Barbara in Beamsville

Vote for Beamsville and me

2009-09-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

Go to this site and vote for me - every day!!!

http://neighbourhoods.royallepage.ca/entry/1474594

Goodbye for now

2009-02-17T19:53:00.002-05:00

For all of my fans out there, I am sad to announce that this will be my last posting on Blogspot for now.

I will be using Facebook to share my photos of Christian and of my exciting life in Beamsville.

I am keeping this spot open, however, for a possible platform for rants, essays, or whatever else.

See you on Facebook.

New Year's Eve Party

2008-12-31T17:07:00.005-05:00

Today I did a New Years Eve party for some children at the Library. One of the activities was a set of home-made Pinatas. It was interesting to see the difference between the boys' behavior and the girls'.

Ladies Who Lunch

2008-12-30T20:15:00.001-05:00

Here's Eb , Margie and myself having lunch at the Spicy Thai.

Wind Storm

2008-12-30T20:12:00.004-05:00

A big wind storm on Sunday knocked over an evergreen at Colleen and Scott's place. Here's Scott inspecting the situation.
Colleen sent a picture to CHCH news and they used it on television. Fortunately, the tree didn't damage anything.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T15:11:00.006-05:00

Fran sent me a DVD of a crackling fire.

Here's Christian with his new transport truck

I helped Colleen make dinner.
Christian had so many presents, he didn't see this Mechanic's workbench that I gave him until the next day.

Beamsville will be Hockeyville!

2008-12-21T15:52:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, Ted and I went to the rally to support Beamsville's bid to be the Kraft Hockeyville for 2009. There were outdoor rinks for the kids....

......Facepainting and entertainment (note the tree decorated with Kraft Dinner boxes)....

and hockey jerseys for sale.

Birds

2008-12-20T11:23:00.006-05:00

The Mourning Doves are waiting for the little birds to do their work.

Juncoes, sparrows and finches can eat from this neat feeder from Lee Valley.Now we can all eat!

30 Years ago

2008-12-15T13:01:00.000-05:00

Brendan sampling the wrapping paper on his first Christmas

Handel would be proud

2008-12-14T09:11:00.002-05:00

Last night, Eb and I and another friend went to Grimsby to see Chorus Niagara's presentation of the Messiah. A wonderful performance! Here's a link to their site: http://www.chorusniagara.ca/

Library Christmas Party

2008-12-11T11:52:00.002-05:00

House Tour, Niagara-on-the-Lake

2008-12-11T11:33:00.007-05:00

We started at the Old Rectory

Then we saw several rooms in the Prince of Wales Hotel.

George Bernard was keeping warm on Queen Street.

Our Birthday

2008-11-25T19:50:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, both Christian and I celebrated our birthdays at Colleen and Scott's place. Here's Christian looking at the Elmo cake Colleen made

Here's the cake!

I'm trying to persuade Christian to blow out his candle.

Catching up again

2008-11-18T21:25:00.007-05:00

The last roses of summer. I picked these on November 16.

At the Royal Winter Fair

Here is Eb deciding what orchid to buy at the St. Catharines Orchid Show.

My Japanese maple in early November.

Halloween

2008-10-31T20:42:00.006-04:00

Here's Christian in his monkey costume. He was not at all fazed by seing the other kids dressed up, and loved going around to my neighbours.
Here are some of us at work. We dressed up for the United Way.

Halloween is coming!

2008-10-28T21:47:00.002-04:00

Here's my Jack-o-Lantern

Some October scenes

2008-10-28T21:36:00.006-04:00

Kinsmen Park, Beamsville

Chrysanthemum Show, Gage Park, Hamilton

Devil's Punchbowl, Hamilton

Edgewater Manor, Stoney Creek. A very posh restaurant!

Craft Show at Balls Falls

2008-10-13T22:59:00.003-04:00

One of the exhibitors - lots of bling

Christian testing a gourd.

SculptArt at RBG

2008-10-03T21:05:00.004-04:00

Christian was very impressed with the masses of chrysanthemums

This is called "Unzip the Earth" by Beamsville artist Floyd Elzinga

Christian tries to get a better look at a heron fountain.

Christian stays at Grandma's

2008-09-30T11:19:00.004-04:00

The cupboards needed rearranging

Holiday to Agawa Canyon and beyond

2008-09-27T13:47:00.006-04:00

On Sunday we set out through Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie. On Tuesday we took the Algoma Central Railway to the Agawa Canyon. I climbed 300 steps to the Lookout, where I took this picture.

Back in the Soo, we visited the Roberta Bondar Pavilion, where Ted took my picture beside some of this bear's friends.

We came home via Manitoulin Island and took the Chi-Cheemaun to Tobermory.

Sailing in Kempenfelt Bay

2008-09-15T17:42:00.005-04:00

On Saturday, we joined Ted's son Jim and his partner Lorraine for an afternoon of sailing on his boat, the Allegro Andante.

Here's Jim and Lorraine

Wine always helps.

Hobnobbing

2008-09-12T11:30:00.007-04:00

Last night we attended a University of Toronto Alumni Reception at Stoney Ridge Winery in Vineland. Here are Ted and me with David Peterson, Chancellor of the University and former Premier of Ontario.

Beamsville Fair

2008-09-07T11:47:00.001-04:00

Watering the Bunnies

At the midway

Catching up on my Blog

2008-09-01T19:31:00.021-04:00

Today, Eb and Margie and I went to Balls Falls for a picnic and a hike. It was a change from our usual evening suppers.

On Sunday , we went to the Cirque du Soleil at Copp's Colliseum in Hamilton.No picture-taking was allowed inside.

Ted's cousin Gail married Bob on Saturday. Her oldest granddaughter - blue dress -was her attendant.

The annual pilgrimage to the St. Jacobs market.

It is so colourful at the end of August. Now I know where all the best Niagara peaches go.

Jim Bradley and myself at his annual barbeque

On August 24, we saw the Red Sox (narrowly) defeat the Blue Jays in 11 innings. The game started with the dome closed, but we watched it open when the weather cleared.

Tonya Berbeek put Beamsville on the map, with her wrestling win at the Olympics

Then Fran came for a quick visit.

At the end of July, Ted and I took the Canadian Empress Cruise from Quebec City to Kingston.

Christian with his Pound-a-Peg toy

2008-07-26T17:25:00.003-04:00

Since Christian was hitting everything around the house with a plastic hammer, I bought him a Pound-a-Peg toy, just like they made fifty years ago. It has a wooden hammer, which isn't showing in this picture.

Amelia Bedelia at the Library

2008-07-18T22:26:00.002-04:00

Here's me dressed up as Amelia Bedelia for a children's program.

This little girl is enjoying our "craft" - decorating cupcakes.

An evening with Stephane

2008-07-10T14:16:00.003-04:00

Ted and I went to a "town hall meeting" in St. Catharines to hear Stephane Dion explain his Green Shift plan.

This followed a barbecue for local MP Walt Lastewka.

Jane Bunnett and Desandann

2008-06-23T12:45:00.004-04:00

Sunday night, we took our picnic and went to Fieldcote in Ancaster to see an outdoor concert featuring Jane Bunnett and a group of singers she brought in from Cuba. On the way to Ancaster we stopped at Hendrie Gardens at the R.B.G. to see the roses.

I enjoyed the smell of the Moss Roses!

Neighbourhood party

2008-06-21T21:37:00.003-04:00

Here are a few of the people that came to my Saturdy morning coffee party. The rest of them are under the shade of the big maple tree.

Colleen and Christian

2008-06-20T22:33:00.001-04:00

My deck again!

2008-06-17T20:50:00.002-04:00

Last week Rick came back and built a more elaborate top for my pergola. The furniture is now painted and the chairs have new covers. All that I need now is a white wisteria to grow over the top.

Airshow

2008-06-17T20:42:00.004-04:00

On Sunday, Ted and I went to an all-propeller air show at the Russell airfield near Niagara Falls. Here are some Harvard Training planes doing stunts.

Some people paid to tour the Memphis Belle.

Christian

2008-06-06T12:20:00.001-04:00

Having fun with a box!

Irises at RBG

2008-06-02T23:00:00.002-04:00

After our Monday night supper, Margie and Eb and I went to RBG to see the Iris display

Organized Crime Winery

2008-06-02T22:49:00.004-04:00

On Sunday, we finally got to see Beamsville's most unusual winery. The name is derived from an event in local history. A Mennonite congregation was jealous of a rival church's new organ, so they stole it and dumped down an embankment.

Here is their website:
http://www.organizedcrimewine.com/

Musical Ride

2008-05-21T21:18:00.007-04:00

In spite of the rain and cold, a large crowd came to Beamsville this evening to see the Mounties' Musical Ride. This female Mounty's horse seems to be smiling.

Ted's Grandson's Wedding

2008-05-20T22:50:00.002-04:00

Ted's oldest grandson, Jimmy, married Jenn

on Saturday, May 17.

Christian

2008-05-14T07:57:00.002-04:00

Colleen sent this picture yesterday.

Busy Saturday

2008-05-11T17:16:00.006-04:00

First, I had a Garage Sale.

Then we went to the open house for the new Ball's Falls Centre for Conservation. Here is one of the architects, Harald Ensslen.

This is an entirely "green" building.

Then Ted and I went shopping for plants. The nice lady at Midway Gardens offered to take our picture.

Early Mothers' Day

2008-05-04T22:31:00.004-04:00

To get ahead of the crowds, Colleen and I went to Tea at the Twenty Valley Tea House in Jordan. It was excellent - a nice three level plate of goodies and pots of tea in a pretty setting.

Colleen made me this cookie bouquet.

Brendan's belated Birthday lunch

2008-04-20T16:14:00.003-04:00

We finally all got together at Fresco's to celebrate Brendan's 30th - and his new job.

Christian enjoyed the pasta

and modelled his new duck towel.

Cara's new Kitty Gym

2008-04-08T22:56:00.002-04:00

Cara now has a better perch for looking out the back window.

At last - Spring!

2008-04-04T08:11:00.001-04:00

I found these snowdrops on my back lawn yesterday

Good Friday

2008-03-21T21:59:00.005-04:00

Here's Christian, ready to go out for dinner

More food, please

Scott, Colleen and Christian at Eastside Marios

Canada Blooms 2008

2008-03-15T08:54:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, Eb and I made our annual trip to Toronto to see Canada Blooms.

We had a very good lunch at the Intercontinenetal Hotel's Azure Restaurant.

Sand sculpture

Crazy Crafts Day at the Library

2008-03-13T09:19:00.007-04:00

As part of our March Break program, we had about 30 kids making an assortment of crafts. Very messy, but fun!

March 8 Snowstorm

2008-03-08T21:17:00.002-05:00

We had a really big snowstorm today - even the library closed! This is my street at about 5 pm.

Here's where we'll be at the end of July - on the Canadian Empress, cruising the St. Lawrence.

Zooma Zooma

2008-03-02T09:33:00.003-05:00

Here's Ted with Steve Koven, a great jazz musician who played at the Zooma Zooma's Cafe last night in Jordan.

Sabres Game

2008-03-02T09:27:00.003-05:00

Monday night, Ted and I went to Buffalo to see the Sabres play the Philadelphia Flyers. They lost in a shoot-out

Christian and his supporting cast

2008-02-25T09:55:00.003-05:00

I had everybody to dinner last night. Unfortunately, Brendan and Amie had to go back to Toronto before we got the cameras out.

Glass under Glass

2008-02-18T16:43:00.006-05:00

On Saturday, Ted and I went to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton to see a display of glass art in the Mediterranean Garden.

Valerie Tryon

2008-02-18T16:16:00.004-05:00

On Friday night, I went to the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts and saw a wonderful performance of Chopin by Valerie
Tryon. This clip is not her playing, but I have learned how to imbed music on my Blog!

Weekend in Toronto

2008-02-03T22:46:00.000-05:00

On Friday, I went to the Ontario Library Association Conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Later, Brendan and Amie and I went to a restaurant called Coca's and had a nice dinner. Then we walked back through the snow.

In front of their townhouse.

On Saturday, we visited Brendan's workplace....

...and Amie's.

Icewine Festival, Jordan

2008-01-20T10:21:00.000-05:00

Sean and Steve get their icewine martinis

Christian at my house

2008-01-13T15:17:00.001-05:00

Here's Christian with half of his favourite toy at Grandma's house - a set of salad servers with cat faces.

And here he is at home with some Jello

New Years Day, Beamsville

2008-01-01T11:29:00.001-05:00

Here's my street with the first sun on the new snow.

At last, Christmas pictures

2008-01-01T07:47:00.001-05:00

Santa Baby. This picture was taken in a studio in November

Here's the gang at dinner. Colleen took the picture, and Scott was in the kitchen.

Tale of a Tail

2007-12-23T21:55:00.001-05:00

This evening, the hydro was out for about an hour, probably due to high winds.

I lit some candles and put one of them on the coffee table. Lucy walked by a little too close and her tail caught fire. It quickly went out - she wasn't even aware of it, but we were left with the smell of burnt fur. Brendan was annoyed that the power outage cut into his viewing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Here's the damage to the tail.

And here's Lucy, after the lights came back on.

In a couple of days, I will put on some more pictures of Christian. The past two times when I have been looking after him, I have been too busy to take any pictures!

Christian's First Birthday

2007-11-29T08:35:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, Christian had his first Birthday Party.

But the cleanup was a chore!

Christian at almost one year old

2007-11-15T10:19:00.000-05:00

I went to help Colleen get her university assignment ready last night. Christian and I entertained each other while Colleen wrote.

Getting ready for Halloween

2007-10-28T21:54:00.000-04:00

Here's Cara visiting the Jack-o-Lantern

Ted's New Phone

2007-10-24T09:04:00.001-04:00

Ted finally signed up with Bell. Here I am making a restaurant reservation.

My Little Pumpkin

2007-10-11T22:50:00.001-04:00

Today Christian helped me pick out my Halloween pumpkin.

At the Carousel

2007-10-07T07:46:00.001-04:00

Colleen sent me this picture of herself and Christian on the Carousel at Port Dalousie. I love the look on his face!

Grimsby Beach

2007-10-05T16:10:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday, we walked around Grimsby Beach, the now almost hidden remains of a Methodist Church camp in the late 19th and early 20th century. Here are two of the colourful cottages that still remain.

I'm a Big Boy now!

2007-09-20T12:15:00.000-04:00

Here's Christian at almost 10 months.

Queen West, Toronto

2007-09-16T20:08:00.000-04:00

Today we went to Toronto to see Brendan and Amie's townhouse. Here is the Real Estate picture of it.

Then we went to the "Art Crawl" in Trinity Bellwoods Park nearby.

Here is an example of some of the "art"

Greek Festival

2007-09-09T20:29:00.001-04:00

Yesterday evening, we went to the Greek Festival in St. Catharines. Hundreds of people were enjoying Greek dishes such as Souvlaki and Gyros. Here is some lamb being cooked on a barbecue.

Marshville Heritage Festival

2007-09-02T20:47:00.001-04:00

These "blacksmiths" were having fun, but didn't know what they were making.

Christian is getting big

2007-08-30T18:15:00.000-04:00

What a nice smile!

Jim Bradley's Barbecue

2007-08-30T18:12:00.000-04:00

Here's Jim talking to some of the 700 or more people that came to his annual barbecue last night.

Winona Peach Festival

2007-08-30T18:00:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, we went to the Winona Peach Festival. Here are Mr. and Mrs. Peach, who have been around for years!

Frances and John

2007-08-23T21:43:00.000-04:00

At the Beacon for dinner.

Heather's Wedding

2007-08-23T21:34:00.001-04:00

My niece, Heather was married last weekend to Scott Fisch. The wedding was outdoors at the University of Guelph.

Their dog, Briscoe, was the "Best Dog"

Here are Frances, Michael and myself

Reception with the Premier

2007-08-13T21:32:00.000-04:00

Here's Dalton McGuinty with Ted and Jim Bradley. The reception was held outdoors at Inniskillin Winery. The wines and hors d'oeuvres were excellent.

Here I am with Ken Knox, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and Don Ziraldo, host of the event.

Christian in his Exersaucer

2007-08-09T18:19:00.001-04:00

Canal Days in Port Colborne

2007-08-07T09:20:00.001-04:00

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Canal Days in Port Colborne. Here is one of the several tall ships that were anchored there. This ship,

the St. Lawrence II, out of Kingston, trains teenage sailors.

There were lots of people there!

Weekend in Boston

2007-07-26T08:05:00.001-04:00

On July 20 we went to Boston. On Sunday, the Red Sox beat the White Sox at Fenway Park.

Here is a home run in the fifth inning that sent three players home.

Ted at the Frog Pond in Boston Common.

Sunday concert at Ancaster

2007-07-16T21:45:00.001-04:00

We took our picnic supper to Fieldcote Park. I have just jumped into the picture on the timer mode.

Then we enjoyed the concert by the Fado Blues group with Catarina Cardeal and Mike Siracusa.

Water Baby

2007-07-16T21:42:00.001-04:00

Here's Christian having his first swim in the pool at Grandparents Tophens' house.

Family

2007-07-09T09:44:00.000-04:00

Here is Christian and his family at Leslie and Isaac's place on July 4

New Deck, next stage

2007-07-06T14:15:00.001-04:00

Rick finished my deck last week. Now I just have to paint the shed and the furniture and re-cover the cushions.

My new Patio

2007-06-27T22:34:00.001-04:00

Here's Rick this morning, with a Tonka truck full of nails finishing my deck. When I came home from work tonight, he had put up the fence and the canopy and started the planters. More pictures to follow.

Supper Club

2007-06-18T19:48:00.000-04:00

Here are Eb and Margie having some appetizers before our Monday dinner at my place. We take turns hosting these weekly dinners.

Blue Jays Game

2007-06-18T19:46:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, Ted and I joined his family for brunch and a ballgame in Toronto. We had good seats in the shade. The Jays lost, but we enjoyed the experience.

Empire Sandy

2007-06-12T21:25:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, we went on a "Tall Ship" cruise of the Welland Canal. Because of traffic problems on the Canal, we only got as far as the first lock and the first bridge, but we enjoyed beautiful weather and a delicious lunch.

A Real Cutie!

2007-06-07T21:49:00.000-04:00

Christian is now six and a half months old

Prince of Wales

2007-06-06T07:57:00.001-04:00

On Monday, Colleen and I went to have "Tea" at the Prince of Wales in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Very elegant!

Royal Botanical Gardens

2007-06-06T07:56:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, we went to the Royal Botanical Gardens to see the Iris and Peony display.

The flowers were upstaged by the snapping turtles who had crawled up from a nearby swamp to lay their eggs in the soft garden beds .

Celebration for Jim Bradley

2007-06-05T23:16:00.000-04:00

On Friday night, Ted and I attended a very special dinner recognizing Jim Bradley's thirty years of service to the community. Here is the archway of hockey and lacrosse sticks, plus oars and other sports equipment that he walked through to get to our table.

I can sit up now!

2007-05-25T11:17:00.000-04:00

Here's Christian at six months sitting up on his own.

New York City

2007-05-19T09:25:00.001-04:00

Statue of Libery

St. Patrick's Cathedral reflected in highrise

Naked Cowboy in Times Square

Me and Tom Selleck.

Shopping for "Designer" bags in Canal Street

Christian Again

2007-05-10T19:03:00.000-04:00

In his new highchair.

Hey, Where's the food?

Hamilton, Ontario

2007-05-08T20:56:00.000-04:00

Frilly tulip in the Rock Garden at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Webster Falls

Tews Falls

New Camera

2007-05-08T18:25:00.000-04:00

Here I am back on Blogger. My two-year-old Sony camera bit the dust - the LCD screen failed, and since I didn't have an extended warranty, it was not worthwhile to have it fixed. So much for Sony quality!

This is a cheap Pentax, and in some ways it is better than the Sony.

Here are Colleen and Christian

Heather's Shower

2007-04-29T17:38:00.000-04:00

Colleen and I went to a shower for my niece, Heather.

A Day in the Park

2007-04-24T21:03:00.000-04:00

Colleen and Scott took Christian to the park today. He tried some real "big boy" stuff.

Off to a Good Start

2007-04-18T19:54:00.000-04:00

Is that wine all for me?

Fonthill Hike

2007-04-15T12:14:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Lydia and I went with the Bruce Trail Club for a hike in the Fonthill area. Not many plants are up yet, but we saw these skunk cabbages, plus a few scyllas and snowdrops.