Meanest Monday - An old story

Last year when my hubby was getting his mom's house ready for selling, he found some boxes, etc and he found some interesting photos and hidden treasures. LOL.  But out of all the items he found, this newspaper clipping was the most interesting one.  I guess the story behind it was that he had read it from the local paper and clipped it.  On mother's day, he inserted it on a card he made for his mom. At first I was thinking of typing the whole story for this post, but instead I took a picture of the article and paste it below.  I hope that you enjoy reading this article as much as I did. Maybe I should have reserve it and waited until next month, but what will I post today.  Thank you to all the meanest mom.

Fragile Friday - Family Relationship

As the old saying goes, you can choose your friends but you sure as hell can't choose your family.  Friends come and goes but family is always family.  Some families are really close and others are so distant that you are surprised when they mention that they have family.  Through the years, we have lost some because it was their time and others were just unacceptable.  I envy those families that have stayed together in the same area so they can have each other for support.  In the olden days, most families do not have the choice to venture out somewhere far.  They usually have to stay around their parents and help out in the farm or some type of business.  Now a days, it's very seldom you will meet someone who has lived all their lives in the same place they were born.  Most people have move around because of work, relationship, better living conditions or for adventure.  But when you do, this is the part where you have to make some difficult decisions for your family.  Once you make that decision, then you will have to live with it and sometimes others cannot or does not forget nor forgive.  Families who are living so far apart, eventually grow apart.  They don't see each other, they all have busy lives and there's not much you can do, except understand.  The one benefit for now is that technology allows you to communicate and actually get a chance to see them while they tell their stories.  But what happens when you are not on the same page or maybe there's a bit of misunderstanding between families.  As an adult you think that's an easy solution, but at times when family gets older and life changes, the relationship becomes fragile and it causes more friction.  So let's try a variety of saying that might be more applicable. Life is short, forgive and forget, let's just try to get along.  By the way, this post should have been for Monday, February 17, it's Family Day.

Family and Friends Friday - In Memoriam

Today I would like to do a special In Memoriam to remember those who have gone in the last decade or more.  This special post is honoring all of them, both family members and friends. If you are reading this and had the chance of meeting or knowing them, maybe you can pause for a moment and think of the good times.  It's not about being sad but being grateful of the time we had with them.  When I got up this morning and looked at the date, it has been a year since by brother passed away.  So I guess this what prompted this post. Although this list does not cover others who I cannot remember, I am hoping that you will still take the time to think of your own list of family and friends who you have lost through the years.  

• Romy boy - 2019
• Gino - 2008
• Star - 2007
• George - 2008
• Grace - 2008
• Becky - 2016
• Laura - 2016
• Romeo - 1996
• Del - 2017
• Sylvana - 2008
• Tanya - 2008
• Michelin - 2017
• Wendy - 2018
• Danny - 2020
• Nonong - 2020

Family Friday - They are having fun

It is the third day of my MIL and cousin-IL's vacation.  Today I have offered her Cousin-IL to write the post about their BC adventure. 

Hello one and all,

My Aunt and I are having the time of our lives! From the minute we stepped off the plane and were handed a Tim Horton Blended cup of deliciousness, to the binge watching of a favorite Sam Elliott Netflix show The Ranch, we have been treated like Canadian Royalty! Shopping until we almost drop, we have been to every Dollar Store in Vernon (writer's embellishment), Davidson Orchards, honey tasting at Planet Bee (Cinnamon infused honey a must buy when you visit!), and this morning the Sunshine Festival in Downtown Vernon. Imagine my surprise when my host asked "Have you ever had Beaver Tail?" (my response, a look, raised eyebrows, and a "Uh, no.") Who knew it wasn't meat, but an amazing fried dough, cinnamon buttered, food of the Canadian Gods! All this fun was only surpassed by the Cranberry Portage hospitality, My cousin, Chauffeur and Sous Chef (the best son and cousin ever), Cousin-IL, aka Chef, Comedian, and Inn Keeper, (best cousin and daughter-in-law ever). The meals included Ribbon Pasta baked with cheese and meat sauce, Butter Chicken and rice, Pork Chili Verde, with homemade corn tortillas (yeah homemade), and the most spectacular dish, a homemade dessert, Tiramisu, seriously to die for! Even after having such wonderful dinners I was able to keep to my Weight Watchers and lose one pound, mind you I am not leaving for another week so....  

Pork Chili Verde 

We found this different flavor marshmallow while checking out London Drugs

This very different donut flavor (maccha and coconut) was from Ratio Coffee & Pastry

Welcome Wednesday - MIL and G2

Today is when my MIL (mother in law) and Jeff's cousin G2 (middle Gracie) arrives.  It will be the first time for G2 to visit Canada and second time for my MIL.  Many years ago my MIL and the mother of Gracie took a very long trip from San Francisco, California to Flin Flon, Manitoba.  The stories that they told us were pretty amazing.  Can you imagine two women in an old vehicle driving for many days and making stops at some little town?  All I can think of is that movie Thelma and Louise.  Anyway, we are very excited for their visit since they will be with us for two whole weeks.  There are really no plans on what we will be doing with them.  It will all depends on what they want to see and how much hanging around the house we would do.  Since it has been over a year since we last saw my MIL, there are going to be a lot of late nights, sharing stories and just hanging out. A couple of days ago, I have been busy doing some cooking in preparation for their visit.  I did remember to take some photos to share.  We know that they would like to see a lot of the tourist spot and of course the local favorites.  Although it is much smaller than San Jose, CA we can definitely show them the Canadian Hospitality.  They are excited to try our very own Tim Horton's coffee and they also want to try some of the local coffee shops in the city.  

Black peppered beef

Cinnamon coffee bars with raisins and pecans

Pork Chili Verde

Red meat sauce for Pasta Night 

One of my MIL's favorite dessert - Tiramisu

Wholesome Wednesday - A family gathering

It has been a year since we had a family gathering in Surrey, BC with all my cousins.  This year they decided to take a trip to get the experience of staying at our B&B.  Two of the cousins arrived on Tuesday afternoon which was perfect because it gave us time to get the house in order after our guests from California left.  We were able to have a good dinner with the first two who arrived.  One of them came all the way from the Philippines.  After dinner we begged Jeff to play the most favorite past time - MAHJONG.  Although Jeff sort of knew how to play, each time he gets asked, we would have to review the rules of the game.  I was shocked that we stayed almost past midnight playing the game.  The next morning, two more cousins arrived and by noon, the other cousins got to our home just in time for lunch.  They were all very happy with the meals that we serve and truly enjoyed their time in our entertainment room (pool table availability).  Unfortunately we had to leave the next day for our trip to Yellowknife.  We said goodbye and they stayed to look after our home while we were gone.  Upon our return, everything was in order, linens washed, and I found some surprise gifts on the table and three thank you cards.  My only regret is that we forgot to take photos of all of us because we were so busy catching up with stories and just having a lot of fun.  The only photo I took was the cupcakes I made for my cousin who was celebrating her birthday.  We had fun decorating her cupcakes.  

Sad Saturday - When family leaves

There is a very good excuse why this post has been delayed a little over a week.  The family visit kept me really busy before their arrival, during their stay and a couple of days after they left.  We had such a great visit even though they didn't really want to do a lot of day trips or tourists trap.  My daughter, my SIL (son in law) and my sister arrived the same day (May 19) with only a few minutes apart.  It was perfect timing so we didn't have to go to Kelowna airport twice that day.  My sister did a lot of cooking because all the requests of my daughter and her hubby were meals I am not comfortable making.  Although I made them my regular artisan bread and an olive bread plus Jeff made his egg bread.  We watch some shows on TV, a little sport (NBA playoffs) and a movie.  One day we were able to do a short walk around the neighborhood.  Then another day we manage to play a bit of tennis. Almost forgot, we picked a nice day to do a couple of wine tasting in Kelowna.  My daughter treated us to a very nice lunch at one of the wineries. One week came and went and we miss them already. Today they left and it's back to normal for Jeff and I.  Here's some pictures taken during their visit.

Welcoming Wednesday - Happiness with family

Whenever we get a chance to host our family visiting from other provinces, we or I should say, I get very excited.  I would start counting sleep and would get OCD with the planning.  My sister and I would probably do most of the cooking but maybe more my sister.  My daughter and her hubby will be visiting for a week while my sister will be around for an extra week.  It was a perfect timing that they were able to coordinate their vacation so they could be both here around the same time.  We don't see them often and it is going to be a fun week for us and we hope for them as well.  My daughter and my SIL have already sent a list of the meals they want to have while visiting.  Since my sister is a great cook and baker, she will do most of the meals they have requested.  I will get my special artisan bread ready for their arrival.  This will be the first time I will try on making an Olive Bread for my daughter.  On the other hand, Jeff will be making his Egg Bread, another request from my daughter.  While visiting we will plan on some fun things to do with them.  Although I know they will ask for some quiet time aka nap time.  They all have been working hard and are looking forward to this relaxing time at the CPBB.  Maybe my sister and I and maybe even my daughter will make a dance video just for laughs.  Do you have families visiting your home this summer? These are some of the activities we plan for their visit.

• Okanagan Distillery
• Wine tours in the area
• Tennis match
• Lunch at one of the pubs along the lake
• Game night (Charade or Celebrity Name Game or Billiards)
• Cooking Lesson 
• Maybe a little shopping
• Movie night plus the Royal Wedding

Minus the dog.

Memories Monday - My sister is back

It has been a while since I saw my sister who lives in Edmonton.  Luckily she decided to check out where we are and stayed with us for ten days.  Since she has been in the Okanagan many years ago, we really didn't have to do a lot of tourist spot.  We spent most of our time at home doing crafts, baking, cooking and  just catching up.  When I said a while, I guess we have not seen each other for a couple of years.  It seems that we were so busy with our lives or just enjoying life.  Of course her visit would not be complete without a bit of shopping for great deals.  She did mention to her coworker that she probably won't do any shopping since Edmonton is a much bigger city so much wider variety of stores.  You are probably wondering what we actually did so I made sure I took photos of the different items we did.  Almost forgot, she cooked a couple of filipino dishes that I can't make for our dinner after she leaves. 

My sister made a nice Roast beef dinner with all the trimmings.

I sewed this scarf for my sister.

This is her new cell phone charger holder for her room.

She crocheted five dish cloth for our kitchen.

I painted an empty Bailey's bottle with an african design for her living room.

She showed me how to bake a yummy butter cookies for Christmas.

I made this tote/shopping bag from the leftover material.

Finally, we woke up to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, I thought I was dreaming.