What Have You Been Doing Lately?

Hi friends,

I hope you've had a chance to read an update about the progress of young Edwin from Kenya. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to read the short report and if you can, leave an encouraging comment for Jonah who I'm sure will pass it along. Words have an incredible capacity to heal and Edwin needs all the help he can get through healing words and prayers.

In other news, I have been very busy. My uncle too has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer.  At the same time, my aunt who has had breast cancer in the past, has seen a return of it.  I know that all this is in God's hands.  But as you can imagine, it has been a very busy and at times, tiring time. I am assessing whether I can make a visit to these dear ones soon. They live far away and there is a lot to do first.  But if it is possible, I will go and  I will try to blog photos of my journey.

I also wanted to share some books I've purchased and am reading.  I went out looking for one book called Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.  A book club I will participate in is going to discuss this book in a month or so. I didn't find a used copy of it on the day I went to the local thrift stores so I ordered a copy on line. I should have it in a week or two.

I did end up buying a  lot of other books which you will see in the photo below.  This will add to my handy collection of reading materials for when I'm looking for something to read.  

I finished the book at the bottom of the pile, Heart and Soul by Mauve Binchy.  Ms. Binchy is one of my favourite authors and I've read every one of her books but none of her short stories.  

Heart and Soul, is a book about Dr. Clara Casey, a cardiologist who starts a Heart Clinic at a hospital in Dublin. It's about the life of the patients who are impacted in a positive way by the Heart Clinic and the lives of the workers who are all hand selected by Clare to work in the clinic. Ultimately it's about every day things that bind people's lives together; love and heartache.  It's all told in the heart warming way for which Mauve Binchy is well known. I enjoyed the book and now I am thinking of starting on Olive Kitteridge or Appetite for Life.  I think it might be the latter, as it's a story about the life of beloved chef, Julia Child.

In addition to reading, family and missions matters, I've been busy spending time cleaning up computer files, updating the software on my smart phone and playbook and sorting through and re-organizing my media centre (CDs of music and movies). I've also been attending to long delayed paperwork, like organizing receipts, doing taxes, submitting receipts for reimbursement and all those kind of little things that take time and concentration. I will continue sorting through old bills and paperwork over the next few months as part of my major decluttering project. Little steps add up to big gains.

In time, it will all get done. Lastly, the garden patch has been cleared but no veggies have been planted yet and it has been too wet to put out the new cushion covers on the patio chairs. Sadly too, a family member who was cleaning out the remainder of the garden for me accidentally pulled up my beloved poppies and wild flowers. I was devastated for a few moments. But I guess they can all be replanted or something else planted in their place.

And what about you dear reader. 
What has been taking up most of your time?

Sky Blue

Hi friends,

I hope you've had a chance to read an update about the progress of young Edwin from Kenya. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to read the short report and leave an encouraging comment. Do you know that your words, kind thoughts and/or prayers take such a small moment out of your life but mean so much to someone else who is fighting for survival? Those of you who have gone through your own hardships will know how much it can mean to hear a small word of kindness.

I took this photo about 2 weeks ago. The sky looks so dramatic. I love the blue colour set against the white clouds.

Join others by clicking here to see others from around the world who watch the sky above.

Kenya Missions of Hope: Where Things Are At With Edwin

Kenya Missions of Hope: Where Things Are At With Edwin: Hello friends, Thank you for your continued support and prayers. It has been a busy time for me since I wrote you last as I am finalizing ...

Sad News

My only remaining uncle had day surgery today to deal with a blocked intestine. When the doctors opened him up they found advanced stages of cancer. They sewed him up and sent him home but he has to return to the hospital soon to see whether there are any treatment options. My mom couldn't remember all the information but this is the gist of things concerning her brother. Please keep both of them in your prayers.

More From the Waterfront

This series is a continuation of my day of photos here.

Click the photos for better viewing.

I'm not sure what kind of tree blossom this is. I think it might be a pear tree.

I love this pop of red colour from the tulips on a cloudy day. I also like the bird's nest way up on the tree on the right.

These cast-bronze statues are located at English Bay's Morton Park near the waterfront in Vancouver's West End. The statutes are called "A-maze-ing Laughter, by Chinese artist Yue Minjun.

Join more of Our World Tuesday by clicking here.

Chapatis

In Kenya I've tasted the most delicious chapatis. The ingredients in chaptis are few but I've never tried to make them. Today I tried today using this recipe from Allrecipes.com My chapatis didn't look anything like what I thought they should look like and it took awhile to get the hang of the correct heat for the pan without setting off my fire alarm from smoke, *laugh.

The dough is rolled into balls and ready to be rolled into chapati circles.

These chapatis were fine and look more like the one's I've had in vegetarian restaurants here. I need to continue to make these to 'perfect' them.  I also need to make sure the heat source is right so they bubble up like they are supposed to. Some of my chapati pieces bubbled up and others did not.

One recipe I reviewed didn't oil the pan first. I tried that approach and it didn't work. It only smoked. Perhaps I had the heat too high.  I found lightly greasing the pan worked much better. I also preferred my cast iron skillet to my metal pan for this recipe.  I also checked on line and found some native chapati makers from Uganda and Kenya. They used much more oil in the pan than I saw in the recipe and one used no oil at all. So I guess I will experiment as I know all stoves are different. Unfortunately my burners are either too hot or not hot enough so I probably need to use the oil until I get my burners fixed. Not sure how to do that. Perhaps I need a new fuse in the stove that controls the burner.

Next time I will also use more whole wheat flour next time as today I was low on this ingredient. I will also play around with increasing the recipe next time so I can make larger chapatis.

This one is puffing up properly.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 cup hot water or as needed
  

  Directions

  1. In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour and salt. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the olive oil and enough water to make a soft dough that is elastic but not sticky. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth. Divide into 10 parts, or less if you want bigger breads. Roll each piece into a ball. Let rest for a few minutes.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium heat until hot, and grease lightly. On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll out the balls of dough until very thin like a tortilla. When the pan starts smoking, put a chapati on it. Cook until the underside has brown spots, about 30 seconds, then flip and cook on the other side. Continue with remaining dough. 

  

  Ready for dinner.

  So overall the taste was fine. It's just the appearance that needs work. Have you ever tried to make chapatis? If yes, what are your tips?
  

What I Found Along the Waterfront

Lots of activity on the water. If you click on the photo you will see all the sail boats in the upper right corner.

I like how the tree leaves frame this photo. Look at all the big tankers on the horizon.

This is the planetarium where you can learn all about the stars and planets. This April 28th is International Astronomy Day.

It has been years since I've gone to the Planetarium. There are all kinds of educational programs for children and adults alike to inform and education about the stars and the solar system. I also understand that they have had laser light shows set to popular music for many years. I think I would have enjoyed one of those shows but they are no longer available as the planetarium has moved on to high definition video for their shows.  What I remember most about my long ago visit was the 360 degree view of the night sky which are made possible through the planetarium's state-of-the-art Zeiss projector.

You can view this short video and you will be introduced to "Harry" one of three German made Zeiss projectors made for Canadian cities. Harry is the only surviving projector of the three.

Some residents enjoy boats like this for going out on the water. You will see a lot of them in use when the fireworks displays happen on the waterfront during Celebration of Lights.

The countries participating in this year's annual Celebration of Lights, a fireworks competition, are Vietnam, Brazil and Italy. Vietnam will show it's fireworks display on July 28th, Brazil on August 1st and Italy on August 4th. 

The displays always draw a huge crowd on the water and on the beaches and the shows are always exciting. It is difficult to go down to the beach because parking is at a premium so you really have to walk a far distance once you park or you must take transit.

I hope you will take a moment to leave your comments and to visit other scenes from around the world at Scenic Sunday.