Grandma Bread

How do you spend a Friday morning with your grandmother? 

Last week I picked up my 94-year-young grandma from her home at 9am.  She was very excited to pass on her wonderful brown bread recipe.  Now, I use the word 'brown' loosely.  Most brown breads have a lot of white flour, fat, etc in them.  Not Grandma's!  Heck, no.  Her bread is so chock-full of goodness it resembles a brick.  No kidding - a brick!  Dark rye flour, red river cereal, oats, whole wheat flour, no fat, no egg...  Although she uses yeast, this bread is so heavy it hardly rises.

To accompany this delicious, nutritious treat, I made a de-lish chicken soup for our lunch.  Grandma doesn't come by often (she's not a fan of stairs, etc) so her coming here was a big treat for all of us and we enjoyed her immensely  :-)

Grandma and great-granddaughter Maddy (10 months). She's my cousin's sweet little sunshine.

Katie (94) and Katie (2 months).

Introducing...

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Katie Mae!

8lbs. 3oz.

Aquarians & Hula Skirts

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Aloha!  February is a crazy birthday month for us.  Mine was on the 2nd (Groundhog Day) and Tara's is coming up in 3 days (14th = Valentine's Day).  We share this month with MANY friends and aunts, as well as Tara's new baby soon to be born.

This picture was taken in (summer/fall) 1976.  I'm not sure where the hula outfits came from, but I do believe Mom is pregnant with Scott here.

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Osl Family Sunday

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What does a family with 2 young boys do on a mild January day in the Faser Valley?  Why, they head out to explore the Fort in Fort Langley, that's what they do!

 After living in BC for over 25 years you'd think that Harry would have visited one of our historic sites.  Especially since he loves this kind of stuff!  Well, today we packed up the kids and I got to "play tour guide" (since I've been there at least 3 times).

The Fort has changed a bit since the last time I visited, but it was still fun to walk through the 183 year old Fort, which became the birthplace of British Columbia in 1858.

Having gotten a taste of BC history today has given both Harry and I the itch to head back to Barkerville (Quesnel). 

It's great to play tourist in your own backyard.  Where have you been in BC that's a "must-see" / "must-do"?

Fort Langley National Historic Site

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Tattooed

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For his 49th birthday, Harry got himself a tattoo. 

All 4 of his sons are lovingly scripted on his upper right arm.

I love it!

Oh Lorikeet, Oh Lorikeet, How Lovely are Your Feathers

How do my parents "do" Christmas Down Under?  Well... I don't know how your Australian friends / family decorate their trees, but Mom and Tom have a very unique style (and sense of humour).

How do you like the colourful little bird sitting atop the tree?

The li'l fella was found on the street by Tom shortly after arriving in Maroochydore (Queensland).  No worries, mate, the Lorikeet was already dead.

Tom is somewhat of a backyard taxidermist and kept this magnificently coloured species in their freezer for about 5 months before breaking out the Borax.  Could you imagine...  "Hmmm, I feel like a bowl of icecream."  You then walk over to the fridge, open the freezer door, and....!  Hello!  (LOL)

Mom even made him a little silver halo to complete the Christmassy feel of the place.

All joking aside folks, I have not been able to stop laughing since Mom told me of their latest "project"!

This quirky-ness is just the thing that makes me miss them all the more.  Merry Christmas everyone!

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Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

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First snowfall of the year! 

It's a balmy 0'C (31'F) out there and the boys are having a ball playing in the white stuff falling from the heavens.

Little guy still has a cough and sniffles but just HAD to go experience the first snowfall of the season.  His big brother is praying for tons of snow so the schools will be closed tomorrow  :)