wooden crayons. How about you dear reader? Do you do any colouring? Do you have any tips for me? If you don't do any colouring, do you have any favourite hobbies?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZsV5Q34J1cGD9XJ4bBohNKrJtEpPGLZuFwX1yxngi2D3cpxwut5-mOXyWiUdDlOacmCfHTT4oCQcRR9XMjmg_6X441NG0hVRjicd3t383mv0PUm6LBjOHPsvGTByNXaSS_eMrAcp0nIS44ClyH284QB7fU_RmjqyKU9ymfnaLzqilCGQB4Yxj24e7Oc/s4080/PXL_20240225_002955811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZsV5Q34J1cGD9XJ4bBohNKrJtEpPGLZuFwX1yxngi2D3cpxwut5-mOXyWiUdDlOacmCfHTT4oCQcRR9XMjmg_6X441NG0hVRjicd3t383mv0PUm6LBjOHPsvGTByNXaSS_eMrAcp0nIS44ClyH284QB7fU_RmjqyKU9ymfnaLzqilCGQB4Yxj24e7Oc/w301-h400/PXL_20240225_002955811.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Thanks for stopping by! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-59040615424945933482024-02-22T01:38:00.004-08:002024-02-25T23:42:16.506-08:00Skywatch Friday ~ February 23, 2024Hello friends and fellow bloggers,<div><br /></div><div>We've had a few days of beautiful weather though now we are back to rain. I think Spring is just around the corner and I'm beginning to plan for what to plant at the community garden. My patio is being renovated and I'm not quite sure when it will be ready for planting.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you are enjoying the season wherever you are in the world.<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MkKKLSTPBS-DGzvkJ-CYCLPspmHy4WxxYsEPI0z6pfGdTiVtXUlSNBEd9kCE-u8VTw2SED39e0dksNK3vDifMDRkstPngRLBn0e6dW9W2jUmDz2IVnu_SwtrBlslhW8oaz1Fn831Q6JzRtTfVwpAMGWGY_2ozQD4Z_roMOtLaMYszGZghJs1RiVR4Iw/s4080/PXL_20240217_002244697.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MkKKLSTPBS-DGzvkJ-CYCLPspmHy4WxxYsEPI0z6pfGdTiVtXUlSNBEd9kCE-u8VTw2SED39e0dksNK3vDifMDRkstPngRLBn0e6dW9W2jUmDz2IVnu_SwtrBlslhW8oaz1Fn831Q6JzRtTfVwpAMGWGY_2ozQD4Z_roMOtLaMYszGZghJs1RiVR4Iw/w482-h640/PXL_20240217_002244697.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00tu5H7Yk82_1-Z0d2VnZszrawfbkMFTHk8W1JQfmLPoeI1TY__EX0w5U1gBz4VHijDFASYMpqM7G9tP37tGOiRLJqQeGbpTjoEe_wji1AgQWFSzFX27RlMu_-0gZSz3oKFxTgVHVwRX_EruQpu8TnUW38eCPbQTk2Ya06rbl5fkLfBWwKBeHA9UV73w/s4080/PXL_20240217_002234580.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00tu5H7Yk82_1-Z0d2VnZszrawfbkMFTHk8W1JQfmLPoeI1TY__EX0w5U1gBz4VHijDFASYMpqM7G9tP37tGOiRLJqQeGbpTjoEe_wji1AgQWFSzFX27RlMu_-0gZSz3oKFxTgVHVwRX_EruQpu8TnUW38eCPbQTk2Ya06rbl5fkLfBWwKBeHA9UV73w/w482-h640/PXL_20240217_002234580.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFdbnKoENxusSp7nb_n1uKgEwPqQlpgI365MZJY3js8PgTah2V9Flc1ZfmNVtkpjF9KQzATGa02zDKCBRd5PBhr5ghSM-3rv5Y5BoLjEccH9wqaseVdRrR52m4rxrY3xAZKpG_mn0_nHknCdchQaOoCQWsCMHT1rGgPuM0zZDVq5DogbHRgs_0blqzXQ/s4080/PXL_20240217_002216844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFdbnKoENxusSp7nb_n1uKgEwPqQlpgI365MZJY3js8PgTah2V9Flc1ZfmNVtkpjF9KQzATGa02zDKCBRd5PBhr5ghSM-3rv5Y5BoLjEccH9wqaseVdRrR52m4rxrY3xAZKpG_mn0_nHknCdchQaOoCQWsCMHT1rGgPuM0zZDVq5DogbHRgs_0blqzXQ/w482-h640/PXL_20240217_002216844.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqXFdZzwuJdSKcnCvfkujT4b78Hnaj9BUgEAZFS-xrqk-HDWpY5d5NGJT4MUbMoQRWBS37VAbHKhgXQzb0cM16y0Hag9Bi31eq4Q7BNfJyjFhUle_pV-eAefSnx7L0Qbp3ZkYLv1p_pnmUTHHCRFKLZMiFl-VHZGi72Kbd7OyT2KsVetMoWw0J4iw9xE/s4080/PXL_20240217_002158120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqXFdZzwuJdSKcnCvfkujT4b78Hnaj9BUgEAZFS-xrqk-HDWpY5d5NGJT4MUbMoQRWBS37VAbHKhgXQzb0cM16y0Hag9Bi31eq4Q7BNfJyjFhUle_pV-eAefSnx7L0Qbp3ZkYLv1p_pnmUTHHCRFKLZMiFl-VHZGi72Kbd7OyT2KsVetMoWw0J4iw9xE/w482-h640/PXL_20240217_002158120.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDgdPJMe_d1IgYrDJa7hyphenhyphen2ntSpWl-xGsjXDv1zw4ITprT9iDtaxuC0UJIKrQgoGKGSVeHoQMoruemCNnBTLcMHtfEd8WHLyIreCTUzsQwFJf3tLKw5h4XvYNKP4goQG-jAXxYRMZGeF6XAq_IIP2fzPS09aaqHPu0__Dneui7ivbMUvghnaZlpSLiVFA/s4080/PXL_20240217_002143124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDgdPJMe_d1IgYrDJa7hyphenhyphen2ntSpWl-xGsjXDv1zw4ITprT9iDtaxuC0UJIKrQgoGKGSVeHoQMoruemCNnBTLcMHtfEd8WHLyIreCTUzsQwFJf3tLKw5h4XvYNKP4goQG-jAXxYRMZGeF6XAq_IIP2fzPS09aaqHPu0__Dneui7ivbMUvghnaZlpSLiVFA/w482-h640/PXL_20240217_002143124.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /> Joining in with <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com">Skywatch Friday</a> this week. Have a wonderful week ahead. <p></p></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-62312124742624152342024-02-16T01:50:00.000-08:002024-02-16T01:50:46.627-08:00Skywatch Friday - February 16, 2024<p>Hello friends and fellow bloggers,</p><p>Another Friday is upon us. I hope you're all enjoying a good February so far đ.</p><p>The photos I'm sharing today were all taken in the last few days. I hope you enjoy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB_WcNtQyEj9gZ8nixCD2Pq_foRs63k87FmywMdPg7N1PpCXEkIRmPDRjm19dQH1_ra1DF4MbAt1tmeNNMQzngsp5FknT6nh9Jj7oGiOmOu8m6FKH7jQZMroTFK3AjPZ8xanYl3mkWvrCS4VLCcGN3YJO8g41NIEhu4jDqgnhX8Fw0gQCqP7Z0vn7OiU/s4080/PXL_20240213_023640569.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB_WcNtQyEj9gZ8nixCD2Pq_foRs63k87FmywMdPg7N1PpCXEkIRmPDRjm19dQH1_ra1DF4MbAt1tmeNNMQzngsp5FknT6nh9Jj7oGiOmOu8m6FKH7jQZMroTFK3AjPZ8xanYl3mkWvrCS4VLCcGN3YJO8g41NIEhu4jDqgnhX8Fw0gQCqP7Z0vn7OiU/w301-h400/PXL_20240213_023640569.NIGHT.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ihpfcQWkT4VMFnsBnz_WdLNI36__krgO2NwpuJJt-1mqQB5t7Yg-6DRxkkKfGisZEaT0CqmxR4aQmd6wVWp9IuhSkZ55_5AzZMzYPoIL4ww_2c0p0rbaZOWIIQ_sJ8PiAGgyUGQexdeBlo8eiDtqdImenZgbdZSyCcO_DDTOnQSNuIIFyOSzI0VIuRQ/s4080/PXL_20240213_023630849.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ihpfcQWkT4VMFnsBnz_WdLNI36__krgO2NwpuJJt-1mqQB5t7Yg-6DRxkkKfGisZEaT0CqmxR4aQmd6wVWp9IuhSkZ55_5AzZMzYPoIL4ww_2c0p0rbaZOWIIQ_sJ8PiAGgyUGQexdeBlo8eiDtqdImenZgbdZSyCcO_DDTOnQSNuIIFyOSzI0VIuRQ/w301-h400/PXL_20240213_023630849.NIGHT.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vaBBP40eXt5IcMCwZm4FbvRKZlSUtUHoE2XgGBqAMJX3hblneZmMwZyy7g2QfyOXoLXIlPvbkNjyUQxrn1SYjpCsoykXip0VfzawcPyA0puulESb-dnBdflndsulC_2rhgs38I_g8loIjyB88SSnl5By6LFeoUPtQ3Ih3hyZF3uFrztmWT-UOZS-pTs/s4080/PXL_20240213_023607263.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vaBBP40eXt5IcMCwZm4FbvRKZlSUtUHoE2XgGBqAMJX3hblneZmMwZyy7g2QfyOXoLXIlPvbkNjyUQxrn1SYjpCsoykXip0VfzawcPyA0puulESb-dnBdflndsulC_2rhgs38I_g8loIjyB88SSnl5By6LFeoUPtQ3Ih3hyZF3uFrztmWT-UOZS-pTs/w301-h400/PXL_20240213_023607263.NIGHT.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHchJnbli_MgoXyFoPt9kczPhMcKAsa8cOb9p5qdDJ-Q9zB5n8OmY_fTAeCcRjxzBiUEdzCtazXdP8hp9D7vbrJVU6BShOStIVdEjV6uMqRbJ0x3-qb5khIKmufuRvNgcYFeRX1RjDiv_wQpFdOgf4lCDOhR2gHyjn-WrNGnwsjLz7I6cFgXGlDpr8Ow/s4080/PXL_20240213_023352992.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHchJnbli_MgoXyFoPt9kczPhMcKAsa8cOb9p5qdDJ-Q9zB5n8OmY_fTAeCcRjxzBiUEdzCtazXdP8hp9D7vbrJVU6BShOStIVdEjV6uMqRbJ0x3-qb5khIKmufuRvNgcYFeRX1RjDiv_wQpFdOgf4lCDOhR2gHyjn-WrNGnwsjLz7I6cFgXGlDpr8Ow/w301-h400/PXL_20240213_023352992.NIGHT.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR86mCe1OzLTKY85PEXpx1wCJganXNWempZI7cmiKk3Do7-HMEU949YAHCsykf4T7z0gbH_tkut-ylCbjr3vABEPyWwp7YfDvQO2YdW4LohLT5xIsdGbFRInek_dc3q6nc_61hD2jCGwbPXQlXc1uhFrD7wKr2HvaZRD_eWrJMz48yp7miIa5hltv4QTE/s3350/PXL_20240213_014105588.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3350" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR86mCe1OzLTKY85PEXpx1wCJganXNWempZI7cmiKk3Do7-HMEU949YAHCsykf4T7z0gbH_tkut-ylCbjr3vABEPyWwp7YfDvQO2YdW4LohLT5xIsdGbFRInek_dc3q6nc_61hD2jCGwbPXQlXc1uhFrD7wKr2HvaZRD_eWrJMz48yp7miIa5hltv4QTE/s320/PXL_20240213_014105588.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxnM8seIl1IFn7tzkPl0R2z7a1LmmXm0SKz8Kr-DG9IPMx3hS0F16QcUOy1G6LVBOAA-pDG4dwC82oblFnbvSAEnrknVW8kjS3kTyL3PiWkUlIDQeebEeiEXKq9_N7uJb62UqKxiKp-ZpmbNiAbdxTFC8SjaiCZ8RSLvlBtAb0ccTZq3PcHOT7Zv77Rw/s3912/PXL_20240213_014042045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3912" data-original-width="2945" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxnM8seIl1IFn7tzkPl0R2z7a1LmmXm0SKz8Kr-DG9IPMx3hS0F16QcUOy1G6LVBOAA-pDG4dwC82oblFnbvSAEnrknVW8kjS3kTyL3PiWkUlIDQeebEeiEXKq9_N7uJb62UqKxiKp-ZpmbNiAbdxTFC8SjaiCZ8RSLvlBtAb0ccTZq3PcHOT7Zv77Rw/w301-h400/PXL_20240213_014042045.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxzg2EaCo_fR-HCmH-Y-gfn1JaU9a4Tx4ii-4qdkyRu8HhOq9qxLGIZ7gFA2mI0TSwXeVAKJtIXYaUKJHqnxZfuofNUkre7Y9lrlgh7XEPhKTG2zq3UQoVl4YYAgKyHRQ7eqSKTwti9MJLJo-3Z9jjAFN-jQS45SDoxxecdx_3lpL7YlOPmUIuk4GU5A/s4080/PXL_20240213_014005401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxzg2EaCo_fR-HCmH-Y-gfn1JaU9a4Tx4ii-4qdkyRu8HhOq9qxLGIZ7gFA2mI0TSwXeVAKJtIXYaUKJHqnxZfuofNUkre7Y9lrlgh7XEPhKTG2zq3UQoVl4YYAgKyHRQ7eqSKTwti9MJLJo-3Z9jjAFN-jQS45SDoxxecdx_3lpL7YlOPmUIuk4GU5A/w301-h400/PXL_20240213_014005401.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p>Have a great weekend.</p><p>Joining in with <a href="https://skyley.blogspot.com/2024/02/skywatch-friday-15-february-2024-edition.html?m=1">Skywatch Friday</a> this week.</p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-79740813225377062862024-02-08T21:34:00.000-08:002024-02-08T21:34:16.297-08:00Skywatch Friday ~ February 9, 2024<p>Hello friends and fellow bloggers,</p><p>I hope this month of February is going well for you. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7vJ2UOrxMobkDLdzUsYk-WvIAtKu0sWxlnF0T89u1xlDP3KV41X2ksbKQGBtemnxMi3UfAA-neCKtHY-W3e72s5VBmcSYh3sqNO2kV0XQPWOGJcBWTTH5pir9ca2OIbmpV4Lu7nenWZq9z4ScUDEukEtY-jWskDPvIdjcthyphenhyphenaTT3tyBTy-a9AajMklw/s625/_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7vJ2UOrxMobkDLdzUsYk-WvIAtKu0sWxlnF0T89u1xlDP3KV41X2ksbKQGBtemnxMi3UfAA-neCKtHY-W3e72s5VBmcSYh3sqNO2kV0XQPWOGJcBWTTH5pir9ca2OIbmpV4Lu7nenWZq9z4ScUDEukEtY-jWskDPvIdjcthyphenhyphenaTT3tyBTy-a9AajMklw/s320/_.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p>Time is passing so quickly and I didn't have a chance to join in with Skywatch last Friday so here I am today.</p><p>We've been having mild and warmer weather for a few days but it is turning cold again. It was nice having a few days of unseasonably warm temperatures. Though I know that isn't the best for our water supply and our forest, my bones need a good warming and rest from the draftiness of winter.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapQwnSDgW1w2vz_zPwLnbMEyxWpXraRJRwqCdoGd9f0RzLLDX9qEWtge8gq30vu-bp1IhWOxa5ScYf1m2YEyxKQmxm8G8kvaPp9LaWMF3HevNwlIpPOJ2GNYu6SLVrAC_ucITRpfbC3GrqutbSqWui29GQTh1QA5lf6p3xLBz-rplyGY4B_X7ikVcYtw/s4080/PXL_20240208_005638139.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapQwnSDgW1w2vz_zPwLnbMEyxWpXraRJRwqCdoGd9f0RzLLDX9qEWtge8gq30vu-bp1IhWOxa5ScYf1m2YEyxKQmxm8G8kvaPp9LaWMF3HevNwlIpPOJ2GNYu6SLVrAC_ucITRpfbC3GrqutbSqWui29GQTh1QA5lf6p3xLBz-rplyGY4B_X7ikVcYtw/w301-h400/PXL_20240208_005638139.NIGHT.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHLnDDxvlMCud9lDpFSiWtNQeKJKG9VORwcfXIgsxESbb-0CYZZLh1ThsTwuI1WwSo_MaGBSxuIm-L4badwRe12w3AUL5bV2yJFwI_4MSrris4NyoBbf2bDQmrcqV_efPaPcZUCJjSJLVFwMHIaXD9rE3gQHbSnOm4jHZeFR-7VTwtHG7ffnN8cQUVYA/s4080/PXL_20240208_005619254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHLnDDxvlMCud9lDpFSiWtNQeKJKG9VORwcfXIgsxESbb-0CYZZLh1ThsTwuI1WwSo_MaGBSxuIm-L4badwRe12w3AUL5bV2yJFwI_4MSrris4NyoBbf2bDQmrcqV_efPaPcZUCJjSJLVFwMHIaXD9rE3gQHbSnOm4jHZeFR-7VTwtHG7ffnN8cQUVYA/w301-h400/PXL_20240208_005619254.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div>I hope you're keeping warm enough or cool enough wherever you live.</div><div>Happy Skywatching.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://skyley.blogspot.com/2024/02/skywatch-friday-8-february-2024-edition.html">Skywatch Friday</a> </div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-49918821457217959722024-01-26T20:54:00.005-08:002024-01-26T21:16:30.488-08:00Skywatch Friday ~ January 27, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeBex14n2a06_kIdv4Kao0m2qKedEbxlzeMwu6dtHW0aHnHkK5t1u-jMyvCiERJ7pW9UqpXnYeE7QKWjw62BhhUpD3-Myi1LUO9F4VUANSdknkF6HI85M1pT4RVceLZWjoeahdyQ0B8waKCZuTK6QFhedJrudeuXggS7OzKveIunMHj4rdT8UEqy_kdk/s4080/PXL_20240126_223844832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeBex14n2a06_kIdv4Kao0m2qKedEbxlzeMwu6dtHW0aHnHkK5t1u-jMyvCiERJ7pW9UqpXnYeE7QKWjw62BhhUpD3-Myi1LUO9F4VUANSdknkF6HI85M1pT4RVceLZWjoeahdyQ0B8waKCZuTK6QFhedJrudeuXggS7OzKveIunMHj4rdT8UEqy_kdk/w301-h400/PXL_20240126_223844832.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It's the last Friday of the month! I hope it been a good month for you.<div><br /></div><div>As for me, it's taken me awhile to hit my stride but that is not out of the ordinary for me. Each year it takes me a while to really get going no matter how organized I may be.</div><div><br /></div><div>We've had heavy rainfall for a few days and thankfully it's melted all the snow. Today (Friday), the sky cleared for a bit and enabled us to clear the patio deck for the renovations that start next week. The preparations have taken long to get to this point. I'll be glad when it's all over and done and I look forward to a new patio and garden.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgKv4bdZrxjsunA4U1h7fIGK0xbNBnwpw-HpFaRDDMJD1VIcCcYKGoYPhx_AJE49o1R-Qbac8VYNkmLgLXE6lX72MJgdf3oD1y3cuKKaelT-rERQd72b4XCCD8GsYFbd7r6blkCtPbwC6QjTpeSy-lqQwQHtwMwnU10t3G1ig195ZUIwgBseqZMwTKUI/s4080/PXL_20240126_223850342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgKv4bdZrxjsunA4U1h7fIGK0xbNBnwpw-HpFaRDDMJD1VIcCcYKGoYPhx_AJE49o1R-Qbac8VYNkmLgLXE6lX72MJgdf3oD1y3cuKKaelT-rERQd72b4XCCD8GsYFbd7r6blkCtPbwC6QjTpeSy-lqQwQHtwMwnU10t3G1ig195ZUIwgBseqZMwTKUI/w301-h400/PXL_20240126_223850342.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br />Joining in with <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/2024/01/skywatch-friday-25-january-2024-edition.html">Skywatch Friday</a> this week. <p></p></div><div>Have a great weekend. </div></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-2693289543618421862024-01-21T18:16:00.009-08:002024-01-21T23:42:54.463-08:00Books ~ Tuesday 4 <p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">I'm joining in with <a href="http://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/2024/01/books.html">Tuesday 4</a> meme where we are sharing about books and reading this week.</p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><b>1. Do you have a favourite place to read? Maybe you can post a photo of it or describe it for us?</b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">I can't really say I have a favourite place to read. I do tend to read in one corner of my sofa because I have a wall sconce above which helps illuminate my book while reading. </p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">The photo is the most recent photo of my sofa but the look today is completely different. Gone is the black lamp. Instead I have a wall sconce on either side and changed out pillows, art and tchotchkes. If you look at the photo, I tend to sit on what you would see as the right side of the sofa. It's actually the left side of the sofa and I sit there because it's further from the window tp avoid drafts and it's closer to answer the phone if it rings.</p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8XtVpC_mJqj3kRZ4Hq7SP60bM545Jl0vnjdRt50ionFoxqJxNuQjujyMyFxjn4L8w7bbT_9-TFj6bWa0ob0quqpUcddSzT6LGmoxrWLExvIXToHJ_d_tWXljgEtGIiZNTvO8gDEZybeiCEhEf_4_rQHnlWu0BSmPUiLgOozOnrcPJIh3RqdzOI5zy6w/s900/cushions-feb-2018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8XtVpC_mJqj3kRZ4Hq7SP60bM545Jl0vnjdRt50ionFoxqJxNuQjujyMyFxjn4L8w7bbT_9-TFj6bWa0ob0quqpUcddSzT6LGmoxrWLExvIXToHJ_d_tWXljgEtGIiZNTvO8gDEZybeiCEhEf_4_rQHnlWu0BSmPUiLgOozOnrcPJIh3RqdzOI5zy6w/w400-h225/cushions-feb-2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><br /><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">I've also tried creating a reading nook in the bedroom. But that idea no longer works because we need room for DH's clothes, shoes and other things.</span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><b style="font-size: 14.3px;">2. Some say reading makes a person more educated, more informed. Do you think novels do this in any way? Do you learn things from novels? Would you tell us what you have learned?</b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">Yes, I think novels can make a person better educated or informed. Firstly, they can improve one's vocabulary if you choose novels that are a little more complex. I read a lot of novels many of which are historical fiction and many are stories set in other countries. I've been exposed to different cultures, been inspired to learn more about various historical events and learned how people lived and survived at various times in history.</p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><b>3. Are there any books on your list to read right now?</b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">My 'to read' list is always very long and I don't keep a comprehensive list of books I want to read. I've downloaded many free books on both Kindle and Kobo for a time when I may not be able to find a book to read at the library, lol. I also recently asked my library to curate a list of books for me to read based on my preferences and desires. I'm hoping to start on that reading list sometime this year. The book I'm reading at the moment is called <u>The Covenant of Water</u>, a book of my own choosing (and is pictured below).</p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><b>4. Which books did you like the most and which did you dislike most?</b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">Like many people do, I track my reading on the Goodreads website. I've discovered that historical fiction is the genre I read and enjoy most. I've read and loved so many books over the years but I've also read a lot of books that are barely satisfactory. Some of my favourite authors to date are: Ken Follett & Edward Rutherfurd both of whom write historical fiction. I've also enjoyed Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner), Abraham Verghese (Cutting Stones & Covenant of Water) and Rohintin Mistry is another fantastic writer (Family Matters, A Fine Balance). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeES_KQefWLMWmsKQceaGjZFy7VZMKNiphQBSRRIjXzoNGAtTqz11m1JCFO2ktrQz-dt53NIrThu-8ocpsW9_036qol-vMJl3aXoFKit5nC2Z6NfhTrBUMc74nEHuEhke1NA3Hm0qj7qg3YOgBwcW9knsYdgiqE5bWVuDjVGhrd-gJ9o2Bw4l4-aZnnkM/s266/shopping.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="169" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeES_KQefWLMWmsKQceaGjZFy7VZMKNiphQBSRRIjXzoNGAtTqz11m1JCFO2ktrQz-dt53NIrThu-8ocpsW9_036qol-vMJl3aXoFKit5nC2Z6NfhTrBUMc74nEHuEhke1NA3Hm0qj7qg3YOgBwcW9knsYdgiqE5bWVuDjVGhrd-gJ9o2Bw4l4-aZnnkM/s1600/shopping.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">Female writers also feature prominently in my reading. Over the years I've really enjoyed Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher, both of whom write novels set in the more recent history in Ireland and Scotland/England respectively. I also really like Lisa See who writes a combination of historical and contemporary stories set in different parts of Asia. All of her books are very interesting and keep me riveted. Here is the author talking about her book, Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane which is the first novel of hers I read.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-WOaBTzgW3w" width="320" youtube-src-id="-WOaBTzgW3w"></iframe></div><br /><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">An American-Canadian author I love is Sandra Gulland who wrote the Josephine B. (Bonaparte) trilogy. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian author, is another great writer whose stories captivate me and teach me more about Nigeria and racial issues from an African perspective. I've read her books, Half a Yellow Sun and Americanah, the latter is about race issues in the UK and USA.</span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">Here is a link to the movie based on the book Half a Yellow Sun. I only just found it on line today. I haven't watched it except for the first 15 minutes or so and I enjoyed it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jLaEidUuvO0" width="320" youtube-src-id="jLaEidUuvO0"></iframe></div><br /><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">There are a handful of books I didn't like but I'm not going to create a list of them because that would be a waste of time. Just top of mind though I do remember two books I didn't like much. One I read recently, and completed, is a popular book with excellent reviews. It's called, <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/711054/a-grandmother-begins-the-story-by-michelle-porter/9780735245372">A Grandmother Begins The Story</a>. I've linked it for you if you'd like to read more. I really wanted to like the book but sometimes things don't work out. The other book is Barack Obama's <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-Reclaiming-American/dp/0307237699">Audacity of Hope</a>. I just remember being bored and I never completed it. Perhaps I will try again another day but there are so many other books to read. I did read an earlier book of his called, <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Dreams-My-Father-Story-Inheritance/dp/1400082773/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_2/142-1859957-0263536?pd_rd_w=CxIqi&content-id=amzn1.sym.135c60bb-68cb-4d34-ae94-a6f8d634fb42&pf_rd_p=135c60bb-68cb-4d34-ae94-a6f8d634fb42&pf_rd_r=ZS73VJ20VSYD85BHWEJE&pd_rd_wg=Mh79V&pd_rd_r=0f3afe67-c094-4308-a9e1-ab03d0c16288&pd_rd_i=1400082773&psc=1">Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance</a>, which I enjoyed very much. </p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">Thank you for stopping by!</span></p><h2 id="6-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-born-1977" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 18, 18); color: #121212; font-family: "GH Guardian Headline", "Guardian Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 1.25rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-10133999380820906292024-01-18T00:38:00.001-08:002024-01-18T00:38:27.478-08:00Snowy Sky and Snowy ScenesWe've been having very cold weather for a week and in the last 2 days, a lot of snow. This is very unusual for us here in Vancouver though in the last few years the snow and cold has been increasing over the previous decades. <div><br /></div><div>People were advised to stay home if possible on Wednesday so that there would be fewer accidents. I did go out late to pick up a book at the local library so I had an opportunity to take some photos. The first photo was taken on Tuesday after a significant snowfall. More snow is in the forecast for late Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you are keeping warm enough if you are in the cold parts of the northern hemisphere.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oZZbBONWaWCxVp7wQLjDNl9i9_-3-KPu0btRrndATdLiz1VtSeNkSmotQfNWE3_ElW0XEXdBFSL6VvHHeRzcmVRrQhKv6MzSIi_R8BMZ-cMLijSmPjd1X9za-4ZYCWtsXpxQ5iZLkkeFwu7tofYTH90DvVVqe8tvoichKVjTsek6T2W_AZU-P2T2bEM/s4080/PXL_20240117_234826810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oZZbBONWaWCxVp7wQLjDNl9i9_-3-KPu0btRrndATdLiz1VtSeNkSmotQfNWE3_ElW0XEXdBFSL6VvHHeRzcmVRrQhKv6MzSIi_R8BMZ-cMLijSmPjd1X9za-4ZYCWtsXpxQ5iZLkkeFwu7tofYTH90DvVVqe8tvoichKVjTsek6T2W_AZU-P2T2bEM/s320/PXL_20240117_234826810.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid95So4Bg9vcnESC5nOOY9V7kJOa7AW4TNawgF19cf-WbOLn7Rs_8sY7YNeGP8f2A9g1VkPpj_pgkACJfLgJujUwpr57SXNiH_BVD1AbLCJmcgMrtqS1NOR_zM_hH6PKYx4HDj8cox1g48QROHkjBGAG-81p3gNRFLCp9wF2N8tAbXKhGAqyLS4b6uXY8/s4080/PXL_20240118_025932733.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid95So4Bg9vcnESC5nOOY9V7kJOa7AW4TNawgF19cf-WbOLn7Rs_8sY7YNeGP8f2A9g1VkPpj_pgkACJfLgJujUwpr57SXNiH_BVD1AbLCJmcgMrtqS1NOR_zM_hH6PKYx4HDj8cox1g48QROHkjBGAG-81p3gNRFLCp9wF2N8tAbXKhGAqyLS4b6uXY8/s320/PXL_20240118_025932733.MP.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoSIo58OV1sPVE2rHClekYdPwqazlKYUvThHi1OxxZfv1n3TTwPKynA2S5fqGHD1KNQ4M2oD9wuWseoOlBdcfM1ntPZcUDlw8HWxIUwMgt47e58ARayfzMFeY4Br_zvoof39npoa1Mb3aDF-Tob_ZAgL_CadGhYW5Jss8uUetPJOqq9RJwICGrvSXd-o/s4080/PXL_20240118_030205074.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoSIo58OV1sPVE2rHClekYdPwqazlKYUvThHi1OxxZfv1n3TTwPKynA2S5fqGHD1KNQ4M2oD9wuWseoOlBdcfM1ntPZcUDlw8HWxIUwMgt47e58ARayfzMFeY4Br_zvoof39npoa1Mb3aDF-Tob_ZAgL_CadGhYW5Jss8uUetPJOqq9RJwICGrvSXd-o/s320/PXL_20240118_030205074.NIGHT.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh410-Qw443fl-NNodNndCQqYVDmD9TBbuvkcg1gZWpXDbHOD_eorTBk6w9YYOPz7m-JD7aCWh7FjEIoRYUjJkN98etqMP7ad4DbF_WSnKzzpq29cL7AR8MXpa-u-iCQurrp-o0lpLq-0WCqJ-K3H8pOjD-ciTFBh1_b0KO-598A6icXLZjawW0mKMo9qI/s4080/PXL_20240118_030215099.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh410-Qw443fl-NNodNndCQqYVDmD9TBbuvkcg1gZWpXDbHOD_eorTBk6w9YYOPz7m-JD7aCWh7FjEIoRYUjJkN98etqMP7ad4DbF_WSnKzzpq29cL7AR8MXpa-u-iCQurrp-o0lpLq-0WCqJ-K3H8pOjD-ciTFBh1_b0KO-598A6icXLZjawW0mKMo9qI/s320/PXL_20240118_030215099.NIGHT.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP63VKlpF2CRl6WjGwKZHahmA0hHz4YGs0w0ik0HeAQ3BsIQbWAs0FuhQ_L9kpy_WvIZNApE7NN7T_bmmzP4jNYOSXqPRlGLDBbuUdsllyxNmo3Ba-ko7Td5_Qr9xbymglNo-6ux-k940S6DlQqyh8iOfUHfHFxH1X74aUCzcjffxpWwDCXlw0taQD-z8/s4080/PXL_20240118_030253006.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP63VKlpF2CRl6WjGwKZHahmA0hHz4YGs0w0ik0HeAQ3BsIQbWAs0FuhQ_L9kpy_WvIZNApE7NN7T_bmmzP4jNYOSXqPRlGLDBbuUdsllyxNmo3Ba-ko7Td5_Qr9xbymglNo-6ux-k940S6DlQqyh8iOfUHfHFxH1X74aUCzcjffxpWwDCXlw0taQD-z8/s320/PXL_20240118_030253006.MP.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzetz6lLvFMkKHFSOGaxRSqCx8Dtxn4CBXfb9xnDebchyMlYgFVrO3D00UzRkxGnLNiL87c_J3Ry-yEnbMR6Ng1VkshTOskNX7GYOiNcHLaow1Fdjs601YYWOZa78JbBcrHM_UXj45uBhOjTxBdz1KHZhxEqncpqvRTUL-zHQMoTl573ukszRX4K2QNqQ/s4080/PXL_20240118_030301576.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzetz6lLvFMkKHFSOGaxRSqCx8Dtxn4CBXfb9xnDebchyMlYgFVrO3D00UzRkxGnLNiL87c_J3Ry-yEnbMR6Ng1VkshTOskNX7GYOiNcHLaow1Fdjs601YYWOZa78JbBcrHM_UXj45uBhOjTxBdz1KHZhxEqncpqvRTUL-zHQMoTl573ukszRX4K2QNqQ/s320/PXL_20240118_030301576.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkER8RH73MBkRsvtIXq-evKE-or0fleJJQxMDHCknSYq1C8JQcjWITfEZBaepk08_qgnqLMY22VWMS35BVAaw0k1oMon7u_YCKIIQQmk4-k-fMqF598-vSYmLL_I4_TE9T5NbzS03BNJC3v5EZzd0zo4XsrJREvsr4tOSP_UX0TFilRHSEB9fARZd9q8M/s4080/PXL_20240118_030319375.LONG_EXPOSURE-02.ORIGINAL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkER8RH73MBkRsvtIXq-evKE-or0fleJJQxMDHCknSYq1C8JQcjWITfEZBaepk08_qgnqLMY22VWMS35BVAaw0k1oMon7u_YCKIIQQmk4-k-fMqF598-vSYmLL_I4_TE9T5NbzS03BNJC3v5EZzd0zo4XsrJREvsr4tOSP_UX0TFilRHSEB9fARZd9q8M/s320/PXL_20240118_030319375.LONG_EXPOSURE-02.ORIGINAL.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL18plpLsqG3IHFQaKpife4FAjipxd2q2BdoZz-D49Z_7EIURHlB4y1nMXjwpDaTXJKz9cW_xnjzb8J9ewFfqbUYQoW18ca7s_NtavR0kHhmdGXMcl0xjYobwp4RWMJQRNzC7mjnIx1oQ-jhpVPFPBC4nO87W8QYDZFnbfQEvKZTtrPFWcXgm4OfI4_kE/s4080/PXL_20240118_030846324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL18plpLsqG3IHFQaKpife4FAjipxd2q2BdoZz-D49Z_7EIURHlB4y1nMXjwpDaTXJKz9cW_xnjzb8J9ewFfqbUYQoW18ca7s_NtavR0kHhmdGXMcl0xjYobwp4RWMJQRNzC7mjnIx1oQ-jhpVPFPBC4nO87W8QYDZFnbfQEvKZTtrPFWcXgm4OfI4_kE/s320/PXL_20240118_030846324.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLyJW2N4LAY47REfbuFywwj0_x7yk6EEZgugMwOMph_xqjn5myzlsdNTnT6v-wj7tG3mjFIxwHjgVYAa-oSOVv3_0alu8kQ5dMcxpOq4ook7PN3y7oZhB3TFQ6CYbnutjDpHohptgU_SVZ5OTl3ISArPGcvk3MqKd8FrJCnYAxW3yZP6_O1O9_lORLNo/s4080/PXL_20240118_030904568.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLyJW2N4LAY47REfbuFywwj0_x7yk6EEZgugMwOMph_xqjn5myzlsdNTnT6v-wj7tG3mjFIxwHjgVYAa-oSOVv3_0alu8kQ5dMcxpOq4ook7PN3y7oZhB3TFQ6CYbnutjDpHohptgU_SVZ5OTl3ISArPGcvk3MqKd8FrJCnYAxW3yZP6_O1O9_lORLNo/s320/PXL_20240118_030904568.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /> Joining in with <a href="https://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a> this week. Thank you for stopping by!<p></p></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-70509710964351638512024-01-14T17:07:00.008-08:002024-01-14T18:46:28.498-08:00What I'm Doing During the Cold<p> Hi friends,</p><p>As I mentioned in my last post, it's been very cold where I live. Actually it seems to be very cold everywhere but we aren't used to these low temperatures in my city and I can't get it warm enough inside. </p><p>So during the cold days of winter, I usually don't do a lot besides sit under warm blankets with a hot drink and read.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX8aztFtOtreOGdA1N1TaTBpJXn__b5_o9AskXP0F5m7uxxXZHQBjHka2xIqY_gcdQyzUrwzYVXiMRgUWeOktdng5_6YQ67zmoVQFb4qwCjsBGGP1D9rFp2GcNxAeWBjZ8xuB-xleseHb-3td5jaB0lhHGcrYr1xXltG3oVd9lnm4XBU7HBW9aySUs6I/s4080/PXL_20240112_042231971.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX8aztFtOtreOGdA1N1TaTBpJXn__b5_o9AskXP0F5m7uxxXZHQBjHka2xIqY_gcdQyzUrwzYVXiMRgUWeOktdng5_6YQ67zmoVQFb4qwCjsBGGP1D9rFp2GcNxAeWBjZ8xuB-xleseHb-3td5jaB0lhHGcrYr1xXltG3oVd9lnm4XBU7HBW9aySUs6I/s320/PXL_20240112_042231971.NIGHT.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBCKYowNexxGVoCVSF4vEWu7rpEDBwpVJzbt0E5xBFy1-GIk-otBT5T_6kWVqQ0-qDqz-j_s3YJpbULvfJdvgLCYXLCrS2DP35hGCnOnEWfAI1Bdx8-1Y1p29fwh0ma2qFu7Nt8sR5MEnSIPhjmDsbc7eS2t9xAPA7A542EpC7ZXhQmJgawZMUl9-ijc/s4080/PXL_20240112_042225521.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBCKYowNexxGVoCVSF4vEWu7rpEDBwpVJzbt0E5xBFy1-GIk-otBT5T_6kWVqQ0-qDqz-j_s3YJpbULvfJdvgLCYXLCrS2DP35hGCnOnEWfAI1Bdx8-1Y1p29fwh0ma2qFu7Nt8sR5MEnSIPhjmDsbc7eS2t9xAPA7A542EpC7ZXhQmJgawZMUl9-ijc/s320/PXL_20240112_042225521.NIGHT.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VQYVAmQxa9eGut7w4skLXXO9DB75d-GVVxtyjJqIZPYObeKx0VZyph_WYDAA7d0ZzA_7-BkC5fURQ-v6MwR55-S601lliKRgiNLZnxvULBdDVA2I5dOVwn9ANKfyX9SiAnaaENvxmmaa6bY1xmJUGcie1o528EiO2vbU6I6ss9No7kzKnx8DxQziWYw/s3072/PXL_20240112_042101170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="3072" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VQYVAmQxa9eGut7w4skLXXO9DB75d-GVVxtyjJqIZPYObeKx0VZyph_WYDAA7d0ZzA_7-BkC5fURQ-v6MwR55-S601lliKRgiNLZnxvULBdDVA2I5dOVwn9ANKfyX9SiAnaaENvxmmaa6bY1xmJUGcie1o528EiO2vbU6I6ss9No7kzKnx8DxQziWYw/s320/PXL_20240112_042101170.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I hope to reduce my reading this year soI can work on projects. But having a good book handy when you need one is a wonderful thing.</span></div><p>I just completed Barbra Streisand's very long autobiography, <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318615/my-name-is-barbra-by-barbra-streisand/">My Name is Barbra</a>. It's a very detailed account of her life in theatres, movies and in song. She tells us everything we might want to know. She intersperses these details with snippets about her family and personal life, her activism and her love relationships and marriages.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJOMqmvMS4snjjOmy4wnb93-fth2pmFyCN_9gLephIZKCR8fgsO8uvsMSqd-EkBwi0PjxltRhf6JrlA9egiORtlu8S26VA0Vbg7rhyxC5ra2XttXXoV9p5A5DlqK5_-fhs3ZWu1DrAq7CkozIMXHdA_w2P3Pa8JQZuGcd3fMSKc8dmPiKzFgJqDe7-ng/s320/71musw9bJWL._AC_UL320_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="211" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJOMqmvMS4snjjOmy4wnb93-fth2pmFyCN_9gLephIZKCR8fgsO8uvsMSqd-EkBwi0PjxltRhf6JrlA9egiORtlu8S26VA0Vbg7rhyxC5ra2XttXXoV9p5A5DlqK5_-fhs3ZWu1DrAq7CkozIMXHdA_w2P3Pa8JQZuGcd3fMSKc8dmPiKzFgJqDe7-ng/s1600/71musw9bJWL._AC_UL320_.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Having finished the autobiography, I am now reading this debut novel <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/711054/a-grandmother-begins-the-story-by-michelle-porter/9780735245372">A Grandmother Begins the Story</a> by <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">MĂŠtis</span><b> </b>author, Michelle Porter. I haven't gotten too far but don't you just love the cover design? It's beautiful </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: georgia;">MĂŠtis</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> beadwork.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKAolI9eJVvQDPY69UxBGZkspEVKN6H6wgrZl7PvnKbx74kSFpNlW8Yhyphenhyphenot2q7Za8-qsywO8FOLL3bgWAJjNcUTskQaBQPPWsvECYvMx0AWCzpP1bJvyYdjHDJOLE39wZddYxoKrI3Z06fIuiyMA8RonMwRlk0BSxAi-eyYnDCrJfOxOtXkcttcASjGc/s4080/PXL_20240112_224420535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKAolI9eJVvQDPY69UxBGZkspEVKN6H6wgrZl7PvnKbx74kSFpNlW8Yhyphenhyphenot2q7Za8-qsywO8FOLL3bgWAJjNcUTskQaBQPPWsvECYvMx0AWCzpP1bJvyYdjHDJOLE39wZddYxoKrI3Z06fIuiyMA8RonMwRlk0BSxAi-eyYnDCrJfOxOtXkcttcASjGc/s320/PXL_20240112_224420535.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div>The next book I'll read is called <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Covenant-Water-Abraham-Verghese/dp/0802162177/ref=asc_df_0802162177/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=578819717679&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7474891702165792669&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001545&hvtargid=pla-1740896518203&psc=1&mcid=9125a354f6c1322eae80024e468023e4">The Covenant of Water</a> by Abraham Verghese. I read his novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Cutting-Stone-Abraham-Verghese/dp/0307357783/ref=pd_vtp_d_sccl_3_4/136-1096476-3880017?pd_rd_w=7ikMQ&content-id=amzn1.sym.286867be-acef-46d2-9f5a-97260f681f03&pf_rd_p=286867be-acef-46d2-9f5a-97260f681f03&pf_rd_r=1D467CTNE11R1VME44QK&pd_rd_wg=myxdy&pd_rd_r=25294bc2-d35e-4090-b13d-d0e1789cae4f&pd_rd_i=0307357783&psc=1">Cutting for Stone </a>a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with his story telling. I'm very much looking forward to starting it in a few days once the hold arrives at the local library.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYHanHgdf4kI98vLDmuRpXV_27n60lmcnuXbDSCeDOSNlRXVCOhUyy9s2qss3HYI7Qk1nWowjnYSgRMXEFN94dILS3fnrSxyPsfR1c72bV2OTTOzer5U5NgMsm4MOjXQThGNb3nmY5QAywGinhV7RKPi23BT_7wEC3XFmabmVfauOmVJ9sXzW1SJjyEY/s266/shopping.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="169" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYHanHgdf4kI98vLDmuRpXV_27n60lmcnuXbDSCeDOSNlRXVCOhUyy9s2qss3HYI7Qk1nWowjnYSgRMXEFN94dILS3fnrSxyPsfR1c72bV2OTTOzer5U5NgMsm4MOjXQThGNb3nmY5QAywGinhV7RKPi23BT_7wEC3XFmabmVfauOmVJ9sXzW1SJjyEY/w203-h320/shopping.jpeg" width="203" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">In an earlier post I mentioned that my theme word for 2024 is "Create". I hope to make or bring new things into existence more frequently this year. It can mean new dishes in cooking but more likely in my case, it will mean new things I've sewed or crafted. I've been giving some thought to a few projects I'd like to make and have collected a few supplies. Some of what I hope to create is new to me so I'm just learning what I'll need. It seems I'm not quite ready to get started on one of my projects because I need more materials. It's okay because it's too cold for me to sit and make things right at this moment. I have time to collect what I need. Here are some of the materials I've been collecting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA66-nl0DH-XVeDxjMulWBEPGrEH8uub2drwzUAJTEw6AYecKssUkOYgS5s_ynkca3MKtQFHDgqGlsaOF7NQVnMGDnB9TDMw7qTq2FQYuBhec7HZKHcUXqk7OEFl8D5MYwxPEizTEg-de7SqepX6SvLoAGsobrXzxmnxN1huyhm3tuZDU7UjbT7DznblY/s4080/PXL_20240112_013956192.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA66-nl0DH-XVeDxjMulWBEPGrEH8uub2drwzUAJTEw6AYecKssUkOYgS5s_ynkca3MKtQFHDgqGlsaOF7NQVnMGDnB9TDMw7qTq2FQYuBhec7HZKHcUXqk7OEFl8D5MYwxPEizTEg-de7SqepX6SvLoAGsobrXzxmnxN1huyhm3tuZDU7UjbT7DznblY/s320/PXL_20240112_013956192.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZQVO1_T_mlxGvN8rZJwuYvsuOyakp0WOrjPAuafjtOlORKQKDW38WLy8GqDcAolEg9LfDvXmZrRlWiv8KRsl7w0nsZBy6UeH9aPfGOr1cZZ4VdzFOoZ4an5L66i2Bk7eunUWqsYqeSbZsHiiGff3CYJWgQ8wehB26Z3UHtsqbqR9aNOy75yVGwmDRqs/s4080/PXL_20240112_013844231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZQVO1_T_mlxGvN8rZJwuYvsuOyakp0WOrjPAuafjtOlORKQKDW38WLy8GqDcAolEg9LfDvXmZrRlWiv8KRsl7w0nsZBy6UeH9aPfGOr1cZZ4VdzFOoZ4an5L66i2Bk7eunUWqsYqeSbZsHiiGff3CYJWgQ8wehB26Z3UHtsqbqR9aNOy75yVGwmDRqs/s320/PXL_20240112_013844231.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIB02IsS6q97II_tNT9GL5BPVIYRKqcPWvkdjjVHNPqY-a_QErwyoWx2PxPLqD_JSOV9-POh25If1A8Sdtgm8whrLp85Zeowwdw3uITQOnM1IaoES8ndFEn1KbY-enQXIZBoH1NUqwAg75e0fbAZD9mfSvUk1ZpW7OE78qQDqknxaGpC_cVYUCunwhoU/s4080/PXL_20240112_013745302.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIB02IsS6q97II_tNT9GL5BPVIYRKqcPWvkdjjVHNPqY-a_QErwyoWx2PxPLqD_JSOV9-POh25If1A8Sdtgm8whrLp85Zeowwdw3uITQOnM1IaoES8ndFEn1KbY-enQXIZBoH1NUqwAg75e0fbAZD9mfSvUk1ZpW7OE78qQDqknxaGpC_cVYUCunwhoU/s320/PXL_20240112_013745302.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've already sewn these strips of fabric together.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;">I bought the fabric strips (bubble bees, daisies and solid yellow fabric) at the dollar store just before Christmas and sewed them together before the new year. There isn't a lot of fabric but I have an idea for what I'll make with it. The Star Wars fabric will likely be for a cushion or two for my niece. I'm always looking for items for here with a theme I know she will enjoy. The items in the top photo are for surprise projects which I'll unveil along the way. I've got lots more I want to make but these are some of the projects I have in the top of my mind.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Speaking of cooking, I did in fact make one new to me dish during these cold days. It's my version of a a rice noodle and prawn soup with broccoli. It was quite good and warming but the noodles took forever to cook and soften. Next time I'll probably use a different brand of rice noodles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdNMbfW_pXUDxNyHZ7Tt51Wzf35SuP3t2jfspnOsnUVTUvc5iBV_-SZjTT1CxeMEG40AOZXM2t7SK8df2mpAQ8QFXEgW94jkYG2XEWtHiNT6QF5a3YKWG4ruvPEauxlS5Uu0ZcwYTUU8chkdykg9yGHb5NO1_31_G9KZJOy0LQm8ZUHoRKHbimkv4VnQ/s4080/PXL_20240112_031451148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdNMbfW_pXUDxNyHZ7Tt51Wzf35SuP3t2jfspnOsnUVTUvc5iBV_-SZjTT1CxeMEG40AOZXM2t7SK8df2mpAQ8QFXEgW94jkYG2XEWtHiNT6QF5a3YKWG4ruvPEauxlS5Uu0ZcwYTUU8chkdykg9yGHb5NO1_31_G9KZJOy0LQm8ZUHoRKHbimkv4VnQ/s320/PXL_20240112_031451148.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These are just some of the activities I'm trying to keep myself busy during the cold days. I've been reading on line about how cold it is elsewhere and I hope you are keeping warm enough wherever you live. <br /><p style="text-align: left;">My "baby" brother has been away in Thailand and Japan. I'm looking forward to him returning tomorrow. When my loved ones travel, it's hard for me to relax until they are safely home even though I do pray for them. On this journey there was the large earthquake off the west coast of northern Japan just before my brother was expected to arrive there. Of course I was praying a lot and all has gone well with his journey this far. He seems to really be enjoying his time in Tokyo despite the fact it is winter there too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKsb9zb18D1cuffV4PpOqVsz1izimxchdboBGcby-EFRUX8Y1WlQRdWwgVTnnrxSUsAeo4E-4CPF1u3iEpQ1wb0A3wLXGCDbFbw8UzqL2XTBLn1Veh5WJHDHnelzd-0FCNtTzu669GAosYf0GFRI0lC5drJ41xARkQ3YuQjxQaTJkwEGza8OzJz4Eik8/s3125/prayers-for-peace7-1651693788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3125" data-original-width="2083" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKsb9zb18D1cuffV4PpOqVsz1izimxchdboBGcby-EFRUX8Y1WlQRdWwgVTnnrxSUsAeo4E-4CPF1u3iEpQ1wb0A3wLXGCDbFbw8UzqL2XTBLn1Veh5WJHDHnelzd-0FCNtTzu669GAosYf0GFRI0lC5drJ41xARkQ3YuQjxQaTJkwEGza8OzJz4Eik8/w266-h400/prayers-for-peace7-1651693788.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-62899260966020403932024-01-10T21:45:00.010-08:002024-01-11T21:15:00.232-08:00It's Cold & Dark<p>Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2024 will be a great year for you wherever you may live. </p><p>Since it still gets dark so early it's lovely to see the lights at night. It's been cold for a few days and is expected to get much colder Thursday night (minus 17 Celsius then warming a bit) for a few days. I took the opportunity to go out today and run errands in case I don't want to go out later.</p><p>How is the weather where you are?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls2vvGnZC24O7hAunmLJGqAnBqtIZ8sEQPAqkNipXgLN4nokS4XH6jf1TJcat0Xnh9a2oFMOVwQdbp75rQBbgyY9rWu_TedqaBmR4ZDxA9_VTjMnTNyo10Cy4PFEe7m_bjAXG1DnjiVz403vaJYckev2qAoZZqO7MDUY7Etli8Yo9UtZheYz7R-vM7u0/s4080/PXL_20240111_022636645.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls2vvGnZC24O7hAunmLJGqAnBqtIZ8sEQPAqkNipXgLN4nokS4XH6jf1TJcat0Xnh9a2oFMOVwQdbp75rQBbgyY9rWu_TedqaBmR4ZDxA9_VTjMnTNyo10Cy4PFEe7m_bjAXG1DnjiVz403vaJYckev2qAoZZqO7MDUY7Etli8Yo9UtZheYz7R-vM7u0/w301-h400/PXL_20240111_022636645.NIGHT.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFz9BXOkDsLZxiq1T51sdtsgSNCj756LgcmIZL0ek7bNvIxgHg0u2K0Q7qqlkJApfisbCOIA3Av6yWUZUFOyNd9NLc6G53di2c4RR6A2i4nXxd72h22pH-_OirTiPsSPGdO2UpibzszlkDDHfZ1IrSeiIbVGs43XxMa2OpoVfeQ2VXHVWqeSO3vYxDQm4/s4080/PXL_20240111_023505789.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFz9BXOkDsLZxiq1T51sdtsgSNCj756LgcmIZL0ek7bNvIxgHg0u2K0Q7qqlkJApfisbCOIA3Av6yWUZUFOyNd9NLc6G53di2c4RR6A2i4nXxd72h22pH-_OirTiPsSPGdO2UpibzszlkDDHfZ1IrSeiIbVGs43XxMa2OpoVfeQ2VXHVWqeSO3vYxDQm4/w301-h400/PXL_20240111_023505789.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJgnWiCF_j95qWJ2WQAjNlw_QHd4rbfgH0kNiMRMaNBADEN754WC1rwIa2_M19LtHib4vf1XqLPzGK-N60e8U0gjJi0SJjIin-9BSqAwQtImrMzDm5kbcOIu5IJY-tFR_RJ09DopWwCHM9gb2T1bgJOEY1gBlSB4Ii0aBU6beTarrSc9KtNM9Cx3UnAE/s4080/PXL_20240111_023454530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJgnWiCF_j95qWJ2WQAjNlw_QHd4rbfgH0kNiMRMaNBADEN754WC1rwIa2_M19LtHib4vf1XqLPzGK-N60e8U0gjJi0SJjIin-9BSqAwQtImrMzDm5kbcOIu5IJY-tFR_RJ09DopWwCHM9gb2T1bgJOEY1gBlSB4Ii0aBU6beTarrSc9KtNM9Cx3UnAE/w301-h400/PXL_20240111_023454530.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y_I4C_nEmRtWfxLbmyyC9nuXdzaWPL_bSew9KqWMmNY7dl-VQRKSkNA3skFQ43zRDV2FwxL1-pAuqtfYGjNj0AtaajUMCoQPUygkcx_UrXNH-Y_lPu8CK9uUr3NRtHGlrDtvf5jZ8kaA-INmzFCKukqlfNuXd5cU_Jd_xuwvemPiF9uvu3jBHRP7yvE/s4080/PXL_20240111_023446330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y_I4C_nEmRtWfxLbmyyC9nuXdzaWPL_bSew9KqWMmNY7dl-VQRKSkNA3skFQ43zRDV2FwxL1-pAuqtfYGjNj0AtaajUMCoQPUygkcx_UrXNH-Y_lPu8CK9uUr3NRtHGlrDtvf5jZ8kaA-INmzFCKukqlfNuXd5cU_Jd_xuwvemPiF9uvu3jBHRP7yvE/w301-h400/PXL_20240111_023446330.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V6ngCiWqB3EQeAWV-4bjA-leE3Nqu_BkK_49DwLqBZrHkCHok6FUBKLYswuILmcmSvSVw6xYc8YwAYUkXKvL_y1X1FLlZO9Pqfli_BlXHDYo1S1FmHbP15ZR8tSxwZRHNCzstbjH4aFfiHc-0kzcxrr7LMAgH6KoyDeCuluX3qiSii94vt6BpLCL5jI/s4080/PXL_20240111_022928587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V6ngCiWqB3EQeAWV-4bjA-leE3Nqu_BkK_49DwLqBZrHkCHok6FUBKLYswuILmcmSvSVw6xYc8YwAYUkXKvL_y1X1FLlZO9Pqfli_BlXHDYo1S1FmHbP15ZR8tSxwZRHNCzstbjH4aFfiHc-0kzcxrr7LMAgH6KoyDeCuluX3qiSii94vt6BpLCL5jI/w301-h400/PXL_20240111_022928587.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joining in with <a href="https://skyley.blogspot.com/2024/01/skywatch-friday-11-january-2024-edition.html">Skywatch Friday</a>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-55419355696043836452024-01-08T00:58:00.003-08:002024-01-09T21:01:29.825-08:00Food & Health ~ Tuesday 4<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">Food and Health</h3><div class="post-header" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 11.7px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8365847306570337132" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 564px;"><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"> Welcome to Toni Taddeo's <a href="https://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/2024/01/food-and-health.html">Tuesday 4</a>.</p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">How we eat, drink and exercise are important to our health. Let's talk about it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNh0GZcaQXrHLheCMO1I9v4rzA82amYajsvTzGg2lFG1smxxB-cAIiucgG7Fy_GIlA60TOKmBPcMCNnuVG7MolqYPqU3-aven1Sh5DTQsYJCbEuyq6QLYeL9qhJWqg3GrKUQOvitFSseQ897VjnFJNjVb-MZmxYFUoP6LsnAzuPvLlOifLVzOtV-KEbdSl" style="clear: right; color: #e07575; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="629" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNh0GZcaQXrHLheCMO1I9v4rzA82amYajsvTzGg2lFG1smxxB-cAIiucgG7Fy_GIlA60TOKmBPcMCNnuVG7MolqYPqU3-aven1Sh5DTQsYJCbEuyq6QLYeL9qhJWqg3GrKUQOvitFSseQ897VjnFJNjVb-MZmxYFUoP6LsnAzuPvLlOifLVzOtV-KEbdSl" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 5px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(242, 242, 242); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><b>1. Do you believe you eat a healthy diet and what makes it healthy?</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">I try very hard to eat a healthy and varied diet but I'm not very disciplined about doing it every single day and some days and weeks are better than others. I don't actually enjoy eating a lot of protein so that is probably a weakness in my diet. I do try to get a variety of proteins (meats, fish, chicken, dairy, eggs, nuts, beans and legumes). When I don't eat enough protein it means I eat too many carbs and that is another weak spot in my diet. I've been working on a varied diet now for many years and health issues, especially chronic fatigue make it difficult for me to be as consistent as I'd like to be. I've purchased an Instant Pot, and more recently an air fryer/oven combo to help me make healthier meals when I haven't had time or energy to do meal planning and preparation.</span></span></p><p><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">2. What sort of drinks do you have with meals or between meals. Does it include enough water?</b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;">I always drink water between meals. Early in the day I have coffee and late at night I drink decaf tea. Sometimes I have watered down juice or occasionally a soda, carbonated water or flavoured carbonated water (San Pellegrino or something like it). I always check the carbohydrate count and try to avoid a higher carb drink on days when I've had a higher carb load.</p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><b>3. Do you enjoy snacks throughout the day and what kind do you enjoy?</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">I do enjoy snacks. I love all kinds. Sometimes fruits like orange, apple, berries and less often watermelon, pineapple, mango or papaya. I also like cakes or pastries but my real weakness is ice cream. On a lesser occasion, I might have chips and chocolate bars though this only happens when I haven't been eating a varied diet and making sure I get adequate food intake during the day. I usually only have one meal a day and it isn't enough to get adequate nutrition. From time to time, I try to substitute dark chocolate for the chips and chocolate bars but I find the taste very strong. These days I wear a continuous glucose monitor and since I've been using it it has really helped me to make better eating decisions. If my blood glucose level is too high, I know I have to postpone eating something with higher carb content. The monitor is a wonderful tool and since I've been using it, my blood glucose levels are improving.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><b>4. How do you make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet? </b></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">I'm never sure if I'm getting enough vitamins and minerals but chances are I am not. I don't think most people do from food alone. I aim for a large variety of vegetables and also a large variety of fruits so I can get as many vitamins and minerals as naturally as possible. I tend to eat more berries because they have a lower glycemic index than most other fruits. From time to time, I take multi-vitamins or specific individual supplements like Vit. C, A, B Complex,D3, CoQ-10 etc. </span></span></p></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-160925665696548492024-01-07T03:41:00.012-08:002024-01-07T03:56:19.390-08:00A Slow StartI'm still convalescing but each day gets better.<div><br /></div><div>I didn't have the energy to do much this week but a little bit here and there helps.</div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't even been cooking and don't much feel like eating. There is a Chinese noodle house very near me so when I feel hungry I've been eating congee (rice soup) and the most wonderful fried rice with shrimp and BBQ pork. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday I went to the post office to pick up a parcel and ran into a friend who had come to check her mail. She lives rather far but retains a mail box in my neighbourhood from the days she used to live nearby. She took me out to dinner as she too wanted soup. So we had an unexpected and very nice catch up. Another friend called with distressing news. He lost 3 toes to gangrene over the past several years and was calling to let me know his leg will now have to be amputated. He'd been hoping to avoid this but the doctor gave him a stern warning, that it was either his leg or his life. We didn't get to chat very long because another friend of his happened to drop by to visit him but I encouraged him as best I could for what he is about to go through.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've set a modest reading goal this year of only 25 books because I want to do other things. This number will likely go up but I'll keep it low for awhile as it will help temper my reading habit a bit. This autobiography by Barbra Streisand came available as an online loan so I checked it out. The book is over 2300 pages long and I think it might be the longest book I've ever read. At this point, I've only completed 20% of it. If you are a fan of Barbra Streisand's movies or her music, I recommend this book because she tells her life story in great detail.<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8cJGEdBl7mypnFRhdT7DpZSw8c4PbPSjTvECM7RMyXhbkY2aULJdAsppXP-S6_FjxuYbtL8VV5tuZBz97QR9RDhi9_Cs1vdueJ1CHOBeHPK2lJjB2hlB9iB6GzxB4gN41ptqLxCovpG8jfb1e-fJ0SeMP_mbjFB10TUlhZiatyK_fpebwnnYkUbgIBI/s320/71musw9bJWL._AC_UL320_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="211" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8cJGEdBl7mypnFRhdT7DpZSw8c4PbPSjTvECM7RMyXhbkY2aULJdAsppXP-S6_FjxuYbtL8VV5tuZBz97QR9RDhi9_Cs1vdueJ1CHOBeHPK2lJjB2hlB9iB6GzxB4gN41ptqLxCovpG8jfb1e-fJ0SeMP_mbjFB10TUlhZiatyK_fpebwnnYkUbgIBI/w264-h400/71musw9bJWL._AC_UL320_.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br />I found a series on Netflix called <a href="https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/80145240">Wild Wild Country</a> which was very interesting. It's about the Rajneeshpuram, a international religious community headed by it's guru, Rajneesh from India who later changed his name to Osho. I recommend it if you are at all curious. The other film I watched was a documentary on Warren Buffet called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB5krSvFAPY">Becoming Warren Buffet</a>. I really enjoyed learning more about him and his family. </div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">I've been trying to use up bathroom products now for some time as I've got far too much. We've managed to empty 8 containers of various sizes. Some of it can go into recycling and some will have to go in trash.</span> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4VYt-0iEwkCeaAqMm3_oIhWnzfNxYTSs1VU7ll81ICPR3fSbt4Re9g2PXGIb5XnohZhK4zMWddDxc73o4_Oc92ZnvJMDWABKAOTzyIi4PLPuq0rY-ae4r0BCA4KB-nuwMcwvbwuVd46ca5KRnmHixJ7taGMhVD6jI6mnQ3pY8k02tSzIZjXud3319fc/s4080/PXL_20240107_040755665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4VYt-0iEwkCeaAqMm3_oIhWnzfNxYTSs1VU7ll81ICPR3fSbt4Re9g2PXGIb5XnohZhK4zMWddDxc73o4_Oc92ZnvJMDWABKAOTzyIi4PLPuq0rY-ae4r0BCA4KB-nuwMcwvbwuVd46ca5KRnmHixJ7taGMhVD6jI6mnQ3pY8k02tSzIZjXud3319fc/w301-h400/PXL_20240107_040755665.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I also decluttered some music books and song sheets (4 items). I'll be donating these.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYps5rQrRq5x1qk-DBG4gmtqosh7I1g5Q3i0q-qcQaUeaR3OCqFjhknjD_G_SNUlca64l-pO2A4TXGuAeuyosu_Y-Tzl1GxkDNKDEb-NKaJ0RS6-awH7PyzGfwEAJQfrE6z7Yrw3v20vBhpEV5uMk7p9EezzaIfkq6-wzlS-yJZEEmBv1YDO4i0vKqlvU/s4080/PXL_20240107_040842512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYps5rQrRq5x1qk-DBG4gmtqosh7I1g5Q3i0q-qcQaUeaR3OCqFjhknjD_G_SNUlca64l-pO2A4TXGuAeuyosu_Y-Tzl1GxkDNKDEb-NKaJ0RS6-awH7PyzGfwEAJQfrE6z7Yrw3v20vBhpEV5uMk7p9EezzaIfkq6-wzlS-yJZEEmBv1YDO4i0vKqlvU/s320/PXL_20240107_040842512.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In December, I did a major purge of Christmas decorations and managed to give away a bag of items (36 items in all) to two different friends. I'm glad to have cut down on the decorations in storage.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwD2CWaIMTIw4y-f4pulmzPYmOj8hoKqJTBnapvc8yu8Foeo0OxLQ8HQMVK6wC5zG6BbvjJCywcrBxLWMsvsEaxPDBkmOH1aPvVDHyyZQjHx8bQMqVOG9AbMdPT6-B5wi44vFjLaY0Ou8_NOOBZRroXeU8_LubYk03gnr1-f1LZzad6KXUAISEVpfpyU/s1920/InShot_20231224_012411810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwD2CWaIMTIw4y-f4pulmzPYmOj8hoKqJTBnapvc8yu8Foeo0OxLQ8HQMVK6wC5zG6BbvjJCywcrBxLWMsvsEaxPDBkmOH1aPvVDHyyZQjHx8bQMqVOG9AbMdPT6-B5wi44vFjLaY0Ou8_NOOBZRroXeU8_LubYk03gnr1-f1LZzad6KXUAISEVpfpyU/s320/InShot_20231224_012411810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I took down the Christmas tree and decorations on December 28th but was only able to retrieve the storage boxes from downstairs on January 5th. I've packed everything away and will take it back to storage in a day or two.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLn3AGFdnsyUMqmdedeGuCCM1c9S3GFT5Q5pXvkUn3W13tsFH_XWV6z5kJ2a9VqIQu8xTrKRRmhyphenhyphenddYbS7fUm4jP3ce9o3_9aG7ErTxcbpGV4MI1RPNfymw2Q-mubR6zDqd4lPw4oV-IUHsjHLn6QAOFetyFYfkS_-XoZnNzlhvtOExqqY8nm-OvR7WU/s4080/PXL_20240107_041909539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLn3AGFdnsyUMqmdedeGuCCM1c9S3GFT5Q5pXvkUn3W13tsFH_XWV6z5kJ2a9VqIQu8xTrKRRmhyphenhyphenddYbS7fUm4jP3ce9o3_9aG7ErTxcbpGV4MI1RPNfymw2Q-mubR6zDqd4lPw4oV-IUHsjHLn6QAOFetyFYfkS_-XoZnNzlhvtOExqqY8nm-OvR7WU/s320/PXL_20240107_041909539.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wrote about my new air fryer/oven combo which was my gift to myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eTzj84zIj60g72XBjXdJtIKy7Tzsu0K0N6kKjKo980_9Acubsvx_gjr64dBYoNFtFF0sDYjkm2oNLK9Ee0ZLodCIewXx3fWLD4Vh_Q_owOICcmuT-RCoPkoSEQbEk5BU1-S6Cl6zITDfO26hMMh7cBiOOlEsv8xxsdQIs_1MTEoXBRIDiRjOfpfZU2U/s4080/PXL_20231220_034625200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eTzj84zIj60g72XBjXdJtIKy7Tzsu0K0N6kKjKo980_9Acubsvx_gjr64dBYoNFtFF0sDYjkm2oNLK9Ee0ZLodCIewXx3fWLD4Vh_Q_owOICcmuT-RCoPkoSEQbEk5BU1-S6Cl6zITDfO26hMMh7cBiOOlEsv8xxsdQIs_1MTEoXBRIDiRjOfpfZU2U/s320/PXL_20231220_034625200.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I haven't made too much in it yet but did put together this blueberry loaf on Saturday. I was going to make muffins but the muffin tin is too large for the small oven. It's okay because slices are just as nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaRa-9FjJoyf0CoUwrClJcd0q45AW6LnCGGAbs8oZspFrw1-sCRjdRiBO2TnRgEeK09k46udJcVlSsF5SzP_EJtuReoNpsLtPcilZRjuHw59Ia8ahQbDvvGjVZxMKwilqeAGsN0g51c6z471EN1DPSpuWwP4sk2t2EVzbQHD3gZHaO0qqO91vCZCTIvM/s4080/PXL_20240107_043535382.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaRa-9FjJoyf0CoUwrClJcd0q45AW6LnCGGAbs8oZspFrw1-sCRjdRiBO2TnRgEeK09k46udJcVlSsF5SzP_EJtuReoNpsLtPcilZRjuHw59Ia8ahQbDvvGjVZxMKwilqeAGsN0g51c6z471EN1DPSpuWwP4sk2t2EVzbQHD3gZHaO0qqO91vCZCTIvM/s320/PXL_20240107_043535382.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div><div>Last but not least, I've thoroughly cleaned the master bathroom and washed all the towels stored there as well as the shower curtain and liner. I usually put my efforts into the master bathroom. but it always feels good when I can get both bathrooms nice and sparkly clean.</div><div><br /></div><div>It seems like I've done a lot but really I have been taking everything very slow and easy. I'm just glad to have gotten a few things done so the week doesn't seem like nothing got accomplished at the start of the new year. It helps when you don't have to cook every day and have all the dishes to wash because those two chores take a lot of time in one's day. I hope you all had a good start to your week and wish you a wonderful week ahead.</div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-77194129905791283362024-01-02T16:14:00.000-08:002024-01-02T16:14:08.757-08:00New Word of the Year 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwEVVvNSwZxzJCPXR_gEkdC3IK2ZbY0qXLILDwF94dFIxEAyv3dlJCs5aTbfiZmrHP6ekLX25NM9_eNfMfInhvoDpBfmWa272tiAXfqGDGJNYNa_fp-ECseTktECSGdQoUvIrM2-QyjlCtAASvo8yJ6RjTz-aYmzVGHhyphenhyphen6alJySH68p5U7fxbLFFpo5g/s1080/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwEVVvNSwZxzJCPXR_gEkdC3IK2ZbY0qXLILDwF94dFIxEAyv3dlJCs5aTbfiZmrHP6ekLX25NM9_eNfMfInhvoDpBfmWa272tiAXfqGDGJNYNa_fp-ECseTktECSGdQoUvIrM2-QyjlCtAASvo8yJ6RjTz-aYmzVGHhyphenhyphen6alJySH68p5U7fxbLFFpo5g/s320/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Happy New Year once again everyone. đđđ. The beginning of 2024 saw me spend a day in the Emergency Room. I'd been very sick since Friday and my DH and I wanted to be sure I was going to be okay. All the tests turned out fine, for which I'm grateful but I will have to take it easy for several days. I'm at home recovering. </span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">This incident put me back from the plans I had to get a good start on the New Year but health is the most important thing, isn't it? I realize as I get older that each and every day is a gift. I know some of you have been sick as well and I hope and pray that you are now feeling much better. </span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I'd been mulling over a theme word for 2024 and I've settled on "Create". It's broad enough that I will have the flexibility to do a lot of things I'd like to do in the coming year. </span></p><p><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Last year, I chose the word "Start". It was a perfect word. I started (and completed) so many things that were on my list so I'm very happy about that. Since creating usually also involves joy in the creating, I'm not pressuring myself to reach particular objectives. I'm looking forward to 2024 being a creative and joyful year. Much love to you all. â¤ď¸đđŻ</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYQ7kTzOlr7_NRb81VlIo1K-JA-l6knwO84rG_zdmxOORXrDWcyGYAA-h1UJE-R0vqWjg-rToC6U7chPha024j4XdNEyrckamijaDlUSb9tC2x_C6pcRIPzLo2qCwYNS1PxgBy_Wm6Ggaf-LqBfbQrBzbLsP0rMvxJHY5r8SN2-9iCAiqy2bw_aCEBNw/s1360/acreativelife-elizabeth.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYQ7kTzOlr7_NRb81VlIo1K-JA-l6knwO84rG_zdmxOORXrDWcyGYAA-h1UJE-R0vqWjg-rToC6U7chPha024j4XdNEyrckamijaDlUSb9tC2x_C6pcRIPzLo2qCwYNS1PxgBy_Wm6Ggaf-LqBfbQrBzbLsP0rMvxJHY5r8SN2-9iCAiqy2bw_aCEBNw/w400-h225/acreativelife-elizabeth.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-43132740204915094172023-12-31T14:56:00.003-08:002023-12-31T14:56:45.379-08:00Happy New Year 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXiGOIY6hm18B3nzOMR-rlaGx8Rnl_TeWv8ihC-j53dAcsIEQZjYlH5chVWDGd9YPCh4XoqlCICqjkgWKjdMvqzRUkEtUt6Sq4w8krI499g_LrKXoZX3gN8WGsWD-sswWT8GfkrPpbIiNcip9hrWbGCIgafZkHAsefNIC9Al9Q4N6awXdpUi9GEx2mCw/s964/IMG_20231231_041531_016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="964" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXiGOIY6hm18B3nzOMR-rlaGx8Rnl_TeWv8ihC-j53dAcsIEQZjYlH5chVWDGd9YPCh4XoqlCICqjkgWKjdMvqzRUkEtUt6Sq4w8krI499g_LrKXoZX3gN8WGsWD-sswWT8GfkrPpbIiNcip9hrWbGCIgafZkHAsefNIC9Al9Q4N6awXdpUi9GEx2mCw/s320/IMG_20231231_041531_016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Wishing you a year of happiness, success, and filled with love. Happy New Year!" </b></div><p></p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-67948764690420232152023-12-24T16:59:00.002-08:002023-12-24T18:50:55.603-08:00A Very Merry Christmas to You & Your Household<p> Hello friends and fellow bloggers, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1lGIKOy-xDLdz0m7s33_itbxRMOQJOCffkUg2-5ti8g7zcJjDkBC-kQfBo5VtQZiFNPOq_6F4QmWbFR47Hm2IGPrs-F62p_tGSd2-2VasoNPlPEJ5ZDnq_QQRwOGJSAywSnz1cMX-Ckfp0VoWzZYLQU5e459KoVZOqfR8yiyAYH3W_vhuNlsxEEqFCI/s4080/PXL_20231215_011643453.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1lGIKOy-xDLdz0m7s33_itbxRMOQJOCffkUg2-5ti8g7zcJjDkBC-kQfBo5VtQZiFNPOq_6F4QmWbFR47Hm2IGPrs-F62p_tGSd2-2VasoNPlPEJ5ZDnq_QQRwOGJSAywSnz1cMX-Ckfp0VoWzZYLQU5e459KoVZOqfR8yiyAYH3W_vhuNlsxEEqFCI/s320/PXL_20231215_011643453.MP.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This is a very short note to wish you all a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlHKrgZKhSq4iZIxsyqmZl2NOBTwXoctXYFlkZzC7fFJ3xkSRU1iP-hXn0Ex8aauNezj_7U-eD_Y5J9NB1EmRyiJz2tclbJsYeIbAgKnJDtXuScOu_P7FvxmYDDvhvYNlP5ISo7Cgk8t_PMZ42ibs7Q-SO2-jRFYlY3vTDZ4xxaX1M6f_evO9BYFfCZ4/s4080/PXL_20231215_013127701.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlHKrgZKhSq4iZIxsyqmZl2NOBTwXoctXYFlkZzC7fFJ3xkSRU1iP-hXn0Ex8aauNezj_7U-eD_Y5J9NB1EmRyiJz2tclbJsYeIbAgKnJDtXuScOu_P7FvxmYDDvhvYNlP5ISo7Cgk8t_PMZ42ibs7Q-SO2-jRFYlY3vTDZ4xxaX1M6f_evO9BYFfCZ4/s320/PXL_20231215_013127701.NIGHT.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">May you and your loved ones have a safe and special time together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5IP1ji3VWny8Lix1GtuRghWr7f0DwW1BokHKoO0qzgLW3JxfZhLOuCXGCr_gFYnlwIlbY1R4lrgD3dCy41j9Z9GkXXKC_GnxOuRQG26G74QkLTfTFfpQYXdUdcrGM7tcbSN3Ez4h8QeDAl6iVeeMZgqg9iDd1jD95EqtMoKR7n5eeuu8RouBsxXXfU0/s3385/PXL_20231204_231751240.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2974" data-original-width="3385" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5IP1ji3VWny8Lix1GtuRghWr7f0DwW1BokHKoO0qzgLW3JxfZhLOuCXGCr_gFYnlwIlbY1R4lrgD3dCy41j9Z9GkXXKC_GnxOuRQG26G74QkLTfTFfpQYXdUdcrGM7tcbSN3Ez4h8QeDAl6iVeeMZgqg9iDd1jD95EqtMoKR7n5eeuu8RouBsxXXfU0/s320/PXL_20231204_231751240.NIGHT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFfO2pSq196E_YLQS4SBe4bcrTCjjbi42qiprYLWnPdLSzl3tVXn1kLL5G5NuzLu3djYQyV3qpENrh5hqgqwU216YS6udMmobVZZHpPjgibpENKLE9Id7E7V-g07JpVsii5cJT9JVuzfzosXloq4EpLIei8NOdLoMxfTY_8JDb-qCpw0AQPconfzwrNE/s500/CDickens-Christmasquote-2023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="500" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFfO2pSq196E_YLQS4SBe4bcrTCjjbi42qiprYLWnPdLSzl3tVXn1kLL5G5NuzLu3djYQyV3qpENrh5hqgqwU216YS6udMmobVZZHpPjgibpENKLE9Id7E7V-g07JpVsii5cJT9JVuzfzosXloq4EpLIei8NOdLoMxfTY_8JDb-qCpw0AQPconfzwrNE/w400-h301/CDickens-Christmasquote-2023.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7K4JXPnKyBlQisJpAhvXvCPqwkz8Ur8ZKtPQyxViwP9Pn0LqXARX-UfraayoiPCb2NF1R4PcJjlUYOvmY77w8rcMA_BWQ06UewlZ2oKeZHGkAAmtP_pIwWUdJeM5VdoNHGgs2Z9D-ibGOVafmqa8CS_0fa_dEpXdcLpbxJ6rzS2jqzIX4idAUmHJseTc/s294/CTen-Boom-Christmas-2023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="294" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7K4JXPnKyBlQisJpAhvXvCPqwkz8Ur8ZKtPQyxViwP9Pn0LqXARX-UfraayoiPCb2NF1R4PcJjlUYOvmY77w8rcMA_BWQ06UewlZ2oKeZHGkAAmtP_pIwWUdJeM5VdoNHGgs2Z9D-ibGOVafmqa8CS_0fa_dEpXdcLpbxJ6rzS2jqzIX4idAUmHJseTc/w400-h233/CTen-Boom-Christmas-2023.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 19, 32); color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 19, 32); color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Luke 2:7</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X-kzf04dA1MQwqs0A2KzSwVbevbHmKZNyuLhrQCmqV8M23dn73bVaqVn4_sZBfmFaynRhlh1FzEfdP2m28XN6IIDXNkWtgddG31jXGp1k1FS7jwmTJc32pachLCudIv-LYbFTOqAkMVMtdOeZ0G7YUTV8LpiGQPTxLr-th0FgfCy_HTsqBiM6mPIX7I/s792/UntoUsaChildisBorn_Christmas2023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="792" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X-kzf04dA1MQwqs0A2KzSwVbevbHmKZNyuLhrQCmqV8M23dn73bVaqVn4_sZBfmFaynRhlh1FzEfdP2m28XN6IIDXNkWtgddG31jXGp1k1FS7jwmTJc32pachLCudIv-LYbFTOqAkMVMtdOeZ0G7YUTV8LpiGQPTxLr-th0FgfCy_HTsqBiM6mPIX7I/w400-h309/UntoUsaChildisBorn_Christmas2023.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 19, 32); color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><p></p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-11815380608895435702023-12-21T19:24:00.001-08:002023-12-21T19:24:23.110-08:00I'm a Huge Fan<p>I just got two large surprises! </p><p>My 'baby' brother who usually joins me and other family members for Christmas, has just advised me that he will be away as of Friday, December 22nd until sometime in the New Year 2024. The trip came up very suddenly as he was at a conference recently and won the trip credits as a door prize. He is always lucky that way when it comes to winning air credits for travel. The same thing happened last year though it wasn't right at Christmas holidays. So it's a huge surprise. I'll will miss his presence over the Christmas holidays and I'll also have less help eating the turkey and all the fixings. I just bought the turkey today. Had I known he wasn't going to join us, I may have bought a chicken instead. Oh well, I bought a Butterball turkey so it ought to be tasty.</p><p>The second big surprise is my Christmas gift from him. He wanted me to open my gift right away. He presented me with a cute little gift box with a Santa waving on the front of the box. Inside was a handwritten note saying 1 ticket for me to attend the Rolling Stones concert when they pass through the city in July 2024. I can't believe it!!! </p><p>I've been a huge Rolling Stones fan since I was 16 years old. I still have very fond memories of me playing my only two (2) 8 track cassettes on a cassette track player I bought with my babysitting money. The 2 cassette tapes were Janis Joplin (I don't remember the name of the album) and The Rolling Stones (the Jumpin' Jack Flash album). </p><p>I would play those 2 cassette tapes all day long after school and play them loudly on constant repeat. Mom and dad were so good about it. They never, ever complained. In fact, they enjoyed the fact that I was enjoying the music. They didn't have any concerns about my music choices because they actually liked some of it too and they knew I was a 'good kid' who didn't hang around with the wrong crowd despite the music. My little brother who bought me the concert ticket, would have been about 5 years old during the time I was listening to these tapes. He would have barely been out of his "Ruby Ducky" and "Country Roads" phase, lol.đ</p><p>Anyway I look forward to hearing the concern next summer Lord willing. When I first heard the Rolling Stones was stopping in Vancouver, I thought I'd like to hear them. However I'm not the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to get a ticket. I thought I wouldn't stand a chance anyway but I did happen to mention to my brother that the band was coming to town and it would be my last opportunity to see them if ever since Mick Jagger, the lead singer is now 80 years old! Keith Richards is also 80 and Ronnie Woods is 76. They are all considerably older than I am yet they still have the stamina to put on a concert every night and travel the world. </p><p>Here is a video of the band performing <a href="https://youtu.be/EiRQT2AXGrw?si=jrbXhGMXys-y1Pui">Jumpin Jack Flash</a> a few days ago in New York City.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EiRQT2AXGrw" width="320" youtube-src-id="EiRQT2AXGrw"></iframe></div><br /><p>What about you dear reader? Are you a Rolling Stones fan? Have you ever seen them live in concert?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-13445018375635191142023-12-21T00:51:00.005-08:002023-12-21T00:59:52.518-08:00Christmas Gift to MyselfHello friends and fellow bloggers,<div><br /></div><div>I hope you are well and enjoying the festive season so far.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been taking it easy. Doing a little of this and a little of that. DH has been working a lot and is fighting off a cold. I seem to have finally gotten over the cold I've been struggling with. I hope it good and gone now though with DH fighting one I have to be careful.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEazrSF4Ee4E-_SNx8zeqeD5kgoaateBq2DbLQ3yo0l1MjMIBmyRjvS1Yij7JzzpVg8R79dpeAM0mKthd4devnd4DRspsK46ffGpc9RZOEwvlFXR9Q9Rgf4ab2Ent_uDskli2cd32hdW7y6k3kMxI_Nlt0u5lQMLhqSDJOWYjHR03lF0TncgC9SVdv1A/s3385/PXL_20231204_231751240.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2974" data-original-width="3385" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEazrSF4Ee4E-_SNx8zeqeD5kgoaateBq2DbLQ3yo0l1MjMIBmyRjvS1Yij7JzzpVg8R79dpeAM0mKthd4devnd4DRspsK46ffGpc9RZOEwvlFXR9Q9Rgf4ab2Ent_uDskli2cd32hdW7y6k3kMxI_Nlt0u5lQMLhqSDJOWYjHR03lF0TncgC9SVdv1A/w400-h351/PXL_20231204_231751240.NIGHT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I don't have big parties or too many events to attend this year. I've already attended Handel's Messiah and the annual Christmas Festival of Lights at the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens. Other than that I've been catching up on appointments and meeting friends one on one if they are free. It's a nice balance of quiet time alone with a lot of reading in between household routines, shopping and Christmas errands and the more social aspect of attending festivities and meeting with friends. I'm more or less ready for Christmas but still have to buy the turkey, hopefully on Thursday and I'm also hoping to see a family member before the big day. </div><div><br /></div><div>So the title of this post is Christmas Gift to Myself. Do you ever gift yourself at Christmas or any other time? I will often buy myself something at Christmas that I may have wanted to get throughout the year. That way I get what I want and I usually get it on a sales promotion. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't remember if I purchased anything last year. But the year before that I purchased an Instant Pot (IP) and it has become one of my favourite kitchen appliances. I actually had an IP for a year or two before that but it got damaged in a kitchen incident and needed replacing. When I bought the last one I purchased a slightly smaller one to take up less counter space.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year I bought myself an air fryer/oven combo. I have been looking at air fryers for some time. In the end I liked the idea of a combination appliance that has several functions just like a real oven but much smaller. I purchased the model in the photo below. It's a ChefMan brand and I got it for less than 50% of the current Amazon price. I actually purchased a second gift for myself. Am I naughty or what? LOL. That one I'll unveil one day in the new year as it's related to my new word for 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iPIlHUTaYG9SXKt4ASBrfoqd7RWbB3yKzpDyGEJdpgJgFaCj_QVS34Xj37rsBehona63p0MYqPefH82KveZA79jD6Mj6kz0Gf077Kq_obLiboxqXalPLg9_jI4rHKaxPecHdHU8Ei3EE5OiAeOUu9MGAGJdn3FDbbeV9HDJCRf7pHXJOsmCxj_ywlz4/s232/chefman_airfryer.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="232" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iPIlHUTaYG9SXKt4ASBrfoqd7RWbB3yKzpDyGEJdpgJgFaCj_QVS34Xj37rsBehona63p0MYqPefH82KveZA79jD6Mj6kz0Gf077Kq_obLiboxqXalPLg9_jI4rHKaxPecHdHU8Ei3EE5OiAeOUu9MGAGJdn3FDbbeV9HDJCRf7pHXJOsmCxj_ywlz4/w400-h400/chefman_airfryer.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>I'm pleased with it so far. I made baked chips on two occasions. The first time they weren't so good but after I figured out how to use it (I don't read instructions, lol), the chips were much better. DH was so surprised that he didn't notice any difference in taste.<br /><div><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTFYVty6ltcNqQ8RQSw2D1cruIMLvvIGA6_Bfx2lh0YmJgqjWh04E8BdWLA7VRHNiBkJt66xwENYRMthxZz3C8V3GYHhHr-Jyr9XhIyN_0XT9p7BfJsH1xLJKWruqSVXV7C0ovLf-m7xuN1ftAi8tw7D1t2rAJmcVIpZttwM5GFhOgA2FZ0AP-lh_0dM/s4080/PXL_20231220_034625200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTFYVty6ltcNqQ8RQSw2D1cruIMLvvIGA6_Bfx2lh0YmJgqjWh04E8BdWLA7VRHNiBkJt66xwENYRMthxZz3C8V3GYHhHr-Jyr9XhIyN_0XT9p7BfJsH1xLJKWruqSVXV7C0ovLf-m7xuN1ftAi8tw7D1t2rAJmcVIpZttwM5GFhOgA2FZ0AP-lh_0dM/w301-h400/PXL_20231220_034625200.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These chips were cooked using the bake function.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscJr7RJg6xa4zi6sVfvaUMgmdf-2dY4jSJ9Cxw073y7sDrtRxAAoQFUnKBVm1U1TGmOUKxok6OlOtzglgcBWOnKJE9WmeofzsJr96Dn3p_oQqDjMC3wlOld4XWfrnl7ykNomT_VU71mro1d1jH6TIAsr5os1ZdCr-bBl9eoi9nON7kfeL_udPgs0HXvg/s4080/PXL_20231220_034422096.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscJr7RJg6xa4zi6sVfvaUMgmdf-2dY4jSJ9Cxw073y7sDrtRxAAoQFUnKBVm1U1TGmOUKxok6OlOtzglgcBWOnKJE9WmeofzsJr96Dn3p_oQqDjMC3wlOld4XWfrnl7ykNomT_VU71mro1d1jH6TIAsr5os1ZdCr-bBl9eoi9nON7kfeL_udPgs0HXvg/w301-h400/PXL_20231220_034422096.MP.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These chips were cooked using the air fryer function.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xH167QpAS5m9e5VlArtRLgPFZ-EzwYyy31WYC3MXc2H9HZWoXA3Gs736dxogSEYJymWFxpSdcn-YuoYjGnUHcvN2isPdKfPXys5sp7Gd1kVXq08VzC_fEu8uFA6aphd_OiAeKIXxAOvevLtg7cq1h_Ww4yG-AckYbYHmX_SnFlnNKrLN2tLtpynodWs/s4080/PXL_20231220_034534972.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xH167QpAS5m9e5VlArtRLgPFZ-EzwYyy31WYC3MXc2H9HZWoXA3Gs736dxogSEYJymWFxpSdcn-YuoYjGnUHcvN2isPdKfPXys5sp7Gd1kVXq08VzC_fEu8uFA6aphd_OiAeKIXxAOvevLtg7cq1h_Ww4yG-AckYbYHmX_SnFlnNKrLN2tLtpynodWs/w301-h400/PXL_20231220_034534972.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pork chops, onions and apples were fried on the stove top.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I want to try roasting a whole chicken in the counter top oven soon.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Have you ever bought yourself any Christmas gifts and if so, what did you buy?</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Thanks for stopping by! </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I'm sending you my best wishes for a very <span style="color: red;">Merry</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">Christmas</span>.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>đđ đ¤ś</b></p><p><br /></p></div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940863090367389327.post-65828513968617633602023-12-19T20:56:00.006-08:002023-12-19T20:56:37.597-08:00Notes ~ Reading Stats<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>24185 words read to date </li><li>67 books read to date </li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Last book completed December 19, 2023 <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Remarkable-Creatures/dp/0007237227/ref=monarch_sidesheet" target="_blank">Remarkable Creatures</a> by Tracy Chevalier </div><div><br /></div><div>Currently reading:
<a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Beyond-Door-No-Return-Novel/dp/0374606773" target="_blank">Beyond the Door of No Return</a> by Senegalese author, David Diop, winner of the International Booker Prize.</div><div><br /></div><div>Currently reading: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Could-Make-This-Place-Beautiful/dp/1982185864/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1703047443&sr=8-1" target="_blank">You Could Make This Place Beautiful</a>, a memoir by Maggie Smith (not the British actress). </div><div><br /></div><div>Currently reading: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Coming-Home-Eat-Pleasures-Politics-ebook/dp/B0030CMKK8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=363NW6DH0NNCQ&keywords=coming+home+to+eat&qid=1703047494&sprefix=coming+home+to+eat%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Coming Home to Eat, The Pleasures and Politics of Eating Local</a> by Gary Paul Nabhan.<div><br /></div><div>Currently reading: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0BSKJSPP1/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_bb_amazon_ca-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=330641" target="_blank">Accessing the Blessing of Heaven's Currency</a> by Kerry Kirkwood.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Book on Hold: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Friends-Lovers-Big-Terrible-Thing/dp/1250866448" target="_blank">Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing</a> by Matthew Perry</div><div><br /></div><div>I have several other books on hold but I doubt any of them will be ready before the new year.</div><div><br /></div><div>It will be interesting to see how many words and books I am able to finish by end of 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers and I hope you are enjoying whatever you may be reading.</div>Joyfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com0