Wordy Wednesday - To make a long story short

When Twitter first came out, I contemplated on signing up but then I realized I can't be part of it because I don't know how to just write a few words.  You know that saying "to make a long story short", well I could not comply with that.  If I tell a story, it will always be the longer version.  Whether I am talking it out, or writing or texting, I can't seem to keep it short. That is the reason why I am not on Twitter nor Instagram.  So I opted instead to Blogging.  I have a lot of space to write and I can just keep writing. LOL.  But lately I had to write a protocol for the new volunteer position I am doing.  The first draft went quick but then I had to revised it for a second time as the document was way too wordy.  I had to keep it simple.  I also have to admit that although I can compose, I know that my grammar is not that great and I have to blame that on English is my second language.  Sometimes, I ask my hubby if I need to retake the ESL course.  Although when I first arrive in Canada, that course was not available in Yellowknife. When I moved to Ontario, that was the first time I heard about the ESL class for new immigrants. Anyway, now that I am not retired, I am do not require any writing skills. Of course I am sure that if you have been reading my blog, you would have probably provide some advise on writing a blog.  Interestingly enough, I have been blogging for over 10 years.  So far no one has commented about my post being too wordy.  But then, I don't have a lot of followers and most of them do not provide any comments.  Well this ended up to be a longer post than what I was thinking when I started.

Welcoming Wednesday - New Flowers

Now that I started this weekly update on my new and old plants, I might as well continue and provide some update photos on some of the latest blooms.  Last year my neighbor gave us a few plants ( two types of iris and another couple of other grassy type).  At first I planted them in big pots but after speaking with my BFF who is a master gardener from Ontario, we took them out of their pots and planted them on the ground in the fall.  All of them survived the winter months and now in the spring, they have all come back to live.  Last week, I have noticed a bunch of them having blossoms.  And very interesting enough, the yellow and green leaves have bluish purple flower that smells like bubble gum.  While the green leaves have the yellow blooms.  By the way, one of the plant that I got this year is called Periwinkle.  I bought it because of the name, I planted it and then when the flower came out, I had to google it to see if it was actually my periwinkle.  LOL.  Now introducing all the new flowers.

Wild Wednesday - Flowers and more

One day last week I decided to pull some unwanted plants aka weeds. It took over an hour to finish the whole front yard. It was a very sunny and warm day so I couldn't believe how much sweat was dripping from my forehead.  Since I am not familiar with some of the plants versus weeds, I started pulling one green plant thinking it was weed but when I pulled all the way through, there was a bulb at the end of the weed.  Oops, so I tried to put it back in.  So hopefully I have only pulled the right unwanted plants.  The next day my hubby took a photo of this plant in the backyard and I thought that someone planted it.  But my hubby said it's not real plants but some type of weed.  Oh bother.  Now I have decided to maybe just try planting herbs and some vegetables this year instead of flowers that I don't have a clue which ones are annuals or perennials.  To me they are all just colorful flowers. 

Walking Wednesday - Flowers are blooming

Whenever we go for our walk around the neighborhood, we always find interesting items that might be good to share on my blog.  Since spring has arrived, I have been taking photos of flowers that are blooming on everyone's yard.  Although I have some that are starting to show some flowers or that some plants are alive, this one particular home had their front yard covered with very colorful blooms.  Now that everyone is at home, I am sure the yards from the neighborhood will be very well manicured.  More plants are getting planted and most weeds are pulled and grass are all cut very short.  What have you been doing in your yard or garden.  By the way, I forgot to mention that my hubby bought 5 fruit trees in the hopes that we will get something to pick next year.

From my front yard

This was the succulent that I got from the gardener at our golf course.

These were the flowers from one of the neighborhood front garden.

Who Wednesday - 14 days is 14 days

All over the world the news about isolation and social distance is repeated over and over and yet you see people not doing what is highly recommended to flatten the curb.  Here's some example that we have noticed in our area.  We have seen people who we know who have travelled outside Canada.  We thought that they knew about 14 days of isolation but apparently not.  We have seen them at least twice out and about.  At the same time we still see people not following the social distancing.  One person we overheard saying who she is not going to get cooped in the home and that she will still go out and do things.  What part of STAY AT HOME do they not understand.  If for every one that doesn't follow this, they are putting so many others in danger because of their ignorance.  My daughter's neighbor started painting part of the sidewalk with encouraging messages and kept the distance between each art work two meters apart.  This 10 year old girl has a much better understanding of the whole situation.  So what do you do with these other people who are still clueless of these issues.  We decided no open our doors to anyone so keep them out.  We still answer the door but politely say that we feel it's not the time to socialize.  Please do the right thing.  Be safe, keep the distance and let us help each other flatten the curve.  PLEASE.

Wallet Wednesday - Insurance dillema

If you reside outside of British Columbia you are in a better position when it comes to vehicle insurance.  When we moved to Vernon we were shocked at how much more expensive are their insurance coverage.  Mainly because it is control by ICBC.  Everyone is required to have their vehicle insured with them first and then you have the option to get a private insurance for additional coverage.  Lately they have announced that their new policy/procedure will be better in 2021.  Although we already have heard that the rates will be ridiculously high.  It really doesn't matter if you have a good record or no claim, it will still go up because they are such a bad financial situation.  They might have change some of their regulations but they will still have the control because you cannot get to choose or shop for your own.  If I am not mistaken, it is the only province that has the monopoly on vehicle insurance.  For example our 2019 insurance increased by almost $500, reason just because they increased the rates and didn't even look at your record for the past couple of years.  As for our RV which we only insure for six months, the rates were almost 3 times as what we had when it was insured in the USA. I feel really bad for student or young drivers who are slapped with such high premiums that they almost need a loan just to be able to drive.  As of May 2021 they are implementing the new no-fault system which includes a one time 20 per cent cut to premiums.  Notice the words ONE TIME.  So does it mean that in 2021 you will get lower premiums and the following year, they will announce an increase in whatever per cent they feel depending on how their financial situation is.  Just venting today, I guess it's what happens when you move, almost anywhere there will be the positives and the negatives. As for this move, of course there are more positives and benefits, but I am sure we are not the only ones venting about this ICBC control.  It's been like this for 47 years so I kinda doubt that it will go away.  So if you are thinking of moving to BC, remember this 4 letters.

Car owners in the province won't be surprised, but British Columbians are still paying the highest auto insurance premiums in Canada. The General Insurance Statistical Agency released numbers Tuesday showing that British Columbians pay an average of $1,832 for car insurance per year.Aug 13, 2019

Wheat Wednesday - Does it matter?

Do you remember when you last went to a breakfast place and you are ask what type of bread you want?  White, whole wheat, rye, sourdough, multi-grain, English muffin and bagel.  But sometimes the choice are only white or brown or in the some places, it's white or

wheat.  It's funny but most bread comes from Wheat, right.  Anyway, this week I decided to make another artisan bread since it was snowing and we didn't want to go to the store to buy bread.  While browsing through my Pinterest, I noticed one with a slightly different version of the artisan bread.  Still 4 ingredients, same process with a slightly different measurements.  If you want to try it, it starts with 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp instant yeast, and 1 1/2 cup of warm water.  Mix together in a bowl, cover with plastic, place is a warm area of the house for proofing or rising for 15 to 18 hours.  Then bake in a dutch oven at 450  with cover for 30 minutes.  After remove cover and bake for an additional 8 minutes.  And that's it, you have a light and fluffy bread that's amazing with butter and honey and consumed warm.

I use all purpose flour instead of bread flour.

Chocolate swiss roll with dark chocolate ganache.

with whipped vanilla cream and fluffy marshmallow filling.

Banana, oatmeal, coconut muffin with dark chocolate shavings on top.

Woozy Wednesday - Trial and error

How long do you put up with not feeling right before you see your doctor?  Well, for me I usually give a couple of weeks just to make sure that it's nothing instead of something.  But since I had already a scheduled appoint to see my doctor, I would just bring up all the issues

that has been bothering me lately.  After my appointment, the doctor wanted to see me again after four weeks.  We are trying a couple of things to rule out some of the issues.  It would be nice if the blood pressure medication can just be omitted, but I have a feeling that he might

just find another one that would help to lower BP as well as protect my kidneys.  I am sure if you are taking any type of prescription medications, we all know that each and everyone of them have numerous side effects.  This what I think is all about trial and error.  Yes, it will help with whatever issue you might have but sometimes the side effects are way too much that if affects you day to day normal life.  So, this is when you start questioning as to whether

is it really helping or is it just covering it up or just a temporary relief.  So what am I trying for the next 4 weeks, I am suppose to stop taking this particular pill and record any unusual event as well as take my BP measurement once a day, taken at different time of the day.  My doctor will find some other type of prescription that would best serve my BP control and kidney.  I would be dreaming if I think that I could just get off this particular prescription but unfortunately elevate blood pressure is in our genes.  In the meantime I try to do a little of my own researching/reading of the different BP pills available, their side effects as well as cost and reviews.  Now a days, with all the information online, it's easy to get sucked in to what you read, but I know that I do these, just so I am informed and can ask the correct question.  I am still woozy every now and again, so it's still a trial and error each day but I know that there's that light at the end of the tunnel and I just need to be patient.  

Wholesome Wednesday - Yummy for my tummy

When it's snowing heavily and there's no need to go out of the house, then I will always find something to cook, bake or make or do something productive.  Lately there has been three consecutive days that the snow decided not to stop, it just kept coming.  After getting all my chores done, I started checking Pinterest and other sites for things to make. Today is just all about yummy for our tummy.  

I bought a plain croissant and made it an almond chocolate croissant.

This is my hubby's version of quick cinnamon roll (pillsbury)

Banana roll aka Turon

Chocolate Swiss Roll with vanilla creamy filling top with chocolate ganache with nuts.

Bannock aka fried bread

One slice of the roll with whipping cream topping

Wonderful Wednesday - Happy New Year

It's another year, a new beginning, the year of the rat, a different set of resolutions, and so on.  We said goodbye to 2019 last night.  Is it a year that we want to put in a box and never to be opened again.  Too many disasters, so many lives lost, too much hatred, just too much of everything.  OK that's too negative, right.  I want to do my own year 2019 review on a good note. In no particular order:

• Bianca Andreescu won the US Open beating Serena.
• Toronto Raptors won the NBA Championship
• New England Patriots won Superbowl 53
• I got my very first HOLE in ONE on August 28
• Washington Nationals won the World Series
• St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup after 52 years wait.
• It all comes out in the wash - favorite country hit
• Kombucha and plant based diet - None for me, thank you
• Avengers: Endgame - Not pleased with Thor's new look
• Our California and Ontario trip visiting family and friends
• Wine bottling/labels for our own collection (3 types of red and 2 types of white)
• Reuniting with friends who visited our CPBB

And the review cannot be complete unless I share my favorite photos of 2019.