It's Monday and the fire is finally settling down....really hot here now and apparently getting hotter by end of week...

I am busy getting my course schedule ready for the fall. Will be teaching some glass courses at the R.C.A. ....... http://www.rotarycentreforthearts.com

Looking after the grandkids for a while..they love it down at the lake

..Oh well, it's tough spending time in the boat on the water.. but someone has to do it..

What??another fire...we have been watching the fire grow from a very small plume of smoke to a very large all consuming fire across the lake...amazing to see it from this side this time and not be in the middle of it as we were in 2003.. It is moving south along the lake shore towards Peachland now....

Apparently there is another fire up Vernon way, I can see the smoke from here...and there is a lot of it... The winds are very big..up to 60 km. per hour...that does not help..

Just found out that my submission of my art glass panel "golden moments" (see my pic. in previous post) got accepted... it will now be up for bids all over the world...

July at last..time to get back in the studio... before the summer guests arrive....!!
I have sold a few pieces recently and my stock needs replenishing...

The verdict is in...We got the Studio... YEAH!!
We will be taking up residence at the Rotary Centre for the Arts come the 1st of August

Donated a lampwork bracelet to the Yacht Club for a fund raiser...Variety Boat for Hope..

Friday night...went for a little boat cruise out on the lake...

We are having a garage sale at my daughter's house on Saturday..getting ready for that..

Finally got all caught up with all my 'chores'...Had a great trip to Easten Europe...sailed down the Danube (& no it is NOT Blue..don't know where that came from..it is more like our Fraser River only a LOT bigger)..
Lots happening in the art department...a Studio has come up for rent at the Rotary Centre so I have been busy doing a bio, etc... I would be teaching glass, beads and cabs.. Here's a pic. of one of my creations..
We want to start a co-op with Precious Metal Clay, and Silversmithing..
Hope we get it...
I have been busy designing some wind chimes/wind-whimsies...have to figure out how to photograph them best..will try & get some pics up soon..

Went on a road trip to Eagle Crest Resort in Oregon recently with sister-in-law and her husband.

Had a great time hiking and biking..the weather did not fully co-operate as it was a bit chilly and did snow on occassion...We didn't get to horseback ride or play golf as planned...Did learn a new Dominos game called Mexican train..must admit I won most of the games...

We leave on Thursday, the 14th for a boat cruise down the Danube River.

April is here.. won 4 free ski passes, equipement rentals and lessons at Big White... great for the grandkids & Stacy..we got up quite a few times with them....Still lots of snow up there..it closes down thru lack of interest....Had everyone here for Easter dinner.

Now it's time to concentrate on my art glass ....

Wow! what a spring break....lots of skiing at Big White with Stacy and the grandkids...they are doing fantastic..to think they just started in Feb.09.. Also did some swimming at the local pool..we can't wait till the new pool and water park open..next week...Lots of hot-dog and marshmellow roasts on the beach....this is the only time of year to do it as the water is so low at this time of year...Now it's time to ge back to my glass studio...lots of geat ideas to implement....going to up-cycle some old jewellery and see what I can come up with...

Spring is finally here ..yea! Took a picture of this guy out of my window..I think he is waiting for his lunch to wander by!!!

Spring is just a few days away...the robins are back..fighting over the mountain ash berries that are left.

It's March break so we have been doing some fun things with the Grand-kids..swimming, lunch at the Yacht Club..and skiing..

Mr. Willy the cat has awoke from his winter sleep and is following me around all day.

I have been spending at least an hour at the torch most every day so will have some pictures of new bracelets to post...if I can just take some good pictures of them..I have to spend some time reading my camera manual... There is never enough time in the day to do all I want.

Here it is- almost the middle of March. We are still in the deep freeze.

Have been re-oganizing my studio..

Time to dust the cat hair off everything and get busy in the studio...

Have made lots of wind-chimes in bright colours..

Finally got back at the torch and made some beads.

Tomorrow looks promising weather - wise...have to get back out

with my walking group..so sick of wearing boots and heavy coats..

Can't wait for the warm weather.

Well..Jan. is almost over..We are out of the deep-freeze and glad of it...

the walking trails are still very icy and dangerous..I. finally went out and bought a pair of Yak Traks.. don't want to break any bones...
Been skiing quite a bit..conditions are really good. We took the grand-kids up on Sunday to try out their new skis...It was so hot up at Big White....everyone was skiing in their t-shirts...
We definitely need a lot more snow for the duration of the winter...
Woke up this morning to a few of our deer friends grazing and sleeping in our yard...at least the deer fencing is working and they don't get to munch on our cedars any more...

Where has all the time gone??? Had a great trip to Toronto & South America. Met some great people!!! Came home early Dec. and had to start Christmas shopping, etc...the studio work was put on hold.. Had a great pot luck lunch here in my studio.. 12 walking ladies brought various good things to eat...It has been the season for parties and eating, eating, eating!!!
Well, it started snowing a week or so ago and has not stopped...I have been hiebernating in the house making excuses to not go out..tomorrow I just have to go out to do some errands, etc. that is if I can get out of the driveway with all this snow.

I have been really busy in my studio..making lots of bracelets and art glass panels
Got a new camera and it seems to do the job..

Back to work in the studio now..have been busy up at Summerhill Winery..doing glass demos, etc.
Sunday was the Wine Festival Brunch...awesome...A bit on the cold side..as we were outside...
Now I am busy doing some panels to donate for some charity events....Had to buy a new torch to make my beads...didn't know they wore out..oh, well just as easy to buy a new one than get it fixed..
Only 1 month left before we head off to South America..
Have been working on a new choker design..will post a picture of it.
I'm looking at buying a new camera.. just have to find the time to shop..
Here's one of my little deer friends having lunch in our yard.

The end of summer is just a day a way..it seemed to go by really fast.. Weather wise it wasn't the best... Now it is back to work... Here are a few things I have been working on...also view my jewellery selections on www.torchfairy.etsy.com ..I am really going to try & post some more of my stuff, but I am such a computer non-wizard it isn't even funny..I am planning a fall open house..maybe around the Wine Festival... who knows...We are off to South America in November...

.Here's a few pics of the grandkids enjoying water fun..

Have had lots of company they all love the sunny Okanagan!!! ..just can't keep them away....The weather has finally turned around and is quite decent now..the wind has died down and the water has actually warmed up to 76 or 78 degrees..yes I have finally done some wake-boarding now that the water is at a good temperature..(for me a least) the grand kids love it no matter what...can't keep them out.

It's been while..Had a great trip to England, Scotland and Ireland..Now back to reality..Summer time is here..we've been busy building a new garage and doing the yard work that goes along with it.
Took 9 dump truck loads of dirt out and brought about 4 loads of huge rocks to make all the rock walls. Also doing some work down at the lake..Steve added on to the cabana and put a bathroom in.
The deer have finally stopped munching on all of our trees & roses, I guess they have gone on to greener pastures..