Christmas on The Prairie

My very dear cousin Gord sent me this pic of their stunning tree on their farm in Alberta. I couldn't resist posting it! Not a surprise he describes this set up as a circus act.... ha ha!

First Day of Winter

Well it sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas - since a week ago! Sammy got her first snowfall of the year last Monday... a whopping 40cm of it and then some! For the rest of the week we've been in an Arctic deep freeze, bringing record temperatures to the south coast we haven't seen in 40 years. The estimated windchill has plunged as low as -20 across the Lower Mainland by this weekend. Last night a Pacific frontal system met up with the Arctic air, creating blizzard conditions and we got another 10cm of snow by this morning. Our snowfall warning continues into tonight, with a break tomorrow and then more right until Christmas day.

...OK THEN! now that you've got our regional forecast, I'll update you on my poor little palm trees I'm so concerned about!! Although they are hardy to -20, these newly planted 2 footers are very fragile and I'm scared they won't make it this winter. No one expected the crazy temperatures to hit or I would have been more prepared. I called the nursery I bought them from and they told me to cover them and throw some Christmas lights or light bulb inside for warmth (which we aren't doing - Wayne just shakes his head and says it's all so ridiculous). So I dug out some wirey screen from the basement and grabbed a few blankets. I'm hoping for the best and here is what these poor guys look like now.


It's actually funny because when I look at these pictures, the snow really isn't all that bad. Unlike Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, the rest of Canada doesn't shut down during this type of weather. This winter for us has been unheard of so naturally everyone's talking about it. I spent 9 years growing up in Alberta and 9 years in Ottawa. After that you KNOW what harsh winters are like!! I just have to laugh now....being on the South Coast in the winter....that said, I DO admit this snowfall was quite impressive. Here are some scary pictures of our HARSH winter when all was said and done.

A Visit to Santa

This year Sam was excited to see Santa, unlike last year. Last week I took her for a 'visit only' to break the ice for our photos this week. The set-up they had was such a great concept. The photographer had a hidden mic which hooked up to Santa and he asked me questions about Sam that he'd relay to Santa - then Santa sounded like he knew everything. Of course Santa knows everything! From the banana tree in our front yard to her kitty Max, the Bounce Back Racer she's wanted for weeks and he commented on how she could swim like a fish! I swear the look on Sam's face afterwards was priceless...not completely stunned, but she knew there was something pretty cool about this guy. We talked about it on the way home in the car.

Ever since her first visit I've psyched her up for the big photo shoot. She was SO excited and looking forward to it, except she only wanted to stand beside him not sit on his lap. This was a big step from last year when she didn't even say one word to him. She had her bath and I did her hair and we put on the brand new shoes and tights I bought yesterday to go with her black velvet dress.
Right before her turn the family before us had a screaming child who was clearly terrified of the big red suited man in the beard. Once they left Sam had obviously taken that as a warning to her to be careful of this guy and suddenly she had nothing to do with him. The moment she was fighting to get away and held onto daddy I was so ticked at the whole thing. Her reaction was so opposite from her visit last week and I hate to say some screaming kid ruined it for us... but...maybe it did. Maybe it didn't. .... maybe it was just coincidence and she decided for herself she didn't want to do this after all.

regardless...

We didn't anticipate joining in on the picture, but this was the end result. Not bad, but I was disappointed. There's always next year.

Sick of the Sickies

Sam has had a chest cold since Remembrance Day and is finally almost done with it. Wayne's been in the same boat except his keeps coming back just when he thinks it's gone. I've had the same thing since 2 weeks ago and finally feeling well enough to get caught up on the housework that was left neglected. My chest still feels tight and my voice is almost back so I have to take it slow or I'll have a set-back. This season is notorious for colds and flu and I'm glad we're getting it over with now.

Frosty Bananas

'Tis the season for a jacket for our banana palm. As I mentioned in September's post, I pruned Diego's leaves off and put his jacket aside, anticipating the frost to come any day. Lucky for us the typically mild Vancouver temperatures have stayed true to us, even at the end of November, but all good things do come to an end. Our forecast this week is calling for frosty lows so here is Diego looking spiffy in his beautiful black designer.... possibly a Banana Republic?? ;)

October Update

WOW it's been a while since my last post, it's already November! A couple of events have taken place in October, the first being our trip to Vernon for our cousin Dan's wedding! The ceremony was held by the river, mirroring the loving earthy couple Dan and Dawn are. It was all created around their two sons Gaib and Eden and had everyone moved to tears from beginning to end. The reception took place in Uncle Randy's barn, which some described could have been displayed as the editorial in Country magazine. It was so great to see all the cousins again and watching our children play together as we did when we were kids. Man, where have the years gone??





We also enrolled Sam in swim lessons and this week will be her 4th and 5th class. Here are some shots from her first day. Her favorite part was gathering up the colourful balls!





Halloween brought us a spooky little ghost this year. Sam was set on being a ghost so mommy dusted off the makeup kit and made this little goblin a costume out of an old bed sheet.

September News

Welcome fall! Today's the last official day of summer. Bummer. I didn't mind the Sept. weather, as it really made up for the lack of sun in August! Until a few days ago we had above temps and pouring sun for the entire month, allowing me to prepare and research how to overwinter my palms. Diego the banana will need a 'jacket' (yup that's what they call them), which I will purchase in the next couple of weeks. My Windmill palms in the back overwinter nicely, but since this is their first winter I might have to cover them if temps drop to -10 or -15 (not usually happens here tho). I'm watching them all closely for signs of any nutrient deficiencies and gave a last dose of potassium for the season.

Here are some shots from Sept. long weekend in White Rock. We spent it with our neighbours and made it a big family outing. This place used to be my old stomping grounds when I was in high school - still love it as much as ever!







My favorite place to eat and enjoy the view - Charlie Don't Surf.

August Update

Here we are winding down to the end of yet another summer....where has the time gone! Since the last time I posted we've been trying to get back to our normal routine since having Cole stay with us. I miss him but for his sake I'm glad he's back home with the family and closer to Kris. He was really missing them and his 'vacation' was beginning to seem a little too long for him.

I dove back into landscaping, not anticipating getting both front and back yards almost complete! I'm having so much fun designing and also find lingering in the garden MOST therapeutic!! I'm glad to see Diego the banana tree growing beautifully with about 12 pups coming up around it! I added a couple of silver mounds for edging (don't have updated pic on that) and a few blue fescue with rocks collected from a construction site. I'm pretty much done except for finishing off the look with nice pea gravel, but will have to wait until our budget allows. For sure before the season ends.
In the back yard I added 2 windmill palm trees if you can believe it! they're only 2 1/2 ft. tall, but will grow 20 - 40 ft! yes they're the hardiest palm existing and you will see them all over Vancouver and the coast, just like the banana tree. Now I can finally sit between my two palm trees, as I had always hoped since 30 years ago. Here are some pictures of what I've done, starting with the front yard....

Before and after ........




Still needs some work. Three cedar trees were pulled and the boxwood hedges from the driveway make a nice border for the lava rock pathway, which leads to the side of the house.


Diego the banana palm - 13 pups growing all around!


Next year I'm hoping to extend the patio between the palms for a lounge area.

Going Bananas!!

In more ways than one, we're going bananas. Things have changed a bit around here and we've taken on our nephew Cole (my sister Kristin's 5 year old) for the summer. As I'm only used to caring for one child, adding an instant 5 year old to the mix is enough to make you go bananas. So for a treat to myself I bought a banana tree to add to my new landscaping in the front yard. I love it so much. I've always loved palm trees and tropical anything of any kind. I've named him Diego. Now that's totally bananas!!

Here are 2 pics from Canada Day at Harrison Hot Springs - daddy and Sammy playing in the water.

My Grandma Griggs

I just got an email from my cousin who's given me the sad news that our grandmother has just passed away this morning. She has been in the hospital with pneumonia for the past while and today she took a couple of breaths with my dear Aunt Sharon by her side and peacefully went to sleep. She was 83. She was my biological dad's mother. When I was about 12 years old she came to Alberta to meet me for the first time and from there I kept in touch through phone calls and mail until I moved out East. I was blessed to have spent the time I did with her while I lived in Ottawa. It's too bad I couldn't have been able to see her again before she passed on, it's so hard when you're so far away. We spoke on the phone about 2 months ago when I said I'd send out some pictures of Sam.

I'm sad for the family but glad that she is no longer in pain.

OPA!

Ok - before I start I have to tell you a little conversation with Sam just now. I'm sitting here starting my post and Sam is sitting on the floor next to me having a tea party.
Sam: "MAMA - I have to go potty!"
Me: "OK let's go!" as I grab her hand to the washroom.
Sam very seriously: "Hurry mama, I have tea party guests!"

HA HA ...was pretty cute.
Anyway, today I'm gearing up for the Greek dinner my neighbour Shana and I are preparing for our families. I used to work at a Greek restaurant many moons ago in Vernon, so I'm quite fastidious about my Greek food, whether I order in, dine out or make it at home. One thing that has bothered me to no end is when people make a Greek salad with lettuce! WHAT THE..??! An authentic Greek salad does not have lettuce! When I moved to Ottawa I could not find a single restaurant or anyone who did up a Greek salad without lettuce.... it just blew me away. There must be something about the East vs. West, as when I moved back to BC I was back to normal authentic Greek salad again. weird...but I'm sooo happy! SO....I'm looking for a greek salad on my favorite cooking site (http://www.recipezaar.com) for a dressing to make for tomorrow and found a Greek guys whose 2 grandmothers were in the restaurant and food service industry. He had the same issue I did with the lettuce in Greek salad....finally someone who understands me.

Maybe I was Greek in my past life.

Update For June

While we're quickly approaching the first day of July, everyone here is looking forward to a lovely hot weekend, which is well overdue to say the least. From May - June our weather has been a long cold and rainy spring, if you can call it that. On Tuesday we are spending Canada Day with our neighbours up in Harrison. Our hubbies are leading the way on their motor bikes while we pack the kids in the car and follow....speaking of bikes....

So what have we been up to on those colder rainy days? Addicted to Craigslist.com, an online classified ads network. Wayne bought 2 motorbikes from it (to build the one bike from the other for parts). Now he saves so much money on gas and parking which is the way to go these days with the ridiculous gas prices constantly on rise. (click the pictures to enlarge).



A couple of weeks ago my cousin Bill from Edmonton came to visit. We met him downtown where we checked out Stanley Park and let him work his magic with the camera. http://www.billycowen.com/

May Events - long post be warned!

Wow the month of April has come and gone in a blink! What's happened in May? Well first of all my dear cousin Sandy got married to her beau Mark, but unfortunately we couldn't afford to make it to Ontario. She's also expecting in the fall and I'm so excited and happy for them!

At the end of the month we flew to Calgary to catch a long drive to Regina with Wayne's cousin Steve and family. We met the rest of the family to bury Dad Cassidy's ashes at the RCMP Depot's cemetery. Sadly he passed away when Sam was just 3 months old (refer to 2005 archives). At the same time we took Nanny's ashes along, as Regina was her hometown. This was a big trip for all of us, but despite the circumstances it was nice to see everyone again.

Lucky for Sammy there was a big waterslide at the hotel!!

On my side of the family, the Hagens had a family reunion. Unfortunately it landed on the same weekend we left for Regina, but there will be another one next year or so. Hagen reunions started at my grandma and grandpa's in Forestburg, Alberta on their farm they named the "Flying Shirttail" in 1973. Family reunions became the "Flying Shirt Tail Shoot-out" every long weekend in Sept. when everyone competed for various awards shooting clay pigeons out into the field. This was a Hagen tradition until grandpa and grandma sold the farm in the early 80's and moved to Camrose. THEN came the first Hagen Fish-Out, which was moved to the "Redwing", my great uncle and aunt's log cabin at Lac La Nonne, AB in 1984. Instead of shooting clay pigeons, everyone went out fishing for their awards. Now that all of us kids have grown up, we're asked to round up our own kids and grab the 'grandfolks' for the 35th anniversary for yet another Hagen Round-Up in Devon. I cannot wait to see pictures. Thank goodness for Facebook, as I've been keeping in touch with one of my cousins, so I hope to view some great pics of this event! Aaaahh, so many memories from the good ol' days. I can't wait to finally see and meet the new members of our family another time!

Back on the homefront, I'm still saving us some money and making our own whole wheat whole grain bread. As I mentioned before, at the cost of bread these days and the amount of it that we go through in a week, I've come to no choice but to bake it myself. My dear best friend in Ottawa has told me she's also doing the same thing and as she's calculated, it's only costing to make a whole loaf for about 25 cents! I would be buying the same bread for $3 or more @ about 3 or 4 loaves.

I started my landscaping and dug 2 ft. trenches all the way around the retaining wall. I planted 3 lavender shrubs and made a pathway with the red lava rock I took from the front yard. Stay tuned for more as I work in stages.