Guest Blogger, Margaret Hanna’s portrayal of a child recounting an adventure is hilarious. ​

     Mommy Mommy guess what I did at Nana’s and Bunka’s I held a baby chick it was so soft and fuzzy not like the plastic chick on my Easter basket but it pecked my hand and it hurt so I dropped it and it ran away and then I helped Nana pick up eggs from the big hen house and she told me that baby chicks come out of eggs but she’s teasing isn’t she Mommy cause I’ve seen you crack eggs and nothing comes out but eggs and then Uncle Peter took me to the pig pen and the pigs are so big but one was a mother with baby pigs that wouldn’t stop squealing Uncle Peter held me so that I could scratch the pig’s ear a mother pig is called a sow did you know that Mommy and then I went with Bunka to the barn and he milked the cows yuck milk comes out of a bag under the cow I don’t know if I’ll drink milk again but I helped Bunka pour some milk into a pan for the barn kitties and all they did was spit and hiss and run away when I tried to pet them why would they do that Mommy I had fun can I visit Nana and Bunka again next weekend?
    Ple-e-e-ase.

Yet, often we find these so-called wallflowers, behind the scenes people are an amazing artist, musicians, writers, and entrepreneurs. You may hear them say things like, “No one is interested what I do.” ​​
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Well, people, you need to change the way you think.  It’s not necessary to spend money to get product marketing off the ground. It will, however, take an investment of your time; and, in the beginning, more time than you think you have.

“How can I do this without spending my life’s savings?”

The answer is simple, an internet connection. With it, the world of social media is at your beck and call and each available avenue should be considered. 

There is no need to open an account for every social media platform you come across. Choose the one(s) beneficial to your promotional needs.  Start slow, pick one or two that meld together and ultimately showcase your business. Grow your online visibility and add to your harem of followers. 

Two of the bonuses of social media marketing come from planning and execution. Posting to one platform will, in most cases, be capable of automatic entry on others. And, pre-scheduling posts to show up in the future. Both have great benefits to time management and social networking. 

In theory, pre-scheduling posts allow you to spend as much time as you want in the preparation. The result is having the information go live at your desired strategic time. 

An original post to one platform links to your other social media accounts. The data shows up at the same time in multiple places. The work is done once and has the possibility of being networked out to thousands. The ripple in the pond!

This is not to say that all you need is social media networking to promote you, your product or your business. But think about it, it's only the beginning and if done consistently, it gives you the time to get out from in front of your computer and pursue other live networking opportunities.

Spring. Mother Nature dictates the terms for the when and where. There is no telling her to conform to the thought that April showers should bring May flowers. She does what she wants. 

A change of heart is evident with the lengthening of the days. Warming the raw earth and nurturing her babies to life. Some will not survive her teaching methods. Others will flourish like an epidemic. 

Buds on trees. Calves and fawns peek out from behind their Mothers. Goslings scoot across the water to the low chortle from their long necked parents. ​

It's Her season of new life.

Finding the right balance in life can be a perplexing avenue of twists, turns and dead ends.

Work outside the home for corporate conglomerates uses up approximately eight of twenty-four hours in any allotted day. This doesn't include travel to and from the job. So, for good measure, add an extra hour into the mix. 

Throw in the meals, laundry, meetings, chauffeur duties. This results in a miscellaneous wastage of another five hours. Top that off with six hours of sleep extracted from the repository to be added to the daily use cauldron. The balance is a not so whopping four hours to do with as you please.

Being a time management guru is crucial for the things that are essential in keeping the mind on an even keel. Take advantage of the squirrelled away minutes to rest, relax and regenerate. 

​Use up the down time to open the gate and travel in the slow lane. ​

Pictures inspire. Pictures jump start the imagination. Pictures go on road trips. Pictures bring back memories. 

Let us know your thoughts about how pictures speak to you.

Making change requires a little trial and error. There are times when the transition flows by without a hitch. Then, there are the occasions when it throws up its ugly, mocking head. Heart stopping and causing stomachs to plummet into a dark abyss of the “Oh Crap!” moment.

Over the past few weeks we have been making changes to the AnnEdallRobson.com website. Most of our experiments have happened late at night when we are hopeful our followers are fast asleep. This means our fans are missing out on the rocky roads and bog holes we encounter. Believe me, for the sake of all involved, it is for the best.

Some of the improvements are still a work in progress. You may have notices the ‘Store’ button at the top of the page. This, I will tell you, will soon give you the opportunity to buy my book direct from me. Other products will be available here, too. Watch for our announcements. ​

We appreciate your patience and support through our adaptation to a new look.  Please drop by our site anytime for a visit. Leave us a comment. We would love to hear from you.

Each time you bite a tiny jelly bean, there is an explosion of “Guess what flavour I am?”. 

Eating them one at a time is a must; otherwise you get a jumbled up mess of flavours. Each trying to  outdo the other. Resulting in none of them accomplishing what they set out to do. 

They aren’t messy and there is no need to be selective when plucking them from the bowl or bag. The flavour announces the one picked as soon as it hits the taste buds.  

They come in the perfect size for nibbling on when reading a book, browsing an I-Pad or working on a computer.  All too soon the stash, that had potential to last for a few weeks, is gone. 
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They are small, they are addictive and they're overpriced! All part and parcel of being in a class of their own.  

What is your favourite a go-to treat?

Beauty is only skin deep when it comes to nauseous weeds found along the waterways, in the back country, rural pastureland and urban sprawl.  Beauty that quickly becomes a nightmare when introduced to a hayfield or city parks.

Their true colours are not shown on the surface. It is below ground and in tight seed pods that chaos thrives and spreads.

Roots systems that go on for miles patiently wait for the moment when they are ripped from the soil by feeding animals. Worse yet, humans transport them to a new location where they  take up yet another homestead in their quest to invade and destroy the natural habitat.  

Seeds eaten by birds and disbursed on the wind are deposited miles away to start life anew in unsuspecting soil.

The country, generally speaking, does not need humans plucking invasive plant life to take home to their garden. The thought of taking just one such plant to add to the outside decor can mean disaster for a neighbourhood.

They are beautiful. They are invasive. They do not like to be eradicated. They will do everything in their power to survive.  

Be informed. Do some homework. Due diligence is a necessity to stop the spread of invasive plants.

Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life ​

Cookies in this modern world we live in quite often refers to the term used in the IT world - computer cookies.

That term is the farthest thin from our minds when discussing the topic in our home.  These morsels of goodness have been a main stay for school lunches, afternoon tea and anytime snacks for as long as I can remember.

Here are some of the reasons why we bake cookies at our house.

"I forgot to tell you about the bake sale at school, mom."
"Your mom bakes?!?!"
The snowman shape that really is "See my gingerbread man, Mom."
Time spent with the children.
The yummy aroma that fills the house.
They freeze well (if they last that long).
The smiles they create when you give them as gifts.
Something to have on hand if company drops in (if they last that long).
And my all time favorite has to be "These are my favourite, you're the best, Mom".

Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life 

Self sufficiency is nothing new. Practising it, for some, is.
 
The issue of not being able to look after yourself comes from a few thoughtless generations. Decades of not handing down a vault of practical, common sense teaching tools. Tools that are available to use for free from parents and grandparents. 

These forgetful ones were born into a world of new ideas and technology. Bypassing important learning processes. Creating a generations of people that haven't got foggy clue one how to do things for themselves. ​

Looking back, the old ways worked. It may have taken a little longer to get to the end result, but the fail safe process was just that, fail safe. Too much, too fast is where our world and lives have taken us.

I consider myself one of the lucky ones that remembers how to do things the old fashioned way when it’s needed. Times when the power goes out or a blizzard makes it impossible to go very far, if at all. Planting a garden and having the where-with-all to preserve its goodness to eat during the non-garden seasons.

We often talk of the old timers and the stories of how they actually survived. They had gardens, hunted for meat and chopped wood to heat their homes. 

Communication happened at social events and when letters came in the mail. Ahh, there is still nothing like receiving a hand written letter. 

The world news? It was heard on the radio and read in newspapers. The later sometimes arrived a week or more after being published. Telephones? There were telephones. Just not one in every room or household and definately not in the pocket or purse of every individual. 

We think owning material things is important. Through this, we have lost touch with the real things that should be important. It amazes me how many men and women don't know how to cook a meal and bake a cake from scratch. They can't sew a button on a shirt, change a tire or fill their window washer fluid. For that matter there are a good many people that do not know where their food actually comes from. The correct answer is not a store. 

Take some time and take stock of your life. Learn some of the old skills. Pay attention to the stories you hear from and about your grandparents. You will never know how rewarding it is to be able to look after your needs yourself. Take the first step. Try it. 

What steps do you use in attaining self sufficiency that  have been passed down from previous generations? 

Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life 

This morning, we welcome, Guest Blogger, Margaret Hanna, who says, "Writing is a portal to another dimension of reality." 
 
She will take you on a journey of memories. Introduce you to places you want to know more about and entertain you as she draws you into her stories. ​

Who needs the internet when you have party lines, Marcotte’s general store, the post office?  The women have the Ladies Aid and quilting bees; the men, Arsen’s or Snyder’s garage.  Chit-chat everywhere.  Knots of people standing about after church.  “Have you heard the latest?” the start of every conversation. The good thing about small towns: everyone knows your business.  The bad thing about small towns: everyone knows your business.  Mark Zuckerberg, eat your heart out.

According to Wikipedia, Writer's Block is a condition, primarily associated with writing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work or experiences a creative slowdown.

This blockage, in my opinion, is not necessarily directed to only those who write. It is a set of two words that may apply to any person who is creative.

Falling into an abyss of blank wall thoughts and unproductiveness is devastating to say the least. However, it does give room to look at the predicament in a different light. Exploring alternate avenues for the mind, body and soul to return to creativeness .

… “this so called block, more kindly put, is merely a derailment from writing and it’s plausible that it is an underlying excuse to partake in … Read more 

How do you get your creative juices flowing?

Spring is an exciting time of year. Each day as I make my rounds in the yard, there is always something new poking its head above ground.  

The Rhubarb is hardy and tends to be pushy and aggressive. It ignores cooler temperatures and frost ridden nights. First, tight red orbs appear and within days, the tinge of green leaves follow. One day it is but a tiny stalk, and before you know it, the thought prevails as to what you are going to do with the mountain of growth before you. 

Our collection of old cook books provide interesting and tasty Rhubarb recipes throughout their pages. Everything from libations to gooey sweet treats, preserves to pies.  

One such book is A Guide to Good Cooking. Compiled by the makers of Five Roses Flower, Lake of the Woods Milling, Company, Limited Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 1938. It describes the process of making wine out of Rhubarb.

Rhubarb Wine (verbatim)
10 pounds of rhubarb 
2 gallons of water 
Sugar 
Finely peeled rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon 
1/2 ounce of ginger root 
1/4 ounce Isinglass 

Wipe rhubarb; cut in small pieces and place in a large crock pot. Add cold water, cover closely and leave for 5 days. After this time, strain liquid off through a sieve or linen jelly bag. Press the liquid out of the pulp without allowing the later to pass through the mesh of sieve or cloth. Measure liquid; allow 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 pounds of sugar to each gallon, the amount depending on the acidity of the fruit. Stir well and leave for 5 days, stirring twice daily. On the 5th day, pour the liquid into a clean cask, dissolve the isinglass in a little warm water, add this, the root ginger, and the orange and lemon rinds, cover the bung hole tightly with a cloth. When liquid ceases to work or bubble, remove the ginger and lemon and orange rind and either bung the cask securely or pour off the wine and bottle it. Leave for 6 to 12 months.

Personal Note - Isinglass is a pure gelatin prepared from the air bladders of fishes. Used as a clarifying agent, and in jellies and glue (Wikipedia)

Another one of our books is Cooking Made Easy. Monarch Pastry Flour printed 1947, The Copp Clark Co. Ltd. This one surprised us with an excellent Muffin recipe that cooks up more like a pudding. 

Spiced Rhubarb Muffins
(Excellent served as a pudding) 
Yield – 10 average size muffins

A two-way recipe. Serve hot, with butter, as very moist muffin – or with a sauce or cream as puddings. Batter will rise very little during baking.
Oven temperature – moderately hot, 375 degrees
Butter 10 average sized muffin rings
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Sift, then measure 1 cup Monarch Pastry Flour (any kind will do)
Add 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
​Read more . . .

Share your favourite Rhubarb recipe with us through the comment section of this post. 

I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with Meagan Saum of Silver Valley Ranch.  A casual evening to talk about what’s being going on in our lives and take a visit to the future. A meeting of the minds to brain storm, plan and have a good laugh. 

On the drive home, I reflected on how easy it is to chat with each other about a variety of topics. It took me back to the last time we got together for tea . . . 

Me and my size sixes combined a road trip with a visit. Down the paved road with the camera tagging along. Watching the landscape change as familiar landmarks made their appearance. The snow encased mountains coming closer.

Finally it was time to turn off the frozen, rutted pavement and onto the comfort of gravel roads. Rutted only by use and not frozen snow.

The mountains still beckoned beyond the snow covered, harvested fields. Postcard vista material welcomed us.

Turning one more time from the well travelled track onto the road that said No Exit. Bordered by feeding cattle and round bales, the road led us to a single lane and the day's destination. 

Silver Valley Ranch is home to an amazing team. A team that show case their talent through no words. A team that gives to those that is willing to let them in. That understands their language. 

Today’s visit was with their team leader. The lady who has gathered her herd for the benefit of others. Tea and great conversation followed by making my camera and inner self happy. Taking pictures where the quiet envelops the thought process. Releasing the endorphin that creates happiness and peace. 

For me and the size sixes this is one of those go to locations. A place that encourages the mind, soul and surroundings to follow a path of serenity. ​

The passion for quilting goes beyond stockpiling material for a fabric stash. Collecting other items such as thimbles, lapel pins and historical pieces is quite common. Squirrelling out vintage patterns is another. 

It is the early published designs that are of interest, here. Often patterns that were available in the 1950's, 60's and 70's originated much earlier. Each telling their own story within the design.

Many of the works of art showcased have been around forever. Proof is depicted in history books that reveal pictures of handmade pieces. A lot of these patterns use some form of templates in cutting the required pieces. 

The tradition of templates need not stand in the way of resurrecting art from another era. History can be brought back to life.  Convert time honoured template patterns to modern quick cut and sew patterns in a few easy steps.

For the first time fabric converter follow these basic guidelines. They will provide the necessary steps in making the vintage quilt pattern a reality. 

1. Select a pattern that requires the use of squares, rectangles or long strips.
2. Select a pattern that requires not more than two or three fabric colours. 
3. During any conversion exercise make lots of detailed notes. It is a must because trying to memorize these changes, even for the seasoned quilter, opens up a path for disaster.

The adaptation method used here, is based on the following scenario. 
1. A portion of the pattern requires 142 rectangles. 
2. Each rectangle is 4 1/2” long and 2 1/2” wide. 
3. The total rectangles needed are to be made equally of two different colours of fabric. 
4. The pattern asks for two yards of each colour of material. It does not state if this is all to be used for these rectangles or how much will be left over for use in the construction of the quilt.
All this information should be taken into account when using the conversion guidelines.

Conversion Guideline
1. Seventy-one (71) pieces multiplied by 4 1/2” equals 319 1/2” inches of material required of one colour.
2. Three Hundred Nineteen and a Half (319 1/2”) divided by 40 equals 8 strips - rounded up - of material needed. NOTE - Assuming the number 40 is based on the average fabric bolt width.
3. Eight (8) strips multiplied by the width of each strip (2 1/2”) equals 20".
4. Always round the numbers up.

From the calculations, the result shows that 20" of  each of the two colours is required to make 142 rectangles. The balance will be used to cut other pieces used to make up the quilt.

This method of calculation may also simplify the understanding of other quilt patterns if the fabric and cutting instructions are unclear. 

Converting an old pattern, can be time consuming. But, the end result gives us the opportunity to bring history to life.
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Download a FREE conversion chart from our store. Offer good until April 30, 2016.

Through the sound of the wind, the unmistakable voice of the small black and white bird captures my attention from across the yard. First to the feeder then flitting off to the nearby bush. Doing a little dance to break open the seed. Shattered shell drops to the ground and the tasty morsel is consumed. Back and forth, back and forth. Snack time over and off they fly. 

While I sit sipping my coffee and looking out the window, I see the trees and shrubs doing their dance in the wind. Their outline silhouetted against a vibrant blue sky. What will the day bring on these winds? 

Change, it is said, is as good as a rest. There are times you have work hard to embrace this thought. The mind conjures up all kinds of alternatives of the meaning of change or rest. It portrays itself as a new beginning or a life style alteration. The difference between what you did yesterday and what you are going to do today. A deviance from the normal routine. 

It may be a deep seeded dislike for something. Something that over time is moulded and manipulated to become what you now enjoy. 
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It might mean turning right at the fork in the road. Taking a different route when you go for a walk. Find one thing that refreshes you, makes you take a deep breath and say, “YES! This is what I need.”

The restlessness and need for change has taken a hold of me of late. As the cool winter months bloomed into vivacious spring days a need for change simmered. A time to mould a once drab existence. It was time to create. 

The work began. The result? A website with a warm, welcoming feeling united with a user friendly marketable environment. A place that invites you to get to know me as a writer and photographer. 
There is still much to do, but it is exciting to have taken this path. The change that is contributing to a feeling of rest. 

Please leave a comment and tell us what you thing about the new look of our website.

The closet! A place to hang your coat, store the winter mittens and the keeper of garden pots. Well, not really pots, containers. 

These containers do not conform to the garden store variety. They have had a life. They have stories to tell. They make for good conversation when they are on display. And, you don't have it in  your heart to get rid of them.

So . . . 
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When the urge takes you to do some spring cleaning, head for one of the smallest rooms in the house - the closet. It should take the least amount of time to clean,  and you never know what kind of plant pots you have lurking there. 

Here are some basic guidelines to have some fun with your personalize planter. 

Tell us what you have used to kick your outdoor space up a notch.