Notes and Clippings --- The Book

At long last, three years and loads of editing my autobiography has been printed.

The folks at Kettle Valley Graphics, Kelowna did an excellent job. Peter and Mary were great to work with and I know they were as proud with the end results as we were.

We drove from Osoyoos today to pick up 6 boxes   -- 200 copies 

Thanks to Randal at Studio eh Designs for all his editing,  hard work and terrific computer skills to set up Notes and Clippings.

Bertrand Family re-unite

Although it was on a very sad occasion, the children of the late Ovide and Hughenna Bertrand were able to re-unite. Five of the seven siblings were present. We met in Victoria, BC while attending the funeral of Arthur's wife, Marlene.

Evelyn, Clare, Arthur, Lucille, Lorraine

 Clare's family were also there

Clare with Grandson Aiden and son's David and Craig 

As well as Evelyn's

Chad, Evelyn, granddaughter, Camalia and Darwin 

Arthur's Family

David, Brian, Erin, Robert, Arthur, Ryan, Celine, Mathew, Bippie, Darin  

A few of the Fitzgerald family attended

Lawrence, Iona, Art, Pauline 

A visit with Mary, who could not attend.

Lorraine and Mary 

David also was unable to attend. David receiving an 50 year Elk Award in Cut Knife SK

A Tribute to Marlene Bertrand

On August 1, 2017, Marlene, my sister-in-law, unexpectedly passing away.

Marlene will be sorely missed by her family, Arthur, husband of 55 years, Celine Berry, daughter, and her family; Darin, son and his family; her many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, friends and of course her musical family on Vancouver Island.

A beautiful send off for Marlene was held Friday August 11 in Victoria, BC, at a funeral Mass at St. Patrick's and reception at Celine and Brain Berry's home.

Her family contributed to the ceremony.

 At the tribute reception many of her musical friends play a selection of her favourite tunes.

 The Apple Tree Jam was recorded and posted by Studio eh Design. 

Trip to BC Coast

This summer there has been many wild fires in British Columbia. The smoke is being carried throughout the province. 

 This past week we took a car trip to Vancouver and Victoria. We were thankful for the Nikken Travel Filtration System we use in the car.

The weather was very warm and dehydration is was prevented with the Nikken Water Bottle and Waterfall Water Filtration System.

For added comfort the Nikken Kenkoseat 11 was used

Kenko Magflex, for back comfort; The CM Complex Cream, Magduo and KenkoTouch was used no the other discomforts we experienced.

Kenko nSteps Insoles

For sleeping the Kenko PowerSleep Mask and Kenko Naturest Custom Pillow was used.

Thanks to the nutritional we were able to sustained our well-being.

Thank you Nikken for aiding in our comfortable trip.  

Waterfall System

Today we changed the filter in our Nikken Water System. 

after six months of use of the old one. 

Here is what the filter looks like after filtering the tap water (which is 'safe' to drink).

We noticed that the colour had changed and it was much heavier than the new filter. 

Garlic Scapes

I have never seen or heard of garlic scapes before I arrived in Osoyoos.

Last year I purchased a jar of pickled garlic scapes from Garlic Freak , at the  Osoyoos Farmer's Market.

  This morning I when I was at the Osoyoos Farmer's Market I purchased some.

I went on line to find out more.  https://www.thespruce.com/what-are-garlic-scapes-1402603

Garlic scapes are the flower bud of the garlic plant. The bud is removed in late June to encourage the bulbs to thicken up. Scapes make a fabulous addition to a flower bouquet, and they are delicious to eat! Scapes taste just like garlic. They can be used in exactly the same way as garlic in any recipe.  

By harvesting when young and tender, they can chop them into salads or use them as a topping, as scallions. More mature scapes can be sauteed lightly and used over pasta, with eggs, mixed with cooking greens, pickled or pretty much in any dish that would be complemented by garlic. 

Garlic Scape Pesto. 

         10 to 12 large garlic scapes, with the bulb removed, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

         1 cup (lightly packed) clean and dry basil leaves (optional) 

         1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts

         1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

         1/2 to 1 cup (or more depending on how thick you want your pesto) of good quality olive oil

           1/2 to 1 cup of grated Parmesan Cheese

Method: 

Add garlic scapes, basil and salt to the large bowl of a food processor. Start processing, adding oil slowly. Stop processing and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Once a smooth paste has been achieved, add Parmesan and process until completely mixed in. Stop processing and add all of the nuts. Pulse processor until nuts are roughly chopped and fully mixed in. This gives the pesto a great texture.

Celebrating Canada's 150

We were in full spirits for the July 1st Parade in Osoyoos 

Lynne, Nikki and Adeline

We headed to the Rotary Pancake Breakfast 

 After eating  shopping was in order but we needed a rest.

Crowds began to stake their viewing spots along main street. 

First to arrive was a fire truck to wet down the people.

As the parade started everyone waved flags and cheered 

The pooper-scooper arrived to clean up after the horses. 

Brightly decorated floats pasted by.

I was the last one to return to NK'Mip RV Resort as I stayed to video the action. 

I enjoyed the 34C sunshine for four hours!