One of my favourite friends, Seija, is about to embark on a new life. Seija and her partner, John, are going to sail around the world. John bought a 44 foot sailboat last week after the sale of his house and now the adventure begins. Seija and John move out of their home on the 12th of March and soon there after drive to their new home (sailboat) in a marina in Vancouver and then the adventure begins for them.
Seija is a one of kind of gal. She is very talented in many ways. Nobody can garden like Seija – all of her gardens are like a work of art – I have always loved going over to Seija’s and her and I would take a long slow walk about her gardens and discuss her many plants – I learned a great deal from Seija and her gardens.
Seija is also quite an artist. I don’t know where to start on the many different artist things that Seija have created over the years that I have know her. One thing to mention is when her son, Shane, was a little boy he brought his Echt-a-Sketch to her and asked her to make the house again – it was truly amazing – I was in awe at what Seija did with those two little dials.
Seija’s cooking is second to none. It was and is always is a treat when Seija makes something for you from her kitchen. Seija and I have spent many hours discussing food and recipes with enthusiasm.
What I like the most about Seija is her personality. She is so funny and quick witted. Seija is also very tolerent and forgiving. She can tell a great story or two as well.
One of my most fond memories is when Seija and I went to my out building on my property with a laundry basket that had a bottle of Gin, a bottle of tonic, a bucket of ice, some sliced lime, candles and my ghetto blaster which we put on some jazz music (we both absolutley love jazz) opened up the big, double back doors during a terrific thunder and lightning summer storm and talked until four o’clock in the morning. I don’t think that we left any subject (that interested us) out. That was such a fun night and most certainly one of my favourite memories!
Seija has so generously shared some of her favourite belongings with me that she will not be taking on her journey. A beautiful reupholstered antique chair and foot stool, some art work, lots of books – both novels and gardening books and a big coffee table Wine lovers book, some wine glasses and some gardening instruments. Thanks Seija – much appreciation! Bonn voyage and enjoy your journey. You know my number and can always hang your hat here my friend.
I just tried out a new laundry detergent that is suppose to be environmentally friendly and I am very impressed!! It is called Natural Elements Purex 2X Ultra Concentrate. It is biodegradable and designed for the environment. Bye-bye Tide!
I got the fabric softener of the same name and impressed with that too!
Anybody that knows me very well, knows how much I love brandy. I found a new brandy that is just dandy! It is called “Raynal” Brandy de France. It says it is a “Rare Old French Brandy” (since 1814), VSOP. Just to confirm, it is very delicious – it has a smooth and velvety taste!
It is time that I stepped up to the plate and do a little volunteering for the Nordic ski club so today I (wo)manned the main entrance of the X-country ski tracks. I was to basically get a good fire going in the wood stove and collect the money from non-members and new members and check every one elses membership badge. I went prepared with a lot of things to keep me occuppied thinking that it would be pretty slow. #1 was to give myself a manincure and I was able to. My friend, Cathy, gave each of us ladies a gift when we were at her cottage on Lake Wasa two summers ago. The gift was “Ms Manincure” marvelous mini manicure grooming kit. So here was this tiny, neatly packaged, really good manicure kit in my back pack with a container of my special Epson Salt scrubb. What a great maincure I was able to give myself. #2 was to get a good read of my book, “The Appeal”, but I was just too busy for that but I was able to get a crossword completed.
It ws just a perfect ski day. The temperature just right and the sun was shining. I didn’t mind at all.
There is one thing that I am feeling pretty sad about. As I was driving home at 100 kls per hr there was a pheasant sitting in the middle of the road. There was no way to avoid it and I hit it. Thummp!!! When I looked in my rear view mirror there were feathers flying everywhere. When I got home, Bob checked out the front of my car and no damage except the blood all over the hood. I hope it snows tonight. Sorry Pheasant!
It is the weekend and you are wishing that you could sleep a little more but your mind is used to getting up around this early time. What I have been using for the past couple of years when I want (need) to stay in bed a little longer is the “Urban Spa Eye Mask”. It is satiny smooth on both sides, the inside being darker in colour with extra little pillow pockets scented with Lavender. It puts me back into a deep, restful sleep with really enjoyable dreams (for a couple of hours even). I am about to buy my third one. Bob has been using these eye masks as well and just loves them.
The Schick Quattro for women is the way to go. I found a real deal, $5, with skin cream and extra baldes to boot. Bottom shelf in Shoppers Drugmart. Exact same ones were two shelves up minus extra blades and skin cream for 3X the cost. It was the easiest shave ever. Next time you are in need of a new shaver choose the Schick Quattro.
The best LifeSavers around right now are the individually wrapped (not neccessarily eco-friendly) mint Lifesavers. I first tried them after a terrible lunch that Bob and Joe and I had in Nelson a few weeks back. The lunch was so bad that I going to write the restaurant and tell them that they had really good breath mints and that is all that is good about that restaurant but choose not to because I didn’t want a free meal voucher or anything from them (well maybe some more mints). As luck would have it, Lindsay and Jeff sent Bob a bag of these yummy mints as one of his Christmas gifts and Bob is sharing them with me.
Check out Jeff Healey’s “Mess of Blues”. It is just one fabulous CD!
Yeah!! We got tickets to see the best guitartist in the world. Who is the best guitarist in the world? Well Mark Knopler ofcourse! He had added Kelowna to his tour and yeah, there were tickets for us to purchase. Thank you Bob! You know how much I love Mark Knoppler!
Love Susan
I just purchased a small George Foreman grill. Love it, Love it, Love it! Everything I cooked on it turned out perfect! Just follow the instructions that come with the grill for whatever you are grilling and it should turn out perfect. We a going to have Wild, Sockeye Salmon Steaks done on it tonight – can hardly wait!