Rain, rain... go away..come again another day

It's me, Lee and I'm just kidding..I actually really enjoy the rain and we have had more than our fair share this summer..usually its dangerously dry but not this year! I like being outside in a gentle rain (if I can come back inside and dry off)...this morning's rain is coming in harsh horizontal sheets though so I think I will stay inside for now. We are going to our big annual home learners campout this weekend..we are all busy finding our camp stuff since we haven't camped this year. I am hoping it doesn't rain the entire time...I dont like being wet for 3 days but that wont stop any of us from having a good time!

Yesterday I was in the garden trimming my tomato plants..not something I would typically do but they are a big mess since I left them unstaked and they are crawling on the ground like a tangle of fairytale like vines. I am sharing the tomatoes again this year with large tomato hornworms..ewwww...they are large and loud..I can hear them munching!! I've read that they dont eat the tomatoes but I've seen a few latched onto the fruit, not just the leaves. There are lots to share though:)

Ok more food pics....Pad Thai

Lee here...

I'm not sure why this pic is blurry but it was the yummiest pad thai ever!! Fresh (very local..as in right outside my door!!) garden tomatoes and cilantro. I really need to learn to photoshop pics and then still be able to find them to post them since I am very new at this and am so impressed I can even get a photo here!! About the pad thai, Zee led me in the right direction..Ive made it a few times but this was the best. The squeeze of lime was like the icing on the cake! I packed some for dh for lunch tomorow too.

I'm off to watch So You Think You Can Dance....I am always so sad when folks get kicked off..they are all so amazing...my favorites are always the contemporary routines especially by Mia Michaels!!

raspberry season

Lee again:)

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago. We are blessed to have a very generous neighbour who lets us pick unlimited raspberries. We ate tons of fresh picked berries every day and I froze a few bags, made 2 batches of jam (gave quite a few away) and made these awesome muffins. I dont usually have luck with muffins..they just dont turn out very well..but these..ohh la la!!

Ohh the bounty!

Lee here:)

Check this out...lovely little yellow sungold tomatoes and a bigger red variety that I cant remember the name of...we get handsful of tomatoes everyday and Kate and Annie and I enjoy the snacks and homemade salsa!!

My tomato plants were pretty much neglected..unstaked, they grew out wide all over the ground instead of upright....its been a challenge to harvest these beauties....all the plants intertwined...lesson learned for next year..put up stakes first thing!!

Vietnam

Lotus pond located in the Saigon Zoo

Memories of Vietnam..... but first lunch

Ultimate Veggie Wrap Home made raw wraps made from corn, flax, onions, garlic, sea salt, pepper, cumin and agave, dehydrated and stuffed with veggies, voila! I made a batch of home made almond milk this morning; let the cows breathe a huge smile of relief, if this catches on, your freedom is at hand!

How does my Garden Grow?

My Herb Garden
Hotei stands watch over the coriander and chives, laughing.... possibly because of Dharma the cat's antics. The big tree trunk in behind the Herb Garden is where the club house will be built. This way the kids can climb down and gather up some fresh berries and return to their shelter where they can read comics and talk.

Buddha In The Garden
One of our favourite children’s books, Buddha in the Garden, written by British Columbia writer David Bouchard. The story reminds us that what are looking for is right under our noses.

Blessingway Gift
This statue sits below our flag pole, surrounded by orange lilies and broken plant pots. This was a beautiful blessingway gift given to me when I was pregnant with my wee Tinh Ly.

Peaceful

This is one of my most favourite places in the garden. It's a collection of perennials, no rhyme or reason. I closed my eyes and imagines what went where and voila unorganized chaos. Lee gave me a shell that represents her grandpa, it sits in my favourite part of the garden. The most interesting grapevine grows into the trees that form a canopy over my garden.

Quan Am Hollow

This tree hollow that was created the night of the ice storm has long since healed. Each time I see it from my window I imagine something there using that space, something simple. My Quan Am statue, one who inspires mothering sits quietly observing and patient.

Hostas!
Thanks to Lee I'll have two new varieties a Grande Tiara and June Hosta .to live and grow in my garden. I can't wait to place them in their new home. Hostas are such wonders. Low maintenance, dependable, beautiful and sometimes unpredictable. I have sun lovin' hostas and those who show off their potential in the coolest shade.

Thuy's Nasturtium Garden

Filled will dill, chamomile, nasturtiums and scarlet runner. This is where the garden started! She inspires.

Birth of this garden

Garden Beds and Bleeding Hearts.

Short hair for summer!!

Lee here!

Ok with Stefanie's help I added this photo which took about 20min to download...maybe I can do it on my own next time!

These brave children of ours shaved their heads after raising lots of money for the Cancer Society's Relay for Life this year!! It has really grown alot since these photos were taken!! They had such a blast!! Annie also donated her long hair to Angel Hair for Kids.