The Nanaimo Bars Chronicles

Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients:
bottom layer:

1/2 cup cocoa 2 cups coconut
1 cup butter 1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup white sugar 4 cups graham crumbs
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla



middle layer

1 cup butter 4 tbsp milk
4 cups icing sugar 4 tbsp vanilla custard powder



top layer

6 squares semi-sweet chocolate
2 tbsp butter



Directions:
bottom layer
mix together cocoa, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in double boiler, heat till thick do not overcook. Add to the crumbs nuts and coconut mix well and press into a wax paper lined 9 by 12 inch baking pan. I use a rolling pin to get it nice and flat. Work while the stuff is still warm.

middle layer

beat butter adding icing sugar and the milk custard mixture alternatively until smooth spread over bottom layer. I warm a metal spatula to get it really smooth.

top layer
heat and melt in a double boiler spread over last layer. You have to work fast while the chocolate is still warm.


Let the whole thing set then cut into squares you will need a very thing sharp knife to make precision cuts. I lift the whole thing out of the pan and put on a large cutting board

Thursday Thirteen

Well here we are with our first cup of coffee and thinking about the day ahead.  Are you all aware that its 2 weeks to Christmas?  Have to get my butt in gear. 

1. Do you ever wonder what is going through people's minds when they buy a gift?  One year my creepy brother-in-law bought me a blue negligee.  I felt dirty taking it out of the box and I never ever even considered wearing it..ewww

2.I have finished my quilt for my mom and am so happy to get that done.  I am more excited about her recieving this than any gift I have ever gave . I know she will appreciate the time and love that went into making it.

3.As some of you might remember my sister passed away 2 years ago this week.  We were never close and well anyone with a sibling close to the same age they know how to push your buttons.  Man she would make me angry.  I just never thought how much her death would effect me.

4.I love Christmas baking.  I make some special treats that I only every make this time of year.  My absolute favourites are shortbread cookies and nanaimo bars.

5.Today I am taking Nevada and a few of her friends ice-skating.  I love skating but hate tying up the skate laces.  Today I will have to tie 4 different pairs on before I get to do my own.  In my early years I speed-skated competitively.

6. While reading Stonegirls blog it made me remember when I was a bully in school.  If I could go back and apologize to Debby Melanson I totally would.  Debby if your out there I am so sorry and have no excuse for the hell I put you through. 

7.Advent Calenders,  my kids love those cheap little .99 things that you open a door everyday.  This year I am trying to sew  one to hang on the wall where you fill the little stockings with treats.  I guess it won't be don't to use this year.

8.Nevada's school is having a food drive.  Every day she has been taking stuff from the cupboard for the food-bank.  Today I will have to go grocery shopping she has given all our food away.

9.We have had the most mild of winter's so far with only one morning of a slight not hard frost.  That might change tomorrow as we have an arctic front coming down mixing with our wet air you know what that spells...

10.Had a great bit of news this past week.  Oldest son received a bursary from the government for his education.  Don't want to say the amount on here but it does have 4 zero's after the number.   I am happy that he has been recognized for his outstanding grades.

11.Back to the baking topic. Nevada wants to make a gingerbread village this weekend with people.  When am I going to find the time to do that? 

12.We don't have our Christmas tree up yet.  I did go buy a fresh cut one and its sitting in a bucket of water in the garage.  I love hanging the ornaments.  I have made most of them myself and have a few special ones from my childhood.  Of course all the ones the kids have made at school go on the tree too.  I am a traditional tree person.  Don't give me one of those artificial blue plastic crap trees with all matching balls and white lights  (phony)

13.Well I guess if you have read this far you deserve something special.  How about a glass of my home-made Kahlua?  It is far superior to anything you will buy in the store and about a third of the cost. 

stupid product or ingenious marketing ?

https://www.snuggie.ca


Check this out and then tell me. Is this not a housecoat worn backwards?  I had the biggest laugh watching this infomercial last night.  Could be I was punch drunk from tiredness waiting to pick up the big kid from work at 11.  Which he didn't get out till 12 and I sat and froze in the parking lot but that's an entirely different angry story.
  So here I sit this morning only half functioning and too many things to list to do today one of which is buy a hockey stick and start practicing.  I am in  a hockey-shoot out on Friday night.  20 shots 20 seconds.  I can win a 2 year lease on a HHR.   If I win on Friday I advance to the finals in March.  I am hoping that I am competing against elderly, unskilled people with no coordination that don't know what end is up on the stick...  I think I will forgo any liquid refreshments before hand so I am in top game form....
 

This made me laugh...

Something to think about ......

You know what would really PISS OFF the Democrats...

Bush should resign now.

Then Dick Cheney becomes President (that would really PISS OFF the liberals)!!!

Then he appoints Condoleeza Rice as VP.

Then Cheney resigns two weeks later and Condoleeza Rice, A Republican,
becomes the first BLACK President and the first WOMAN President !!!

this is not intended to anger or create a big debate I just found it funny...

thursday thirteen or not

Another week has past and once again we are here with Thursday's thoughts, things  and  confessions of a truly warped and convoluted mind.  OH what a tangled thought we weave when we practice to deceive.   Don't know why I just typed that but it just popped i my mind.

1.  Richard Simmons,  have you ever thought about him?  Is he really the person he portrays to the the public?  I wonder in private is he really 'sweating to the oldies'  or something more evil, more depraved with those old women who love him and worship him and maybe haven't had any you know what for you know how long???

2.I have been out of big green garbage bags for weeks.  I put them on my shopping list and still forget to pick them up.  What is with that?  What is keeping me from buying the bags?  I am thinking there must be a hidden meaning to this?

3.Went to the most awesome BC150 years celebration last night with the kids.  150 years ago yesterday our province was born and we went to the birthplace and enjoyed a night of free celebrations and entertainment.

4. Turkey what can I say,  I drove 30 miles to buy a .27 lb turkey from the states.  Here in Canada the cheapest a turkey will go on sale is .99 lb.  So now I am set for xmas.

5.The quilt........aww yes it appears I like to leave things to the last minute.  I am down to my last 3 blocks and still have to put the thing together. 

6.Facebook, whoever invented it sure has cut into my free time.  I get hooked on their senseless games and waste entirely to much time.  My current craze is Pet Society.

7.So as you know said eldest child failed his driven test last week.  So Monday we had to go back in and rewrite the learners.  $25 dollars later he is set for another 2 years of a class 'L'
In another week he can retake his roadtest at the cost of $35 and if he passes pay an additional I believe $50.  and have a class 'N' license.   They sure don't make it cheap on the young people.

8.While walking home this morning (after bringing nevy to school) not staying out all night.   A crow almost dropped a walnut on my head.  I wonder if he was wanting me to crack it open for him so I stepped on it.  I even kicked the stuff into the gutter so he wouldn't get hit by a car eating it.

9.Women problems,  it seems I am peri-menopausal.   I don't like that sound of that, it makes me sound old.  I don't want to be old,  I want to be young forever.

10.Cooking with pears.  For all you three blog readers of mine,  I highly recommend adding pears instead of oil for all your baking needs.  The pears add the moisture and you can cut back on the sugar too.

11.Survivor is on tonite and I am loving it.  Now if only they vote Randy off I will be on a total winning streak.

12.On a more somber note.  I have had three deaths this past week.  One a father of one of Kaikoa's friends died of cancer at the age of 44.  He was diagnose and dead within 5 days.  He leaves behind a wife and 3 kids.   Second an old boyfriend of a good friend of mine and someone hubby went to school with committed suicide.  He shot himself in front of another friend of mine.  I feel bad for Duke to have had to witness something like that.  He was 48, much young.  The third was a polar bear that I grew up with in a zoo.  Well I didn't grow up in the zoo but visited Debby for years.  She was put to rest at 42 years old which I heard is pretty long in polar bear years.

13. Well I guess I did make it to 13 shows that I can talk the talk and blog the blog.

cheerio my little chick-a-dees

Thursday Thirteen

Well you know the drill just an assortment of happenings and ponderings....

1.  It is unbelievably windy out right now.  The front door is shaking like there is someone banging on it.  November is our traditional month for storms.  Strange part is it is really warm out,  yesterday we tied the record for warmth at 14 C.  Just hoping we don't lose our power.

2.Today is 'World Kindness Day'   so for my part I am going to say you all look just great...

3.Said oldest son goes today for his road test.  Lets all cross everything we can that he passes.  PLEASE  PLEASE PLEASE PASS HIM

4.I still haven't done any sewing on the quilt.  I think I like to work under pressure.  At least I moved the sewing machine back on to the table.

5.Been looking for flights to Thailand in the new year and am pleasantly surprised how reasonable they are.

6.The windshield wipers quit working on the van last week then poof they started working again.  Not sure what to do,  definitely don't want that to happen again but don't want to pay for something that is working.

7.Been looking at Em's pictures and am getting inspired to change my vacation itinerary's to include more the hot white sandy beaches.

8.Nevada came home yesterday with the only perfect score in her class on her math test.  YOU GO GIRL.   two thumbs up for Nevy.

9.Harry's sciatic nerve is bothering him again.  He has been hobbling around the house groaning in pain.  I kind of want to shove a sock in his mouth so I don't have to listen.  I guess that doesn't go well with number 2.

10.My mom's husband failed his memory test at the doctor.  Now they might take his license.  I know that will be a big blow for him.  I know it isn't' safe for some elderly people to be driving but it must just feel awful for them to lose their Independence.

11.Survivor is on tonite.  I really like how this season is going.  Lots of twists and turns and everyone is voting the way I would like them to.

12.This past weekend Nevada and I went to a Christmas craft fair.  One lady for some reason was selling her old cookbooks and I managed to pick up 3 very old in awesome shape cookbooks.  I like them just to read. Best part is I only paid $7  for all three.  Anyone need a recipe for Babka's?

13.  Well here we are again at the end.  I hope I haven't wasted too much of your valuable time.  Remember be kind keep that in mind..

13.

Cleaning Nevy's room

Well it was that time again to do a major clean out of Nevada's room.  These bags are all the garbage she had hoarded in there, we even found an empty box of chocolates from last Xmas.  She had been stuffing and hiding things when I told her to clean her room so it appeared clean from a casual glance. 
 This second picture is the stuff we are giving away to the thrift store.  It is full of toys and stuffies.  We haven't even began yet on her clothes.
It was great de-cluttering.  I told her we needed to make room for all the new stuff she would get for Xmas.  She actually wanted to get rid of stuff that I would have preferred to keep.  She knew the story of everything and where she got it or who gave it to her.   We even moved her furniture around and it looks  much roomier.   I love getting big jobs like this done.

Happy Birthday Blog

Happy Birthday to Em for tomorrow.   I know a lot of you think she is fudging on the actual number of years she is celebrating.  But, I am here to assure you that she hasn't quite reached the big milestone yet!  So in honour of this most auspicious occasion I am holding a cy-ber birthday party.
I will be in charge of the Jello shots.  Everyone attending can bring what they like.  There will be free cab rides home after the party so no need to hold back.

Halloween is over

Ok I give up I am trying to place the pictures and it won't let me.  Now I have this stupid line I can 't get rid of.   Well I will let the pictures tell the tale.  We made cupcakes and a cake for an afternoon party then we went trick-or-treating.

Fall is here

I love the fall and the colour show that mother nature puts on for us. On  Sunday, Nevada and I went for a walk and looked for the most perfect tree of Autumn.  This is the one we voted for,  it's in a park by our house.  I remember that tree from way back before I even had kids.  We will wait a few more weeks till all the leaves are down then walk over there and make a big pile and jump in the leaves.  Last year I had Nevada and her friend bury themselves then I had to find them.  I could see parts of their clothing sticking up and could hear them giggling but pretended I couldn't find them.  I even made like I accidently stepped on them.  Thinking back on that day it still brings a smile from ear to ear. 
Which brings me to the subject of paying for good times.  Memories don't have to be made with fancy toys or trips to the mall.  I think the small and simple times spent together far outweigh the big splashy showings.   All the time I hear people saying its quality time while they are working full time and only seeing their kids while they tuck them into bed.  Well hello who is raising your kids and why did you have them?  I know plenty of parents if they cut back on their fancy toys,  huge houses and new vehicles every other year could stay home with their kids more and enjoy the too few years  with them.  I don't think they realize that their time is limited.  Your children will only be young once so you better enjoy the few years you get.
Well I babbled long enough,  the timer just went off on the dryer so I am off to do my job lol

Back from Vegas

What can I say?   The weather was perfect, sunny and not too hot.  The drinks were plentiful and I didn't lose any money.  I didn't win any money but breaking even is just fine in my book.  The first night we didn't get into our room till past midnight.  We quickly washed up a bit and hit the casino.   The drinks were coming fast and furious and I was doing my best to keep the cocktail waitress happy....  Around 4:30am I just had to crash.  (this is about 8 hours past my usual bedtime)

The next morning we were up by 7:30am and were in need of some food to soak up the alcohol residue.  We had free buffet coupons so we loaded up on greasy eggs and bacon.  Actually it was a  very good buffet.  We played a bit more slots then I tried to go shopping at the outlet mall.   I was just too tired to look.  The prices were unbelievable,  45-75% off.   You can tell the economy is hurting bad.  So we headed back to the hotel and changed for the pool.
Of course one can't sit by a pool without some refreshing beverages......

So pretty much we followed the same sort of itinerary most of the time.   We never stayed up as late as the first night though.   I am still so tired I could sleep for days.   My favourite sign is Vegas is "Stay and play you can sleep when you get home"   Except I can't sleep cause I have a zillion loads of laundry and tons of crap to catch up on.

The kids enjoyed their time with their Aunt and the house ran smoothly.   I wish I had booked us away longer. At least the weather is sunny here even though its about 20 degrees colder.

Today is the day

it is finally here...  We leave in about 4 more hours to the airport.   I am so excited I don't know what to do.  I have been chugging coffee all morning and am going to switch to Diet Coke after lunch.  That was I will be so high on caffeine I will be able to stay up late tonight.   Our flight doesn't get into Vegas till 10pm  which is about 2 hours past my normal bedtime.  I have the whole trip planned out.  Stay up all night and gamble and party, and sleep all day by the pool being careful to rotate and get evenly tanned.

Oh funny story,  I made a bum on a bike drop his beer.  I was driving through a green light in town when a cyclist tried to cut me off.  I remember this loser from when I worked at Safeway so I didn't brake.  He had to hit his brakes on his bike and lost his grip on his giant can of beer.  It fell in the middle of the intersection.  I watched him (through my rear view mirror) park his bike and dart between traffic and retrieve it.  I laughed all the way to picking Harrison up from work.  I know I am mean but it was funny.

thursday thirteen

I find myself with nothing to say at times and then poof wondrous thoughts enter my head.  The week has been a busy one of driving and planning and not packing yet. So here goes just random randomness of things.

1. Nevada has been training for cross-country.  Yesterday was her second race.  She did awesome and I was so proud of her.  She finished in the top 1/3 rd of the pack.  There must have been over 100 girls. I am so proud of her as the race is pretty long and she joined knowing she had no chance of winning but just for the fun of participating  For years she couldn't run at all without suffering from asthma.

2.email from Kaikoa's English teacher, he made two spelling errors, can you find them?

Hi Carol,

Thanks for the e-mail, Kaikoa has been doing really well and has been on top of everything so far this year. He is being responsible and respectful in class and most of all has communicated with me when having trouble on a project. He is currently at 90% and a "G" for effort. Please congradulate him to reiniforce his great work ethic

Peter Hay

3.Oldest child has a new g/f and she is so friendly and nice.  I don't know how we put up with that other you know what for 2 years...good riddance.

4.I am so stoked about Vegas.  Four more sleeps and we are out of here.  The trip cost is so incidental that I will have lots of money to shop and gamble with.  The weather there is still in the 80's so nothing could be more perfect.

5.I found a beautiful walnut tree in a park by our house.  The weather here has been sunny and dry so I've been adding a little nut picking to my walk.  Funny how I have only met elderly people in the park filling up on the free walnuts.  We have long conversations and they seem happy to have someone to chat with.

6.The quilt is going along smoothly now.  I have 12 of the 24 blocks put together and the colours look great.  I made two wrong seams and had to pick them apart.  I kind of knew while I was sewing it didn't look right.  Should have stopped and double checked.

7.Canadian election, what can I say except what a colossal waste of money.  Same government got in with the same minority government and voter turnout was the worst in history.    We need a set election date like the states every 4 years and stick with it.

8.The turkey dinner turned out delicious.  All week I've been using the leftover turkey to make dinner.  I used the last of the fix-ins last night.  Just as well if I served turkey one more time I think I would have to move.

9.I am taking the boys and some of their friends tonite to a Haunted House attraction.
http://www.reapers.ca/

10.Last Thursday we went to a corn maze.  We were lost  for-ever and came across a bridge.  At the top of the bridge you could just see over the corn and place yourself.  I didn't realize how big the field was.  As far as the eye could see was the maze of corn.  I led the group out by keeping the moon on my front left.

11.The gas prices in our area have come steadily down.  Yesterday the price was 1.12 a litre.  In the summer I payed as high as 1.44.  They still announced on the news that home heating was still going to be high as they purchased in the summer....

12.Harry still hasn't caught a salmon.  Yesterday a fellow fisherman must have felt sorry for him and gave him a pity-fish.  That's a fish that you give to someone that doesn't catch any.  Its the worst sort of insult and you get lots of teasing.  (at least I have a fish in the freezer)

13. Aww what a magical number.  I've been practicing up my craps skill on line and even lose all my pretend money.  I hope this isn't an omen of things to come...

quilting progress

top 3 rows of blocks not sewn together yet...

Dear Carol....

Dear Carol:

I _____ you. You have a nice _____. You make me ____.

You should _______. Someday I will _____. You + me = ______.

We should __________.

If I saw you now I'd _______. I would build a _______ just for you.

If I could sing you any song it  would be _________.

If I could I'd give you anything it would be ___________.

We could __________ under the stars.


Love,
_______________

(P.S. ______________.)


REPOST THIS "DEAR (YOUR NAME)" AND SEE WHAT ANSWERS YOU GET... this is lots of fun!! You can really make someone's day. Or you could just make them laugh really hard. Whatever. You can put more than one word in the lines.

Turkey Stuffing

Description:
This recipe is from Romania. I love it as much as the traditional bread stuffing. To please everyone I stuff one end of the turkey with the bread stuffing and the other end with this one.

Ingredients:
 
1/2 cup Basmati rice

1 lb sausage 

1 chopped onion

3 stalks chopped celery

sage

poultry seasoning

salt and pepper

one large carrot grated

a little over 1/2 cup of slivered almonds

one raw egg
 



Directions:
Cook the rice as per instructions. Fry up sausage and drain really really good. Add onions, celery and spices. Remove from heat and add the grated carrot, almonds, rice and raw egg, in that order.
then stuff it babe....

Turkey Brine

Description:
This will make the most incredibly moist and tender turkey even out of a really old tough bird that has lived in the freezer since you can't remember.

Ingredients:
Measure out coarse salt on a 1:16 ratio:

In other words, 1 cup of salt for every 16 cups (4 litres) of water.


Directions:
Soak turkey overnight in the salt water mixture.
Drain and rinse before stuffing and cooking.

I usually put a frozen bird in the kitchen sink with the brine and soak it overnight. As it un thaws I grab it's guts out so the inside gets marinated too.

Em is the smartest person in the world.

She turned me on to the most fantastic site on the world wide web.  What is it called you ask?

www.fatwallet.com

I can't believe I have never looked on there before.  The savings and the deals are incredible.  How could I have survived without it.  One question though,  why did Em not tell me about this place sooner?  Was she hogging all the good deals for herself?  enquiring minds want to know and all that.......

thanks Em I will repay you with Ham....

Orange-Pumpkin Graham Pie

Ingredients:
Crust:
1 1/3 cups Graham cracker crumbs 325 ml
1/3 cup ground almonds, toasted 75 ml
2 tbsp granulated sugar 25 ml
1/4 tsp grated orange rind 1 ml
1/3 cup butter melted


Filling:
2 pkg (each 106 g) vanilla instant pudding mix
1 can (385ml) evaporated milk
1 pkg (125gr) cream cheese softened
1 can (14oz/398ml) pumpkin puree
1 tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 15 ml
1/2 tsp vanilla 2 ml
1/4 tsp each grated orange rind and ground cinnamon 1ml



Directions:
crust:

combine all ingredients and press into and up the sides of a 9 inch (23cm) pie plate. Bake in 350F (180C) for 6-8 minutes or until set. cool

filling:
In a bowl beat pudding mix with the evaporated milk about 1-2 minutes beat in cream cheese until well blended and smooth. Gradually beat in the remaining ingredients and pour into cooked crust. Freeze overnight or for 7-8 hours until firm.
Remove from freezer at least a half an hour before serving.
this pie freezes very well and I usually make it well ahead of when I want to serve it.

started cutting the material

and now I am not happy with my colour choices.  I'm not sure if its just me or did I just pick the wrong colours to go together.  For the pattern I can go with the same eight colours to make up the pinwheel or just randomly throw different ones together.  I am going to make the background part all one colour.  the solid green on the bottom right is going to be the background.

http://www.quilterscache.com/P/Pinwheel8Block.html

this is the block I am attempting to make...

Any ideas will be helpfull...




Ok I think I decided on this one.

Cranberry Jello

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 small package lemon Jell-O
1 cup ground cranberries
1 orange peel and juice
1 cup or less of sugar (I always use less because I like it a bit more tart)
1/2 cup walnuts (or more if you like)




Directions:
Boil the water. Pour over Jell-O and add sugar. Stir until dissolved.
Add remaining ingredients and refrigerate for several hours, or overnight.

Thursday Thirteen

Well that week sure went fast.  Seems like it was just a week ago and it was Thursday. Read on folks I got a lot to say...j/k

1.I AM GOING TO VEGAS.   Yep, you read that right.  I wrangled the sister-in-law to come and be a taxi for the kids and Hairball and I are heading for sin city.  I love the heat, the people, the gambling, the buildings, the everything that Vegas has to offer.   Viva Las Vegas.

2.I volunteered at Nevada's school to help with a reading program.  Now I found out it is only for the slow readers and they don't have a program for the excellerated readers.  I don't want to help anymore.  I thought I would get to be with Nevada too.    This angers me as well.  Why is the focus always on the lower end of the curve.  Why isn't there anything for the brighter children to strive higher towards.   I could go on forever on this one...

3.They think they found Steve Fosset stuff.  Will the hiker get a reward?  I wonder how much it will be?

4.The elections...I know I said I wouldn't talk about it, so I won't.  Still angry after writing number 2.

5.Thursday is my major driving night. I hate it hate it hate it 
   2:20 pick nevy up from school,
   4:30 ish pick Kaikoa up from Volleyball,
   6:00 pick Harrison up from school,
   6:30 drive Nevada to kids club,
   7:00 drive Kaikoa to youth,
   8:00 pick up Nevada from kids club
   9:30 ish pick up kaikoa from youth.

6.  Survivor is on tonight.  Luckily we have satellite I can time it to watch the whole show in various increments with out missing parts.  I wish they would let Canadians try out.  who wouldn't want to get paid a million dollars for losing weight....

7.  Eldest son now has a new g/f.  Very nice girl, very nice family..but alas neither drive and she lives the farthest away from us in our city without actually living in a different city. more driving refer to #5

8.  Our neighbors  cat  has been coming on our deck and spraying.  Not sure how to stop the critter.  I love cats and don't want to hurt it.  Maybe I should drag the neighbor over and rub his nose in it....

9.  Still haven't starting cutting the material yet.  I did take the mat and the ruler out.  Sorry teacher Lisa but the weather has just been too nice and the cat ate my homework....

10.The hockey fanatics are back in full swing.  There are these hockey mom's at the school that are just gaga over the Canucks  that's all they talk about. They go on and on and on and on. Shut up I say who cares about the Canucks.  I am happy when they lose (evil laughter)  last part I am just thinking...

11.Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October.  This means it's just over a week away.  I love cooking the turkey dinner with all the fixing's.  I make the most kick-ass pumpkin pie you will ever taste.  Anyone interested in the recipe I can post it or send it email.

12. Back to number 1.   I want to stay at a nicer place in Vegas but don't want to have to walk a mile to get to the pool. anyone have any place they can recommend I am all ears.

13. I am done and its my turn for the shower. 

Viva La Crocs

Crocs they're taking over the world.  People love them or people hate them.  I think the people that don't like them have never actually worn a pair.  The two woman on the right are my newest converts.  Both had never owned a pair and talked derogatory about mine so guess what I did?   I bought them both a pair and made them wear them.   hahaha (insert evil laughter here)   I think if everyone wore Crocs the world would be a happier place.  Just picture everyone walking around looking like clown feet.   Everyone smiles when they see a clown.  People would be more cheerful.  Everyone is nicer to someone that is wearing the same thing as them.  Works like waving to someone that has the same hot car you do. Or people on motorbikes give each other the nod.   What's say we start a world wide croc movement.  End the war, wear crocs.  There is even a solution for the snowy parts of the world.  Fur lined crocs.  I kid you not they sell fur lined crocs and rubber boot crocs.   GO CROCS GO

thursday thirteen

Helter Skelter thoughts from the corner's of my mind...

1.I watched that show 'Helter Skelter' when I was quite young and was really freaked.  I thought Charles Manson was going to come hypnotize me and kill me or something.  Many a sleepless nights followed.

2.Observation of #1  why would my parents let me watch such a show at such a young age?  What were they thinking?

3.Two bad things have happened to me already today.  I woke up with a kink in my neck and I lost my Firefox browser.  Waiting for #3 to hit.

4.Were down to a very small slice of Black Forrest cake and not sure about the icecream cake but it might have been eaten while I was sleeping. 

5.Yesterday I was pricing flights to Bangkok and found a $540 rt flight but couldn't make the dates work.  I hate when that happens.

6.I have been having entirely too much fun on Amber's pringle blog. I'm giggling here just thinking about it.

7.When people put a 'click here' button to go somewhere I am always reluctant to click.  I want to see the URL  before I go clicking willy nilly.

8.Still haven't started cutting up the material but at least have the pattern thought through and know what I am going to do.  thanks lisa you are such a good teacher :)

9.Watched and excellent show last night on how they built the Roman Colosseum was thinking of Em and how I wish I was tagging along with her.  There are just so many places I want to see in the world.  I wish I had a bottomless bank account.

10.The fall foliage is just beginning here and is putting on quite the show.  I love the colours of autumn.  That is one of the things I missed the most when I was living in tropical places.

11.I'm starting to draw a blank her on the 13.  I was on a roll earlier then stopped to chat with my mom.  Her birthday was yesterday.  Luckily she lives out of town so I didn't need to eat anymore cake.  I love my mom :)

12.Still not to do about the estranged sister mentioned in the other blog.  We have never been close even as children.  As we got older she was always mean to me and I refer to her as the mean bitchy one.  Does it really matter if we don't see our siblings?  I am really in a quandary, am I a bad person if I don't care never to see her again,  or will I end up regretting it.  I usually am not this in-decisive.

13.Yeah I made it to the end.  Sorry to bore you all.  One more sleep and its the weekend.

Birthday Boys

Been a busy, busy bee this week with both our boys birthday's back to back.  My mom's birthday is today and my best friends bd is on Friday.   I don't think I can look at another piece of cake.  I think I put on a few pounds too.  
Kaikoa was 14 on Monday.  He had 7-14 yr old boys over and man were they noisy.  They all loved to sing and sing loud. They were playing  Guitar Hero which was a good thing cause at least I loved what they were singing.   4 large pizza's,  nacho's and dip,  meat, cheese, pickle and cracker tray,  too many bags of chips to count, 4 -2 litre bottles of soda and a large icecream cake later the house was still.  But no, there was no rest for the wicked...I had to wait up till 11 to pick Harrison up from work.
Harrison was 18 on Tuesday.  We picked him up from school and all went out for a nice family dinner. (loved the no cooking part).  The restaurant was fabulous and the food was to die for.  The waitress's sang happy birthday to the boys and gave them each an individual cake.  Oma had made a Black Forrest Cake for Harrison but we were too full to eat it when we got home.
So that in a nutshell is the past two days.

coloured jeans

Nothing says 80's like coloured jeans.  This is a picture of my stagette.  It was taken in the early 80's.   I was looking for some important papers today and came across the old photo album and had a trip down memory lane.   Can you guess which one is me?   25 years later I still see on a regular basis 5 of these lovely ladies. 
The one front far left is my estranged sister.  That is a blog in itself and something I really should do something about.
I will leave you with a lovely song...'Memory's like the corner of my mind....Memory's to painful to remember that we chose not to forget"   Ok  now I want everyone to sing along with Barbara....

Thursday thirteen

random things and possibly repeats of previous blogs.   I don't know how people remember what they blogged before.  My short term memory sucks and I keep forgetting to get it checked.

1.Last night before bed I asked the kids if they needed anything signed for school the next day.  No was the resounding answer.  Well Nevada comes to me while I'm reading in bed and needs her planner signed.   This morning Kaikoa needs a note to hand an assignment in late.  So on Kaikoa's note I write "Kaikoa sucks" and sign it.  He takes it away and is just about to put it in his backpack when he reads it...lmao  I wrote him a new note.

2.Our oldest turns 18 on Tuesday.  I'm not sure if its the maturity thing but we sure are getting along better then we ever have.  We have always had a good rapport, but now we seem to communicate more.  He does a little of TMI though...

3.All week I have been canning and freezing fruit.  My hands look like crap and my fingers are all stained.  I usually soak them in Real-lemon to get the stains out.  Unfortunately none of the stores here have any.  Apparently a crop freeze last winter took all the lemons.

4.Today is the first cloudy day we have had since school started.

5.I started reading the most awesome book last night.  It's hard to believe I took it out of an elementary school library.

6.Hairball and his friend Fatso went fishing the other day and caught a salmon.  This is the first fish they caught this year so they divided it up.  The freezer is sadly empty.

7.My winter clothes are fitting alot looser then last year.  Yeah two thumbs up.

8.No plans of yet for any winter escapes to warm tropical places.

9.Tonite I meet the teachers at Kaikoa's school.  They usually serve thick warmish coffee and store bought cookies.  I say if they want higher attendance make good coffee and let the home-ec class cook up some tasty treats.

10.Still have all the material sitting in the closet waiting to be cut up for the quilt.  I have found a pattern and really should get on the project.

11.Been wishfully thinking I had been able to go to Vegas and meet up with Amber and Lisa.  I know I could have shown them how to drink all day at the pool and carry on into the night after.  'Party on dude's excellent'....

12.Harrison and I saw a lady must have been in her 70's wearing a tube top downtown. EWW there is something very wrong with that.  Although she wasn't as saggy as I would have been.  Maybe duct-tape who knows?

13.Well here we are at the end.  Happy weekend or whatever.  I have driving to do tonite and tomorrow nite so won't start the festivities till Saturday.

Blogging 101

Blogging for beginners.  Is there such a course and where could one sign up?  I often wonder how one comes about in the blogging business.  I was introduced by Em who invited me to read her blog. I am not sure if I would have come across the avenue of self expression on my own.  With so many social networking sites out there I find this one reveals a little more of ones personal self.  I think I enjoy this site more then the others. I'm not saying I don't mind on occasion playing the mindless quizzes of Facebook comparing my answers with friends.  And of course we can't even talk about Packrat I am on day three of the 12 step program.  I'm not sure what I am saying here maybe just that I am glad I found all you people on here and have had a glimpse into your lives.

I love canning

every aspect of it.  I like picking growing buying deciding everything about all the steps.  I think I should have been a pioneer.  Today everyone of my jars sealed the first time around.  For those that do canning you know this a  good thing.   Now I can just sit and smile at my jars on the table   Oh, in case you didn't know its Antipasto.

 

week in a nutshell

Well I survived the first week of school.  It actually went quite well and I even got to go on a fieldtrip to a historic site I have always wanted to visit.  The weather was mild and we didn't get torrential rain we often get the first week of school.

As we didnt' return from the Bahamas well into May.  Kaikoa was late choosing his classes for the current year.  The plum class for the whole school is jounalism.  We didn't think he would get in and were both pleasantly surprised he was chosen. 

Another positive things was Friday I was scheduled for a root-canal.  Well I was sitting in the chair getting drilled when the dentist say's  'it doesn't look as bad as we thought'  I ended up getting the tooth filled and saving about $800.  (no dental insurance).

All in all a very positive week.  Today we are going to a Fun Fair held at a local church.  Free food, games, free everything.  What more could you want.  (well maybe free cocktails)  but I can have one of those when I get home.

 

careless_04 > quilt

Thursday Thirteen

Well here I sit the last Thursday of the summer.  On some accounts it feels as though we did alot these past two months but in other ways we never did do all our usual summer activities.  so today is about missed activities and achieved activites, tossed in with some random thoughts or happenings  in no apparent order.

1.  We did our annual camping trip to Hicks Lake and had wonderful weather.  I didn't even mind sleeping in a tent this time.  It's amazing what a 6 inch air matress can do for comfort.  Don't even let your dirty minds go there the minute I mention 6 inch.

2. I guess the waterslides weren't in the cards this year as we didn't make it to them.  They close for the season on Monday and with the current cold rain we are having it doesn't look like its going to happen.

3. Went to the states shopping and camping and golfing.  Oh yeah! that was a great trip.  I was born and raised in Canada but for some reason feel like the USA is more my home.

4. We are less then 20 minutes from Cultus Lake.  I have gone to this lake every single year since I have lived in BC.  Alas I haven't made it up there once yet this year.  Next sunny day I am going to  make a point of going and hiking Teapot Hill then going for a swim in the lake. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/cultus_lk/

5.Last Saturday I took Kaikoa and Nevada for a casting call for the Disney Channel.  No call back yet so you wont see me as the bad mommy on the cover of the enquirer yet.

6.Hairball's mom had a knee replacement surgery at the beginning of summer so I've been driving her for her physio twice a week.  Today is the last one.  I enjoyed driving her and helping her with her shopping.  She is a very easy person to be around and it makes me feel good to help her.  She didn't ask her own daughter who she felt wasn't very reliable.

7.I came to realize these past few months that you can't help someone that doesn't want to be helped.  I have been stressing myself and making myself unhappy trying to deal with someone that I'm pretty sure is dealing with depression.  I guess I just realize that I can't fix everything.

8.We went to Playland a few weeks ago and I know now that I am never going to go on another ride except at Disneyland.  I have tried the odd ride here or there over the past years and absolutely hate them.  This year I went on that swing one where you sit in a chair attached by chains.  That even made me sick and scared me.  I am not putting myself through that again.

9. I was messing with the kids minds again,  boy I like doing that...  I told them the new toilet paper usage rule for the house was everyone gets a roll each a week and if they use it up they have to purchase more.  They really believed me and I killed myself laughing when I told them the truth.

10.All my exercise and eating healthy has paid off in a big way.  I am in the best shape I have been for years.  Who would know?

11.I'm kind of excited that the kids are going back to school.  I like the quiet time during the day where I can just do what I want.  I am planning on starting the quilt from the pattern Lisa did.

12.The worst thing about school is having to make lunches everyday.  I try to put healthy things in but sometimes its just easier and quicker to throw in a pudding or a bag of chips.  The worst year ever was when Kaikoa had a kid with a peanut allergy in his class and he wasn't allowed to bring PB and J to school.  Got to love peanut butter its natures best treat.

13.  Well looky here I didn't think I would make it to 13 and I still have alot of useless thoughts and rambling to put down here. Happy Labour Day Long Weekend to everyone.

music through the years

Em's blog the other day got me thinking of the various songs I have listened and loved through the years.   I remember the first album I ever bought was  Heart- Dreamboat Annie.  I played that song over and over and over again on my parents stereo,  big giant wood cabinet the size of a small boat.  I can still hear the scratchy sound of the needle going around.  I must say my taste had taken a step upwards from me and my sis singing Donny Osmonds 'Puppy Love' at the top of our lungs.  How the young heart really feelllllllls and why I love her so.....Another memorable album I love was The Knack get the knack.  My sharona duda duda dud da my sharona....  Ok you probably didn't want to hear me sing that.  I have the worst voice in Canada possibly North America.   Did you know for years I thought the song 'Feelings- Morris Albert was actually saying Felix.  I sang the wrong word for about 5 years. ( nobody corrected me)  right now I am listening to Queen.  I could listen to them all day and would gladly support an all Queen radio station. 

 Ok back to my lack of singing talent it still doesn't keep me from belting out the tunes. One time on a bus tour to Chicken pizza  (chi-chen itza)  we  met up with the most partying fun people you could ever meet.  The bus driver was supplementing his income by selling ice cold cerveza's for a buck a bottle.  Well me Hairball and all the people on the back of the bus proceeded to drink every bottle he had (he stopped and bought more)  then sang every song from every situational comedy and cartoon that we had listened to growing up in the 70"s.  We even sang the learning songs they played on saturday morning cartoons.  conjunction junction what's your function?  hooking up words and phrase.....  I am only a bill sitting here on capital hill.   fun times man..

 

WTF?

happened to my new socks.  I just took them out of the dryer. As you can see the bottom sock is not a fit meant for human adornment.  I just  bought these new socks last week,   The top sock is there for size comparison.  Maybe if I sew the two socks together I can get them to fit over one foot. Not the old sock and new sock but two of the new socks.  I bought a pack of six, that is six pairs not 6 socks.  So that would be 12 single socks all together.

Well enough of that,  today it is raining and I am bored.  I went blackberry picking this morning and filled two ice-cream buckets in just over an hour.  Now I am thinking what to do with them.  I still have blackberries from last year and the year before in the freezer. 

What else can I bore you with.  Last night there was a full moon and the sky was clear.  Small wispy clouds passed over the moon and Harrison and I made comments what the moon looked like.  I guess we were bored too.   Well enough of this boring talk.  I think I will go and clean the cutlery drawer.  Maybe even wash out the crisper's....

We have medals and the lake was great

Well it took over a week but the Canadians finally won some medals.  We got three in one day,  one of each colour.  Not quite as exciting as Micheal Phelps swimming to his 7th gold, that guy is awesomeness personified.  Well enough of that Olympic talk...

The lake was just as great as always.  It never fails to amaze me how I live so close to such a pristine, beautiful place.  Just over a 45 minute drive, not even through city traffic but in the country and over a river and around a bigger lake I am in one of my favourite places on earth.  I find the people at Hicks a different sort that frequent the beaches and lakes around here.  They take a little more care with their garbage, don't crank their music up disturbing others and just generally are more friendly and considerate. 

Whenever the kids and I go anywhere outdoors we generally bring a bag with us and pick up trash and empties.  Yesterday we were hard pressed to bring anything home.  Harrison found a beer bottle deep in the lake while snorkeling and I found one tucked in a rock by shore.  There was no garbage anywhere.  Not a chip bag, candy wrapper, cigarette carton nothing.

I have to tell you something rather funny and all part of Carol-ing.   In recent years our Provincial bloodsucking government has found another way to tax and take money out of our pockets.  It's to pay to park at our provincial parks.  I figure I pay enough taxes every year and a portion goes for these facilities,  coupled with the fact that taking the family to the lake was the last free family outing a person can do I refuse to pay to park.  So when ever I park I write a note and put it on my windshield stating the parking meter wouldn't take my credit card. It gives me a good feeling that I am in some way fighting the establishment.  I haven't had a ticket yet.

Today is supposed to be another scorcher,  I bet get some more wobblies in the fridge chilling.  Happy 3rd last weekend till school starts.

summer fun

 

When the weather co-operates there is just so much to do.  I love being outdoors and partaking in all that the season has to offer.  I feel guilty if I am indoors.  In the morning I rush to get all my chores done and supper planned for the evening.  I don't want to take any precious time away from being outside.  As a kid I remember leaving the house in the morning and not returning till dusk, except for the call of nature or hunger pains.  Even the hunger could be abated with a quick trip up a neighbors fruit tree or a visit into an unsuspecting gardener's paradise.

So here I sit indoors on a spectacular day writing a blog to please the masses.  J/K  I actually came in to take a break and sit in a comfy chair.

Nevada and I have been enjoying the Olympics.  Sadly no medals have been won by the Canadians.  I guess we can always hope for a doping scandal and then we will be bumped up to medal position.  Part of the reason our athletes don't place is they don't receive much government sponsorship.  They have to work jobs to pay for their training and can't put the time in that other athletes do.

We are heading back up to Hicks Lake on Friday.  Not to go camping as all the sites are booked but just to enjoy the day.

hair day

 

Well as you can probably see, Nevada and I went to get our hair done today.  So, there were thoughts on the way in of massive cutting and possibly bangs. So when we get there a complete change of mind.  So as you can see the wee one didn't really get much of a cut.  So I say to her, next time just let me do the trim and save the $$$.  So I am really happy with my cut.  This lady does just a great job and the price is the best price in town, for a professional salon.  So when we get there the dog Russel just loves Nevada and follows her everywhere.  So I was glad I took the camera with for something different.  So I guess I better go, so I can get ready to go to Party in the Park.  So long.....eh, ya hosers

rainy day fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday was a rainy day.  I was reminded of the dr. Seuss book "the Cat in the Hat'  when our mother went out of the house for the day.....  Well if you read the book you know the kids got bored, let in a cat and the rest is history.  Well I wasn't out of the house for the day but it was raining and I was looking for something fun for Nevada and her friend.  A couple weeks ago I had picked up this free craft booklet at a garage sale.  I love old magazines and books and the cover on this one I absolutely loved.  Well yesterday we decided to give a go at making the choker on the front cover.  the pattern was way harder then anything I had done in the 70's  I think that is.  Parts of that history are a blur if you know what I mean.  Well the end results I though were pretty good.

On an earlier note, earlier in the day that is...I went for my yearly mamogram.  Just inserting that so everyone remembers to have their's done.  It's not something to just ignore....

chow baby's

frugality gone on too long

 

I'm not sure that frugality is even a word.  But if it isn't I hear-by declare it one of Carol-ism's.   Most of you have probably heard of how frugal I can be.  Not to be mistaken with cheapness as I think of cheapness as stingy and mean.  I have been known to save and bargain with the best of them.  In my mind why would you pay more for something you can get for less.  Half the fun is in the thrill of the chase.  Sometimes being frugal is taken too far.  Check out my poor barbeque and brush.   Poor little things have been putting in double time for over 5 years.  We even grill in the winter here when the weather is nice.  I can even grill a mean pizza on that sucker.  Well the other day I was looking at the said equipment with a fresh eye and realized that is one ugly sucking eyesore.  In fact a couple weeks ago I had the burgers keeping warm on the top rack when the lid fell back and dumped the little guys with melted cheese into the lid.  Yesterday they had a sale on brushes at the liquidation store  so I bought not just one but two.  Yes I did,  I actually splurged and paid 2 bucks instead of 1.  Well it came to 2.26 with the tax.  I figure that covers brushes for the next 10 years based on the life span of the previous one.   Next step for me is a new grill.  Gasp! yep that's right I think I am due for a new  barbeque (notice that rhymed).   I will however wait till the end of summer when they go on sale.  I might be in a spendy mood but I'm not crazy.

Highway to Hell

love that song.  Started to sing it this morning to get "deep in the heart of Texas'  off my mind from Stonegirl's blog.   Now I am crossing the lyrics...thinking of driving into Texas very fast with AC/DC blasting in the background.

Tonite's the big night for Nevada.  Last night she woke with a tummy ache, I think the pressure is getting to her.  Maybe I shouldn't have her practicing 8 hours a day.  With only tiny breaks for sips of water and finger exercises.  Kids these days have no work ethic. 

Last shift of the early morning drive.  I like being up when the rest of the world sleeps its so peaceful and quiet.  Did you know birds start chirping when it is still dark out? I think they are trying to find each other in the dark.  Hey honey chirp chirp where are you chirp chirp.  I think I heard a worm over by the plum tree chirp chirp.  Make sure you clean the nest before you leave chirp chirp. Watch out for the cat chirp chirp....

Ok, enough of that nonsense. On to the more serious issue of my coffee maker is dripping much too slow.  I did the vinegar thing over and over and it still takes an eternity to finish dripping.  Is there a life span on coffeemakers?  This one is about 2 1/2 years old.  Do they make a high speed coffee dripper?

Well must get dressed, don't want to drive the prince to work in my jammies.  Happy Weekend to all.

Thursday thirteen

questions, thoughts, various observations.

1. Do you go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink? 

In the past I wouldn't go to bed unless the kitchen was spotless.  Now, usually I am the first to bed and everyone eats more snacks and I wake up to a sink full of dishes.

2.Have you ever brushed your teeth in the shower?

I tried it once and somehow felt my teeth weren't quite so clean.  I actually walk around the house when I am brushing my teeth.

3.How many people live in your household?

There are 5 of us.

4.Why is it when you have to wake up early the next morning you just can't get to sleep the night before.  You lay there and think and think.  I always check and recheck the alarm.

5.Guess what?  I cleaned the fish tank the other day and didn't kill the fish.  Nevada came into the kitchen and seen the tank in the sink and said "what did you do"?  I let the tank sit a couple days before putting the fish back in.  For some strange reason in the mean time the bulb had to be replaced on the light.

6.Our summer nights have been really cool here.  It's kind of nice having the warm sunny days and cooler nights makes for a much better sleep.

7. Two posts on sleeping, must be because I am tired.  This morning I dumped the grounds in the garbage and the filter in the compost.

8.Next week I go for my yearly mammogram.  Thought I would post this as a reminder to everyone not to neglect this very important thing.  I know its not the most pleasant experience but the alternative is I'm sure alot worse.  We have free mamo's here in Canada, so there is no excuse.

9.Tomorrow night is the finale for the Guitar Hero III contest.  Nevada hasn't been practicing too much and I don't want to push her.  They still haven't posted the video on line so I'm not sure what's up with that.

10.I'm trying to think up a new yard project that will work on tightening my abs.  I swear by yard work for exercise.

11.We have a liquidation store here in town that had Gekkos (crok knockoffs) for $2.99 a pair.  I went down there and bought everyone a few pairs. These shoes are so comfortable.  I don't normally wear them in public, but the other day went to the grocery store and looked down and gasp I had a pair on.  Lucky they were the olive green pair and not the fluorescent blue ones.  Tell the truth do you own crocs and do you wear them in public?

12.  Still dealing with the problem I mentioned a few posts ago.  I didn't actually say what the problem is but it's still there.  It's putting alot of stress in my life. sigh

13.One more day til the weekend.  I'm lucky that everyday is a weekend for me but at least I won't have to get up at 5:30 to drive oldest son to work.  Next week his shift is changed and he doesn't get off till 11PM which is hours past my bedtime.  I think I will relegate that pick-up to the hairball.

 

getting buff

 

I have been doing alot of heavy yard work these past few weeks and I must say my arms are getting very toned.  In fact I can even feel a muscle there.  All this working out has me thinking about the use of exercise equipment.  I have always done a few weights and worked out moderately mostly doing cardio workouts with fast walking and stuff.  Well nothing has toned as well as good old fashioned shoveling and digging.  I have a great idea for a new gym.  The people pay you to join and then you make them do yard work for other people.  Those people would be paying you also.  You would double end the income and everyone would be happy.  So what do you think?

friends, friends and internet friends

 I myself am quite a friend collector.  Once I get you into my web I tend to keep in touch and try not to let you go.  I still wonder and ponder about long lost acquaintances from the past.  Hoping their lives and dreams have followed the path of their desire.  I try to keep in touch with all of my past friends and acquaintances.  For some strange reason I have a real memory for someones birth-date.  Tell me once and it sticks in my mind.  I might not see or hear from you for years but on that date I will have a feeling and rack my brain why the date rings a bell.  I find the hardest part about internet friends is if they disappear you have no way of knowing what has happened.  I think of myself as a friendly person.  Every once in awhile I do meet someone that I find doesn't warm to me and I think what did I do wrong? why don't they like me?  I don't find myself lacking in self esteem but wonder what I am that doesn't appeal to them.

Question for anyone that chooses to answer:

do you find it easier to talk with people when your online and not face to face?

what do you think of people that you don't hit it off with?

I'm back

 

 

and feeling much better.  I think getting away was just what the doctor ordered.  The weather was fantastic and we had a great time.  One night we sat around the fire and had a laughing contest.  Everyone had to laugh as loud as they could and change their laugh.  You have to try this sometime.  The laughter is so contagious pretty soon everyone is laughing so hard you get tears in your eyes.  My guts even hurt from laughing so much.  We went for lots of hikes and did alot of swimming.  I didn't even mind sleeping in the tent this time as I had about a 6 inch thick airmattress.   Just me and two gf's and the kids came so I think it was much more relaxin then normal.