.....we hit 16 1/2 months of waiting for a referral!
16 1/2 MONTHS!
This is how I am feeling right now:
AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Open Letter To Winter
Dear Winter:
I was reading the newspaper today and the weather man indicated you are planning to stay around until sometime in April - perhaps I might even go so far as to say MID-April. It was written there, in black and white, for all to see.
I am asking you to PLEASE reconsider.
You should know that I very much like you, Winter.
Many a thing I admire in you:
-How you allow me to SEE my breath as I exhale - only in winter am I able to witness with my own eyes this life force inside me
-When the first frost forms lovingly on the grass, trees and remains of gardens
-The lightness of the first snowfall and how every year I am awestruck by the beauty of it.
-the hoar frost as it clings to the trees on a cold winter morning.
-the snow people young children make on our street
-the sound of your crunch beneath our feet as we walk
-the twinkle of house lights as darkness comes early
-the smell of hot cocoa as we snuggle on the couch
We prepared early for you this year. We ensured the yard was ready for your imminent arrival - we put away our summer things, and pulled out winter boots, coats, mittens and toques . Our cars we had readied with almighty snow tires. I promise! We aren't liars.
We did our due diligence Winter, you can't blame us.
We thought you might come for Thanksgiving in October, or maybe Remembrance Day in November. Right into December we waited with anticipation - peaking every morning thru the blinds to see if you had arrived.
Alas, we waited in vain...Fall hung on with every last bit of might and muscle it had. Right into the middle of December it held you at bay.
But, finally one day your tendrils of soft snowflakes arrived and we yelled "Hooray!"and "Who wants Christmas without any snow anyway!"
Soon after you arrived you let us know with a vengeance that you were here to stay...you hurled temperatures of -35 with wind chills of -45 and 50 our way!!!
We bundled up, plugged in our cars and cranked the thermostat all in effort to ease your cold ways. On in to January, February and March you have remained, not relenting one teensy, tiny bit. Quite often you are kind and offer a reprieve - this isn't Calgary after all, no Chinooks blow through here! Not this year, you had something diffent in store for us.
Now April approaches and we yearn for the bloom of lilies and crocuses!
Yet, still your grip is tight - we know you will miss us Winter, we will miss you too!! But it has been so long since we saw our old friends Spring and Summer and the time is near.
So, please reconsider the length of your stay....like a house guest with no departure date, we wish you would leave. We don't mean to be rude or push you out the door, but the time has come for you to just go!
Please don't be mad or leave in a huff, for you see it will only be 7 or so months, before we once again see your pretty white stuff!
Sincerely,
The residents of Saskatchewan
*Edited to add - I am NO poet it and I know it :) Humour me people...I tried!
I was reading the newspaper today and the weather man indicated you are planning to stay around until sometime in April - perhaps I might even go so far as to say MID-April. It was written there, in black and white, for all to see.
I am asking you to PLEASE reconsider.
You should know that I very much like you, Winter.
Many a thing I admire in you:
-How you allow me to SEE my breath as I exhale - only in winter am I able to witness with my own eyes this life force inside me
-When the first frost forms lovingly on the grass, trees and remains of gardens
-The lightness of the first snowfall and how every year I am awestruck by the beauty of it.
-the hoar frost as it clings to the trees on a cold winter morning.
-the snow people young children make on our street
-the sound of your crunch beneath our feet as we walk
-the twinkle of house lights as darkness comes early
-the smell of hot cocoa as we snuggle on the couch
We prepared early for you this year. We ensured the yard was ready for your imminent arrival - we put away our summer things, and pulled out winter boots, coats, mittens and toques . Our cars we had readied with almighty snow tires. I promise! We aren't liars.
We did our due diligence Winter, you can't blame us.
We thought you might come for Thanksgiving in October, or maybe Remembrance Day in November. Right into December we waited with anticipation - peaking every morning thru the blinds to see if you had arrived.
Alas, we waited in vain...Fall hung on with every last bit of might and muscle it had. Right into the middle of December it held you at bay.
But, finally one day your tendrils of soft snowflakes arrived and we yelled "Hooray!"and "Who wants Christmas without any snow anyway!"
Soon after you arrived you let us know with a vengeance that you were here to stay...you hurled temperatures of -35 with wind chills of -45 and 50 our way!!!
We bundled up, plugged in our cars and cranked the thermostat all in effort to ease your cold ways. On in to January, February and March you have remained, not relenting one teensy, tiny bit. Quite often you are kind and offer a reprieve - this isn't Calgary after all, no Chinooks blow through here! Not this year, you had something diffent in store for us.
Now April approaches and we yearn for the bloom of lilies and crocuses!
Yet, still your grip is tight - we know you will miss us Winter, we will miss you too!! But it has been so long since we saw our old friends Spring and Summer and the time is near.
So, please reconsider the length of your stay....like a house guest with no departure date, we wish you would leave. We don't mean to be rude or push you out the door, but the time has come for you to just go!
Please don't be mad or leave in a huff, for you see it will only be 7 or so months, before we once again see your pretty white stuff!
Sincerely,
The residents of Saskatchewan
*Edited to add - I am NO poet it and I know it :) Humour me people...I tried!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
And Breathe!
Inhale, Exhale, Inhale, Exhale!
This last week I have had to remind myself to breathe!
I have been going over and over in my head what I want to say about the events of last week but I got nothin'. I have sat down a couple of times to write a post in defense of this or that and zip! Zilch! Nada will come out.
I don't feel I have to defend anything! We chose the right country and agency for us when we started and we both still 100% feel that way now! 'Nuff said!
I am tired and in need of a giant hug though!
Any takers?
This last week I have had to remind myself to breathe!
I have been going over and over in my head what I want to say about the events of last week but I got nothin'. I have sat down a couple of times to write a post in defense of this or that and zip! Zilch! Nada will come out.
I don't feel I have to defend anything! We chose the right country and agency for us when we started and we both still 100% feel that way now! 'Nuff said!
I am tired and in need of a giant hug though!
Any takers?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Ask and Ye Shall Receive!
Well, you'll receive a bran muffin recipe at least :)
A few people asked so here it is - I sent the recipe to Carolyn yesterday and she can already attest to the deliciousness of the muffins.
Oh and I had a thought - what about using chocolate covered raisins - ya, know like Glosette raisins - ya, get the raisins, ya get the chocolate! This is what entered my head first thing when I woke up this morning - PURE GENIOUS I say.
Classic Bran Muffins
. . . an old favourite - with good reason. (seriously - this is what the recipe says)
1 1/2 cups ROGERS WHEAT BRAN
1 cupbuttermilk*
1/3 cupvegetable oil
1egg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup ROGERS NO ADDITIVE / ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup raisins or dates
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Mix together bran and buttermilk; let stand. Combine oil, egg, sugar and vanilla and add to buttermilk-bran mixture.
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and stir well.
Add to first mixture and stir until just blended.
Add raisins or dates and spoon into prepared muffin cups.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until done.
* To substiture for 1 cup buttermilk, use 1 tbsp. lemon juice plus enough milk to make 1 cup (250 mL).
YIELD: 12 muffins.
I do use the Rogers Wheat bran but I use an organic all purpose flour and I only use ¼ cup of brown sugar!
Bon Appetit!
A few people asked so here it is - I sent the recipe to Carolyn yesterday and she can already attest to the deliciousness of the muffins.
Oh and I had a thought - what about using chocolate covered raisins - ya, know like Glosette raisins - ya, get the raisins, ya get the chocolate! This is what entered my head first thing when I woke up this morning - PURE GENIOUS I say.
Classic Bran Muffins
. . . an old favourite - with good reason. (seriously - this is what the recipe says)
1 1/2 cups ROGERS WHEAT BRAN
1 cupbuttermilk*
1/3 cupvegetable oil
1egg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup ROGERS NO ADDITIVE / ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup raisins or dates
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Mix together bran and buttermilk; let stand. Combine oil, egg, sugar and vanilla and add to buttermilk-bran mixture.
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and stir well.
Add to first mixture and stir until just blended.
Add raisins or dates and spoon into prepared muffin cups.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until done.
* To substiture for 1 cup buttermilk, use 1 tbsp. lemon juice plus enough milk to make 1 cup (250 mL).
YIELD: 12 muffins.
I do use the Rogers Wheat bran but I use an organic all purpose flour and I only use ¼ cup of brown sugar!
Bon Appetit!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Muffin Man
I make homemade raisin bran muffins every week. We like to have them as late night snacks before we go to bed with a glass of milk - well I have milk (lactose free thank you very much) and Yvan usually has orange juice. ( I know we are totally old people)
I hadn't made any in a couple of weeks because we were busy and then we were away. Last night at about 8:30p.m. Yvan said "let's make some muffins" which usually means Rana makes some muffins and Yvan eats them!
I was tired and said no - but I told Yvan it is really easy and said "Why don't you make them."
So he did!!
And I, of course, had to document this for posterity's sake!
I hadn't made any in a couple of weeks because we were busy and then we were away. Last night at about 8:30p.m. Yvan said "let's make some muffins" which usually means Rana makes some muffins and Yvan eats them!
I was tired and said no - but I told Yvan it is really easy and said "Why don't you make them."
So he did!!
And I, of course, had to document this for posterity's sake!
I love The Muffin Man!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Hargewoin Teferra
It is with a very sad heart I post this link.
http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/blog?op=view&id=64
I never knew Hargewoin Teferra but she inspired me with her determination to help as many children in Ethiopia as she could. Her story in "There is No Me Without You" touched my heart in away I will never forget.
She will be remembered by all who knew her, met her or read her story.
http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/blog?op=view&id=64
I never knew Hargewoin Teferra but she inspired me with her determination to help as many children in Ethiopia as she could. Her story in "There is No Me Without You" touched my heart in away I will never forget.
She will be remembered by all who knew her, met her or read her story.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 2009
Are we there yet?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Hola!!
We're back!!!!
Photos and update to come later - must check and see what I missed out on and then go to sleep!
Man, I missed all you bloggertons!
Photos and update to come later - must check and see what I missed out on and then go to sleep!
Man, I missed all you bloggertons!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Saskatchewan in the News on CNN
O.k. I am sitting eating my breakfast and reading the paper this morning and what do I see! An article about how Saskatchewan is in the news on CNN.com.
CNN.com people!!!!
The article was posted yesterday and it ended up being the second most viewed article.
THAT is pretty cool!
So, if you are interested to read what they had to say about the province I call home you can go here.
Honestly, it is about time little ole Saskatchewan wasn't the butt of jokes anymore - but yes, you can still see your dog running away for 3 days!
Now, I am really going on holidays - no more posts, for a week or so at least!
CNN.com people!!!!
The article was posted yesterday and it ended up being the second most viewed article.
THAT is pretty cool!
So, if you are interested to read what they had to say about the province I call home you can go here.
Honestly, it is about time little ole Saskatchewan wasn't the butt of jokes anymore - but yes, you can still see your dog running away for 3 days!
Now, I am really going on holidays - no more posts, for a week or so at least!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Burying Our Heads in the Sand
Last year we took what we thought was our last BIG vacation as a childless couple. We thought we would be travelling this spring to bring our wee babe home. Hmmmmmm...we thought wrong.
We didn't plan a vacation for 2009 and then in the last couple of weeks things just came together.
This year we are going to take a couple of smaller holidays to break up the wait. We decided to head somewhere hot and bury our heads in the sand for awhile (it will help quiet the noise in my head) and are leaving this Friday.
Then at the end of April we are taking a very exciting trip to L.A. where we will get to meet these two fantastic people!
Bon Voyage!
We didn't plan a vacation for 2009 and then in the last couple of weeks things just came together.
This year we are going to take a couple of smaller holidays to break up the wait. We decided to head somewhere hot and bury our heads in the sand for awhile (it will help quiet the noise in my head) and are leaving this Friday.
I better make sure we put lots of sunscreen on our dairiares so as NOT to get sunburnt!
I plan on drinking a few of these
Yvan will undoubtedly drink some of these
all while enjoying this view!
Then at the end of April we are taking a very exciting trip to L.A. where we will get to meet these two fantastic people!
Bon Voyage!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Playing for Change - Songs Around the World
You may have heard about this endeavour but if you haven't you can go here to find out more.
A fellow and his cohorts travelled all over the world with recording equipment, recording street musicians playing the same song, and then meshed it into one fantastic and inspiring tune. Just the feat of getting everyone to play it in the same key, in tune and in the same tempo is mind blowing. Very nice job. Music is, indeed, universal.
This is the first video they did:
and the new one is:
A fellow and his cohorts travelled all over the world with recording equipment, recording street musicians playing the same song, and then meshed it into one fantastic and inspiring tune. Just the feat of getting everyone to play it in the same key, in tune and in the same tempo is mind blowing. Very nice job. Music is, indeed, universal.
This is the first video they did:
and the new one is:
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