Hi from Chrissie in London UK

Hi all, I am missing reading the blog looks like it has frozen in time, how is everyone doing?  Got any exciting plans for 2011.  I want this year to be a good year for all, myself I want to feel the JOY more and I will try my hardest to do that, last year was a real challenging year for me, I am asking God to help me make it a easier year. 

God bless all!!!!
Chrissie

Pikelets for Sharon

We were feeling like something sweet, and we don't keep anything too tempting in the house, so I made a batch of pikelets again today.

I remember when we lived aboard (yacht) if I saw someone coming towards us in their dinghy, I could whip some up and have them ready for morning or afternoon tea by the time they arrived.

Ingredients:
1 cup self raising flour
1/4 teaspoon bicarb soda
2 teaspoons sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar added
2 teaspoons butter
Method
Sift flour and bicarb, add sugar, egg, milk, mix in blender etc.
Melt butter in pan, add to mixture and blend.
Place by dessertspoons in pan heated to 380 degrees
Cook till bubbles showing, turn and brown.


Top to taste, traditionally strawberry jam and cream, or anything you like.

Greek yoghurt and pure maple syrup...Yummmm
Enjoy!

Hands Across The Border

Hands Across the Border Peach Arch Celebration is today! The theme this year is"Past to Present" to incorporate Girl Guides of Canada – Guides du Canada and Boys Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary.

The International Peace Arch stands near the western end of the unfortified Canadian/American boundary, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.


It is an exciting day of international friendship and fun and youth participants parade through the arch carrying flags from the 145 World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) countries.
 
Yes The Peace Arch Border crossing (between Interstate 5 on the U.S. side and British Columbia Highway 99 on the Canadian side) is a major border crossing and yes both Northbound AND Southbound temporarily closes to ALL vehicle traffic beginning from 11am until 3pm.  Motorists are however diverted to other border crossings, with the Pacific Highway crossing the closest at about a mile away and even though drivers will need to allow extra time to get through the border as a result of this event; it is really a minor inconvenience.  The Hands Across the Border event is a celebration of peace between the two countries and it symbolizes the friendship between Canada and the United States ... something, I believe, most worthy of celebration.
 

My girls and I have crossed the Border into the United States more times than ever before these past few years .... never during a Hands Across the Border celebration ..... pity!

Hope everyone has been enjoying a wonderful weekend.  Would love to hear from you.

Sharon

People Deserve Better! | Canadian Labour Congress

People Deserve Better! Canadian Labour Congress

From June 25-27, Canada is host to the G8 and G20 Summits. These events present a unique opportunity for Canadians from all walks of life to make their voices heard. It is a moment for Canadians to join collectively, with people across the globe, to tell the Canadian government and world leaders that in these troubled times People Deserve Better!

Worth It

Miracles are Everywhere

I've borrowed this from a post on Multiply:

Miracles are not only
ecstatic visions or holy interventions
visited upon the chosen few.
Every moment we are alive
is full of reasons to sing
out in joyful gratitude.
Every breath we are given
is a reminder that
the glory of life is at hand.
In the people we love,
in the beauty of nature,
in the golden sun
that rises each morning -
miracles are everywhere.

(author unknown)

Love, Jan, have a lovely weekend.

5 Minutes for Happiness

Just read something well worth considering ....

Devoting time each day for happiness will change your day and change your brain chemistry.

Alone, we can enjoy an aromatic cup of our favorite tea, take a stroll through the garden we have created, write about the day's events in a journal, doodle while daydreaming, or breathe deeply while we listen to the silence around us.

In the company of a good friend or treasured relative, we can share a few silly jokes, enjoy a waltz around the room, play a fast-paced hand of cards, or reconnect through lighthearted conversation.

Thanks for the invitation Jan

thanks for the invite Jan! I hope you are all doing well..

Old Time Family Dance

We are going to an old-time family dance out at a country hall tonight (Saturday). It is so many years since we did anything like this. We've been going to classes lately, and we are all going together.  We haven't learnt many dances yet, it is slow getting new stuff into our old heads.... LOL
Still we will be doing the barn dance, pride of erin, canadian threestep, gypsy tap etc. 
I'll be wearing a skirt, but we don't have to get dressed up too much.
Wish us luck!!!
Have a pleasant weekend!!

(pic from Internet)

Meatless Monday

Earth Day has come and gone for 2010. Hopefully we all took a moment to think about this little rock we call home and hopefully we even talked about it with other members of our families and with our friends. By now most have probably tossed aside the ecological towel and have all but forgotten about it.

I have been reading and hearing about a quiet movement called "Meatless Mondays". You see, reducing your meat intake makes sense not only for your own health but for the health of Planet Earth too!

Meat comes with a substantial environmental cost and researchers say that the effect of eliminating meat from our diet just one day per week would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of driving 1,600 kilometres less per year.

Beyond the environmental consequences of meat production, however, is the association between red meats and cancer in general, and cured meats and colon cancer in particular.

I am going to try Meatless Mondays and I hope you do too. I like to keep things simple so most likely will start off with an omlette with sauteed veggies and maybe some whole-grain toast this Monday.

Look forward to reading your menu suggestions for Meatless Mondays!

Don't tell your family it is good for them and you may be surprised just how much they love it!!!!!!!!