Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Sunshine, Family and Good Times

Hello my friends, I can only hope you are all enjoying the beautiful sunshine as I have been. The past few days have been unbelievably hot and I have loved every moment of it. Tonight I have all the ceiling fans going and hopefully Ron will stop over and install the air conditioner this weekend.

I am thinking it is getting close to hanging baskets time. I also want to pick up some herbs, tomato plants and of course my pansies. So looking forward to my lavender again this year. We still have the chance of getting frost so usually my neighbours wait until the second week of June before planting anything. The trees and the grass are such a pretty green right now. I imagine the cherry blossoms and lilac trees will bloom withing the next week or so, especially if our weather continues as it has been.

I have been waiting for the handy man to come over and replace a couple of boards on my deck and it needs to be painted as well. I would of liked this done before I put my deck furniture outside and before I placed my pots around but if he is not here by the weekend I am going to arrange the deck and when he shows up I will just move everything for him. Our summers are so short I want to enjoy each lovely day we have.

Below are pictures of my niece Cindy, her husband Vance and their two daughters Carly and Hannah. They are a beautiful family, gosh the girls are so good but what I noticed most was the kindness they showed each other. Cindy is my brother's youngest daughter.

These pictures were taken at Galaxieland in West Edmonton Mall. We spent a few hours at the Mall on Saturday. We did some shopping, had dinner, went to the fair and the girls went swimming at the Water Park.

I am serious when I say if you can't find what you want at WEM, then they don't make it. The Mall is huge and would take several days to see it all. Honestly it was wall to wall people......hard to understand how everyone is complaining about having no money yet everyone was shopping on Saturday.....they all seemed happy. It was a good day.












I have my great niece staying with me this weekend, she is 13 and absolutely cracks me up. We are going to a movie and have some shopping to do as well. Fallon is coming over on Saturday and I will drive her home on Monday as it is a long weekend here in Canada. I am so looking forward to having her stay a couple of days with me.

Have a great week everyone, God Bless.........and many, many hugs :-)


91 comments:

me said...

What a lovely family! your niece looks like she could be your daughter Bernie. God bless all your flowers!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Oh my what a wonderful weekend you have planned...ENJOY!!!!! Enjoyed your pictures!

I read that during the "Great Depression" people went into town to shop as entertainment. Just went to look and wish, thus the phrase "window shopping." It didn't cost anything to look and dreaming was entertaining. Perhaps that is true today.

Wishing you well, dear friend!!! Cathy

Brian Miller said...

i hope you have a wonderful week as well...sounds like a mall you could get lost in, my T would love it. smiles.

it has been beautiful here as well...crazy storms this week to even out the temp, but yeah...

Heather said...

Have a wonderful time together, Bernie ♥

Anne H said...

I think I've seen that mall....or one like it....
Hope you are having a great week!

Wanda..... said...

Your post brightened my day and mood Bernie. It's another gloomy misty morning here, maybe the sun will come out later!
There is so much family resemblance between your niece, great nieces and you. They are a lovely family.
I love the green and the freshness of everyting in spring. Glad it finally arrived there for you and Fallon to enjoy this weekend. Hope the deck gets finished too!
♥...Wanda

Melanie said...

Wow...what a mall! Have fun with your niece. Enjoyed the pics.

Wanda..... said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
anupama said...

Dear Bernie,
NAMASTE!
Good Evening!
I have missed a few posts of yours.
Really happy you had a wonderful time with your niece and family!They are so beautiful!
Here in Kerala,rain started!How nice to think of all the new blooms coming up!
A BIG GOD BLESS YOU!
Wishing you a wonderful night,
Sasneham,
Anu

KKSC2NC said...

Lovely family!!!

Diana said...

Good Morning Bernie!
I can see the family resemblance in your photo. So glad you had that time together and what a mall! I don't know that I could walk that place!
Looking forward to hearing about your next fun weekend. Let us know what movie you are going to see!
Love Di ♥

Tranquility Speaks said...

Hey Bernie :-) So nice to be catching up with you after what seems like ages! I am glad all is well in your part of the world and that you are enjoying yourself. The pictures look lovely!

This year, I read somewhere, has been the hottest the world over. Just a little too hot here :-)

I look forward to the pictures of your hanging baskets :)

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Hi Bernie,

I hope you're keeping well and enjoying the good weather.

Don't forget to collect a copy of my new E Book on my Blog. It's available FREE to your readers too - let them know about it.

God bless you Bernie.

Anvilcloud said...

Ten years ago, on our western trip, we parked outside that mall (to gas up) and weren't motivated to check it out.

Karen said...

Nice family photographs! I know you'll love having a 13-year-old staying with you. It's such a fresh, wonderful age!!!! Have a great week, Bernie!

Karin said...

Looking great and so much family fun! Can't remember the last time I shopped at WEM though! It really is too busy a place for my liking. For a whole year I played the keyboard at the little chapel every Sunday for worship service when Rev. Ben Kellert was there! Totally cool to have the Marketplace Chapel in such a huge mall! Loved it!

Kaye Swain - SandwichINK said...

Hi, I popped over to visit from a Word-Filled Wednesday site. Sounds like you had a delightful time with your family. What a blessing :)

I was especially interested in your comment about the mall being so busy, yet we are supposed to be in such dire straits. I make the same comment when I visit a good friend and we visit her good-sized mall. Does seem odd, doesn't it. Although she does point out that other businesses, like car sales, are down. And I know real estate is definitely down. So perhaps it's more the small things people are buying? :)

The good thing is the words of encouragement from our God that we are safe in His hands. :)

Have a blessed week!

glnroz said...

it looks like you are having fun,, that is great.. enjoyed the smiles.
glenn

Loren said...

Sounds so nice! so home-y *hearts; I have been wanting to get some tomato and pepper plants as well but have never grown lavender??hmmm sounds divine!

Enjoy your great niece and your time together! I guess I did not realize you were in Canada! My son is a Candian fanatic!! Seriously, don't know where this came from! HE has a huge canada flag in his room and some friends of ours got him a hockey jersey. That, too adorns his bedroom walls! HE is only 13 but who knows ....maybe the Lord has a ministry for him there some day ??

Have a blessed week Bernie!

Bernie said...

Shadowlands, thank you sweetie, they are a wonderful family...Hugs

Bernie said...

Cathy, everyone was shopping, perhaps using plastic cards I don't know but they were having fun anyway.
I am looking forward to Fallon this weekend......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Brian, I have gotten lost in that mall, actually it is much too big for me, family who visit like to see it though.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Heather, thank you. I do have some beautiful nieces.....such wonderful people, that is what I love about them......:-) Hugs

Anonymous said...

Yes a lovely family indeed. The pictures are great. I am glad you have sunshine. It has rained here, again for 3 day. It is chilly and everything I have aches. You know how it is. I am just gonna have to wrap up better. Blessings
QMM

Bernie said...

Anne, not sure I thinki it is the first or second biggerst mall in the world....too big for me....Hugs

Bernie said...

Wanda, yes Cindy and I have been told this before, her older sister and I look even more alike. The humidity is high today Wanada but it is so nice and green and so much like summer....I only need to get off the B12 and steroids and I will be a happy and healthy camper.
Big Hugs to Alivia.......:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

Hello Melanie, it is quite the mall for sure, far too big for my liking. I have beautiful nieces and nephews........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

anupama, namaste my friend. Thank you I am very pleased when my family comes to visit....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

KKSC2NC....thank you my friend,
........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Di, we are going to see letters to Juliette, Fallon and I love a good love story so hopefully we will like it.
I have another niece who looks a lot like me, it is scary.
........:-) Hugs

Cindy said...

oh Bernie, what a nice family, so excited you will have company all weekend. yeah, my hubby is not working all weekend, so I am very looking forward to that. I got my tooth pulled yesterday. I am a much happier camper now. take care.

Bernie said...

Stillness, I have missed you. Glad to have you back and hope all is well sweetie.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Victor, I will be over to check out your new book, have a wonderful day......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

A/C, it would take a full 3 days to see it and then I am not sure you would see everything. I still haven't seen the New Orleans section (hotel, food and shopping)
Actally it is way too big, I prefer a much smaller mall as long as it has The Bay and Winners, I am happy.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Karen, Fallon is precious. She has spent a lot of time with me during her 13 years and we are very close to each other. She is really comical and we laugh so very hard together......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Karin, I have been thinking about you and praying all is well. So sorry about you mother my friend.
Yes WEM is huge......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Kaye, Welcome to my blog, so glad to have you visit.
Have a blessed week as well my friend......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Glenn, I had a wonderful weekend and another niece this weekend, love it.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Loren, oh your son has great taste. Canada is a wonderful country but then I am a bit prejudice......lavender smells wonderful, I love it.......:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

cinner, when do you plant your flowers and vegetables, do you wait until June?
So glad your tooth has been pulled and you have no pain....this humidity and dampness is hard on the arthritis......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Peggy we just had a thunder storm go through and heavy rain, the sun is shining again now but yes my body feels every change we ever experience. Part of growing older. Stay warm my friend....:-) Hugs

Maggie May said...

Spring is long coming where you live, but it seems that theres a sudden surge of heat and you have to think of air conditioning! That is something we don't have here.
Enjoy your lovely niece.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Cheryl said...

A beautiful family indeed. Sounds as if you all had a most wonderful day. Now that Ashton is in college I find that I have to borrow my two young nieces so that we can have fun times still! Glad you are now having some nice, warm weather.

Lynn said...

I sure enjoyed your pictures Bernie! You have a lovely looking family!

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.. I am always glad when tornado season is behind us! Ever since my family and I were in the May 3, 1999 tornado, I dread every time they mention severe weather on all the news channels here. I am so glad we have a tornado shelter built in our garage!

Your sunshine sounds wonderful! I hope ours returns!

Have a great week and enjoy!

Blessings,
~Lynn

Valerie said...

There's a great family likeness, Bernie, and everyone is so good looking. I would have liked your Mall when I was more energetic, now I'm grateful for smaller places. Here's hoping you have a fabulous weekend. Enjoy the good weather, too.

Anne said...

Hi Bernie,
I am so glad that you had such a wonderful day with your family. You neice looks so much like you! It always amazing me too, about the malls being so busy. I often wonder, are people really buying or just window shopping? Even the restaurants are busy even in this economy.
Hope you are enjoying your day.
Take care.
Smiles

Unknown said...

Bernie I have heard of this mall with the indoor rides and all! I am afraid that I would be in the poor house living so close to a mall such as this one! But it sure would be fun to go to just to get some exercise! hehehe, Hope you have a wonderful weekend as well. It sound like you will! hugs and smiles.

The Retired One said...

The girls sound delightful, and I can tell you enjoy their visiting and some "girl time" with them, too.
And so glad your weather warmed up..ours did too..it was 83F today and sunny...just gorgeous. At last,right???
We are waiting for the lilacs to bloom here yet too...they are my favorite spring flower, I just put my face in and inhale DEEP...ha
Glad you are so happy--luv ya!

Janean said...

ah, bernie, i adore your photos!!!! many, many years ago a friend showed me some photos of this mall....amazing. here in Missouri malls are nearly non-existent. they're being replaced by outdoor shopping similar to the old downtowns.

hugs to you!

Bernie said...

Maggie, you are so right as we seem to go from one season to another with no transition period. It is very hot and I love it..Hugs

Bernie said...

Cheryl, I am blessed to have many beautiful nieces and great nieces. I adore them, they are great company and so much fun....:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

Lynn wondering how you are doing, I think I would be as concerned as you are.....we are having lovely weather now.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Val, thank you, I am blessed with a wonderful family. Oh yes this mall is much too big for me as well, most vistors love to see it thought......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Ann, yes I agree there is a resemblance in our family, my niece walks exactly like my mom use too.
I think there was lots of window shopping but I also know there was a lot of shopping.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Linda, oh yeah you could easily be in the poor house, it houses the most expensives stores as well as moderates....I just don't know how these expenseive stores stays in business.......:-) Hugs

Donna said...

What a great looking family! Sounds like you have been busy and have a full weekend ahead. Maybe you will get your deck painted soon and can plant your flowers! We have had beautiful weather here in the South.
Blessings,
Donna

Denise said...

You are blessed with a very beautiful family.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Hey Bernie, What a beautiful family. It looks like you were having a great time. And the weekend with a 13 year old-- how fun is that!

E N J O Y !
jj

RivkA with a capital A said...

Have fun with your great niece!!

Bernie said...

Hi Joan, so good to see your smiling face in my comment section, I have missed you.
It is really nice to finally have the good weather arrive.
Enjoy your good weather my friend, will visit soon......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Janean, I think I would like to shop without the huge malls, going back to the old downtown ways suite me just fine......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hello Donna, I think of you everyday and wonder how the wedding plans are coming along. It is such an exciting time as well as a sad time (I think of Amber as well and know how much you miss her)
Enjoy your weekend sweetie....Hugs

Bernie said...

Denise, I am very blessed, I have wonderful nieces, great nieces and love them all very much....Hugs

Bernie said...

Joanna, and this 13 year old has a wonderful sense of humour, so love spending time with her....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

RivKa, how are you feeling. I was just over to visit you earlier. Be well my friend......:-) Hugs

Jackie said...

Happiness is love, family...and a shopping mall!
Great photos, Bernie...and I love the smiles...especially yours!
So good to see you...always.
With many smiles to you...and always...
Love,
Jackie

Bernie said...

Jackie, family, friends and shopping. Just doesn't get any better than this does it....Hugs

Mary N. said...

Great pictures, Bernie :) I'm glad you enjoyed their visit. I hope this weekend brings you just as much joy. We are having nice weather here too. I took Michaela to the park after school and then we went on a nature walk. Michaela picked flowers and fed the geese. We had a great time! God bless you, Bernie :)

Rebecca said...

I don't have to read between the lines to see what fun you are having. I'm so happy for all of you. Your niece is very lucky to have Aunt Bernie in her life! I'm sure she and the grands are enjoying being with you.

Deborah said...

Hi, I'm thinking of hanging my baskets this weekend too. The weather is finally warming up!
Your family pictures are beautiful!
xxoo
Deborah

Bernie said...

Mary, I am so blessed sweetie with the most beautiful nieces and nephews....Have a wonderful weekend my friend.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Rebecca, I think we all love having our family close by, I know I do. Have a wonderful weekend my friend.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Deborah, I too am thinking of flowers, plants and hanging baskets this weekend but they are calling for heavy rains, I may just have to wait........:-) Hugs

Barb said...

Glad you're spending some fun time with Family, Bernie. Don't get the itch to plant too early - I've been tricked by nice weather and have lived to regret it (while the plants have died of frostbite!). I agree, though, that summer is short, and you must enjoy every moment of the growing season.

the wild raspberry said...

your family pictures are so lovely.
glad you got to spend time with them.

thanks for your continued prayers and kind words.

have a blessed weekend....
and send some sunshine our way :)

hugs~
chasity

Bernie said...

Hi Barb, so true about planting early, here in Alberta we can have snow in June as well.
Enjoy your holiday......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Chas, wishing you and your family a great weekend....sending you much love and many prayers for Shauna and family......:-) Hugs

Sniffles and Smiles said...

First of all, what absolutely delightful photos!!! And you and your family are beautiful! Loved this! And what a wonderful time you had...and sounds like you will have this weekend! I'm so very, very happy for you because if anyone deserves such joy and love, that somebody is YOU!!! Love you much! Janine XO

Bernie said...

Janine, thank you. Yes I am blessed to have my great niece, Fallon with me this weekend. She is 13 and always cracks me up. I enjoy her company. Have a great weekend.......:-) Hugs

Teresa said...

Oh Bernie,
Isn't it amazing how our weather can change so quickly, from beautifully hot and sunny, to terribly cold and rainy. However we do need the rain, don't we. Yes, everything is becoming so emerald green, I love it...spring and summer seems to make us both so happy!!! I sure wish as you that the season was longer...we have to enjoy it while we can!!! If you need help with your deck furniture and painting or hanging baskets let me know. I would love to help. Enjoy the long weekend with your family...I sure hope it stops raining soon! ((((HUGS and HAPPY RAINY DAYS))) T

Bernie said...

Hi Terri, Thanks for the offer of
help, I may take you up on it.
We had snow last night, had to clean my car off this morning but it is just cold and wey this afternoon. My niece and I just got in an hour ago. It is good having her here.......:-) Hugs

quieten said...

Hope you're having a great time with Fallon!
You have quite a beautiful family. I'm glad you are getting time to enjoy the nicer weather. I spent this afternoon playing in the dirt, planting my impatiens. What a great time I had.
Don't shop too much.
Love ya
Quieten

Bernie said...

Hi Quieten, I am blessed with a wonderful niece......we like to spend a weekend together ever couple of months. We shop, watch movies and eat chocolate all weekend......:-) Hugs

Garnetrose said...

Great Pictures. Have a great time with your niece. I love lavendar too. Lovely flowers. I would love to see the mall but am not a shopper.I would rather order it on line then go to a mall but I bet I would like the other things the mall has to offer. The restaruants and such.

Anonymous said...

Arghhh Bernie, it sounds like you are having an absoluteluy lovely time. I smiled all the way through your post and your family looks and sounds lovely. i hope you have a great time with your great neice and that you have lots of stories to tell us.

Long may the sunshine in your life continue :0)

Kay said...

love the necklace! great mall and so happy to hear you are getting the much needed love of sunshine! :)

Slamdunk said...

I hope you got your a/c installed. Despite being in the NE US, we have turned on our cold air a few times already this year.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Sounds like a fun time, although I might pass on the shopping. You have a lovely family, Bernie. I'm glad your grand niece is spending time with you. Sounds like the two of you will have a grand time. Enjoy.

Joey said...

Have fun, Bernie!!!!

The pictures are great, and you look happy.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

ttp://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/05/jingles-may-follower-award-week-4.html

awards 4 u,
enjoy!

love your smiles!

Ed Pilolla said...

though i'm not a gardener, i love spring for the smells you point out, like herbs and tomato plants. and i love the smell of lavender. and i love the smell of lilac.
nice to meet you. found you through brian miller.