Scribbles

Taking A Blog Break

2012-02-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

It looks like this little blog will serve as your navigation page to Gina and Laura's blogs for a season.
I haven't even thought of blogging in the last while as life has become quite full. Mom became ill and I went to California to be with her and Daddy for a week. I returned to spend this week with the Woods who are visiting from Ontario. Then it's back to California to attend Libby and Drew's wedding. When I return I will be hosting a bridal shower here at the house. Before all this started I was painting my kitchen cupboards and reorganizing myself...There is a time to blog and a time to unblog....I think this is the unblog period of time. Ta-ta for now......

Daughters and Polka Dot Shoes

2012-01-12T20:01:00.001-08:00

Good grief, I can't begin to keep up with my lovely daughters blogs. I'm so impressed and proud of them. If you haven't seen them lately, do visit. Just click on the links at the right of my blog. They are both managing two blogs apiece. Very creative. My third daughter is busy with 14 clients in her design business, so even though she hasn't been blogging she has DEFINITELY been creating.

The other day I thought I would stop into the smallest thrift store in town to look for sewing notions to feed Gina's new habit. Wouldn't you know it?? They had the cutest display in the window - all in black and white. I got totally sidetracked and ended up picking up all sorts of new things to add to my dressing room for display. One of the things was a proverbial little black dress. I didn't pay attention until I got home and saw that it was actually in my size. I shouldn't tell, but I think I just found what to wear for an upcoming event in California!

The One Thing

2012-01-09T14:03:00.000-08:00

I started this year with the Scripture in mind - "One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after...To behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple."

The One Thing!!!!!!

The one thing compounds immediately in the Scripture - to behold His beauty and to inquire of Him.

The desire leads to seeking, the seeking leads to finding and the finding leads to a million and one other things that proceed from the heart of God.

His Beauty is Everywhere.

He's the One who sets the oaks to whirl and the sea to roar and the stars to shine.

You cannot put a cork on Life Itself.

Sometimes I feel like a whirling oak.

There are not enough hours in the day to fulfill the heart's quest.

Here's a snippet.

Do you know with the technology that we have today there are so many new ways to connect?

Last night Sophia and I connected with Hannah and Rachel in California and we had a little aRt class on Facetime. This all led to a sleepover at Grama's house and a wonderful morning of painting at the aRt desk in Grama's little room. We included our friend Lynne and showed her our projects on line.

One thing leads to the other and before you know it another morning has passed.

It's a good thing!

Handsome and Gretyl

2012-01-08T16:36:00.000-08:00

Sophia came running in and asked if I would please come and play the witch for Handsome and Gretyl. I opted to be the Gramarozzi and take their picture instead. Grampa and I love our life with little Sophia. I love her so much I guess I could just gobble her up like in the story.

Enjoying the New Year....

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad

2011-12-28T10:45:00.000-08:00

Troy and Eileen Matthews

Congratulations, Dad and Mom on your 61st wedding anniversary from your 60 year old daughter. You were pretty cute back then but I have to say that you are still pretty cute. Your love has grown, flourished and blossomed into a beautiful testimony of what it is to be a husband and wife committed to each other. Your family has also grown, flourished and blossomed. Your youngest grandaughter will now be getting married in February and so it continues.

Life has a way of twisting and turning but you have remained flexible and have been shaped through the process and are showing your family what married love is - till death do us part. Your love is a light to all who behold you.

I recently found a Scripture that encourages me and so I will share it with you. It is found in Isaiah 46.
"Listen to me, all you who remain in the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

From beginning to end you have been upheld, carried and sustained by our loving Creator and He will be the one who sustains you forevermore. What a wonderful knowledge for all of us to embrace. We have nothing to fear for our God rescues us and helps us and never ceases to carry us.

May you both rest in His loving arms today as you also rest in the arms of each other. I know your day will be a special one. I wish I were there to give you both a hug but instead I send you my thoughts and words through the wonderful technology of the computer world. Since you are such a savvy Daddy I know you will find this somewhere in cyberspace. How many 80+ year old men are on Facebook??? You are not only cute, you are cool. Kisses to Mom from me.
Love, Linda

Today's Lesson Is. . .

2011-11-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

Keep on drawing.....

Keep on smiling....

Keep on shining....

I was in my thirties when I took golf lessons. I thought the instructor would never let me hit the ball. There was so much to learn as a foundation before I started whacking the ball aimlessly. By the time I was allowed to hit the ball my form was pretty good and the ball went relatively where I planned for it to go.

I was glad to remember that lesson today as I pursue my watercolour class endeavors. Not only is there theory behind the aRt, there are little exercises to be done along the way to begin to train the mind, the eye, the hand. While I'm ready and impatient and anxious to wield the paint brushes, I know that my patience and diligence will pay off in the long run as I learn to mix color, blend shades, find the tonal values, etc. etc.

On the other hand, I've been known to read many books on the subjects that I'm interested in. Sooner or later you just have to get out and run, or write or whatever it is that you're reading about.

One of the things that my instructor pointed out today was that if a person stops drawing or painting at a certain age, say 9, then that is the age and skill level that you begin again with. Drawing is a learned skill. No matter that I'm sixty years old, my drawing looks like a 9 year old's until I receive more training and practice.

So I am taking my five year old inner child and exposing her to new skills. I learned to sew and do other things but not to draw or paint. Also, I am pleased to take what I am learning and begin to teach these things to Sophia. I will be a huge advocate in her life to make sure that she keeps drawing and painting and learning. I bought her watercolours for her birthday with this thought in view. This morning I showed her how Grama prepares her paper by giving it a water bath and stretching it on my board. I'll be sure that Sophia has her own board too.

It's funny how I've now found myself living with a four year old nearby and that I'm teaching 4-7 year olds in Sunday school. They have noooooo idea that inside this grandmother's body resides a little girl just about their age that is learning to be more artistic too.

It's a good season in my life.

Today's photos are compliments of Sheila Mancor!!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween from the kids of ANCF! I had to photoshop 'Sophia' into the left top photo (being a little shy at church). My lovely little African princesses were too adorable for words as they all were. I had fun being a fairy princess ballerina grandmother. Elysia says "moo!" and looks forward to a baby sibling within weeks. We had tons of fun at our little party during Sunday school time. The kids are learning their ABC's and are making a little Scripture memory book from the alphabet. We have twenty letters to go! We missed Miss Clarissa today as she was on a weekend holiday.

Priceless

2011-10-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

Auntie Sara took Sophia and Grama to the Laity Pumpkin Patch this week. The day was stupendous...

2011-10-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

A very special thank you to Dave and Sara for opening their lovely home to host a sweet celebration for Dad and my birthdays and 40th anniversary. I am still basking in the afterglow of being surrounded by our whole family. Time for reflection....

Faux Wedding Candids

2011-10-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

We were the Faux Wedding Guests definitely having a party of our own as spectators.

It was truly an enjoyable afternoon in the garden.

Sophia and Judy

Michelle

The Butler

Future Bride and Mommie

Miss Judy

Michelle and Laura in Sophia's Playhouse

The Little Hostess

My Honey

Faux Wedding

2011-10-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

In August Bob and I opened our garden to a lovely young woman named Kailey-Michelle who was about to launch her new website and needed a place for a photo shoot. I've been anxiously awaiting the finished product to share with you. Congratulations to K-M and prayers for great success.
Please, please visit this lovely new website and enjoy seeing glimpses of the Peragallo's home as you do. I will now feel free to post the candid shots that happened during the photo shoot. We had a fabulous day. The weather was exceptional. There was the stylist and her team, the photographer, the hair dresser, the make up artist, flowers from the florist, a beautiful bride model and as Zoolander says, "A really good looking male model."
Sophia was enthralled (as we all were). It was a delightful afternoon.
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR PICTURES
Love In The Garden
Facebook slide show

Stylist: Kailey-Michelle Veenstra
Photographer: Ophelia Photography
Hair: Victoria Kuzma MobileHairstylist
Makeup:Felicia Mua
Venue: Private Residence of Linda Peragallo

Colorful Collage

2011-10-04T11:44:00.000-07:00

This photo is a gift from Lynne. She took the picture in my home. It took me a second to realize that it is a collage of my little Chinese children's hats. I love the colors, the textures and designs. We all see the world differently. I love that she took what was mine and made it her own to share back with me. I love that she loves purple.

I Made It!

2011-10-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Baby Linda and her PaPete

Well, it's official. I'm Sixty. There, I said it. I took this photo of a dress shop in Denmark back when I was 58 for some girlfriends of mine. Now I can use it for myself. The sixties girl is now sixty. Well, I wasn't born in the sixties but I sure lived the sixties. In high school the elite popular girls were called 6-0's. I'm a 6-0 now. It's funny. My grampa in the picture is probably younger than my husband is currently. OUch. Times have certainly changed.

So, I'm here to make the most of it. Make hay while the sun shines, all that good stuff. I had a good birthday and if things keep going the way they have, I know I have many happy times ahead.

I'm realizing that I enjoy looking back on my old photos and journals so it encourages me to keep blogging for my own personal record and to continue to keep hand written journals and musings. Lynne and I had a good time making a journal for her personal use and in the midst of it I added a back page to mine from the papers she had. We had a good time with the characters from Oz. She, taking the persona of 'Wicked' and me of 'Glinda'. It seemed obvious. ha ha Well, only because I live in the North and she in the West. That worked okay, until she claimed she lived in the North of California and I lived in the West of Canada. See how'Wicked' she is??? Through it all we have plenty of fodder for more stories for our journals.

I encourage you to blog or keep a journal even if you are half way thinking about it. It's so therapeutic.
There are many publications to help you on your way if you are interested.

My journal has two faces....

I have this inkling that something is shifting inside me as a sixty year old woman.

I seem to love y'all more than ever and at the same time am finding the space to be more me -(even to myself).

I see that I have to let go of things to embrace new things.

I see that I have to allow for the messiness of life instead of trying to control it.

For instance, I have made a lovely serene little room that houses my guest bed and craft supplies. For the sake of serenity I have kept my supplies hidden in the closet. This weekend I started pulling things out and I brought in an ugly table that is functional. I really enjoyed myself - cutting and pasting and playing. Fortunately, the table can hide behind a door when I don't want to use it but it's there for the creative times. Bob and I have more plans for my little cottage too. It's good to be alive and full of life and ideas.

Thanks to you who take the time to read the S-c-r-i-b-b-l-e-s that come from my computer to yours.

Enjoy the journey!

A Happy Birthday

2011-09-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

Friendship

2011-09-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

Alive and Well

2011-09-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted for quite some time it seems. I am having a wonderful visit with my dear friend Lynne who flew in from California a week ago.There aren't enough hours in the day as we spend this precious time together. The above photo was taken recently in my garden at a table setting. Ah, the wonders of digital playgrounds. Hope all is well in your world.....

Greetings From My Garden...

2011-08-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

Little Journal Keeper

No matter how hard we try, there is no way to keep a journal or a blog filled up with LIFE as it continues to happen. It has been a very full and rewarding time since we returned from California in early August. I have hundreds of pictures waiting to be posted. Yesterday we opened the garden for a Faux Wedding. What an interesting and fun day that was. For now, I send you greetings from the garden at the end of the photo shoot. I promise to post some more pictures soon.

Little Beauties

2011-08-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

Bella, Safi, Rylie and Maddie

I am never happier in life than when I am surrounded by little women. These little beauties are the daughters of Bob's brother's children. They were great little helpers at their Great Oma's funeral. I found a soft place to land that day in the midst of the sadness. You can believe that I wanted to scoop them up and bring them all home with me. I hope they will come to Canada for a visit one day.

Not Just Another Pretty Face

2011-08-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Linda and Lizzy

Okay, so Lizzy may be the sweetest looking little bike you ever did see this side of the street but I am here to tell you she is not just another pretty face. She is an instrument of torture. Don't let her nostalgic little bike seat behind fool you. Look at me smiling so trustingly in this picture when I bought her. How was I to know that she would require big girl panties to ride her? You see, Lizzy has no gears. My bad. In the long run this will be a good thing for my own behind. I do have to report that I have never given up on any of the hills we have faced and climbed together. I may have to stand up on her pedals occasionally to conjure up more leg strength, but I've never dismounted. Yes, I CAN! is my motto. I may not be fast, but I'm slow! (or something like that) I enjoyed taking her out on the dykes this week and enjoying the scenery all around me. It was just getting back and forth to the dykes that was challenging.

On behalf of her pretty little face, be looking for Lizzy as she makes a cameo appearance at a Vintage Tea Party this weekend. Yes, she is also a great decoration when not putting me through my own gears.

Goodbye Old Friends

2011-08-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

First, I would like to report that this old gal still has it!

I did not have very much confidence in myself as I started the two and a half hour hike around Buntzen Lake today but I did it~~~That on the coat tails of a two hour rigorous bike ride yesterday afternoon.

I can't say I did it in style though. Two hours and fifteen minutes into the hike (who's counting???), Shelly says, "Linda, what's the matter with your shoes?" I was so busy keeping focused on the trail ahead that I had no idea that I had blown out my shoes.

MY SHOES!

I have worn these shoes for the past twelve years. I bought them for my first trip to Vietnam.

They have been my constant play shoes.

I have obviously used them to death.

These are also the famous shoes that sent my 90+ year old friend Clara into a tizzy one day.

I wore them to church with a dress one summer.

I was teaching the young children and I had a play time in the park scheduled for later. Hey, at least I wore a dress to church. Well, Clara came unglued. Just about like the heel of my shoe did today.

"What do you think you are doing wearing shoes like that?!? Why, you are the pastor's wife!!!!!

We dressed better than that on the farm. Your husband buys you beautiful clothes. Why would you do this?!?", etc. etc. etc. It was quite the tirade.

Yikes!

I had no where to hide.

So later that day I called her rather sheepishly and asked if she was still mad at me.

By this time she had settled down.

She was so upset thinking I would be mad at her!

Basically, she confessed that she didn't know what had came over her.

It was like she was channeling the spirit of her own mother.

Apparently that is how her mother used to talk to her.

She was horrified.

Poor dear.

We promptly encouraged each other and carried on as usual.

Boy, do I miss my Clara.

That little episode has become a memory tucked away inside of me.

Did I ever wear those shoes to church again?

Not on your life.

To this day I double check what I am wearing.

That is not to say that I make all of the people happy all of the time.

I am who I am and I know there are times that I still get looks.

But to quote Clara, "All is rosy in the garden."

I just won't have my shoes to tromp around in the garden anymore!

Ever Surprised

2011-08-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I got in the car to slip away with Sophia for a couple of hours.

As we were pulling away we saw Bob get into his truck and she asked, "Where is Grampa going?"

"I don't know, honey."

When we returned there was Grampa building us a new deck.

Are you kidding me?

He obviously had gone to the lumber store while we dilly dallied at Winner's.

By 5:30 we were sitting outside sipping coffee on the park bench.

You would think I would get used to this amazing man and his creative antics.

To this day I am ever surprised by him.

Thank you, Bob!

This morning I enjoyed the sun pouring on me as I sat with my coffee and visited with Sandra on the phone. Yet another wonderful place to sit and enjoy life at the old homestead.

Here at 22570 I live in a household of creative people.

I know Laura has something up her sleeve for this weekend too.

You will be seeing pictures from her soon, I'm sure.

We seem to spur one another on.

Sophia walked into my little room the other day and asked,

"Anything new in here?"

She knows!

My friend Judy told me that if my bathroom and kitchen weren't permanent fixtures

that I'd find a way of moving them.

She's right. It's in the blood.

My girls never stood a chance.

Their Grandma Carmen was that way. So is their Aunt Deann.

Grama Eileen also got in on the action and loved thrift store shopping.

I hope Sara and Gina will continue to blog pictures of their places too.

I take such delight in watching them create loving spaces for their families.

Which reminds me...Today is Tuesday - senior discount day at Value Village!

A Summer Afternoon

2011-08-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to be back home again after being away for the month of July. The weather has been so mild. Today I just enjoyed a lovely afternoon with Sophia. Bob captured us as we sat in the sunshine writing in our journals and coloring.

We had a lovely weekend that included a visit from Gina.

She came without the children.

Since she and Sara were unable to be in California when their grandmother Carmen passed away

we had a special time together after the fact. We had been able to bring some memorabilia home and we certainly had a wonderful time pouring over pictures and letters and journals that belonged to Carmen.

It is always a happy time for me when the girls are near...

We went to see "The Help" and enjoyed the movie more than the book in some ways.

We managed to do some shopping too.

Good times!

Coffee in the cottage

Sara's new place

Talking to Aunt Deann in California

Some of the treasures

These looks like they've always been there!

Old world charm added to Sara's fabulous decor.

'Pretty Girl's' Bracelet
Hand crocheted coverlet

Sandy will know what has been added.

July Musings

2011-08-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

When God's children wandered in the desert for forty years he sent them manna from heaven to sustain them. This substance was so unusual that they called it manna - literally 'what is it?' They ate it to survive. The month of July was quite the month for Bob and me. We received our daily bread and we ate the mystery. And we too survived. There were many times that my understanding was unfruitful. So many things happened and many things didn't happen that were expected to happen. Through it all the Bread from Heaven, Jesus Himself, sustained me and assured me that the big picture is bigger than my own understanding. I could rest in His Love and I did.

As I look back I am so thankful for our good health and well being. I slept in beds that were not my own, ate foods that were abundant and out of the ordinary, was surrounded by stimulus that was foreign to me. I was often unable to communicate in English and even English failed me when I came back to the States because some things can't be put into words.

I thought I would blog but I didn't. I find I really don't do well with traveloguing, I'm too busy traveling and taking it all in. I was glad that my friend Glenna posted emails of some of our events and I will enjoy going back to read them.

So here is an attempt to capsulize some of the goings on of our July 2011...

Traveling Light

I left for Vietnam on June 30 with one carry on and a lovely bag from Paris that Yolanda gave me. The zipper broke at the Vancouver airport:( I was determined not to be a shopaholic this trip so I kept the bags small. I did have to leave Paris in Saigon and purchased a colorful Vietnamese bag to replace it. Oops, that means I already shopped, doesn't it??

Katie, Wally, Glenna

When we arrived in Saigon our friend Katie from ANCF met us at the airport. She had arrived the day before to begin her backpacking adventures. She hung out with us 'older' people for a few hours. The next time we saw her for a quick coffee she had already met other travellers and was well on her way to her fabulous SE Asia adventure...

Oops!

Have you ever shown up wearing the same outfit as someone else? Glenna and I were looking like the Bobbsey twins when we came down for breakfast. Who knew? I took it as a sign that we were on the same page and ready to go to work for the purpose in which we came.

Shopping!

Since I was determined to be a good girl about shopping I thoroughly enjoyed watching Glenna get started. Notice the incredible shopping malls that are springing up all over Vietnam. It was shocking. I don't even have that in my home town! The markets are alive and well but there are certainly changes in this modern country.

Coastal City

We had flown from Saigon to our destination city. I don't have the liberty to speak clearly about all of this but I will enjoy speaking personally to anyone who wants to know more. I had never been to this coastal city before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Our hotel was here on the beach. The roadway runs parallel with the shoreline and all buildings are on this side of the road. This picture looks quite calm but in true Vietnamese style the road is always abuzz with traffic.

Steamed lens from the humidity

The conference took place in the city but you would never know it by the lush surroundings. It had a beautiful pond with fountains and Koi fish. The restaurant and conference building served the group of 100 plus very nicely. There was a playground for the children as the whole family was able to come and enjoy this wonderful time of refreshment for the four days.

Meeting with my interpreter

This was not the first time I've spoken to a group through an interpreter but let's face it, it's not something I do regularly. This gal was a lovely university graduate who was also learning the art and is hoping to do this as a regular job.

An eager, open group of leaders

Our team of Wally and Glenna and Bob and Linda took turns in teaching for four days. We would meet in the mornings for a time of worship and teaching sessions. I'm convinced that we all learned equally. It was a fantastic experience for all of us.

After a class - My Honey and Me

The afternoons and evenings were spent resting, sightseeing and dining. It's a tough life, but someone needs to do it.

My Hero!

Temples Galore

Elderly Buddhist Nun

Resting Buddah

I'm thankful that my God neither slumbers or sleeps but always watches over me!

Catholic Church

There are daily rosary prayers. I have experienced this before. This time I was made very aware of the similarities between religions. That subject is worthy of another blog!

Markets

Street Vendors

Trendy Restaurants

My special Gal

On every trip there is always someone who captures your heart in some way. I don't know her name or where she lives and we couldn't speak a word in common but something beautiful transpired and I have a fan to prove it.

The Body of Christ

This photo is a fuzzy pic of the beginning of a video I took. This was the day that Bob learned his mother Carmen was diagnosed with leukemia. This is a hard thing to hear especially so many miles from home. There was nothing he could do but proceed with his day. It turned into one of the most spiritual experiences he's ever had. One by one the members filed forward to receive the heavenly communion bread, the manna I spoke of earlier. I will cherish this video but of course the memory of the experience. There wasn't a dry eye in the house that day. No one would have ever known the personal pain Bob was feeling. He was the able minister that always rises to the occasion. I'm glad that Jesus has such a faithful sidekick.

Presentation

Glenna was able to make several presentations to the group. One was the gift of handmade clothing items for children that Julie Adam stitched and sent. Another was the gift of tea cups that she purchased in the market as a souvenier to the husbands and wives to remind them to take time apart together.

Music transcends language

Wally put his message into a beautiful song at the end of his teaching. He was followed by a little 8 year old girl.

The papparazzi was everywhere! There are no shortages of digital cameras in Vietnam!

Sisters in the Lord

Ditto

We were all very pleased with our time together. Our only complaint was that it didn't last long enough.
This is a brief account of a time well spent.
More later.....

California Sun

2011-07-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

Six days in California and the heat finally arrived full force today. It was about 103 this afternoon. Now I remember why I don't mind the rain of B.C.
I am pointing myself north but I don't have definite plans of when I will arrive back home. I am here with Bob and Laura and Sophia. We came down for my mother in law's funeral and have been able to see our large family at the same time. I have been away from home since June 30 because we were in Vietnam before this. Between traveling and jet lag time has become almost irrelevant somedays. I can't believe it will be August by the time I arrive back up north.
My digital photo collection is large but I haven't posted anything. Maybe soon?
Just wanted to report that I am alive and well in the warm California sun....
Linda

Waiting For The Bruce

2011-07-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

I am waiting for a blog off with the Bruce.
So far, the man is all talk.
He may be tall but he's slow.
Apparently this blog he's going to do is called, "So I Married A Matthews Girl."
Not only is there going to be a blog, but meetings for the associated party members.
"Hi, my name is Skip and I married a Matthews girl."
"Hi, Skip."
You get the drift.

I am not getting far on this blog because the Bruce is pontificating.
I say, put your pontification on to a blog or put a sock in it.

I apologize to all my readers who have no idea what I'm talking about.
Hi readers, I'm a Matthews girl.
We know who we are.
Linda
P.S. Bob's Red Bull has worn off - the one he drank four months ago. Red Bull crash.

Hello

2011-07-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

At the taking of this picture Bob said he was surrounded with his two loves - his wife and bamboo.
We had a wonderful time together in Vietnam.
My heart goes out to my husband today.
His mother Carmen passed away this morning.
We received news of her diagnosed illness while we were on tour. We tried to get back home but there were no flights out.
We came home as scheduled and Bob left immediately for California.
By the grace of God he was able to say his goodbyes. Mom was gone within hours of his arrival.

I will be joining him on the weekend.

Please keep our family in your prayers.

Safe in Hanoi

2011-07-16T06:56:00.000-07:00

As you can tell, I have been out of touch without having my laptop to work with. I realized I can use Bob's ipad but I still can't add pictures.
We have had a great time in Vietnam. We arrived in Hanoi this morning which is our fifth city on our tour. We will arrive back to Canada on Tuesday night. I am ready for a big bowl of popcorn and a long drawn out western movie. Well, not western like John Wayne but an English movie. I told my friend Candace in an email that one of the things I like about her is that she speaks English. I'm ready for some dialogue. When I order purple I don't want brown and when I order two I don't expect just one.It's the price you pay in this land that glitters but is not gold. There are so many changes that it's hard to fathom. Yet some things remain the same. Like good iced coffee and horns that honk and beautiful women in traditional costume, cheap manicures and killer massages. I opted to stay in this evening after dinner. My peeps are out at the night market looking at tacky merchandise and having a blast.

I'll be back on facebook once I land in the English speaking world that allows Facebook. Looking forward to catching up with y'all.....
Linda

NaTrang

2011-07-05T01:19:00.000-07:00

I saw a woman standing at the airport when we arrived in NaTrang. She was just a bit younger than me. Blonde, slim and very attractive. Well dressed. Poised. She was standing together with a younger woman, presumably her daughter. She looked very much like the older woman but she was challenged physically and mentally. I couldn't help but study them. What was their story? There was a calmness in the older woman that extended to the younger one. When it was time to depart from the arrival gate they held hands and peacefully walked toward a taxi.

One day later I am speaking at a pastor and wife retreat. There is a dark skinned younger woman from the Central Highlands. She sits in the front row. We constantly make eye contact and share smiles. Her husband is shorter than her and darker skinned. They seem happy. What is their story? I am to learn the next day that the rice field in which they work and make their living has been confiscated by the government. They no longer have a means to provide for their family. What am I going to be able to tell this faithful woman when I stand to speak tomorrow? Will the message I have prepared about contentment be able to help her? Will I be able to deposit hope and faith into her soul? I pray so.

My world looks different from both of these women's situations but I know the gospel of Jesus reaches every one of us where we are living. His Words are life. Life that is truly life.

Help me, Jesus.
Help all of us.

Day Two Saigon

2011-07-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Nothing is as easy when you aren't on your home computer! I uploaded some pics from my camera to use in this blog and now can't find them on the drive. Oh well...Words without pictures. Not as much fun. And now that I've wasted so much time trying to do this, I've pretty well lost interest.

I will just touch base and say that all is well. I am laying low at the hotel today. I was up at 4:30a.m. and have enjoyed studying, breakfasting and visiting. I will continue in that vein but will change the verb to lunching and dinnering when the time comes.

Yesterday we met up with Katie when we arrived and enjoyed our first day in Saigon. I went out on my own to have a foot massage to make sure I keep the blood flowing. Their idea of a foot massage includes legs, head and shoulders. It was wonderful. One full hour of delightful relaxation for $14. The price has gone up!

I keep hearing my Cathie's voice to drink lots of water so I am heeding the call.

We travel tomorrow to our ministry location, the reason for our being here.That is why I am resting now. Lots of time to be a tourist afterwards.

It's lovely to be here. There have been many changes and it is definitely a new Vietnam. Good changes. Good people.

Bye for now...Linda

Traveling Light

2011-06-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there were three bags. A mama bag, a teen bag and a baby bag...all allowed as carry ons. I'm ready, set, go for Vietnam. It's a far cry from packing for Calgary in the winter. I've got light weight skirts and pants and some tops and voila! I'm ready for the heat. It will be quite the change from the cold rainy weather we keep experiencing here. This is my seventh trip to Vietnam. I can hardly believe it. I guess that is why I feel so casual about going. It has become a familiar place. I know I will find many changes there as I haven't been back for about four or five years. I am looking forward to our new adventure and all the people we will meet. I am going to several places that I have never been before. We start in Saigon and end in Hanoi. We are traveling with Wally and Glenna from our church. Our first encounter will be with Katie from our church who left for a two month back packing adventure just yesterday. She will meet us at the airport and we will have a couple of days with her in Saigon before we part company. We will also join Chuck and Joette from VWAM as we carry on. I am not bringing my laptop but I will make some posts along the way if possible from hotel computer sites. If not, then I won't. I'm traveling light not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. I am at peace and it is well with my soul...If I cross your mind in the next three weeks send up a prayer. I will feel it.
Blessings.

The Garden Show

2011-06-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Bob's Garden!

The famous picket fence that identifies our house.

Judy came to help me hostess the event

Everyone loves the front until they see the back.
It always takes them my surprise!

Foxgloves are one of my personal favorites.
They remind me of lovely ladies standing and having a little chat together.

Follow the path to the back....

Our first guests arrived

This gorgeous butterfly flitted around all afternoon!

The guest book.
Bob's garden book was featured with it and was a big hit.

The Man of the Hour
Bob spent 9 hours greeting guests and answering questions about gardening!

Sophia raked in the tips with her lemonade stand.

There were about 700 tourists

The darling of the day

Popping in to see the cottage.

I connected Laura with ladies who have vintage goodies in their homes for future reference.

Tickets please.
Lawrence the Bamboo man.

I'm totally in love with the gardener....

This view

That view

Conversation deck

Under the magnolia tree

A picture of a lady taking a picture (as per Lynne's request)

This was Bob's second time to be part of the Maple Ridge Garden Club Tour to raise funds for the Sunshine Children's Foundation. I am sorry to say that we were so busy greeting guests that I didn't take many pictures. It would have been impossible to capture the day and the garden of delight. The garden was impeccable. The day was picture perfect. There were hundreds of people through and you can't imagine the ooh's and ahh's that filled the atmosphere. It truly was spectacular.
I must say that it poured rain the day before and the day after and now even today. The Sunshine Foundation ushered in a Sun-shiney day and it has now become a beautiful memory to tuck in among many other beautiful memories of Bob's garden. I'm so proud of my hubby.

The Playhouse Post

2011-06-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

One. Two. Three.
Three little playhouses for you to see.
This was the season for the playhouse in our family.
Does this mean we like to play?
I think so.

When Bob and I looked at this property in Maple Ridge ten years ago he told me, "I sure hope you like the house!" Truth be told, Bob was smitten by the size of the property and the potential he saw in it for a garden and I was smitten by the tiny cottage playhouse that was nestled in the back. I remember standing in the loft of it with Gina and I started to cry with the joy of dreaming of becoming a Grama and having a playhouse for the future little ones. Needless to say, we bought the house and property.

Yes, I like the house! We just celebrated ten years from the date of purchase and we have certainly had a few projects and have lived a lot of life in this place.

The most recent project was a playhouse for Sophia who lives here with her mommy and daddy. Grampa Bob now has a little subdivision with all the outbuildings dotting the property.

And since my grandchildren have become a reality in my life they have also moved on to having their very own playhouses. This then has now freed up Grama to use her playhouse for Grama aged 'children'. I went ahead and cleared out all the little dolls and things and have created a little haven for me to find a quiet retreat for myself and my friends. It is a fabulous place for reading, writing and conversation.

It is still very user friendly for all ages and all are welcome.

In fact, Bob just participated in a garden show last Sunday and the cottage was a huge hit with all who entered. I have a feeling though, that many a husband has had to listen to his wife explain how 'she needs' a little place for herself now.

You can see my grandchildren's playhouses on their mommy's blogs...just click on and view.
Sophia's Playhouse

Sam and Lola's Playhouse

And now here is Casa Linda Cottage revisited with a fresh coat of paint...Enjoy the tour!

Unbeknownst to Gina or myself, we both chose yellow for the house and blue for the door.
Variations on the same color scheme.

Sheila gave me an oversized chair. Thanks, Sheila!

I found this little vanity desk the very day I went looking for something to fill the space.

Thank you to Bob for hammering in some wood paneling.

Repurposing an old gold mirror.

This is my chicken wire dream board waiting to be filled with dreamy things.

So there you have a sampling of my little cottage. As I type this post I am packed and ready to head out the door for a three week tour in Vietnam with hubby. We will have a great time but you can imagine that I will be thinking of my little cottage back home and looking forward to many happy hours in it this summer. You should stop by for a visit soon!

Put On Your High Heeled Sneekers...

2011-06-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Have you ever?

Well, I've never!

But I have now.

Yup, high heeled sneekers from Brazil.

Funny thing though, my dear Clarissa has never heard of the famous song.

But we did step out and have a great party yesterday.

I forgot to change and was wearing my Vietnamese rubber sandals.

Such a fashion plate I am.

We had 16 of us yesterday together for a bbq.

Unfortunately, I had given the maid a day off so I didn't get much of a chance to take pics.

We had our new friends from Brazil, a new friend from Germany (not shown) and some tried and true old friends from ANCF.

It was fun.

The weather cooperated.

It was a great mix of good food and lovely people.

Let the summer party season games begin!

Sweet Dreams Part Two

2011-06-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

I finished 'my little room'.
It went from a yellow to a soft grey.

I replaced the couch with a little bed.

I don't have room for both even though both have their advantages.

I love flopping on a couch with its arms and its big pillowy backside.

I decided I wanted a special place for my girl company to rest.

I knew my first guest would be Gina.

It turned out to be Sara.

When she went to the hospital from here Sister Sandra took her place.

Sara returned and recuperated.

She brought her flowers with her.

Sophia came for a sleepover last night.

She brought her overnight case and settled her belongings into the dresser.
Just like Auntie Sara did.

It is a restful room.

I look forward to many more happy hours in here.

Primarily this is my quiet room that houses my computer.
I am sitting in here blogging.
I took a nap earlier.
Sophia and I even made a fort this morning.
Imagine.
It's 'my little room'.
I get to do whatever I please.
I listen to music.
I do some yoga.
I read my books.
I study my Bible and pray.
I talk on the phone.
Judy and Huong sat on the bed together last weekend and chatted with me.
Cathie laid on the bed and tried the bolster under her knees.

It overlooks the garden.

Doesn't get much better than that.

I found my vintage valances and rescued them just as I was about to recycle some fabrics.

I had made them for another house from some vintage fabric I bought in Vancouver.

They were out of date then so they are still out of date.

I love vintage.

I discovered some primer that goes on to slick surfaces.

I painted my desk without having to sand it.

I will be turning the closet into a sewing nook.

I love pounding nails into the walls and adding ephemera.

I will do my best to keep this room nail hole free.

I will do the deed inside the closet instead.

It may turn out to be turquoise and red in there.
Or violet and green.
With all kinds of picture frames and ephemera on the walls.

You never know...
But it will be a joy and blessing.
If only you could see behind the door right now!!!
I'll be sure to take a before picture.

P.S.

Speaking of 'before' pics.

Here's the corner before the little bed.

I knew it was temporary so I had a ball pounding nails.

You can see the fabric collage project that I was working on that

now rests above the dresser.

"Be Still My Soul"

Goodness, how I need to rehearse those words at times!

My little room is a good place to practice the stilling of the soul!

Brown, Woods and Schafer Visit

2011-06-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Good morning, Blog Friends.

Or as Lola would say, "Hello!"

We had a very full household with all kinds of fun and excitement and even some surprises that would have been better left undone. We were grateful to be together as a family during this time. Just thought I would post a smattering of pics to show off my girls and their beautiful kids.

I'll spare you this time of any Grama bragging of how smart and charming and beautiful and adorable and huggable and squeezable my grandchildren are!

They make my heart hurt with love.

Sweet Dreams

2011-05-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

There have been comings and goings and plantings and buildings around the Peragallo home (as per usual I guess you could say). We are preparing for the joy of summer when we get more company than usual due to the lovely weather. Grampa never runs out of inspiration and I can't wait to show you pictures of his newest project. Sophia is three and already mortgage free. She has her own house to play in right next to the gazebo and her parent's home. That means that Grama's playhouse gets to crank it up a notch and is in the process of becoming more adult friendly. Inside the house I am planning a new space to accommodate overnight guests and I found the sweet little Victorian bed to doll up my room. It was in a consignment shop called ReFeather Your Nest in Mt. Vernon, Washington where Bob and I stopped for lunch after his VA appointment in Seattle. Since I didn't have the truck I had to come back for it a few days later. For some reason the border guard could care less and just waved me through. I was so thankful.
When I first inquired about the bed the shopkeeper said that it was "Linda's Victorian Bed". It obviously had my name on it! It was previously owned by the shop owner Linda who had a Victorian Mansion in LaConner that was once featured in Victoria magazine. I am waiting to get more details about its origins as she wasn't in when I shopped. I have a stack of Victoria magazines that Mom kept through the years so I'm hoping that I have a copy of the month that the above mentioned was featured. I always enjoy having a story attached to my belongings.
Funny, I'm not really into Victorian but I felt this piece was understated and suited what I do like in vintage pieces.
It seems that in our family Grandmothers have blue rooms so I think I may keep up the tradition and choose a blue based paint color. We shall see...and so shall you when I end up posting pictures of the finished room.
I see painting in my future..........

Take A Peek

2011-04-28T23:48:00.000-07:00

Carmen's beautiful home

If you love nooks and crannies you will love Carmen's home.

It was a beautiful spring day in sunny California. One of the best I've ever experienced.

Bob and I were visiting his mom. I took some pics to share with you. I know you will enjoy them. I always find it a joy to spend time with Mom. She keeps her house immaculate and it is always so interesting to see her collectables and handiwork.

It's very quiet and the sound of the grandfather clock is very soothing.

My girls remember the 'smell' of Grama's house. They love it. Every once in a while they tell me mine smells good like that too. It must come with the territory of being a Grama.

Good memories.

The neighbors

A peek inside

Bob's mom Carmen

Brothers

Side porch being prepared for spring paint

The painter

Pancit and Cream Puffs

2011-04-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

We returned home from sunny California to find it very cold and rainy here in BC - surprise, surprise.

It took me a couple of days to get over my 'car lag' so I finished a book called The Help. You can really appreciate the rain when you have skylights in a garden room, a warm blanket and a cup of tea nearby.

We had to go into the city on Friday and again on Saturday. We had a church work bee followed by a 25 year wedding anniversary celebration for Herman and Yuko. I brought my camera but the battery was finished so I have no pictures of our lovely friends to show.

Thus began a flurry of feasts.

We found ourselves relaxing on Sunday afternoon as the sun peeked through the clouds.

Sunday BBQ with Laura, Karla, Bob and Sara

Paige and Sophia played in the garden

The girls enjoyed their BBQ chicken in the garden room

On Monday Minda and her daughter Eli came over to prepare dinner. I love to see my kitchen come to life like this. Eli graduated from Culinary Arts School and came to teach me how to make cream puffs and eclairs.

There were a few steps to making these wonderful treats but Eli made it look easy!

Let the puffs begin!

Peeling vegetables for pancit (Filipino noodles)

What I like about this picture is that I'm not in it.
Imagine, dinner that you don't have to cook in your own home!

Good watchers

chicken and vegies

These were filled with fresh custard

Enough noodles to feed an army

Peter and Ana
Ana arrived with a carload of food to add to the feast - ribs and wings and scalloped potatoes.
Yes, I am starting to look like a cream puff myself.

Minda and Ana were the lovely women who hosted a wedding shower for Chris and Laura. They are known for their good cooking and beautiful presentation. These are Chris and Sophia's 'people' as we say.

FYI
There used to be a wall and door where Chris is sitting and an outside wall also.
Bob started first with the kitchen renovation and then added the garden room another year.
I am always so thankful for the labor of love that provided this spacious place to gather.

Who doesn't love a Disney princess?

Sophia loves Jeanette

Laura, Eli and Corinth

This lovely couple just arrived in Canada from Japan on Saturday.

My honey

Cream Puff and her sugar daddy

Aaron
No gathering is complete without a teenage boy texting his friends.

The Pearsons
Chris celebrates his birthday on Friday.
Can we handle another feast????

As you saw in the last post we then celebrated Laura's birthday on Tuesday. I have so many events to post that I can't even keep up with them. Today I am sipping on my green tea for the day!!! I might even take in an exercise class before I leave to meet Candace and Jody for their birthday celebration! What a week!!! And Easter is coming.....

Happy Birthday, Laura!

2011-04-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

Making Mommy a Chocolate Birthday Cake

From the beginning of time a cake baking tradition!

Meanwhile Grampa Bob begins a new playhouse for the grandchildren

Did I ever mention how quickly Bob works??

Peanut Butter Icing and Candles

It's serious work...

More finger licking good times...

Chicken Taco/Flour Tortilla Mamas

The tortillas are hiding under the cloth.

Guess how many candles??

Laura's Happy Family

Ready, set, tea party time!

The candlelighters.
It took two of them there were so many!

Happy Birthday, Laura

It was a very sweet day indeed.
Unfortunately, it ended abruptly.
Sophia had her first time ever bout with the stomach flu.
No, it wasn't too much frosting but I'm sure it didn't help at the end of the day.
Bless my baby girls, Lord.

More To The Story

2011-04-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of you who commented on the last post and through personal email.

As the Lord would have it (He's always full of surprises), Bob's sister Deann was also present for Lynne and my reunion and she too is part of the story of my wedding day.

DeeDee and I are the same age (Bob married a younger woman) so she was a mere 20 years old along with me on November 27, 1971. Lynne of course is much older. ha ha No, she is just one year older and in fact she celebrated her 21st birthday on the eve of my wedding on November 26. I went out to dinner with her and her family that night and then we came home and Lynne finished hemming her skirt for the wedding. Remember (or maybe you will be learning this for the first time) Bob asked me to marry him and ten days later we had the wedding! Mom had to scurry too to make me a dress and order a cake. Mind you, we had already been engaged for a couple of days when we decided, "Why wait?!" So really, there weren't even ten days to prepare. Just a couple. For all I know this could have been the first time I ever met Deann. Crazy, eh? And for some reason I had stopped wearing makeup at this stage of my life. Bad decision, as you can see. There wasn't much to prep for at that lovely dressing table.

So last week I made sure DeeDee was in the picture too and there the three of us are!

The same dilemna holds true for long distance relationship between Deann and myself.

We dearly love each other but only see each other at our little yearly visits to California. She is retired now and we seemingly enjoy so many of the same things in life. Unlike me, but very much like her brother, she is a gardener. But like me, she likes to sew, thrift store shop, cycle and make a home.

I often bemoan that many of my favorite people in the world do not live near me.

I'm pretty sure that is why God created HEAVEN.

There is an eternity that awaits those who have put their trust in Jesus.

Next post I will show some pictures of Bob's mom Carmen's lovely home and neighborhood.

Cut From The Same Cloth

2011-04-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

We believed God

Distance and time.

Time and distance.

Twenty years pass.

Friends drift apart.

And then one glorious connection reunites two hearts.

Present happens and time and distance have no power.

Hearts were always united.

Nothing has changed.

Many things have changed.

How do you explain the bond of friendship?

Especially in Jesus.

Lynne came into my life the hour I first believed. She was my constant companion during 1971. We lived together until I married Bob. We took our first baby steps in the faith journey that has now been our road for forty years.

We spent 8 glorious hours together last week in California. It was like reading a continuation of a novel with each chapter and page bringing fresh insight and discovery into each other's lives. It was not enough time. There is never enough time. Our friendship is eternal.

A really special aspect of this reunion was that we met at my mother in law's home as a launching point for our day. I realized that this was where we got ready for my wedding ceremony forty years ago. I had to make sure I got a photo of us together in the same dressing room that we occupied then.

Take a trip down memory lane with me....

The way we were...

The way we are...

The beginnings of our journey...

The journey continues...

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 2:28

Esma and the Heavenly Posole

2011-04-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

These are GIANT cans.

The lemon and lime trees were full of fruit everywhere I looked.

Pork from the Mexican market

Onions and garlic for every ethnic recipe, eh?

These babies actually came home with me for Laura's birthday next week!

Salsa!!

Brianna, Marci, Linda and Esmerelda in Marci's kitchen

Everything's better with lard! Or butter!

This homemade salsa was so awesome. Esma added it to the sour cream for our fish tacos.

Bob is always at home in the kitchen. The last time he made Mexican food was at Danae's wedding.
Oh, had there only been more days to try more recipes!

The seeds are what make the peppers hot so they were removed before boiling them in the pot along with the pork which included pigs feet. It was like Mexican Paprigash. The hominy tasted like little corn dumplings!

The Posole Pot filled with delicious soup.

Marci and Sandra prepare the fresh fish tacos.

I was on tortilla turning duty while Esma rolled them.

Is it any wonder I get homesick for California and my family who lives there?

Fresh, hot, soft flour tortillas~

No Mexican Feast would be complete without a Siesta!
Hey! they deserved one after catching all those fish for the tacos.

Jacob was at his junior prom the night before.

We had such a wonderful day cooking with Esmerelda.

I had been feeling that I had 'lost my touch' with Mexican cooking through the years of living up here in the north country. The ingredients are not to be found here for one thing. I felt so happy to learn some new tricks from our lovely Esma. I was busy trying to document the experience as well as living it so it is all over the map on my sister's camera. These are just a few of the pics from the day.

There are more pictures of our dinner guests but unfortunately I am having a hard time getting them off the disc.

We had a fabulous family day!

2011-04-02T16:53:00.000-07:00

I got a very simple European styled bicycle with no gears. That's right! It's gonna take all the leg power I have to get me around town. I went on my maiden voyage this afternoon and rode to Cathie's in 12 minutes. The inclines were very do-able, much to my relief. I look forward to a very pleasant summer cruising around town.

There always seems to be a story connected to most of our experiences in life. The young man named Jim who assembled the bike helped me make the decision to purchase it. As we continued to speak I mentioned growing up in California in a place where the land is flat and easy to ride bikes. That sparked his interest as he spoke of driving through Woodland on his way to Mexico last summer with some buddies to help build houses. The long and the short of it is that he spent a couple of weeks in Encenada with YWAM and met our Danny and Danae and all the friends down there. He played soccer with Danny. What a small world.

Last summer I had so looked forward to cycling in Europe. I only got to do so a couple of times. The rains came down and the floods came up when I was in Coppenhagen. I rented a bike in the Netherlands but never got to cycle in Germany either. I still marvel at the beautiful bike paths that take you from village to village. Maybe one day I can go back as a cyclist.

We have dykes near our house here. I will spend time riding there and look forward to discovering good paths around town. The bike is light enough for me to lift into Bob's pickup truck so I can take it to all sorts of places. I am blessed with girlfriends who have the same desire as me to get out in the fresh air.

I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures in the future of Miss Lizzy and me on some adventure...

Inspiration

2011-04-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Story after story after story! My life is filled with stories.

Blank page after blank page after blank page! My journal lies dormant.

The stories are in my thoughts. They are in my heart. They are in my actions. They fill me with joy and comfort because they are the pages of my life that the Author of my Faith is writing day by day. He has a heavenly journal and He keeps the record for me safely in a place where rust and dust cannot destroy the account. It is a truer account than I could possibly write because the Author is also the Finisher. My days were written before any of them came to be! Like Sophia says, “It is a mystery!” I’m glad Jesus knows all the details because I love a good story and one day I want to hear ‘the rest of the story’ - all the things I was unable to perceive at the time of its writing.

Jesus told His Father, “I have come to do your will!” My heart bursts with that same longing and desire to accomplish my purpose here on earth. What a joy it is! Did I say, “How easy it is!” No, I did not. That is beside the point. But joyful, yes! Delightful? Yes. The Psalmist says, I delight to do thy will, O my God! Yea, your law is within my heart.

I have been studying the book of Hebrews. No wonder there needed to be teachers of the law. Do you know how complex the ceremonial procedures for daily living and for staying ceremonially clean were?

Not anymore. God has given us His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. He writes God’s love and perfect law of liberty into our hearts. One of the many, many, many things the Holy Spirit does is to inspire us! I love looking up definitions of words. Today I felt keenly inspired and so I looked up the meaning of the word inspiration. It was what I thought it was - a God breathed, God inspired action that moves us to some sort of creative response. That is if we allow it to move us to thought and action! It is always fresh and new and revitalizing. It is something that we breathe in. That’s right. Stop a moment and just breathe it in. Life!

Instant Gratification

2011-03-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

The key to good lawn in B.C. is about 10 inches of sand for drainage.

Bob prepared the grass area with sand and has been waiting for good weather to lay down the sod.

Spring visited us for one day this week.

It was a glorious, warm and sunny day.

Bob had two great helpers - Bill and Sophia.

Bob was pretty cute doing his lawn dance as he packed down the sod with his feet.

We are now one step closer to having the garden in full swing for spring and summer.

The garden will be featured on the Maple Ridge Garden Tour this coming June.

This will be the second time that we participate in raising money for the Sunshine Children's Foundation.

Bob's garden won second place in the best garden of B.C. in 2009 - a contest run by the Vancouver Sun.

It has also been featured in Garden's West Magazine.

(This unpaid advertisement has been brought to you by the proud wife of the gardener....)

Hope you will have a chance to stop by this summer to enjoy it with us!

Enjoying the end of the day
Bob and Bill Kimball

Celebrating 60

2011-03-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

Yuko, Yolanda, Linda, Jeanette

1951 was a good year and here we are in 2011 to prove it. These ANCF gals share the same birth year. I am the baby and celebrated my birthday in faith last Saturday with my girls. We had a lovely dinner party and a pretty hot Canasta game. Ten years ago we celebrated 50. Come to think of it, we celebrated 40 together also. I was a mere 37 years old when I moved to Canada - the age of one of my very own daughters (whose name I will not mention). It's hard to fathom how quickly time has passed.
Here's to 70 and many more!!

Fabric Collage

2011-03-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed gathering my bits and pieces and filling the frame that I found at the antique mall for $10. I painted it cream. I used old book covers that I wrapped with fabric. Tattered roses are great fun to make. The little angel came from Italy as a gift from Gina when she travelled in high school. The chenille background was her old bedspread and has found itself in Sam and Lola and Sophia's quilts and all sorts of projects through the years. I dusted off the ruffle maker and shirred the muslin. Who knew I would ever make ruffles again? Not me! The buttons and ribbons and fabrics are collections that come from the thrift shops.
The words from the Psalms are a great reminder for anyone who visits my 'spa' retreat.

Two Sophias

2011-03-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

Who is having ~~two~~ too much fun?

Grama and Sophia, that's Who!!!

Won't you join us?

Just hit the play button on the video above.

My Inspiration

2011-03-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

It was great fun making this sample outfit for the monthly

Yes, I Can Sew class.

I borrowed the book I bought Laura for Christmas to use for the pattern, found some drapery fabrics in the material hamper and started stitching.

Is Sophia my inspiration or was it the book?

You guess!

Chillin' with Soph

2011-03-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

Grama and Sophia

Sittin' in a Tree

S-
E-
W-
I-
N-
G

You will have to use your imagination on this one. I needed Laura to take our picture.
Just seconds before I was sitting in the chair with my feet on the arm of the couch just chillin' and sewin' with my girl.

We were making tattered roses for a project that I'm working on. (coming soon) Sophia worked that needle and thread and said she was making a banana. Bandana?? No, Banana.

The sun continued to play hide and seek with us all day. The clouds poured at times. There was a dancing rainbow on the wall at one point. It was nice to spend the afternoon together. Moving my sewing upstairs to where my computer is was a grande idea and is working out very well.

To Blog or not to Blog

2011-02-25T12:16:00.000-08:00

That is the question!
Picture yourself anywhere, anytime enjoying the moment.
You are 'present'.
Suddenly you start thinking, "This would be a nice thing to blog about." The next thing you know, you are looking for your camera, going through the 'script' of the story you could tell in words and pictures. It's really a very fun, creative outlet. They used to say, "The whole world is your stage!" Now they can say, "The whole world is your blogspot."

Partly, bloggers want to be known by those who they trust care about them. They want to share their life and experience and feel the connection with their audience.

I go through phases of feeling more 'private' and like Mary of the Bible I just want to ponder these things in my heart, holding them close and protecting the inner world within a small inner circle.

I think if a person blogs they have an obligation to provide entries. It's frustrating to go to someone's blogspot and find the same ol', same ol' with no updates. I realized that I had come to that so I just locked entry into the site for a couple of weeks.

What happened next was quite humorous to me. Suddenly I had comments from readers who I never knew existed. I had more dialogue about my blog when I closed it than I did when I had it open. You see, what happens is we all like our anonymity and we just go in and out of websites at our leisure and for our pleasure never realizing the craving of a blogger to have feedback.

Which brings me to another point...Really. Are we blogging for others or for ourselves? It is such a creative outlet to let words flow and the blog becomes a type of journal that we can tuck away in cyberspace for future reference. But@! If a blogger does it only for themselves, it would be easy to lock the site and blog away in privacy. I find I don't do that. I like having an audience. So for me, it is a happy marriage of blogging for myself and for the enjoyment of others.

There is a responsibility that comes with blogging. I have to choose my words carefully when it comes to writing about other people or showing their pictures. So for me, the blog never becomes a totally true and complete picture of the goings on in my life. It is never intended to be that.

It should not, in my opinion, be a soap box either. Okay, I just have an aversion to RANTERS. This world is obviously filled with problems that many would like to point out to us day after day. I want to read blogs that offer uplifting and encouraging solutions.

Some blogs are just plain eYe CaNdy...I adore these sites and never leave comments myself because they don't know me personally. I obviously enjoy sites that picture vintage decorating and creative sewing. It spurs me on to my own hobbies. It's so AMAZING how you can find tutorials on just about anything. I really appreciate and admire these mostly young women who have set their hand to creativity. I think I would have flourished as a tutorial maker in my glory days of running my drapery business. At the time I was at the cutting edge and had so much to offer to others who were interested in decorating through sewing. It would have been very fun for me, I can see that!

So to blog or not to blog. I think I must blog. I've enjoyed sitting here at my computer, the sun streaming in through the window, a coffee cup to my left, music wafting out of the kitchen where the soup is simmering, spending some time as I wait for Bob to return home for lunch. This is the season of my life and I am the first to acknowledge the blessings that surround me.

Have you ever thought of blogging?
If the answer is yes, call me.
I'll help set you up.
Have a great weekend.

Yes, I Can Sew!

2011-02-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

What happens when you combine four young mamas, with their four young daughters and four older women?? That's twelve feminine souls having a great afternoon together learning some basic sewing skills. The church basement has proved to be a really open, well lit space to dust off the sewing machines and set up shop. Throw in some food for lunch and lots of laughter and you have a monthly Yes, I Can Sew class.
At Christmastime I had cut out some little gifts for the little ones at church. For some reason, I just never got around to sewing them. That's when the idea struck me! Forget it, I will just teach the moms how to make the project themselves. Stay tuned for next month when they display their finished projects.

The button sewing Guru Karen teaches the gals how to 'sew on a button'.

Don't laugh, I even learned a few new tricks using a toothpick!

Jeanette used this time to teach the little ones.

Yuko was my right hand woman in the kitchen.

I have to say that I felt a ~~little~~ alot like my mom Eileen on this day. First of all, I am behind the camera snapping pictures. I am surrounded by lovely ladies having a great time. I made her famous Paprigash soup for lunch and hello? We were SEWING!! She who has ears to hear, let her hear. You know what I'm talkin' about!

Some one on one hand sewing instructions.

Karen had saved all her school years sewing books from a hundred years ago (ha ha) and it thrilled our vintage loving souls to see the memorabilia.

Yes, I can!
View Tamara's own blog to visit her experience.

The sewing patrol keeping an eye on the seamstresses

I love the smile!

Jackie had never been at the driver's seat of a sewing machine. As a little girl she was a passenger watching her mama do the sewing. It was awesome as she was flooded with memories.

By the end of the day the girls had moved their sewing tables to face each other as they got down to business!

Jeanette, we love you and thank you for giving the mommies a nice break!!

Shadows

2011-01-04T11:56:00.001-08:00

"Even though I walk through the valley of shadows....I will fear no evil, for THOU art with me!"

Shadows; reality; light; darkness....we see through a glass darkly, but one day no shadows.

Thank God for shadows - it means there is a light shining. But the brighter the light the darker and longer the shadows.

We project and perceive the shadow only as we stand in His light with our backs turned to Him.

Lord, help us to SEE OURSELVES for what we are but then turn to the light where the shadows soon disappear. Help us not to turn our backs to you.

I was walking with Sophia on a glorious, bright, blue skied crystal clear winter day. We had such fun as the light was shining on our backside. We could see each other's shadow and step on the arms and legs and heads that appeared on the cold pavement.

On the way back she was a little weary from the long journey down to the river so I made a game of walking in front of her and walking backwards so I could keep an eye on her and so she could see my shadow and quickly walk up the shadow of my leg to try and catch up with me. I couldn't have seen my own shadow unless I turned my back to the sun but Sophia following behind me would have, even if I was oblivious to that shadow earlier because my own eyes were being blinded by the bright sun that I was walking toward.

As I walk into this new year I want to walk facing the light. You are going to see my shadow at times. Me! In all my strengths AND weaknesses. Hopefully my shadow will continue to point you to Jesus because that is the direction I will be walking in - flawed and imperfect but ever following Him and allowing Him to transform me. As we join each other in this journey we will be less inclined to see the shadows we make and be more inclined to be dazzled by His Light.

If we walk in the light as He is in the light we will have fellowship with one another AND His blood will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Onward and upward, my friends!

P.S.
(To be truer to the Scripture found in Psalm 23 - it is called the Valley of the shadow of DEATH. Yes, sin and death project the shadows. C.S. Lewis wrote a book called Shadowlands. This is where we live until our mortal body is swallowed up by the immortal. We are in this together!)

The Afterglow

2010-12-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come and gone for us and for all of you too. We are all facing a brand new year with all the joys and challenges that will accompany it.

It was just delightful to have a child in our midst this past year. Everything took on a new meaning, especially Christmas.

This was the beginning of what Sophia called "The Christmas Room". She would enter it and begin to whirl and twirl and sing and dance. There was never a dull moment.

For some reason, my camera gathered dust this season. I went into a mode of just enjoying the moments. Laura was the official mamarazzi while I just kept the hot chocolate flowing, so to speak. Sara joined us earlier in the week and we baked and watched videos and played games. Sophia is at the age where she 'gets it' and I resurrected all sorts of childhood parlor games that brought us hours of giggles.

The Browns and Pearsons gathered on Christmas eve for our traditional polenta and after a wonderful Christmas morning and breakfast Dave and Sara headed back to Dave's family's dinner. Instead of cooking a turkey this year we had grilled steak, garlic mashed potatoes and caesar salad. It was yummy.

Bob is enjoying downloading books and reading from his ipad these days and I'm enjoying doing some re-purposing around the homestead. That equates to Bob moving furniture for me and hanging things on the wall or whatever else my fancy comes up with. I sure have a good husband!

Just basking in the afterglow of Christmas...
And by the way, today is Troy and Eileen's 60th wedding anniversary!!!
I put a wee picture of them on the right sidebar.
I hear that my brother and his band of musicians came to play at Alderson's and that my family all gathered around.
Congratulations, Mom and Dad!

We Shirley had a good time!

2010-12-11T18:18:00.000-08:00

Oh, My Goodness!

Sophia had a sleepover at Grama's house and she discovered something very special on Grama's shelf.
A little Shirley Temple doll who is over 50 years old now.

Santa brought Grama Linda a Shirley Temple doll when she was a young girl and she has kept it on a shelf in her bedroom for all these years.
Even with having three daughters Linda kept Shirley safe on a dresser top and brought her out only for special cameo appearances.

Shirley finally found her true purpose - to delight Linda's grandaughter.

Sophia fell in love with her.

Grama even let her sleep with Shirley!

That rates right up there with getting to play in the China cabinet.

In the midst of doll playing Grama realized that they could watch old Shirley Temple clips on utube.

What an exciting evening it turned out to be.

Truth be told they stayed up way past bedtime.

They sang and tapdanced the night away.

Songs like:

"I like what you like!

Even oyster stew!

I like what you like

On account of I like you!"

Shirley is back on her shelf.

She'll come out only on special occasion visits like

when Lola comes to town in the future.

Grama wants to keep her in good condition.

Who knows?

One day Sophia and Lola may have little girls of their own who will want to sleep with her too.

Life just doesn't get much better than this!

That camera flash is just too bright!

It's All About the Family

2010-12-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

Cousin Kristin and Sophia

We have returned from Danae and Danny's wedding in Washington.

Sophia and Laura went down early with us.

We had adjoining rooms in the hotel.

We were soon joined by aunties and cousins and uncles and Great Grampas.

They just kept coming.

A large percentage had never yet met Sophia.

She really got in to the groove and had a good taste of what it means to belong to a LARGE family.

We had a lovely time.

I was busy doing other things so I don't have that many photos to share.

Facebook is the place to view all the lovely wedding photos.

What was very special to me was introducing Pa Troy to his great grandaughter.

I am now home again and separated from all my extended family.

I miss them.

I'm thankful for the time we had!

Arms full of love
Sophia and Mackinley love being cousins

Getting acquainted

I love my Daddy!

Twas a Happy Thankgiving Day

2010-11-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

It was a day that looked more like Christmas than the Harvest. It was a day of great anticipation.

We were anxiously awaiting the arrival of two carloads of company.

The first guests arrived from Portland around 12:30 - Sister Sandra and Niece Kristin.

They braved the elements and drove through Oregon and Washington and B.C. to be with us!

They made me think of the Proverbs 31 woman who 'has no fear of the snow for her household and 'she brings her food from afar'...

Not only were we glad to see them, we were blessed to have their homemade oreo balls and pumpkin roll and almond roca bars. Yum!

The second car came in around 2:30 with some VIPs as well.

Uncle Dave and Auntie Sara have moved back to Vancouver!

We were sitting in the window waiting for them and soon they appeared from the icey white substance. They brought us great joy and happiness.

We are thrilled to have them back.

The Prodigals have returned and we had a feast to celebrate.

Not naughty Prodigals just missing persons who have returned home.

Aunt Sandra captured the moment for us!

Hi, Auntie!

Hi, Daughter!

We had all the trimmings without the gobble-gobble.

I made a yummy pork roast instead of the bird.

I was so happy not to have to deal with a dead bird carcass.

Turkey is over rated.

Pork makes better gravy.

This is Sophia's Thanksgiving Artwork.

So we are now enjoying a nice long weekend with our guests from Oregon.

Sara and Dave are living in Surrey with family there for the time being.

It hasn't sunk in that they are here to stay!

We are very happy that they are...

The Canasians Day Three

2010-11-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

Chinh and Ha continue their transition to become honorary Canadians. (Canasians)

We were privileged to have them sing and speak at ANCF.

They just loved the red maple leaf.

Red for the blood of Jesus, a leaf for the healing of the nations.

We dried and pressed some leaves for them to take home.

Sophia made her Vietnamese singing debut.

Ernest and Susan made a very special presentation of red Olympic sweatshirts.

The transition is complete.

Oh, Canada!

Don't they look lovely in the red colors?

Vancouver said hello and goodbye to some very special friends.

We look forward to a second visit in the future.

Bob and I will see Chinh and Ha in July when we visit the country of Vietnam.

We are planning a pastors and wives retreat that they will spearhead.

There are always good times ahead in the Kingdom of God!

The Canasians Day Two

2010-11-13T21:08:00.000-08:00

Ha is such a gentle soul and very creative.

She and Sophia have become good friends.

Chinh said if there was one thing he could bring home to Vietnam it would be the maple trees. They just can't get over the colors of the leaves. He has a stack of leaves that Bob pressed for him to take home to his children.

Stanley Park is always a great place to bring guests. What a classic Vancouver Day it was with the gray skies. I tried to get them to imagine what our beautiful blue skies might look like.

Gray or blue, the landscape of Vancouver is always beautiful, especially the God made natural beauty.

We had a lovely afternoon.

The Canasians

2010-11-12T21:51:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Canada, Chinh and Ha.

You have heard of the Amerasians living in Vietnam?

Chinh has coined the phrase Canasians for those Vietnamese living in Canada.

We started the day with a lovely visit from Sophia. Life doesn't get any better than this!

This is Vietnamese Ha

This is Canasian Ha

I turned her into a snow bunny.

We got all bundled up and found another snow bunny to join us

Such a handsome couple all set for a day at Aloette Lake

We are so pleased that Sophia has finally starting posing for the camera!

Aloette Lake

The Canasians enjoying the beauty of nature

Grampa Bob loves his Sophia

Throwing rocks

Sitting on rocks

Finding baby leaveses (sophia's words)

Warming up over mugs filled with autumn delights at the local coffee shop

A perfect ending for a perfect day - noodles at the Pho Hoa.

Unfortunately, our Vietnamese guests reacted strongly to our local Vietnamese food!

How ironic was that?

It was thankfully very short lived and we all lived happily ever after.

Stay tuned to Day Two when we travel into the city tomorrow!

Punta Gorda Part Two

2010-11-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

I'm sending a special hello to my mother-in-law Carmen this evening and have decided to add a few more photos so you can see where you lived. It's very cool to think that those same trees were there and some of the houses too. Punta Gorda is a lovely little place to visit. There are many retired people there, of course, and the entire area is populated all around it. But there were also many young people around working in the service industry to accommodate all the snow birds.
One afternoon I needed to just get away by myself so I started walking with no particular destination. As it turned out I came across a lovely yoga studio and they were about to begin a class. So I checked out what I was wearing and decided that my pants were baggy enough so I kicked off my shoes and shed my outer wear and joined the little group for a class. It was just what I needed.
Enjoy the pictures...

The Fisherman's Village was full of little shops and the military museum.

It's amazing how the palm trees almost look like they are cast in cement.

What proud trees they are as they stand alone and embrace the wind.

Punta Gorda is in a harbor on the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida.

You can see that the wind was strong that day.

Punta Gorda

2010-11-08T19:58:00.000-08:00

We just returned from the VWAM Board Meeting in Florida.

It was very cool to find out that Bob's Dad Joe was stationed there during WW2 and Carmen and he lived there together somewhere off the base. We enjoyed our time there and it was great being with old friends and making some new ones!

Bob says that alligator tastes a bit like chicken.

Under the Banyon Tree

The weather was finicky but it felt good to be in the balmy air.

Some of the lovely women - the bored (I mean) board wives...

Ha is from Vietnam and she and her husband Chinh will be joining us here in Vancouver from Thursday to Monday next.

All Saints Day

2010-11-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings, to all you saints out there.
Can you believe it is November 1 already?
It has been a whirlwind Sept/Oct for me, how about you?
We returned from Europe at the end of August and celebrated Mike and Rene's beautiful wedding on the Labor Day weekend.
Life with a three year old has been such a joy, and part of our experience was being there when little Miss Personality started her pre-school. She is just too adorable and definitely takes center stage in our daily life now. Any feelings of loneliness or isolation have given way to joy and happiness at having a grandchild on the premises. Sometimes I just shake my head in amazement that this prayer was answered!
Bob got me back into the Bikram yoga routine with him which meant changing my schedule a little bit. Joy Club gave way to Sweat Club for this season.
We found ourselves on the Oregon coast for our birthdays and then within a week I was heading back down to the States to celebrate Melanie's 50th birthday in Idaho with my sisters. It was wonderful.
Upon returning home it was Sophia's birthday WEEK. Such festivities which culminated with her harvest party in the gazebo...
Then joy of joys - Gina brought my Sam and Lola and herself for a week's visit. It was so delightful. I loved watching the children get to know each other and play so well together. There was never a quarrel. I found that really amazing when you put two three year olds together. Grampa's garden was a fabulous playground and there was also the local pumpkin patch and riverside local park. Never a dull moment.
We had a little pirate visit our house last night with her trick or treat loot. She was very friendly and liked sharing her candy with Grama and Grampa.
So that brings me to this moment. I'm traveling with the man so I get to use his laptop as I sit here at the YVR heading south to Florida for the week. Off to a VWAM board meeting. We will be hosting a Vietnamese pastor and wife in our home when we return and then with a blink of the eye it will be American Thanksgiving and the brink of the Christmas season. Of course, there is a wedding brewing for December 4.
So this is one of those blogs that has words and no pictures but my itching fingers enjoyed typing as I sit here and wait for the plane. Thanks for letting me converse with you! I'll keep you posted.
Love ya, Linda

Cousins week at Grama and Grampa's House

2010-10-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

I just returned from dropping Gina and Sam and Lola at the airport at dark thirty this morning.

We had a whole lot of good times here in the Ridge!

We basked in the afterglow of Sophia's harvest party in the gazebo, visited the pumpkin patch, played at the park, had Taco Tuesday, played dress up and had hours of fun romping in Grampa's garden. There is something about being cousins that you cannot replicate. It's a God given internal knowing that you are family. The kids were pro stars when it came to playing nicely together. It's hard to say goodbye!

Here's a snippet of our time together...

Crazy hair Grama looks tired.

Perhaps I am.

Perhaps I don't care!

It was worth every minute.

Hurry back, Sam and Lola!

We miss you already.

Sophia and I will be waiting for you!

Sisters!

2010-10-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our Sisters Weekend.

Melanie turned 50!

We had a wonderful time together in her beautiful home in Idaho.

When my sisters and I are old we shall wear purple!

When each of us turned 50 (except for Baby Rebecca who still wears pink), Melanie made us a fabulous quilt. I was feeling really badly because she wasn't getting one from us! It turned out that her birthday wish was for each of us to make a quilt square for her and she will make it into a Grammy quilt for herself. What a great idea it was.

Embracing My Inner Hobo

2010-10-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

Departing from Bad Wimpen, Germany

Why, oh why do I have this hard core optimistic faith that the train is the way to travel?

My experience proves that yes, it does finally deliver me to the right station. It's just never at the right time. I have these horror stories of train trips that become sidetracked and delayed. And yet, time and time again I choose to travel on Amtrak. This last experience left me sitting on the track for three and a half hours (plus the actual travel time) on what should have been a one hour and fifteen minute trip. The funny part was that I was as happy as a clam, listening to my ipod and chatting with the passenger next to me. It wasn't until I reached my destination in Lacey that I found out that my experience was already posted on Facebook and Bob was looking for me at my sister's house hoping I was safe. I had made one phone call to tell my Sis that I would be late and that I would call when I arrived. One phone call is all it takes to get the word on to Facebook!

Waiting at the station in Nimegan, Netherlands

So basically, my sisters are shaking their heads and wondering why I insist on traveling by train. Like I said, every time there is a horror story attached. And then the light dawned! (This happens when you are with sisters who share your history.) We remembered that our Pa Pete travelled the railways looking for work in the 30's. I instantly felt the connection to my Grampa Matthews. Don't tell me he didn't enjoy the thrill of the ride! This propensity is actually somewhere in my genes! There's just something about train travel.

Posing as Pa Pete

So yes, even when I had to make my way back home on Tuesday there was a delay to my departure time from Lacey, but I have to tell you. I LOVED getting on that train, finding my comfortable seat and nestling in with my good book. I love being part of the world and yet being able to watch the world pass before me making me feel like an observer. If only Amtrak were like the EuroRail system. It was so awesome getting on the trains in Europe that are highly scheduled and accurate.

But I have a confession to make. I really don't have much luck on trains. Even though the European trains have such a high success rate in scheduling, when we left Bad Wimpfen for Frankfurt there was actually a delay that made us run to catch our flight. What's up with THAT? Even so, I will remain a die hard fan of train travel....

All Aboard!

Birthdays at the seaside. . .

2010-10-02T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Beatles proposed the question, "Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm 64?"

I am happy to report that I can answer that with an unequivocal YES to my dear husband.

I need him more than ever and he's very fun to feed even when he goes all healthy on me.

He treated me/us to a birthday week at the seashore of the Oregon coast. We spent four days exploring Astoria, Seaside and Canon Beach before having a family reunion in Olympia on the weekend.

The weather was perfect. They hadn't seen such beautiful weather there all summer. The sun was shining and there was no wind. We watched the sunset from our balcony every evening at 7:02. It was just glorious. We went in and out of antique shops and enjoyed ourselves very much. It was especially nostalgic in Astoria, right down to an old J.C. Penney's department store.

I'm glad I have a husband who likes shopping more than I do.

Actually, he's hard to keep up with.

Now that we've been to Denmark and have become pastry snobs, I would like to report false advertising. The baked goods in no way resembled the baking we enjoyed in Copenhagen. I gladly passed the goods by. Do you know how hard it is to find good capuccino outside of Europe??? I have been spoiled for life.

These chairs had our name on them. It was nice to watch all the passersby on the Prom right in front of our Inn of the Four Winds.

This isn't Hawaii but it may as well have been. It was so lovely!!!

Thanks, honey for a great birthday celebration!

Taco Thursday

2010-09-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

Where is that kitchen fairy when you need her?

I have to say we had a fun night with the Pearsons and the Shaws but by the time we were done the kitchen looked like a tornado hit it. Thank you to Bob for being so kind and doing the dishes!!!

The tortilla makers.

Laura did a fine job teaching Mara how to roll out the dough.

Here are our first customers.

Fortunately, the tornado hit kitchen is behind the photographer!

The refried beans seemed to expand from pot to pan to bowls and left their mess in the wake.

But it was well worth it and we had some happy taco eaters.

Grampa was in charge of the dessert and he did a great yummy job of it!

All this on a rainy Thursday fall evening.

Is there no end to the fun around this place???

Grama's tired.

She's going to bed now....

The Kitchen Fairy

2010-09-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you can't just wave a magic wand and make dinner happen.

But it is pure magic to have Sophia help me cook these days.

A Fun Week

2010-09-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

Sophia and Grama

Little Photographer

One of the pictures Sophia took

Little Artist

Learning about her family heritage

Sewing for the very first time with Grama

Sophia showed a keen interest and loved the details

Honestly, is this not Grama Eileen and Sara??

Eating cotton candy for the first time

Sharing with her new friend Mackenna

Just seconds before she fell and skinned both knees

Enjoying a beautiful September Saturday

This was the week when Sophia discovered that she could actually come to Grama's house without her mommy or daddy. She held up her little finger to Mommy and said, "I'm going to Grama's. Be right back."
When she arrived at my back door she had little slumped shoulders and was quite dejected. She had wanted to make gingerbread but she had no greets/grease...I wasn't sure what she was saying. So I gave her a muffin mix and my mini muffin tin and sent her back to her mommy. Laura took that as a message that I wanted her to make me muffins - which she did! When it was all said and done I realized Sophia had wanted to make gingerbread but she had no ingredients. I happily gave them molasses. Maybe some gingerbread will end up at my doorstep soon!

Coffee and Boys - Two of my favorite things....

2010-09-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

One of our guilty pleasures in Europe was having an afternoon cappuccino.

It is always served with a little spoon on the side and with a sweet treat on the saucer.

I've had my Starbuck's Barista for many years but it has been gathering dust on my pantry shelf.

Why?

Truth be told it's because Gina told me it wasn't working properly and I believed her.

Recently, I pulled it off the shelf, blew off the dust, got out the directions pamphlet and set about to prove her wrong.

Voila!

I am happy to announce that my little coffee bar is open for business.

I look forward to making a nice little treat for you, Gina.

Come soon and bring those little grandies with you.

And speaking of my grandchildren.

This is the picture I've been waiting for!!

MY BOYS!!!!!!

So....years ago in my childbearing years I began to produce daughters.

Bob couldn't have been happier.

He wanted little girls.

He got three beautiful daughters.

He would often say though, that when he was older he wanted a son.

His reasoning?

He would be wiser and would have more time to teach him.

I, on the other hand, would laugh.

Yes, Bob would be older but so would I!!!

Somehow I think younger women should have active sons.

I would say that we would have to name him Isaac as Sara named Abraham's son because of her laughter and the impossibility of the situation.

Well, the time has finally come and Gina gets to be the young mom raising an active son and Grampa Bob gets his grandson to share his wisdom and skills with.

Sam is a boy unto himself.

There is none like him.

We adore our boy.

We can hardly stand it.

But I must say that within that mix Bob Peragallo is incarnate in him.

Sam is not just another handsome face.

Not only does he have brains and good looks - he has braun.

He can work alongside the best - his daddy, his Grampa Rodger and in this story his Grampa Bob.

We arrived home from Europe around 4:30 p.m.

Sam was out like a light from the long flight and taxi ride.

When Grampa Bob woke very early the next morning, Sam had already been up for hours waiting for him. The two of them went into the back garden to work first thing. Bob made arrangements for four yards of soil to be delivered at noon. In the meantime, Sam rode his bike alongside the rest of us as we walked into town to the farmer's market so I could get ingredients for lunch. After the bike ride, he was back at it with Grampa Bob.

The dirt arrived right on schedule.

Sam put on his boots and got his shovel.

That boy moved dirt.

He moved dirt and he moved dirt.

I don't mean playing in the dirt.

I mean shoveling dirt into the wheelbarrow and moving dirt from the big pile.

He did not stop.

He saw the job completed right alongside his Grampa Bob.

I always say that a dirty husband is a happy husband.

Now I can say that a dirty grandson is a happy grandson.

Just look at my two happy boys.

I love you, Bob and Sam.