Skiing at Big White

This past week my husband and I took a little trip to Big White Ski Resort, just passed Kelowna, B.C. We had two gorgeous days of skiing! (he snowboards) The mountain wasn't busy at all, so no line ups or waiting to get on the chairlifts at all. I did 24 ski runs in the two days and my husband pulled off about 31 runs. It was cold but the sun was shining and the fact that we were moving most of the time kept us warm. What a blast, I totally recommend a trip to Big White if you've never been. Of course I was able to capture many awesome pictures. I have already put several of them on cards, postage, magnets and prints to sell in my store. I thought I'd share some of the winter scenes on products for you to see here! Enjoy! For more stop by my store Designs by Shell.

A Chocolate Affair

I know all about chocolate, the rich creamy flavor we want to savor in our mouths.  How it's aroma and style flirt with a person's senses until finally he/she succumbs to it's temptation.   Last night it was  A Chocolate Affair.  There was dancing, champagne, and a whole lot of that sinful, deep colored stuff called chocolate.  But, hey, it's all good because the money raised went to the Lampion Center.  No need to feel guilty--it was for a good cause.  Those five extra pounds were worth it!

The picture is of my friend Chef Aimee Blume.  She brought about fifteen of her students to this event.  It was fun to see them all lined up in their white jackets ready to serve and answer questions about the wonderful chocolate delicacies they had displayed on the table for people to eat and drool over.

 If a person didn't eat the chocolate, he/she definitely did a fair amount of drooling.  I just took pictures and talked to people so I went home dehydrated.  I know for a fact that Aimee is a marvelous chef because I've tasted her work before.  In fact that's one of the reasons I could only look and drool last night.  I had too much of her wonderful, rich chocolate over the holidays : )

 The woman singing is Gina Moore.  Her voice is as deep and rich as the chocolate that surrounded the Wayne Henning Atrium at Old National Bank.  Gina has a good reputation around here so I knew a little about her and wanted to meet her. I did.  What a warm person!                  

                                               

The Lampion Center provides counseling services.  They've been around for quite some time.  Here's what they said about it on the back of the brochure we were given at the party:

"Providing Hope, Empowering Individuals for a Brighter Tomorrow...since 1885!

 The Lampion Center provides counseling, adoption, and community outreach services for children and families in Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties.  We are dedicated and passionate about meeting the needs of individuals in our community.  We bring hope for a brighter future.  by attending this event you just made that possible for someone...a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, a strudent, a child. Thank you!"                                                                                                                            



Champagne




Friends Ross and Joan Cecil

 

                                                                Me and Gina Moore!

Poem: House By the Side of the Road By Sam Walter Foss

   The House By the Side of the Road

                  By Sam Walter Foss

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn

In the peace of their self-content;

There are souls, like stars, that dwell apart,

In a fellowless firmament;

There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths

Where highways never ran;

But let me live by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road,

Where the race of men go by--

The men who are good and the men who are bad,

As good and as bad as I.

I would not sit in the scorner's seat,

Or hurl the cynics ban;

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,

And mountains of wearisome height,

That the road passes on through the long afternoon

And stretches away to the night.

but still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice,

And weep with the strangers that moan,

Nor live in my house by the side of the road

Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road

Where the race of men go by--

They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,

Wise, foolish--so am I.

Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat

Or hurl the cynic's ban?--

Let me live in my house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

Boston and NYC

Boston had a lot of snow when I was there.  This is a picture of my son by his car.  He was lucky--he had a nice parking spot right in front of his house.  Parking can be frustrating when it snows in Boston because they have extra rules drivers have to follow.  I guess there are designated parking lots set aside for winter weather.  If your car isn't parked in one of the lots,  parking is limited because Bostonians can only park on the side of the street the city says they can park on or it's 'boo hoo' a tow.  They have to be able to plow the streets you see.  Another interesting Bostonian fact I learned is everyone must shovel their sidewalk.  If a person doesn't shovel, they could get a ticket.  Walking is pretty important to the folks out there (a lot of people use the public transportation and walk to get there).  Their snowbanks just keep getting higher and higher.

Matthew was a wonderful host.  He gave me his nice cozy bed and took the couch.  He even made me meals.  Below is a picture of a breakfast he served!  My plate has the two eggs.  A pancake joined them shortly after this was taken.

To make my Boston experience even more exciting, I was able to connect with an early childhood friend who just happened to live close by.  Matthew and I met her and her husband at a little bar & grill in Harvard Square.  I don't know about you all, but I really bonded with my early childhood friends!  I lived in Heron Lake, MN until I was ten.

In New York I stayed at a hotel called the Mayfair located near Time Square and Broadway.  It was a tiny, but comfortable place and the price was right!  My husband met me at the train station since he was there for a night on his way to Russia.  We walked around had some good food and went to the musical Mamma Mia on Broadway.  A wonderful time!

The reason I wandered off to New York City is because of The Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators was having a conference at the Grand Central Hyatt.  I actually got to see Lois Lowry and listen to her speak about her writing!  Lois Lowry wrote The Giver and Number the Stars and a whole lot more, but those two books have been favorites of mine and my kids too.  The Giver is incredibly creative and if you've never read it, you should give it a try.  It would be a great book to use for discussion.  Another big speaker was R.L. Stine.  He's accomplished a lot, but is probably most famous for his Goosebump books.  I have to say I really enjoyed listening to him talk.  He has a sense of humor!!  Too bad I didn't get a picture of him.

Adding More Fruits and Veggies to Your Diet

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We all know the importance of getting more fruits and vegetables in our diets. However, some days it can be extremely hard to eat the recommended daily quota of 7-8 servings (per adult) of fruits and veggies but there are many ways we can consume them. They can be eaten fresh, frozen or canned. They can be purchased already cut up for us, added to soups, stews and salads. We can whip them up in a fruit/veggie smoothie or juice. I’ve been working on some fruit and vegetable designs for products in my store. Above you’ll find some of them on labels, postage and t-shirts. Some cartoon fruits and veggies as well as more realistic looking ones. I’ve just been having fun creating and designing them. I have them on several other products as well, so come by my store Designs by Shell to see what else is new. Why not try a new fruit or vegetable this week, perhaps something a little different like star fruit, mangoes, papaya’s or eggplant.

My Mission Underground

See that little hole?  I squeezed through that opening this evening with only a teeny tiny flashlight to guide me. My mission: to search for the pump under our house, unplug it then reset the circuit breaker, then plug it in again. The photo makes it look all bright and cheery, but believe me it wasn't. It was dark and damp and..and there was a cobweb. The flash from my camera makes it look like a happy place.  So deceiving. Anyway,  I felt like a sleuth sneaking around in dark clothing carrying a flashlight the size of my index finger (the one I got from the pres. of altrusa this last x-mas--thanks Cristie!) and then crawling under the house to complete my mission.

                                                                                                                   Am I brave or what?

Valentines Day - Give a Little More Love

Valentines Day is fast approaching. The day the world celebrates with romantic words, sentiments and sometimes special gifts. A day to show your spouse, partner or significant other, in perhaps an extra special way how much you love and care for them. The sentiments carry on to those special people in your life like parents, grandparents, and your children. Sometimes to special friends and teachers too! Approximately 1 billion Valentines cards are sent on this occasion. Not to mention how many roses are sold on this day! Here you'll find some of the Valentines designs from my store. Perhaps something for your special someone! To see more come by my store Designs by Shell