Who is LaraineRose

orking outdoors in our extensive garden of vegetables, fruit and flowers is a favorite pastime of mine. A wonderful peaceful feeling comes over me as I plant bulbs, water and even weed. Since I no longer ski, winter seems long for me. I can hardly wait until the springtime flowers blossom and I can get my hands in the warm soil, digging another bed for more alyssum, clarkia and godetia. On the rare occasion when late frost threatens, I cover these young plants with paper tents.

do my best thinking late at night (early morning). I remember nights while a wee one living at home, dad laying out a blanket on the lawn, for the whole family to watch for falling stars. Now, out in our beautiful flower scented garden, what wonder of wonders I dream while swinging slowly back and forth on our newly painted, blue, swing-for-two, gazing up into the star studded sky. I try to find the now famous formations which make up Orion, the Big Dipper, the Bear and others. Am I a dreamer? Sometimes, not always.

o use talking about what I used to do, like skiing, working at a full-time, full-tilt job and keeping an immaculate house with lots of goodies available for the endless stream of company we entertained. That was fun!

That was then ......
but now, I desire to talk of Will and I as a couple, because we are a "matched set." Especially since his retirement, we seem to be like two beautiful leaves waiting for the autumn winds to come and blow us off the tree. NOT SO FAST - don't be thinking I'm talking here of the end of life and living. I want to share the story of why Will took the picture of two, old, dried up leaves and then you'll understand me better.

F

all

came and went. The winds were extreme. All the leaves had long since fallen, been raked up and composted. One day, I happened to notice 2 leaves high up in our maple tree, still clinging to the branch, not yielding to the strong winds that whipped them back and forth. Every morning, while sitting enjoying my morning coffee, I would say to Will, "Well, they're still there" until it became a bit of a joke and Will's line to me. He would laugh and say, "Yup, they're still there," as he saw my glance upward.

came in with a vengence, with record breaking snowfalls. The raging icy northerly winds buffeted those 2 leaves.

All winter long the morning ritual continued. "Still there." "Yes, still there." As most of you know by now - Will, my husband, is a well-known, extremely talented photographer. One day, Will pulled out his camera and asked me to look at a picture he had taken, just for me. The picture was of these 2 brown, wizzled-up leaves still together and still stubbornly hanging on.

New lime green leaves started bursting forth along each branch of the Maple tree. Every day brought new wonders to the yard: primroses, crocus, snowdrops, daffodils, tulips, forsethia and rock cress. The 2 leaves were momentarily forgotten until one early evening, just before sunset I was enjoying a stroll around our acreage. I noticed that now our Maple tree was adorned with healthy mature growth. The leaves twisting and turning seemed to dance in the early evening breeze. I suddenly remembered, looked up searching and silently asked myself, "Are they still there?"

~ She loves all of God's creation.
~ Has a kindly spirit.
~ Enjoys hiking in the wilderness.
~ Enjoys travelling (everywhere!)
~ Loves Squidooing and reading the Squidooing of others.
~ Enjoys needlework of all sorts.
~ Enjoys baking & entertaining.
~ Loves a good story!
~ Enjoys dancing.

~ She tells an interesting story. (Added by special request.)

I just received this complimentary comment and wanted to share it with you.

"You need to add another line to the why to love Laraine section, she tells an interesting story. Love your sense of humor and enthusiasm - it shines through."

Posted in Guestbook June 05, 2008
by: BFuniv.com

With more than 850 parks and protected areas of year around resorts, British Columbia, Canada, offers hundreds of hiking trails. Every type of excursion is available, from short walks on well marked nature trails to thigh burning, multi-day wilderness backpacking trips.

Along the many paths in our protected forests and provincial parks you'll find the freedom to discover nature for yourself; an abundance of waterfalls, meadows, lakes and beaches - all reachable without guides, ropes or heavy packs.

A favorite hike of mine
(pictured to the left)

A lot of steps, all well built. The trail follows a staircase up the gorge to a set of tall but low volume falls. An easy hike in this small park. On the way down, use the stairs or take a trail by the rusty remains of on old irrigation pipe. Hard to miss, really. This is a 2 kms, 4 hour easy hike that can be done in the spring, fall and summer. Although I have never seen one here, it is a good idea to watch out for bear.

Directions:
Enter the Fintry Provincial Park off Westside road. The road follows the west coast of Lake Okanagan. Park by the old buildings, just inside the park gate. The trail leads past the building and to the right. It is very hard to miss.

In BC it is possible for the well-prepared backpacker to travel many days in rugged wilderness, trek through coastal and old-growth rainforest, along deserted beaches, alpine meadows and rugged mountains. Freedom in the wilderness is not the sole domain of seasoned hikers - guided adventures can be tailored to suit individual experience, limited only by your imagination and desire to conquer.

Hiking and Backpacking in British Columbia
A Guide to Parks, Trails and Campgrounds
Parks in British Columbia
Hiking Trails in British Columbia
Campgrounds and RV Parks in British Columbia
Motorhome Rental Companies in British Columbia

Backyard Barbecue This year declare your independence from the kitchen and fattening fare with a cookout that's both healthy and crowd-pleasing. Some fireworks to wow your friends: a refreshing Icy Strawberry Kiwi-tini that's as vitamin-rich as it is zesty; a full-of-fibre Sweet Potato salad tossed with Dijon dressing; and skinless baked barbecue chicken that doesn't skimp on the flame-kissed flavor.

Icy Strawberry Kiwi-tini

Prep Time:5 min
Total Time:5 min
Makes:4 servings, about 1 cup each

~ 1 bottle (16 oz.) CRYSTAL LIGHT Ready-To-Drink Strawberry Kiwi, chilled 1-1/2 cups frozen strawberries
~ 1/4 cup cold ginger ale
~ 1/4 cup vodka

PLACE all ingredients in blender container; cover.
BLEND on high speed until smooth.
POUR evenly into 4 glasses.
SERVE immediately.

Jazz It Up: Garnish each filled glass with a strawberry and peeled kiwi slice.

Variation: For a non-alcoholic version, prepare as directed omitting the vodka.

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 3 hr 20 min
Makes: 6 servings, 1 cup each

~ 2 cups cubed peeled sweet potatoes, cooked
~ 2 cups cubed peeled new potatoes, cooked
~ 1/2 cup chopped celery
~ 1/2 cup chopped green onions
~ 1/2 cup chopped Ham,
~ 1/2 cup Salad Dressing (I like Miracle Whip)
~ 3 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard

COMBINE potatoes, celery, onions and ham in large bowl.
ADD dressing and mustard; mix lightly. Cover.
REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled.

Prep Time:5 min
Total Time:51 min
Makes:4 servings

~ 1/3 cup Caesar Dressing
~ 4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
~ 1/4 cup Barbecue Sauce (I like Bull's-Eye Original)

POUR dressing over chicken in resealable plastic bag.
SEAL BAG and turn to evenly coat chicken with dressing.
REFRIGERATE 30 min. to marinate.
REMOVE chicken from marinade; discard bag and marinade.

PREHEAT grill to medium heat. Place chicken on grill; cover with lid.
GRILL 6 to 8 min. on each side or until cooked through (165°F), turning and brushing occasionally with barbecue sauce for the last few minutes.

Cooking Know-How: Set the timer in the kitchen for 6 min. on each side so you don't forget to turn the chicken. Don't overcook the chicken - grill just until the juices run clear and the chicken is cooked through (165°F).

Use Your Oven: Don't know what to do if your grill runs out of gas unexpectedly or if it starts to rain? Just place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20 min. or until cooked through.

Food Facts: If chicken breast halves are thick at one end, flatten thick end of chicken to ensure even cooking.

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