tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79883060585543204122024-03-13T11:23:12.165-07:00The Upside Down HomeJoannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-90886232851604380922012-12-24T08:12:00.000-08:002012-12-24T08:12:26.922-08:00Merry Christmas from our family to yours ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-88375292204760188942012-10-15T01:00:00.000-07:002012-10-15T01:00:02.115-07:00Cross CountryConner and Liam were on the grade four and five Cross Country teams at their school this past fall. Conner was very self-motivated to run on the team, Liam less so (but was persuaded when told that it was X Country or no Minecraft).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grade Four Boys' Race. Liam (2nd from right)</td></tr>
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The season consists of three meets, two at our school, and one at the park behind our house (my favourite for convenience, the boys least favourite because of the wicked hill at the end to the finish line). The teams are from five or six area elementary schools.<br />
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This season we saw a lot of friends from church and were able to cheer on a lot of kids we know who go to other schools.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca and Emily</td></tr>
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Across the field at the start of the race,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grade 5 Boys' Race. Conner is fourth from the left</td></tr>
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through the woods, and across the bridge,<br />
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and up Heartbreak Hill. It doesn't look too steep here, but there were more than a couple of kids crying by the time they got halfway up.<br />
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Conner placed in the top ten in a couple of the races, and top fifteen in the first race. He's plagued with shin splints and foot pain so I think it may be time for new insoles.<br />
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Liam may be in the back of the starting pack at the beginning of the race, but he always places in a very respectable middle position. He must have passed a lot of the kids that wore themselves on the sprint across the field at the start of the race.<br />
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I'm so proud of both of them for giving their best efforts this season. I love to watch them run, to practice and to see the result of their efforts.<br />
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Next up: soccer. <br />
<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-83861421886920336572012-10-13T16:07:00.000-07:002012-10-13T16:22:40.914-07:00Seabrook, WashingtonMore on the lovely houses we saw during our anniversary getaway at Seabrook earlier this week...<br />
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The development is based on principles of New Urbanism, which basically means that it's meant to replicate a town rather than a subdivision or housing development. You are meant to be able to walk everywhere - there is a town centre with a restaurant and shops, streets have sidewalks on both sides, green spaces with park benches are on every corner it seems, and back lane access means that cars are tucked out of sight.<br />
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The restaurant was pleasant (loved the interior), although at lunch at least there weren't a lot of grain-free options and the hostess was less than hospitable.<br />
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Our house had beach cruiser bikes in the shed, which we used one afternoon to cruise around and check out the area.<br />
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This courtyard was similar to the one in front of our cottage (which I didn't get a good picture of, but this gives you the idea). The firepit would be a nice place to do s'mores with the kids in the summer.<br />
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Liam couldn't understand why we would have left him behind when there was two bedrooms in our cottage. I think we'll definitely head back next year with the whole family, perhaps in the spring.<br />
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Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-19994801855204208772012-10-09T17:23:00.002-07:002014-05-10T18:30:42.703-07:0017 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On October 6, 1995 Quinn and I were married in the Seattle LDS Temple.<br />
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Fast forward 17 years and we have four kids, a dog, a couple of businesses and lots of hard work and great memories both behind and ahead of us. It has gone by in the blink of an eye, and it keeps getting better and better.<br />
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We managed to get away for a couple of nights together, a feat that I wasn't sure we would be able to pull off between kids and work and a myriad of obligations. Our requirements were that it had to be within a reasonable distance to drive, didn't involve a ferry or plane, was relaxing and quiet, and was near the beach. Remember, <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-point.html">I need the beach in my life</a>. <br />
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I discovered Seabrook during an online search, a lovely little new beach town on the central Washington coast. It's a five hour drive from our house, doesn't involve a ferry or plane and is right on the beach. From Olympia, it's a straight shot west to Aberdeen, and then winding north up to Seabrook.<br />
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Seabrook is patterned after Seaside, Florida and was built on the principles of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Urbanism">New Urbanism</a>. It's hard to tell how long the town has been here. Every house is different and there isn't a vinyl home in sight. Instead there is a lot of natural materials - cedar shakes, board and batten, wood siding. Most of the houses are built on a small footprint and the gardens are low maintenance. In fact, the only grass we've seen is in central parks and greenspaces, and on the side of the roads. Many of the houses feature rear lane access and almost all feature some kind of porch or deck.<br />
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In other words, I'm in heaven.<br />
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We are staying in a two bedroom cottage that is one of ten identical buildings that face onto the same green space which features a communal fire pit. <br />
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It is adorable - outside it is white board and batten with a front and
rear porch, and inside it's beadboard ceilings, mullioned windows,
gorgeous white trim everywhere.<br />
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I'll be posting some pictures tomorrow of some of my favorite cottages at Seabrook - much like the Maple Beach post <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.com/2012/08/maple-beach-cottages.html">here</a>.Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-63046499299706588222012-09-17T12:48:00.001-07:002012-09-17T12:48:35.093-07:00Lazy Sunday afternoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love September. We've had better weather this month than we had in July. It's been beautiful and sunny for days at a time with little rain. This week's forecast is sunny with temperatures in the high twenties. I can feel Fall coming, but it's not here quite yet.<br />
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We had a lazy Sunday to make up for a busy Saturday. I took some pictures for my class after church - some in our back yard (which needs some desperate attention - next year), and then I went for a walk by myself through the park behind our house.<br />
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-37866761627251181952012-09-10T18:39:00.001-07:002012-09-10T18:39:47.993-07:00September AfternoonPracticing today with a 50mm f1.8 lens I have on loan. I like it. It's fun.<br />
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These wooden crates were from the barn at my in-laws.<br />
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Pretty girl. I love the shallow depth of field here - this lens makes it so easy.Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-36906215414556069082012-09-07T17:55:00.000-07:002012-09-07T19:19:12.514-07:00{sooke, bc}Sometimes I really love my job. Except when I don't - which is, you know, most of the time.<br />
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Usually I have to get up at five to drive into Vancouver on what is supposed to be a major highway but more resembles a parking lot. Stop and go (mostly stop) for an hour. And then we might be shooting in a dark studio, or in a house that is too small to accommodate a film crew. For at least twelve hours. And then when we're done I get back in my car and do the slow crawl home again.<br />
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But today I woke up in a beautiful hotel room, went downstairs for breakfast, and then into the lobby to shoot. It was glorious. I am in Sooke on Vancouver Island.<br />
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This is the hotel that we are shooting at. <br />
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Nice, huh?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://book.bestwestern.com/props/62129/62129_pbimg12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://book.bestwestern.com/props/62129/62129_pbimg12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/CA/BC/Sooke-hotels/BEST-WESTERN-PREMIER-Prestige-Oceanfront-Resort/Hotel-Overview.do?propertyCode=62129&disablenav=false&sob=C62">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This was my view for most of the morning.<br />
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When I wasn't looking at this:<br />
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I get to stay another night, and then I will leisurely make my way home to Abbotsford in the morning. Making the most of every moment...<br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-75771651613982696202012-09-06T07:14:00.000-07:002012-09-06T07:14:12.194-07:00{with patience & faith}My dad is in the hospital, in Australia. It is times like these that I am reminded of how far away my family is, and I feel helpless. I just want to be there, to sit in his room with him, to help lift some of the burden my mom is carrying. Ask the questions of the doctors and nurses who are caring for him so that we can find out what the heck is going on. Despite running a battery of tests, they know little more than he has a staff infection - they don't know why he's so sick, or why he's in excruciating pain.<br />
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Sunday we fasted for my dad and for his doctors. It was testimony Sunday which means that we don't have regular speakers but anyone in the congregation who wants to share can speak. It is a time for people to bear testimony of those things they know to be true. I wanted to talk about what my family is going through, and how badly we want to be able to do something, <i>anything</i> to help, to change the outcome, to improve the odds. But the reality is we <u>can't</u> do anything. We are almost ten thousand miles away. It takes at least a day and a half and a lot of money to get there. It is completely out of my hands, and it would be even if I were there.<br />
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Directly, there is nothing I can do right now. But I <i>can</i> fast, and I <i>can</i> pray, and that brings some measure of comfort when everything seems helpless. It gives me something concrete to do, and I <u>know</u> that it works.<br />
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That's what I <i>wanted </i>to say when I bore my testimony. But as I stood at the microphone, I could not speak. I started to cry. I knew if I opened my mouth to say anything, I was going to wail and lose it completely. An uncomfortable minute went past as I tried to compose myself, but it didn't get any better. It got worse. I turned around and looked at Quinn, who was sitting behind me (he's in the Bishopric so that's where he sits during Sacrament Meeting), and he stood to put his arm around me. I whispered to him that I had to leave. And then I walked out the side door and out into the parking lot, where I did completely lose it.<br />
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For the most part, I don't like to be vulnerable. I feel shame when I show what I perceive to be weakness in front of other people. I like to think of myself as being articulate and well spoken and while I don't mind expressing emotion, I like to be restrained in the way that I do it. I was none of those things on Sunday. I was a mess and two hundred people witnessed it.<br />
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The upshot of the whole deal was that I was reminded of the amazing, kind, loving friends that I have in my church family. I've gotten some very sweet phone calls and emails expressing concern. People who don't even know my dad are praying for him and his doctors. Sunday night one of my absolute favourite people showed up on my doorstep with the most delicious plum torte and a big hug. People have offered to care for my children if I end up going to Australia. This is the gospel in action. I am so grateful to be in a church surrounded by awesome people who practice and live their faith and who can authentically show love, concern and care for others. My heart is full.<br />
<br />
We went through a similar scare with my mom about seven years ago. She had a brain aneurysm and miraculously survived the surgery to repair the site, but suffered setbacks after the surgery with language and speech loss. I arrived the day after she got out of hospital. My parents aren't LDS, but they are so respectful of my beliefs and honour the place the Gospel has in my life. With my parents consent, I arranged for two young LDS missionaries to come to their home to give my mom a Priesthood blessing. Her recovery was nothing short of miraculous and my parents credit the blessing and all the prayers said on her behalf.<br />
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My dad asked me today if I could arrange for him to receive a blessing. I phoned the LDS Mission Office in Perth to explain the situation and make the request. By the time I had phoned my dad back less than half an hour later, the missionaries had already been in contact with him to arrange a time to visit him in hospital to give him a blessing. This is the gospel in action. Half way around the world, strangers have stepped up to offer service gratefully. I am overwhelmed and am so thankful, knowing that everything that can be done, <b>is</b> being done.Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-16987718014029637792012-09-04T11:11:00.001-07:002012-09-04T11:12:13.703-07:00Back To SchoolSeptember is one of my favourite times of year. I love the summer - the weather (when it cooperates on the Wet Coast), the lack of schedule, long stretches of time with my kids, the freedom from routine- but come September, I'm usually more than ready for some structure. I get excited by the possibilities, by new beginnings.<br />
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Grade Eleven. I can not believe how fast this guy is growing up. Kyle's at least two inches taller than his Dad now. He is taking some interesting courses this year (Marketing, Law, Journalism) and is committed to putting the time in to get some stellar marks. He has made some good goals and has figured out what he needs to do in order to get there. This year and next <i>everything</i> matters. And while we are here to support him in whatever way we can, Kyle realizes that it's up to him to do the work. I know he's going to have a great year and even he will be amazed by what he can achieve when he puts his mind to it.<br />
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Grade Nine. High School. Semesters instead of terms. Kyle and Emily are in the same school for the next two years, and I have a feeling I'm going to get more information about what's going on at the high school from Em. I've been a little, let's say <i>uninformed</i> the past two years. Kyle's just not as into the details as I'd like :) I can't wait to hear how it went when she gets home. I'm going to make a big plate of cookies and we are going to sit at the island and chat all about it. <br />
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Grade Five. Last year of elementary school. A school leader. He's already thinking ahead to middle school next year, but I hope that Conner soaks up his last year of elementary. We had a good long talk before bed last night about school and some of the things he's nervous about. I reminded him that he has his Dad, Mom, his teachers and his principal all cheering him on. We all want him to succeed and he needn't feel alone. Conner is such an easygoing kid that sometimes I don't pick up on the struggles he's having. <br />
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Grade Four. Liam is in a 3/4 split this year and I'm glad. He has the same teacher as last year and she totally gets him. Liam is good at school - he likes to be organized and is meticulous with his work. This year he's working on taking some risks and not being <i>so</i> careful all the time. <br />
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They were mortified, but I did get them to stay still long enough to snap a picture out the window of my minivan. Yes, I am that Mom.<br />
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Reconnecting with other friends we haven't seen over the summer...<br />
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This is my two last years of having kids in elementary and I want to
soak it up. I plan to spend a lot of time with them in their classes and
helping out around the school. <br />
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The day after Labour Day to me is more the start of a new year than January 1. Forget New Year's for resolutions, I think September is the best time to start fresh. Here's to a great year!<br />
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-36093032749683653502012-08-30T08:30:00.000-07:002012-08-30T08:30:01.330-07:00More London Sights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h3>
Houses of Parliament</h3>
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London Eye</h3>
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Big Ben</h3>
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Westminster Area</h3>
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Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-91558605972830676222012-08-29T08:30:00.000-07:002012-08-29T08:30:03.640-07:00HMS Belfast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Usually it's the parent dragging the kid around to the museums but for us it was the other way round. Our trip was planned around the things that Kyle wanted to see and do in London. Ever since he was a little boy, he has loved reading about history - especially World War II history.<br />
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So, no trip to London would be complete for Kyle without seeing HMS Belfast.<br />
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"HMS Belfast shows you what it was like to live and work on board a warship. Explore nine decks of amazing seafaring history where sailors once hurried up and down the ladders, and hear their battle stories from the Second World War and beyond - the convoys in icy Arctic conditions, the bombardment of German defences on D-Day and the 404 days spent patrolling waters during the Korean War." <a href="http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast">source</a><br />
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To have been in Normandy a week and a half earlier and then to be on board the HMS Belfast, a frigate that took part in Operation Overlord supporting the Normandy landings, was surreal.<br />
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There were many times over these two weeks in Europe that I wished my husband could be there to see the things we were seeing. Quinn was in the Canadian Naval Reserves for more than thirteen years and traveled all over the world with the Navy. I know that he would have loved to explore this ship with Kyle.<br />
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Future sailor?Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-65683387239560757412012-08-28T05:30:00.000-07:002012-08-28T05:30:03.609-07:00Tower of LondonI still have to catch up and post some last pictures of our trip to London. Of course we went to the Tower of London. <br />
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I remember coming here last time I was in London, more than twenty years
ago and being enthralled to be where three unlucky wives of King Henry
VIII were beheaded on Tower Green. I was sixteen years old, practically on my own in an unfamiliar city. I had been in Germany on a student exchange when my mom suggested I visit her friend in London (who worked the entire time I was there). But I had a bus map that showed all the main sights, and I went around the City for a week, on my own, crossing off my list of must-sees. I can't imagine letting Kyle loose on his own - but my parents let me and it was an amazing experience that I'm very glad I had. That week is one of the reasons I'm so determined to travel with my kids when they are this age. <br />
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We saw the Crown Jewels, guarded by this fellow (a Fusilier).<br />
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Oh, look there's a Beefeater.<br />
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Traitor's Gate, where Anne Boleyn arrived on boat via the River Thames prior to her execution.<br />
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Two of my kids have had to build trebuchets in Mr. Brummit's Socials 8 class. Not as big as this one though.</div>
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After we finished at the Tower, Kyle consulted our handy walking tour guide (a gift from my parents to Kyle) that we used throughout our trip. </div>
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We couldn't leave without taking some pictures of the Tower Bridge as a tall ship went through.</div>
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It was very cool to see the Olympic rings on Tower Bridge. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Using our handy walking guide, we set off for Saint Paul's and the London Museum, </div>
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and saw a piece of the (very old) city wall.</div>
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Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-91115411504211401962012-08-27T17:59:00.000-07:002012-08-27T17:59:27.642-07:00Happy Birthday Kyle!It's Kyle's 16th Birthday and he and his buddies are sleeping in a tent in the backyard {a clever suggestion from yours truly that should hopefully mean for a quieter night for the rest of us}. Later this week he'll write his driver's test for his learner's license and next week he starts grade eleven.<br />
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Whoa. Where did the time go? Seems like just yesterday he was a little guy:<br />
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And now he towers over both me and his Dad.<br />
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Some things I love about Kyle:<br />
<ul>
<li>he has a strong desire to do the right thing</li>
<li>he makes good decisions </li>
<li>he is very thoughtful and helpful</li>
<li>he has a great sense of humour</li>
<li>his velociraptor impression is pretty awesome</li>
<li>he is a very good big brother and is (mostly) patient with his brothers and sister</li>
<li>little kids love him and he takes good care of them</li>
<li>he is super polite and respectful</li>
<li>he has no embarrassment about saying "I love you," even in front of friends</li>
<li>he isn't in any hurry to grow up and still likes to do 'kid things' with his brothers</li>
<li>he is fun to be with - two weeks of solid mom and son time in England put that to the test</li>
<li>he is so smart - he is both interested and interesting</li>
<li>he soaks up information and knowledge and has great recall</li>
<li>he loves current events - he reads the Economist and every morning before seminary reads BBC News online </li>
<li>his love and knowledge of history is impressive </li>
</ul>
I am loving watching him grow into the young man he's becoming and I'm excited to see what the future holds in store for him. Yesterday he told me that in Young Men's at church they were talking about how happiness and success in life is dependent on the choices we make. I have no doubt that with the path he's already on, he has an amazing, successful, happy life ahead of him. And I can't wait to watch it unfold.Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-42475199969896110522012-08-24T14:56:00.000-07:002014-05-12T07:27:46.813-07:00{blackboards}<a href="http://pinterest.com/joannehmartin/">Pinterest</a> is both a blessing and a curse. <br />
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It's great because there are so many great ideas out there, and Pinterest is the perfect place to find inspiration. It's also a great place to organize the awesome stuff I find on other people's blogs. A place to park my ideas for later when I'm ready to do something with them.<br />
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I also like that I can look through my boards on Pinterest and see a common thread. I'm totally drawn to lots of white with black accents. You'll see it on <a href="http://pinterest.com/joannehmartin/">my Pinterest boards</a>, and you'll see it in my home. It's a great way to figure out what your style is.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Hl3yvPVPwrQ/TE5yiEPqTmI/AAAAAAAAGB4/a-QZHaa9R1Q/s1280/momma+loves+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Hl3yvPVPwrQ/TE5yiEPqTmI/AAAAAAAAGB4/a-QZHaa9R1Q/s320/momma+loves+you.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://focusjennie.blogspot.ca/2010/08/just-so-you-know.html">Focus Jennie</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I love the inspiration. Thanks to Pinterest and the blogs I read, I really want to make a blackboard for the top of my stairs.<br />
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I've seen them on <a href="http://www.71toes.com/">Shawni's</a> blog, <a href="http://focusjennie.blogspot.ca/">Jennie</a> has one too, and Pinterest is full of them.<br />
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I know that a lot of people get discouraged by Pinterest - like they aren't ever going to measure up. They feel like they've got to do everything. I don't feel like that at all but I'm beginning to see a problem with Pinterest.<br />
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When I find a great idea, it seems like everyone else has already beaten me to it. Which is fine - I don't mind being the last to the party. It's just that when I am, it's really hard to find what I need at the thrift store to make my Pinterest inspiration a reality.<br />
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I have wanted to make a blackboard for ages - but do you think I could find anywhere a sufficiently ornate frame with a hideous picture and a low price tag? No way - all the other Pinners have already been to my go-to thrift stores. Nothing for months at MCC, Bibles for Missions and the little thrift store by the railway tracks that always take my donations (unlike the Sally Ann in my town where they go through your trunk and pick what they want and turn their noses up at the rest).<br />
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But today on my way to the gym, I dropped in on a thrift store and there it was.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVT6vhPIBfw/UDfx3KWDGDI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/69_C5x6YaFU/s1600/IMG_2728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVT6vhPIBfw/UDfx3KWDGDI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/69_C5x6YaFU/s400/IMG_2728.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Ornate frame: check<br />
Hideous picture: it could be worse, but I'm not going to feel guilty when I paint over it with blackboard paint<br />
Low price tag: $10 - and when I got to the cash desk, they told me all pictures are 50% off this week.<br />
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Woot!<br />
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This is where it's going to go (aren't my stairs nice? Quinn and I spent a lot of time staining all that wood).<br />
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Oh, let's get a little closer<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxugoxYyFs8/UDfxmxjAQaI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/tHTgK4MTaEc/s1600/IMG_2726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxugoxYyFs8/UDfxmxjAQaI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/tHTgK4MTaEc/s640/IMG_2726.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
Next up, I've got to spray the frame and paint the blackboard paint on. I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone and pick a punchy colour, but I have a feeling it'll end up white. Black won't work because it's a blackboard and the frame will blend in too much. A colour is tricky because it will be seen from both upstairs and downstairs. So white it is.<br />
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I plan on writing up quotes, little love notes to my kids (especially when Kyle's friends are coming over), scriptures, and birthday messages. Can't wait!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-67755885528657070622012-08-21T19:08:00.001-07:002012-08-21T21:33:56.522-07:00{treasures}My mother and father-in-law recently downsized from a large farm (15+ acres) with outbuildings to a house in town. Many treasures from their previous home weren't going to fit in the new one so being the incredibly generous people they are, they told their kids to put their names on anything they wanted. <br />
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The goodies were delivered recently, and I was pleased to see how perfectly they fit in our home.<br />
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I have a thing for turquoise glass, and these old bottles are from a collection belonging to Quinn's dad. The funny shaped clear glass piece by the mirror is a glass insulator from a power line. Random but cool.<br />
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I like the insulators so much, I got some turquoise glass ones too. Oh, look - there's the only nice picture we have of Quinn and me. Need to do something about that.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58skVshgSmk/UDQt7qyBGkI/AAAAAAAAA9A/KkL--h6GVUs/s1600/IMG_2681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58skVshgSmk/UDQt7qyBGkI/AAAAAAAAA9A/KkL--h6GVUs/s400/IMG_2681.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Keeping with the beachy, turquoise thing I've got going in the living room, this watercolor of a Vancouver Island beach is perfect. I love it so much I often find myself standing and staring at it. <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.ca/2012/07/the-point.html">I need the beach in my life</a> and now I have a beautiful reminder in my living room.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9_g_7pGHzY/UDQthsYEvUI/AAAAAAAAA8o/vQL40jYwPvA/s1600/IMG_2671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9_g_7pGHzY/UDQthsYEvUI/AAAAAAAAA8o/vQL40jYwPvA/s640/IMG_2671.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
A couple of years ago, my mother-in-law gave me her ironstone collection. She knew how much I loved it and told me that instead of waiting, she wanted me to take it home that day. There was more that didn't fit on the table. I know, that's a lot of ironstone. Aren't I lucky?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bKTH7oYj-o/UDQtZKCp4xI/AAAAAAAAA8g/j6G-5AV3HtI/s1600/IMG_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bKTH7oYj-o/UDQtZKCp4xI/AAAAAAAAA8g/j6G-5AV3HtI/s400/IMG_1792.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
When we were renovating, I wanted to be sure to have a special place to display the ironstone, and designed the dining room with it in mind.<span id="goog_1327593547"></span><span id="goog_1327593548"></span><br />
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To display the collection, I bought a glass cabinet from a local shop. They only had one and told me that the company had gone out of business. I kicked myself afterwards because I knew that I really needed a second matching display case and now I was stuck with just one. A few weeks later I was standing at the till at my local grocery store, and lo and behold, there was a display case that looked suspiciously like the one I had already bought. Except this one was black.<br />
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So I bought it and had them both sprayed in a black lacquer. The white ironstone pops against the black beadboard, and there is glass on three sides so you can see the ironstone as you come down the hall into the dining room. Love. It's one of my favourite things in my house.<br />
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This is a fermenting crock used for pickling and making sauerkraut. It's big - about a foot high and ten inches
in diameter. It's empty right now, but it would make a pretty awesome
cookie jar. Or maybe I'll use it to store my compost scraps. It's in perfect condition and I love the colour.<br />
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This piano was an anniversary present from my father-in-law to his wife for their anniversary many, many years ago. Emily and Liam are starting piano lessons in the Fall and now they get to practice on their grandmother's piano. <br />
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The kids each took a special reminder of the farm. Emily was thrilled with her vintage typewriter and has actually handed in homework typed on it. It makes me smile to hear her clacking away on it in her bedroom.<br />
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Kyle took home a giant life-size cardboard Darth Vader, Liam has his grandpa's spyglass, and Conner took a bow.<br />
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The items are beautiful, but even more special is knowing how lovingly these items were collected by Quinn's parents over the years.<br />
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-57630922967702398472012-08-20T15:00:00.000-07:002012-08-28T15:03:21.230-07:00Elder SladeI am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. When I was 18 years old, while staying with a high school friend and her family, I went to church for the first time. I was struggling in my life, and it was a confusing time for me. I didn't like myself very much or the direction I was heading. I was, to put it mildly, swinging wildly out of control. I had a plane ticket to return to Australia (where I was born and lived until I was 11) and I had a couple of weeks to kill before leaving. I had long admired my friend's family and wondered whether it was their faith that made them happy and loving. They certainly had taken me in with open arms and so I found myself at Church with my friend that first Sunday in her congregation of young, single adults.<br />
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I remember sitting in Sunday School, looking at a picture of the Saviour that was leaning up against the blackboard. It hit me that for the first time in a very long time, I felt peace. I felt safe. I knew that I wanted to feel like that all the time. And so I told my friend that I wanted to learn more. There were two sets of missionaries in the room - one set of young women (called Sister Missionaries), and one set of young men (Elders). Naturally my friend made a beeline for the Elders and asked them to come and teach me at her house.<br />
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Elder Slade and Elder Cooley taught me the first discussion that evening. Everything I heard resonated with me, sounded familiar somehow. They told me about Joseph Smith, how when he was a young man of fourteen and struggling with questions about his faith, went to a grove of trees near his home and prayed to know what to do. They taught me about Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. They gave me a Book of Mormon and asked me to read it. When they were finished, they asked me if I had any questions. I told them that I didn't, that I had liked everything that I heard, and that I wanted to be baptized. But I was leaving for Australia in a week and wanted to be baptized before I left.<br />
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Now I know how unusual it was to commit to baptism so quickly, but at the time it felt like the natural next step. I didn't see any point in delaying what I knew was the right thing to do. So every day that week, Elders Slade and Cooley came to Rebecca's and taught me. We watched church movies, we had many discussions, and they answered my questions. I prayed for the first time. I felt God's love for me and that feeling of peace and comfort I had first felt in Sunday School continued to envelop me. I no longer felt alone.<br />
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Saturday morning, July 17, 1993, Elder Chad Slade baptized me. Elder Cooley confirmed me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and gave me the gift of the Holy Ghost. Every good thing I have in my life I can trace back to the decision I made to be baptized. I have never not gone to church since. It has been a constant, stabilizing, uplifting influence in my life. I met my husband at church, we were married in the Temple and we have four amazing, awesome children. My life is full and rich in ways that I could have only imagined.<br />
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Chad and his family are visiting BC and yesterday came to our house for dinner. It's been nineteen years since my baptism and fourteen years since we last saw each other. I've been caught up in memories this morning, thinking about that week in 1993 when everything changed. And how life has only continued to get better. And for that I am so grateful.<br />
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-87573984428467058482012-08-18T02:27:00.001-07:002014-05-12T07:30:32.794-07:00Eat StreetOur trip has come to a close. We're packed and ready to leave for the airport and we are tired. But a good tired. We packed a lot into our last day and I wanted to post the pictures of one of the things we did yesterday before we leave.<br />
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On our last day we went to the Whitecross Street Market. Our kids faithfully watch a show on the Canadian Cooking Channel called Eat Street.<br />
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They travel around and profile various street food vendors. Mostly in North America, but they did a couple of episodes in London. Kyle was determined to track some of the food vendors down before we left so we found ourselves at Whitecross Street Market on a beautiful Friday.<br />
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<a href="http://eatmypies.co.uk/">Eat My Pies</a> was profiled on the show.<br />
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Andy Bates is the owner. His mother was running the stall and she is lovely.<br />
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We had a Scotch Egg and it was delicious.<br />
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Here's a recipe on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/scotcheggs_85851#">BBC Food</a> if you want to make your own.<br />
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We visited quite a few vendors and ate Paella, Steak and Chorizo Pie, Scotch Eggs & Mussels. For dessert we had the Australian classic, Lamingtons. Delicious but it was way too much food for me. Kyle was fine, of course. I was sick but that was my own fault for eating too much.<br />
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We ate our lunch in the park across the street before heading off to the Churchill War Rooms.<br />
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-43348091410376433322012-08-17T01:20:00.000-07:002014-05-12T17:38:11.813-07:00Buckingham PalaceBuckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch. It has been the a family residence since 1835 when Queen Victoria moved there from Kensington Palace. The Queen decamps to Balmoral Castle for the summer months and the State Rooms are opened to the public. Kyle and I went with our stepsister's family yesterday on the tour. Each summer, over 400,000 people tour the Palace.<br />
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Photography was not permitted, so the pictures you see here are mostly from the official website for the Summer Opening. It is opulent and regal, as expected. I imagine the personal apartments of the Queen and Prince Philip are also beautiful, but perhaps not so gilded?<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">State Rooms</span></h3>
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My favourite was the Blue Drawing Room but I'm afraid this picture doesn't do it justice. I thought it was more understated than the other State Rooms. It was originally intended to be a ballroom, but Queen Victoria (who loved dancing and balls) had another, much larger ballroom added in the 1850s.<br />
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One word about the audio tour - it is very well done and timed perfectly. You are moving very slowly with many people around you, and somehow you arrive at things just as the commentator is talking about it. It's a great way to learn about the Palace's history.<br />
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The staircase leading to the State Rooms is grand and very beautiful. This is how Heads of State and other visitors to the State Rooms of the Palace arrive. The history here! I held the balustrade as I walked down the stairs and thought, I wonder who else has put their hand here? Or maybe they are too posh to use the hand rail.<br />
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The Picture Gallery houses a huge collection of paintings by many esteemed artists.<br />
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My favourite was a family portrait commissioned by Queen Victoria. She looks both regal and maternal and she sits beside Prince Albert, surrounded by the eldest five of their nine (!) children. A lovely glimpse of their family life painted by Winterhalter. My favourite part is the grouping of the sisters in the bottom right corner, with the baby looking back at the artist.<br />
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We didn't see the Changing of the Guard, but we did see the courtyard where this picture was taken.<br />
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Later that evening I met my dad's cousin and his family for the first time. My grandmother grew up in London (my father emigrated to Australia in his twenties). She married an Italian man (my grandfather) and her only sister married an Indian man. Two of Dad's cousins live in Mumbai and Bombay and the other lives in London. I don't have a lot of cousins so I lay claim to the lovely two second cousins I met last night (a third lives in Brazil), and hope to keep in touch.<br />
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Today is our last full day in London. Thanks to my cousin Sonia's husband MJ, we have lots to see and do. He gave us a list of 'must dos' before we leave so we're off to do even more museums today, as well as the Churchill War Rooms.Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-88636918941707860372012-08-15T10:51:00.002-07:002012-08-16T00:25:51.417-07:00Harry Potter Tour Part IIIFor Part I of the Tour, go <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/harry-potter-tour-part-ii.html">here.</a><br />
For Part II of the Tour, go <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/harry-potter-part-i.html">here.</a><br />
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After leaving Studio J, we found ourselves in the area where they display the exterior sets. There was the Knight Bus, Hagrid's motorcycle, the bridge to Hogwarts, the Potter Home in Godric's Hollow, and Number Four Privet Drive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where it all began - the Potter's in Godric's Hollow</td></tr>
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And, we had Butter Beer! It was delicious. Apparently there's a frozen version at Universal Studios. It tastes like cream soda and butterscotch, with a head of heavy cream on top. Yummy. Kyle wants to try and make it when we get home.<br />
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We continued in through Studio K.<br />
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Then we came around a corner to find Diagon Alley.<br />
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From Diagon Alley we went into a room that has the full Hogwarts Castle model. Amazing.<br />
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It was such a great day and I am so pleased that we were able to go. I would have been disappointed if we returned to Vancouver without going. If you are able, I highly recommend it - especially if you are a fan of the books and movies. <br />
Are you planning on getting tickets? Or have you been? What was your favourite part?<br />
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Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-10724456811236952402012-08-15T09:15:00.000-07:002012-08-16T00:27:15.558-07:00Harry Potter Tour Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For Part I of the Tour, go <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/harry-potter-part-i.html">here.</a><br />
For Part III of the Tour, go <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/harry-potter-tour-part-iii.html">here.</a><br />
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The Harry Potter Studio Tour is housed in two studios, Studio J and K (which is apparently a total coincidence and has nothing to do with JK Rowling's initials). From the Great Hall in Studio J, you move into a large space where props, costumes and sets are displayed. There is so much to see that was quite overwhelming at times - at times I didn't quite know where to look.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gates to Hogwarts</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge's Proclamations from The Order of the Phoenix</td></tr>
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They built the boys' dormitory for the first film and used the same set for all films. The boys were, of course, much taller but the shots were framed so that we didn't see their feet hanging off the end of the beds. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stairwell to Dumbledore's Office</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tri-Wizard Cup and the egg that contained the clue for the final task</td></tr>
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The Burrow! The sweater was knitting itself, the knife was cutting carrots, the scrub brush was cleaning the frying pan. Like magic!<br />
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The Ministry of Magic sets finished up Studio J.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolores Umbridge's Ministry of Magic office</td></tr>
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-18383352709330212132012-08-15T02:34:00.000-07:002012-08-16T00:27:30.681-07:00Harry Potter Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had been trying desperately to get tickets to the Harry Potter studio tour, but there was nothing available. This is not like a regular attraction, where you show up and stand in line for hours waiting to get in. It's far more civilized in that you book your tickets in advance, show up at the appointed time, and proceed through the tour. They do not pack in as many people as they can (are you listening, Disney?) Suits me fine, except being school holidays, it was booked solid. Nothing available. At. All.<br />
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But I persevered, checked the website regularly and was lucky to get two tickets for the next day. One at 3 pm, one at 6:30 pm. Kyle and I figured it was worth it, even if we had to do it separately and even if it was going to mean being there for seven hours (it's roughly 3 hours to go through).<br />
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We arrived early because I was terrified of being late and missing the three o'clock. After explaining our situation to a staff member, she said there was room for us to go right then at two. Together. We were thrilled. Don't we look it?<br />
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We stood in line for no more than 30 minutes. There was palpable excitement in the air. There were kids in costume and everyone but us seemed to have a scar on his forehead. The family in front of us were gingers! I resisted taking a picture and asking if they were related to the Weasleys.<br />
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The Cupboard Under the Stairs!<br />
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Disclaimer right now. My pictures aren't very good. The light is low and I thought the pics were clearer than they are. But we bought a very nice Official Guide book to make up for it.<br />
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The Ford Anglia that Harry and Ron flew to Hogwarts. Silly boys. You know, when you ask a boy 'what were you thinking?' when they've done something that makes no sense whatsoever, the answer is, they weren't. They just don't. At least that's my experience. That goes for girls too, sometimes.<br />
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After standing in line, you move in a chunk of about 150 people (very rough guess) into a room with a tour guide who talks for a bit, then shows you a film on how the movie was made. When the first book was out, it made its way on to the 'low priority' shelf at a production company. Production companies are always looking for new material and will purchase the option to produce a film based on a book. They don't always make the film, but buying the option is the first step. A lowly production secretary took the book home, read it over the weekend, insisted her boss read it and that boss was David Heyman. He couldn't put it down either. I hope she got a share in the profits from the series of films because that company owes a lot to that secretary.<br />
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Then you move into a cinema where Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint (on film) tell you how amazing it was to grow up on the set of Harry Potter, and what to expect in the tour. Then the movie screen lifts up into the ceiling, and reveals the doors to the Great Hall!!!<br />
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This was the largest of the sets. The floor is real York stone. It's super solid. The pictures probably don't convey the true size of the room, but it is very large. It was surreal to be there.<br />
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I read the first HP book when I was pregnant with Emily, my second child. My oldest, Kyle (who accompanied me on the tour) was just eighteen months old. We raised our four children on the Harry Potter series. The books and the movies were so much a part of their upbringing, and it is something that each of us enjoyed and shared together. I credit J.K. Rowling's books with how much my kids love to read. Like many children of their generation, Harry Potter books were the first long chapter books that my kids read. They (and their parents) devoured them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a gargoyle for each of the four houses, and they are repeated around the Hall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Slytherin uniforms. On the left are the robes that Draco Malfoy wore.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hogwarts crest over the fireplace in the Great Hall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ten points for Gryffindor!</td></tr>
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There's far too many pictures for one post, so look for more to come.<br />
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For Part 2 of the Tour, go <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/harry-potter-tour-part-ii.html">here.</a> <br />
For Part 3 of the Tour, go <a href="http://http//upsidedownhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/harry-potter-tour-part-iii.html">here.</a><a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/harry-potter-tour-part-iii.html" target="_blank"></a>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-26601561699268610632012-08-12T14:37:00.001-07:002012-08-14T01:34:30.061-07:00Hampton Court PalaceWe took the bus to Kingston and then a boat up the River Thames<br />
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with my Dad and step-mom Margaret<br />
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and nephew (who is highly entertaining)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X246JeXYF68/UCgUdjIHjMI/AAAAAAAAAto/NBaf7X9puF4/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X246JeXYF68/UCgUdjIHjMI/AAAAAAAAAto/NBaf7X9puF4/s400/IMG_1547.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could live here</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuAJyV_M_38/UCgUQX1EbLI/AAAAAAAAAtg/kGke6B21U0Q/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuAJyV_M_38/UCgUQX1EbLI/AAAAAAAAAtg/kGke6B21U0Q/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
to Hampton Court Palace. This was our first view of Palace from the Thames.<br />
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It was originally built for Cardinal Wolsey around 1514 but when Wolsey fell from favour, King Henry VIII took it over and added to it considerably.<br />
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We were fortunate to have stumbled into a reenactment of a disagreement and subsequent reconciliation between Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII. It took us through various rooms of the palace and ended in the Base Court. They split the men and women up as well, which was funny because Kyle and his cousins went off to see King Henry for part of it while my step-sister and I (with the rest of the women and some confused Japanese male tourists) stayed with Anne Boleyn. We wondered how we were going to find the boys (Hampton Court covers over 60 acres) but it worked out fine in the end.<br />
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The Hampton Court grounds were used for the Road Cycling Time Trials for the Olympics and the boys were able to sit in the thrones the athletes sat in.<br />
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-20151559001089294312012-08-12T12:27:00.000-07:002014-05-12T08:10:29.428-07:00London Olympics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We traveled into London Victoria Station bright and early Sunday morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Men's Marathon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Ben - 10:25 a.m. - the Men's Marathon starts at 11 a.m.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgKAcBNxG4k/UCf7BrWMj9I/AAAAAAAAArU/niAq6mEMQ18/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgKAcBNxG4k/UCf7BrWMj9I/AAAAAAAAArU/niAq6mEMQ18/s400/IMG_1674.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Walking in the general direction of where we thought the course was, we came
upon a throng of spectators milling by the Houses of Parliament.<br />
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The lovely couple sitting on the pavement moved over and let us squeeze beside them,<br />
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giving us a great position by the barrier. They told us we were in a great spot, as the runners would be passing by here four times over the course of the race.<br />
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As it got closer to 11 a.m., the streets continued to fill and there was excitement in the air. It was great to be a part of the fun and everyone was in good spirits. The volunteers ran up and down the street, trying to get the wave going.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bt6ip-6_L7g/UCf8WQxpnvI/AAAAAAAAAr8/g4RGcbibaPs/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bt6ip-6_L7g/UCf8WQxpnvI/AAAAAAAAAr8/g4RGcbibaPs/s400/IMG_1693.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up the road to where the runners will be coming from</td></tr>
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At roughly six minutes past eleven, the timing clock/truck passed us.<br />
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Followed closely by the front runners.<br />
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They are FAST. We were less than 2kms into the course, and these guys ran past us at under six minutes.<br />
Two Canadians passed us in a very respectable position - roughly in the first few chunks of runners (not very specific, I know). All the runners were still closely grouped together at this point in the race. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZ26pGZ6OlU/UCf9Bb93WpI/AAAAAAAAAsY/bccluoXeqIg/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZ26pGZ6OlU/UCf9Bb93WpI/AAAAAAAAAsY/bccluoXeqIg/s640/IMG_1744.JPG" height="640" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were screaming "Canada! Canada!" I hope they heard us.</td></tr>
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Around 11:45 a.m., the racers passed us again. By this point the runners had spread out more and we were pleased to see the Canadians still doing well (and I was pleased to have figured out shutter priority on my new camera, getting sharper images for the second pass). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-178TuaUOJjM/UCf9JJjkq3I/AAAAAAAAAsg/vSytr85cm4Y/s1600/IMG_1863a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-178TuaUOJjM/UCf9JJjkq3I/AAAAAAAAAsg/vSytr85cm4Y/s640/IMG_1863a.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan Wykes</td></tr>
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Dylan Wykes of Canada placed 20th out of 100 runners with a time of 2:15:26. That is an insane pace - 3 minutes and 12 seconds per kilometer. My best half marathon time is 1:55, almost twice the pace of these guys.<br />
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We decided not to wait for the next two passes, and headed off past the Houses of Parliament, toward South Bank and the Imperial War Museum.<br />
<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-4898578159309148832012-08-11T17:30:00.000-07:002012-08-12T14:37:59.479-07:00Paris Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">For {Paris, Part I} go <a href="http://upsidedownhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/paris-part-i.html" target="_blank">here</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Notre Dame</span></h3>
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The line-up snaked around two sides so we satisfied ourselves with looking at the outside of Notre Dame.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Eiffel Tower</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Place de la Concorde</span></h3>
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<span id="goog_822148748"></span><span id="goog_822148749"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Arc de Triomphe</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">More Paris sights</span></h3>
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<br />Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988306058554320412.post-62493064524287690002012-08-11T13:33:00.003-07:002012-08-11T13:59:34.529-07:00Paris Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-weight: normal;">
It was a beautiful day in Paris and we packed a lot into five hours. It was non-stop sight-seeing and picture taking - like true tourists. Being our first trip, we made sure to see the major sights - Opéra Garnier, Musée de Louvre, Pont Neuf, La Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe. To be truthful I found it a little overwhelming to try to do so much in half a day. But I'm pleased with the {over 200} pictures I was able to get, especially of random Paris apartment buildings.</div>
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Opéra Garnier</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The setting of the Phantom of the Opera</td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"> 9th Arrondissement</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Louvre</span></h3>
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<h3 style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Pont Neuf</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">There's too much for just one post - for more, see {Paris, Part II}</span>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17206346650506995591noreply@blogger.com0