Salmon Arm Weekend (May 25-27)

So this post is two months post trip, but I am going to do it, anyway. I hope I can remember what we all did! Enjoy!

On the Memorial Day Long wknd in May (25-27), I went to my aunt's house in Salmon Arm, the next (largish) town over to the East. Her husband died in March, and I had been wanting to see her for ages (even before he died). We finally agreed to my coming on that wknd (our long weekend was the wknd before, but that was our cousins wedding, therefore, I couldn't go..as we would all be busy with that).

Friday: I left around 5 after running some errands (I can't remember exactly when I left). I arrived at around 7. I think I grabbed supper along the way, or maybe we had dinner when I got there. I can't remember. Ha! We might have had a late night snack :) We had a nice evening of visiting, and watching some Big Bang. Then we went to bed around 1.

Saturday: We slept in, and had two breakfasts, b/c that is what you do when you are on holidays! We left to check out DeMille's Farm. We had such fun looking around. Shelley wanted to go and look at the at the animals. I would have gone, but then I saw an emu (not to mention a rooster), and I said forget that! They also have an ice cream stand, a garden centre, and a market. After the farm, we went into town and grabbed a coffee, at, where else?...Starbucks. We sat and read, talked and she did up some cards. We were going to go to the candy store, but they closed early. Bummer! I might have been super sad and mad about it. But, she promised that we would go the next day! We went for a walk around the park, and then grabbed McD's for supper. I think we went for ice cream at at the gas station. Yes, I know that doesn't sound good, but trust me, Tappen Co-op has amazing ice cream. I am not sure which ice cream it was, but it is good. And they give you amazing sizes!!! We went home and watched Big Bang, and then watched New in Town. We had snacks and drinks :)

Sunday: We slept in again, and then had breakfast. I think we went back to the farm to grab stuff that we wanted but that we didn't end up buying the day before. We went to The Candy Vault, where I may have spent my weight in candy. Ok...not that much, but I spent more than I should have :) After that, we took a drive around town. Then I think we came home for a few minutes, then we went to Herald Park to sit and relax for a bit. Then it was time to go back, where she made us supper. I think she made a tortoire with salad. Or, maybe that was on Friday :) See, it was so long ago, that I don't remember what we did when (or what we ate!). I thought about staying the night, and leaving early the next morning, but I decided to get home. I left around 7. It was a wonderful time. We visited, we watched Big Bang, we ate. We slept. The end.

Here are some pictures: You can see the rest on my IG feed.

Five on Friday-Anniversary Edition

Happy Friday, Friends!!! I hope you had a wonderful week. Also, my condolences to all the kids and school staff who have to go back to school next week! I hope it's not too painful for you!!!

It is our 11 year anniversary today! I believe that we have to buy gifts with steel, or fashion, jewelry or accessories. And the colour is turquoise. I am not sure of our plans today. We were going to go to the lake, but there is a bit smoke coming from fires from Europe and the Yukon, so I think we will just hang out here, and go out to dinner tonight :)

So, I have just now decided that this will be an anniversary edition of FoF :) So, here, goes!

1) We have stuck together for 11 years. That is longer than most celebrity marriages (we're looking t you, Kim K!!). It has not been easy. Marriage has been hard work, y'all. But we are in it forever. It really bothers me when people say that they tried, or that they are no longer in love with each other, or that they have gone separate ways....the list goes on. Guess what? It's not a walk in the park! I know there are people who stay together just to stay together...whether it be for financial security, companionship, or they don't know what else to do...as long as you the relationship is healthy, you both are happy, and you are making fun memories, then, well....keep on keeping on!

2) We have been through a lot. One move (two apartments) 4 garden years, multiple diagnoses, two near death experiences, 3 cats (more if you include the kitties from said wandering kitty that we took in, then she got out and got herself preggers), infertility diagnoses, one year of school (me), a couple of career changes (also me), a few deaths, several weddings, lots of family get togethers, lots of nieces and nephews, a few weddings (not ours), multiple trips, a few job changes (both of us), social media, 3 cars, and a few financial hardships!

3) We have had a lot of fun memories. We went camping on our honeymoon to Cultus Lake, saw the fireworks in Vancouver, went to Edmonton (twice), various camping trips, Vancouver multiple times, multiple trips to the ranch (I know, it's not exciting, but we did make memories), Vancouver Island (2 or 3 times), along with various memories here in town. Why, just last night, we went for an hour walk, and then enjoyed our yard.

4) We had a very simple wedding. We went as inexpensive as we cold. Our pictures were film (FILM!), the day was 40c (it was HOT), our wedding and reception were held in the church that we went to. The reception was catered by the ladies of the church. We bad blue cake. Our colour was blue. We each had three attendants. We also had three flower girls and one ring bearer. Both my dad and our pastor married us. My dress was bought off the rack (with some alterations). The girls' dresses were also bought off the rack at Sears. I don't remember where we got the flower girl dresses from. We got married on a Friday. We went to get some ice caps in btwn the wedding and reception. We had our pictures at the local park. I asked my dad if he could bring in a truck full of hay, so we could have a picture or two on it (it didn't turn out like I had hoped, but it was still a fun memory and picture). Our car was toilet papered :) Our wedding was such a fun day!!! A lot of people said that our wedding was one of the most fun that they had been to. We stayed our wedding night at the Best Western (it has since moved its location, which is why I won't link it), came visited with our family the next morning (they stayed in various motels near the church), and we came home and opened our gifts and got ready to leave on/for our honeymoon!!

5) I had the smallest (and weirdest) bachelorette party, ever! I think 3 or 4 ppl came, and it was at my friends house. We had an interesting shaped cake. There were a few gifts. It was hilarious!!! I also had a nice wedding shower. My mom and my MOH (and my sister, I think) planned and hosted it at/in a local hotel restaurant/meeting room. We also had a money tree party after church one day in Kamloops. Poor Anker didn't have anything, I don't think. Maybe he and a few guys had a game night. I don't remember. Poor boy.

So, there you have it! Some of the five facts/favourite things about our wedding and marriage! You're welcome!

The day was so hot. In all my pictures, my face was red. I wasn't super impressed with them (they could have at least taken the red out), to be honest. But, at least we have them :)

Five on Friday

Happy Thursday, Friends!!

I hope that you are having a wonderful week!! We have had it HOT here in our neck of the woods! It cooled down today, and we are probably going to have rain over the wknd. Yay!!! Here are my faves from the wk:

1) Sisters' Road Trip/Family Time

V and I had an EPIC road trip last wknd (which I hope to blog about SOON). We had a lot of laughs, a few tears, a few arguments, but a TON of fun!!! We made a bunch of memories that will last a lifetime!!!

2) Books

I am reading through full-fledged books again!!! I have read through one, and I am in the middle of a few. Maybe I will do a blog post about one or two of them soon.

3) Lazy/Busy/Productive Summer Days

I am loving this summer! I am trying to keep a balance of busyness and relaxing this summer. So far, so good!!! I have been busy seeing friends, trying to clean up our house a bit, and of course, relaxing! I also hope to do my usual "swim and sun" either tomorrow (Friday) or next week. I haven't gotten to the beach at all yet. I did, however, manage a short swim in my parents' pool.

4) Our Backyard

I love our backyard. I don't have any new pics, but if you look on my FB, or IG, you will see a few pics of our yard (including night ones). I love what Anker has done with the outside lights that we have bought. We spent nearly an hour outside last night. Plus, I spent an hour or so outside reading in the afternoon.

5) Cooler Temps

Don't get me wrong, I love me a warm/hot day, but today was a bit cooler than it was yesterday, which makes us ever so happy, and less grouchy. I wouldn't even be sad if it rained!


What are your faves from the week?

Five on Friday

If last week was quiet, this week was busy! Monday, cleaned house, and Mom stayed over, Tuesday, Vancouver Day Trip, Wednesday, well that wasn't AS busy, and I did manage to read in the back yard, but I did run some errands, and I went to our church's worship and prayer night. Today (Thursday), I pretty much ran (drove) all day, and I got ready for the wknd.

1) Reusable Bags
I found this really cute bag at Wal-Mart today (Thursday). I really love it.

2) Canadian Flag Donut/Free Slurpee Day, Tim Tams/Strawberry Starbucks Treats/Peach Danish

 The Canada Day Donut from/at Tim's is good!!!

I had been craving TimTams for a while, but they are always so expensive. I finally just ended up buying them on Sunday, and they were SO GOOD!

                                        I gotta real and honest and say that I do eat a lot of food that isn't healthy for me, but I don't drink a lot of Slurpees. I did manage to go and get one for their free Splurpee day, though! Yum!

                                                      A Starbucks Strawberry party!!

3) Day Trip with Mom
I might blog about this soon (ugh...I have SO MANY blog posts to put up....I hope to get to them next week...this week has been crazy!), but the short story is that I had to get my eyes looked it (just when I was trying to STOP going to Vancouver to see specialists!), so I thought it would be fun for Mom to take me. It was a 13 hour day, but we had a fun time. We made some memories, and had laughs and talks!

4) BC Blueberries

On our way back, we bought some Blueberries!!! They are SO GOOD!! Buy local, yo!

Anker made (BB) syrup on Thursday!!! Yum!!!

5) IG Questions

As if I don't spend enough time on IG/SM/my phone, now this happens :) Fun!! I like it! I now spend time looking and listening to people's answers to questions that they have been asked. Plus, there is learning on how to use the feature!

5.5) All the things:

Lunch with friends,
sunsets,

picnic in the park (alone and with friends),

warm weather,

our backyard,

learning new things/church ministry,

new bangs,

night on my own (with Mom),

new top,

and new nightie

a clean house

reading actual books

TBB Asks: Vacation

1. Will you go on a a summer vacation this year? 

Yes, if it's Free. Seriously..,we usually don't...we might go camping one weekend....I am going to Calgary in July.

2. Do nothing but relax or a pack it all in vacation? 

It depends if it is free or not. I like to do both. It's fun to relax, but it is also fun to see some sights.

3. What month do you like to vacation? 

Anytime it's free. Anytime we have $$ and time.

4. Cruise: YES or NO? 

Is it free? Then yes. Seriously...I would love to go on one :)

5. Favorite vacation tradition? 

Anything that is free. Ha!!! I guess going to Vancouver each year for my specialist appointment.

6. Most memorable vacation? 

The free one. Probably our honeymoon. We (tent) camped at Cultus Lake. It was so fun!!

7. Pack light or Pack it all? 

It depends on if I have someone packing it for me :) Ha! I pack it all!!!

8. Hotel, Condo or House? 

As long as it's free :) I guess we could include Air BnB, or cottage in this? Probably hotel.

9. Favorite thing(s) to eat on vacation? 

Anything free :) I really don't care...I like trying local cousine.

10. Warm or Cold Destinations? 

As long as it's free!! Warm..duh!

Five on Friday

Hope all my USA friends had a wonderful 4th! This last week seems to have been busy! I have been cleaning and purging! It actually feels good! I bought two $4 laundry baskets from Wal-Mart the other day, as one of my was nearly broken. I had only had it for a year.

 I threw my old stereo out the other day. It didn't work well anymore, I didn't have much room on my dresser, and I didn't use it much. I bought these baskets at the dollar store for a few bucks each, and I LOVE them, and how they/it looks!!! I guess these could have gone in my 5 on Friday :) Oh well!!!

I also cleaned out my cupboards and my movies and a few books (I need to go through and throw out/give away even more). Some of them are going to be sold on the auction sites...and some I will just away.

Here are some faves:

1) Rain

We had a RAINY Canada Day weekend last wknd, and other than it being cold (I was at my parents'), I wasn't entirely sad about it. We need it, especially after the fires that we had last year. I think that we are all a little less complain-y about it, as we do not want a repeat of last year. I won't lie, it was COLD, though. I think it rained worse in Kamloops, than it did at the ranch. Oh well...it was a perfect excuse to stay in and read :) Saturday, was actually not that bad. Mom was able to get some gardening in, just before the big rains hit.

2) Time Away (again)

I decided to run off again for a few days to my parents'. Anker stayed home to look after Kitty and the garden. It was a good wknd. We had a lovely potluck dinner Sunday night with family and friends. The rain held off for a good part of the day (the rainiest day was Saturday, and parts of Monday).

3) Maple Kettle Corn Popcorn Topper/Epicure Spices (yes, more!)

Ya'll, I am sad that you don't have Epicure in the States. This stuff is SO GOOD!! For all of my Canadian friends who do not know what it is? Umm....you should! I have friends who live/d on VI, who had NO CLUE what it was....sadness! That would be like us not knowing what Frest is Best is! They are a delicious spice company. They have food spices, popcorn toppers, fruit dip.....ALL THE THINGS! I am sure that they deliver to the States :) I actually got the topper awhile back, and I hadn't tried it until the other day. YUM!!! I also got some more spices, bc, hello...I always need more spices!

4) Belated Birthday Gifts

My sister gave me some wonderful BC Jade earrings that she got while she was in PG a few weeks back. They are small but I love them!!! My Sister in Law gave me some wonderful bday gifts last wknd!!

5) Time with Family

Mom and I went for a couple of walks together, and we went on an errand run. We also sat and read magazines together. Vienna and I went for lunch on Monday, and we had a great time!!

We each ordered the same thing :) It was SO GOOOOOOD!

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