Look, how gorgeous is this flower? Unfortunatley I cannot remember its name. It reminds me of a ladies crinoline dress.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Good Old Camps
I went to visit Mme L a yummy friend of mine who I taught to knit moons ago. She has taken to it so well that she now advises me on my projects. I am obviously a good teacher & a crap knitter!
She works at a local camp for boys and I had the privelage of a private "out of season tour", it was like stepping back 100 years in time.
The first thing that I noticed was a wooden hut that was fully kitted out with an oil drum and lots of old oil lanterns...the sort that they used in "Little House on the Priairie!" Very quaint. They use these to wander round the camp at night. Needless to say there are no PSP, DS,Cellphones etc over here!
The buildings were all wooden and had the most beautiful structures surrounding them made from the local trees. Inside the dormitories (that looked like POW camps) from "The Bridge over the River Kwai" were tin beds in straight lines, they were so basic & ancient that you could feel the snoring of the boys from 50 years ago with the odd chatter in the background.. All the walls, ceilings etc were carved with boys names or initials. What really amazed me that even though it was so old there were no swear words or colours used at all, it was all old fashioned penknife etchings. These must be good kids.
Every year they host a play at the camp and make posters to advertise it. These old posters were posted all over the stage & camp auditorium dating back 50 years. Each year a photo is taken of the whole camp, framed & displayed on the walls.
After all of these years the boys still wear the same t-shirts.......its strangely comforting to see that good old fashioned camps are still around.
I could not resist taking some photo's of the camp to share with you all as it was so interesting.
She works at a local camp for boys and I had the privelage of a private "out of season tour", it was like stepping back 100 years in time.
The first thing that I noticed was a wooden hut that was fully kitted out with an oil drum and lots of old oil lanterns...the sort that they used in "Little House on the Priairie!" Very quaint. They use these to wander round the camp at night. Needless to say there are no PSP, DS,Cellphones etc over here!
The buildings were all wooden and had the most beautiful structures surrounding them made from the local trees. Inside the dormitories (that looked like POW camps) from "The Bridge over the River Kwai" were tin beds in straight lines, they were so basic & ancient that you could feel the snoring of the boys from 50 years ago with the odd chatter in the background.. All the walls, ceilings etc were carved with boys names or initials. What really amazed me that even though it was so old there were no swear words or colours used at all, it was all old fashioned penknife etchings. These must be good kids.
Every year they host a play at the camp and make posters to advertise it. These old posters were posted all over the stage & camp auditorium dating back 50 years. Each year a photo is taken of the whole camp, framed & displayed on the walls.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
I'm becoming a local New Hampshirite!
What do you do when you have an abundance of pears?
Become Martha Stewart and can them!
Are you impressed folks?
I think I have been living in NH far too long as lots of people do this with all sorts of fruits & veggies.
Does anyone have any other ideas what to do with lots of ripe pears?
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A beautiful walk in the woods...
My what big roots you have my dear!
Jumping for joy with Molly....where did that puppy go?
Squam Lake..or Golden Pond as in the movie.
Roots can be so interesting.....how the heck does this tree survive with the extreme weather conditions & the hundreds of kids that clamber over its roots?
Monday, September 14, 2009
FRUSTRATION!
The definition of frustration today:
1. A new tenant that gets 2 kittens & not one as agreed in the lease....they have only been there for 2 weeks!
2. The bank charge for the box of checks....Hello advertised as a Free Checking Account!
3. My Zen MP3 player & my sons both break on the first attempt to re-charge them!
4. A neighbours child hits my child with a slingshot, which resulted in a heated discussion with the parent.
A day of agro (hassle & conflict) and it is only 2pm.......
1. A new tenant that gets 2 kittens & not one as agreed in the lease....they have only been there for 2 weeks!
2. The bank charge for the box of checks....Hello advertised as a Free Checking Account!
3. My Zen MP3 player & my sons both break on the first attempt to re-charge them!
4. A neighbours child hits my child with a slingshot, which resulted in a heated discussion with the parent.
A day of agro (hassle & conflict) and it is only 2pm.......
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A Cadbury's Flake Moment.......
After the first week of school & the juggling of soccer, cross country, play dates, working, shipping the in laws off back to the UK....Friday night appeared.
I managed to find a Cadburys Flake that was untouched....a miracle!
I ran myself a nice Aveeno bubble bath, grabbed a new book, put my hair up in a ponytail & brewed a fresh cup of tea.
Digging in the bathroom cupboard I found my long lost blow up towelling pillow.....oh yes here we go relaxation & child free time is a comin!
The bath was ready, the bubbles were ready, the music was playing softly in the background, I blew the cushion up, put it into position.....ahhh relaxation here we go.
I got in the bath singing the "flake song" sat down & relaxed.....yet another Ahhhhhhhhh!
Approximately 5 seconds later I heard a slow rushing of air (no I had not relaxed that much!)
My pillow had a leak & as I laid on it the air was gushing out & making a terrible slow tooting noise!
WTF!
Moment spoiled.
For 5 seconds I was the Flake girl all gorgeous & sexy.....not anymore!
I was so upset I stuffed the Flake in my mouth, guzzled the tea & had a quick soak......anyone have a puncture repair kit?
I managed to find a Cadburys Flake that was untouched....a miracle!
I ran myself a nice Aveeno bubble bath, grabbed a new book, put my hair up in a ponytail & brewed a fresh cup of tea.
Digging in the bathroom cupboard I found my long lost blow up towelling pillow.....oh yes here we go relaxation & child free time is a comin!
The bath was ready, the bubbles were ready, the music was playing softly in the background, I blew the cushion up, put it into position.....ahhh relaxation here we go.
I got in the bath singing the "flake song" sat down & relaxed.....yet another Ahhhhhhhhh!
Approximately 5 seconds later I heard a slow rushing of air (no I had not relaxed that much!)
My pillow had a leak & as I laid on it the air was gushing out & making a terrible slow tooting noise!
WTF!
Moment spoiled.
For 5 seconds I was the Flake girl all gorgeous & sexy.....not anymore!
I was so upset I stuffed the Flake in my mouth, guzzled the tea & had a quick soak......anyone have a puncture repair kit?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Interesting English Words
We have had guests for the past 10 weeks with a few days off in between to change & wash bedding & stock up on food.
Needless to say my English accent has strengthened significantly & some of my old words are back in use. Here are a few of my faves:
1. A tosser: a person who has annoyed you & you do not want to swear in front of your kids!
2. Brilliant...I'm not sure why I have stopped using that word...no I do not use awesome yet!
3. Gym Bunny: a lady who spends lots of time at the gym & is generally high maintenance.
4. Knackered: meaning tired yet not used in NH so people just smile when you use it as they are unsure of what you have said. It gives you a smug feeling...naughty Daffodilly!
5. "Ow do?" slang for how are you.
6. Chaffer: someone who has no standards....not me!
I'm sure some more will come into my tiny memory...so watch this space!
Needless to say my English accent has strengthened significantly & some of my old words are back in use. Here are a few of my faves:
1. A tosser: a person who has annoyed you & you do not want to swear in front of your kids!
2. Brilliant...I'm not sure why I have stopped using that word...no I do not use awesome yet!
3. Gym Bunny: a lady who spends lots of time at the gym & is generally high maintenance.
4. Knackered: meaning tired yet not used in NH so people just smile when you use it as they are unsure of what you have said. It gives you a smug feeling...naughty Daffodilly!
5. "Ow do?" slang for how are you.
6. Chaffer: someone who has no standards....not me!
I'm sure some more will come into my tiny memory...so watch this space!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
First Grade...no more babies!
Well the kids are back at school, we have new tenants at 6 sheds and my hours have been cut from my part time job.
Some news is good and some news is bad!
Now I am trying to find another part time job to replenish the bank account & to keep me busy.
Number 3 started in first grade and I was expecting myself to have a total crying & emotional fit as I loosened my apron strings to throw the last child into the clutches of "The System."
However, when I saw the queue of parents clutching their children's hands & waiting in a huge line to go into school & that there was no where to park...the police were even present. I asked number 2 to walk him to his classroom & dropped them off with a huge kiss & a wave.
I know you all think that I am the worst mother of the world, seriously I'm not.
Not until they got home & number 3 said he went to his classroom all alone as he wanted to. The independence of the third child.
Of course I was riddled with guilt that he went to full time school all on his own and that the teacher thinks that I am an uncaring mother. I'll soon fix that & deliver some spare snacks & volunteer in the classroom to get back into favour!
Some news is good and some news is bad!
Now I am trying to find another part time job to replenish the bank account & to keep me busy.
Number 3 started in first grade and I was expecting myself to have a total crying & emotional fit as I loosened my apron strings to throw the last child into the clutches of "The System."
However, when I saw the queue of parents clutching their children's hands & waiting in a huge line to go into school & that there was no where to park...the police were even present. I asked number 2 to walk him to his classroom & dropped them off with a huge kiss & a wave.
I know you all think that I am the worst mother of the world, seriously I'm not.
Not until they got home & number 3 said he went to his classroom all alone as he wanted to. The independence of the third child.
Of course I was riddled with guilt that he went to full time school all on his own and that the teacher thinks that I am an uncaring mother. I'll soon fix that & deliver some spare snacks & volunteer in the classroom to get back into favour!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Montreal the land of beautiful people.
Just spent the weekend in Montreal, Canada. What a gorgeous place and what beautiful people.
They are all tall, slim with chiseled features and perfect manners.
It's interesting that you can drive 4 hours away and hit a different country, with a foreign language, interesting architecture and food that you would kill for. Of course there is the advantage of scrummy wine and my favourite of course.....CHOCOLATE!
It was superb to be in civilisation again...it's been along time. Back came the city clothes, yes you must wear a bra Daffodilly, put the Crocs away and put on some leather shoes. No shorts & a tank top will not suffice get the good gear on girl! Oh yes un peu make up too...you scuffer!
So clad in my "city look" Sir L and I hit Montreal...oh yes we were child free! How could I forget to mention that?
We perused around Le Plateau with its trendy boutiques and to die for restaurants and bakeries.
Wandered around the old port with its quaint cobbled streets.
Last of all a quick jaunt into Ikea to buy our favourite meatballs & $353.00 of stuff!
Needless to say a wonderful weekend was had by all...here are a few photo's of Culture visit......just getting the hang of my new camera so hopefully my photo's should improve...soon!
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