Saved in the Nick of Time

My good friend John is always finding treasures for me. He knows the Powell River back country better than anyone. I never know what it will be, but here are some of the most memorable treasures he's brought home:

• An old manual typewriter
  
• An old logging two-man crosscut saw
• An oil can and tea kettle
  
• An old-time fire extinguisher
• Lots of pretty rocks
• Lots of interesting driftwood
• Rusted chains and tools

One treasure came from a "dump" along the shore. The contents probably came from old homesteads. Amid the trash he found a cast iron goose. It had one leg and was rusted, but John knew it was a perfect treasure to bring home for me. Besides, it didn't take much space on his quad.

My goose has a prominent perch in the kitchen, but has continued to deteriorate. I decided it was time to do something about it.

And it was a good thing I did. When I moved him, half of the head fell off and by the time I got it to the picnic table, the other half went too. I whittled a stick to fit into the neck and glued the head back together with some Amazing Goop. I also used the Goop to seal the edges of the cast iron halves and sealed the surface with several coats of polyurethane. While I was at it, I made a bark brace for his missing leg. Now Mr. Goose should last for years to come.

Thanks John for all the treasures. You're a great friend. -- Margy

Good Friends in Powell River

One of the things that attracted us to Powell River was its friendly people. When we were tourists, everyone we met went out of their way to make us feel welcome. After we purchased our cabin, we wanted to become more involved in our new community. We did that by joining groups with similar interests. One of those is the Powell River ATV Club.

The first time I remember meeting Dave was at a presentation he organized about the Roosevelt Elk relocation program. After another club meeting, Dave and his wife Marg invited us over for a Christmas party. Since then, we've become really good friends. We try to get together when we're both in town for chats, dinners and the occasional Powell River Kings hockey game.

Dave has a background in forestry and working at the mill. He was born in Powell River, moved away, and then back. Marg is a nurse and still does a bit of casual work. They are really family oriented, doing lots of things with their grown kids and especially their grand-kids. Dave has been president of the ATV Club for several years now, and with Marg's help, has organized lots of fun rides, events and trail building activities. You can read more about the Club here:

ATV/BC "Powell River ATV Club"
Powell River ATV Club Website
Powell River ATV Club on Facebook
Powell River Peak "ATV Riders on Track for Access"

Dave and Marg are always having us over to their house, even for Christmas dinner. When we have them over, it's at the cabin. We are usually part of their summer boat shakedown cruise on Powell Lake. Look at the wonderful welcome Wayne gave them this year! And there they were, bearing lots of gifts, including dinner all ready to prepare.

They also brought a bird feeder and a squirrel feeder that Dave had made but they no longer needed. He is very talented, especially at wood carving. Dave is one of those "jacks of all trades" that are so prevalent in northern communities. And Marg is right there beside him. They are my idols in many respects.

So, this Wednesday Friends Day I would like to introduce you to Dave and Marg, our good Powell River friends. Thanks for all your help, advice, stories, and of course, friendship. -- Margy

Thank You to My Readers

I want to take this Wednesday Friends Day to thank all of my faithful readers. I’ve been up at the cabin every day and night for two weeks now. It’s been a very restful time in the warm summer weather, and we sure have had a long run of it.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that we have chosen not to install television or the Internet at our float cabin on Powell Lake. We have cell phone coverage using a booster antennae, and satellite and traditional radio. That’s enough for us to feel connected, yet maintain our remote lifestyle.

Then when we come to town (usually once or twice a week), we have television and Internet available. It does make our trips a bit hectic, but we want to keep it that way. Because Blogger allows you schedule posts, I can write a few ahead and have them go online in my absence. That helps tide things over between town trips, and allows me to tell more stories.

So, if you’ve been wondering why there are long stretches between posts, this is the reason. Or if you’ve been wondering how I can make so many posts without the Internet, you now know.

Thank you to you, my readers. You make blogging a lot of fun! -- Margy

Introducing Paul at "A Powell River Photo Blog"

This Wednesday Friends Day I'm going to introduce a new blog and blogger from Powell River BC. This very new blog is aptly called A Powell River Photo Blog and was started only a week ago on July 12. 2010.

Powell River is a small town, but I don't know the author (yet). What I do know from the recent posts is that it's a "guy" who has lived in Powell River for about 40 years. His name is Paul and he has chosen to start sharing pictures he has taken of our town, the "Pearl of the Sunshine Coast." And I'm very glad for it. Learning more about my new hometown is important and this is a great way to do it.

Paul uses both Olympus E-3 and E-520 digital SLR cameras to shoot his pictures. The quality of both models is evident in his compositions. I keep thinking I would like to try a digital SLR camera, but haven't taken that step yet.

We all started blogging at one time or another. Give Paul your support. Come on over to A Powell River Photo Blog to say hi and enjoy his views of our town. -- Margy

Introducing Duane Burnett at "Duane's World"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day I would like to introduce Duane Burnett. His blog is called Duane Burnett: Duane's World...Behind the Scenes and from the Heart.

If you want to know anything about the Sunshine Coast from Gibsons in the south to Powell River and Lund in the north, Duane is your man. His profile shows his varied talents:

Duane Burnett is a "community spirit" award winning Master photographer, photo journalist, television host, actor, social networker and more. His images have been seen extensively on the Sunshine Coast and around the world in numerous newspapers, websites, brochures, map guides, magazines and on the big 50ft screen before the local movie theatre starts.

Here's an example, a video that Duane developed to showcase his beloved Sunshine Coast.

Duane can be found just about everywhere. I follow him on his Sunshine Coast BC Canada Facebook Fan Page to keep up with the happenings all along the Sunshine Coast. Here are a few ways you can find him online too:

Duane's Website
Duane's Blog
Duane on Twitter
Duane's Facebook Profile
Duane's Facebook Fan Page
Sunshine Coast BC Canada Facebook Fan Page
Duane Burnett on YouTube

Head on over and check things out. And Duane, keep on keeping on. We on the Sunshine Coast love you! -- Margy

Friend Recognition

Last week I had a very nice surprise. Diane, one of my reader friends, included the Powell River Books Blog in the Versatile Blogger Award at her site. Thanks so much Diane.

Diane is a "southern gal" at heart, but now lives on a tree farm in the Oregon mountains. Her blog, Thinking about it ... shares stories about her life on a tree farm, her wonderful family, arts and crafts, cooking, and a favourite of mine, books. To find out a little more about her and to read some of her great stories, please visit her blog.

The guidelines for accepting this award are…

Thank the person who gave it to you.
Tell 7 things about yourself.
Pass the award on to 15 bloggers, whom you have recently discovered, and think are fantastic.

Seven things about Margy…

1. I was born in "rural" Compton where my grandparents lived on the remnants of a large truck farm where they grew produce to sell at the farmer's market. It's definitely not rural any more
2. I've always loved horses. I had two in my teens and two just before we left LA.
3. I became a private pilot in 1981 and fly a Piper Arrow.
   
4. I was the Director of Technology for a school district for seven years.
5. I'm enjoying learning how to become more self reliant.
6. I became a Canadian permanent resident to live full-time at my float cabin.
7. I want to write a book about off-grid living.

I would like to pass the Versatile Blogger Award along to some of my newest blogger friends. They each have a different focus and style, so click on the links and take a look.

1. Gerry's Soap and Stuff
2. Mandy's The Journey, The Adventure
3. Catsngrams' My Life and the Rest of the Story
4. Hay Bale Happiness' Living Simply, is Simply Living
5. Diane's Day to Day
6. Stacie's Simply Stacie
   
7. Lorie's Gotta Dig It: A Garden Journal
8. CompostPyle's Cabin in the Woods
9. Denise's cook. eat. think.
10. Tracy and Her Crew's Bless Ewe Homestead
11. Fiesta's Quilting Fiesta
12. Fran's Bonnie of Clyde
13. Duane's World ... Behind the Scenes and from the Heart
14. Tanya's Little Village Naturals
15. Andrew's Burdr

I hope you enjoy visiting these sites as much as I do. They are all Versatile Blogs for sure. -- Margy

A Friend Indeed

This Wednesday Friends Day post is a little different. I've already introduced you to my good friend Betty from Bellingham, better known in the blogging world as Mud Creek Mama. We met through my blog and posts on MySpace several years ago. Since then, we've met regularly for coffee and shopping in the Old Fairhaven district of Bellingham. It has been great fun meeting one of my blogging buddies.

The last time we got together, Betty had a surprise for me. Several of my posts have been about cast iron cooking. And she brought me an extra griddle from her collection. What a wonderful thing for a friend to do. You could tell it was well seasoned from good use over the years. I love it! I couldn't wait to get it up to the cabin to try out.

The first thing I cooked were blackberry pancakes for Wayne using my home canned berries from last year. Wayne said they were the best I've ever made. And I know the secret ingredient. It was all the love from a friend indeed.

Thanks Betty for such a special present. I will treasure it always and make some great meals with it. -- Margy

Introducing Rhonda at "Down to Earth"

This Wednesday Friends Day is a little different. I am passing some love back to Rhonda at Down to Earth. I got back from the cabin yesterday and found that over 1000 visitors had come to my blog, and it was all because of a post on Rhonda's amazing blog.

Rhonda lives in Australia and writes about simple living and getting back to the basics. Her motto is "preparing for the future by relying on the past." My friend Margaret in Powell River introduced me to Rhonda's blog, and now it's my pleasure to introduce her to you.

Rhonda is an excellent writer. She encourages her readers to engage with her posts by asking thought provoking questions. She gets lots of comments that are as interesting as the posts themselves.

Here are some of Rhonda's posts that I've enjoyed reading and using as a resource:

Liquid Soap - make your own
Old Fashioned Pea Soup - yum!
Home Production - fresh cheese
It's My Second Birthday - successful blogging
Simple Living in Retirement - really important
Garden grows the spirit - make it yours

Rhonda has so many great posts you'll just have to go browse for yourself. She has everything organized by topic, so the information you want is only a click away.

In addition to her blog, Rhonda sponsors a well used forum called, of course, the Down to Earth Community Forum. If you're like me, forums are fun for finding information and new friends at the same time. The categories include home made food, self reliance, home and family, cutting back, and "a farm in my backyard." Stop on by and introduce yourself.

Thanks again Rhonda for making my day by hosting a post about my float cabin, kitchen and garden. If you would like to see it, click here. Then stay awhile to get to know Rhonda a little better. -- Margy

Introducing Cactus Jack Flash and the DOR

So far all of the bloggers I've introduced have been human. This week for Wednesday Friends Day I am honoured to introduce Cactus Jack Flash, a handsome and well loved Appaloosa.

The Journeys of Cactus Jack Splash is written by Cactus Jack Splash, but each post gives tribute to his other half, the DOR (dope on a rope). If you've ever lunged a horse you know what that means. I have a fond place in my heart for horses and horse people. I've had three. Misty came along when I was a teenager. Even city girls dream about horses. Burke was Misty's foal that I raised through high school. Then came Cowboy, one of the best presents my husband Wayne ever gave me. Now I'm horseless, but love to ride when I can.

The DOR is none other than Dr. Synthia Parish-Duehn who can also be found on Twitter and Facebook. Here are some posts to introduce you to my bogging friend Cactus Jack Flash and the DOR.

• Riding with a Bit -- that's CJF himself
  
• Skywatch Friday -- the DOR herself
• Happy Birthday Mushboy -- every stable depends on one
• Gathering of the Herd -- the DOR's that is
  
• Freedom Speaks Saturday -- another horse's views
• Little Blue Tarp -- my Misty hated those too

You will also find Cactus Jack Flash and Synthia as guest authors in Grit (Rural American Know-How) Magazine with interesting articles such as "Horse Accessories: Does My Saddle Make My Butt Look Big?"

Ride on over to the "Grumpy Old Horse Ranch" and say howdy to Jack, the DOR, Mushboy, Shandy, Freedom and all the other steads. -- Margy

Introducing SmalltownRN at "A Place I Call Home"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day I would like to introduce SmalltownRN and her blog called A Place I call Home.

SmalltownRN hails from Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It's pretty country as you can see from the banner on her blog. As you can guess from her handle, SmalltownRN is a nurse. Sometimes her posts are related to health and health care issues. Other times she shares the beautiful countryside and experiences she has on the island. You'll also find her participating in several memes including Skywatch Friday and PhotoHunt. Here are a few of my favourite posts:

• Saturday Scavenger Photo Hunt - Sweet
• Skywatch Friday - A glorious sunset
• A Day at Mt. Washington - I'd love to visit
• Camera Critters - Courtney Bird Sanctuary
• Organ Donation - Let's put a face with it - important issue
• Something to Ponder - food for thought
  

SmalltownRN also likes to go bird watching. Check out her other blog called The Amateur Birder to see some of the birds she has encountered. She and her hubby also like to ride quads. Maybe some day we will get together and go for a ride.

So ride on over and see the place that SmalltownRN calls home. -- Margy

Introducing Pacy at "Pacy Crochets"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day I would like to introduce Pacy and her blog Pacy Crochets.

Pacy and I are fairly recent followers of each other. I'm not sure who found whom, but it has been great. We have lots of interests in common, one of which is crocheting.

Pacy lives on five acres in Missouri. In some ways I'm envious of all that land to work with, but on the other hand, a floating garden is pretty quick to weed and care for. On the homestead they have llamas named Chili and Sassy and like my friend Margaret in Powell River, Pacy also raises chickens.

In addition to Pacy's blog, she also has a website. One page has a great idea for recycling plastic grocery bags. You can cut them up and crochet them into a variety of products. Click here to check it out.

Pacy has been blogging since July 2009 about sewing, weaving, gardening, living a simple life and, of course, crocheting. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Number One Use for a Husband - Pacy loves a hero
• Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things - useful links
• Help I've Turned into My Grandmother - so true
• How I Came Up with the Garden Plan - and the plan
• My Kitchen Scrubbie was Looking Scary - crochet pattern
• Great Depression Cooking - Pacy introduces Clara
  

Stop on by and visit my friend Pacy. She'll "hook" you in more ways than one. -- Margy

Introducing Lloyd at "Lloyd's Blog"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day I would like to introduce Lloyd and his blog aptly titled Lloyd's Blog.


Lloyd found me (rather than the other way around) through a post about my floating garden. Last January he summarized the post and included it on his blog. During one of my regular checks I discovered the link and Lloyd's wonderful blog.

Lloyd lives in California's Bay Area. It's a beautiful location to live and headquarters his small book publishing company. You can read more about it at his website called Shelter Online. He publishes his own books about building/architecture and fitness. He also offers other quality books on the same subjects.

One of Lloyd's books is Builders of the Pacific Coast. Of course that caught my eye because of where I live in Powell River. It's a beautiful full colour collection of distinctive buildings, many of which are in BC. Lloyd has personally traveled throughout the region to meet the builders and see their handcrafted structures. Several pages of text, photographs and drawings are used to highlight the unique abodes. While the majority of the homes and cabins are land-based structures, there was one floating home, a boat modified to anchor temporarily on pilings.

Lloyd has been blogging since February 2005 so there are lots of posts to choose from. Some of his topics follow his personal adventures. Others are a compilation of unique posts he has discovered across the web and world. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Wild woman of the woods mask - BC art
• A few random factoids about the future of publishing
• Greenhouse Book from HomeGrown Evolution - chicken lovers
• Powerful Oakland Graffiti - organic art
• Forest House - New York State cabin
  

You can also find Lloyd on Twitter as lloydkahn or shelterpub and on Facebook as Shelter Publications. He's really linked in. Why not give my friend a shout. -- Margy

Introducing Susannah at "Wanderin' Weeta"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day I would like to introduce Susannah, better known as Wanderin' Weeta.

Susannah hails from Delta in the Lower Fraser Valley. That's part of the Coastal British Columbia mainland. Her blog is called Wanderin' Weeta (With Waterfowl and Weeds). It is aptly named because many of her articles and photographs are of plants and bird life, but you will also find a host of other nature based topics mixed in for good measure.

Susannah's profile gives you a hint about her good sense of humour and positive outlook on life. She says that she's "as weird as necessary for sanity, as sane as kids and grandkids permit, and a lover of birds, green stuff, tiny beasties and oddities generally." Every time I visit Susannah's blog I know I'll learn something new and experience this wonderful land through her outstanding photographs.

Here are some favourite posts I'd like to share:

• Five dozen babies (master of the miniature)
  
• Of Old Growth and New Life (book review & forest info)
• Why do we call it vacant? (takes time to sees what others miss)
  
• Rock Flipping Day (a fun activity for young and old)
• Two-faced Hermit? (Susannah has unusual pets)
• Self portrait in a cat's eye (great closeup)

Susannah is an author and has two books available online. The first is Fire in the Bedroll, an autobiographical account of a marriage gone wrong. The second is Susie, a collection stories of her childhood growing up the the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Both are available at LuLu.com. In addition, Susannah can be found on Flickr (her wonderful photos) and Twitter.

Head on over to Wanderin' Weeta for some great photographs and information. I know you will enjoy it as much as I do. -- Margy

Introducing lizziviggi at "Bellingham Daily Photo"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day I would like to introduce lizziviggi from Bellingham Daily Photo.


Lizziviggi shares wonderful photos and tidbits about Bellingham, Washington. But watch the signature line, you may find some posts by her other half ejvig. Bellingham is my "vacation home" so to speak. Even though we've had a condo here since 2006, I haven't spent much time exploring this wonderful town. I know by reading lizziviggi's blog that I will find great places to visit and events to attend.

Here are some favourite posts I'd like to share:

• Gray Sunset (artistic B&W with poetry)
• The Garden Spot (colourful local nursery)
• Clouds over Kayak (kind of like our "big yellow banana")
• Village Books (a favourite bookstore of mine as well)
• Libra (I just saw the sculptures downtown)
• The Peace Arch ("Children of a Common Mother")
  

There's just so much to enjoy. You'll have to stay for a while and look around. The photographs are all so wonderful with beautiful colours, excellent composition, simple messages and poems. So, stop by Bellingham Daily Photo and let lizziviggi give you the grand tour. Two other blogs she posts to include lizziviggi and a life worth living and the Blogsboro Poetry Club. Be sure to say hi for me. -- Margy

Introducing Kent at "The Tiny House Blog"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day I would like to introduce Kent from The Tiny House Blog.


I was surfing the Internet several years ago looking for information about float cabins. I was fortunate enough to find Kent's great blog. He's a fan and researcher of small houses and cabins. As he says in his profile:

The goal of the tiny house blog is to discover the different options available for a person looking to down size into a tiny house or cabin. I will be looking at different type of construction, from logs, to yurts to modern and the unusual. I will also do book reviews, look at alternate energy for heat and electricity.

Since the blog's inception in May 2007, Kent has worked towards this goal. And now, almost three years later, there are lots of styles and information to choose from such as:

• Tiny House Concept
• Earth/Cob
• Floating Homes
• Log Construction
• Tiny Furnishings
• Your Story
  
• Construction Articles

Kent's personal research into small houses and cabins has resulted in a wealth of information that would be helpful to any small house or cabin owner, or dreamer. Sign up for his free Newsletter and he'll send you a free directory of resources.

In addition to his blog, there's a Tiny House Forum where you can share your own tiny house or cabin and connect with other like minded people. You can also keep up with Kent's posts via Facebook and Twitter. Isn't technology great?

Kent has been a great supporter of Powell River Books and my blog. While you are visiting his site you can read more about our cabin up the lake in his Floating Homes category. There are several feature articles that have given us great coverage. I can't count how many other websites have picked up those posts and reproduced them. Thanks so much Kent for all of your support over the years. -- Margy

Introducing Elaine at "A Scattering"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day spread your wings and fly with me up north to Woodstock in southwestern Ontario, Canada, to meet Elaine at A Scattering.

I first found Elaine's blog through two of the memes I've already mentioned, Skywatch Friday and That's My World. I always look at Canadian and Pacific Northwest entries first. There's something special about learning more about places you know or want to visit.

Elaine loves birds and photography, and has blended both together nicely on her blog. She keeps a running list and so far in 2010 she has fourteen, all with links to All About Birds, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website. In addition, she loves to read and travel. We have two other things in common. First, both of our husbands are writers. Hers is freelance and travels a bit, giving Elaine a chance to take photos in different locales. And we both love cats. Her cat is Gray (by name and colour) while mine is black with the unusual name of Stick.

Elaine is originally from Newfoundland, a place Wayne and I visited last summer. We only missed her by a few days when she also went there for a visit. That would have been loads of fun. Her blog posts followed in our footsteps part of the way. Here is a picture of a spot we both visited, the Seaside Restaurant of Trout River in the magnificent Gros Morne National Park.

Here are some favourite posts I'd like to share:

• Newfoundland 2009 (of course!)
• C is for ... comfy (her cat on ABC Wednesday)
• Tonight on the Trail (nature at its best)
• For the birds (nesting Mourning Doves)
• Today on the Trail (winter walk)

Take some time to browse through A Scattering and see all of great photos and information Elaine has to offer. Join to follow her blog and you won't miss any of the great shots. -- Margy

Special Wednesday Friends Day Awards

Last week I received a blogging award from Pacy. Pacy Crochets is a new blog I've started following. I like Pacy's posts because she is trying to live a simple life similar to mine. I especially like her helpful information about gardening, cooking, sewing and frugal living. Pacy selected my blog along with eleven others to receive the Sunshine Award. Thank you so much!

The rules of accepting this award are simple:

• Put the logo on the sidebar or within a post
• Pass the award on to 12 bloggers who brighten your day
• Link to the nominees within your post
• Let the nominees know they received this award by commenting on their blog
• Link back to the person who gave you this award as a way of showing your appreciation for being appreciated.

Now, I would like to highlight twelve blogging friends that I haven't yet featured on Wednesday Friends Day.

• Ah...The Cottage Life - Lorac is in Georgetown, Ontario. The title tells it all. There are beautiful pictures, history and tours of the region, nature and much more.

• Vanishing History - Not very active, but this blog has lots of great information about logging history in and around Powell River, BC.

• A Place I Call Home - SmalltownRN hails from Vancouver Island, BC. She loves getting out to enjoy this magnificent island paradise and sharing it's many interesting critters.

• Tiny House Blog - Kent offers everything related to living large in small spaces: designs, manufactures, methods, products and the people behind them

• Bellingham Daily Photo - Lizziviggi shares wonderful photos and tidbits about Bellingham, Washington, my "vacation home" so to speak.

• down--to--earth - Rhonda comes from "down under" with a wonderful blog about simple living in all its aspects, plus a unique feature called "You, Me and the Kitchen Sink."

• Little Homestead in the City - A unique concept of bringing simplicity and self-sufficiency to the heart of the Los Angeles basin.

• Lloyd's Blog - Lloyd is an author and aficionado of unique homes and architecture in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

• Outhouse Capital of Canada - Dave is an avid amateur astronomer and eclipse chaser from Oliver, BC. Right now he's on a North America tour. Nice (and warm)!

• Slow Coast - David from Powell River and Tom from nearby Texada Island in Coastal BC share their views on important issues, living in harmony with nature and lots of tips about sustainability.

• Vintage Log Cabin - Bill and Denise share their excitement of living in and improving an older log cabin and living life to the fullest.

• Palos Verdes Daily Photo - Tash captures spectacular views including many from locations that give me fond memories from my hometown near Los Angeles, California.

So put a little Sunshine in your life and visit these great blogs. -- Margy

Introducing Nydia at "Bringing Up Salamanders"

This week jump on a jet plane and fly farther south for this week's Wednesday Friends Day, all the way to the southern hemisphere, near Rio de Janeiro to be specific. It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Nydia and her blog Bringing up Salamanders.

Nydia and I started reading and commenting on each other's blogs because of ABC Wednesday. It's another meme that's sponsored by mrsnesbitt from the UK and assisted by a team of supportive bloggers.

Nydia is a Brazilian wiccan single mom. She was born in Rio but has moved to more rural Petropolis to be near family.

View Larger Map

Nydia includes lots of information on her blog about herself and her son Lucas. It has been fun to see him grow up over the years with all her loving care.

Here are some of my favourite posts.

• E is for Einstein (an ABC Wednesday post)
• Mom's honey bread factory (a Christmas tradition)
• The New Broom (a traditional ritual)
• N is for Nature (beatiful gardens in Petropolis)
• By Lucas (Lucas takes a turn at blogging)
• Hands of a Wonderful Artist (Brazilian sculpture)
  

Like Margaret in Powell River, Nydia has an Etsy online shop to sell her hand made crafts. Her site is called Carioca Witch and can be found by clicking here. Her items are "witchy" and can be customized to meet your personal requests. Each item includes a description of its purpose.

If you get to the 2016 Olympics in Rio you just might meet up with Nydia and Lucas. If you do, give them a big hug for me. -- Margy

Introducing 2 Tramps at "Tramp's Camp"

This week for Wednesday Friends Day we are heading south of the border. No, not Mexico - the States. When you move to Canada "south of the border" takes on a whole new meaning.

Today I would like to introduce you to my friends Tramps 1 and 2 and their blog called Tramp's Camp.

Tramp 1 (Mr. Tramp) and Tramp 2 (Mrs. Tramp) have a place in the Oregon high desert. I'm not sure how I bumped into their blog several years ago, but I immediately felt they were kindred spirits.

The Tramps both like gardening, cooking, travel, the outdoors, lots of stuff I enjoy. They had a wonderful old Bassett Hound named Angus that unfortunately is no longer with them. But he had a wonderful life hanging out with the Tramps and enjoying the outdoors. R.I.P. dear Angus.

Some of my favourite posts by Tramp 2 involve cooking. She has some amazing recipes, especially for the BBQ. She even has a wood cookstove. I am so jealous!

Here are some posts I would like to share:

• Smoked Rib Roast (the title says it all)
• Care and Feeding of a Pet (not what you would expect)
• Is it Really a Bargain? (grocery outlet shopping)
• Dutch Oven Breakfast (the real kind over a fire)
• Growing Upside Down Tomatoes (now that's cleaver)
• Bread, Bread, Bread (no knead bread)

So head on over to Tramp's Camp and meet Tramp 1 and 2. They've always got something fun going on. -- Margy