Summary Sunday - Trying it out

After the post about contemplating on quitting this blog, one of my BFF suggested that I just try and do only once a week post so it's not too stressful.  Trying to find new ideas and new topics is in fact a little too hard on my brain.  So I will try this out starting this week and today's post is just a collection of the flowers/plants that are growing, which is actually my updates on gardening.  Here's the latest photos from my garden.  As you can see, I haven't killed any of the new plants this year. LOL.

I thought maybe it's a bit overcrowded, but actually they look so healthy and pretty.

Can you believe they look so healthy?

Not really sure what these are but they bloom every year around this time.

These roses are just so pretty.

This is my mixed Kale plant.  I have harvested a couple of times and they are so yummy.

Finishing Friday - To quit or not to quit

How did I get started with blogging?  I think it was my daughter's suggestion to start so that my family and friends can follow me since I moved away from Canada.  It was the beginning of 2011, actually January was when I created my blog.  My daughter helped quite a bit at the start and then I just kept learning on my own.  I cannot believe that this is my 9th year and although I want to continue, I think I am running out of ideas.  During my last chat with my daughter, I seem to recall that she had stopped blogging after ten years.  Maybe that is the cut off time when people starts getting tired of writing post or starts running out of ideas.  So for the past few days, I have been contemplating on my decision with regards to my blog.  I don't have a lot of followers and the number of page views is really slowing down, so that is giving me the hint that maybe it is time.   Last week I also notice the Blogspot is changing the look of the their design and I am not sure if it's because it has been free for a very long time, and now if you want to keep the rest of your design, etc. that you will have to pay some sort of fee.  As most of the free apps, they are only free for a number of years and then they will start to charge some sort of a yearly fee or a membership.  If only I can hear your comments on whether to continue this or not, that might help with my decision. The problem is I really have not received any sort of comment for anyone for a very long time.  This confirms that maybe no one is actually reading this post except for a handful of my friends.  

System Sunday - Naming our appliances

What happens when you ran out of topic to talk about during breakfast?  Well, my mind starts to get busy and this morning this is what I have come up with.  Since we have some appliances that we have names for, I decided to name as much as I can for an hour.  And these are the results.

• Alexa - smart speaker by Amazon
• Aida - mixer by Kitchen Aid
• Azul - tablet by Kindle Fire
• Bam Bam - central vacuum by Beam
• Bibi - blender by Cuisinart
• Blue - tablet by Kindle Fire
• Consuelo - vacuum by 
• Cour D'les - Panasonic cordless iron
• Dot - White Echo dot by Amazon 
• Echo - Echo show by Amazon
• Frigga - Refrigerator by Frigidaire
• Hai Hai - TV by Haier
• Kiku - Coffee maker by Keurig
• Lil' Ida - Small chopper by Kitchen Aid
• May - Microwave by Maytag
• Procy - Food processor by 
• Puck - Black Echo dot by Amazon
• Ruby - Car by Ford
• Suzie - Sewing machine by Brother
• Sterling - Bathroom toilet bowl
• Tangerine - tablet by Kindle Fire
• Thor - Class A motor coach
• Wei Wa - Scale by Weight Watchers

Do you have a name for appliances, vehicles or toys in your home?  I am sure most of you do but maybe just not as many as the above.  

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.

Simply Saturday - National Poetry Month

Did you know that April 1, 2020 is the national poetry month? And all this time I thought April 1 was April Fool's Day.  I was wondering if maybe they should pick another day.  It's a little confusing specially now that everyone is at home and no one really knows what day it is anymore.  Since I did not have any idea on what to post today, I thought I would just post some poems that I found from the 1984 Cranberry Portage Cookbook from Manitoba, Canada.  My MIL gave it to me a few years ago when she found out that my blog's name is Cranberry Portage.  Today I was actually looking for some interesting recipe.  Instead I found some quotes and a poem at the end of each of the section of the cookbook.  Now I want to share what I have found. Instead of the poem, I opted on some of the sayings/quotes.

The best thing you can do for spring fever is absolutely nothing.

When you are completely satisfied, remember what happens to a fat turkey.

When in doubt, do the friendliest thing.

Life fulfills few of its promises. 

Either we get what we don't want or we don't like what we wanted and got.

Take time to help and enjoy friends; it is the source of happiness.

Take time to read - it is the foundation of knowledge.

When the average man says he loves greens, he is speaking of a golf course.

Be kind, stay healthy, stay apart, stay at home.

Free Friday - In times like this, it's a nice gesture

As the world stays at home and follow social distancing, I have been busy with a lot of things around the house. Between blogging, sewing, painting, cleaning, organizing, etc. I am still finding some more free time to do whatever I want. Before I share some of the things I have completed this past couple of weeks or maybe it has been months, I want to share something that we got for free yesterday at our local Okanagan Distillery.  After our walk yesterday, one of our neighbor told us about the free hand sanitizer that the distillery is giving away.  Jeff lined up and got of the bottles which they have been producing after stores ran out of hand sanitizer. If needed, you can get a bigger bottle to refill this one. 

Now let me show you the fabric face masks that I have been sewing a lot.  So far I have mailed a total of 17 masks to family and friends in Ontario.  In case the health officials order everyone to wear mask when they go out, we will have it ready. Although it is not the prescribed one (which is saved for the front line health workers), we can still get some sort of protection if someone coughs or sneeze, or even if it's just from the dust or other allergens.  The best part of this project, I have been giving them away for free.  My next door neighbor wanted one as well, so we had left one on her front door.  A few days ago during our walk in the neighborhood, one home had a bunch of fabric masks hanging on a hook in their front yard and anyone can help themselves, again for free. 

If you like to get one of these, please leave me a comment and I will try to get the details from you by email.  Unfortunately this offer is only for Canadian residents. 

Saying Sunday - Something to think about

While trying to figure out what I would post today, I was looking around and my eyes focused on my desk calendar.  For today's saying or quote:

Sometimes I stand in the living room after they're all in bed, and listen to that clock tick slowly.  Sometimes the ticking of the clock is like Morse Code, tapping it out again and again: You have only one direction every day: how will you use your time?  Sometimes the best use of your time is to stand and listen to a clock.

And so I decided to find some other positive and useful quotes or sayings for today, a little something something to think about and ponder.  I hope that it will take your mind off the negative day to day news as well as people not taking this issue seriously. 

Learning the art of living is learning the art of giving.

What matters in your life is not so much what happens to you but what you happen to remember--and how that will influence how your life happens.

Mandatory Monday - Time to get organized

There are only 59 days left before the 2019 Income Tax deadline.  For some it is easy because they just hand everything to their account and it's done.  Others will use tax companies that sometimes gives you the refund ahead if you are receiving some credits.  And then there are those like me who has done it since the beginning of time.  Except when we returned to Canada a few years ago.  We were lucky because our next door neighbors were accountants.  For the first two years they did the taxes for us.  This year my hubby decided to do ours.  Not only does he has to do Canadian Taxes, he also needs to do a US one.  Don't get me wrong, I am grateful that he is taking the time and making sure that each line, each number, each form is completed meticulously.  My only concern is that we have two different deadlines. April 15 and April 30.  Of course when you do it yourself, sometimes you might miss a section or the calculation is off.  But for some reason, the government agency responsible always makes sure your taxes are correct and if it is incorrect, it will reflect in your assessment.  For most of the time that I have done my taxes, the amount owing or credit is only a few dollars different.  But some of the years, I am just dead on to the last cent.  What is the point of today's post?  Start prepping your papers and complete the forms sooner than later.  Once it is submitted who cares when you get the refund or assessment.  You know that you have complied with the law and regulations of being a citizen of Canada.

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

Spiritual Saturday - Inspirational Daybrightener

Last month I had a chance to shop at Hobby Lobby in Morgan Hill, California.  If you have not been to one, check out their website or the store.  It's too bad they do not have one in Canada. It is a huge store filled with arts and crafts and many more.  I bought some fabrics that were on sale, a few packages of gromets for some of the sewing projects, a special lemon drops candy, a couple of cute headband and finally a flip calendar (The Broken Way).  I did not have my glasses so I couldn't read what type it was.  When I got home, I finally got a chance to read it and it was in fact an Inspirational Dayspring "day brightener".  So basically they are inspirational words but some are more religious than others.  I thought of sharing a few that I had just read from the past week.  Did they make my day brighter?  Not really, but it made me think and said, hmmm. Here's a few that I thought was something to think about.

• Before you blink and your one life's a tendril of smoke, a memory, a vapor, gone, know this: you are where you are for such a time as this -- not make an impression but to make a difference.
• We aren't here to one-up one another, but to help one another up.
• No chance in circumstances can change your life like meaning and purpose can.  No certain place can give you an abundant life like a certain purpose can.  Like purpose and meaning and connection can.
• The greatest living always happens through the givenness.
• Empty, poured-out buckets are actually the fullest buckets.

Welcome back Wednesday - It's good to be home

Two months for my hubby and one month for me, that's how long we have been away.  It was so great that we have some awesome neighbors who took care of our home and plants while we were away.  There are so many stories to share and so many photos to show you but for now just sharing the highlights of our trip back to our previous city of San Jose.   

1. Congratulations to the Sharks for making it to the second round of the NHL Playoffs.  
2. Thank you to all our friends in the Bay area who made our visit another amazing experience. I was very pleased that I have shared my knowledge of bread making and marmalade while Jeff gave some RV 101 to the hubby of my childhood friend.  
3. A special thanks to my golf buddies to make it possible to play as many rounds of golf as I can fit in our schedule.  Also to CW for the lending me the golf clubs and including me and my buddy to your company tournament.  Plus getting me a deal at Sur La Table. 
4. To the guys that help Jeff complete the task of selling his mother's home in a short period of time.  
5. To our cousin who shared their car with us so we did not have to use the RV doing our errands and appointments during our visit.  
6. To my childhood friends, thank you for taking the time to organize our dinner get together.  I can't believe that after 60 years we are still reconnecting and having so much fun like old times.  
7. To Ed and Debbie for sharing their home in the country for almost a week. It was such a great time watching the Sharks win and lose.  
8. To the Tran couple, we are so lucky to have great friends.  I am so glad that I was able to share my experience of baking bread.  We hope you enjoy your new Dutch Oven.  Almost forgot, thanks for the use of your golf cart.
9. To our friends out in Discovery Bay and Brentwood.  We had to much fun watching Jax's first year with tee ball.  
10. To our next door neighbor Pam and Chris, thank you for taking us to dinner at Aqui's,