Good Report

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, 

younger men as brothers.

1 Timothy 5:1

Many of my regular readers know that both my aunt and uncle are having cancer challenges. After learning about these challenges, I made my way north to visit them, though they live in different towns. I wrote about my uncle's situation here and about part of my journey to see him here.

My uncle's surgery took place today. Though the surgery was fraught with dangers due to his advanced age and ill health, he apparently came through it with flying colours. He is now recuperating in ICU for several days. The doctor even said he may be released early as he is doing much better than expected though I am hoping they will keep him long enough to rest and make sure he is strong.

We were also told that my uncle would have to wear a colostomy bag but praise to God, it appears the doctor was able to perform the surgery so as to avoid this result.  This means my uncle gets to remain in the place he calls home, rather than be moved permanently to the hospital where they have a floor for seniors who need medical care. Since the colon has to be sewn back together after removing the cancer, we continue to pray for a good healing of the wounds and no leakage or infection.

I can't tell you how overjoyed the family is!  I want to thank everyone who prayed for my uncle.  My aunt too is doing fine though the doctors are keeping a watch over her. In her case, both sides of her breast areas were causing alarm. But after a few tests the doctor doesn't feel it is a return of cancer and he is keeping an eye on things.  I've known this since I visited with her in May but I don't think I reported it here in case you were praying, and wondering.

I hope you all have a pleasant weekend. I know I will.

UPDATE JULY 16, 2012

After doing well initially, my uncle had a setback. It seems that putting the intestines back together did not work. Since his first surgery my uncle had to have emergency surgery on Thursday. Then on Sunday he was operated on again and given a colostomy bag but he did not regain consciousness. He passed into glory today at 5:35 p.m. PST. His mortal body will be laid to reset sometime this weekend. His immortal body has been welcomed into Heaven.

Beautiful Skies Over Vancouver

Skywatch Friday

I  like the skies over Vancouver today. After weeks, make that months, of rain, we are finally scheduled for a week of sunny weather.

I also like this macro geranium photo I took with my smart phone so I am reposting it. It will be a submission for Floral Friday.

Pretty in Pink & Green

My pink geraniums have finally blossomed. As you can see more blossoms will be out soon. The colour is a deep pink.

These pretty blossoms make me happy despite the lack of sunshine.

This macro was taken with my smart phone.

The tomatoes are coming along nicely. This photo to the right shows the growth of the large tomatoes.
We also have some cherry tomato
plants but I don't see any tomatoes
coming out yet.









I love the array of colour now that all the flowers are in bloom at the same time. The rain is starting to beat down the pansies too much but we are expecting sunshine all week and warmer temperatures.

I'm joining Our World Tuesday with this post. Why don't you click here and see what else people are sharing around their worlds.

A Drink to Canada's Birthday!

Canada's 145 years old today and so I had a drink in Canada's honour and to my health.

Juice: 3 small bunches of spinach, 1 medium carrot, 1 med-large tomatoe, 1 small yellow pepper, 2 stalks of celery & fresh ginger to taste.

I've long given up going out with the crowds to enjoy the day and watch fireworks. Instead I'm spending a quiet day relaxing at home. I'm watching movies and later will watch a rebroadcast of the nationally televised birthday celebrations from our nation's capital city, Ottawa. Later, we'll have some made from scratch pizzas with lot of fresh veggies for dinner.

What are you doing for Canada Day celebrations? 

Whatever you and your family/loved ones are doing, I hope you thoroughly enjoy it.

HAPPY CANADA DAY 

TO CANADIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD!
BONNE FÊTE CANADA!

Have Slices? Will Bag!

I want to say a big thank you to all of my new followers. You are all appreciated. I hope you will not just pass by once but come again and come often. It would be great too if you leave comments or check out some of my older posts.  If you see any problems like photos that aren't where they should be, let me know so I can "fix" it.

I promise, I'll be by to visit you soon.  If I take the time to read your posts, I will also take the time to comment.

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And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.

Acts 2:46

I have a meat slicer which I inherited from my mother last year and I've never used it.  I was wondering if it would do the job of slicing the bread I made on Monday (see post here).

I brought it down from the upper cabinet, washed it up and used it. It took me awhile to remember that you need to hold down two buttons at once and move the bread at the same time. The slicing was no problem, once I got the hang of it.

I'm rather pleased with the results.  The 4 loaves of bread will last all month.

I was able to get 17 slices out of the larger loaves, and 12 slices out of the smaller loaves. I froze the two larger loaves and kept the smaller loaf out for use. The 4th loaf has been sliced with a knife on an as needed basis. I'm guessing that slicing the bread with the slicer makes more slices so the loaf of bread would last longer. But I can't compare the two methods since I didn't count the slices from the loaf I am slicing manually.  In any case, I far prefer the machine slicing method! The loaf at the top of the photo (below) was already in the freezer when I decided it needed a photo opportunity, lol.

The bread crumbs will be dried and added to my bread crumb "bag".

In other news, I haven't been very good about tending to my garden because we are getting enough rain to keep it nicely water.  The garden is giving me pleasure with it's brightly coloured flowers and nice shades of green leaves.  The herbs grow far too fast for me to use them all.  The very tall plant to the lower right of the bird bath is parsley. I didn't know it could grow so tall!

The bird bath needs to be cleaned every now and then as all the blossoms from the tree above it get in the water.  But the little birds love to come and splash on a sunny day. You can see there are a few clouds in the sky but overall the day was bright and hot. It's back to rain on Friday. It saves me from watering the plants.

Submission for SkyWatch Friday. Please check in there and see submissions from around the world.