Scenic Saturday - CDA

CDA means Canada or if you live in Idaho, it means Couer D'Alene.  After coming back from a two week vacation in Toronto, Ontario we took a couple of days to get organized and we headed to Idaho to check out this quaint city of CDA aka Couer D'Alene.  We have heard so much about it and Jeff's bff thought it would be great for us to meet there. So we did.  It was a bit of a long drive for a day on the RV but we made it.  The Blackwell Island RV Park was situated on an island, therefore the name, and luckily we were given a spot that was over looking the water.  The Park was clean and everyone in the park was friendly and of course very respectful of each others property.  The motor homes, 5th wheel and trailers were just way bigger than ours.  It is funny that when you see our RV parked in front of our home, it appears to be big.  But when you are at an RV park such as this last one we stayed, our RV is the smallest. LOL.  Anyway, today I am combining the beautiful CDA and some of the special ones we saw in the busy city of Toronto.

Marilyn Monroe twin tower located in Mississauga ON

The view from our RV spot.

Photo taken aboard the Lake Couer D'Alene Cruise.

This turkey was trying to get inside the ROSS store, shopping for Thanksgiving outfit?

Foodie Friday - International Delight

Between our two weeks holiday in Toronto and five days RVing in Idaho, we manage not to get gain weight but actually maintained it.  But even with all the watching what we ate, we were still able to eat and try as many different type of foods and drink while on vacation.  I think it was more me than Jeff that had a list of what I wanted to have while visiting the great city of Toronto, which really is a very multicultural area when it comes to food.  I had two weeks to figure out which are the ones that I really miss and in the end of the trip, I was able to check every thing on my list. I am not sure if I was able to get photos of everything but here are some of them. What I forgot to take photos of are the dim sum lunch, jamaican meal, hakka chinese food, filipino lunch, portuguese snack and tarts, carribean goat roti, and a couple of authentic home made Italian dinner. 

Tartufo, the real italian ice cream.

Poutine, fries and gravy with cheese curds.

A charcuterie board prior to Jeff's birthday dinner.

The famous beaver tails.

Special breakfast prepared by my son in law.

Beer tasting at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) in Toronto

Authentic variety of Tacos in Hayden, Idaho.

Whaaat Wednesday - Hole in One

Today I got up early because I was adjusting back to pacific time from eastern time.  I checked my calendar and it showed I was going to volunteer for three hours.  After I got ready, I thought maybe I should check with the guy I am supposed to work for.  So I sent him a message and I got reply that he thought it was next week and that he will be busy for most of the day.  Since I was all dressed and ready to go, I thought maybe I will just golf with the ladies.  I called the pro shop and found out the last group had just heading to hole #1.  The course is only a few minutes away so I changed to my golf outfit while my hubby loaded my clubs and cart in the car.  Anyway, I was able to catch the group on hole #2 and then joined the group in front as they were only a threesome.  I was a bit winded and on the hole #3, I got a par.  By the way, this is the ladies group that collects money if you putt more than two putt for each of the hole.  Luckily, my putting was working and I was doing 1 or 2 putts.

When we got to hole #8, I hit my ball and the path was pretty straight but was not sure if I made the green.  Some of the ladies asked me if I knew exactly where my ball went.  I sort of said, it should be below the small mound or just before the green.  While walking I started looking for my ball just in case it ended in the first cut rough.  I got to the green and there was no ball to be found.  I continued checking the back of the green and no ball.  The other two ladies helped looked for my ball around the outside of the green.  I even went back on the right side of the fairway, just in case.  One of the ladies said, check the hole.  In my head,

I am thinking why, I would never get it there.  I headed for the hole, and OMG, my ball was

in the hole.  HOLE IN ONE.  I started dancing, got my camera, and the ladies all have me a hug, then more photos.  The group behind us was wondering what was happening and then

they all started yelling.  Anyway, my very first HOLE in ONE.  Hole #8 about 130 yards.  By the way when we finished 9 holes, I did not have to pay anything since I didn't putt more than two.  The owner of the golf course was in the pro shop and I told him what had happened.  Shortly after, I got a beer mug and was told that I get a drink on the house.  As a rule I would buy everyone in the club house a drink, but I guess that is not the case on this course.  I also received a pin from the manager.  It's too bad we didn't see it go in because

it was a bit far to see and the hole was situated below the little mound.  This is probably going to be the first and last.  LOL.

That's my feet while I stare at my ball in the hole. 

My own Hole in One beer glass courtesy of Hillview Golf Course.

The pro told me to write the date on my ball and asked the 3 ladies who witnessed.

I placed this pin on my green fleece golf jacket.

Memories Monday - I still miss my son

Today when I turn the page of my calendar that's on my desk, the following quotes were on the page:

There is no fear in letting tears come.  Sadness is a gift to avoid the nothingness of

numbness, and all hard places need water.  Grief is a gift, and after a rain of

tears, there is always more of you than before. Rain always brings growth.

My son would have been celebrating his 38th birthday today but sadly he was gone too soon.  Sometimes I wonder how mothers who lost a child cope each time that date occurs.  Do they stop counting their age after they are gone? Would you even do something or just do nothing?  I remember the first couple of years, we would get together with most of his best friends and go to the place where they had fun.  But after that, it seemed like everyone had moved on and there was no need to get together.  It seems sad but everyone says life has to go on without him and of course I followed that because I had no choice.  But days like today always makes me sad and even after eleven years, I am still counting how old he would have been. I am still paying tribute to my son on this blog because somehow I feel better writing about it.  Maybe instead of being sad, I will reminisce all the good times we had together.  Today I will celebrate the life that we had with him.  I will always miss him, not just on his birthday, but everyday for as long as I can. 

Togetherness Thursday - Treasured friendship

It must have been at least five years since I saw some of my friends who I use to work with, golf with and others that their friendship I treasure.  Getting together requires a bit of organization and coordination, but with everyone's help, it finally come together.  It was a perfect day to share all our stories, adventures and just life in general.  Going for lunch or dinner and maybe even breakfast was required in order to make sure I had time with them.  The best part was that everyone was very understanding of where we were and of course our schedule.  We were very fortunate to have accommodation in almost every location.  It was such a nice treat to stay at their homes, instead of hotel rooms.  Unfortunately there were some friends that I did not get to see because of time constraint.  When we look back on how long we all have been friends, it is amazing how time just flies.  Most of us have retired from work but some of the younger ones are still working but are also looking forward to retiring.  It is not like a high school reunion, but seeing most of them was just an exciting time.  Some of our friends unfortunately have left us way too soon.  We miss all of them and we will never forget them.  In life, it is nice to have lasting and treasured friendship.  Even if we don't get a chance to talk often or see each other as much as we can, our friendship is still special.  To all of you out there, thank you for your lasting friendship and unconditional love.

We definitely know to how have the best of times when we are together.

They were all there for me when I needed them the most.

Frenzy Friday - Kitchen towel madness

Two weeks ago I decided to do make some kitchen towels to give as gifts to some of my girlfriends.  At first I was only going to do two, then after I realized I needed a couple more and then another one.  It was such a frenzy because between the birthday outfit for my little friend and trying to finish up some other project, the towels were being put aside.  One day I decided to stay in my sewing room, lock the door and just completed all the towels that I have created.  Some of them I wanted to add some embroideries and others were just letters.

Hopefully the recipient of all these towels will appreciate the amount of time I spent to makes each on a special towel for their use in the kitchen.  After completing them, I thought that sometime next month, I should make some for our kitchen for some special occasion. 

This time I remember to take a photo of each one so I could share them with my readers.

Toonie Tuesday - A dollar a pound

A month ago we decided to have this little game that involves losing and gaining weight.  We each put the number of loonies for the number of pounds each wanted to lose.  Every Sunday morning we would weigh ourselves. If one lost a pound, then you win a loonie and if the other gain a pound then he or she would have to put a loonie in other jar.  The first week we stayed at our original weight when we first started this game.  The second week I lost a pound and Jeff gained a pound, so he just gave me the loonie.  The third week I lost another pound and so I got a loonie ($1 dollar coin) and he stayed the same.  The fourth week, I weighed the same and Jeff gained a couple, therefore he had to put a toonie in the jar.  We know that the jar will not really have a lot of funds, but it's just an incentive to lose weight or at least try to maintain our weight and not gain.  We don't know how long we will continue but for now it is still fun.  What is your incentive when you are trying to lose weight?  Do you eat less or exercise more?  Maybe you can create your own game with your spouse or partner or maybe even co-workers.  We thought it would be a good system to try and stay healthy and have a good BMI.  For now we both have to keep trying and it's really not about the loonie or the toonie, it's about keeping tabs on the weight so it does not get out a hand.