Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake

 

Another one of the places we visited while on vacation this year

was Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake

 

 

Both are in Banff National Park

and if you visit one it's only a few minutes drive to visit the other.

 

 

Lake Minnewanka is a large lake and beautiful.

 

Next time we go I hope we can take the boat cruise around the lake. 

 

 

Little Inukshuks were built everywhere.

 

Two Jack Lake is much smaller in size.

 

We unloaded our kayaks and spent a delightful afternoon

kayaking around the lake.

 

It was quite unexpected to come to a dam at the end of the lake.

Not what one expects to find in a National Park.

 

The color of the water was stunning and the pictures do not do it justice.

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cleaning The Coffee Maker

 

Cleaning the coffee maker is quite simple to do

and makes the coffee taste so much better.

The recommendations for cleaning on my coffee maker

is to clean it after 60 uses.

This works out to about once a month for us.

 

First, add four cups of vinegar

and eight cups of water.

Add a fresh coffee filter.

 

If your coffee maker has a self-clean button turn that on

and then turn on the coffee maker

and let it brew through the cycle.

If you don't have the self-clean

just turn on the coffee maker and do a regular brew cycle.

 

Once the cycle is finished let it sit for 15 minutes,

empty the vinegar/water mixture

and run another cycle through,

although this time with just plain water.

If you haven't cleaned your coffee maker in quit some time

you may want to do a second vinegar/water cycle

and then a rinse cycle.

 

My coffeemaker has a charcoal filter

so I replace it when I clean the coffeemaker.

 

Remove the old filter

and replace with a fresh charcoal filter.

 

Let it soak in water for 10 minutes.

 

 

Then rinse under running water for 10-15 seconds.

Let drain completely and place back in the coffeemaker.

 

 

Brew a fresh pot of coffee and enjoy!

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Around Our Sunday Table

Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~George Herbert

  

Oh, the many things I have to be thankful for this week

as we gather around our Sunday table.

Safety!  Hubby slipped and fell on the ice.

Although he took quite a tumble he didn't break anything.

He is a little sore but I am so thankful it wasn't anything worse.

 

 Safety again!

While carpooling home from work the vehicle hubby was in

(not our vehicle)

hit a hay bale that was on the highway.

Although the car was damaged and needed to be towed

no one in the vehicle was hurt!

 

And safety again.

A winter storm last week

and family members travelling.

Once again we were granted travelling mercies. 

 

Friends.

I have been so blessed this week

with such encouragement and kind words.

I am so thankful for friends. 

 

 

I am thankful for the home God has blessed us. with.

It may be simple but it keeps us warm and dry

and holds so many good memories. 

 

What are you thankful for this week?

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, November 9, 2013

Outside my window...

I am thinking... How my blogging time has been taken over by Christmas projects - but I am on track so far for getting the gifts done by Christmas.

I am thankful for... So many things this week - especially safety!

From the kitchen...
~Sunday: Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Buns, Broccoli, Corn, Tossed Salad, Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
~Monday: Mushroom Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Turnip, Green Beans, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Pie
~Tuesday: Herb Crusted Salmon, Herbed Pasta, Carrots, Broccoli, Salad, Vanilla Cake w/Chocolate Icing
~Wednesday: Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry, Rice, Oven Baked Zucchini, Asian Salad, Chocolate Pie
~Thursday: Crockpot Sweet & Sour Chicken, Rice, Steamed Peas, Asian Salad, Vanilla Cake w/Chocolate Icing
~Friday:  Out to Parents for Dad's Birthday Supper
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

 

I am wearing... Jeans & a Purple and Grey Striped Hoodie

I am creating... This week my goals are:-
~Make a Card for my daughter
~Finish the letter "G" on my X-Stitch Sampler
~Finish 8 pages of scrapbooking
~Work on a beaded fridge magnet

I am reading... Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman by Elizabeth George

I am praying for... Family & Friends but especially my hubby this week as he has some health issues he is dealing with.

Pondering these words...

Beautiful faces are they that wear
The light of a pleasant spirit there;
Beautiful hands are they that do
Deeds that are noble, good and true;
Beautiful feet are they that go
Swiftly to lighten another’s woe.

McGuffey’s Second Reader

I am still hoping... To finish some projects before Christmas.

I am hearing... Silence

Around the house... Christmas projects and Christmas presents getting ready to be wrapped!

One of my favorite things... Sunshine & fresh air!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday:  Remembrance Day Service
~Tuesday: Bake & Decorate Cake for Dad's Birthday
~Wednesday: Housecleaning Day
~Thursday: Volunteer at MCC, Errands & Grocery Shopping
~Friday: Dad's Birthday Supper
~Saturday: Put up Outdoor Christmas Decorations (weather permitting)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

 

~The weekly letter I write to my daughter~

 



~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Around Our Sunday Table

It is literally true, as the thankless say, that they have nothing to be thankful for.  He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire.  Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient.  But a thankful heart hath a continual feast.  ~W.J. Cameron

 

As we gather around our Sunday table there are so many

things to be thankful for this week.

 

Despite the winter storm that blew in

our power stayed on and family members that

had to travel stayed safe.

 

That hubby is diligent about getting doctor check-ups.

 

That my mom & I had such a great time

on our "Girls Day Out".

 

That I was able to share what I have

with others this week.

 

For our cozy home.

 

 

What are you thankful for this week?

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays



The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, November 2, 2013

Outside my window...

I am thinking... Of my daughter's internship and whether or not she will be home for the summer.

I am thankful for... Family who is close.

From the kitchen...
~Sunday: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Buns, Gravy, Broccoli, Corn, Salad, Strawberry Trifle
~Monday: Chicken Hurry, Rice, Turnip, Green Beans, Salad, Oreo Pudding Cake
~Tuesday: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Ceasar Salad, Nutty Chocolate Chip Cake
~Wednesday: Fast Fish Skillet, Rice, Cauliflower, Carrots, Salad, Strawberry Trifle
~Thursday: Crockpot Pork Stew, Buns, Corn, Salad, Oreo Pudding Cake
~Friday:  Chicken & Peppers, Rice, Baked Zucchini, Salad, Nutty Chocolate Chip Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

~Oreo Pudding Cake~

I am wearing... Jeans & Dark Brown Shirt

I am creating... This week my goals are:-
~Make a Birthday Card for my Dad
~Finish the letter "F" on my X-Stitch Sampler
~Finish 8 pages of scrapbooking
~Start on a beaded fridge magnet

I am reading... Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman by Elizabeth George

I am praying for... Direction for my daughter regarding her internship


Pondering these words...

When we understand that He is Lord of our time, we realize that interruptions are of His planning.  They become opportunities to serve rather than plagues to keep us from functioning.

Karen Mains

  
I am still hoping... To finish some projects.

I am hearing... Hubby typing on laptop.

Around the house... Cleaning & organizing.

One of my favorite things... Waking up to the smell of fresh brewed coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday:  Work outside - weather permitting
~Tuesday: Deep Cleaning around the house
~Wednesday: Housework
~Thursday: Errands & Grocery Shopping
~Friday: Card Class
~Saturday: Brother-in-law & family over for supper

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

~While the weather outside was frightful

it was a perfect opportunity to enjoy a homemade Café Mocha~

 



~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Frugal Friday! How I Saved This Week!

Prices seem to go up every year for just the basics.

Unfortunately, our income often doesn't match the pace

of the increase for costs of goods.

"A penny saved is a penny earned"

is something I heard very often while growing up.

So, here are a few of the ways I saved some of our pennies this week,

which in turn allows us to live comfortably on less.

 

 

 

With the snow on the way and the temperatures dropping

I took the time to make sure all our windows were locked and sealed,

which keeps the cold air out, the warm air in,

and saves on our heating costs.

 

 

I used cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.

 

 

I used old grocery bags to line the garbage cans.

 

From a bit of leftover roast I made a Beef Noodle Soup

which will be hubby's lunches while he works night shifts.

 

I made some homemade bread.

More economical than buying bread,

which is quite pricey right now

and also better tasting!

 

 

I took the bits of meat off from the turkey bones

and made a dinner of Turkey Stew & Dumplings!

Very yummy indeed :)

 

How did you save money this week?

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!