Guilty yellow liners !

 

Much as I would like to show photos of the guilty’s license plates, I don’t dare, so you must be satisfied

with Christmas ornament shots. 

The guilty are those that can’t seem to park between the yellow lines in the parking lots up here in the Okanagan.  At first I thought it was due to the snow, blurring the lines between one parking spot, and another.  They just can’t see where to park, I thought. 

And then after that first snowfall disappeared, and the yellow lines became even more visible, there they were, people parking which ever way they wanted.  As if they had rushed into the parking lot, slammed the car doors, and ran into the store for a jug of milk, heedless of the rules.

They park hither, and thither, angles that seem to defy any logic.  OK, it’s not quite that bad, but if you are cruising a parking lot, searching for a spot, it does seem as if every 5th and 7th vehicle is at a angle.  Once someone starts, it starts to be a trend, and you can see a full line of vehicles parked at the same odd angle, like sheep.

Honestly we never parked like that down on the coast, it has got to be somewhat of a “Upcountry thing.”  My Husband calls it “being pretty relaxed.” 

Me, I call it guilty yellow liners.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Masquerade

 

So what’s with al the spam comments lately?  Thankfully Google is doing it’s job, and only a few of them fall through the cracks. But really, what are they thinking?  The spammers have changed tactics and now are masquerading as readers who comment.  

Not hard to see through them.

Track down those spammers Charlie, go get em.

 

The typical comment goes something like….”I just discovered your blog….blah blah blah, and here, click on this link to my virus.”  Ah ha…sure….

Or “nice post - now buy some of my fake handbags”….sure.

 

 

Anyone else being spammed to the gills?

They are attacking my old blog posts with a vengeance, I have regularly been getting around 5 - 6 per day.  And lately that has almost tripled, don’t know what I did to attract them, any answers?  How many are you getting? Any, lots? 

And does anyone else who has comments emailed to them through Google, find that anonymous commenters are put into the spam box right away, even if they are a regular reader, just curious.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Slower then Molasses?

 

 

Time seems to have finally slowed down a little for us today, in fact it might be slower then molasses.  That might be because no one in their right mind is letting us look at their houses during the Christmas break. Not that I would blame then, and it’s good to take a break I suppose.

Now I have a question, if you have high speed internet, do you remember dial up?  Well that’s what it feels like I have here.  See, we managed to poke this thingy into the PC tower, and it picks up the signal from the router majjigy thing, so I can use the PC instead of the laptop….but it’s slower then molasses right now.  All the time, every time.  There is some major shutter lag, oh right that’s what camera can do…LOL.  Anyways it’s almost painfully slow to read blogs with this system.  It’s also done something to the mouse, which again, is slower then molasses, with a curser that up’s and disappears with the slightest touch when it feels like it…ah computers.

 

 

Picasa is doing something weird with all of my photos, so after I work on them, and export them they disappear somewhere, and can’t be found.  Lovely, yes, but I have my PC and it’s wonderful, right?

You have no idea how many times in the last 2 days I tried to post a Christmas photo post.  At least 6 times, and each time I carved a minute out of making turkey dinner, cleaning up, and wrapping presents, the photos were not to be found. I searched, and searched, but still haven’t found them.  Life…LOL.

 

We are in the middle of unusually warm weather, yes that’s what they consider 0 C to be.  Very warm, and so unexpected…ahem.  Hello, it’s still cold out people.  But honestly some days in the sun, it feels like summer. The worst is yet to come, at least that’s what the old timers say.

As long as it comes slow as molasses, that’s all I care about.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Merry Christmas to all!

 

 

And a very Merry Christmas to all, hope you have a day filled with joy, love, and peace.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Weather or not

 

We left the West Coast for a few reasons, one of them being a consistent rainy season that seems to last all year long. The Farmer’s Almanac has never met a climate like this, as the coastal BC oceans, and mountain make it difficult to predict weather for more then a few minutes.  At least that’s what our weatherman always says. 

Since we have left and ventured up towards the Okanagan the weather down on the coast has been spectacular.  Normally raining all of November, with high winds, and lots of damp cold, apparently they are enjoying sunshine, and cool bright temps, in the winter months that is almost unheard of down there.

I remember the weekends at the Garden Center when we hoped for rain, because then we knew that our fresh cut tree sales would spike, and we would have great sales.  Besides, there is nothing more miserable then tying on a wet tree to a wet car roof, in the cold, dark rainy night.

Yes, the good old days….Droplets dripping on your nose, wet branches slapping you in the face, almost made me nostalgic there for a minute.  After all, Christmas isn’t Christmas if your limbs aren’t frozen, and bright red colors when you finally get to peel off those layers.

Here we will send someone out to the field to cut down a fresh tree.  Much more fun to “grow your own” then it is to go to a big box store, and pick and twirl.

As I write this there is a unearthly scream coming from outside, honestly it sent shivers down my spine.  The coyotes are outside, howling at something.  Certainly makes me glad I am not a rabbit in the snow right now.  The howling sounds so human at times that I try to look outside but in the inky black darkness I can’t see anything. 

Life on the farm is certainly not White Rock.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Like a flash the day is gone

 

I feel conspicuously absent in the blogging world lately.  It’s all I can do to just post every few days, and as much as I try to visit everyone, I am falling short. It seems that in a flash the day is gone.

House hunting is taking up most of our time, add in cooking detail, housecleaning, [we are good guests and help out when we can], and the Boo, we end up with days that go like a flash of light.

Seems like it’s morning, we get up, have breakfast, head out to look at more houses, or do errands, and flash the day is over…..again.  We have been here for only 2 1/2 weeks, but have crammed so much in the time that we are reeling.

And it seems that I keep missing the beautiful, rare sunny rays that we are bestowed with, never enough time to get the camera out there. But I am trying.

I know it won’t last, and that things will settle down, but I am looking forward to finding a end to the merry go round. Preferably one that ends in our dream home. It will happen eventually.

Oh by the way they tell us it’s Christmas in only a few days….whoops, more errands, and Christmas grocery shopping had better get added to the list.  Missed the chance to send Christmas cards this year, and I am trying to coordinate family photos as a gift for my Mom, and Dad.  Now that something that requires a secretary to schedule appointments, as everyone else here is coming and going also.

Now where did I put my list.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Okanagan life through my lens

 

If you would like to see a slice of the beauty that we are living in right now, here’s the link to a simple Picassa web slide show.  I have used Tiny URL, and the preview option so you can see it before you commit.  If you have any problems let me know, and I will scratch my head and say “ I don’t have a clue how to make it work,LOL.”  But at least I will attempt it.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/7kfegp7

Disclaimer:  Not everyday is sunny and beautiful here!  That’s the truth, apparently most of the days are grey, and overcast, it must be the rose colored glasses that we are wearing…..that make us think it’s so lovely.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

 

Meet the neighbours

 

 

Although we are staying here at the farm temporarily while we house hunt, we still would like to get to know the neighbours.  And the best way to do that is to go for a walk.   I take the farm dogs with me, because if you have ever seen a “eager to go for a walk dog”, it’s a farm dog.  They love to lead the way, and run far ahead of me, and then look back as if to say, “hurry up.”

 

 

This is Charlie, and Blue, bet you can guess which one is Blue. 

 

 

Both are sweethearts, even if they have a tendency to bark at the coyotes a little to much in the middle of the night.  Charlie, and Boo our cat, are becoming far away friends.  Boo was seen standing within 2 feet of a sleeping Charlie the other day.  For a cat that really didn’t know what a dog was before, that’s a accomplishment.  No more fluffy tail, and spiky fur around Charlie, unless she surprises Boo.

 

 

There are horses boarding at the neighbouring farms, and each beautiful sunset night we would run into this woman, along with her horse, and dog.

 

 

Of course the farm dogs are friendly, and want to talk, but the poor horse was bucking, and heaving, not that nice at all.  Don’t know what set him off, but the sunset behind his head was lovely.

 

 

You take your shots when you can get them.

I don’t have a shot of the coyotes that roam around here, driving the dogs nuts.  I am rather certain though, that my beloved Boo would make a great coyote snack should he venture out alone, so we keep him locked inside safely.

More on him when I get a chance, once again house hunting, 7 in one day this time!

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

DIY wreaths – Farm style

 

It’s Christmas time, and everyone is making wreaths, decorating for the season.  So I thought I would share a little “DIY wreath making - farm style.”

Take one rung of barbed wire, nestle over a fence post, and voila….your new farm style country Christmas wreath.

Add a quick dusting of snow, or a touch of ice, and you have the perfect decor item for your outdoor display.

Actually I have been longing to shoot these rings of wire every time I pass by them.  It seems I never have my camera when I needed it.  So this time I made sure to include this fence post in my roaming around yesterday.

 

Head on down to your local farm supply store for supplies.

We are venturing out on another home search today, keep your fingers crossed.  I know it’s out there, we just have to find it.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

We got snow

 

 

Overnight we were gifted with a tiny sprinkling of snow, dusting over the branches. Just enough to give it a Merry Christmas feeling. But not enough [yet, that will come] to make it hard to move around outside. There is still some earlier snow from the other week here, although it’s completely disappeared from the other areas.

I helped out with clearing a fallen tree, filled up my Dad’s log shed, good hearty work. See I already have the country attitude, LOL, and much more fun then going on the cardio bike. Add in two long frosty walks yesterday, and I feel virtuous.  Not to mention that I slept like a log.

 

Bring on the doughnuts.  Yes, out here they have one the worlds best bakeries….it’s a temptation to bring something home from town each time we are there.  But the dieting roomies are not happy with that, so we must curb our inclinations.

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

The land of endless skies

 

 

Through all of the stress, and busy whirlwind of the move I kind of forgot why we wanted to be up here.  It’s the land of endless skies. House hunting takes up our life, [more about that special joy in a later post] changes of address, details and more details.  Boxes, and piles of untidy messes that just seem to regroup, and reproduce, phone calls, and a wee bit of homesickness on my part.  Not himself, he’s fine, I think that it will hit him one day…Gar, not Boo.

It’s just starting to settle in, this feeling edging around my consciousness, that hey, this isn’t just a vacation, we are here for real, forever. For real?  Really.  Seriously?

It feels mainly like we are just visiting, staying for a few days, and I keep thinking that I must fit one more visit to one more place that is a favourite before we go back.  Not realizing that there is no going back this time.  That my most favourite places are there to stay, and mine to visit when I have the time, and the inclination.

 

These shots of endless skies are from the other afternoon.  The sky darkens early here, due to the mountains, and the winter’s schedule.  After 3 o clockish there is no way my long lens will work, in the darkening gloom.  That’s what made this sunset a rare treat.  Back from running errands early enough that I finally got the camera out for a run. Exercising not only my body, but my creativity.

Oh my it felt good.

 

That and the fact that my PC is up and running.  With a wireless adapter speaking to the router, I am in business. Thank you wonderful nephew, and BIL.  Oh, it’s good to have a real keyboard, and a real screen in my life again. I know, small treats, but seriously wonderful treats.  I feel like I am adapting to my new life with a bit more ease.

Now only if Boo would sleep in a bit longer…

 

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

 

Sleepless, and busy, not because of Christmas

 

Feeling rather sleepy this morning, and rushed, not even getting a chance to catch our breath, frosty cold as it would be.

No we are not getting ready for Christmas, just settling in.

We are looking at 6 houses today.

I think I need the PC set up, since I can’t seem to get Photoshop organized on the laptop.  There is a too large banner thingy on the bottom of the screen that blocks the button for downloading photos…any suggestions?

Tired from the Boo waking us up at 4 am.

And where did I put my camera?

Yes, that’s me. LOL.

We will return to our normal programing in a day or so.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

They call it fog, I call it photo op’s

There is a “different” kind of weather happening around here.  It’s colder of course,  there is more fog, and some sun peaking out.  Up here at the farm, they live above the clouds, and the view is spectacular, and sunny. It’s almost like being in airplane looking down on the clouds.  We can see all the way down to the town below, and there is a soft padding around the evergreens.  Like a lazy marshmallow, it lays there all day, and the townspeople are shrouded in a hoar frost unlike anything that we have encountered on the coast.

In White Rock it takes a lot of coordinating weather factors to have a hoar frost, and you need to be quick to get any shots at all. It looks like it might be somewhat of a regular occurrence around here.  Aren’t I lucky!  Now that’s a photo op.

All this spectacular scenery, and frosty, white hairy branches, and I have not had a moment to grab my real camera and shoot.  So I have been relying on my new phone to take the “must get it” shots.  Surprisingly clear, and so handy, as it’s usually in my pocket, next to my freezing cold hands.  Did you know that the touch phones work by the heat of your finger tips?  Yes, frozen hands can’t get the icons to open. Wonder what’s going to happen when it’s even colder.  I see some finger warming hot pads in our future.

Speaking of even colder, my Dad’s favourite saying to us newbies is “you ain’t seen nothing yet. Just you wait until January”…..thanks Dad.  You may be right, but couldn’t you butter it up a bit.  Ease us in slowly, and all that?

Sure the beginning of December isn’t the best time to move to a completely different climate, but you know, circumstances and all that….this is just how it worked out.  Makes me kind of glad that we didn’t have to move in January.

I do miss the extended fall that we get by the ocean, but I certainly will not miss the bone chilling dampness that cuts through all of your layers, with it’s icy fingers poking into that little spot where your skin is unprotected.

Brr…I’m freezing just thinking about it.

Wonder if the big box sells heating pads by the case?

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

A particular peace

 

The last blog post was written at the kitchen table, late at night.  This one is written in the early morning light of a quiet house, with the sun rising over the mountains. It is reflecting a particular peace, that’s the only way I can explain it.   I wish I could share the view with you, and I will.  It’s just that for the last few hectic days, I have been relying on my camera phone.  And that’s in the bedroom, where my husband is sleeping.

Trying to keep a restless cat quiet in the early mornings isn’t easy, he loves to jump down onto the hardwood floors like a lead balloon.  Thunk, bang, meow.  It’s four am and he’s up, only problem is no one else is.  We plan on keeping him in the bedroom with us at night until he is acclimatized  The house is much larger then the little condo we shared with him, and he can be found meowing away on another floor.  It takes a little while, and he is doing fine. 

Boo feels best when everyone is up, and in the kitchen.  He reminds me of a sheep dog, herding his sheep, and that would be us. Until each of us is up, he is restless, and demanding.  Hard to ignore.  '

So for now, with the cat quietly exploring the living room, I sit, watching the brightening light, through the dark trees, with misty clouds intertwined among them like a garland of fluff.  There are mountains in the distance, and a particular peace in my heart. 

The house is stirring…. it’s morning in my new life.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

A home coming of sorts

 

Ever been to a place, and it feels familiar, as if you belong like it’s home.  That’s what the Okanagan feels like to us.  And each time we left at the end of our vacation, I honestly felt my heart break.  It was like leaving home… I cried every time I left. Don’t tell my sister.

When we still lived down on the coast, [which is just a day ago, as I write this], it felt like home, but more so when I was near the water. The Okanagan called to us, not just because family lives there.  The climate is completely different, trust me.  It’s arid, and hot in the summer, cold and dry in the winter.  There is no similarity to the wet, rainy weather that I grew up in. The plants are different, and there is no lush undergrowth.  But this land of snow, and far reaching skies has grabbed our very hearts and held on.  And now we are here.

The trip through the mountains can be fraught with winter snow storms that close the Coquahalla Hi way for days….we had dry and bare pavement all the way.

Our November weather on the coast is never dry this time of year.  It was a beautiful sunny, crisp day in White Rock when they loaded the truck.   Yesterday as they unloaded almost everything we own in the storage locker, although it was cold, it was sunny.  Blessed, that’s what we are.  And we are thankful for this wonderful opportunity that has been given to us.

Today, the excitement lay far out in the fields of asparagus at my Sister’s farm.  A cow, wandering loose, was ploughing it’s own path through the stubble.  Something not seen to often in White Rock, if ever.  It’s a new world.

It’s as if it’s all falling into place, and it feels like a home coming of sorts….

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams