Home at last, weary and sick of travelling. We did it in six days with a few brief stops between. Cranbrook to Winnipeg and back to Cranbrook or bust!!! Beautiful fall weather but a little late to enjoy all the color.




I included a picture of the remnants of St. Peter's Basilica in St. Boniface. The church burned down many years ago and only the fascia portion was left. The new church is built directly behind it with a monument to the people (including children) who lost their lives there. We spent an hour or two reading the gravestones of many people buried there. Many of them dated back to early 1800's and included the grave of Louis Riel. We really enjoyed our trip. Our friends Barry & Greta joined us and it was great showing him where I came from. Winnipeg has a lot of history and we barely even touched on a small part of it.

We also took a quick run out to Lockport and Selkirk and had lunch at the world famous Skinner's Restaurant. They were always the place to go for their foot-long hot dogs. We settled for hot choclate and burgers with fries. Forgot how big their portions were and we all left stuffed. A stop at the old church St. Andrews and a wander through their graveyard finished off the day. It is an amazing drive down River Road with the beautiful homes and points of interest.

There was just so much that I can't fit it all in here. Had a great reunion with my older sister Irene. She turned 65 and we wanted to surprise her with a visit. It was a great surprise and a pleasant evening for all. I'd like to add a pic here but blogger (as usual) is not cooperating. I am surprised I actually got three pics in this time.

More will follow plus my daughter's exciting news! Ta ta for now!

"Watch out they grow up before you know it." How does that happen? My daughter Krista Lynn. From three to thirty-three and I don't know where the time has gone. A blink of an eye and I have a truly wonderful woman for my daughter. She has become an amazing person and Mom herself.

Kind, loving and a lot of fun to be around (did I mention considerate, artistic, and pretty good cook) I wish I could have been half the fun as a Mom as she is. She is raising three beautiful boys, and juggling a household, homeschooling, and a husband all on a budget I couldn't stick to, to save my life.

I don't want to embarrass her but I wanted to celebrate her special day but telling her how proud of her I am and how very much I love her.


I am showing her here with youngest little guy Sammy. The message I guess I want to leave her with is don't be hard on yourself. We are all learning as we go, and there are no such things as mistakes only lessons to be learned.

You are doing an exceptional job with the tools that we, as parents, gave you. They were not enough, but were all we had.

Keep having fun, love those boys till it hurts and make some time for you and Todd to be kids too. Remember, life is what happens while we're making other plans. We all grow up far too fast.

All of my love and a very, happy day to you. Mum xoxo

"From little acorns great oak trees grow" this was never more true. We had an adorable little acorn and he is truly growing up to be a great big, strong oak tree. Solid, loving, sweet and a genuine treasure. Of course, his gramma (and his Mum of course) are truly biased.

Aden is the big "13"today. I can't believe it!! He was my first grandson and of course has always been a very special one because of this. I love them all dearly, not intending to choose a favorites, but Aden does hold a special place in my heart. He has two little brothers, Kale three and one-half and Sammy who just turned one last week. He is awesome and patient big brother to them both, at least as much as one can be to two rambunctious little brothers.

We have both gone through a lot of changes and growing in the time since he was born. (I mean I am still learning alot about being a gramma!) I think Aden has succeeded in his job of being a fine young man.

He is considerate, loving and very attentive to his little brothers. A big help to Mum, most of the time LOL. I can't imagine having a finer boy for a grandson. I wanted to write a special post for him just to let him know how much I love him and what a special young man I think he is. Happy, happy 13th Aden. Hope it is as special as you are to us all. Keep up the good work.


Love, your faraway Gramma!!!

"He says he has always hated snow!!" My conversation with a customer yesterday as I waited on him. How can you live in one of the most beautiful areas in Canada and not appreciate the seasons?

Right now I am in my favorite season, fall. I love the colors and a sense of winding down (hibernation) from the hectic busy spring and summer. It means winter, indoor catch-up of chores and pleasures, (movies, crafting, sewing, canning). I love it!! I can plan my days/weekends off to revolve around my favorite things to do. I love summer, camping etc. but nothing beats the colors and smells of fall.

Thin coat of frost on the windshields in the morning herald the start of winter coming. I love that crisp air when I leave the house. People wander into the mall shivering that it is cold and I just welcome it. Somehow it brings with it the end of a busy scheduled things to do and time to breathe and wind down.

Although I try not to feel guilty about no longer having to maintain my yard, lawn or flower beds it does leave my little bird bath looking a little forlorn. I would put it away until spring but maybe out little bird friends would like to try ice skating ha ha!

Growing up in Winnipeg gave me a great appreciation for the seasons. We had very harsh winters and almost unbelievably oppressive, stifling hot summers. My home here has the best of both worlds and none of the extremes. Hunting seasons, hiking trails, most beautiful cross-country ski areas. (Not to mention snow-shoeing) It definitely is god's country.

What a bunch of cute guys Huh! Just back from a visit to the island. Got to spend a wonderful week with my favorite boys. Dad included of course. Weather was outstanding and almost too warm if that is possible. Our weathere here at home was much the same and still no rain in sight.

We had some great walks in the park, downtown old quarter and of course the whirlwind costco and walmart trips while juggling three boys. Man I don't know how I did it with two. Krista has it down to a science with little wasted time on sidetrips.

I really, truly enjoyed our visit this time around. Spent lots of time puttering in their yard. They have just moved into a heritage house on Pine street. Lots of inside and outside work ahead of them but they have great landlords. Helped her catch up on some much needed blind cleaning, cupboard washing, and fruit fly extermination campaign. ha ha! This time of year that is almost impossible. Scrubbed up the cupboards and tried to elimate any possible food source. (Again impossible) Those little suckers live on nothing apparently and multiply voraciously.

I had to add this shot of my daughter during one of her many multi-tasking moments. Nursing our little Sammie with one hand and of course photo-graphing his little feet at the same time. That camera is never far from her hand. I have a little poem here that I have kept for many years and I think it sums up my feelings for my darling daughter.

We joke around and laugh alot
And talk for hours on end.
How did I get so lucky?
You're my daughter and my friend.
And this little poem you're reading
holds the special love we share,
It's the part of me that goes with you
Always, everywhere.

What can I say Krista, a hallmark moment but I truly feel that you are a very special person and a super mom & daughter. I couldn't have asked for a better one. It is unfortunate that your Dad doesn't realize how much he is missing out on.

On a lighter note I have to mention my bestest friend, Madeline and the lovely visit we had. Spent a wonderful day in the park with the kids and a great lunch visit to the Dingy dock pub on Protection Island. It was a gorgeous day and great lunch. I would add another pic of us but will have to wait till my next post. Blogger does not seem to cooperate after two pics per entry. I have discovered I can download two per post and that's it. If anyone knows how to get around this little cunundrum please let me know in the comments.