Trying something new

My daughter just introduced me to Windows Live Writer. It’s a new program designed to use in blogging. I’m giving it a try . Here I’ve posted a picture taken this week of the eagles that perch in the tree above our house.

Here I’m using one of the many fonts available. Hmm… very nice.

Here’s another font – whoa – very widely spaced!

This one is called Tunga – seems pretty nice.

I can insert a map- oh- even a picture of my house – COOL! Our house is the one at the bottom left along the long driveway. Very cool.

Hmm.. what else can I do? It says I can insert a tag ?? or a video – not sure I have one of those or even a photo album I may need a little time to do this but isn’t it cool? Takes a lot less time and bother to download pictures too.

(Harv took this picture of Mt. Cheam which towers above our place to the east.

Here’s a picture taken from our roof (I did not know he’d gone up there but doesn’t it make a great photo?)

Well – there is a lot to learn here but so far I like it. If you haven’t already tried it (I am way behind most of you bloggers out there) check it out at http://windowslivewriter.spaces.live.com/

Bits of This and That

It's snowing again today. The field is white and the air has that hush that

only comes when it is snowing.

My DH and youngest son are doing the final adjustments on a big filtration unit before loading it up on the truck and taking it to Campbell River. They will be gone for several days as they supervise the installation at a power generation plant. It's a new configuration that Harv has devised which is meant to clean up all the varnish in the oil in one pass. There is alot of interest in this project and it could mean a number of sales if it works as anticipated.

I am constantly amazed at Harv's innovative and problem solving talents. His Dad was constantly coming up with new ideas and inventions and it is evident that these ablilities have been passed down once more to our children. Isn't it amazing how that adage is so often true "like father, like son.

On another note, I got my hair cut yesterday. My hairdresser persuaded me to try something different so she cut it short - Harv thought too short at first but says it's okay now and Rick seems to think it looks okay too.

Maybe once I've lived with it a bit I'll get used to it. What do you think?

Celebrating 60 years.

My wonderful Husband turned 60 last week. I can hardly believe that the years have passed so quickly. I threw an open house for him today and 55 of our friends and family blessed us with their presence. Here is Harv as a young boy (we're guessing he is around 12) posing with his good friend Timber.
(They bear a striking resemblance to our youngest son and his dog, Doug.)
This party was fun - everyone came and stayed - the house was full and it was so nice to visit with everyone.

I got teased when I said I was keeping it simple this time.

But truly this was one of the easiest parties I've put together. I'd baked and frozen 2 batches of small buns last week as well as a batch of ham and cheese pinwheels (see the recipe on http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/).


On Friday I cooked a chicken and 1 dozen eggs. My wonderful DIL offered to bake a Chocolate cake with Caramel topping (coming soon to Mennonite Girls Can Cook) and I ordered a cake from "Cakes on Demand" in Sardis. My sister and sister in law came early today to help put the toppings on the buns (chicken salad, egg salad and cream cheese/cucumber) and with a couple of veggie trays from Costco, we had quite the spread.

Our friends from Signature Signs graciously donated a wonderful banner for the wall and I made centerpieces out of dollar store boxes and some of Harv's tools. Harv did his part by building a funky candlelabra out of hydraulic fittings.

I love entertaining. Providing an opportunity for friends and family to meet, enjoy good food and fellowship gives me alot of pleasure. And when it's to celebrate my amazing husband and best friend it's even better.

Harv you are the best - what fun we have together,

how special it is to know that you believe in me,

how grateful I am for your encouragement.

You constantly amaze me with you innovative solutions to problems,

be they mechanical or relational.

You are famous for your generousity to family and friends,

even to strangers.

And I love all the amazing experiences we have shared.

Thank you for choosing me to share your life.
Happy Birthday Honey -

You are truly a classic -

one of a kind and my best friend.

Update

These pictures were taken first thing this morning from our second storey window
looking down into our front yard.

Thanks for the concern expresssed by all of you who read my blog.

We're fine - the carpet in the kids playroom in our crawlspace is a little damp but that's about it. However we are very fortunate that

we only have a flooded driveway.

There are alot of problems all through the Chilliwack area with roads closed, huge lakes on both sides of the TransCanada Hwy and a number of homes evacuated. Near where our son lives, there is a stretch of road that is under 3 feet of water.

There is also some concern about flooding in downtown Chilliwack.

Up on the mountainside above our place to the Southeast, a section of the road to the Falls Golf course and subdivision washed away overnight leaving everyone up there stranded.

It may be awhile before they can fix that one.

Public works are working around the clock to try to help everyone who needs it.

However the rain has stopped and the forecast is looking better.

Welcome to the west coast!

Higher and Higher

" And the rain came down and the floods came up,

the rains came down and the floods came up.

the rains came down and the floods came up

and the house on the rock stood firm."

The water is still rising. These pictures were taken around 5 p.m. and it hasn't let up raining for a minute since. I'm quite sure that by morning the water will be over the driveway in front of our house.

I can only remember one other time when the water marooned us on this side of the creek and that was around 1979 or 80 before we had our culverts put in. There is alot more water now than there was back then.

Like that old Sunday School song reminds us, we need to have our faith built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ in order to withstand the storms and floods that Satan sends to try to dislodge us. How thankful I am He is my Solid Rock and my Refuge in time of Storm.

Water, Water Everywhere!

Okay - I know I said I loved the snow and I understand that rain seems to be the normal weather pattern here in the Lower Mainland of BC but

do we need this much rain to clear the mounds of snow?

As you can see, our creekfront property has now turned into lakefront property. And woe betide anyone who wants to cross our little footbridge.

Likewise when I look out over the backyard and field.

I may soon have to wade to the office/shop. Our weather reports forecast more rain to come.

Ah well, we are dry inside and have so much to be thankful for.

Peace and stability, a roof over our heads and loving family

and friends around us.

Our prayers go out for those in places like Afghanistan, Israel and Gaza who live in chaos and fear.

A little (?!!) rain is not worth complaining about now is it?

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

I love the snow! We've had more snow here in the lower mainland this past month than we've had in many years and I'm loving every minute of it.

Our Yard two days ago

Yesterday when the snow started to melt a bit and rain was in next week's forecast, I was disappointed but resigned to the end of the beauty we've enjoyed. Then today it started to snow again around lunch time - lazy flakes, a few at a time. At 5 oc'clock when we left the house, it was snowing heavily. By the time we got back from our friends' home at 9, we had at least 12 inches of snow. And it's still coming down. I know we are supposed to get rain and 7 degrees tomorrow but right now - I say , "Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!"